Wyze Palm Lock review: Futuristic security, down-to-earth price
At a glance
Expert rating
Benefits
- Quick and reliable unlocking of the palmar vein
- Easy installation and intuitive configuration
- Smooth application integration with detailed event logs
Disadvantages
- Palm scanner only unlocks, not locks
- No protective cover for the USB-C port
- The plastic inner casing looks less premium
Our Verdict
The Wyze Palm Lock combines reliable biometric access, solid performance, and smart home integration at a price that’s hard to beat.
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$129.98
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Wyze has made a name for itself by offering affordable smart home devices that punch well above their price point, and its latest addition to its smart lock offerings continues that trend. The Wyze Palm Lock brings a more advanced form of biometric security to the front door, replacing a fingerprint sensor with a more advanced and hygienic alternative: palm vein recognition.
Using infrared imaging to identify the unique vein pattern beneath your skin, the lock can recognize users even if their hands are wet or dirty, alleviating a common weakness of fingerprint-based systems.
Design and features
The Wyze Palm Lock looks like a thoughtful blend of modern design and practical engineering. The exterior assembly is mostly metal, giving it a sturdy, weather-resistant feel, with a single glass panel that combines the keyboard and palm sensor into one sleek surface. Below, a sliding magnetic cover hides the key path, a nice touch that preserves the lock’s clean aesthetic while keeping a mechanical backup close at hand. The interior rosette is made of plastic with a sturdy metal knob and, together with the exterior casing, it completely replaces your existing deadbolt.
The design was tested for real-world durability, achieving relatively modest results: it earned an IP53 weather resistance rating. PCWorld’s IP code guide tells us that this means it can keep enough dust out of its internal workings to prevent failure, and it can withstand being sprayed with a garden hose at up to a 60-degree angle on either side of vertical. Wyze Labs announces that the lock is “BHMA 3 certified,” meaning it is rated ANSI grade 3, the lowest of three ratings for commercial deadbolts, according to our lock durability guide. BHMA certifications are intended Residential deadbolts and consist of letters for security, durability and finish.
A sliding cover hides a groove for mechanical backup.
Michael Ansaldo/Foundry
Wyze offers you several ways to unlock the Palm Lock. The selection method is its biometric palm vein recognition, which can store up to 50 unique palm profiles. There’s also a backlit keypad supporting up to 50 PIN codes and a traditional key for backup use in case of battery failure or technology misbehavior.
The lock is powered by a dual battery system: a removable lithium-ion battery that lasts up to six months of use and a two-week battery backup that keeps the lock running while you recharge the main battery. If both run out, an emergency USB-C port underneath can provide temporary power from a portable charger (although the lack of a protective cover could leave it exposed to the elements). Wyze has also built in a smart battery saver that uses millimeter wave radar (the same technology used in self-driving cars) to detect when someone is nearby, so the lock only wakes when needed.
Palm Lock also includes a full suite of smart features that make it feel right at home in a connected ecosystem. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a separate bridge, and works with Alexa and Google Assistant. For security reasons, voice unlock requires you to say your predefined PIN out loud before the command is executed.
The lock is powered by a dual battery system: a removable lithium-ion battery and a two-week battery backup. It is accessed from the interior shield.
Michael Ansaldo/Foundry
The Wyze app adds more control, with tamper and door ajar alerts, an auto-lock feature powered by a built-in gyroscope, and customizable notifications. When paired with a Wyze video doorbell, you can even unlock your door directly from the live camera view, tying the whole front door experience together.
Configuration and performance
As the Palm Lock is designed to be a direct replacement for a standard deadbolt, installation begins with removing your existing lock and its bolt. This should leave you with just an empty hole and side jam in your door.
From there, you first install the new Wyze bolt, then install the outer assembly through the drill hole, running the single power cable under the bolt to the inner side. The interior bracket attaches using two long machine screws and the power cable connects to the interior rosette using clearly labeled, color-coded terminals. Once everything is secure, the indoor unit slides onto the bracket and locks into place with three short screws. Once the hardware is assembled, insert the backup battery first, followed by the main rechargeable pack, then snap the battery cover into place. Wyze includes all necessary hardware and an assembly template, making the process simple even for new installers. It took me about 25 minutes.
A single cable from the exterior assembly connects to the interior escutcheon using clearly labeled, color-coded terminals.
Michael Ansaldo/Foundry
Then the setup continues in the Wyze app, which guides you step-by-step through palm calibration and registration. The app prompts you to open and close the door, create access codes, and scan your palms, with feedback confirming each step of the process.
On a daily basis, I found unlocking the door to be almost instantaneous. I would simply wave a hand near the reader and, in about a second, hear a chime confirming recognition and the whir of the motorized lock release. The sensor worked reliably even when my hands weren’t particularly clean. When the auto-lock function is activated, the door will re-lock either immediately upon closing or after a short delay, depending on your setting.
The Wyze app is at the heart of the Palm Lock experience. From here, you can lock or unlock the door, check its current status, and view a detailed activity history. It also displays the battery levels of the main and backup batteries. It offers generous access management: you can add up to 50 users and assign specific permissions, whether they are always active, recurring on certain days or active only within a defined time window. One-time codes are another convenient option for guests or deliveries, and an “out of hours lock” rule ensures your door is automatically secured at night.
The Wyze app provides an event log, scheduling options, and flexible access management.
Michael Ansaldo/Foundry
The Wyze app also includes several protections to prevent unauthorized access. A Fail Entry Lock feature temporarily disables palm or passcode access for five minutes and sounds an alarm after five failed attempts. The lock can alert you in the event of tampering or if the door is left ajar, using its built-in gyroscope to detect movement and position. The lighted keyboard supports Wyze’s anti-peep technology, which lets you enter extra digits before or after your code to prevent onlookers from memorizing it. Additionally, all biometric data is encrypted and stored locally on the device rather than in the cloud, and the Wyze app keeps a detailed history of every lock and unlock event.
This was my first experience with a smart lock and I came away impressed. Connectivity was excellent throughout my testing. App commands registered quickly and notifications, such as when someone unlocks the door, arrived quickly. Voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant also worked seamlessly. With two teenagers at home who regularly forget their house keys but never their phone, this reliability made the Palm Lock a welcome upgrade.
Should you buy the Wyze Palm Lock?
At $129.98, the Wyze Palm Lock offers technology you’d normally expect on much more expensive devices. Palm vein recognition makes unlocking quick and reliable, and the app setup and experience is refreshingly simple. For Wyze users or anyone looking for a secure, hands-free deadbolt upgrade without spending a fortune, the Palm Lock is a great value.
