Electronic Rim Lock vs EM Lock vs Fingerprint Padlock: Which to Buy

Buy an electronic rim lock for a house main gate or metal door that you want to open by remote or app, and still open with a key in a power cut. Buy an EM lock for an office, shop or glass door run by a card, fingerprint or face reader, where the door must release when power fails. Buy a fingerprint padlock for a warehouse, fence or outdoor gate where no wiring can reach.

Electronic locks come in several types, and the right one depends on your door or gate. This guide compares these three common choices sold by NavKar, with live prices from our store.

What is an electronic rim lock?

A rim lock fits on the inside face of a door or gate, with a strike plate on the frame. The latch locks again by itself when the gate closes. Our RML-8K is a weatherproof 12 V DC rim lock for house main metal gates and doors, sold as the lock only for ₹3,799. It has a 32 mm brass key cylinder, so you can open the gate from outside with a key during a power cut.

The lock on its own does not open by remote. It needs a lock supply, such as the PSRM-01 remote lock supply or the PSWF-01 Wi-Fi lock supply named on the RML-8K listing. The Combo-CN111 (₹5,499) is a ready kit with the RML-8K lock, the PSWF-01 Wi-Fi supply and 3 remotes, so you can open the gate by remote or from the Smart Life app. For every rim lock kit and its price, see our electronic rim lock price guide.

What is an EM lock?

An electromagnetic (EM) lock holds a door shut with a magnet and releases when power is cut. That fail-safe behaviour is why it is used on office and shop doors that people must be able to leave in an emergency. NavKar stocks EM locks from 100 lbs to 1200 lbs holding force: the EM-102 (100 lbs) is ₹1,400, the EM-602 (600 lbs) is ₹1,499 and the EMSL-1202 (1200 lbs, single leaf) is ₹3,499.

An EM lock is one part of a door system. It needs a matching DC power supply (the EM-602 runs on 12 V or 24 V DC), an exit button, a reader or remote to release it, and a suitable bracket for the door type. Glass doors take a U bracket, and wooden or aluminium doors often need an L or Z bracket. The EM lock buying guide explains holding force, and the EM lock bracket guide shows which bracket fits.

When should I use a fingerprint padlock?

A fingerprint padlock needs no wiring and no power supply. The FPAL-2K (₹3,299) is made for warehouses, fences and outdoor gates. It opens three ways: fingerprint, the TTLock app, or one of its 2 emergency keys. It stores up to 50 fingerprints and charges by USB, and its listing says one charge lasts 3 to 4 months.

Unlike a rim lock or an EM lock, it is not wired to a reader, door phone or exit switch. It suits a gate, fence or store room that you lock and unlock by hand at the lock.

How do I choose?

Choose by door material and how the door is used:

• House main gate or metal door: a rim lock. It can be opened by remote, app, door phone or an access panel, depending on the kit, and the key still works in a power cut.
• Access-controlled glass, wooden or metal door: an EM lock with the right bracket. It releases when power fails, so people can always get out.
• Warehouse, fence or outdoor gate with no wiring: a fingerprint padlock.

Most wired locks also need a matching DC power supply, so check what is in the box on each product page. The RML-8K lock-only listing, for example, does not include a power supply or remotes. For how remote and app locks work on a house gate, read our guide to electronic locks for a house main gate.

Where can I buy these?

Browse electronic rim locks, EM locks, smart padlocks and power supplies and remotes, or the wider digital locks range. Prices include GST, delivery is free across India and all orders are prepaid. Not sure which lock fits? Send a photo of your door or gate on WhatsApp and we will suggest one.

FAQ

Which of these locks works in a power cut?

A rim lock stays locked, and you open it with the key; the RML-8K has a 32 mm brass key cylinder for this. An EM lock releases when power is cut, so the door can be opened. The FPAL-2K fingerprint padlock runs on its own rechargeable battery and does not need mains power.

Does an electronic rim lock come with remotes?

Not always. The RML-8K lock-only listing (₹3,799) has no power supply or remotes. The Combo-CN111 kit (₹5,499) adds the PSWF-01 Wi-Fi lock supply and 3 remotes.

Which EM lock holding force do I need?

Pick a holding force rated for your door. We stock EM locks from 100 lbs (EM-102, ₹1,400) through 600 lbs (EM-602, ₹1,499) to 1200 lbs (EMSL-1202, ₹3,499). The EM lock buying guide explains how to choose.

How many fingerprints does the FPAL-2K store?

Up to 50. It also opens with the TTLock app or one of the 2 emergency keys, and charges by USB.

Do these locks need internet?

No. The FPAL-2K reads fingerprints on the lock itself. A rim lock kit opens by remote over radio with no internet; only app control needs Wi-Fi.

Prices are NavKar Systems website prices on 27 October 2026, inclusive of GST, and may change.