(Review) We.Lock Smart Door SOHO: A smart lock! a leak

In a super-technological world like ours, does it still make sense to use objects from the past, such as the key to our door, to enter our home? always depends on price Not right? Well, this is where the We locka company focused on launching smart locks of all kinds at affordable prices.

In our hands, we have one of their most popular and best implemented products, the We.Lock Smart Door Lock SOHO. Will we see what it’s worth?

(Review) We.Lock Smart Door Lock: A smart lock!

So, first of all, let’s talk a little bit about We.Lock, the Chinese company that has invested heavily and ugly in the smart lock market, and already has a very interesting sales number and international presence.

In fact, the range of products on their website shows much of this focus, as there are solutions for all types of users, from those who just want a simple and secure lock for their door, to the more consumer oriented. For the professional market, such as hotels, hostels, or of course, AirBnBs.

Can you imagine having a house to rent, and constantly having to hand over the keys, thus risking someone copying them without you having any idea about it? This kind of lock solves many problems!

Having said all this, today we are going to talk about the “SOHO Smart Lock PCB10EBL01” smart lock, which is one of the best selling products on European soil, for its ability to work through PIN, App or RFID. Interestingly, this same lock can also be found on other stores, such as Amazon, under other names, because We.Lock also operates as an OEM, supplying products for other brands.

Installation and final result

Well, this kind of lock is designed for common doors, with a thickness of 55mm~105mm. The cylinder itself is made of two pre-assembled parts. In the box we also find tools for assembly and maintenance, a silicone protector and three RFID keys. (This works with 3 AAA batteries, which are not included in the package).

Installation is just like any other traditional lock. In fact, everything is thought to work in a “normal” way. The only thing that changes, at the end of the day, is how the thing opens, without a key.

Configuration and features

To configure everything and understand how the product actually works, you need to install the We.Lock app. We have several pictures and small easy-to-follow steps to add the lock to the app and thus control it.

However, initially it is recommended to change the administrator PIN, which is set to 123456. After this step, you can specify up to 9 additional PINs, 20 RFID cards and 20 unique profiles. All accesses can be withdrawn in the same way they were granted.

So you don’t have to worry about codes, you can simply carry your RFID tag with you on your key ring. This is the type of Mifare Classic (13.56MHz). There are 3 in the box, but it is possible to buy more at a hefty price. (It is not necessary to purchase directly from the manufacturer).

With the app available for Android and iOS, it is possible to lock or unlock. But for everything to work, you need to create an account and register the lock with its unique code, which is on the cylinder. (It’s a security feature).

Design and build quality

What makes something like this beautiful? Good question, as it is highly debatable and depends on personal preference. For me, it’s a discreet design that doesn’t stand out. The keyboard has good feedback, and the screen is more than enough to tell you what’s going on, so don’t get it wrong with the code. The good news is that the keyboard has its own backlight, which always helps.

However, in terms of materials, the handles are made of stainless steel, and the lock cylinder is made of brass. We have lighting everywhere, and unlocking can be confirmed with a notification sound. (Fortunately, it can be disabled).

How it works?

When the lock is opened, a small motor drives a pin into the mechanism, which drives the screw responsible for opening. After 10 seconds, the pin moves back again, and the handle rotates freely again. In terms of security, it is impossible to manipulate the lock with a magnet. When closed, there is no way to open it, at least not easily.

independence

As we said above, this works with batteries. But…it lasts a lifetime! Two months of use means 5% consumption. That is, here we have, according to the manufacturer, one year of autonomy, if we unlock 10x a day. However, if you dread being outside, the app notifies the user when the batteries drop below 20% of their capacity.

If all fails, how is this done?

The microUSB port is located in the lock, behind the QR code. If the battery runs out, and you don’t have batteries on hand, you can connect the power bank to a USB port, and open it later through the app.

conclusion

An interesting lock at a reasonable price.

Positives:

• Good build
• It opens and closes quickly
• Various opening/closing alternatives
• Temporary PIN
• Emergency battery via USB

Negatives:

• Complex and ugly app
• It does not have Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or Alexa integration.