Review: The SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro Is the Best Smart Lock for Renters | Lifehacker

I've been renting most of my life until very recently, and if the SwitchBot Lock Pro had been around for all those years, I probably wouldn't have locked myself out as much or dropped stuff on my doorstep while fumbling for my keys. I've been using the SwitchBot Lock Pro on my home and Airbnb for months now, and it has been the easiest smart lock I have installed. Since I got the the upgraded "WiFi Lock Pro & Touch" bundle (it was sent to me for a review), I was able to control it remotely, give access to guests, and hook it up to my existing smart home ecosystem.

Works with many door lock types

Has auto-lock feature

Has a status detector that notifies you of door activity

Easy installation and no tools required

You keep your existing lock hardware and keys

Requires buying a hub and keypad separately to get all features (included in bundle)

The glue might damage the door paint when taking off

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wifi

Unlock mechanism: Keypad, fingerprint, phone, or key card

Integrations: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT

Installation: Interior escutcheon

App: Mobile

Geofencing/Location Services: No

Guest Access: Yes

Tamper Alarm: Yes

Touchpad: Yes

Voice Activation: Yes

The longest part of setting up the SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro was reading the instructions. The installation itself took me about seven minutes. As I said, I got to keep my existing lock hardware and keys. All I needed to do to start was remove the lock faceplate from inside my home.

Once I took the faceplate off, I screwed in the lock bracket. Then I got to choose from three different adapter bolts to match my existing lock hardware cylinders.

Once I finished that, I snapped the Smart Lock Pro on the bracket and attached it with some very small screws (there is an L-shaped hex wrench in the box to do this). Then I peeled the sticker off the motion sensor, glued it on the wall next to the door, popped four AA batteries in, downloaded the app, and calibrated the smart lock using the app, and I was done.

The keypad has a code, fingerprint, and key card option to unlock the SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro. To install it, there are two options: peel the sticker off the back to glue it to the wall or drill two holes for a more permanent and safe alternative. The glue is very strong and had no problem staying on my block wall through rain or with Airbnb guests using it. However, it is still glue. It ripped the paint off my wall when I took it off and anyone with a will to take it can steal it. The app does have a tamper alert, which works as a deterrent.

The piece that takes the SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro to the next level is the SwitchBot Hub Mini. This device makes it possible for me to use my SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro and keypad over wifi when I'm away from home instead of just Bluetooth. There is a catch though: the SwitchBot Hub Mini must be within Bluetooth range of the Smart Lock Pro and keypad. I have the hub about 10 feet from my smart lock, but my other SwitchBot devices in my detached garage or second floor do not reach the hub, meaning if I wanted to control those remotely, I would need to buy multiple hubs.

Once everything is set up, I can open and close the door over Bluetooth when I'm close to the door, remotely over wifi, by swiping my finger on the keypad, or by using a key card fob that comes with the keypad. I also get phone notifications any time the door is opened or closed because of the motion sensor.

The easy setup, the ability to keep the existing keys and lock hardware, and being able to glue the keypad make Smart Lock Pro very convenient for renters. Once the installation is done, the setup looks like the picture below. If your landlord wants to show up unannounced with their keys, they might not even notice there's a smart lock set up. Just be ready to potentially have to paint over the wall where you removed the keypad.

I've had many guests stay and use the temporary code to get in and haven't had a problem yet. The process is very straightforward and user-friendly. The finger swiping is very responsive and rarely fails (so far only when it has rained and my finger was wet).

The app is responsive and user-friendly. It has all the features you need like setting a temporary code, setting the auto-lock, changing the trigger actions on the smart lock, alarms if the door is left ajar or unlocked, and more. The app tells you how much battery is left on the device and sends you a notification when it's running low so you can change it before getting a sour surprise. The app is also compatible with Google, Amazon, IFTTT, and Siri.

One of my favorite parts is being able to send temporary codes to guests over wifi without being physically in the house. As an Airbnb host, this is super helpful, but so is being able to send it to someone in your home if there are cleaners, a maintenance person, or if the neighbor is kind enough to put an Amazon package inside for you.

The SwitchBot WiFi Smart Lock Pro Bundle is a versatile and user-friendly smart lock, perfect for people who rent. Its ease of installation is second to none and can be done by even the least DIY-able person. Because the installation is not invasive, it is very easy to remove and bring to the next home with no damage or permanent changes to the door (except maybe some paint if you opt to install it with very strong glue). The smart lock is also compatible with many types of hardware, so if you're concerned the one you have at home might be tricky, give this one a shot. The door monitor lets you know when the door is open or closed and logs all of that information on the app. The auto-lock feature feature is customizable and very useful. The only downside is that you have to buy the whole wifi bundle to get all of these features, but it is worth it at its $200 price.