Key Takeaways
- Aqara Good Lock U200 presents native Matter functionality, appropriate with US deadbolt locks, and might be managed through Bluetooth or smartphone app.
- The lock has numerous unlocking strategies, together with passcode, fingerprint, Alexa, NFC tag, Apple Residence Keys, and bodily key.
- It requires a Thread border router or Aqara Hub M3 for full performance, probably including to the price and complexity of setup.
The smarter your sensible house will get, the smarter you get. Not less than that is the way it’s imagined to work, proper? With so many sensible house units accessible available on the market, it may be exhausting to select the right home ecosystem for you. You’ll be able to select to remain model loyal and solely use choices from, say, Amazon that function Alexa help. In case you’re an Apple fanatic, you wish to use HomeKit-enabled devices.
There’s the choice to look to the longer term and go for units that talk with each other. These can be units that use the nascent Matter protocol; the tech does not require one type of hub and might make the most of Thread border routers or Matter-enabled units to speak. As an increasing number of units are being provided with the expertise, producers try to maintain up with the demand. The neatest of sensible houses are going to have units that effectively and shortly talk.
That’s the reason the newest sensible lock from Aqara is about up that manner. The Aqara Good Lock U200 presents native Matter functionality, as Aqara is an energetic associate with all of the Matter updates. For those who have the newest expertise, the U200 is a superb addition to their house. However for many who do not, it could nonetheless perform nicely with out ever hitting its full potential. I have been in a position to make use of the Aqara Good Lock U200 for a short while and listed here are my ideas.
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Aqara Good Lock U200
The Aqara Good Lock U200 presents keyless entry into your house in a number of methods, resembling through voice instructions, fingerprint studying, app compatibility, and extra. It has native Matter help, making it appropriate with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Residence, and Samsung SmartThings.
- Matter help
- A number of methods to enter with out a key
- Huge compatibility for doorways
- Requires an Aqara Hub M3 to get probably the most out of it
- Tough set up
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Value, availability, and specs
The Aqara Good Lock U200 is obtainable now in North America and Europe. It retails for $270 within the US and might be bought on Amazon. In case you go to the Aqara website, it should convey you to the Amazon net web page with a view to buy the sensible lock. The lock itself weighs 1.37 kilos and measures 2.44 x 2.36 x 5.98 inches. That implies that it’s appropriate with US deadbolt locks which are between 2 3/8 and a couple of 3/4 inches. That is huge compatibility, so whilst you ought to test to see if the U200 will suit your door, likelihood is good that it’s going to.
It is a biometric lock that connects through Bluetooth with a view to work together with your sensible house and smartphone app. You’ll be able to management the U200 from the Aqara app in addition to with many different units. The lock is powered by rechargeable Li-ion batteries which are slated to last as long as six months per cost, which is boosted due to the Matter capabilities. You can even hardwire the lock with an AC or DC energy provide. The app can even inform you when it’s good to recharge it.
What I favored concerning the Aqara Good Lock U200
It has a variety of helpful safety features
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As somebody who has reviewed a variety of Aqara merchandise earlier than, I knew what to anticipate when setting the U200 up. Earlier Matter-supported units such because the Motion and Light Sensor P2 are straightforward to arrange within the Aqara app and wish a hub to work nicely. With most of Aqara’s units, the corporate’s Hub M3 is critical. That is not essentially the case right here. You should utilize different Thread border routers to get the performance you need out of the U200. Nonetheless, it should work greatest with the Hub M3, which, after all, is bought individually.
As soon as I linked the U200 to my Hub M3, I used to be in a position to then combine it simply into my house ecosystem. I depend on Amazon Alexa in my house and synced it with my Echo Present 8, which is a Thread border router in its personal proper. With that and the Alexa app, I can arrange automations for the U200. As a result of I’ve the Hub M3, I used to be in a position to arrange the distant unlock function. As you are establishing your Aqara Good Lock U200, you are in a position to take action a lot when it comes to understanding how one can function it.
The U200 is sleeker than different Aqara sensible locks, such because the U50.
You’ll be able to unlock this sensible lock a couple of other ways. There’s typing in a passcode on the keypad, which you’ll be able to create simply for prolonged use, or you possibly can generate a short lived passcode with the Aqara app. You should utilize your fingerprint to lock it, however that could be a bit finicky. Utilizing Amazon Alexa to unlock the door works nicely due to the combination. Urgent the unlock button within the app permits you to distant open or lock the door. It would additionally work with an NFC tag or Apple Residence Keys, neither of which I’ve. Lastly, it does include a bodily key if you wish to use it.
The U200 is sleeker than different Aqara sensible locks, such because the U50. The Quiet Mode function does not require using a hub or Thread border router and might be performed from the app, as it should unlock the door quietly, in order to not disturb anybody within the house. You can even activate the Auto Lock function, which can mechanically lock the door as soon as it’s closed. There are additionally integrated Tamper Alert features that preserve your privateness safe if somebody is making an attempt to learn your pin over your shoulder or hack into your door.
0:22
This fingerprint lock is my new go-to for securing small belongings
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What I did not like concerning the Aqara Good Lock U200
It is not as straightforward to put in as I hoped
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Usually, I do not thoughts putting in Aqara units. A lot of them are easy and also you simply must scan a QR code to convey up directions or a video on how one can set up one thing. However for some cause, the Aqara Good Lock U200’s QR code introduced me to a useless hyperlink as a substitute of an set up video. The consumer handbook that pops up makes use of an extremely small font and is usually crammed with footage that do not describe precisely what it’s good to put the place. When putting in a door lock, it is not probably the most intricate course of, however it does require some understanding of what occurs earlier than one other step. It was more durable to determine due to the poorly designed handbook and the useless hyperlink.
Aqara boasts that the aptitude of the U200 is that it really works with Matter over Thread units. That’s true, and it’s the manner of the longer term. However with a view to get probably the most out of your sensible lock, it’s a must to have both a Thread border router or an Aqara Hub M3. This requires extra purchases on prime of an already costly lock. This will deter some folks from buying. Additionally, I do not love that the lock itself has rechargeable batteries, however the keypad might be run with AAA batteries, inflicting you to vary two kinds of batteries at completely different occasions.
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Must you purchase the Aqara Good Lock U200?
The Aqara Good Lock U200 is a fancy-looking lock that may definitely defend your house with its unimaginable safety features. The truth that you possibly can unlock or lock this in so many various methods is an actual testomony to the design by Aqara. Sadly, you’ll possible must spend much more cash to get probably the most out of its performance. This is not unusual with Aqara merchandise, so in case you are somebody who’s aware of the corporate, you’re possible conscious of this case. However it’s value stating for those who aren’t.
Sadly, you’ll possible must spend much more cash to get probably the most out of its performance.
If you wish to arrange your house with expertise that’s solely going to serve it nicely as extra sensible house capabilities come out, it’s a sensible buy. However in the event you aren’t geared up but to make use of it to its full capability, it might be value ready some time. That being stated, the Aqara Good Lock U200 is a sensible lock and can assist your house grow to be even smarter.
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Aqara Good Lock U200
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