by Scott Hackett 
When it comes to managing pedestrian flow and securing building entrances, choosing the right access control solution is crucial. The three most common options, speed gates, tripod turnstiles, and full-height turnstiles, each offer distinct advantages depending on your priorities: security level, throughput, aesthetics, space constraints, budget, and the type of environment.
Gunnebo Entrance Control, a global leader in pedestrian entrance solutions, provides a comprehensive range across these categories. From sleek speed gates to reliable tripod and robust full-height turnstiles, their products are designed for diverse applications, from corporate offices and leisure venues to high-security sites and mass transit hubs. In this blog, we’ll compare these three types, highlighting key differences and helping you decide which is best suited to your building.
What Are Speed Gates?
Speed gates, often referred to as optical turnstiles or flap/swing barriers, feature sleek, low-profile cabinets with moving panels (glass or acrylic) that open quickly to allow authorised passage. They use advanced sensors and tailgating detection to prevent unauthorised entry while maintaining a smooth flow.
Gunnebo’s SpeedStile range exemplifies modern speed gate design, including models like:
- SpeedStile FP Glide: Sliding panel options with advanced aesthetics and improved detection.
- SpeedStile FL and SpeedStile FLs: elegant swing-opening gates with high flow rates.
- SpeedStile BP: bi-parting gates for even faster throughput.
- SpeedStile FL Outdoor: weather-resistant for external use.
Key advantages include high throughput (up to 40-60 people per minute in some configurations), modern aesthetics that enhance building lobbies, and excellent accessibility for wheelchairs, pushchairs, or luggage. They integrate seamlessly with card readers, biometrics, or ticketing systems.
Speed gates excel in environments where appearance and user experience matter, such as corporate headquarters, premium office buildings, museums, hotels, and retail spaces. They provide a visual deterrent and audible alarms for tailgating, though they rely more on detection than physical barriers.
What Are Tripod Turnstiles?
Tripod turnstiles, also known as waist-high or half-height turnstiles, feature three rotating arms at waist level that allow one person to pass at a time. They are a classic, proven solution for access control.
Gunnebo offers compact and cost-effective tripod turnstiles like the SlimStile Range, which feature low power consumption, high reliability, and suitability for both indoor and outdoor use. Metro-specific variants provide positive locking and self-cantering mechanisms for high-traffic public transport.
These turnstiles are affordable, quick to install, and ideal for managing constant foot traffic with simplicity. They offer good throughput (around 30 – 40 passages per minute) and serve as a visual deterrent against unauthorised access. Their small footprint makes them perfect for space-constrained areas.Tripod Turnstiles are a good option if you are looking for a lower security option than a speed gate.
Tripod turnstiles suit leisure facilities, public buildings, sports venues, employee entrances, and areas requiring reliable people management without the need for maximum physical security. They are less intimidating than taller options and allow for easier integration in existing spaces.
What Are Full-Height Turnstiles?
Full-height turnstiles resemble revolving doors but with rotating barriers that extend from floor to ceiling (or nearly so). They provide the highest level of physical security, making it virtually impossible to jump over, crawl under, or tailgate.
Gunnebo’s full-height offerings include the RotaSec3 (strong, durable with single, double, or interlocking configurations, plus optional roof canopies). These are built for heavy-duty applications, shrugging off tough use while ensuring only one person passes at a time.
With superior security, they are ideal for high-risk sites like stadiums, prisons, data centres, industrial facilities, construction sites, and external perimeters. They operate reliably indoors or outdoors and can include interlocking features for enhanced control.
However, they have a larger footprint, lower throughput compared to speed gates, and a more imposing appearance that may not suit aesthetic-focused environments.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Here’s a breakdown of the key factors:
- Security Level: Full-height turnstiles offer the highest physical security for external environments. Speed gates provide good detection-based security with tailgating detection. Tripod turnstiles offer moderate security as a visual and mechanical deterrent, but easier to jump over.
- Throughput and Flow: Speed gates lead with high-speed passage and minimal delay, ideal for busy entrances. Tripod turnstiles handle steady flows efficiently (up to 40 ppm in Gunnebo models). Full-height turnstiles are slower due to full rotation but excel in controlled, secure environments.
- Aesthetics and User Experience: Speed gates win for sleek, modern looks that blend into contemporary architecture. Tripod turnstiles are functional and unobtrusive. Full-height turnstiles appear more industrial and secure.
- Accessibility: Speed gates are the most accessible, with wide openings. Tripod and full-height options may require wider lanes or ADA-compliant variants.
- Cost and Installation: Tripod turnstiles are the most budget-friendly and easiest to install. Speed gates are mid-range, with higher initial costs but lower long-term maintenance in high-traffic settings. Full-height turnstiles have higher upfront and installation costs due to size and robustness.
- Applications
- Speed gates: Offices, corporate lobbies, airports, retail, leisure.
- Tripod turnstiles: Public buildings, gyms, employee canteens, metro stations.
- Full-height turnstiles: Stadiums, high-security sites, external perimeters, crowd control.
Gunnebo Entrance Control supports all scenarios with durable, reliable products that integrate with modern access systems, including touchless options and software for monitoring.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Building
Your choice depends on your specific needs:
- Prioritise aesthetics, speed, and user comfort? Go for Gunnebo SpeedStile speed gates, perfect for welcoming, high-end environments.
- Need cost-effective, reliable control for moderate traffic? Gunnebo tripod turnstiles like SlimStile offer excellent value.
- Require maximum security and deterrence? Opt for Gunnebo full-height turnstiles such as RotaSec3 for uncompromising protection.
Many buildings combine solutions, speed gates in main lobbies and full-height or tripod units at secondary or high-risk entrances.
Partnering with Gunnebo Entrance Control
Selecting between speed gates, tripod turnstiles, and full-height turnstiles is about balancing security, flow, design, and budget. Gunnebo Entrance Control stands out with a versatile portfolio tailored to every requirement, backed by decades of expertise in secure, efficient access.
Whether upgrading an office lobby with elegant SpeedStile gates, installing reliable tripods in a leisure venue, or securing a stadium perimeter with robust full-height solutions, Gunnebo delivers future-proofed performance.
Explore the full range on the Gunnebo Entrance Control website today and find the ideal entrance control solution for your building. Secure access starts with the right choice.