I tested two solar smart locks that never need to be recharged — and there is one clear winner

(Image credit: Future)

The best smart locks have long been a useful tool, but one of the biggest issues hampering their adoption has been battery life. Unlike most other smart home devices, smart locks have to operate without being plugged in, which means you have to change or recharge their batteries on a regular basis.Now it seems that issue is being solved. I recently tested two smart locks that have solar panels built right into them. That means you never have to worry about your lock running out of juice and having to find an external power bank or the physical keys in order to do something as simple as get inside your own home.The Desloc V150 Plus and Lockin Veno Solar offer some similar features, but actually vary more than you might expect. Here's a look at both of them, and what makes one better than the other.Desloc V150 Plus vs. Lockin Veno Solar: Price and availabilityThe first major difference between these two locks is their price, and it's a pretty dramatic difference. While the Desloc V150 Plus has a Kickstarter price starting at $169. Its retail price is as high as $399.99. It will be available through retail channels starting in August, so if you want one it may be worth seeing if it's still available at a discount through Kickstarter.The Lockin Veno Solar, by contrast, is available now, and it's dramatically cheaper when it comes to the retail price. There are actually two models available: one which has a face scanner and the other a palm vein scanner. I tested the face scanner, which put it on a more level playing field with the Desloc V150 Plus. Both models, however, cost $199 or around half the retail price of the Desloc. There's also a bundle with a door handle for $259.99.Winner: Lockin Veno SolarSpecsSwipe to scroll horizontallyRow 0 - Cell 0 Desloc V150 PlusLockin Veno SolarLock typeDeadboltDeadboltUnlocking methodsFingerprint, face, keyPalm, face, PIN, keyConnectivityWi-Fi, BluetoothWi-Fi, Bluetooth, ThreadWorks withAlexa, Google HomeAlexa, Google Home, MatterWeather resistanceIP65IP53BHMA Level 3Level 3Desloc V150 Plus vs. Lockin Veno Solar: Design and setup