My Home Doorbell: Button? Keypad? Fingerprint? Keyfob?



The DoorBird range of products understands that the IP Video Doorbell at your door or gate, can and should be part of a greater ‘Access Control’ system for your house. So not only can you see and talk to a visitor when they arrive, but if they are welcome, you can let them in.


But not all visitors need to be announced over the intercom; sometimes they are friends or family, service professionals you’ve organised a visit from, or delivery people with that important package. Then there’s also you and your immediate family who want to be able to simply but securely get through doors and gates. All while keeping your home and your people safe.


So a Doorbell on its own is only a small part of the story. It needs to be one element of an Access Control system to truly create a safe and convenient home using keyless entry.




OK, so I want to have some access control; how does that work?




Well… with a full-featured brand like DoorBird, you can always unlock a gate or door from anywhere in the world using the app. But realistically, you probably don’t want to be the ‘concierge’ of your house, that could end up being a Full-time job. It could also be inconvenient if you are in a meeting, at the movies, on a plane, or relaxing at the beach. So there are 3 main ways you can control access to your property without answering a doorbell press ‘live’ every time.


1. Enter a key code on a Keypad

2. Swipe your finger on a Finger print reader

3. Swipe a keyfob 




The great news is that all of these are available in the DoorBird range, and all of them can be set up on a schedule. For example the cleaner might have access with a keycode but only on Mondays and Fridays between 9am and 1pm. Your sister may have fingerprint access 24/7. The plumber has a ‘works once’ code for a service visit while you are not at home, and once its used to gain access, it gets disabled and is no longer valid.


As for which technology, there are a number of pro’s and con’s and which is best will often depend on variables such as how many access points you have, who typically visits, if children are among the frequent users, and if access requirements tend to be ad-hoc or pre-meditated. Keep in mind, you don’t have to choose only 1 of these solutions for your home. You can incorporate multiple or all of these technologies, or even have 1 style at one entry point, and another at a different access point.




Let’s look at each technology



Keypad (Most Convenient)



The humble keypad is probably the most versatile keyless entry method. With a 4 - 6 digit code, you can set up unlimited or scheduled access for just about anybody. The two best benefits of a keypad are: 

1) You can create and program a unique keycode for someone without being at home or with them, and 
2) You can create that code to be single use only. 

In many cases this makes keypad keyless entry more convenient than any of the other styles. 



Pro’s


  • You can create a unique code for someone without being at home or with them in person
  • You can create a code that works 24/7, only on certain days and times, within a certain period, or single use
  • You can track who accesses and when
  • You or your visitor doesn’t need to carry keys or keyfobs to enter
  • You can disable an existing code immediately and from anywhere



Con's


  • It's possible to forget your keycode
  • Keycodes can be shared with others



Popular DoorBird models with a built-in Keypad…


Finger Print Reader (Most Secure)



Biometrics, or a fingerprint reader, is easily the most secure of all of the access control styles. After all, no one can share or lose their fingerprint! So your children for example, can’t share their fingerprint with 20 of their friends like they can a keycode, or pass on a keyfob to a friend. 


So if security is more important to you than convenience, a fingerprint reader at each access point is what you should consider.



Pro’s


  • Most secure - Can’t be shared with others (Great for children!)
  • You can set up a fingerprint that works 24/7, only on certain days and times, or within a certain period
  • You can track who accesses and when
  • You or your visitor doesn’t need to carry keys or keyfobs to enter
  • You can disable an existing fingerprint immediately and from anywhere



Con's


  • Won’t always work if finger is not placed correctly on reader
  • You and your visitor need to be at home to enrol a new fingerprint into the system
  • Accuracy can be affected by heat or humidity, sweat, or moisture



Popular DoorBird models with a built-in Finger Print Reader…


Keyfob (Most Simple)



Keyfobs that use RFID are the most traditional and recognised method for access control. Typically its a small plastic tag that is attached to one’s keyring and is ‘swiped’ across the face of the DoorBird intercom to gain access. 


Like Keycodes and Finger Prints, in DoorBird world Keyfobs can be programmed to work all access points 24/7, only some and on particular days or times, or any combination.




Pro’s


  • Simplest to use, no need to remember a code
  • Typically inexpensive to purchase fobs
  • You can set up a keyfob that works 24/7, only on certain days and times, or within a certain period
  • You can track who accesses and when
  • You can disable an existing fob immediately and from anywhere




Con's


  • Fob can be lost or stolen
  • Further fobs need to be purchased
  • Anyone in possession of fob can gain access
  • Not all models have RFID, only the D21* range and standalone keypads and fingerprint readers



Popular DoorBird models with a built-in Finger Print Reader…


Standalone Access Control


The beauty of the DoorBird range of products is that to supplement the market leading video intercom doorbell solutions, they have standalone keypads and fingerprint readers for secondary access points that don’t need the video and audio the intercom door station provides.


For example, once your electrician has called your intercom at the gate and you’ve granted access (or he uses his code and you get a notification and an image of him at the gate), he gets access to the property with your approval. From there, he can access the shed, the pool gate, the storage room, the front or back doors; all from a keypad or fingerprint reader without having to make another video intercom call at those access points. 


Popular DoorBird Standalone models…