Verdict
Neater looking than its forerunner , the SwitchBot Lock Pro also adds Matter musical accompaniment via the right-hand kind of hub . Designed as a retrofit option , this door will act upon with most locks that have a quarter round bit , although instalment can be fiddly if you do n’t have a ringlet from a listed manufacturer . Once installed , the curl is powerful and muted and has lots of dominance options , making it a great alternative for those who want flexibility .
Pros
Cons
Introduction
Although a good smart lock chamber , theSwitchBot Lockfelt a morsel like an technology sample , with a slightly canonic look to it .
With the SwitchBot Lock Pro , the company has present a far more accomplished smart lock . With the right variety of base curl , the Lock Pro is pretty simple to put in , but those who do n’t meet the requirements may find alternatives better .
Design and Installation
outwardly , the SwitchBot Lock Pro looks similar to its close competition , theYale Linusand theUltion Nuki . It comprise of a battery - powered box that ’s design to flex the ringlet mechanically . you could buy the curl by itself for a fairish £ 139.99 , but the outfit that include the Matter - compatible hub and fingerprint keypad is excellent value at £ 239.99 .
This theoretical account can work with locks that have a key on the inside or a thumb turn . It is better if you have a thumb act , as the primal lock will still work from the outside ; for most lock , when a key is inserted on one side , the lock chamber will not ferment from the other side . If you have a key on both sides , a smart ignition lock that come with an upgraded Euro Cylinder is a good selection , such as the Ultion Nuki . With the Ultion the piston chamber is a 3 Star Plus one , which will upgrade your room access security .
My room access has a thumb turn , so I went with this . With a thumb turn , you should be able to fit the SwitchBot Lock Pro regardless of whether it has a Euro Cylinder or not .
agree the SwitchBot Lock Pro should be unsubdivided . First , the old pollex turn has to be remove , and the chow shtup kept . In piazza of the thumb twist , you then have to fit one of the plastic adaptor in the boxful .
These fall in a range of shapes and diameters , make to fit most received locks . On my door in the Trusted Reviews household applied science lab , the lock is a stigma not list by SwitchBot .
As a result , I could find an adaptor of the correct diameter , but the adaptor had the wrong - size pickle for my grub be intimate ; the adaptors that had the veracious - size grub screw hole were either too big or too small .
I could have grease one’s palms a dissimilar grub screw , but I drilled out the kettle of fish in the adapter so that the grub shag would go through .
With that done , there are then two mount up plates , which should fit over the lock . The smaller one is maintain in place by grub screw to the whorl ; the larger one can be stick in place over the be lock and optionally screwed into place .
This larger get on collection plate allow a slight spread between the lock and the door . A third mount plate with a larger cutout to outfit around a lock would have been overnice to create a flush fit . However , if you have a stock existing ignition lock , such as a Yale one , you should find fitting well-fixed and the finishing neater .
Features and performance
Once installed , the Lock needs to be connected to the app via Bluetooth , which is a quick Book of Job . There ’s then a little installation and standardisation process , where you teach the lock how far it has to release to lock and unlock . If your lock needs a key on the exterior to open up the doorway , there ’s a Night Latch mode for that .
Part of the installation procedure is to instal the door magnet , which the lock uses to detect when the door is loose or closed . It ’s a useful lineament , and the app will ping a notification when the door has been opened .
At its most simple , the SwitchBot Lock Pro can be operate via the smartphone app when within Bluetooth range . A quick tap on the lock / unlock button will perform the desired action .
That ’s fine , but it does mean you ’re reliant on the smartphone app for overbold map , or continuing to use a keystone as default .
To overcome that , there are a few options . First , there ’s an optional computer keyboard that can be bewilder to the door , with selection for a received keypad ( £ 49.99 ) or one with a fingermark lecturer on it ( £ 99.99 ) , as I have on follow-up .
Multiple fingerprints can be registered , and you’re able to set multiple pin , with a selection of modes : Permanent , Temporary ( they only engage between certain dates and times , and then expire ) , One - prison term and Emergency ( when used , an email is sent to the accounting bearer warn that there ’s risk ) .
There ’s also an option for NFC Cards for lock and unlocking , which is a neat manual choice to the other choice . To expend NFC Cards , you must have a computer keyboard , as this include the digital scanner .
It ’s a shame that there ’s no option to set a passcode that will only work on specific day / times , such as to encompass when a even dry cleaner comes in and out .
As well as put up an unlock option , the computer keyboard also give you a ringlet clitoris , so you’re able to close your door and hit the button to lock . That ’s far sluttish than give birth to go out , draw out your sound and utilise the app to lock .
There is an option to automatically interlock the door after a do amount of time once the door has closed . That ’s utilitarian for security , but be measured that you do n’t get locked out by mistake : another skillful reason to have a keypad .
Should something go improper , there are options . First , if your Francis Scott Key still works from the outside , you ’ve produce a manual backup , so even if the lock all die , you’re able to still get in .
second , there ’s an pinch unlock selection , where the whorl will grow as far as it can clockwise ; a 2d tap makes the lock turn as far as it can anti - clockwise . Both methods are designed to try and force the ringlet to unlock , after which period you’re able to recalibrate .
Should the speculative encounter and your piston chamber fix up , a locksmith can practice out the lock without damage the SwitchBot Lock Pro .
Internally , the thumb turn can always be used to shut up and unlock the threshold , which is very handy . If you ’ve catch anyone in your house who might struggle with the manual option , just stick around a SwitchBot Remote near the lock to assist them out , and you’re able to put away and unlock the door at the dab of a release .
Even for those who are o.k. with the lock , a Remote is still a handy dick . For example , if you ’re in the lounge and can see the kids coming home from schoolhouse , you may unlock the room access without having to get up .
The lock needs to be paired with a hub for distant memory access and swarm feature . It ’s worth getting one of the new Matter - compatible Hubs , as it makes the lock Matter - compliant and able to put to work in a scheme of your choice , such as Apple Home or Samsung SmartThings .
I had no trouble pairing my hub and operate to Apple Home , giving me removed access , and access to automation . As my SwitchBot Lock Pro is installed in an office , I ’ve got a rule that when the Abode alarm twist off , the lock is mechanically unsecured and a SwitchBot Bot is used to crusade the exit push button for the external door ; the opposite happens when I lock the threshold .
What you do depends on the system of rules . With Amazon Alexa , for deterrent example , you may engage and unlock the threshold using the app or your voice ( the latter requires a voice PIN ) , but you ca n’t have a Routine that cause the lock to unlock .
I ’ve been persist the curl for a few week now , and I ’ve not had a exclusive issue with it . It ’s immediate to reply to commands ( locally or remotely ) , and the remote and computer keyboard work cleanly .
SwitchBot has upgraded the mogul organisation from the original curl , now using four standard AA assault and battery , rather than CR123A battery . It ’s a better choice , as it ’s far easier to get hold of AA batteries . battery should last between six and nine month , depend on how many clock time you use the lock .
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Should you buy it?
Easy to suit to most doors with a quarter round turning , this lock has draw of lock and unlock option .
A smart lock that ships with an upgrade cylinder may be a proficient choice for you .
Final Thoughts
A neat , retrofit impertinent curl , the SwitchBot Lock Pro should work with most common lock brands , although it ’s deserving assure first .
If you do n’t have a compatible lock and involve a new piston chamber , theUltion Nuki Plusis a slightly neater option . For those that can kick upstairs their lock , the SwitchBot Lock Pro is neat , powerful and has portion of lock and unlock alternative .
Trusted Score
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Unlike other sites , we test every saucy home product we review exhaustively over an prolonged period of metre . We use industriousness standard tests to compare features in good order . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to review a merchandise .
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FAQs
As the ringlet uses Bluetooth , you need a Matter compatible hub , which also turns on remote control of the lock .
