SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo Review: Face Unlock for Your Front Door Is Finally Here

Smarter, faster, and better designed. The SwitchBot Lock Ultra brings facial recognition to the retrofit lock game.

SwitchBot has been making quiet waves in the smart home space for a few years now. And with the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo, the brand might have just launched its most compelling product yet. This is the world’s first retrofit smart lock with 3D facial recognition, and it solves many of the pain points that have plagued previous smart locks (including its own).

Installation: Retrofits like a pro, no screws needed

The Lock Ultra is a true retrofit smart lock: it replaces only the interior portion of your deadbolt, meaning your keyhole and exterior hardware stay the same. That makes it ideal for renters, design-conscious homeowners, or anyone who wants to avoid a full lock replacement.

Installation is now significantly easier than in older models. You don’t even need screws — just clip the lock onto the mounting bracket, choose the right tailpiece adapter, and you’re done. It’s also about 50% thinner than the Lock Pro, making it sleeker and less obtrusive on your door.

Battery: Rechargeable, long-lasting, and fail-safe

The SwitchBot Lock Ultra ditches the bulky AA batteries of earlier models in favor of a rechargeable 4200mAh lithium-ion battery, offering up to 9–12 months of use on a full charge via USB-C. It also includes:

• A backup CR123A battery (up to 5 years of emergency use)
• A supercapacitor “jumpstart” system in case both batteries die
• Easy battery access via a magnetic cap

Face Unlock: Surprisingly fast and reliable

The real star of the show is the Vision Keypad, which adds facial recognition to the list of 18 unlocking methods. The 3D scanner uses 30,000 infrared points to create millimeter-accurate face maps, even if you're wearing a hat or glasses.

Face unlock is:

• Fast (under 1 second)
• Local-only (no cloud data)
• Secure (AES-128 encryption)
• Customizable (up to 100 user profiles)

Our testing found it to work flawlessly, even in dark places. And if that fails, you still have options: fingerprint scanning, passcodes, NFC cards, app control, auto-unlock, or your original key.

App & Smart Home Integration: Best with the Hub

Out of the box, the Lock Ultra is Bluetooth-only. But pair it with the included SwitchBot Hub Mini (in the Combo pack), and you unlock Wi-Fi connectivity, Matter support, and integrations with:

• Apple Home (HomeKit)
• Google Home
• Amazon Alexa
• Home Assistant (coming soon via Bluetooth/cloud)

You can set up automations like locking the door when you leave or triggering scenes with the lock. There’s also a "dual lock" mode for syncing multiple locks, and auto-lock features based on door status (open/closed) thanks to the included sensor.

✅ Tip: Auto-unlock via geofencing is still in beta and may be inconsistent — your mileage may vary.

Design: Streamlined, customizable, and thoughtfully built

The new Lock Ultra sports a magnesium aluminum body that looks and feels premium. A status LED ring lets you quickly see battery levels and lock state, and the matte black Vision Keypad adds a modern touch.

Bonus: You can personalize the lock with wood grain overlays, and the Vision Keypad's bottom button can double as a doorbell or scene trigger (via firmware update).

What we loved

• Face unlock is surprisingly useful and works in all conditions
• Seamless, screw-free installation
• Rechargeable battery + multiple backup systems
• Fast, quiet, and strong motor
• Works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google, and more
• Local data storage for security and privacy
• Great value for the features

What could be better

• No Apple Home Key support (though many won’t miss it)
• Auto-unlock via geofence still inconsistent
• Bluetooth-only without the hub (Matter requires hub)
• Still a bit chunky compared to Level Lock Bolt

Heyup Verdict: The best retrofit smart lock of 2025?

If you want to bring your home security into the future without changing your deadbolt, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo is hands-down one of the best smart locks available today. It's stylish, secure, and surprisingly simple to install. And with 3D facial recognition that actually works, it's the first lock that feels like something out of the future.

Whether you’re an Apple Home devotee or just dipping your toes into smart home tech, this lock delivers a lot for the price.

Shop SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo

See the SwitchBot Lock Ultra on Heyup

FAQs

Does the SwitchBot Lock Ultra work with my existing door lock?
Yes. It’s a retrofit smart lock, which means it installs over the inside of your existing deadbolt without replacing the external keyhole. It’s compatible with most U.S., European, and Asian lock types, including deadbolts, mortise locks, and jimmy-proof locks.

How secure is the facial recognition system?
Very secure. The Vision Keypad uses 3D facial recognition with 30,000 infrared points to create detailed face maps that are stored locally on the device, encrypted with AES-128 bank-grade security. None of your biometric data is uploaded to the cloud.

What happens if the battery dies? Will I get locked out?
Unlikely. The Lock Ultra includes a rechargeable main battery, a backup CR123A emergency battery, and even a supercapacitor-based "jumpstart" system. You can also still use your original physical key as a last resort.

Does the SwitchBot Lock Ultra support Apple Home or HomeKit?
Yes — but only via a SwitchBot Hub Mini with Matter support (included in the Combo). Once connected, the lock can be added to Apple Home for automation scenes, notifications, and Siri voice control. Note: Apple Home Key is not supported.

What unlocking methods does it support?
Up to 18 unlocking methods, including:

• 3D facial recognition (Vision Keypad)
• Fingerprint (Keypad Touch or Vision)
• App control (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi via hub)
• Auto-unlock (via geofencing)
• NFC cards
• Voice assistants (Alexa, Google, Siri Shortcuts)
• Original physical key
• Manual thumb turn
• Tap-to-unlock feature
• Scene button on the keypad (customizable)

Do I need to drill or screw anything to install the lock?
Nope! The SwitchBot Lock Ultra uses a clip-on mounting bracket with optional adhesives and just two screws for stability. It’s one of the easiest smart locks to install, even for beginners.

Can I still use the SwitchBot Lock Ultra without the keypad?
Yes. You can use the lock on its own and unlock it via the app, physical key, thumb turn, or auto-unlock. However, the Vision Keypad adds facial recognition, fingerprint, passcodes, and NFC for convenience. 

Is the SwitchBot Lock Ultra good for renters?
Yes. Because it's a non-destructive, retrofittable lock, it’s perfect for renters. You won’t need to change the exterior appearance of your door or rekey the lock.

• How long does the battery last, and how do I recharge it?
  Main battery: Up to 9–12 months per charge
• Backup battery: Lasts up to 5 years

To recharge, just pop open the magnetic cover and charge via USB-C. It takes only a few hours.