Review: Eufy S3 Max Video Smart Lock — futuristic security unlocked with your palm?

I have a lot of security around my house because…. tech – but I am always on the lookout for new and improved security gadgets.  When the Eufo S3 Max Video Smart Lock crossed my desk, I knew it was something I had to test out.

I was already familiar with the Eufy door locks, having relatively recently installed an S330 smart lock from Eufy.  The problem with that one is that it relies on a fingerprint sensor.  Now, while that fingerprint sensor was better than any other I have used in a door lock, it is still prone to failure should you have dirty hands or damaged fingerprints.

Personally, I have never had any issues with it, but who doesn’t love new and improved tech? Enter the palm vein scanner from Eufy in the S3 Max lock.

What is it

The Eufy S3 Max Video Smart Lock is first smart lock with palm-vein recognition technology.  The lock maps the palm vein of the user and it can store up to 50 different palm veins – something that is unique to each person.

The lock includes an infrared sensor that reads the palm of the user as it is waved over the sensor at the top of the lock.  The S3 Max is able to match and unlock in as little as 0.1 seconds.

The lock is not just a lock but includes a doorbell and a 2K video camera, which is capable of capturing a 150-degree vertical FOV and a 180-degree diagonal view.  The inside portion of the lock also includes a small display, which allows you to see the live view of the camera and thus who is at your door.

I like this live video view from the inside of the door because it does take time for the image to load onto your phone – the display on the back of the lock is instantaneous.  The video looks great in not just daylight but also at night in low light conditions. As oyu can see in the images below it is difficult to determine which image is from when the porch light was on and when it was off and the porch was in total darkness –impressive.

Powered by four AAA batteries and a 15,000mAh rechargeable lithium battery, it will keep on and on.  Eufy say that the system can maintain power and the lock’s full functionality for up to six months and basic function for up to 12 months.  I’ve had it installed for about three weeks, and the battery levels in the app are still at maximum.

The lock also supports Matter over Wi-Fi and can connect to your router easily to allow you to access its features from anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection.

Installation

If you’ve ever installed a lock on your door before, you’ll find installing this super simple.  It’s just a matter of unscrewing the old one and screwing in the new one.  

If you have not installed one before, or are unsure yourself, eufy includes step-by-step instructions online for you to follow.  They are straightforward, and there is also a video with the same instructions that makes it even easier.  

The first time I installed a smart door lock it took a long time for me to get up the courage — I am a terrible handyman, but the instructions are super simple. Just read through them all, watch a few videos and have a go. Worst case you put the old door lock back on (take photos as you go is always a good idea just in case). The most invasive thing I had to do was widen the door frame part when the lock bolts into — luckily I had purchased a new, small, sharp chisel to get that done easily.

Installation took all of about 15 minutes for me – but I was replacing a eufy door lock with a eufy door lock.  I would imagine it may take you about 30 minutes to an hour otherwise.

Setup

After you’ve installed the door lock, setting it up by phone is just as easy.  Open the app, scan the barcode on the back of the lock, and the app will open a direct connection between the door lock and your phone. Type in your Wi-Fi password and voila, your new eufy S3 Max door lock has Internet access.

The app will then walk you through a few of the basic features and set them up – you can dive deeper into these later if you wish.

Next, it is time to enrol users with their codes and palm vein imprints.  Select which user to enrol, select which hand you are about to enrol and then hold your hand over the infrared reader for a few seconds until the app tells you it is finished enrolling.  Simple.

Unlocking – all the ways

After the S3 Max lock is set up, there are a few ways to unlock it from the outside – palm vein imprint, numbered code or with a key.

The palm vein imprint can be touchy to use at first until you get used to it.  You need to hover your hand over the sensor for a few seconds before it reads it.  My daughter, though, said she has no issues with it working immediately so there is that.  Older folks, I found out, may struggle with the concept of holding the hand in mid air to unlock the door, but they *should* get it eventually. If you have issues unlocking with your palm you may need to re-learn your palm vein system in the settings — this fixed/improved it for me.

As with other smart door locks, you can simply use a predetermined code for each user to unlock the door. This is easy to do as well but of course, the palm vein is easier.

If neither of these works – likely because the batteries have run out – you can move the doorbell flap out of the way and use a key, old school style.  

When the battery runs out, you can plug a portable charger into the outside of the lock to power it enough to use the digital unlocking methods. Accessing the charging port is not super obvious — you need to move the doorbell button out of the way, as if you are about to unlock with a key. Then you need to move the rubber covering out of the way to access the USB-C port underneath.

App and other features

The app is fully featured with a specific tab for ‘Events’ where you can quickly access all recorded events.  

To view a live view of the front of the lock, you tap on the lock-view on the home page.  Within this view, you can manually lock and unlock the S3 Max, speak to whoever is at the door or send a quick reply, and the lock will speak for you.  You can also manually record something happening at the door should you wish to do so.

The sheer number of settings within the lock app is extensive.  Much of these are set up in the initial setup but you can dig deeper into many and customise the lock to how you want it to behave.

Final thoughts

I’ve used a few different smart door locks in recent years, and although the Eufy S3 Max video smart lock is not perfect, it is the best of a decent bunch. The palm unlock is freaky with how good it is — the palm vein technology unlocks with up to 99.99999% accuracy regardless of age, whether your hands are dirty or clean. The video on the lock is astonishingly good, in both light and pitch black conditions, and the ability to view the video directly on the back of the lock makes it perfect.

Installation is simpl,e and everyday use is easy for even the most technologically challenged people. The battery life looks to be a long long time and with a rechargeable battery supported by 4 x AAA batteries (and the ability to plug in a portable charger) you can be sure you’ll never run out of power.

The Eufy S3 Max video smart lock is the best on the market currently and if another brand wants to top it they’ll have to come up with something extraordinary. Eufy has set the bar exceptionally high.

The S3 Max Video Smart Lock will be available online for 9.95 on the eufy website as well as at Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys.