TCL D1 Pro ZDNET's key takeaways The TCL D1 Pro smart lock is available for $170.
This smart lock features some of the most reliable and fastest palm recognition technology I've tested, and it has a rechargeable battery instead of the standard replaceable batteries.
The TCL D1 Pro's biggest downfall is the app, which is not user-friendly for customizing settings and feels outdated. $125.98 at Amazon
Palm vein recognition is becoming quite popular among smart lock manufacturers, and the TCL D1 Pro is one of the most affordable locks to feature this technology. At $170, this TCL smart lock supports six unlocking methods, including palm vein technology, remotely through the app, touch keypad, NFC key fobs, third-party voice control through Google or Alexa, and physical keys.
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The TCL D1 Pro is pretty easy to install. At 2.79 inches wide, it is slightly narrower than all the other smart locks I've tested, which isn't a great look on my beat-up door -- but the fact that this door has seen dozens of smart locks in two years isn't the lock's fault.
Aside from the smart lock allowing for keyless entry, the TCL D1 Pro also allows touchless entry. It features biometric security through palm vein recognition to be contactless, which scans the user's palm from within three inches away to identify them according to the vein patterns.
The lock shines a near-infrared (NIR) light when a palm is detected in front of it. NIR light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the hemoglobin in your blood, making veins appear darker. This technology is used in medical devices to find veins for injection. The type of NIR light that the smart locks shine onto your skin is invisible to the naked eye.
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A camera or visual sensor on the lock compares the map of the vein pattern on your palm to the registered ones. If there's a match, the door unlocks within a second. The D1 Pro is swift at this task, aside from being one of the cheapest locks available with this technology. The smart lock quickly scans your palm, whether dry, wet, or even chafed, and unlocks within seconds of your arrival.
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