by A silly lock? In this day and age? No, thanks. I want a smarter door, one that can detect when I leave and lock it behind me, or unlock it using any number of magical methods: phone, watch, fingerprint, etc.
That’s the Aqara Smart Lock U100 in a nutshell; It meets all of those requirements and more. In fact, it is one of the most advanced locks you can get. But is it as good on your doorstep as it is on paper? Here is my review of Aqara Smart Lock U100.
Aqara
VERDICT: An affordable and versatile smart lock that’s best for the Apple crowd, but you have to be pretty tech-savvy to set it up and understand all the options.
- Elegant design
- Multiple input modes
- Supports Apple Home Key (which is awesome)
- Quick fingerprint scan
- Less expensive than other HomeKit-compatible locks
- Hub required for many functions
- No printed installation instructions
- Complicated HomeKit and Home Key setup
- No NFC support for Android users
- Cannot customize notifications
$190 on Amazon
Before you decide whether to buy the U100, keep in mind that it’s pretty limited unless you add a hub, something that can connect it to your home Wi-Fi network. Without one, you can’t lock or unlock it remotely, set passwords from your phone, or connect to other smart devices. So plan to include the Aqara Smart Hub M2 ($60) in your budget. I used one in my testing; It’s pretty plug-and-play, but it relies on an outdated micro-USB connector and doesn’t include an AC adapter for power. Bad first impression, Aqara.
Installation and configuration of Aqara Smart Lock U100
The second impression was not much better. While the U100 hardware isn’t particularly difficult to install, it’s puzzling that Aqara hasn’t provided printed instructions other than a concise, fine-print guide to downloading the Aqara app. To be fair, that app walks you through installing the lock with a series of videos, but I didn’t know that until I loaded it on my iPhone, created an Aqara account and all that.
There’s a fairly detailed manual online, which is useful, but what about the completely red text and illustrations? That just makes it harder to read.
Aqara provides a printed template in case you are not replacing an existing deadbolt and need to drill holes in your door. In my case, I changed another smart lock, the Wyze Lock Bolt, which I like except for its lack of Wi-Fi connectivity; I can’t check or control it when I’m away from home. (On the other hand, it costs only $80.)
In total, it took me about 15 minutes to install the U100, the only real hassle being the need to remove both the battery compartment door (which didn’t come off easily, even with the included plastic spudger tool) and the lock knob. blocking (which jumped immediately). Speaking of batteries, the lock runs on four AAs, which Aqara says will last up to eight months.
But then I was left wondering about the M2 hub: do I set it up in the app? before The lock or vice versa? This is not addressed anywhere I can find. In the end, I decided to add the hub first, a relatively simple process, albeit with a couple of confusing configuration options along the way.
From there I added the U100, equally simple but also with some head-scratching moments. The real struggle lies in the Apple HomeKit integration, which is confusing at best. In the end I managed to get everything set up, mostly by just stumbling along.
It helps that I installed and tested several other smart locks, including the aforementioned Wyze Lock Bolt, the Schlage Encode Plus, and the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro. But the Aqara would definitely benefit from better instructions, both on the box and in the app. As it stands, it’s not beginner-friendly, at least when it comes to setup.
Features and performance of Aqara Smart Lock U100
However, once installed, everything is (for the most part) smooth sailing. The U100 can be locked and unlocked using a variety of methods: mechanical key, electronic keypad, fingerprint scanning, phone, Apple Watch, NFC tags (sold separately), smart assistants (Alexa, Google, etc.), etc. . I think the only option missing is The Force. (No matter how often I wave my hand in front of it, Obi-Wan Kenobi style, it doesn’t unlock.)
I’ll start with the Apple stuff, as I think the U100 is more likely to appeal to that crowd. Once you’ve added the lock to Apple HomeKit (via the Apple Home app), you’ll be able to take advantage of Apple Key, via Apple Wallet. (No, this is not confusing at all!) That means that if you hold your iPhone or Apple Watch next to the keyboard, it will lock or unlock, even if your phone’s battery is almost dead.
That’s really helpful and in my tests both devices performed extremely well, with no lag; The lock activated almost instantly. When my hands are full, it’s especially nice to touch my Apple Watch and unlock the door.
But it’s also nice to have the option of the keyboard and fingerprint scanner; The Aqara app allows you to set up multiple users with their own codes and of course fingerprints (up to 50). You can also use that app to generate a temporary code or remotely unlock the U100 (for example, if you need to let a neighbor in while you’re away from home).
The lock is less versatile for Android users, as there is currently no home key equivalent on that platform. And while many Android phones support NFC, you can’t use one as a de facto NFC tag. Simply put: an iPhone or Apple Watch can be used as a wireless dongle; Android devices cannot.
What happens if you come home and find a U100 with dead batteries? Assuming you have the actual key with you, you can open the front panel and unlock it manually. Otherwise, there’s a USB-C port on the bottom for connecting a power bank or similar, assuming you have one available and the necessary cable to go with it.
Problems with Aqara Smart Lock U100
As much as I like the modern, sleek design of the U100, I don’t quite understand the color options. On the outside, it’s two-tone: a dark metallic gray above and a lighter tone below. None of them really match my matte black door handle. Inside, the entire knob mechanism is a lighter shade; it definitely stands out against the black handle.
Most smart locks are black, chrome, or nickel, to better match most door hardware. I’m not saying this slightly weird color is a deal breaker, but I don’t love it.
My biggest issue is with the app, which can be overwhelming because it’s designed to be used with a host of other Aqara smart home products. Once you get to the U100’s individual control page, it’s pretty straightforward, with quick access to activity logs, user management, and one-time password settings.
Dive into the settings and you’ll find options like auto-lock (the deadbolt activates every time the door is closed), Do Not Disturb mode, pairing with Alexa, and many more. Some of them are quite simple to understand; others I found confusing. (Alexa pairing was a big hassle because the Aqara installation video is outdated.)
Meanwhile, while I had no problem adding users (like my spouse) and their own keypad codes and fingerprints, I couldn’t figure out how to share the home key (so she could set up her iPhone the same way I have the mine). Is this done in the Aqara app or Apple Home? A Google search revealed it’s the latter, but even with Apple’s support I couldn’t share the virtual key.
Aqara, for its part, offers limited support on this front: an FAQ page entry simply mentions that you can share a startup key, but doesn’t explain how to do so. And speaking of support, at the time of this post, Aqara’s main support pages did not appear to be working properly. Every product I clicked on, including the U100, returned a blank screen. Only after visiting the U100 product page and clicking on the FAQ link there did I find help.
Speaking of the U100 product page, it currently states that there are two NFC tags included in the box, but that is simply not the case. It’s a mistake Aqara needs to fix.
One last complaint: By default, the app notifies you whenever the U100 is locked or unlocked, whether manually or otherwise. The only way around this is to enable Do Not Disturb, but that’s not always the preferred option; You may want to receive notifications when, for example, my child comes home from school. Aqara does not allow this; It is all or nothing.
Aqara Smart Lock U100: Should you buy it?
I’m really on the fence about this, because the U100 is a functional and versatile smart lock that is hampered by some configuration and usability quirks. It’s definitely better for Apple users, and I admit that I love the benefits of Home Key, although it was difficult to set up.
I also like the fingerprint and keyboard input methods, both of which work well. I suspect most users will rely on one or the other, in which case the U100 is a nice addition to any home.
But strange colors, all-or-nothing notifications, the need to purchase and configure a hub if you want remote control and automations – these and other issues make the U100 harder to recommend.
If you’re a tech-savvy iPhone user and want a really versatile HomeKit-compatible smart lock, I think you’ll like the Aqara Smart Lock U100. For Android users and those who struggle with technology, I think there are better options.
