Smart Locks: Facial Recognition Offers Hands-Free Entry

Facial recognition is rapidly becoming a leading hands-free unlocking technology for smart locks, offering a seamless experience without the need for passcodes or device proximity. This advanced security feature utilizes infrared sensors to create detailed 3D facial maps, making it difficult to bypass with simple methods like photographs. Early innovations in hands-free unlocking, such as geofencing, proved unreliable, paving the way for more robust solutions like ultrawideband (UWB) and facial recognition. UWB currently provides the most frictionless experience, but its high cost and limited availability make it less accessible.

The Eufy FamiLock E40 has emerged as a top performer in the facial recognition smart lock market. It boasts impressive unlocking speeds, consistently recognizing faces even with sunglasses, and includes a backup battery and Matter support. It also integrates a video doorbell for added convenience. Despite its advanced features, the Eufy model is large and expensive, with a battery that requires frequent charging, dropping 40 percent in just one week during testing.

Another notable option is the Lockly Visage Zeno, which uniquely combines Apple Home Key functionality with facial recognition. While slightly slower than the Eufy and struggling with sunglasses, it offers excellent battery life, lasting approximately nine months, and a sleek design. However, its high price and a sometimes-frustrating PIN Genie keypad system are significant drawbacks. Cheaper alternatives like the Lockin Veno Solar Face and Switchbot Lock Vision Pro offer lower price points but exhibit slower performance and less reliable facial recognition.