Switchbot Lock Pro in the test: Smart door lock that wants to be at the top

At a glance

Our rating

Per

• Good fingerprint recognition
• Quiet drive
• Illuminated keypad
• Good value for money

Disadvantages

• Cumbersome integration into the material
• No Apple Home Key
• No opening with geofencing
• No time-limited access

Conclusion

With the Lock Pro, Switchbot has succeeded in creating a good smart door lock. The scope of delivery is good, as are the additional options with the hub, such as an IR transmitter. While the hardware is impressive, the software still needs some work. If Switchbot improves on this point, the Lock Pro will quickly find itself in the top group of smart door locks.

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Best prices today

109,91 €

114,90 €

117,90 €

139,99 €

Price at test

189.99 euros

Currently best price: SwitchBot Lock Pro

109,91 €

114,90 €

117,90 €

139,99 €

The range of smart door locks is constantly growing. The comprehensive Matter standard is now considered good practice, as are fingerprint sensors and NFC. All of which the Switchbot has integrated into its new smart door lock.

The associated hub not only establishes the Matter connection, it can do much more, such as controlling devices via infrared or automating other Switchbot devices. Examples include the compact S10 floor cleaning robot or the manufacturer’s water detector.

Installation and setup

The Lock Pro comes with a lot of accessories for different types of doors. More detailed information on whether your own door lock is compatible can be found on the Switchbot homepage. As with competitors, you should only combine the Lock Pro with a locking cylinder that can be opened even if a key is already inserted.

Installation is easy and is carried out using an adapter plate that is screwed onto the locking cylinder. Alternatively, an adapter plate for gluing is included if the locking cylinder is not protruding from the door frame. The screw version of the adapter plate fits perfectly when the locking cylinder protrudes by a maximum of three millimeters.

Power is supplied by four AA cells, which can be batteries or rechargeable batteries. Access is easy from the front. Batteries should last up to nine months.

The Lock Pro comes as a pure Bluetooth device from the factory, for direct operation via the iPhone or Apple Watch. To connect the Lock Pro to your own smart home via Matter, you need the Hub 2 or Hub Mini. Switchbot also offers suitable sets.

As usual, the setup is done via an app, where the assembly is also explained using short videos. Before setting up, you must create an account with Switchbot, which is also well described in the wizard.

The keypad

The keypad is quite bulky, but this is probably due to the large C123A batteries. The large batteries also ensure a long operating time of up to two years. The range of functions is very good and includes a fingerprint sensor as well as an NFC sensor. This is compatible with numerous NFC cards that you can program with the iPhone and the Switchbot app. Switchbot also offers a pack of 3 in cash card format for 15 euros. An NFC card is included in the delivery.

Learning the fingerprints worked well, but you should go straight to the “enhanced fingerprint” mode. The recognition of a fingerprint is confirmed with a visual display and a lock symbol shows that the door is opening. There is a corresponding lock key for locking. The buttons are illuminated. The lock can learn 100 fingerprints, which it stores locally and not in the cloud.

Setting up codes, fingerprints and NFC cards is easy and straightforward, but unfortunately the instructions are only in English. In addition to permanent, temporary and one-time passcodes, there is also one for emergencies. What is not limited is a time limit on certain days and times. This means that helpers can also come to the house on weekends or at night.

If someone removes the keypad, an alarm sounds and the homeowner receives a notification from the app on his iPhone.

The app

Apps that cover not just one product but an entire product portfolio are often overloaded. The Switchbot app is an exception here. As soon as you start the app, you see an overview of all the devices that you have registered in the Switchbot cosmos.

This means that the Lock Pro and its status are also directly visible. If you tap the small circle in the top right corner of the virtual button, the door can be opened or locked. If you tap the rest of the area, you get to the Lock Pro user interface.

The apps for the Apple Watch and Apple Home can only unlock and lock doors and simply open them. With the next Matter update, Apple Home should also be able to unlock doors without pulling the door latch.

The detailed log is very practical as it allows you to see exactly who opened or closed the door and when.

Recommendation

What is immediately noticeable about the Lock Pro is the quiet drive. You can hardly hear it outside the door. Otherwise, the Lock Pro is quite bulky and not a design highlight.

The Lock Pro is easy to assemble, but the setup is a different story. I needed several attempts to calibrate it and integrate it into the Matter smart home. I couldn’t figure out the reason.

The fact that the Lock Pro cannot be integrated directly as a Matter device, but must first be assigned to the Matter hub, is also somewhat cumbersome. A better explanation would be desirable here.

View Switchbot Lock Pro on Amazon

The “door open” detection is reliable and the quick notification of the door status is also good. The operation via the app is also OK. What I missed is that the NFC receiver also works with the Apple Watch and the door opens automatically when you stand in front of it. But that should come as an update later this year. The Lock Pro also does not understand Apple Home Key.

The scope of delivery and the sets offered are very good. I recommend the set with keypad and Hub Mini if ​​you don’t have the Hub 2. The price is OK at 240 euros.