Lockin Veno Solar Review: The Future of Maintenance-Free Smart Home Security
We review the Lockin Veno Solar, a unique smart lock that uses solar energy to eliminate the need for battery changes, featuring facial recognition and Matter support.
Revolutionizing Home Security with Solar Power
One of the persistent frustrations for smart home enthusiasts has long been the maintenance of battery-powered devices. The ritual of removing, charging, or replacing batteries in smart locks is an annual inconvenience that the new Lockin Veno Solar aims to eliminate entirely. By integrating a discrete, high-efficiency solar panel into the exterior housing, this innovative smart lock utilizes ambient light to trickle-charge its internal 37Wh battery, theoretically freeing users from the chore of manual recharging.
Design and Installation Process
The Lockin Veno Solar isn't just a gimmick; it’s a robust piece of hardware. Replacing a standard deadbolt with the Veno Solar is a straightforward affair, taking roughly 15 to 20 minutes for most DIY enthusiasts. The exterior unit features a modern aesthetic that cleverly hides the solar panel, blending it into the lock's design without compromising its sleek profile. On the interior, the device features a reliable thumb latch and an easy-access battery compartment, though the goal is that you will rarely, if ever, need to interact with it.
Performance and Connectivity
The model tested for this review utilizes 3D depth-sensing face recognition. While Lockin advertises speeds of under one second, real-world usage shows a slight, though negligible, delay as the sensor wakes up to initiate the scan. Once active, the recognition is snappy and reliable. A standout feature is the lock's persistent Wi-Fi connectivity, which remained stable even in challenging locations like a detached garden shed, outperforming several competing smart locks in signal range.
Regarding the solar charging capability, it is designed for longevity rather than speed. Over a week of testing, the battery level showed a healthy, incremental increase, confirming that the panel effectively combats the natural power drain associated with active smart locks. For those concerned about compatibility, the inclusion of Matter support is a game-changer, allowing seamless integration into major ecosystems like Apple Home and Google Home.
Final Verdict
While the IP53 water resistance rating may give pause to those in extremely harsh, storm-prone climates, the Veno Solar stands out as a compelling, low-maintenance solution for most homeowners. Its combination of solar charging, reliable face recognition, and broad Matter compatibility makes it a top-tier choice for a modern, connected home.
