Smart home security brand SwitchBot has unveiled its second smart lock, the Lock Pro, aiming to provide more robust protection than the first model.
If you read our SwitchBot Lock review, you’ll find that the device, while generally good, lacked many of the security features you’d expect to see on a smart home gadget. It is virtually without bells and whistles. The SwitchBot Lock is, as the review put it, “the dumbest smart lock you’ve ever seen.” Moreover, it used large CR-123A lithium batteries which are not cheap. With the Lock Pro, however, the company has updated key aspects of the previous generation, making the new model easier to use and able to play a bigger role in your smart home ecosystem.
For example, the deadbolt switch is gone and replaced by a rotatable dial. It also acts as a button with the Quick Key function. Pressing this will allow you to instantly lock and unlock the device. In addition, the dial is at the bottom, leaving room for the battery holder above.
Those bulky batteries have been kicked to the curb. Instead, homeowners will use four AA batteries. Changing it is easy to do. All you have to do is take off the magnetic lid. It is no longer necessary to remove four screws.
The other powerplant didn’t do much to shrink the Lock Pro. It is about the same size as the original. But what it did do is extend the battery life to nine months. Of course, you still have the option to purchase the rechargeable Dual Power Pack, which lasts a whole year.
The accompanying Keypad Touch now has a fingerprint reader on the bottom. According to the announcementthe numeric keypad can store up to 100 individual fingerprints at a time. This may seem excessive for a regular home, but can be useful for businesses where many people come and go.
Recurring functions
This is where the differences end, as there are a wide range of similarities between the SwitchBot Lock and the Lock Pro.
Installation appears to be the same. A video on the product page shows that you need to remove the old stone and then place the base over the empty space. Keep a Phillips screwdriver handy as you will need one to secure the unit itself to the base.
Support for the Matter standard is also back, allowing you to connect the model to third-party services such as Samsung’s SmartThings or Amazon Alexa. The Lock Pro alone doesn’t connect to Matter, so you’ll need to purchase SwitchBot’s Hub Mini to enable support. Other notable features include low battery alerts and real-time notifications that tell you if the door is unlocked.
The SwitchBot Lock Pro is currently available for pre-order on their official website. Prices start at $120/£140/€140. Package options add the Keypad Touch and the Hub Mini. Those bundles will be more expensive. No word on when the Lock Pro will launch, though The edge their reporting states that it will “go on full sale on March 31.”
We’ve reached out to the company for more information. This story will be updated at a later date. Until then, check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best smart locks for 2024.