13 Types of Electronic Locks and How to Choose the Best One for Your Needs
As technology advances, electronic locks are becoming increasingly common and trusted. In fact, over 45% of the access control market—valued at around $3.8 billion in 2025—is driven by commercial buildings alone.
Meanwhile, the global access control market (including hardware and smart systems) was worth $10.8 billion in 2024, with North America leading the sector. Why the surge? Because electronic locks simplify security and make life easier:
- No more worrying about lost or copied keys.
- You unlock doors with cards, codes, fingerprints, or smartphones.
- You get centralized control—see who enters, when, and where.
These features make electronic locks ideal for modern offices, apartments, and many industries.
Main Types of Electronic Locks
1. Magnetic Locks (Maglocks)
Magnetic locks use an electromagnet installed on the door frame and a metal armature on the door leaf. When powered, they provide holding force up to 1,800 pounds. These locks are fail-safe: they unlock when power is cut. They are simple in structure, making them highly reliable with almost no moving parts.
- Applications: Glass doors, building lobbies
- Advantages: Sleek design, minimal maintenance, easy integration
- Limitations: Always unlock during power failure; not ideal for high-security standalone needs
2. Electric Strike Locks
Electric strikes replace the traditional strike plate in the door frame. They work by releasing the latch when energized, allowing access without turning the handle. Depending on configuration, they can be fail-safe or fail-secure.
- Applications: Wood or metal doors
- Advantages: Cost-effective, retrofitting friendly
- Limitations: Requires door handle interaction in some cases
3. Electromechanical Cylindrical and Mortise Locks
These locks retain a conventional appearance while incorporating internal electric mechanisms. They can be powered by motors or solenoids and support both fail-safe and fail-secure configurations.
- Applications: Offices, schools, retrofitted properties
- Advantages: Maintains architectural aesthetics, user-friendly
- Limitations: May require specialized installation
4. Electric Push Bar Locks
Ideal for emergency exits, these devices integrate an electrified release into a push bar. They support code compliance for safe and rapid egress.
- Applications: Stairwells, kitchens, warehouse exits
- Advantages: Fire safety compliance, intuitive operation
- Limitations: Limited to exit-only use
5. Shear Locks
Shear locks combine electromagnetic and mechanical holding. Instead of direct pull, they offer shear resistance, improving holding strength.
- Applications: High-security, aesthetically sensitive sites
- Advantages: Hidden installation, high force capacity
- Limitations: Demanding installation precision
6. Solenoid and Motorized Locks
Often integrated into standard cylindrical/mortise lock bodies, these use solenoids or motors to retract the latch.
- Applications: Office suites, access control-heavy environments
- Advantages: Silent operation, code compliance, dual fail modes
- Limitations: Higher cost, may require regular maintenance
7. Electric Bolt Locks
These slim-profile locks extend a metal bolt into a strike plate, ideal for sliding doors or glass panel doors.
- Applications: Cabinets, swing/sliding doors
- Advantages: Discreet look, high security
- Limitations: Requires accurate alignment, not for high-traffic doors
8. Keypad Locks
These operate using PIN codes, eliminating the need for keys or cards.
- Applications: Residential, small offices
- Advantages: Easy to use, codes can be updated quickly
- Limitations: Vulnerable to shoulder-surfing, needs frequent code changes
9. Biometric Locks
These utilize fingerprint, iris, or palm vein recognition for identity authentication.
- Applications: Data centers, luxury residences, government facilities
- Advantages: Extremely secure, personalized
- Limitations: High cost, may struggle with dirty/damaged fingers
10. RFID Card Locks
These function via proximity cards or fobs and are common in hospitality or corporate settings.
- Applications: Hotels, coworking spaces
- Advantages: Contactless, scalable access levels
- Limitations: Lost cards pose risks, potential cloning
11. Bluetooth and App-Controlled Locks
These locks communicate with smartphones to grant or deny access.
- Applications: Shared apartments, temporary rentals
- Advantages: Remote control, usage logs
- Limitations: Depends on phone battery, app glitches
12. Wi-Fi Smart Locks
These locks are internet-connected, allowing full remote access.
- Applications: Smart homes, Airbnb-style rentals
- Advantages: Monitor access from anywhere
- Limitations: Network downtime disrupts function
13. Passive Electronic Locks
Unlike all the above, passive electronic locks contain no onboard power. Instead, Vanma locks draw momentary power from a programmable electronic key during contact.
- Applications: Telecom cabinets, power substations, logistics, public infrastructure
- Advantages: No batteries or wiring, IP68 waterproof, audit trails, tamper-resistant
- Limitations: Requires compatible smart key, specialized key management
Fail-Safe vs. Fail-Secure: Understanding Power Failures
When choosing an electronic lock, it’s important to understand how it works during a power outage. This is especially important for places like emergency exits or high-security areas.
- Fail-safe locks unlock when the power goes out. This is good for emergency exits because people need to get out quickly in a fire or other emergency. For example, a magnetic lock (maglock) will release the door immediately if the electricity stops. But this also means the door is not secure when there’s no power.
- Fail-secure locks stay locked when the power is off. These are used in places that need to stay secure, like server rooms or safes. Even in a blackout, the door won’t open unless you use a backup key or battery system.
Which type you choose depends on what’s more important—letting people exit safely, or keeping a place locked. For example, emergency exits usually require fail-safe locks, while inner security rooms can use fail-secure ones.
Some advanced locks let you choose between fail-safe and fail-secure. These are called dual-mode locks. You can even combine both types: use a fail-safe lock on the outside for safety, and a fail-secure lock inside to protect valuable assets.
How to Choose the Right Electronic Lock
Based on Door Type
- Glass doors: Use magnetic or shear locks. They look clean and don’t need holes drilled through the door. Shear locks are hidden inside the frame, while maglocks are easier to install and still hold strongly.
- Wood or metal doors: Go with electric strike or motorized locks. These work well with traditional doors and can be set up to either unlock or stay locked during power failures.
- Sliding doors: Electric bolt locks work best here. They have a bolt that slides out to hold the door securely.
- Emergency exits: Use electric push bars. These are designed to open quickly and safely in emergencies, while still keeping the door secure from the outside.
Based on Security Level
- Basic security: If you just need simple access control, go with PIN codes or RFID card locks. These are great for small offices or apartments.
- Medium-level security: For more control, like setting access times or tracking who comes in and out, use motorized locks or electric strikes.
- High-security areas: Use biometric locks or passive electronic locks like Vanma. These offer detailed logs and strict access control, perfect for places like server rooms or restricted zones.
Based on Budget and Appearance
- If you’re on a budget: Choose electric strikes or keypads. They’re affordable and easy to install.
- If you want something modern: Try electromechanical mortise locks or biometric systems. They look great and provide strong security.
- If you care about durability: Look for models with ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 certification. These are tested for heavy, long-term use.
Based on Environment and Usage
- Harsh or remote places: In outdoor or remote areas with no power supply, Vanma passive electronic locks are the best. They don’t need wiring or batteries, and they’re waterproof and tamper-proof.
- Busy locations: In schools, hospitals, or large offices, use solenoid or motorized locks. These can handle many people using them every day without wearing out.
A: If the power goes out, most electronic locks stop working. This can be a problem, especially for fail-safe locks that unlock when power is lost. Vanma passive electronic locks don’t need power at all. They work with a special smart key that gives just enough power to unlock. Even in a total blackout, Vanma locks keep your building secure. They are waterproof (IP68), can’t be easily tampered with, and record every unlock. That’s why they’re trusted in telecom sites, logistics centers, power stations, and city infrastructure.
Electronic Locks Compliance & Safety Considerations
When choosing an electronic lock, you also need to think about safety rules and technical standards—especially if you’re using it in a public or professional space. Here are the key things to consider:
- Fire safety regulations: Some doors, like emergency exits, must meet rules such as BS EN 1125, which ensure that people can exit quickly during a fire. Locks on these doors must open easily and safely, even in a rush.
- Accessibility (ADA compliance): Public buildings must allow people with disabilities to open doors easily. This means locks should work with push buttons, be placed at the right height, and not require too much force.
- Backup power: Electronic locks that use electricity or batteries—like biometric or RFID locks—should have a backup plan. This could be a battery pack, a mechanical key, or even a smart system that switches to another access method during a power cut.
- Tamper alerts & activity logs: High-security areas need locks that can detect tampering and record every unlock. These audit trail features help track who accessed the area and when, and flag unusual behavior.
- System integration: Good locks work with your other security systems, like fire alarms, video surveillance, or even SCADA (used in industrial control rooms). This allows everything to work together in one smart setup.
Summary of Lock Types and Decision Criteria
Choosing the right electronic lock goes beyond listing features. The best solutions address your operational goals, environment, and risks. While biometric and motorized systems offer convenience and high-end control, they demand power and connectivity. Simpler systems like electric strikes or keypads provide flexibility and economy for common entry points.
However, in remote, hazardous, or power-restricted settings, Vanma passive electronic locks stand apart. They bridge the gap between mechanical reliability and smart control, providing access control that’s auditable, scalable, and maintenance-free.
Ultimately, think beyond the lock: consider the full lifecycle of access control, including installation, daily management, power needs, data security, and future expansion. Only then can you truly secure your space with confidence.
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