If you want keyless entry without swapping out your entire deadbolt, the SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro is one of the easiest upgrades in the smart-home world. It mounts over the inside thumbturn of your existing deadbolt, so your key still works, your exterior hardware stays the same, and installation takes about 10 minutes with a supplied adhesive plate or two screws. For roughly $130 to $180 as a bundle, it turns a dumb lock into a phone-controlled, keypad-and-fingerprint one.
Retrofit is the key word here. Renters love this design because there’s no drilling into the door and nothing permanent, so you can take it with you when you move. Homeowners like keeping their existing keyed cylinder as a backup. Let’s break down what it does and whether it’s the right pick.
How the Retrofit Design Works
Rather than replacing your lock, the Smart Lock Pro grips the interior thumbturn and physically rotates it for you. That means:
- Your existing key and exterior keyway stay fully functional as a manual backup
- Nothing changes on the outside of your door, preserving its look
- Installation needs no locksmith and no new holes; most people use the 3M adhesive mounting plate
- It fits most standard single-cylinder deadbolts in North America, with adapters in the box for various thumbturn shapes
Because it works over your current deadbolt, the biggest install task is simply making sure the mounting plate is level and the adapter grips the thumbturn snugly. A crooked mount is the usual cause of jams, so take your time on that step.
Key Features
The Pro is the upgraded sibling to the standard SwitchBot lock, and it addresses the original’s main complaints. Highlights:
- Stronger motor: More torque than the base model, so it drives stiff or slightly misaligned deadbolts more reliably.
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock: Set it to lock automatically after a chosen delay, or unlock as you approach with your phone.
- App control: Lock, unlock, check status, and view an access log from the SwitchBot app anywhere, when paired with a hub.
- Voice assistants: Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts through a hub.
- Shared access: Grant temporary or permanent digital keys to family, guests, or cleaners.
Keypad and Fingerprint Unlock
The lock body handles the mechanics, but the real convenience comes from the companion keypad, usually sold in a bundle. The Keypad Touch model adds a fingerprint reader, and together they give you several ways in without your phone:
- Fingerprint: Unlocks in well under a second and stores dozens of prints, ideal for the whole family.
- PIN codes: Create permanent codes for household members and temporary or one-time codes for guests, deliveries, or a dog walker.
- NFC cards and physical key: Tap a card, or fall back to your original metal key anytime.
The keypad mounts outside the door with adhesive or screws and talks to the lock wirelessly, so no wiring crosses the door frame.
Matter and the Hub Question
This is the detail that matters most for your setup. The lock uses Bluetooth on its own, which is fine for unlocking when your phone is nearby but not for remote control. To get remote access, Alexa or Google voice control, and Matter compatibility, you need a SwitchBot Hub (the Hub 2 or Hub Mini Matter-enabled).
- Without a hub: local Bluetooth control and keypad or fingerprint entry only
- With a hub: remote lock/unlock from anywhere, voice assistants, and Matter, which lets the lock join Apple Home, SmartThings, and other Matter platforms
Factor the hub into your budget if you want the full experience. Many bundles include one, but a bare lock does not.
Battery and Price
Power is refreshingly low-fuss. The Smart Lock Pro runs on standard, swappable batteries rather than a proprietary pack:
- Uses common CR123A or included rechargeable cells, with quoted life in the range of many months on a charge or set
- The app warns you well before the battery dies, and swapping takes under a minute
- An optional magnetic clip-on solar panel can trickle-charge the lock so you rarely think about batteries at all
On price, expect around $130 to $180 for a bundle that pairs the lock with the keypad, and less for the lock alone. Adding a hub and the fingerprint keypad pushes a fully loaded kit toward the $200 mark, still cheaper than many premium deadbolt-replacement smart locks.
Installation Walk-Through
A typical install goes like this:
- Clean the interior door surface where the mounting plate sits.
- Choose the adapter that matches your thumbturn and attach it to the lock.
- Stick or screw the mounting plate on, keeping it level and centered over the deadbolt.
- Clip the lock body onto the plate and run the in-app calibration so it learns the locked and unlocked positions.
- Mount the keypad outside, pair it, and enroll fingerprints and PIN codes.
- Add a hub if you want remote and Matter features, then test the door several times before relying on it.
Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For
No lock is perfect. The honest scorecard:
- Pros: Genuinely easy renter-friendly install, keeps your existing key, strong motor, flexible entry options, swappable batteries, and Matter support through a hub at a fair price.
- Cons: Full features require buying a hub, the interior lock body is bulkier than a slim replacement deadbolt, and adhesive mounting can loosen on stiff locks if not aligned well.
Who should buy it? Renters who can’t modify the door, anyone who wants keyless entry while keeping their key, and smart-home owners who value Matter flexibility over minimalist looks. If you want a slim, all-in-one replacement deadbolt and don’t mind drilling, a full-replacement lock may suit you better.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The retrofit category has real competitors, and knowing where the Pro lands helps you decide:
- vs. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: August pioneered the retrofit design and has a polished app, but its bundles often cost more and it leans on its own ecosystem. The SwitchBot undercuts it on price, especially once a keypad and fingerprint are included.
- vs. replacement deadbolts (Schlage Encode, Yale Assure): Those swap your whole lock for a cleaner exterior look and built-in WiFi, but they require removing hardware and drilling, and typically run $200 to $300. Not renter-friendly.
- vs. the base SwitchBot Smart Lock: The Pro adds a stronger motor and longer battery life, worth the small premium if your deadbolt is at all stiff.
Real-World Tips Before You Commit
A few things reviewers and owners consistently flag:
- Lubricate a stiff deadbolt with a dry graphite lubricant before installing. A lock that’s hard to turn by hand will strain any motor and drain batteries faster.
- Keep at least one physical key accessible outside the smart system, in a lockbox or with a neighbor, in case batteries die while you’re out and the hub is offline.
- If auto-unlock feels unreliable, it’s usually your phone’s Bluetooth or location permissions, not the lock. Grant the app background location access.
- Mount the keypad within a few feet of the lock so the wireless link stays strong through the door.
For a low-commitment, high-convenience upgrade that keeps your existing key and can be removed without a trace, the SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro is one of the best values on the market. Budget for the hub and keypad, take your time on the mounting alignment, and you’ll have keyless entry running the same afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hub to use the SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro? Not for basic use. Bluetooth handles local unlocking and the keypad or fingerprint works on its own. You only need a SwitchBot Hub for remote control from anywhere, Alexa and Google voice, and Matter integration with platforms like Apple Home.
Can renters install it? Yes, that’s a core strength. It mounts over your existing thumbturn with an adhesive plate, requires no drilling, and pops off cleanly when you move, leaving the door and deadbolt untouched.
What happens if the battery dies? Your original key still works, since the lock sits over your existing deadbolt rather than replacing it. The app also warns you well ahead of time, and an optional solar clip can keep the batteries topped off.
Is it secure? The lock keeps your original keyed cylinder as-is, so its physical security matches your existing deadbolt. The digital side adds encrypted access, one-time guest codes, and an access log, giving you more control than a plain key alone.
