Why aren't electronic door locks common in the United States?
Posted by lfreddit23@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 104 comments
I've seen comments on various subreddit like "Lock the door well for safety" and "Unlocked houses are mainly subject to theft." Also in my short memory, houses and apartments often used the door key.
Why don't they just use the electronic lock? It locks automatically. It'll be a bit of a problem if the battery runs out, but those locks start to sound off at least a few weeks in advance when they run out of power (every time when we open and close the door), and they last at least a few months once they're plugged in.
Common-Charity9128@reddit
Again, not saying it’s bad, but when digital fails, we need a physical counterpart to work…
WhoDatDatDidDat@reddit
I’ll choose hardware over digital things almost every time.
nietheo@reddit
The last thing I want is another electric thing in my life.
MentalTelephone5080@reddit
Just use this handy app to unlock your door..... Then Amazon web services goes down and you can access the app to unlock your door.....
Red_Beard_Rising@reddit
The only place you see electronic door locks are in hotel rooms. They also have a dead bolt, a chain, and one of those U-shaped bars that latches over a hook.
TheBimpo@reddit
You can walk into any Walmart or hardware store in America and buy an electronic door lock.
People don’t adapt to them for a variety of reasons ranging from the expense to distrust of IoT devices or battery failure.
They are probably not universal in your country either.
royalhawk345@reddit
As they say, "The S in IoT is for security!"
Outlaw_Josie_Snails@reddit
I have an electric door lock on one of my doors (though, an older push button keypad). On my other door, it is a traditional key lock.
stangAce20@reddit
Electronics can have batteries die, or just completely short out! Takes quite a bit of force to get a key to snap, and even if it does, you can just replace the whole lock/door handle
LetterheadClassic306@reddit
i've wondered this too. lots of people just never switched because traditional locks work fine and are cheaper. battery anxiety is real even with warnings. that said i put one on my back door last year and love it. something like a Schlage Encode or August Wi-Fi solves the auto lock thing. just keep a backup key hidden outside.
Joemirag78@reddit
Electronic door locks are not uncommon in the United States either. Many people still prefer to use traditional mechanical locks, and due to concerns about the long-term stability and security of electronic products, they are not as widely adopted.
VinegarMyBeloved@reddit
They’re pretty common in apartments/townhouses, but for other instances I can think of a few reasons… most people live in areas where break ins aren’t that much of a threat, you can’t give someone temporary access to your house like with a key (once they know the code they can let themself in whenever until you change it), lack of trust in the battery/security, cost, aesthetics (especially in older looking homes), reliance on/trust in other security systems like cameras
shelwood46@reddit
I'd add, I was watching a UK sitcom where they put in fob-activated smart locks where you couldn't get in or *out* without the fobs, and that would be super illegal in most of the US, we do not allow dual-keyed deadbolts whether manual or electronic, for safety reasons. You need to be able to exit without a key/fob/code.
VinegarMyBeloved@reddit
That’s crazy 😭 that does explain the older British gentleman I met the other day who was pushing the main door of our apartment building from the inside and asking “why won’t it lock from this side?”
ayebrade69@reddit
Those things are a solution in search of a problem
molten_dragon@reddit
One problem they solve is they make it very easy to give someone temporary or limited access to your home or business.
If you have a housesitter, cleaning service, dog walker, etc. you can set up a code that will only work once, or only at certain times or certain days. That's difficult to do with a standard keyed deadbolt.
shelwood46@reddit
Yes, we put them in it at our volunteer fire house, it made us able to give temporary codes to people, and time limits for certain classes of member (under 18 could not be in the building from 10pm-6am), then when we upgraded, it gave everyone a personal code so we could track everyone entering and leaving. But I can't see much of a use case unless you either have a business at home, lots of regular contractors (like a cleaner), or are just terrible with losing keys. I've never bothered at home.
Saltpork545@reddit
This is true and that is valid, as is stuff like Airbnb.
You could easily have a single use code or a code that rotates every so often for better security.
SMF67@reddit
Because fuck IOT devices
iowanaquarist@reddit
The VAST majority of electronic locks are not IOT. It's a huge jump in price to get to IOT level, and then the batteries start dying significantly quicker when you do.
yourlittlebirdie@reddit
What’s the point of one that’s not IOT though? Isn’t the whole selling point that you can check it and lock it from anywhere?
iowanaquarist@reddit
You can still trivially program them with different codes for different people, pull logs, set access times, etc.
Not only that, they are FAR more secure than just hiding a key somewhere and hoping no one finds it.
devnullopinions@reddit
How many people do you realistically give access when you’re not home? For me it’s only the dog walker and she is a close friend that had a key to our house before we even got a dog.
HeatwaveInProgress@reddit
For me it's a cat sitter that comes maybe 7 times per year and she is family. Literally the only person who gets the keys.
iowanaquarist@reddit
5-6 people. The biggest benefit for us is replacing the spare key.
devnullopinions@reddit
Yeah with that many people I can see the appeal.
bearsnchairs@reddit
The selling point is not needing a key.
Sirhc978@reddit
Not having to carry a key? We just have a keypad on our deadbolt. If I want to use a key, I still can. As a backup, I can also connect to the lock with Bluetooth as a backup.
CinemaSideBySides@reddit
But that doesn't seem to be OP's point - which is what we're discussing - which is about the automatic locking function.
yourlittlebirdie@reddit
Ok fair enough. Personally I just don’t think an automatic locking function is particularly useful. And there are plenty of manual locks that can do this too.
BioDriver@reddit
Fuck smart homes. Personal IOT meshes are such leaky systems
ramblinjd@reddit
You can get "dumb" electric locks that have a keypad and a timer (locks itself if left unlocked more than a minute or so). I've had one basically everywhere I've lived since 2009. My parents too.
pwolter0@reddit
I have dumb electronic locks for my house. One of the best bang for my buck upgrades I made.
mythicalwolf00@reddit
There are a number of reasons why I at least wouldn't want an electric lock to rely on like that but among other reasons electric locks are often pretty easy to break into.
SlowInsurance1616@reddit
So are all locks.
molten_dragon@reddit
Not all locks, but the vast majority of home door locks sold in the US aren't particularly secure.
cryptoengineer@reddit
For entertainment, search for "LockPickingLawyer" on Youtube. You'll never trust a lock again.
meowmix778@reddit
Something my father said a lot growing up applies here. "Locks only keep honest people honest"
The lock might be secure but the window isn't. If you really set your mind to it, you could drive a car through a store front.
Fwahm@reddit
Locks won't stop fully determined thieves, but most thieves aren't determined. A thief might be willing to steal from a house that has an unlocked door or a door that can be easily and quickly picked, but not from one they'll have to break stuff (and thus potential attract attention).
Plus, even for determined thieves, they prefer to not have to do all that, so you just have to make your house more annoying to break into than the one down the street that isn't locked at all.
BulldMc@reddit
The only time I ever had my house broken in to, the guy left a dent in my back door, kicked in a door to a storage area, tried to kick his way through the wall between the storage area and the house, damaging the dishwasher that was on the other side. Then he finally gave up and went to the front door, splintered the frame to hell kicking that in. That's the power of meth, I guess.
The upside was, the police got there before he left but not before he did a lot of damage trying to rip pipes off the basement ceiling.
-Moose_Soup-@reddit
This is something that people say all the time, but isn't really true. The vast majority of property crime is opportunistic, like people walking by a row of cars and trying the handles. Same with doors or windows. Breaking a window or kicking down a door is how you get noticed.
Current_Poster@reddit
All security is just raising the cost of access too high for the returns. It's not a gotcha.
SlowInsurance1616@reddit
Neither is "electric locks are pretty easy to break into."
JudgeWhoOverrules@reddit
Only because most people use crappy kwikset locks that came with their house because builders choose cheap things.
Diligent_Gear_8179@reddit
Most thefts are crimes of opportunity. Yeah, a lock, even a deadbolt, isn't going to keep out anybody REALLY determined, but you don't run into thieves who are REALLY determine to break into ONE specific house very often. You're a lot more likely to have the local sketchy guy trying doors to see if they're unlocked, so he can slip in, grab something, and quickly get out, than you are to encounter someone who REALLY wants to break into THIS one specific house.
rawbface@reddit
I have been using electronic locks for over a decade.
I don't know how common they are, but the one I'm using was on the lockpicking lawyer on YouTube, and it wasn't totally trashed (high praise for lpl).
Riker_Omega_Three@reddit
If a person is incapable of locking their door when they leave home, then life is going to be exponentially difficult
Basic human tasks like locking your home when you leave is necessary to remind people to take their safety seriously
Illustrious_Code_347@reddit
I've never heard of an electronic lock except at a hotel room and in some apartment buildings that are set up kind of like hotel rooms.
But immediately — I would have a big problem with reliability. A physical lock, like a piece of iron, really can't malfunction. It can't run out of batteries. Only thing that can happen is if it breaks because someone is trying to break in. So I would prefer a physical lock, electronic seems inferior to me. It's one of these "technology for the sake of technology" things that doesn't actually improve anything. It's like iPhones switching to no more physical SIM card — this is worse. You used to be able to get a new phone and just put your old SIM card in it and voila, you have the same phone number and a working phone and everything... But now days they don't do that, it's all "virtual" so it invariably requires calling the carrier, or providing apple with your info so they can turn on the service for you, or some other step that previously it did not.
myOEburner@reddit
They are. It's almost zero extra hassle. Just replace batteries now and then, and that's it. Not app controlled, of course.
Saltpork545@reddit
Home Depot is the biggest house hardware store in the US. It's a common place to go to buy stuff to fix up or work on houses.
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Hardware-Door-Hardware-Door-Locks-Electronic-Door-Locks/N-5yc1vZc2bd
Here's 331 options for electronic door locks.
Just because people choose to still use keys or the cheaper easier option is stuff like deadbolts doesn't mean it's not available. There are absolutely people who use various forms of electronic lock and there are absolutely people who do not.
The basic advice is still good advice: Lock your doors. No matter how they lock, lock them.
OceanPoet87@reddit
Electronic locks can be hacked.
GreenBeanTM@reddit
Because I don’t want to have to charge my door, do you not hear ridiculous that sounds?
Electronic almost means more likely to break. “Sorry boss, can’t come into work today because one of the wires in my door fired so if I leave the house I’m fucked”
BioDriver@reddit
Batteries die
The actual locks in most of them are super weak and easy to pick, override, or break
They’re stupid expensive and for half the price I can get a deadbolt that’s more solid and harder to break or pick.
LF3000@reddit
I'd also add that:
Lugbor@reddit
Locks only stop an honest thief. Anyone who wants access to your home will get it, no matter what kind of lock you have. Digital locks have more easily exploitable vulnerabilities than their physical counterparts (some of them can be bypassed by simply holding a decent magnet to the side of the lock body). This raises the threshold for access and makes it significantly harder for someone to get in through the door.
jessper17@reddit
We took the electronic locks off our house immediately when we bought it. Not a fan and they can be less secure. I’ll stick to my deadbolt and knob lick that require physical keys.
Pinwurm@reddit
Many homes do have an electronic door. The garage door, which often has a keypad as well. I had friends at school that only used the garage door when they got home and never had a key.
For typical electronic locks, well... I live in New England. We have harsh winters where it's not uncommon to hit -20'C. Pending on the design, a lot of battery-powered locks will fail at those temperatures. Manual locks will never fail.
That said, I still designate one of my doors with an electronic keypad lock. It's perfect for pet sitters, visiting family members, preventing lockouts, and when my wife goes jogging (she hates bringing a key). Main door is still manual.
samurai_for_hire@reddit
A lock only keeps honest people out. A digital lock is just another failure point.
Necessary-Wasabi-450@reddit
Not everything needs to be over-engineered. A door lock is a perfect example. Why should I have to be concerned with the battery on my lock when I could just engage the lock?
alaskawolfjoe@reddit
I have never seen one in use in a private home, so it never occurred to me which I think is typical.
I guess this would be with a card swipe or a numeric code?
I am not sure that locking automatically is that big a deal--key locks lock automatically if you set them to do so.
bearsnchairs@reddit
There would be a keypad on the deadbolt for a standard home electric lock.
I haven’t come across one that locks automatically but I imagine they exist. Typically you push and hold a button to actuate the deadbolt.
SabresBills69@reddit
Same reason e-toilets haven't caught on.
devnullopinions@reddit
If someone is determined to break in to my house there are easier ways than picking a lock.
Breaking into my home just isn’t a concern I really have in any capacity.
Low_Attention9891@reddit
They are common. Most designs that are meant for houses don’t automatically lock, so you still have to lock the door. This makes sense as you can leave the door unlocked when you are doing stuff like getting the mail or taking the trash out.
They may also be talking about a deadbolt, which is an extra measure.
My apartment has electronic locks and they work as you describe.
scholar_by_nature@reddit
My parents have one, so it's not unheard of here. I prefer the simplicity of a lock and key myself just because I know it's gonna work every time and I don't have to worry about replacing batteries and what not
meowmix778@reddit
I don't need my door getting hacked or being used for a botnet. I'll just use physical hardware.
79215185-1feb-44c6@reddit
I would love to have an electric door lock, but I rent and that's not my responsibility.
OneNerdyLesbian@reddit
I used to live in an apartment with an electronic lock that required a key card to get in, and I actually hated it. I couldn't take out the trash without making sure I had my key card on me, even if it was going to take me two minutes. I know a lot of electronic locks have a passcode these days, and that would probably annoy me less. At the same time, it feels like a passcode would be easier for a would-be thief to randomly guess.
Personally, I feel like a traditional lock and key works just fine.
Scrappy_The_Crow@reddit
Electronic locks provide zero benefit to me, that's why I personally haven't installed any.
No, a "white guy in informercial fumbles with packages and his key" is not a scenario that convinces me they're worth it.
Sirhc978@reddit
I have a keypad lock. My house is old and the door isn't perfectly lined up. The auto lock feature doesn't work since you have to slightly lean on the door to lock the deadbolt.
molten_dragon@reddit
They are becoming increasingly common. We have them on two of our three exterior doors.
machagogo@reddit
A solution fraught with it's own problems I search of a problem.
But they are fairly common. Any hardware store with have them readily available for purchase.
With 350,000,000 you will see large numbers of everything.
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
Shockingly, keys work and work well with zero bother.
Bluemonogi@reddit
Some places have them. I have encountered them in short term rental places. I found the door locking automatically kind of annoying.
My house door uses a key lock. We don’t have trouble remembering to lock our door. It doesn’t need to be plugged in ever. It always works.
RetreadRoadRocket@reddit
Because locks only keep honest people honest and make people feel better.
https://youtu.be/mGR3h6KTntc?si=VD41FMn-ZLbHSM0G
https://youtu.be/ANsipsS7IK8?si=zzcDYmMdwMpUQOTr
So why waste money on electronic toys?
CinemaSideBySides@reddit
No use spending the money and the time it takes to switch existing locks over to something else. And I'm happy with fewer things in my life needing to be charged or needing battery power.
And it's not like locking a door is difficult. You turn the key and...that's it. Done.
Habsin7@reddit
We’ve used electronic door locks for 25 yrs. No complaints at all. Never lost a key. Never out of power. Never even needed to reprogram. What’s really surprising is I bought it from Home Depot. It’s about the only thing I’ve bought there that seems durable.
yourlittlebirdie@reddit
Not worth the expense and hassle of installing one, then having to worry about batteries and power and privacy. Regular locks work just fine.
LifeApprehensive2818@reddit
As someone who's had to spend an evening in my building's lobby four times in the last year due to an unexpected dead lock battery, I endorse your statement.
Famous-Hunt-6461@reddit
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Manual locks work just fine and I trust it over electric. Besides, battery operated is worse for the environment and more expensive.
agate_@reddit
I can't speak for everyone in the US, just for me:
1) Every electronic lock needs a mechanical backup, so all you've done is added a second way to break into your house.
2) I can unlock my house with a key faster than I can type into a keypad.
3) Remembering to lock your door should be like remembering to put on a seat belt or wear underwear: it's an automatic reflex you don't have to think about.
Digital_Punk@reddit
They are.
TehWildMan_@reddit
It's just not really something I would value spending that kind of money on.
Mechanical locks work well enough and are dirt cheap
abcedarian@reddit
For me, all the doors to the outside except one basically stay locked all the time. The one unlocked door stays unlocked all day, only locking when I go to bed (if I remember).
We use that door a dozen+ times a day and it's be annoying to have to unlock it every time if it locked automatically.
So basically, I don't want to have an automatic lock because I don't lock my door just because no one's home.
Funnily enough, that door DOES have an electric lock on it. I just leave it in the unlocked position most of the time
DOMSdeluise@reddit
They are common. But personally I think locks are a solved problem and don't want to add yet another battery operated device to my list of things to worry about. Also I automatically lock the door going in and out myself, it's very easy to do this.
Avery_Thorn@reddit
There's an old joke.
The tech enthusiast has smart home everything. They can see what's in the fridge, adjust the thermostat, check the front door, all from their phone.
The software engineer keeps a gun by the printer in case it makes weird noises.
I don't want a lock that can be hacked. If someone is going to pick my lock, at least they aren't going to be a script kiddy.
justforme31@reddit
We have an electronic lock but it doesn’t lock automatically
outsideskyy@reddit
Physical locks work 100% of the time. Electric locks don’t. Super annoying.
GotMeAMuleToRide@reddit
I don't even have power door locks in my car.
rco8786@reddit
They’re plenty common. Readily available at any hardware store right next to the analog locks.
Shoddy-Secretary-712@reddit
Our house has 4 exterior doors. One is electric.
I feel like this is more common that having total electric doors. But most people have non electric.
Strong_Landscape_333@reddit
Unless you live in a high time area or are being specifically targeted, I don't think people breaking into your house is something you need to worry about
There's basically nothing worth anything at my place. They can take the tv, but Walmart has big TV's for like $200, unless it's some crack head trying to get a fix what's the point because it has little resale value.
vashtachordata@reddit
I’ve had an electronic look on my door for a few years now. Several of my neighbors do too. Not like a hotel lock, just one you punch a code into too.
No-Lunch4249@reddit
Theyve become way more common over the last few years
Duque_de_Osuna@reddit
They are not unheard of, but a lot depend on batteries which can be problematic.
albertnormandy@reddit
I don’t even lock my doors at night. I live far enough off the road that I figure if someone wants to walk down my driveway they aren’t going to let a door lock stop them from breaking in.
ConcertTop7903@reddit
We have electronic locks at my job with a card but not needed at a home for most people.
CoffeeExtraCream@reddit
How do you know they're not?
DarthKnah@reddit
Plenty of people do have electronic locks like you describe. Plenty of people have fancy alarm systems. Plenty of people have electronic locks that don’t lock immediately for whatever reason (they all work differently). And plenty of people have analog locks that they see no reason to replace because they work fine.
Electronic door locks are very common, and I would guess that whatever country you’re from also has a decent number of homes with traditional locks.
CheesE4Every1@reddit
I think you mean automatic door locks. We have ass tons of electronic locks. I have two electronic locks on my house and about to be 3 after finding homeless on my cameras going into my crawl space to sleep and leave Ill gotten loot for a second time.
Jaci_D@reddit
We have them and they only work like 80% of the time and we get so angry at them when it’s 11pm and we have to get out of bed to go lock the door since the lock didn’t work.
GlobalTapeHead@reddit
I installed an electronic lock on my front door January of 2024. I have not had to change the batteries yet.
Some people have electronic locks. It’s catching on.
BankOk9472@reddit
Expense. Plain and Simple.
emmasdad01@reddit
They are