Solar-Powered Smart Locks: Are They Worth the Upgrade? A Hands-On Review

For years, smart locks have been a staple of the modern home, yet they have been plagued by a fundamental annoyance: the constant need to recharge batteries or replace them, often leaving homeowners scrambling for keys. A new wave of solar-powered smart locks promises to eliminate this inconvenience entirely by harnessing renewable energy to keep your home security running indefinitely. We recently put two of the market's most anticipated models, the Desloc V150 Plus and the Lockin Veno Solar, to the test to see if they truly live up to the hype.

The Future of Door Security

Both the Desloc V150 Plus and the Lockin Veno Solar represent a shift in how we approach perimeter security. By integrating solar panels into the exterior housing, these devices theoretically provide a 'set it and forget it' experience. While they share the same goal, their execution, pricing, and feature sets diverge significantly, making one a much more practical choice for the average homeowner.

Price and Value Comparison

There is a stark contrast in pricing between these two devices. The Desloc V150 Plus, which launched via Kickstarter, has a retail price reaching $399.99, positioning it as a premium, niche offering. In sharp contrast, the Lockin Veno Solar is available now for significantly less, often retailing around $199. For many, the lower cost and immediate availability of the Lockin Veno Solar make it the obvious choice before even considering technical performance.

Design and Installation

Both devices are built to replace standard deadbolts, but they carry a bulky, gadget-heavy aesthetic that might not appeal to those looking for a minimalist look. Regarding build quality, the Desloc V150 Plus feels slightly more rugged, boasting an IP65 weather-resistance rating compared to the IP53 rating of the Lockin Veno Solar. However, installation is nearly identical for both: remove your existing deadbolt, install the hardware, and sync it with the respective mobile applications.

Smart Home Integration and Software

When it comes to connectivity, the Lockin Veno Solar is the clear winner. While the Desloc V150 Plus relies on standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the Lockin model embraces the modern smart home ecosystem with native Matter support. This means the Veno Solar plays nicely with virtually every major platform, including Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. For those concerned about future-proofing their smart home, Matter support is essential.

Performance: A Mixed Bag

Both locks offer advanced biometric features, though their real-world performance reveals room for improvement. The Desloc V150 Plus opts for a fingerprint scanner rather than a PIN pad, which is a major omission for guest access. Conversely, the Lockin Veno Solar includes a PIN pad but lacks biometric fingerprint authentication, relying instead on face scanning. The face scanners on both units were found to be somewhat sluggish, often making the manual or fingerprint entry faster in daily use. Notably, the Lockin Veno Solar demonstrated superior Wi-Fi signal reliability, which is critical if your door is located far from your wireless router.

The Final Verdict

While both locks successfully maintain their battery charge through solar exposure, the Lockin Veno Solar ultimately wins out due to its more accessible price point, superior connectivity (thanks to Matter support), and the inclusion of a physical PIN pad. The Desloc V150 Plus is a functional piece of hardware, but its high price and limited ecosystem integration make it a hard sell until solar-powered locks become more mainstream and feature-rich. For now, if you are seeking a solar-powered security solution, the Lockin Veno Solar is the superior, more practical investment.