Wired vs Wireless Access Control Systems: Which is Right for Your Business?

Security and resilience

A well-engineered wired installation is straightforward to supervise end-to-end: power, data and tamper states are continuously monitored, and controllers can enforce advanced policies (anti-passback, door interlocks, multi-factor). The widely recognised BS EN 60839-11-1 standard sets minimum functionality and performance requirements for electronic access control systems and components—useful as a baseline when specifying platforms, regardless of cabling. 

Modern wireless locks are also robust when deployed correctly, but they change the risk profile: radio links must be properly encrypted and key-managed; gateways need secure siting, patching and network segmentation; and battery health becomes a security dependency. NPSA’s guidance on electronic locks notes the importance of configuration governance and update processes (e.g., how policy updates are distributed to devices, especially those not permanently online). That operational discipline is part of security. 

Fire and safe egress

Whatever you choose, security must never compromise safe escape. In the UK, electronically controlled doors on escape routes must release reliably under fire conditions and relevant faults. BS 7273-4:2015+A2:2023 clarifies the “critical signal path” between the fire alarm and door release devices and gives additional detail on acoustic and radio-actuated mechanisms—vital if you intend to deploy radio-linked release in certain categories. In practice, many sites retain hard-wired release on escape routes for determinism and to match the category of actuation required by the fire strategy. Build this behaviour into design, commissioning and routine tests. 

Deployment speed and building constraints

Wired doors require pulling cable to each opening and providing power for locks. In new builds or refurbishments—with ceiling voids open and containment planned—that’s efficient and gives you excellent supervision. It’s also preferred where you need door interlocks, high throughput, or integration with lifts and turnstiles.

Wireless shines in retrofits and heritage buildings where chasing walls or installing containment would be costly, unsightly or impractical. Battery-powered locks can be fitted with minimal disruption and without visible cabling; a handful of discreet gateways can cover a floor or wing, depending on construction and radio conditions. You’ll still need to plan for gateway power and backbone connectivity, and you should model signal propagation carefully in dense or attenuating structures.

Performance and user experience

Day to day, users care about speed and consistency. Wired readers tend to feel instantaneous because door controllers make decisions locally with constant comms. Wireless locks can be near-instant too, but some architectures periodically synchronise access lists rather than query the server each time; this can introduce a short delay when credentials are first updated, mitigated by sensible sync intervals. Throughput matters at busy lobbies: we often recommend wired readers on main perimeters and wireless on internal offices or side rooms where traffic is lighter.

If you’re aiming for touch-free journeys (no keypad presses or handle touches), both approaches can support that with the right kit. For practical options and upgrade paths, see our overview of Hands-Free Access Control.

Maintenance and lifecycle cost

Wired doors trade installation effort for lower routine upkeep: there are no batteries to change, and you can centrally supervise power and tamper states. You will, however, budget for periodic PSU/battery (standby) replacements and routine testing.

Wireless doors shift some cost into battery maintenance and periodic device updates. That’s not a negative—it’s a planning item. Agree battery replacement intervals based on duty cycles and build them into PPM visits; specify alerting for low battery and device health. NPSA’s guidance highlights the need to manage configuration and software updates across e-locks; your supplier should provide a documented process that fits your change control. 

When you model total cost of ownership, include: installation labour, containment and making-good (heavier for wired); gateways and batteries (heavier for wireless); licences/support; and the value of operational flexibility (wireless doors are easy to add later).

Compliance and inclusivity

Beyond security, your system must meet legal and regulatory expectations:

• Standards baseline. Specify platforms aligned with BS EN 60839-11-1 so you start from a recognised performance baseline—particularly important when mixing door technologies.

• Fire strategy. Design and test to BS 7273-4 so doors on escape routes release as intended under alarm and relevant fault conditions; treat the critical signal path as, well, critical.

• Equality and accessibility. The British Security Industry Association’s specifier guidance reminds us to account for accessibility obligations in design—the placement of readers, the force to open a door, and whether automatic operators are required for certain users. These considerations apply whether the door is wired or wireless.

If you plan to use biometrics, factor UK GDPR duties (lawful basis, DPIA, template security and transparency) into your brief and platform choice; although this article focuses on cabling, governance still travels with the credential type.

So—when should you pick each?

Choose wired when:

• You’re securing perimeters and escape routes where deterministic release and continuous supervision are paramount.

• You need high throughput and advanced features (airlocks, anti-passback, lift control).

• You’re already opening ceilings/risers for refurbishment, making cabling efficient.

Choose wireless when:

• You’re retrofitting heritage or finished spaces where containment would be intrusive or costly.

• You want to add lots of internal doors quickly to tighten zone control and audit, without heavy works.

• You value deployment agility and the ability to re-key or repurpose doors with minimal disruption.

In reality, many organisations choose a hybrid. We routinely design estates with wired controllers and readers on main entrances, critical rooms and escape routes, and wireless locks on internal offices, meeting rooms and storage. Done well, it’s a single logical system with unified software, reporting and governance. For integration patterns with CCTV and alarms, see our knowledge article on CCTV–Access Control–Alarm Integration.

A simple decision framework

1. Start with outcomes: who should go where, when, under what assurance—and what the fire strategy demands. NPSA’s AACS guidance is a helpful common language for stakeholders.

2. Map doors/zones and pick wired for perimeters/critical egress, wireless for convenience and reach inside the building.

3. Specify to BS EN 60839-11-1, design release to BS 7273-4, and deliver to NSI NCP 109—then document commissioning tests and user training.

4. Engineer IT and power properly (segmented networks, secure gateways, UPS/standby supplies) and plan battery/firmware management if you adopt wireless. NPSA’s locks guidance underlines why update processes matter.