The list of smart locks that support Apple HomeKit isn’t quite as impressive as those of Google Home and Alexa, but Aqara has officially added one more to the list with the Aqara Smart Lock U100. Clocking in at $190 and now available on Amazon, the premium smart lock offers full support for Apple HomeKit — along with tons of cool features that should position it as a top option for smart home enthusiasts.
As you’d expect, the Aqara U100 comes with a keypad that lets you enter a passcode to unlock the deadbolt. However, you’ll also find a fingerprint scanner that can hold up to 50 unique prints and the option to set up Apple home keys to unlock it with your Apple Watch or iPhone. Aqara also tossed in a physical key in case of emergencies.
Despite all the high-tech features, you can still expect to get up to eight months of power out of the smart lock before needing to change its batteries. Compared to the three-month battery life of the popular Yale Assure Lock 2, that’s a pretty big win. Toss in AES encryption for a secure connection, IP65 rating for weatherproofing, and the ability to enable an auto-lock feature to ensure the door is always secure, and it’s clear Aqara is positioning this as a premium smart home gadget.
Apple HomeKit owners seem to be the primary target of the U100, although it also supports Google Home, Alexa, IFTT, and Matter. And if you own the Aqara Video Doorbell G4, you can unlock the door directly from your smartphone after answering the doorbell alert.
The spec list is pretty impressive for the Aqara U100, but be sure to check out our list of the best smart locks of 2023 before making a purchase.
Amazon Alexa and Apple Home are two of the best smart home platforms around. Both support hundreds of devices, dozens of product categories, and offer a simple way to automate your smart home. However, there are some big differences between these two technologies, and choosing the wrong one could prevent you from syncing your favorite devices. Not all of the products that work with Apple Home (sometimes referred to as HomeKit) work with Alexa, meaning you need to be careful when choosing which to adopt. Thankfully, both are excellent choices for your home. They also work with Matter, allowing you to access gadgets outside their primary platform.
Choosing the right option for your home largely comes down to personal preference — and you should base your decision on which products you plan to use with the software. Love your Echo Show? Opt for Alexa. Prefer your HomePod? Apple Home is the better choice.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 was already one of the best smart locks of 2023, thanks to its versatile smartphone app and a bevy of unique designs — including a keyless model and vibrant Magenta color. Today, Yale is expanding the lineup by introducing the Assure Lock 2 Plus and Assure Lock 2 Touch, both of which bring new capabilities to a smart lock already loaded with premium features.
If you own an iPhone or Apple Watch, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus is a most compelling new product. Offering support for Apple Home keys, you can now unlock your front door by simply tapping your iOS device on the Assure Lock 2 Plus.
With the Homepod mini being so accessible and the new HomePod earning rave reviews, HomeKit has started to grow in popularity. Sure, its catalog isn’t quite as robust as that of Amazon Alexa or Google Home, but there’s no denying the appeal of a premium, Apple-powered smart home. And while HomeKit is an incredibly secure platform, it’s not perfect. Whenever you give Siri and command or ask it a question, details about the request are sent to Apple. While Apple does its best to hide unique information about you, it still collects contact information, music preferences, smart home usage statistics, and more.
