Anyone considering smart locks for their self-storage soon arrives at the same question: do I choose battery-powered locks or locks with wired power? Both exist, including in our range, and the difference lies mainly in installation and maintenance. In this article we list the pros, cons and differences.
How does a battery-powered lock work?
A battery-powered lock carries its own power supply. No cable has to run to the door, so installation is a matter of mounting it and you are done. That makes battery locks the logical choice for existing facilities without wiring and for places where running cables is expensive or impractical, such as outdoor units and containers. Examples from our range are the Xbb and the Zbb.
How does a wired lock work?
A wired lock is connected to a fixed power supply. There are no batteries to replace: the lock always has power. In return, cabling is needed to every door. In a new build or major renovation that is easy to include; in an existing building it is a serious job. Examples are the Xbw and the Zbw, the wired variant of the Zbb.
The differences at a glance
| Feature | Battery | Wired |
|---|---|---|
| No wiring needed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Installation without cabling on existing doors | ✓ | ✗ |
| No battery maintenance | ✗ | ✓ |
| Works independently of mains power | ✓ | ✗ |
| Suitable for outdoor units and containers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pincode and app control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm, logging and remote management | ✓ | ✓ |
The bottom two rows may well be the most important ones: in functionality the variants are equals. Pincode, app, alarm, logging and remote management work exactly the same on both. The choice is only about power, installation and maintenance.
The battery objection, examined honestly
The best-known objection to battery locks is the maintenance: at a facility with hundreds of locks you do not want to be surprised by dead batteries. That is why the MyLock dashboard tracks the battery level per lock, so replacement happens before a battery runs out.
When do you choose what?
- Existing facility without wiring: battery, because it installs right away without cabling
- Outdoor units and storage containers: battery, because power is rarely available there
- New build or renovation where cabling is planned anyway: wired, because battery maintenance is off the table for good
- Flat doors: the XbbJ and XbwJ are available for both battery and wired power
And it does not have to be either-or: both variants run in the same system and the same dashboard, so you can choose per zone or door type. Wired at the entrance, battery on the units, for example.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a smart lock battery last?
That depends on how often the lock is used. The MyLock system tracks the battery level per lock in your dashboard, so replacement happens on time.
Does a battery-powered lock work during a power outage?
Yes. A battery-powered lock has its own power supply and simply keeps working when the mains power of the building fails.
Can I combine battery and wired locks at one facility?
Yes. Both variants run in the same MyLock system and are managed from the same dashboard. You choose per door or zone whatever suits best.
Are battery and wired equally secure?
Yes. Pincode, app, alarm, logging and remote management work the same on both variants. The difference is only in the power supply, not in the security.
Conclusion
Battery or wired is not a matter of better or worse, but of what fits your building. No wiring or outdoor units: battery. Cabling present or planned: wired. And because the functionality is identical, you can mix without compromise.
Earlier in this series we compared NFC locks with smart locks. Want advice on the right choice for your facility? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.