Hands-Free Unlocking: The Future of Smart Locks

Smart home technology has made significant strides in recent years, with one of the most exciting advancements being hands-free unlocking. This innovative feature allows users to unlock their doors without the need for a physical key or passcode, making it easier and more convenient than ever. While geofencing has been around for a while, newer technologies like facial recognition and ultrawideband (UWB) radio offer a more reliable and faster experience.

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Facial recognition, in particular, has often been dismissed as an overengineered solution to a mostly solved problem. However, during testing, it became clear that this tech has a genuine use case – especially for individuals who don’t want their unlocking experience tied to a device. If you’re like many people who leave their phone inside or don’t want to rely on a device for unlocking, facial recognition may be the perfect solution for you.

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So, how does facial recognition work on smart locks? It uses infrared sensors to create a three-dimensional map of your face, capturing depth and making it difficult to fool with a photo. Different companies use different methods, such as structured light, stereo infrared cameras, or time-of-flight sensing, but they all aim to provide a secure and convenient unlocking experience.

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The Best Smart Locks with Facial Recognition

After testing four locks with facial recognition, the Eufy FamiLock E40 emerged as the top contender. This lock offers an excellent facial unlocking experience, with a 3D map of your face captured in under a second. It also has a fingerprint reader, keypad, and physical key, making it a complete package. The Eufy doubles as a 2K video doorbell, with no subscription required, and its backup battery keeps the keypad working even if the main battery dies.

The Lockly Visage Zeno is another top contender, offering both Apple Home Key and facial recognition. While it’s slightly slower to unlock than the Eufy, it has an impressive battery life of around nine months and a sleek design. However, its keypad can be fiddly to use, and it’s the most expensive lock on the list.

The Lockin Veno Solar Face and SwitchBot Lock Vision Pro are also worth mentioning, although they have some drawbacks. The Lockin has a built-in solar panel for extended battery life, but its facial unlocking is slower and doesn’t work with sunglasses. The SwitchBot Lock Vision Pro is the worst of the bunch, with a glacially slow face unlock and a plasticky build quality.

The Verdict

While facial recognition smart locks may not be the most advanced technology, they offer a convenient and secure way to unlock your door. If you’re looking for a hands-free unlocking experience without relying on a device, facial recognition is definitely worth considering. The Eufy FamiLock E40 is the top pick, offering an excellent facial unlocking experience and a complete package of features. However, the other locks on the list also have their strengths and weaknesses, so it’s essential to do your research before making a decision.

The future of smart locks is looking bright, with innovations like facial recognition and UWB radio making it easier and more convenient than ever to secure your home. Whether you’re looking for a high-tech solution or a more traditional approach, there’s a smart lock out there for you.