GoKawiilI bought my first house earlier this year, so being the nerd that I am, I’ve prioritized turning my house into a smart home. First on the list was a smart lock.
I knew I wanted something with the best possible HomeKit integration, and the Aqara UWB Smart Lock U400 seemed to fit that bill on paper. So far, I’ve been highly impressed thanks to Ultra Wideband support.
Installation
Installation of the Aqara U400 was pretty straightforward, following this video from Aqara’s YouTube channel. It’s more involved than installing the August smart locks I’ve used in the past, but for good reason. Whereas the August locks typically fit over your existing deadbolt, the Aqara lock replaces the entire system.
So in exchange for that slightly trickier installation process, you get a more reliable and “integrated” experience.
I installed two Aqara U400 locks, one at the back door and one at the front door. Going into the process, I was a bit worried about the front door installation. It’s an older door, and the previous deadbolt tended to get stuck if it wasn’t perfectly aligned with the striker plate.
Surprisingly, this was not an issue with the Aqara lock. Again, this is a benefit of how the Aqara lock replaces the deadbolt itself, rather than being a retrofit solution. I’ve also found that the Aqara lock is less sensitive to resistance from the striker plate. Whereas the August lock would get “jammed” with even the slightest bit of resistance, the Aqara lock has enough force to power through even if it does get slightly stuck.
All in all, it took about an hour to install both Aqara smart locks. The trickiest part was actually connecting the two tiny wires to the back of the lock itself. The wires are super fragile, so proceed with caution there.
Using the Aqara UWB Smart Lock U400
What makes the Aqara U400 stand out is just how many ways there are to unlock it.
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