What is an NFC lock? It's an electronic lock that checks a credential over near-field communication (NFC), the 13.56 MHz radio standard that only works when two devices are a few centimeters apart (NFC Forum). You tap a card or a phone, the lock verifies it, and the latch releases. Where NFC locks differ most is in where their power comes from. That last point gets lost in most product listings. Search for "NFC lock" and you'll find hotel keycard readers, home deadbolts with

The short answer: NFC is not a competitor to RFID — it is a specialized subset of it. NFC (near field communication) is built on high-frequency RFID at 13.56 MHz, adds two-way communication, and works over roughly 4 cm (ISO/IEC 18092 and related standards). RFID is the broader family, spanning three frequency bands with read ranges from centimeters to ten meters. Bluetooth is a different technology entirely — a battery-dependent radio link designed for continuous connections