This month, SwitchBot is launching the SwitchBot Lock Pro. This is the second smart lock from SwitchBot, which you install over your existing key or door knob to control the door remotely. This eliminates the need to carry keys and allows you to easily grant access to your home to visitors. We tested the SwitchBot Lock Pro over the past week, along with the accompanying keypad, the SwitchBot Keypad Touch, and the SwitchBot Hub Mini Matter Enabled, the latest hub from SwitchBot with Matter support.
Features
Compared to the original SwitchBot Lock, the SwitchBot Lock Pro has a new appearance and several improvements. Here are the main features:
- Suitable for installation on your current door lock on the inside of the door
- Connects via Bluetooth with your phone or SwitchBot Hub
- Matter supported via SwitchBot Hub 2 or SwitchBot Hub Mini Matter Enabled
- Battery life of up to 9 months with the included AA batteries (4) or up to 12 months with the separately available Battery Pack
- Can be unlocked via fingerprint, PIN code, NFC card, SwitchBot app, and Apple HomeKit (Keypad Touch required for some methods)
- Mechanical knob for manual operation
- Available separately for $119.99/€139,99 or as a bundle with the Keypad Touch and Hub Mini Matter Enabled for $199.99/€239,99 on the SwitchBot website or via Amazon. Currently, there is a promotion with a $20/€20 discount on the Lock Pro and $40/€50 on the aforementioned bundle.
Two different versions of the SwitchBot Lock Pro are available: one for the American market and one for the European market. I tested the European model, and aside from some practical details during installation, there are no major differences between these versions.
Installation of SwitchBot Lock Pro
The SwitchBot Lock Pro comes in a black minimalist box containing everything you need to install the lock. In addition to the lock itself, batteries, a magnet that detects if your door is open or closed, and various installation tools are included. Cylinder adaptors are provided so that the lock can be fitted to most doors. Two mounting brackets are included: one that can be attached with small screws and another that can be stuck to your door with double-sided 3M tape.
Since we already had a smart lock in use, we first dismantled it. Then, we followed the paper manual provided for installation. In my case, I used the supplied Allen key to tighten three screws on the mounting bracket to attach it to my door. I did not need a cylinder adaptor, so I could click the SwitchBot Lock Pro directly onto the mounting bracket. Four small screws can be used to secure the lock. Overall, it took about ten minutes to dismantle my old lock and install the Lock Pro.
To connect the SwitchBot Lock Pro directly to the SwitchBot Hub Mini Matter Enabled, I first connected it with the SwitchBot app. By clicking the plus sign in the app, the hub was immediately found, and I was guided through the installation steps. Adding the lock itself is also quite simple. The app asks if the lock is already installed and then asks you to perform several actions with the lock, such as fully opening or closing it. This calibrates the lock to know how far it needs to turn to open or close. The door latch is automatically retracted when opening the door, which can also be specified in the app. This is important for European locks to ensure the door fully opens. After a few minutes, the installation was complete. Adding the SwitchBot Keypad Touch is done similarly to the Hub Mini and takes a few minutes. After adding several fingerprints, a PIN code, and pairing the included NFC card, testing the lock could begin.
Daily Use
You usually install a smart lock for convenience and the ability to open your door, whether you’re standing in front of it or remotely. This way, you no longer have to worry about carrying your keys and you can quickly unlock the door if your hands are full of groceries. Additionally, it’s convenient to easily share (digital) keys with your housemates or visitors. Over the past week, I have mainly focused on this aspect of the Lock Pro.
Unlocking the SwitchBot Lock Pro
The SwitchBot Lock Pro can be unlocked in many different ways. Without a hub or keypad, you can unlock the lock via Bluetooth on your phone with the SwitchBot app (1), by sharing access via the app with others (2), through an Apple Watch app (3), or of course, with the physical key (4), although this can be done without a smart lock as well. It is nice that you can still use your regular key if needed, which is not the case with all smart locks. When you add the lock to a SwitchBot Hub, you can also control the lock remotely (5), using a smart voice assistant like Siri or Google Assistant (6), or by placing a widget on your smartphone’s home screen (7). It is not entirely clear to me why the latter method requires a hub. Finally, the Keypad Touch offers additional ways to control your door: with a fingerprint (8), PIN code (9), or NFC card (10). These last three options can also be set to allow access only within a specific period. However, the option to repeat this weekly at the same time for regular visitors is currently missing.
Over the past week, I tested several ways to operate the lock. I quickly found that using the fingerprint scanner is the fastest and easiest option. Scanning your fingerprint and opening the door takes less than a second. This is often quicker than grabbing an NFC card or opening the app on your phone or Apple Watch. Entering a PIN also works well, but it requires seven steps (six digits and the confirmation button), whereas a fingerprint is a single, short action. I quickly had no reason to use any method other than the fingerprint scanner since it works quickly and effectively. I stored four different fingerprints (much fewer than the maximum of 100), so it doesn’t matter which one I use. For frequent visitors, this option is also the simplest, while a PIN is handy for more sporadic visitors. For the fingerprint scanner, you first need to create a scan, while sending a PIN to a first-time visitor is very easy. I see the NFC card or app as a backup option in case the fingerprint or PIN somehow fails.
All in all, I quickly got used to using the fingerprint and only now realize I missed this feature with my previous smart lock. I do miss the absence of a smart auto-unlock function. This could work based on your geo-location combined with a check to see if your smartphone is within range of your lock, unlocking the door just before you reach it. This would eliminate another action and be a good addition to the SwitchBot Lock Pro.
Matter and Apple HomeKit Integration
Besides using the SwitchBot app or keypad, I also added the Lock Pro to Apple HomeKit. This is possible through the Matter support of the Hub Mini, making the lock compatible with other smart home platforms. This allows the lock to be controlled via Apple’s Home app and used in your automations. Additionally, the lock can be controlled via Siri or Google Assistant when linked through Google. SwitchBot currently has two hubs with Matter support: the SwitchBot Hub 2 and the SwitchBot Hub Mini Matter Enabled. The main difference between these hubs is the presence of a temperature and humidity sensor and a display on the SwitchBot Hub 2. Other SwitchBot products, like the SwitchBot Bot or Curtains, can also be linked to Apple HomeKit or Google Home in this way.
Solid and Quiet
During my use of the SwitchBot Lock Pro, several things stood out. The sound the Lock Pro makes when unlocking was a plus for me. It is significantly quieter than the sound of my previous smart lock, and the sound itself was more pleasant and less noticeable.
Secondly, the lock feels very solid, which gives confidence that it can withstand some impact and will last a long time. Compared to other smart locks, it is quite large. However, after a few days, you get used to it, and it was not bothersome to me. On the front of the lock, there is a knob to manually unlock the door. This knob can also be pressed, which either unlocks or locks the door. Locking can also be done with a special button on the keypad, which is especially handy when you leave the house.
Conclusion
The SwitchBot Lock Pro is a solid and reliable lock. Installation takes only about 10 minutes, after which you can open the lock in countless ways. I recommend purchasing the bundle with a SwitchBot Hub and Keypad Touch, as this significantly expands your options for operating the lock, including my favorite: the fingerprint scanner. Additionally, with a hub, you can also link and remotely control other SwitchBot products. The lock is relatively quiet, and during the short time I tested it, I never had any issues unlocking it. The response time is fast, and the door opens quickly, especially when it is only latched and not fully locked. An auto-unlock function is currently missing, but hopefully this can be added in a software update. The quick unlocking via fingerprint means I don’t miss this feature much. Furthermore, the lock lacks Apple Home Key and Thread support. I didn’t miss the latter in practice, but we are seeing more locks and platforms with Matter over Thread support, which could make the lock more future-proof. Apple Home Key, which allows you to unlock your smart lock by holding your iPhone or Apple Watch against it like Apple Pay, is not yet found in any European lock, largely due to Apple’s limitations. However, this feature seems to be coming to Europe with the Aqara U200, which might pave the way for other brands to implement it as well. For American locks, this feature is more commonly found in the latest smart locks.
The SwitchBot Lock Pro, combined with the SwitchBot Hub Mini Matter Enabled and the SwitchBot Keypad Touch, is a strong combination and does exactly what a smart lock should do: provide convenience and more options for remote control and access for your visitors. The sturdy build, quick installation, numerous ways to operate it, fast response time, and low noise level during unlocking make this lock a very interesting option if you are looking for a (new) smart lock. Additionally, the lock is competitively priced compared to some other options, making it an attractive package.
The SwitchBot Lock Pro is available separately for $119.99/€139,99 or as a bundle with the Keypad Touch and Hub Mini Matter Enabled for $199.99/€239,99 on the SwitchBot website or Amazon. Currently, both webshops offer a $20/€20 discount on the SwitchBot Lock Pro and a $40/€50 discount on the bundle including the Hub Mini Matter Enabled and the Keypad Touch. This brings the bundle price down to $159.99/€189,99 after the discount. On Amazon, you get this discount by clicking the voucher on the product page. On the SwitchBot website, the discount is applied by entering the code SMHS2024. A rechargeable Battery Pack is also available on the SwitchBot website for $19.99/€19,99, which has a battery life of up to 12 months.
SwitchBot Lock Pro
SwitchBot Lock Pro
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SwitchBot Lock Pro + Keypad Touch + Hub Mini Matter Enabled
SwitchBot Lock Pro + Keypad Touch + Hub Mini Matter Enabled
Remark: the SwitchBot Lock Pro, Keypad Touch and Hub Mini Matter Enabled are provided by SwitchBot for this review. This review is fully based on our own experience and opinion of these products.
