Decoding the Best Aqara Smart Lock Option: An Expert’s Roadmap to Making the Choice That Suits You

This article is sponsored by Aqara. Product choices and opinions expressed are from the sponsor and do not reflect the views of How-To Geek editorial staff.

Looking to upgrade your home security? A smart lock is a good starting point. It’s a simple yet effective way to keep an eye on the coming and going of entry points, and more importantly, no more hiding spare keys. With smart locks, you can open your main door with more options than necessary: PIN codes, fingerprints, NFC, mobile apps, or even voice assistants.

Smart locks also make it much easier to share temporary home access to families and friends.

Aqara’s range of smart locks offers keyless entry, remote access, and real-time alerts for convenient and secure home access management. They boast a wealth of options for entry, ranging from fingerprints, personalized PIN codes (one-time and recurring), and mobile apps to the manufacturer’s own NFC fobs.

For Apple users, Aqara locks are particularly appealing as they can unlock with home keys by simply tapping their iPhones and Apple Watches. More importantly, all Aqara locks feature Matter compatibility, which means that they can be seamlessly integrated into your existing smart home setup, whether it’s based on Alexa, HomeKit, Google, SmartThings, or Home Assistant.

Which Aqara Lock Is the One for Me?

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right smart lock.

Firstly, there are generally two types of smart locks: deadbolt replacement and retrofit. Aqara’s U100 and U50 locks are both designed to replace your existing deadbolt lock, while the U200 model is a retrofit solution, which means that it attaches to your old deadbolt. If you’re renting or don’t want to tamper with the existing door structure, go with the Aqara U200 lock.

Secondly, all Aqara locks require a smart home hub for remote features (for example remote lock/unlock, real-time alerts) and interaction with other smart devices such as video doorbells. The U100 and U50 models require a classic Aqara Zigbee hub - for example, an M2 hub or Camera Hub G3. If you already invested in the Aqara system and own one of these hubs, you may want either model.

The U200 lock, on the other hand, is built on the newer Thread technology, and it can pair with any Thread Border Router such as select Echo speakers and Nest smart displays, Apple TV 4K, and Aqara’s own M3 hub. If you already own one of the aforementioned Thread Border Routers, prefer not to invest in proprietary hubs, or just want to future-proof your investment with the newer technology, the U200 is a good fit for you.

So what’s the difference between the U100 and U50 locks? Mostly, the U100 lock has a fingerprint reader built into its keypad, while the U50 model lacks it. Powered by a pack of four AA batteries, the U100 features a battery life of up to 8 months, while the U50 of up to 6 months.

If you’re looking for a feature-packed deadbolt lock, the U100 is a perfect option.

For those on a budget who are happy with keyless access with personalized PIN codes and Apple home keys, the U50 is a great entry-level choice.

The U200 lock is now $216.49 (down from $269.99) using code USCODESL2. The U100 is now $126.34 (down from $189.99), and the U50 is now $112.49 (down from $149.99) using code USCODESL.

Aqara U100 Smart Lock

Aqara U100 Smart Lock

$133 $230 Save $97

The Aqara U100 Smart Lock is fully compatible with the Apple Home app and can be unlocked by a simple tap of your iPhone or Apple Watch. It features a high-precision fingerprint reader that can store up to 50 sets of fingerprints, and its keypad can allow access with any combination of permanent, periodic, or one-time passcodes.The Aqara 100 is compatible with Matter, Google Home, Alexa, IFTTT, and more, making it easy to integrate into any smart home setup.Aqara focuses on security and durability, and the U100 is versatile enough to be used outdoors under extreme weather conditions.With lock status sensing and auto-lock features, you can be assured of the security offered by the U100. And for added peace of mind, you’ll find emergency unlock methods to gain access, should you ever find yourself without your device.

$133 at Amazon

Aqara U50 Smart Lock

Aqara U50 Smart Lock

The Aqara U50 Smart Lock offers keyless entry and security with smart home integrations for budget-minded buyers who want to boost their home security.When paired with an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub, the U50 can be incorporated into third-party ecosystems such as Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT.With full support for Apple Home, the U50 can be unlocked with a simple swipe of your iPhone or Apple Watch.Thanks to a built-in gyroscope, the U50 can track its own status and issue notifications if the door is left open for any reason.It boasts an easy installation process, can withstand extreme temperatures, and provides six months of battery life on a full charge.

$150 at Amazon

Aqara U200 Smart Lock

Aqara U200 Smart Lock

For a more complete smart home security solution, the Aqara U200 offers a feature-rich package with endless possibilities for integration. With Matter over Thread support, it can be seamlessly blended with a diverse range of smart home setups.In addition to iPhone or Apple Watch unlocking, you can choose from mechanical keys, PIN codes, or fingerprint recognition. Set personal passcodes for entry, or temporary ones for house guests.The Aqara U200 even operates flawlessly while charging, so you can enjoy full, uninterrupted service, and stay connected at all times.Plus, it carries an IPX5 rating and is built to withstand the elements, remaining fully operational in temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius.

$270 at Amazon

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