SwitchBot Lock Ultra Review: A Good Retrofit Smart Lock for Secondary Doors

[Master Ch]

SwitchBot's Lock Ultra: A Retrofit Smart Lock That Just Might Be Exactly What You Need

For those who want the benefits of smart locking without the hefty price tag or extensive installation, SwitchBot's $140 Lock Ultra is an attractive option. This retrofit smart lock works seamlessly with deadbolts and even jimmies-proof locks like my garage door's, requiring no major modifications.

The Lock Ultra's modular design is a big plus, allowing users to choose their own lock hardware or add a keypad later if desired. The $20 adapter kit that comes with the device enables it to work with most existing deadbolts and even jimmies-proof locks, giving users peace of mind without breaking the bank.

However, some users may find the lack of smartphone app connectivity an annoyance. While the Lock Ultra's compact design and matte black finish make it a stylish addition to any door, its Bluetooth connectivity can be slow at times.

The SmartLock Ultra app offers a range of customizable features, including GPS-based auto-unlocking, night mode, and noise alerts when left unlocked for too long. Users can also adjust settings like rotation speed and knob behavior. However, some users have reported finicky calibration issues with the lock's facial recognition feature.

Adding SwitchBot's Keypad Vision to the Lock Ultra unlocks (pun intended) a range of additional features, including fingerprint scanning and on-device facial recognition. While these features work well for most users, there are some caveats: the keypad may not always recognize fingerprints, and the facial recognition feature can be finicky, requiring the user to stand in a specific spot.

The Lock Ultra's battery life is decent, lasting around six hours after full charging, although it does require a backup battery for reliability. The device also comes with an embedded power supply, which ensures that it will continue to function even if the main battery runs out.

Despite some minor issues, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra is a solid choice for those looking for a smart lock solution without breaking the bank. While its price may not be the most competitive in the market, its modularity and compatibility with various existing locks make it an attractive option for those who want to add smart locking capabilities to their home.

The Lock Ultra's ability to seamlessly integrate with jimmies-proof or mortise locks sets it apart from other retrofit smart locks on the market. With a stylish design and robust features, this device is sure to please even the most discerning homeowners.

 

[Happy Hippopotamus]

I gotta say, SwitchBot's Lock Ultra seems like a solid choice for those who wanna get into smart locking without shelling out a fortune . I mean, it's $140 for a retrofit lock that works with deadbolts and jimmies-proof locks? That's pretty sweet. But, let's be real, the lack of smartphone app connectivity might be a major bummer for some folks . And don't even get me started on those calibration issues with the facial recognition feature - that's just finicky . On the bright side, the keypad Vision adds some nice features like fingerprint scanning and facial recog, but it's not perfect. The battery life is decent, I guess, but it does require a backup battery for reliability . Overall, it's a good option for those who wanna DIY smart locking without breaking the bank, but you gotta weigh the pros and cons before making a decision

 

[Scandinav]

I'm loving the price point of this Lock Ultra! $140 for a smart lock that can work with deadbolts and jimmies-proof locks like mine? That's a total game changer . The modular design is so cool, I wish more manufacturers would do something similar . Plus, it's great to see an affordable option for those who don't want to break the bank . My only concern is the Bluetooth connectivity being slow at times, but overall, this lock seems like a solid choice .

 

[Golden Penguin Symphony]

I think I'm gonna love my new SwitchBot Lock Ultra . It sounds like it's just what I need to upgrade my home security without breaking the bank . The fact that it can work with existing locks and doesn't require any major modifications is a big plus for me . I do wish it had some better smartphone app connectivity, but 6 hours of battery life after full charging isn't too shabby . And the keypad vision feature sounds like a game changer . One thing I'm not looking forward to is dealing with finicky calibration issues . But overall, I think this thing is gonna be awesome .

 

[Legendary Manlove]

omg u gotta check out SwitchBot's new lock ultra its like $140 and works with literally any deadbolt or jimmy-proof lock no major installation required plus it comes with a keypad adapter kit which is super convenient. the design is also lowkey stylish matte black finish but some ppl found bluetooth connectivity to be kinda slow and theres calibration issues with the facial recognition feature still tho its a solid choice for anyone on a budget

 

[Wooden Pokemon Gon]

so the SwitchBot Lock Ultra sounds like it could be pretty cool I mean, who doesn't want a smart lock that's easy to install and can work with old locks? but at $140, is it really worth it? i'm not sure if the lack of smartphone app connectivity is a deal breaker for me, but the fact that it comes with an adapter kit so you don't have to mess around with existing locks is a big plus

i also like how modular it is, so you can upgrade or change things later on. but i'm curious, what's up with the Bluetooth connectivity being slow sometimes? and has anyone tried using it with those new fingerprint scanning features? seems like they'd be pretty useful

 

[Average Albatross]

im think switchbot lock ultra sounds pretty cool its like they've thought of everything - modular design, compatible with lots of different types of locks, decent battery life... but yeah, bluetooth connectivity can be a bit slow at times and facial recognition feature is kinda finicky? maybe not perfect for everyone. also, keypad vision is a nice touch, but fingerprint scanning might not always work still, overall i think its a solid choice for those who want smart locking without breaking the bank

 

[Underwater Desert Comp]

I'm totally stoked about the SwitchBot Lock Ultra! It's like, super affordable and doesn't require any major renovations, which is a total game-changer for anyone who wants to upgrade their home security without breaking the bank . The modular design is also a huge plus - it allows you to customize your lock hardware or add a keypad later if you want to . I've heard that the facial recognition feature can be a bit wonky at times, but overall, I think it's a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable smart lock solution . The only thing that might be a bit of a bummer is the slow Bluetooth connectivity, but hey, a few seconds of lag ain't gonna kill ya !

 

[Yucky Yacare]

I'm loving this new SwitchBot Lock Ultra thingy! It's like, so affordable and easy to install . I mean, who doesn't want to upgrade their home security without breaking the bank? The fact that it works with deadbolts and jimmies-proof locks is a total game-changer for me - I've got a garage door lock at my place that's super hard to crack, and this thing just fits like a charm .

Of course, there are some minor hiccups, like the Bluetooth connectivity being a bit slow sometimes . But overall, I think it's a solid choice for anyone looking for a smart lock solution on a budget. And I love how modular it is - you can customize it to your heart's content with different hardware and add-ons .

One thing that's got me curious, though, is the keypad feature . I've heard some people have had issues with fingerprints not recognizing properly, but I'm hoping that's just a minor kink to work out. The facial recognition feature seems cool too - who wouldn't want their lock to recognize them automatically?

 

[Panicky Phea]

I'm lovin' the compact design of SwitchBot's Lock Ultra ! The fact that it can work with deadbolts and jimmies-proof locks like my garage door's without requiring major modifications is super convenient . I also appreciate how customizable it is, from the app's features to the keypad Vision - it feels like a solid addition to any smart home setup . My only gripe is the Bluetooth connectivity being slow at times ... but overall, this lock is looking like a great option for those who want smart locking without the hefty price tag

 

[Vivacious Vu]

omg i got this lock ultra and its been a lifesaver , no more messing around with keys, my fam loves it too! its like having that extra security measure without it breaking the bank , i mean yeah some ppl might complain about the app connectivity but for me its not a big deal . also its got style points, just look at how sleek it is

 

[Morbidly O]

I'm so down for a smart lock that doesn't break the bank ! The fact that it's compatible with existing locks is a huge plus - I've got an old garage door that I don't want to mess around with. But, gotta say, the Bluetooth connectivity can be super slow at times... like, what's up with that? Also, would love to see some more affordable options out there, you know? $140 is a bit steep for my budget . That being said, if it integrates well with other SwitchBot devices and has a solid battery life, I'm totally here for it!

 

[Neo Harpoon Syndi]

I'm telling you, they're trying to control our homes . First, we gotta pay $140 for a "smart" lock and now it's like they're messing with our security systems too. What's next? A smart thermostat that tracks our every move while we're home? And don't even get me started on the keypad Vision feature - it's like they want us to surrender our freedom... I mean, our fingerprints. And what's up with the calibration issues? They're trying to make us feel like we need their "expert" help to work a simple lock. Give me a break . I'll stick to my old-fashioned locks, thank you very much .

 

[My Very Own C]

I'm loving the idea of a smart lock that doesn't require major modifications . The SwitchBot Lock Ultra seems like it's made for people who don't want to shell out the big bucks for a fancy smart lock just yet . I mean, $140 is still pretty steep, but if you can get it with no major installation required, that's a win in my book .

And oh man, the modular design is genius! It's like they're saying "hey, we know you want all these cool features, but also don't want to spend an arm and a leg" . Plus, the fact that it comes with a $20 adapter kit for existing deadbolts is just icing on the cake .

One thing I would hope they'd work on is making the Bluetooth connectivity faster . It's like they're saying "hey, we'll get to you eventually" . And yeah, the lack of smartphone app connectivity can be a bit annoying, but it's not a deal-breaker for me .

But overall, I think this lock is definitely worth considering if you want some smart locking goodness without breaking the bank .

 

[Luigi's Kabuki Coun]

I'm so stoked about this SwitchBot Lock Ultra! I mean, who doesn't want a smart lock that's affordable and easy to install? The fact that it's a retrofit lock means you don't have to go through all the hassle of replacing your old lock. And I love how modular it is - you can easily swap out the hardware or add a keypad later if you want. Plus, the design is super sleek and matte black, it'll look great on any door! The only downside I can see is that some people might get annoyed with the lack of smartphone app connectivity, but honestly, who needs to be glued to their phone all the time? For me, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. And at $140, it's a total steal!

 

[Stupid Salamander]

I don’t usually comment but I think the price of $140 might be a bit steep for some people . I mean, I get that it's not as expensive as those high-end smart locks on the market, but still, it's not cheap either . That being said, if you're looking for a retrofit smart lock and don't want to break the bank, this might be a good option for you . The modularity of the Lock Ultra is definitely a plus, and I like that you can customize it to fit your needs . Just wish the app was more stable, been having some issues with Bluetooth connectivity myself .

 

[Ho-Hum Rollerball]

Ugh I'm so done with people expecting a 5-star experience without putting in any effort ! SwitchBot's Lock Ultra may not be perfect, but it's honestly a total game-changer for those on a budget . I mean, who needs all the bells and whistles when you can have a solid smart lock that actually works with most existing locks? The keypad vision feature is SO underrated, btw - it's like they knew some of us are sick of dealing with annoying guests .

And let's be real, the price is kinda steep... but if you're gonna shell out $140, might as well get a lock that actually integrates seamlessly with your existing hardware . The only thing I'm a little annoyed about is the lack of smartphone app connectivity - can't we just get some decent Wi-Fi connectivity for once?! But overall, SwitchBot's Lock Ultra is a solid choice for anyone looking to level up their smart home game without breaking the bank .

 

[Cruel Cottonmouth]

I'm so glad they made this retrofit smart lock available - my kid's bedroom door has that jimmies-proof thingy and I've been wanting a decent smart lock for ages . The fact that it doesn't require major modifications is a huge plus, so no more worrying about messing up the door. The keypad feature with facial recognition is also super convenient, especially when my kid forgets to close the door sometimes . My only concern would be the finicky calibration issues and slow Bluetooth connectivity, but overall I think it's a great option for those on a budget .

 

[Prehistoric B]

I'm not entirely convinced about this SwitchBot Lock Ultra thing... I mean, $140 for a retro-fitted smart lock? It's decent prices-wise, but what makes me question it is the Bluetooth connectivity issues and some users having finicky calibration problems with the facial recognition feature . And don't even get me started on the keypad's fingerprint scanning - seems like a hassle to set up and sometimes doesn't work as expected .

Also, how reliable are these backup batteries? I'd want to know more about that before shelling out cash for this device . Still, it's an attractive option for those on a budget, but I need some more convincing before I give my thumbs up .