Alfred DB1 vs Alfred DB2: The Differences

by Margaret · Published August 4, 2020 · Updated September 1, 2020

**Our honesty policy: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Some are, some aren't--I do some comparison shopping. The important thing is you will know exactly what we are talking about. Drop a note/comment if you have any questions on the products as these are materials and tools we use on our own projects.

Alfred DB1 vs Alfred DB2

Are you trying to decide between an Alfred DB1 or Alfred DB2 smart lock for your front door? This post will explain ALL the differences between these two smart locks.

Disclaimer: Alfred sent me the two locks you see here. The rest is my own unpaid opinion and observations. Also, unless these were as awesome as they are, having tried them out at the International Builder Show, I would have been perfectly happy with my old keypad deadbolt. Alfred locks are all that and a bag of chips. The team behind them is phenomenal too.

LOOKS!

The Alfred DB1 has a flat screen while the Alfred DB2 has a curved screen. The DB1 has a mirrored touchscreen versus the DB2 matte finish.

Flat vs curved, mirrored vs matte.

No matter which you choose, it is easy to see the digits when the keypad is enabled.

The DB1 only comes in black whereas the DB2 has three trim color choices: gold, chrome and black.

SIZE!

These smart locks have different footprints. The DB2 is taller and wider.

The Alfred DB1 is 5-⅞” by 2” 9/16”
The Alfred DB2 is 6-⅜” by 2-11/16”

My measurements included the widest part, whether it was the gasket or the lock itself.

Alfred DB1

Alfred DB2

The outside measurements my be different, but they both extend down ½” from the deadbolt bore hole.

The part of the lock on the inside is exactly the same size: 7-¾” by 3”.

OPTIONAL SECURITY SCREW LOCATION!

The optional security or support leg is not in the same location on the DB1 as is on the DB2! Admittedly, you probably don’t need to drill an additional hole into your door–this is only necessary if your door is warped, weak or for additional security (or you don’t use the fantastic BILT instructions because you are shooting a YouTube video on your phone). But if you do need it, it’s important to know ahead of time in case you were planning on switching out from a DB1 to a DB2 aaaand maybe moving the DB1 to your garage door or another entrance.

SILICONE GASKET!

The silicone gasket is definitely beefier on the front side of the DB2, but despite the smaller silicone gasket on the DB1, it should still prevent the gouging you’ll see on other locks without any gaskets.

The backside gaskets are identical.

SPEAKER LOCATION!

The speaker is on the outside on the Alfred DB1.

The Alfred DB2 has the speaker on the inside.

Alfred offers the voice prompts in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Portugese and Mandarin.

The DB1 does not have words coming out of the lock, but it does have audible indicators–beeps, which indicate whether an action works or not.

Both the DB1 and DB2 offer three volume control settings: loud, soft and off.

SLIGHT DIFFERENCES IN BEHAVIOR DESPITE SAME FUNCTIONAL FEATURES.

Translation: look for the lights in different locations on the touchpad.

The touchscreen has a very different startup sequence when using the micro USB port. (Note: not often used, but just in case the batteries die and you did not notice the battery warnings on the app or lock itself).

The DB2 lights up all the digits on the keypad longer, indicating it has power.

The DB1 has a more subtle battery icon flashing at the bottom of the touchpad.

AWAY MODE!

Both locks offer away mode, but they have some significant differences–sound and behavior wise.

The alarm on the DB1 is waaaay more annoying than the DB2. The pitch is just wrong (or right) to make it a really long 60 seconds.

Even if you lock the door again, the DB1 will not stop the incessant high pitch alarm. Also, it will not turn back on again even if you switch it back to unlocked–that is until you toggle away mode off and on again.

The DB2 alarm is annoying, admitting my speaker location preference, because it is on the inside–although, perhaps that is where you want to know someone is exiting when you explicitly said they were to stay inside and your phone notification isn’t enough to alert you? In contrast, to the DB1, the DB2 allows you to turn off the alarm when you slide the deadbolt back into the locked position. The alarm will also go off again if you unlock the door again.

FEATURES ONLY ON THE DB2!

There is no ‘close’ button on the back of the Alfred DB1 like there is on the Alfred DB2.

Alfred DB2 Inside Lock Button

The DB1 also does not have the inside deadbolt feature–an additional mode where all codes are disabled except the master pincode. This is similar to away mode, except the lock will not set off the alarm or send you a notification.

Don’t let those missing features deter you…

Here’s why I’m probably never going to use those two features on the DB2 and here’s why for your own consideration. I want the manual feedback. You want to know if the door starts going out of alignment. If it does, the additional pressure on the deadbolt will shorten the lifespan of the lock–between eating batteries and the motor having to work harder because of additional pressure. You are going to miss those signs if you don’t have some sort of regular manual check, which is physically locking and unlocking the door from the inside (DB2).

Likewise, I’m going to use “away mode” and annoy the heck out of anyone trying to escape!

OK, most likely I’ll forget about the extra modes and just use regular mode.

PRICE!!!

The MSRP for the base DB1 is $149 and the DB2 is $229–an $80 difference (no upcharge for the keyed versions).

If you want to connect away from home, there are different options for each version:

Z-wave capability: you’ll have to buy a different model of the DB1, both have an MSRP of $199. With the DB2 you’ll have to buy a Z-wave module for $29 to install in the back side of the lock. With Z-wave capability that brings the difference in price between the DB1 and DB2 to $60.
Wi-Fi access: you’ll have to buy an additional bridge for $49–that goes for both the DB1 and DB2.

Alfred DB1 vs Alfred DB2: MANY MINOR DIFFERENCES, BUT OVERALL THE SAME SMART LOCK

The Alfred DB1 and Alfred DB2 are both so pretty!

They are both so pretty!

While I’ve listed as many differences as possible it is important to note just how similar these locks really are with embedded passcodes, one touch entry, battery backup, gaskets and more, as discussed at length in this review: The BEST Smart Lock in 2020: An Alfred DB2 Review

Is that $60 or $80 difference worth it? Whichever way you go, you’re right! You just can’t go wrong!

For pricing/other reviews you can check the Alfred DB1 out here.

For pricing/other reviews you can check the Alfred DB2 out here.

I also use the Wi-Fi Bridge for remote connectivity.