SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro Review: A Smart Keypad for SwitchBot Locks

As a manufacturer of security products, SwitchBot offers a range of different locks, keypads, and smart accessories. That’s reason enough for us to take a closer look at the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro, which, as the direct successor to the Keypad Vision, is said to include several upgrades. But does this security gadget really deliver on its promises, and how useful is it in everyday use?

What’s Included

The SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro comes with everything we need to get started right away. Of course, the keypad itself is included. There’s also a charging cable, which is needed to charge the internal battery. You’ll also find all the materials (template, adhesive strips, screws, and wall anchors) needed to mount the keypad.

This is rounded out by a mounting kit, a corner connector, and optional button labels. Also included are a wet wipe, an NFC card, and an ejection pin.

This comprehensive package may seem large at first, but depending on where and how the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro is to be mounted, different options are necessary. Nevertheless, we’re pleasantly surprised by the contents of the package, which truly include and cover all essentials.

Technical Specifications

Product	SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro
Weight	205 grams (including battery)
Material	Polycarbonate (PC), anti-UV coating
Protection rating	IP65
Operating temperature	-20 °C to 45 °C
Connections	Bluetooth
Battery capacity	5,000 mAh
Battery life	Up to 1 year
Smart home integration supported	Yes (via SwitchBot Hub)
Mounting Options	2 adhesive strips, screws + anchors
Price	€169.99*

SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro Review: Setup & Installation

As a general rule, you should start by fully charging the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro before beginning the installation. To do this, simply connect the charging cable and wait up to six hours. In our test, the product arrived almost fully charged, so the charging light went out after less than 30 minutes and we were ready to get started.

Mounting the keypad was incredibly easy. There are two different adhesive strips, as well as the option to attach the keypad to a wall using wall anchors and screws. We decided to attach the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro to the wooden door using double-sided adhesive strips, which was incredibly easy. The only thing to keep in mind here is to choose the right height to optimize the use of facial recognition for people of different heights.

Next, you’ll need to pair it with the installed SwitchBot Lock model. The SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro itself is compatible with the classic SwitchBot Lock, the Lock Pro, and the Lock Ultra. To connect the keypad, you must first turn it on using the somewhat hidden power button and then register it in the free SwitchBot app. The pairing process itself takes only a few seconds via the app.

Finally, it’s worth checking the settings in the app and going through the various options. Once setup is complete via the app, it’s advisable to adjust the numeric code or add any keycards. Facial recognition, fingerprints, and hand vein recognition can also be set up now, with up to 100 different profiles storable for each.

All of this can be done in just a few minutes, and even users with no prior experience should be able to figure it out quickly.

Keypad Vision vs. Keypad Vision Pro

In fact, the difference between the Keypad Vision and its direct successor, the Keypad Vision Pro, isn’t particularly significant. Both have the same dimensions, the same weight, and the same built-in battery. Both can also store up to 100 different faces and recognize them even in the dark thanks to infrared technology.

However, there is one important upgrade: The SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro features the new palm vein recognition technology. This technology doesn’t simply take a photo of the palm and store it as biometric data; instead, it uses the vein pattern—which is unique to each person—for identification. So with the Pro model, not only the face and fingerprint are recognized, but also the hand veins.

So is it worth upgrading from the Keypad Vision to the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro? In most cases, the answer is probably a clear “no,” because aside from this one feature, both devices are identical. However, if you’re buying a new complete package anyway, you might as well pay the extra 20 euros to get the Keypad Vision Pro instead of the Keypad Vision.

SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro Review: SwitchBot App

Many settings in the free app only work as part of the complete package. In our review, for example, we connected the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro to a SwitchBot Lock Ultra (see our review) and the SwitchBot Hub Mini. This allowed us to access all the devices’ features and integrate them with the smart home system. It would even have been possible to connect it to the SwitchBot Video Doorbell (see our review).

Setting up the various unlocking mechanisms is also really quick. Creating a new passcode takes just a few seconds. If you want to set up biometric data (face, fingerprint, or palm vein recognition), you’ll need to use the scanner attached to the keypad. But even here, the entire process takes less than a minute—for example, to save both hands.

Finally, you can also add and use NFC cards via the app. Since smartphones with this feature are recognized, they can also be used to unlock the lock. Setting this up via the app or through direct recognition on the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro also takes just a few seconds.

SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro in a Real-World Test

In our hands-on test, we put the SwitchBot Keypad through its paces for several days and checked all of its unlocking mechanisms. It quickly became clear that good lighting conditions aren’t really necessary when using face and hand recognition. Even when the lights were off, the infrared recognition continued to work without any issues.

However, there is one (truly minor) point of criticism to mention here. The app itself specifies the optimal distance for face or hand recognition as 10 to 20 centimeters. Sometimes, however, you have to move a little closer or move your face or hand back and forth slightly before the door opens automatically. This can take a few seconds, so fingerprint, password, or NFC card are significantly faster and more accurate.

It’s also difficult to find a height that works for people of all sizes. Especially when children are involved, facial recognition isn’t recommended. That’s where the other options really shine—they work in the truest sense of the word “child’s play.”

Our Verdict on the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro

From setup and installation to everyday use, the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro really impressed us. We were truly impressed by how quick and straightforward the setup is. Even without any prior knowledge—and thanks to the adhesive strips, without even needing to drill or use screws—the keypad was mounted in just a few minutes and was ready to use right away.

Adding biometric data is also completed in no time at all. It’s not even absolutely necessary to use an additional hub, as long as you don’t want optional integration into your smart home network. However, upgrading from the Keypad Vision to the SwitchBot Keypad Vision Pro is only worth it if you don’t already own the previous model, since the only real addition is hand recognition.