SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision combo review: The best smart lock upgrade for secure, keyless entry
The SwitchBot Lock Ultra combines smart security with a sleek design. Picture: SwitchBot.
Motorised smart locks might seem like the answer to a problem we didnât know we had, but the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo finally feels like one that delivers. With 3D facial recognition, robust battery redundancy, and an easy-to-retrofit design, it transforms an ordinary door into a secure, futuristic entry system. After installing it on my own front door, replacing a previous smart lock, I can say that after using it for the last few months, this is the best balance of practicality and peace of mind Iâve tried.
The first thing that struck me was how much faster and quieter the Lock Ultra is compared to my old unit. Designed with a mix of polycarbonate, ABS, and aluminium backing, itâs both modern and discreet. The body is slimmer than earlier SwitchBot locks but still feels premium, weighing in at just over 360g with the battery installed. The lock is now faster and more powerful, with increased torque that boosts its versatility.
A neat LED ring encircles the knob, lighting up to provide status feedback without being distracting. I also liked that the knob itself has extra resistance built in, a deliberate design choice to make manual operation more tactile while also providing enough grip to make it easy to turn the knob.
On the aesthetic side, SwitchBot includes three wood-grain stickers for those who want the lock to blend into a doorâs existing finish. Personally, I prefer the clean, matte look as it is.
Replacing my old smart lock was very straightforward. The Lock Ultra is a retrofit design, meaning you donât need to drill or replace your existing deadbolt. Instead, it installs directly over your existing lock. SwitchBot claims it works with 99.9% of common lock types, and in my case, installation took under 30 minutes using the included tools. That said, you should check SwitchBotâs website to make sure your door lock is compatible before you order a smart lock.
The process was mostly about selecting the right bracket for my doorâs keyhole surround, attaching the mount, and sliding the lock into place.
A magnet sensor helps the lock detect whether the door is open or closed, which is important for its auto-lock features. Iâve wrestled with fiddly smart locks in the past, but this was one of the smoothest setups Iâve had.
The combo kit includes the Matter-compatible Hub Mini, which works with third-party platforms like HomeKit, Alexa, and Google.
SwitchBot claims up to five different ways to unlock, and its versatility is impressive. The headline feature is the 3D facial recognition (available with the Vision Combo kit), which uses 30,000 infrared points to map your face with millimetre precision. Recognition is lightning-fast, under a second in my testing, and, crucially, all data is stored locally with AES-128 encryption. Alongside face unlock, you get a fingerprint scanner, along with a keypad, NFC, app control, voice assistant support, and, of course, your original physical key.
My personal favourite feature is the auto-unlock with face recognition. I set it so that as soon as the camera detects my face, the door unlocks instantly. Thereâs something satisfying about the door recognising you and quietly letting you in without fumbling for keys. I found the face unlock feature to be very reliable and incredibly efficient with all the people in my household.
Battery life is also well thought out. A triple-layer system includes a rechargeable main battery (lasting 9â12 months per charge), a cold-resistant CR123A backup cell, and a supercapacitor that can power five extra unlocks if everything else runs dry. In practice, this design takes away the usual âwhat if it dies?â anxiety Iâve had with other locks.
In the SwitchBot app, you can generate temporary, one-time, or even emergency passcodes â perfect for Airbnb guests or anyone who needs occasional access to your home.
In daily use, the lock has been excellent. Unlock speed is quick, the motor is quiet, especially in Night Mode, which tones it down further, but also slows it down considerably, and the door status detection has been mostly reliable. I have found that I needed to recalibrate the magnet several times over the last few months, but with each new firmware update, this has gotten better.
Security is equally robust. With a six-layer system and strong local encryption, Iâve felt confident this lock isnât the weak point in my home setup. Importantly, manual operation, often overlooked in smart locks, has been smooth, so I always feel like Iâve got a backup method that works.
Compared to my old lock, the Lock Ultra just feels more refined, both in responsiveness and reliability.
While the lock is excellent on its own, pairing it with the SwitchBot Hub 3 (âŹ130) takes things to another level. This is a Matter-enabled smart home hub that connects not only SwitchBot devices but also thousands of third-party products.
In my setup, the Hub 3 has become the brain of the operation, allowing me to integrate the Lock Ultra with my lights and heating. For instance, unlocking the door at night can now trigger the hallway lights too.
The Hub 3 also controls over 100,000 infrared devices, so my TV and some older devices are now part of the same automation system. I really liked the Dial Master rotary controller, which gives a tactile way to control volume, lighting, or temperature, as well as customisable buttons for triggering scenes.
It even collects and displays indoor and outdoor environmental data like temperature and humidity, which Iâm now using to automate energy-saving behaviours. For me, the Hub 3 makes the Lock Ultra feel less like a standalone gadget and more like part of a true smart home ecosystem.
Nothing is perfect, and there are a couple of niggles. First, the lock is substantial in size, and while slimmer than before, it still protrudes more than a traditional key turner.
Second, while the installation was smooth for me, Iâd stress that checking compatibility before buying is essential. SwitchBot offers an online tool, and I strongly recommend using it.
Finally, while the Vision Combo adds facial recognition, youâll need the keypad accessory mounted near your door, which does mean an extra device to install. Personally, I think the benefits outweigh the clutter, but itâs worth noting.
The SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo is hands-down the most impressive smart lock Iâve installed. Between its facial recognition, endless unlock methods, robust battery system, and easy installation, itâs a huge step up from my old lock. Pair it with the Hub 3, and youâve got a genuinely integrated smart home entry system. Highly recommended.
