The Smart Lock Disaster You’ll Regret Paying $400 For

Hello everyone. Let’s talk about the Eufy FamiLock S3 Max — a device that decided it would be fun to cosplay as both Fort Knox and Big Brother, and then had the audacity to charge $400 for the privilege. It’s a smart lock, it’s a peephole camera, it’s a doorbell, it’s Matter-compatible (kind of), and it makes you wave at it like you’re trying to flag down a bartender who’s ignoring you. And yes, it screams “high-tech” while also quietly whispering “I hope you like charging me often.”

First Impressions: The Multitasking Monster

Physically, the FamiLock S3 Max is a hulking slab glued to your front door. Eufy clearly looked at the dainty little locks most people have and said, “That’s cute — let’s build something three times the size.” The headliner here is the integrated digital peephole screen, which lets you see who’s outside without fumbling for your phone. It’s genuinely handy in a “while my tiny human offspring are home alone” kind of way. The palm vein scanner is the other main party trick, using infrared to read your blood vessels instead of your fingerprints, which is great if your job involves literally burning them off. (Hi, firefighters.)

In use? Let’s just say palm unlocking takes “practice.” There were moments early on where my front porch security footage probably looked like I was performing interpretive dance for an inanimate object. Once you get it down, yes, it works reliably — but no, it isn’t faster than a fingerprint. Also, you can’t wave to lock it, which feels like a missed opportunity for a magical Gandalf-like “YOU SHALL NOT PASS” hand gesture.

Specs and Features: The Good, The Bad, and the “Why?”

• Price: $399.99 (or $349.99 if you ditch the screen)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi or Eufy HomeBase
• Access Methods: Palm vein scanner, keypad, manual key, mobile app, voice commands
• Battery Life: Claimed 5 months (expect less if you dare use all features)
• Camera: 2K HD, 150-degree FOV, daytime clarity, mediocre night vision
• Smart Home: Works with Matter, Alexa, Google Home — but Matter only lets you control the lock, not the camera

The Verge review nailed one point: if you want the full “smart alerts” experience, you’ll need Eufy’s HomeBase for an extra $149. Want facial recognition? That’s on the HomeBase. Package detection? Sorry, not available, even though we’ve had that for years. Apparently, knowing there’s an Amazon box rotting in the rain outside is an unsolved technological mystery.

Performance: The Lock That Tries Too Hard

The daytime video is impressively crisp, and the vertical view means you can see visitors head-to-toe along with their deliveries. Night vision? Passable — unless you’ve got a protruding door frame that bounces the IR back, in which case everything looks like it’s bathed in nuclear whiteout. The touch keypad works flawlessly, and the hidden keyway is a nice “just in case” move.

The integrated doorbell button is obvious and glows invitingly, but people still manage to avoid pressing it because, well, humans are unpredictable. Recorded footage is stored locally with no subscription fees — which is an applause-worthy move in today’s “monthly bill for everything” world. But the camera only wakes up when you push the button or jab a rear switch. Continuous monitoring? Not happening — battery life couldn’t cope, and at the current drain rate (41% gone in a month under heavy use), Eufy’s “five months” claim makes me roll my eyes hard enough to risk a concussion.

Doctor’s Orders

If this were a patient in my clinic, I’d say we’re looking at a classic case of “feature overload with mild chronic battery anxiety.” The cure? A more realistic battery spec, better night video calibration, and maybe avoiding the temptation to roll three devices into one bulky slab of techno-wizardry. As with any overcomplicated organism, the immune system (in this case, real-world usability) starts to weaken under the strain.

Gamer’s Take

This lock is basically the MMO of smart home gadgets — lots of features, lots of grinding (read: charging), and you’ll probably only use half of them regularly. Sure, you can unlock your door like a cyberpunk mage, but just like in an overambitious RPG, some of those skills are underwhelming when you actually try them in combat (or real life).

Verdict

The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max is clever, solidly built, and great for anyone who can’t mount a traditional doorbell but still wants video. The palm scanning tech is a neat flourish, albeit with a learning curve. The annoying bits? The price, the reliance on HomeBase for meaningful smart alerts, the absence of package detection, and a battery life claim that belongs in the fantasy genre.

Would I recommend it? If you’ve got money to burn, no peephole or sidelights, and a high tolerance for charging gadgets — sure. For everyone else, separate lock + doorbell devices will give you better flexibility, lower replacement costs, and less awkward door-waving sessions. My overall take: good idea executed well in parts, but with just enough irritating quirks to make me hesitate at checkout.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is entirely my opinion.

Article source: This smart lock lets me see through my door, https://www.theverge.com/smart-home-review/679906/eufy-familock-s3-max-smart-video-doorlock-review.