Lockly Visage Zeno Review: Unlocking a Door With Just a Glance

Quick Specs at a Glance

• Type: Smart deadbolt with built-in Wi-Fi
• Signature feature: Hands-free facial recognition with infrared sensing
• Other entry options: Fingerprint, PIN Genie keypad, Apple Home Key, app, voice, physical key
• Typical price: Around $349 (often positioned as a premium lock)
• Power: Rechargeable battery system (USB-C charging)
• Smart home compatibility: Apple Home / Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant (platform support may vary by setup)

What the Lockly Visage Zeno Actually Is (and Why It’s Different)

Most smart locks pick a lane: keypad + app, maybe a fingerprint reader if they’re feeling fancy. The Lockly Visage Zeno
doesn’t pick a laneit builds a whole interchange. Its big flex is facial recognition designed to identify you as you
approach the door, using infrared sensors that work day or night. Think: “walk up, door unlocks,” without needing to
wake your phone or press a button.

Lockly also pairs facial recognition with a radar-based approach detection concept, aiming to make the whole experience
feel automatic rather than “smart lock that still needs babysitting.” Add a modern keypad (with Lockly’s PIN Genie
pattern that helps reduce code-guessing), a fast fingerprint sensor, and Apple Home Key support, and you’ve got a lock
that’s less “connected accessory” and more “front-door operating system.”

Design and Build: Premium, Modern, and a Bit Like a Gadget From the Future

Visually, the Visage Zeno leans sleek and modernmore “minimalist hardware showroom” than “landlord special.”
The exterior houses the keypad and the facial recognition window, while the interior has the thumbturn and battery
compartment. Lockly positions the Zeno line as a refined design compared to earlier generations, and the Visage does
look like it belongs in a smart home setup rather than an escape room.

A practical detail worth cheering: the product includes a touchscreen cover intended to help protect the keypad from
harsh direct sunlight. That’s not glamorous, but it’s the kind of real-world fix that prevents the “my lock is having
a bad day because the sun exists” problem.

You’ll typically see the Visage Zeno in finishes like matte black and satin nickel, which makes matching other door
hardware reasonably painlessassuming your existing handle isn’t from a totally different decade.

Installation and Setup: DIY-Friendly… With a Few “Read This Twice” Moments

Physical install: doable for most homeowners

If you’ve installed a standard deadbolt before, the Visage Zeno isn’t conceptually scary. It’s a full deadbolt
replacement, not a retrofit you stick on top of your existing hardware. Retail listings commonly describe it as a
quick DIY install on typical doors, but real-life timing depends on your door alignment, your patience, and whether
your current deadbolt comes off politely or like it was welded on during a grudge.

Plan for careful alignment. Smart locks are less forgiving than basic deadboltsif your door frame is slightly off,
the motor has to fight friction, and friction is how batteries and good moods die.

App setup: where the “premium” experience can wobble

Several reviewers have praised the day-to-day speed once it’s configured, but setup can be the part where you
mutter, “I paid how much for this again?” Expect pairing steps, firmware updates, and enrolling faces/fingerprints.
One common tip: fully charge the battery before you startnothing ruins smart lock setup like a low-battery warning
during the moment it wants to learn your face.

Wi-Fi reliability can also be a swing factor. Some testers have reported occasional connection issues during
setup or early use, especially if the lock is far from a router or the home network is crowded. If your Wi-Fi is
held together by hope and a 9-year-old router, your lock may behave accordingly.

Every Way You Can Unlock It (Yes, It’s a Lot)

1) Facial recognition: the star of the show

This is the feature you’re here for: approach the door, get recognized, and the deadbolt unlocksoften fast enough
that it feels instant. The tech relies on infrared sensing, which helps it work in low light and can reduce
“bright sun behind you” failures that would embarrass simpler camera-based systems. Reviewers have also noted it can
recognize users even with sunglasses in some situations, which is frankly more than some coworkers can do.

There’s a sweet spot for positioning. Standing roughly a few feet in front of the lock tends to produce the most
consistent results. In practice, you’ll learn the “walk that works,” the same way you learn the exact angle your
car’s trunk wants before it decides to close.

2) Fingerprint unlock: fast, familiar, and great as a backup

The fingerprint sensor is a strong supporting character. It’s helpful when facial recognition is temporarily disabled,
when lighting is weird, or when you’re wearing something that changes your face shape (hello, winter scarf season).
Fingerprint is also the best option for “quiet entry” when you don’t want the lock scanning the whole porch while
someone is sleeping inside.

3) PIN Genie keypad: smarter than a basic keypad

Lockly’s PIN Genie concept is designed to reduce the risk of someone guessing your code by watching finger movements.
Instead of typing your code the same way every time, you use a pattern on a randomized keypad layout. It’s not as
effortless as face unlock, but it’s a smart, security-minded approachespecially for households that share temporary
codes with guests, dog walkers, or the friend who “just needs to borrow your ladder real quick.”

4) Apple Home Key: tap-to-unlock convenience

If you live in the Apple ecosystem, Home Key can feel magical: tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock. It’s fast,
intuitive, and doesn’t require you to open an app or wait for a Bluetooth handshake. It’s also a great “public”
methodless personal than face unlock, more convenient than digging for keys.

5) App and remote control: practical, not glamorous

Remote locking/unlocking is the feature you don’t brag aboutuntil you need it. Letting in a contractor while you’re
away, confirming your door is locked from bed, or generating access credentials are the real-life wins here. Just
remember: remote features are only as smooth as your Wi-Fi and the lock’s connection stability.

6) Voice assistant control: “Alexa, lock the door” energy

The Visage Zeno is commonly positioned as compatible with major voice assistant ecosystems. Voice control is best used
for locking and status checksbecause shouting “unlock the door” into your living room is a little too horror-movie
for some people. (Most platforms also add safeguards like PIN prompts for unlocking.)

7) Physical key: the humble emergency parachute

A physical keyway remains the most comforting “just in case” feature for many homeowners. If the battery is depleted,
or you’re troubleshooting a connectivity issue, a key can save your evening. And if you’re thinking, “I’ll never use a
physical key,” please remember every phone dies at the exact moment you’re late.

Facial Recognition Performance: The Good, the Great, and the “Why Isn’t It Seeing Me?”

When it works the way it’s supposed to, facial recognition is ridiculously satisfying. You walk up and the deadbolt
reacts like it knows you personally. Reviewers have praised the speed and the fact that it can function even in tricky
lighting. The experience can feel hands-free in a way most smart locks simply aren’t.

But facial recognition is still biometric techmeaning it’s brilliant until the moment it isn’t. Common friction points
include: dramatic changes in appearance, awkward angles, and low battery behavior. Some manuals and support materials
indicate that facial recognition may disable below a certain battery threshold to preserve power. Translation:
the lock might decide that saving energy is more important than recognizing you, and then you’ll use fingerprint,
keypad, Home Key, or a key like a normal earthling.

A smart approach is to treat facial recognition as your primary method and fingerprint/Home Key as your “always works”
backup. The Visage Zeno gives you redundancyuse it.

Security and Privacy: Is This a Camera? And Where Does Your Face Data Go?

This is the part people care about (and should). The Visage Zeno’s facial recognition uses infrared sensingoften
described as dual IR sensorsso it can detect and recognize a live person. Importantly, it’s commonly characterized as
not functioning like a video doorbell: it’s built to recognize, not to record your porch life like an amateur nature
documentary.

On privacy, Lockly positions facial data as encrypted and stored on the device, rather than uploaded to a server.
That matters. The difference between “your biometric data lives locally” and “your biometric data lives in a cloud
somewhere” is the difference between “cool” and “absolutely not.”

Security-wise, a depth/infrared approach can help reduce the classic spoof attempts (like holding up a photo).
No consumer biometric system is perfect, but this setup is aimed at being meaningfully harder to trick than basic
camera recognition.

Battery and Reliability: Rechargeable Convenience, With Real-World Tradeoffs

The Visage Zeno uses rechargeable batteries (and retailers often mention it ships with two). Battery life claims vary
depending on use and settings, but the general expectation is “months, not days”with heavier use (especially frequent
facial detection) trending toward the lower end.

Charging is typically done via USB-C, and guidance often suggests a full charge can take many hours. One practical win:
some documentation describes using a USB-C power source as a temporary rescue if the battery fully depletesmeaning you
may be able to wake the lock long enough to get in and then recharge properly.

Reliability is a mix of hardware, door alignment, and network environment. Mechanically, a smooth deadbolt throw is
everything. Digitally, Wi-Fi stability and firmware maturity matter. If the lock is in a spot with weak signal,
you may see the kinds of connectivity hiccups testers have mentioned. A mesh Wi-Fi node near the front door can be an
unsexy but powerful upgrade.

Daily Life With the Visage Zeno: Who It’s For (and Who Should Skip It)

You’ll probably love it if…

• You want true hands-free entry and you’re tired of juggling keys/phones at the door.
• You have a busy household and need multiple reliable access methods for different people.
• You’re invested in Apple Home Key and want fast tap-to-unlock as a backup.
• You care about privacy and prefer biometric data stored locally on-device.

You should think twice if…

• You want a budget smart lock. This is a premium-priced product.
• Your Wi-Fi near the front door is unreliable and you don’t plan to improve it.
• You’re a renter who can’t (or shouldn’t) fully replace the deadbolt hardware.
• You want video doorbell features integrated into the lockthis is recognition-focused, not video-focused.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Facial recognition can feel genuinely effortless when dialed in
• Multiple unlock methods = excellent redundancy (face, fingerprint, keypad, Home Key, app, voice, key)
• Strong Apple-friendly features, including Home Key
• Privacy-forward positioning: on-device encrypted facial data
• Premium design and practical touches like a keypad cover

Cons

• Price is high compared to many excellent smart locks
• Setup and connectivity can be more finicky than “install and forget” options
• Facial recognition may be impacted by battery-saving behavior and edge-case conditions
• Full deadbolt replacement may be more than some users want to tackle

Alternatives Worth Considering

If you like the idea of Home Key but don’t need face unlock, a Home Key–focused lock from a more mainstream lineup may
cost less while still delivering fast tap-to-unlock convenience. If you want sleek minimalism, there are models that
hide the “tech” better. And if you want porch awareness, consider a video-smart-lock hybrid or a separate doorbell cam
paired with a simpler smart deadbolt.

The Visage Zeno’s advantage is its “choose your own adventure” entry systemfew locks combine so many methods in one
product. The tradeoff is cost and complexity.

Bottom Line

The Lockly Visage Zeno is one of the most ambitious smart locks you can buy: hands-free facial recognition, a strong
fingerprint reader, PIN Genie keypad security, Apple Home Key, and broad smart home integration wrapped in a premium
deadbolt. When the facial recognition experience is humming, it’s not just convenientit’s the kind of convenience
that changes how your home feels when you arrive.

But it’s not the cheapest path to a smarter door, and you’ll want to be realistic about Wi-Fi quality, door alignment,
and your tolerance for a more involved setup. For the right householdespecially busy families, Apple users, and anyone
craving true hands-free entrythe Visage Zeno can feel less like a lock and more like a welcome-home ritual.

Extra: Real-World Experiences (500+ Words of What Living With It Feels Like)

Here’s the funny thing about a smart lock that recognizes your face: you stop thinking about “unlocking” and start
thinking about “arriving.” The best experiences with the Lockly Visage Zeno don’t happen when you’re standing still,
carefully posed, and politely waiting for technology to bless you. They happen when life is moving.

Picture a weekday afternoon. You’re balancing a takeout bag that’s slowly perfuming the whole entryway, your phone is
wedged between your shoulder and your ear, and you’ve got the kind of keyring that makes you sound like a haunted
janitor. This is the moment most locks demand a sacrifice: put something down, dig out keys, wake the phone, open an
app, and hope Bluetooth feels cooperative today. With the Visage Zeno, the dream scenario is simpleryou walk up, the
lock recognizes you, and the deadbolt clicks open before you even fully stop moving. It’s the difference between
“access control” and “flow.”

Then there’s the “hands are technically free but spiritually unavailable” situation: you’re wearing gloves in winter,
or you’ve just carried a box that left your hands dusty, or you’re walking the dog who thinks every passing squirrel
is an emergency meeting. Facial recognition shines here. Fingerprint readers can be picky with wet fingers, dry skin,
or gloves. Keypads require accuracy. Phones require attention. A glance-based approach can feel like cheatinglike your
house is quietly on your side.

Of course, real life includes curveballs. One day you’re in a baseball cap pulled low, or your face is half-covered by
a scarf, or the porch lighting is doing that “spooky overhead” thing that makes everyone look like they’re about to
confess to a crime. That’s where the Visage Zeno’s redundancy becomes the real hero. If face unlock hesitates, you
don’t spiralyou pivot. Tap with Apple Home Key. Use fingerprint. Enter your PIN Genie pattern. The lock’s “many
options” design means small failures don’t become big problems.

Households also tend to develop their own rituals. Some people will become Face Unlock Purists who treat keys like an
insult. Others will quietly prefer fingerprint because it’s consistent and feels private. Kids might love the keypad
because it makes them feel like secret agents (and because kids love pressing buttonssometimes even the wrong ones,
enthusiastically). Guests tend to appreciate temporary codes because it avoids the awkward “I’ll meet you outside”
shuffle. And if you’ve ever hosted relatives who distrust smart home anything, the physical keyway remains the peace
treaty that prevents a family debate in your driveway.

The biggest lifestyle upgrade, though, is the mental load you don’t notice disappearing. You stop doing the pocket
pat-down dance. You stop wondering if you locked the doorbecause you can check, or set auto-lock, or just trust a
system that’s designed to confirm and control. That subtle reduction in friction adds up. Not in a flashy way.
In a “wow, this is just easier” way.

If you’re the kind of person who loves the feeling of tech working quietly in the backgroundhelpful, fast, and mostly
invisiblethe Visage Zeno can be deeply satisfying. And if you’re the kind of person who likes backups for your
backups (because life is chaotic and batteries are mortal), this lock speaks your language fluently.