Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch review: Not so intelligent
"It looks scary, but its functionality is too tame."
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Robust design
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Unlocked quickly with your fingerprint
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Can set up temporary codes
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Not a good value
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Bluetooth connection only
Eufy was in a tear on the smart home market last year. So far it has been shown that the product line strikes a balance between functions, performance and price. The company has tackled everything from robotic vacuum cleaners to surveillance cameras. Now Eufy is breaking into the world of intelligent locks.
Enter the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch, which appears to be business. What is a bit surprising is the price, which at $ 250 is a bold statement for a company that is proud of the budget prices for many of its devices. Is this reward worth it?
Long installation
Here's the first thing you should know. To use Eufy's Smart Lock, you must replace the entire existing deadlock. I was not particularly impressed by this, because it means that I have to replace my existing key set. Even if you, like me, are familiar with installing smart locks, the installation process can be tedious.
The entire installation process from start to finish took approximately 30 minutes.
Overall, the entire installation process took 30 minutes from start to finish. This is more than twice the time it took me to install the SimpliSafe Smart Lock and Level Lock. With both you can use your existing lock.
Why does it take so long? On the inside of your door there is a mounting plate for the internal assembly, in which the batteries and the locking switch are located. Positioning and assembling is not a challenge, but a bit fussy.
Solid design that means business
I admit that the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch has an intimidating presence. The design includes a metal frame, shiny plastic accents and a striking fingerprint sensor. Seams are barely visible on the outer assembly, while the keyhole is protected by a metal cover. The digital keyboard appears invisible to the eye unless it is touched, which activates the backlight.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
The durability is low because it has a weatherproof protection rating IP65, so that it can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
Although powered by four AA batteries, there is a micro USB connector on the bottom of the external assembly that can be connected to a power source. This is useful when the battery is empty and you don't have the physical keys. The battery is designed for one year and still shows all five bars after two weeks.
It may look chunky, but given its durable design, I agree with the bulky and intimidating look.
It could be smarter
Convenience is important, so I like an intelligent lock that can get me in in no time. The fingerprint sensor is without a doubt my preferred method of unlocking the lock as it can recognize me in less than a second. It was just right to see my fingerprints.
The digital keyboard is my next choice. However, you will encounter the problem that fingerprints are visible on the surface. This problem can make it easier for someone to guess your passcode by examining the keys you pressed in the past.
There is a function in the Eufy Security app, the scramble password, with which you can enter random numbers before or after entering the passcode. It's a nice idea, but seems too annoying to use at any frequency.
Of course, you can also use the Smart Lock app to unlock it. However, it relies heavily on a Bluetooth connection, so it will take a few seconds for the connection to be established when you approach the lock.
This means that you can't unlock remotely through the app when you're not at home. Alexa and Google Assistant are not compatible with Eufy's lock. While other smart locks can detect when your phone is nearby and unlock it automatically, you won't find this feature here. These restrictions bother me because they seriously affect the comfort of the lock.
Still, there are options to set up temporary access for individuals. You can select the dates and times when these temporary codes are active. This is ideal for guests or dog walkers. You can also check in the app who unlocks the door at what time.
If you're concerned about data protection, you just know that fingerprints and in-app data are stored locally with a bank-quality AES128 encryption chip.
Our opinion
Eufy had a number of solid smart home devices, but the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch lags behind the competition. With an inflated price of $ 250, it's a huge investment that lacks the intelligence of other locks.
Is there a better alternative?
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock achieves the same amount as this, but offers more features and easier installation while keeping your existing lock. The level lock is also a similar option that turns any existing lock into a smart lock. If you are on a budget, the $ 100 Wyze Lock is hard to beat.
How long it will take?
It's solidly built and Eufy offers a 1-year limited warranty for defects. Smart locks are not misused much because they are fixed in one position. So I would expect Eufy's castle to last for years. You will probably want to replace it with newer locks due to upgrades long before it breaks.
Should you buy it
No. Eufy's expensive Smart Lock Touch lacks too many features that are common among competitors.
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