What We Know About The Viral Doorknob Trend That's Blowing Up On TikTok
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Are you looking to upgrade the doorknobs in your home? If so, TikTok might be the place to go. One biometric doorknob that's blowing up on the platform uses your fingerprint as a lock. In a TikTok video that has amassed over 10,000 views, user @isellurr raves about the item and demonstrates its capabilities.
A biometric doorknob is ideal for home offices and other interior spaces that you want to keep locked. According to @isellurr's TikTok, you can control who's allowed entry by programming the doorknob with additional fingerprints. It will deny entry to anyone with an unrecognized fingerprint.
Advocates of biometric doorknobs praise the fact that you don't have to spend time looking for your keys before entering or exiting your home. Instead, simply swipe your fingerprint, and you're ready to go. Most biometric doorknobs are battery-operated, but they do have fail-safes in case the batteries die. As @isellurr explains in their video, when the batteries get low, the doorknob makes a warning sound. Additionally, most biometric doorknobs also have a backup key that can open the door in case the batteries die.
Pros: Biometric doorknobs are relatively affordable and easy to install
If you're having trouble finding exterior hardware for your home and want to purchase the same doorknob as TikTok user @isellurr, you may be out of luck, as people in their comments remarked that it's out of stock. For a nearly identical model, consider GeekTale's Smart Doorknob, which you can find on Amazon for about $60. As with the model displayed in @isellurr's video, this doorknob allows you to program multiple fingerprints into the lock.
Biometric locks offer many benefits, one of which is the ability to lock and unlock your door from your phone via Bluetooth. In many cases, you can even use your phone to view the lock history. Similarly, many smart doorknobs are compatible with Amazon Alexa, meaning you can open and lock your door using voice commands.
A biometric lock seems like an easy way to make your home more secure. Most models, including the one shown by @isellurr, automatically lock after a short period — a convenient perk if you frequently forget to lock your door. Fortunately for those who might not be technically inclined, these doorknobs are usually quite simple to install, and most folks with a bit of DIY knowledge should have no problem with them.
Cons: A biometric doorknob doesn't replace a deadbolt
Doorknobs like the one shown in @isellurr's video may seem like the perfect solution if you frequently misplace your keys, but there are some factors you might want to consider before purchasing one. If you buy one of these items for an exterior door, you may also want to purchase a smart or biometric deadbolt lock, as deadbolts are much more secure than the latch locks found in most biometric doorknobs. Similarly, much like sharing a key to your home, you should exercise caution when choosing whose fingerprints to add to your device.
GeekTale makes a biometric deadbolt that's available on Amazon for $70. This is relatively affordable, especially compared to some other models that cost a couple hundred dollars. This model also may be a good choice if you end up installing GeekTale's Smart Doorknob, as you likely won't need to download a separate app. Alternatively, you can simply use your fingerprint for both. As for the ease of putting a deadbolt on your door, replacing a standard model with a biometric fingerprint version should be simple enough, provided you already have a deadbolt installed.