Types of Touchless Remote Entry Systems & How to Choose

September 29, 2026

Touchless entry can make it easier to move through a building while giving owners more control over who can enter. From hands-free sensors to systems operated by a phone or credential, different options suit different doors and daily routines. Suburban Lock & Key serves homes and businesses in Buffalo, NY, with locksmith services that include door entry systems and access control doors.

What Is Touchless Remote Entry?

Touchless remote entry lets someone unlock or open a door without using a traditional key or turning a handle. Depending on the setup, a person may use a sensor, mobile device, key card, or other credential. Some systems release a lock, while others activate an automatic door opener. Knowing which function you need is a useful first step when comparing options.

Common Types of Touchless Remote Entry Systems

Touchless systems vary in how they identify users and operate a door. Common options include:

Motion or wave sensors: A hand motion near the sensor triggers an accessible door opener, often at an entrance where hands-free access is useful.
Mobile credentials: An authorized user unlocks a door with a smartphone, sometimes through an app or remote command.
Key cards or fobs: A reader grants access when a registered card or fob is presented near the door.
Keypads: Users enter a code to unlock the door, which can help avoid handing out physical keys.
Integrated access control: A central system manages credentials and permissions across one or more access control doors.

The right choice depends on whether you need hands-free operation, controlled entry, or both.

Where Door Entry Systems Can Be Used

Homes, offices, storefronts, and other commercial spaces may benefit from different door entry systems. A hands-free opener can help people move through an entrance more easily, while credential-based access can limit entry to approved users. Some properties use a combination, like an automatic opener paired with an access-controlled lock. The door, existing hardware, traffic, and building layout all affect which arrangement will work well.

How to Choose a System

Before choosing touchless remote entry, consider who will use the door and how access should be managed. These questions can help narrow down the options:

Do users need hands-free opening, remote unlocking, or both?
How many people need access, and will their permissions change?
Would a keypad, card, fob, or smartphone be practical for daily use?
Does the entrance need an automatic opener as well as an electronic lock?
Will the system work with the existing door and hardware?
Who will manage credentials and respond if a device stops working?

A locksmith can assess the door and discuss compatible options for your home or business.

Get Help Choosing Touchless Remote Entry in Buffalo, NY

Choosing between sensors, keypads, mobile credentials, and other door entry systems starts with understanding how the entrance needs to work. Suburban Lock & Key provides residential and commercial locksmith services in Buffalo, NY, including work with access control doors.