Pretty much every safe customer we have eventually asks the question: “Mechanical lock or electronic lock?” Both have their pros and cons, so let's explore them!
Mechanical locks are like those on old school lockers – you spin a dial to enter a combination. They're simple, reliable, and generally more affordable. However, they can be a bit slow to open, especially in the dark or if you have shaky hands. Sometimes a spouse that rarely opens the safe will struggle with the specific dialing sequence even if the numbers are known. You also can't change the combination yourself.
Electronic locks, or e-locks, use a battery-powered keypad to enter a code. They're generally easier and faster to use, especially under pressure. Plus, you can change the combination anytime you want. There are electronic locks that have options for multiple codes, remote unlocking capabilities, and biometrics. The downside is that they require batteries, but all of our electronic locks have batteries that can be changed when the safe door is closed, so you don’t have to worry about a lockout due to dead battery. The other downside is the small chance of electronic failure.
That’s where customers get the most nervous. Will the electronic lock be as reliable in the long run as the traditional mechanical lock? Honestly, it probably won’t be. Electronic safe locks have approximately a 3% failure rate over a 10 year span. We rarely get a call to drill open a safe with a failed mechanical lock, and much more common that we get a call for a failed electronic lock.
That being said, it is a small percentage of chance that the electronic lock will fail, and there is so much upside to the electronic lock. If you walk around our showroom floor, you’ll notice that there is an electronic lock on nearly every safe. That’s because over the years our customers have chosen electronic locks for their convenience and ease of use.
If your electronic lock fails and you aren’t able to get in, it isn’t the end of the world. Our safe technician is able to open the safe and repair it like it never happened. Liberty Safe will warranty electronic locks for 5-years, and from our experience, if there is a defect in the electronic lock, the failure will happen in that time frame. Liberty Safe also offers extended warranties available for purchase if you are concerned about failure of your electronic lock.
Some people just love the look and feel of the mechanical combination dial. They enjoy spinning it and the satisfaction of the numbers lining up perfectly. If that's you, then mechanical lock is the way to go. Otherwise, don’t sweat the small chance of electronic lock failure, and go with the easy to use electronic lock!
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