Lockly Visage Zeno Series Smart Lock review: Infrared sensor for face detection

do you wish Can your front door see you coming? I certainly do, as I’m usually either handling a small child (often in a swimsuit these days, and dragging along lots of towels and flotation devices) or returning from an outdoor power walk where I don’t want to bring my keys. I’ve enjoyed geofencing features that unlock my door when it senses my phone is nearby, or when I can quickly unlock my door with my fingerprint when I reach for a PIN pad – anything to not have to search for my keys.

Now I don’t even need my phone or my free hands. Lockley Visage announced at CES 2024 As part of Lockly’s new Zeno line, it uses infrared sensors to see me coming and recognize my face, so it can unlock my door when I go up. It also has other common entry options—fingerprint reading, access codes, and the all-new physical keys—in case not every member of your household wants to scan their face.

This is the first time facial recognition has been added to a smart lock that any homeowner (or adventurous renter) can purchase. Similar features have been available before Smart Security Cameras And Video DoorbellBut the locks themselves don’t recognize you—until now. While I found the setup a little frustrating (more about that below), I was pleased to find that the lock itself worked perfectly, always recognizing me as I walked toward my home, whether I was wearing sunglasses or had bright afternoon sunlight shining behind me.

get ready, get ready, get ready

Successful setup with Lockly requires speed once the battery is in. The physical setup isn’t too difficult, just lengthy, and requires both a Phillips-head and flathead screwdriver. It took me about an hour to read the instructions, remove every part of my existing lock, and then install the Lockly Visage. Be sure to charge the battery beforehand, or at least when you’re doing all of this physical unboxing and installing. Since you have to completely disassemble your lock, I don’t recommend Lockly for renters, unless you trust yourself to be able to put it back together well enough that your landlord won’t find out.

Once the physical setup is done, don’t put the battery in right away. That was my mistake. Once the battery is in, the Bluetooth connection opens and only stays on for a few minutes. Mine was timing out when I was trying to set up Visage ID (the name for Visage’s face recognition), but Lockly says they’re rolling out an app update soon to fix the short-term Bluetooth issue. Speaking of apps, there are two of them—an old Lockly app that works with this lock and previous Lockly devices, and a brand new Lockly Home app (iOS, Android) which currently only works with the new Zeno line. You can choose to use either one, but the Lockly Home app is much nicer to look at. Previous Lockly products will also be added to that app soon.

Either way, before you insert the batteries and start the Bluetooth timer, download the app and locate the activation card inside the box, which should be stuck to the inside lid of the box. Don’t lose this card even after you’ve completed the lock setup – you’ll need it if you ever reset it. Once you have both of these things ready, then Insert the batteries and begin the setup process within the app. You’ll follow the steps to create an account, connect Wi-Fi, and set an unlock code for the door.