ZDNET's key takeaways The Aqara U100 smart lock was originally priced at $230, but it is currently discounted to $135.
This smart lock is the most versatile I've tested; it offers a variety of unlocking options, a user-friendly app, and easy integration with Apple Home.
The Aqara U100 drains the battery quickly, and the app doesn't always alert users, resulting in reduced performance within four months of use. $189.99 at Amazon $179.99 at Best Buy more buying choices
The Aqara U100 Smart Lock is currently on sale for only $135 on Amazon, down from its original price of $230.
Aqara's first Apple Home Key smart lock in the US arrived after the company offered many Home Key-compatible smart locks outside the country. Was the wait worth it? I've had the Aqara U100 for over a year, and the short answer is: Absolutely.
Also: I tested a TCL smart lock, and its palm vein recognition feature blew me away
Getting the Aqara U100 on my front door was reasonably simple, even though my specific review unit didn't come with instructions. It took a few minutes to figure out which piece goes on before the other, but a deadbolt is a pretty straightforward mechanism, so it was easy. The entire process took less than 15 minutes.
Once the U100 smart lock was on the door, I set it up with the Aqara app on my iPhone and connected it to an Aqara M2 Hub
Although an Aqara Hub isn't necessary to use the basic features of the smart lock, you do need one to perform remote lock and unlock actions, view the current lock status, configure password settings from your phone, and create automations with other Aqara devices.
I used the Aqara Hub M2 to set up the U100 lock. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
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