Key Takeaways
1. SwitchBot introduced the Lock Ultra at CES 2025, featuring 3D facial recognition technology, making it the first retrofit smart lock with this capability.
2. The Lock Ultra offers multiple access methods, including remote app control, auto-unlock, voice commands, passcodes, NFC keycards, fingerprint scanning, and facial recognition, priced at $139.99.
3. A package deal including the Lock Ultra and vision keypad with a SwitchBot Hub mini is available for $249.99, expanding connectivity beyond Bluetooth.
4. The SwitchBot Hub 3, priced at $119.99, supports over 30 Matter-compatible devices and features a programmable dial for managing lighting and temperature.
5. While the Lock Ultra and vision keypad are compatible with Matter, the Hub 3 does not support Thread and is designed to enhance existing smart home setups.
SwitchBot recently introduced the Lock Ultra at CES 2025 in January, presenting it as a successor to the SwitchBot Lock Pro. Now, they have revealed a new keypad accessory that features 3D facial recognition technology. While face ID is not a new concept in smart locks, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra stands out as the first retrofit smart lock in the industry to offer this capability.
Keypad Features and Functions
Similar to other smart lock keypads, the SwitchBot Keypad Vision is installed outside the door, while the Lock Ultra manages the locking mechanism from the inside. The two components communicate via Bluetooth, providing various access methods, such as remote app control, auto-unlock through geofencing, voice commands, passcodes, NFC keycards, fingerprint scanning, and facial recognition. The price of the Lock Ultra is $139.99, featuring a lithium-ion battery that can last up to nine months, an aluminum exterior, and a slightly more compact design compared to its predecessor. Since the lock is designed to be retrofitted, traditional keys can still be used for unlocking the door without needing to purchase the $99 keypad.
Pricing and Combo Offers
SwitchBot has also created a package deal that includes the Lock Ultra Vision set (Lock Ultra + vision keypad) paired with a SwitchBot Hub mini, priced at $249.99. This hub expands access options beyond Bluetooth’s limitations, allowing other SwitchBot devices and third-party IR gadgets to connect to your home WiFi network.
While Matter support is absent, both the SwitchBot Lock Ultra and the vision keypad are compatible with Matter. Users might prefer to invest in a SwitchBot Hub 3 instead of the mini to fully utilize this feature. The third-generation smart home hub has a notably larger design than the SwitchBot Hub 2 and includes a programmable dial located beneath its display.
Advanced Hub Capabilities
The programmable dial on the SwitchBot Hub 3 can be set up to adjust lighting and temperature, provided the appropriate devices are integrated. According to the product listing, the hub can manage over 30 Matter-compatible devices across major smart home platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant.
SwitchBot Hub 3 also accommodates Homey automations and customizable scenes. However, there is no indication of Thread support, so it won’t serve as a replacement for your Thread border router. Pre-orders for the Hub 3 are priced at $119.99 and are anticipated to ship by mid-June.
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