SwitchBot is launching its most powerful retrofit lock to date: the Lock Ultra Max Vision Pro Combo. The combo, consisting of the Lock Ultra Max, Keypad Vision Pro, and Hub Mini Matter Enabled, unlocks via face, palm, fingerprint, code, or app and can be mounted onto the existing lock cylinder without drilling. Pre-orders begin on September 3, 2026, for 339.99 euros, shortly before SwitchBot showcases the system at the IFA in Berlin from September 4 to 8 at booth H1.2-146.
Key facts at a glance
- A combo of the Lock Ultra Max, Keypad Vision Pro, and Hub Mini Matter Enabled, mountable on the existing lock cylinder without drilling.
- New UltraDrive motor with 160 rpm; according to the manufacturer, it unlocks in 1.1 seconds in Max Mode.
- Up to 19 unlocking methods, including—for the first time—hand vein recognition in addition to face, fingerprint, code, and NFC.
- Three-stage power supply with up to 9 months of runtime for the main battery.
- 339.99 euros; pre-orders begin September 3, 2026; to be unveiled at IFA in Berlin.
Here’s what’s included in the combo
The set consists of three components. Lock Ultra Max sits on the inside of the existing cylinder and handles the actual locking and unlocking. Keypad Vision Pro is mounted on the outside of the door and provides biometric recognition. Hub Mini Matter Enabled connects the lock to your home Wi-Fi and, via Matter over Bridge, integrates it into Apple Home or Home Assistant—all without the need to purchase a separate hub. So if you already control your home via Home Assistant, you can integrate the lock directly into your existing automations.
Lock Ultra Max: More Powerful Motor, Two Modes
The biggest leap forward is in the drive mechanism. The brushless UltraDrive motor rotates at 160 revolutions per minute—that’s 3.2 times the speed of SwitchBot’s standard Lock Ultra. According to the manufacturer, in “Max Mode,” the lock opens in 1.1 seconds with a torque of over 9 kg, which should be sufficient for most European locking mechanisms. Those who prefer a quieter operation—for example, at night or in a shared apartment—can switch to “Quiet Mode.” A magnetic encoder is designed to ensure that the mechanism remains precise even after thousands of locking and unlocking cycles.
Visually, SwitchBot features an aluminum alloy housing with brushed stainless steel accents and a ribbed light design that casts different shades depending on the angle of incidence. Together with a precisely fitting base ring, the lock is designed to look less like an accessory that was tacked on after the fact than earlier SwitchBot models.
Keypad Vision Pro: Up to 19 Ways to Get Inside
The biggest selling point is likely the number of unlocking methods: Combined, the system offers up to 19 options, including the app, remote access, voice assistants, a smartwatch, widgets, automatic geofencing, a physical emergency key, and access for individual household members via Home Sharing.
For contactless access, the Keypad Vision Pro projects over 30,000 infrared dots onto the face and uses them to create a 3D map, which, according to SwitchBot, is processed in under a second under laboratory conditions. Built-in infrared lighting is designed to enable this even in the dark. A new feature is palm vein recognition: a near-infrared sensor reads the vein pattern in the palm, which is intended as an alternative especially for children, older family members, or people with fingerprints that are difficult to read (dry, wet, or dirty). Fingerprint, PIN, and NFC card options remain available for those who prefer traditional methods.
Battery and Emergency Power Supply
Lock Ultra Max relies on a three-stage power concept. The rechargeable main battery, with a capacity of 4,200 mAh, is designed to last about nine months under typical use. If it is empty or is removed for charging, a separate CR123A battery takes over, providing power for about 500 additional lockings or unlockings. Even if both power sources are depleted, the lock collects residual energy for about 30 seconds, enabling up to five emergency unlockings.
The app displays the charge level of both power sources and provides a timely warning before they run out. The Keypad Vision Pro itself comes with a 5,000-mAh battery, which, according to the manufacturer, should last up to twelve months; a proximity sensor activates the camera only when someone approaches the door to conserve power.
Security, Privacy, and Door Status
Communication uses AES-128 encryption. According to SwitchBot, facial, hand vein, and fingerprint data are processed and stored exclusively on the device itself, not in third-party cloud services. Auto-Lock automatically locks the door after you pass through, and the app logs lock status, battery levels, and events. In addition, the lock provides voice prompts directly on the device and sends app notifications, for example, if the door remains open or unlocked, the main battery is running low, or one of 13 weather warning categories—such as rain, snow, or thunderstorms—occurs.
What was good—and what wasn’t—about the predecessor
The predecessor, the Lock Ultra Vision Pro Combo, had already been tested by the German editorial team at Techboys. In everyday use, the lock achieved an unlock time of about 0.3 seconds, also featuring nearly 30,000 infrared dots for facial recognition and an adhesive mounting system that requires no drilling. The fact that SwitchBot officially cites 1.1 seconds for the new Max Mode doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a step backward: Manufacturer and real-world measurements are rarely conducted under identical conditions, and the 3.2-fold increase in motor speed specifically refers to a comparison with the standard Lock Ultra, not the older Vision Pro model.
More important for prospective buyers are likely to be the criticisms from the test, which could remain relevant for the new generation as well: A SwitchBot account is required to access the full range of features; during testing, the Matter and HomeKit integration responded noticeably slower than the native app; and the adhesive mounting of the keypad came loose in places after several weeks of exposure to the elements. Anyone installing the device outdoors should keep this in mind.
Installation and Compatibility
SwitchBot states that the Lock Ultra Max is designed to work with 99 percent of European locks, including common EU profile cylinders, knob cylinders, Swiss round cylinders, and British oval cylinders. Additional adapters are available for less common installation scenarios. The lock is mounted from the inside onto the existing cylinder, while the Keypad Vision Pro is attached to the outside of the door with adhesive tape or screws. Drilling is not necessary in most cases, which also makes the system appealing for rental apartments, where structural modifications to the door are often not permitted.
| Feature | SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max Vision Pro Combo |
|---|---|
| Included Devices | Lock Ultra Max, Keypad Vision Pro, Hub Mini Matter Enabled |
| Motor | Brushless UltraDrive motor, 160 RPM (3.2 times the speed of Lock Ultra) |
| Unlocking Time (Max Mode) | 1.1 seconds |
| Torque | Over 9 kg |
| Unlocking methods | Up to 19, including facial recognition, hand vein scan, fingerprint, PIN, NFC, app, and key |
| Main battery | 4,200 mAh, up to 9 months of battery life |
| Backup power supply | CR123A battery (approx. 500 operations) plus Micro-Power Unlock (up to 5 emergency unlocks) |
| Keypad Vision Pro battery | 5,000 mAh, up to 12 months of runtime |
| Encryption | AES-128, biometric data stored locally |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi via Hub Mini, Matter via Bridge (Apple Home, Home Assistant) |
| Lock compatibility | Approx. 99% of European profile, knob, round, and oval cylinders |
| Price | 339.99 euros (MSRP) |
| Availability | Pre-orders beginning September 3, 2026 |
Price, Availability, and Warranty
The SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max Vision Pro Combo costs 339.99 euros and will be available for pre-order starting September 3, 2026, on SwitchBot’s official EU websites and on Amazon. Those who purchase during the introductory period will receive the “Max Service” for free: an additional one-year warranty with priority support for returns and exchanges. After the introductory offer expires, the warranty extension costs 24.90 euros per year separately.
For comparison, it’s worth taking a look at other retrofit solutions, such as the SOHO smart door lock from WE.LOCK, which, as our test showed, has significantly fewer features but also starts at a lower price. SwitchBot clearly positions the new Combo in the higher price segment and justifies this with its range of features, including motor power, biometrics, and weather services.
Conclusion
With the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max Vision Pro Combo, the retrofit lock series gets a noticeable upgrade in motor performance and unlocking methods, without requiring users to touch the existing cylinder or the door. For households with multiple generations under one roof, hand vein recognition is likely to be of particular interest; for everyone else, the sheer number of unlocking methods and the Matter connectivity ensure flexibility. Whether the adhesive mounting and app dependency—which drew criticism in the previous model—have been better addressed in the new generation will only become clear in independent tests following the market launch. For those who’ve been eyeing a SwitchBot ecosystem of smart curtains and other accessories for a while, the Combo offers—at least on paper—one of the most comprehensive access systems SwitchBot has built to date.
Visit the official SwitchBot store or order directly from Amazon.
