Retrofits onto your existing deadbolt rather than replacing it, which is why renters buy it. Battery life and the security model of a motor bolted to your door are the two things to think about.
This entry is written from the 4 sources listed at the bottom of the page. The numbers are our editorial estimates drawn from that material, not measurements, and no statistical sample sits behind them.
It depends on how you will use it. 72% would buy it again, which means roughly 28% would not. Motor and gear wear on a heavily used door.
Unlocking without keys stops feeling clever and starts feeling normal. The battery reminder is the recurring cost of that.
Motor and gear wear on a heavily used door. Battery replacement is an ongoing chore. Any smart lock adds an attack surface to your front door.
Worth it for: Renters who cannot change the lock; Households with lots of people needing access; Keeping physical keys as a fallback. Think twice if: You want a lock with no batteries or radios; Doors with stiff or misaligned deadbolts; Maximum physical security.
Our reading of how sentiment moves across an ownership period, drawn from the sources below. It is an editorial estimate, not tracked longitudinal data.
| At purchase | 8.1 / 10 |
|---|---|
| First week | 8.3 / 10 |
| One month | 7.7 / 10 |
| Six months | 7.4 / 10 |
| One year | 7.3 / 10 |
| Two years or more | 7.3 / 10 |
Owner reviews move this score. The researched figure stays visible next to it, so you can always see what the sources said before anyone voted.
Leave a review on the live pageEvery complaint and every piece of praise above traces back to these. The summaries are ours; nothing is quoted, and no link, quote or username anywhere on this site is invented.
Review of installation, reliability and security.
Measured battery testing and security discussion.
Independent review of the retrofit lock.
Review of another SwitchBot retrofit device, covering battery and app.