Robust design
The SwitchBot Lock Pro is bigpartly made of aluminium Made inium andd makes one high quality onepressure. This sets it apart from its predecessor, which was made entirely of plastic.
With Ab measurements from 120 x 59 x 83,9 mm it is in versame to others Smart locks though also quite klobby and falls on the door definitelyiv on.
The Front boccurs large rotary knob, with which the Door also manually ver- and unlock leats. In the Mmiddle of the button one key integrated, which free with actions like On/To be proven leats. Very practicalish!
Installation: Simple, but with small problems
Installing the SwitchBot Lock Pro is basically easy and works with pretty much every common locking system. The associated app has step-by-step instructions with videos that guide you through the complete installation and setup.
All clear, at least I thought so. I had to make several attempts to calibrate the lock until everything worked perfectly. The step to the door catch could have been explained in more detail, because it is not immediately clear what the individual steps are for.
It is positive that two different holders are included. If the lock cylinder protrudes by more than 3 mm, bracket A can be attached without gluing. Be careful when tightening the screws. Don't tighten too tightly or it will jam later.
The optional keypad is also set up via the app. You can choose between gluing or drilling. To connect to the Internet you need the separately available SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini (*on Amazon). In contrast to the Nuki Bridge, it is not plugged directly into the socket, but is supplied with power via a cable.
Overall, the complete assembly and setup of the SwitchBot Lock Pro took less than 20 minutes.
Quiet, comfortable and with many opening options
During operation, the SwitchBot Lock Pro works pleasantly quietly and reliably. The engine can hardly be heard from a few meters away. A clear plus point compared to its predecessor, which made quite loud opening noises. There were no unexpected failures during the test period.
The keypad pleases with lighting and an additional "0" key, which is missing from the Nuki. The fingerprint sensor works reliably and the door can be opened with cards or NFC tags via NFC. One is included.
In total, the SwitchBot Lock Pro offers more than 9 different ways to open and close:
- Fingerprint (requires Keypad Touch)
- One-time, permanent, timed and virtual codes
- Remote unlocking via app
- Voice control via Siri, Alexa & Co.
- Apple Watch app
- Bluetooth
- NFC tags
- Physical remote control
- Conventional key
Overall, the SwitchBot app appears tidier and more well thought out than that of many other manufacturers. All settings and user management can be found quickly.
The included magnetic sensor is also practical, as it shows in the app whether the door is open or closed. Push notifications when the door is opened or closed are sent directly to the smartphone.
Long battery life and Matter support
According to the manufacturer, with four AA batteries, the SwitchBot Lock Pro can last up to 9 months without changing the batteries. Alternatively, a battery pack (*on Amazon) available for a 12-month term. For comparison: With the Nuki Smart Lock it only lasts 6 months with 4 CR123A batteries.
Changing is easy thanks to the magnetic cover: remove the cover, replace the batteries, and you're done. If the battery level falls below 20%, there is a notification via app or email.
A big plus is the Matter support via the separately available Hub Mini or Hub 2. This means that the SwitchBot Lock Pro can be integrated into all common smart home systems such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Remote control is then also possible.
What the SwitchBot Lock Pro is still missing is a convenient auto-unlock function for automatic unlocking when you get home. SwitchBot could certainly provide this later via an update. Apple Home Key for opening via iPhone or Apple Watch is also not supported. However, the technology is not yet used much in this country.
