How we reviewed this: this is a research-based review. We did not buy or test the product ourselves. We checked the official website, policies and independent customer feedback, and every fact below links to its source. Facts checked 2026-10-31. How we review · Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Quick verdict
SwitchBot’s idea is smart: instead of replacing your curtains, switches or lock, you add a small motor to what you already own. The standout is the Curtain 3, a clip-on automatic curtain opener that reviewers call quiet and easy to install. The Bot ($29.99) presses buttons on dumb appliances. The Lock Ultra ($139.99) turns your existing deadbolt from the inside.
The honest part: SwitchBot’s customer support is its weak spot. The Better Business Bureau rates SwitchBot Inc an F for not answering 21 of 26 complaints, and 22% of its Trustpilot reviews are one-star, mostly about support. Its smart locks also had a Bluetooth security flaw (now patched) that could turn a “lock” command into “unlock.” And the 30-day return window starts when your order ships, not when it arrives.
Pros
- ✓ Retrofit: no new curtains, wiring or door hardware
- ✓ Curtain 3 is quiet (brand says under 25 dB in silent mode) and rated well by reviewers
- ✓ Works with Alexa, Google and Apple Home (via Matter) with a SwitchBot hub
- ✓ No subscription for curtains, Bot, locks or hubs
- ✓ Publicly listed company since December 2025
Cons
- ✗ BBB F: 21 of 26 complaints unanswered
- ✗ Lock flaw CVE-2026-8374 took about 9 months to fully patch
- ✗ You need a $59.99+ hub for remote control and voice
- ✗ 30-day returns count from the ship date; you pay return shipping
- ✗ Orders under $99 pay $9.99 shipping
See the Curtain 3 on SwitchBot →
Affiliate link. Prices and offers change, so check the official page.
The SwitchBot Curtain 3 (automatic curtain opener)
The Curtain 3 is a small motor that clips onto your curtain rod or track and pulls the curtain open or closed on a schedule, at sunrise, or by voice. It is the brand’s best seller.
- Price: $99.99 for the Rod version, $89.99 for the U Rail version, or $169.99 for a Rod 2-pack. Center-opening curtains need two.
- Fit: works on rods 5/8 inch or thicker (not thinner extendable rods), U rails, and I rails with a $9.99 kit. Supports curtains up to 15 kg.
- What reviewers say: Trusted Reviews called it “quieter, more powerful and easier to install” than earlier models. 9to5Google called it “one of my favorites to have around” (August 2023). AppleInsider gave it 3.5 out of 5, calling it “an expensive way to make your curtains HomeKit-compatible.”
- Battery: SwitchBot’s product page gives no battery figure; retailers list about 8 months. An optional solar panel costs $25.99.
- Smart home: works from your phone over Bluetooth on its own. For remote control, Alexa, Google or Apple Home, you need a SwitchBot hub ($59.99 to $119.99).
Check your rod before you buy. SwitchBot’s return policy says that if you confirmed compatibility before ordering, “we may not be able to provide a refund” on curtains and locks.
The SwitchBot Bot (smart button pusher)
The Bot is a 42-gram box you stick beside a rocker switch or button with 3M tape. A small arm physically presses it, so a coffee maker, old air conditioner or PC power button can run on a schedule or by voice. It costs $29.99 (a USB-C rechargeable version is $33.99). AppleInsider called it “a small way to make a basic button smart”; reviewers note it is bulky and Bluetooth-only without a hub. SwitchBot’s own page lists both 300 and 600 days of battery life, so expect the lower figure.
See the SwitchBot Bot →
Affiliate link. Prices and offers change, so check the official page.
The SwitchBot Lock Ultra (retrofit smart lock)
The Lock Ultra ($139.99) mounts over the inside thumb-turn of your existing single-cylinder deadbolt, so your outside key still works. Keypads with fingerprint or face unlock cost extra; the Touch Combo with a hub and fingerprint keypad is $209.99.
- PCWorld (May 2025): “This retrofit lock fixes nearly all the problems we encountered with SwitchBot’s previous smart lock.”
- Gizmodo (February 2026): “I wouldn’t put the Lock Ultra on my front door,” but it worked well on a garage door. App unlocks took 1 to 10 seconds, and Apple Home control via Matter often failed.
- The security flaw: CVE-2026-8374 (published October 9, 2026) let an attacker in Bluetooth range turn a sniffed “lock” command from the outdoor keypad into an “unlock.” Researchers at Neodyme reported it in July 2025 and confirmed the final fix in April 2026. SwitchBot said it had no reports of compromised locks. If you own one, update: Lock Ultra V2.8 or later, Lock Pro V3.7 or later, and the app V9.18 or later.
Our take: fine for a garage, shed or back door if you keep it updated. For a front door, a lock with a longer track record may give more peace of mind.
See the Lock Ultra →
Affiliate link. Prices and offers change, so check the official page.
How much does SwitchBot cost?
| Product | Price (US store, 2026-10-31) | Hub needed for |
|---|---|---|
| Curtain 3 (Rod / U Rail) | $99.99 / $89.99 | Remote, voice, Apple Home |
| Bot | $29.99 | Remote, voice |
| Lock Ultra | $139.99 | Remote, voice, Matter |
| Lock Ultra Touch Combo (lock + hub + fingerprint keypad) | $209.99 | Included |
| Hub Mini Matter / Hub 2 / Hub 3 | $59.99 / $69.99 / $119.99 | n/a |
Free shipping starts at $99, so a single $29.99 Bot costs $39.98 delivered. Curtain, Bot, lock and hub features are free; paid app plans ($1.69 to $22.99) are for cameras and cloud storage.
Returns, warranty and fine print
- Returns: “Within 30 days from shipping, undamaged products can be returned and refunded for any reason,” in original packaging. Delivery takes 2 to 9 business days, so your real window may be closer to three weeks.
- Return shipping: you pay for non-defect returns, including compatibility returns on locks and curtains.
- Warranty: 1 year on store purchases. Defects get a replacement, or “a partial refund based on the device’s usage time” if it cannot be replaced.
Is SwitchBot legit?
Yes, it is a real, established company, but expect slow support. SwitchBot started in Shenzhen in 2015 and its parent, OneRobotics, listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange in December 2025. The US seller is SwitchBot Inc in Wilmington, Delaware, shipping from a California warehouse. The BBB rates it F (not accredited) for failing to respond to complaints, and its Trustpilot page (4.3 out of 5 from 955 reviews) is unclaimed with no company replies. The iPhone app is rated 3.3 out of 5.
How it compares
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SwitchBot Curtain 3 | $89.99 to $99.99 | Clip-on, Bluetooth, hub for Matter |
| Aqara Curtain Driver E1 | $99.99 | Zigbee, needs an Aqara hub |
| RYSE SmartCurtain | $162.49 | Needs a $49.99 bridge for Wi-Fi |
| SwitchBot Lock Ultra | $139.99 | Retrofit, rechargeable, hub for Matter |
| Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi | $139.99 | Retrofit with built-in Wi-Fi, no hub |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | $199.99 | Retrofit with built-in Wi-Fi |
Who should buy it, and who should skip it
A good fit if: you rent or don’t want to rewire, you want curtains that open with the sunrise, or you have one dumb appliance you want on a schedule. Start with the Curtain 3 or Bot and add a hub only if you want voice control.
Skip it if: you want a front-door lock with a spotless security record, you need responsive phone support, or you are not sure your curtain rod fits (returns can be refused).
Check Curtain 3 prices →
Affiliate link. Prices and offers change, so check the official page.
FAQ
Do I need a SwitchBot hub?
No for phone control over Bluetooth and on-device timers. Yes for remote control, Alexa, Google, Siri and Apple Home through Matter. Hubs cost $59.99 to $119.99.
Does SwitchBot work with Apple HomeKit?
Yes, through Matter with Hub 2, Hub 3 or Hub Mini Matter. One reviewer found Apple Home control of the Lock Ultra unreliable.
Is there a SwitchBot subscription?
Not for curtains, the Bot, locks or hubs. Paid app plans from $1.69 are for camera cloud storage and AI features.
Is the SwitchBot lock safe after the 2026 Bluetooth flaw?
The flaw (CVE-2026-8374) is patched. Update the Lock Ultra to V2.8 or later, Lock Pro to V3.7 or later, and the app to V9.18 or later.
Will the Curtain 3 fit my rod?
The Rod version fits rods 5/8 inch or thicker; there are U Rail and I Rail versions too. Check before buying, because compatibility returns may be refused.
How long do the batteries last?
SwitchBot says up to 12 months for the Lock Ultra and lists both 300 and 600 days for the Bot. Retailers list about 8 months for the Curtain 3.
What is SwitchBot’s return policy?
30 days from shipping, undamaged and in original packaging. You pay return shipping on non-defect returns. 1-year warranty.
Is SwitchBot a legit company?
Yes. It was founded in 2015 and its parent is listed in Hong Kong. But the BBB rates its US company F for unanswered complaints.
Related reviews
- Fieldy review: wearable AI note-taker
- CupStation review: car cup holder expander
- TikiTunes review: tiki torch Bluetooth speaker
Sources
- SwitchBot US store product catalog (prices)
- SwitchBot Curtain 3
- SwitchBot Bot
- SwitchBot Lock Ultra
- SwitchBot refund policy
- SwitchBot shipping policy
- SwitchBot contact information
- BBB profile: SwitchBot Inc
- SwitchBot on Trustpilot
- SwitchBot iPhone app
- NVD: CVE-2026-8374
- Neodyme advisory: SwitchBot lock
- PCWorld: SwitchBot Lock Ultra review
- Gizmodo: SwitchBot Lock Ultra review
- 9to5Google: SwitchBot Curtain 3 review
- Trusted Reviews: SwitchBot Curtain 3
- AppleInsider: SwitchBot Bot review
- The Standard: OneRobotics IPO hearing
- Aqara US store catalog
- RYSE store catalog
- August and Yale store catalog