August Smart Lock 3rd Gen Silver
Score: 77/100
Aqara Smart Lock U100
Score: 75/100Rankings
The August Home Smart Lock 3rd Generation is a retrofit lock that offers easy installation, auto-unlock/lock, and voice control. Its main trade-off is the need for an optional Wi-Fi bridge for remote access and uncertain battery life. Best suited for renters and households that value quick setup and smart-home integration.
The Aqara Smart Lock U100 delivers high-accuracy fingerprint unlocking, Apple HomeKey compatibility, and IP65-rated weather resistance via Bluetooth, Zigbee, and NFC. It requires an Aqara hub for full smart-home functionality and is relatively heavy, which can complicate installation. Suited for users invested in the Apple ecosystem and needing strong outdoor durability.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
| ↓ lower better | 10 minutesbest | — |
1 yearsbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 439 gbest | 1,750 g |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Features(1) | ||
Remote Access | true | false |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.0 |
Z‑Wave Support | true | false |
Fit & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 439 g | 1750 g |
Material | Metal | Zinc alloy |
Finish | Silver | Gray |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the August 3rd-Gen Silver for its unbelievably easy, screwdriver-only installation, sturdy metal construction, and robust security features such as two-factor authentication and encryption. They also note its sleek aesthetic and the convenience of auto-unlock/lock, while calling out the need for an optional Wi-Fi bridge for remote access and the limited Bluetooth range without it.
Everyday users consistently highlight the quick, hassle-free setup, the convenience of keyless entry and temporary guest keys, and the renter-friendly, reversible installation. Common complaints revolve around occasional connectivity hiccups, app glitches, uncertain battery longevity, and incompatibility with non-standard deadbolts.
“great for apartments”
“HomeKit News praises the U100 for its fingerprint sensor, Apple HomeKey support, auto-locking, and 8-month battery life, noting solid Zigbee 3.0 performance with an optional Aqara hub and IP65 outer panel for weather resistance.”
Professional reviewers commend the U100 for its precise fingerprint sensor, Apple HomeKey compatibility, solid auto-lock functionality, and impressive eight-month battery life. They also note the lock's robust zinc construction, IP65-rated outer panel, and reliable Zigbee performance when used with an Aqara hub, while calling out the need for a hub for full feature access and the non-weather-proof inner panel.
Everyday users generally praise the lock's versatility, long battery life, and weather-resistant outer housing, especially valuing the multiple unlock options and local data security. Recurring complaints focus on the requirement of an extra hub for advanced smart-home features, the inner panel's lack of weatherproofing, and the relatively heavy weight during installation.
