I have now tested over five smart door locks. So far, none have been able to replace my personal favorite, the 4th generation Nuki. But that could soon change.
Because Aqara has released a promising competitor with the new U200 Smart Lock including keypad. It offers all kinds of customization options, is easy to attach and can even be opened with an iPhone or Apple Watch. A novelty on the German market.
You can now find out why the U200 has what it takes to be one of the best smart locks and which convenience feature I am (still) missing.
Transparency note:Aqara provided me with the U200 Smart Lock including keypad free of charge for the test. The manufacturer had no influence on the article content and was not given access to it before the test was published. There was no obligation to provide a test report.
What kind of smart lock is the Aqara U200?
Like most smart door locks, the Aqara U200 is a clip-on lock. So you don't have to replace your lock cylinder.
The lock is attached to the lock using a mounting plate on the inside of the door. A motor inside then turns the key and thus activates the lock and latch.
However, this only works when the Bluetooth connection is active. If you also want to control the lock with voice control or remotely, for example as a landlord, you will need the M3 Hub, which is available separately.
Genial:Where the competition charges extra for every accessory, the U200 already comes with a powerful battery pack and a button control panel. In addition to a fingerprint sensor, the latter even offers an NFC chip. Nothing to be taken for granted! However, there is no door sensor.
The lock and keypad are relatively chunky, but of high quality. Both the stylish plastic front and the metal knob as well as the buttons on the control panel: there's nothing to criticize here except for the size.
Easy to install without drilling, but...
The Smart Lock is compatible with most European lock types thanks to a number of included adapters.
The setup is basically simple:Fix the mounting plate with Allen screws, put the lock on it, put the batteries in and you can continue using the app.
Even laypeople should be able to do everything within 30 minutes, especially since all tools are included and a setup video is available (in English).
However:The actual configuration takes place in the app – and it can be tricky at times. It took me several attempts to at least pair it with the M3 hub and integrate it into Apple HomeKit.
After all, the lock natively supports Apple's HomeKit in addition to the Matter standard, so no complicated workflows are required for Apple users.
Interesting facts about the test
This is how I tested
I used the Aqara Smart Lock for around six weeks. Since I work from home and only my wife has to leave the house for work, my lock is not activated as often as in other households.
Specifications
Protokolle: Thread, Bluetooth, NFC
Lock dimensions: 62.3 x 60.6 x 152.6 mm
Maße Keypad: 42,7 x 33 x 146 mm
Batteries: Li-ion batteries 7.4V
12V-24V AC 0.5A 50/60Hz oder 12V-24V DC 0.5A Kabel-Input
-15 to 66 degrees Celsius operating temperature
IPX5
Price and availability
The Aqara U200 is now available for an RRP of 270 euros. The street price is 180-220 euros depending on the shop. The lock is available in two colors: Black and Silver.
The Aqara U200 in practice: Quiet, fast and with HomeKey
You can control the U200 in different ways: using a key code or fingerprint on the control panel, by turning the knob on the lock, in the app or - a special feature - with Apple's HomeKey.
Once configured in Apple HomeKit, you will find a digital house key next to your credit cards in your wallet app. Now all you have to do is hold your iPhone or Apple Watch to the NFC field on the keypad and the door will open.
Nice to have:No matter which method you choose, the lock responds quickly at all times. A complete closing process takes less than three seconds. Your own fingerprint is recognized almost in real time.
In addition to the speed, I also noticed the high power of the engine. Even cumbersome doors or slightly jammed locks are no problem for the U200.
The low volume is just as convincing:In the slowest of three locking modes, the Smart Lock reaches just 65 decibels (measured with an Apple Watch 7 from ten centimeters away). As a dad to a four-year-old son who still takes naps, I appreciate this feature.
Another word about the battery:In around six weeks of use, the battery has dropped to around 70 percent. This means it comes quite close to the manufacturer's claim of six months of battery life. Thanks to the USB-C port under the front cover, you can also charge the battery during operation.
Various functions for safety and comfort, but one feature is missing
In addition to the volume, you can set other functions in the app. Here is an overview:
- multiple users including passwords, fingerprints, NFC chips
- temporary or one-time codes
- automatic locking (Auto Lock)
- Quiet, Do Not Disturb and Night Mode
- Voice and smart home control (via HomeKit, Alexa or Google Home)
That's not nearly enoughapproach, which offers many more options as well as widgets for cell phones and smartwatches, but brings with it the most important functions.
But I'm missing an important convenience feature: Auto Unlock.
And that's ultimately the reason why it doesn't replace my Nuki (yet). Auto Unlock works so well that the door only opens via GPS and Bluetooth detection when I stand on the threshold. A comfort that I no longer want to be without.
To be fair, the U200's fingerprint sensor and HomeKey integration are also extremely convenient. For most people, the Aqara model is probably the almost perfect smart lock. And Auto Unlock will supposedly follow in a future update.
Should you buy the Aqara U200?
The Smart Lock is worth it for you if:
- You prefer an uncomplicated setup:The lock is simply plugged in and is compatible with numerous doors and locks thanks to the included adapter.
- Your Apple HomeKit uses:HomeKey is the unique selling point of the Smart Lock and a very convenient everyday feature.
- You live in an old building apartment:The U200's powerful motor can handle even more cumbersome locks.
Possible alternatives to the U200 from Aqara:
- The, if you value a particularly large number of customization options or functions.
- The, if you want an auto-unlock function.
- The, if you value security and a
Offline-Schloss
preferred.
The bottom line is that the Aqara U200 has what it takes to be my favorite smart lock if it adds Auto Unlock via a software update. The strong price-performance ratio makes it an attractive option for many who are considering a smart lock.
Do you already have a smart lock? Or are you planning to get one? Write it to me in the comments! If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them!
