Today, we are sharing this Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review to look at one Smart Home accessory from Aqara. The U100 is a HomeKit-enabled product that supports the Home Key feature of Apple.
Aside from this aspect, the product integrates notable and quality features. We will also discuss these in our Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review, along with its specifications, functions, design, and performance.
Aqara U100 Smart Lock Packaging
Aqara ships the U100 in a white cardboard box featuring the product image in front. Its rear shows the installation requirements, while the sides list the specifications and features.
The company also included the following items with the U100:
- 4x AA batteries
- Two physical keys
- Two NFC tags
- Knob Removal Tool
- Opposite-Pull Screw Kit
- Bolt & Strike Plate Screw Kit
- Mounting Plate Screw Kit
- User Manual
- Installation Diagram
Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review – Design and Functionality
The U100 comes in black and matte silver with two components: the exterior-facing and interior-facing components. The former has a fingerprint scanner, touch-sensitive keypad, and sliding compartment to conceal its mechanical lock. The other displays a standard thumb-turn for convenient locking and unlocking from within.
While writing our Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review, we noticed its bulkier and blocky-looking form. Its design is functional, and the Smart Lock feels solid, premium, and well-built.
The U100 also features an IP65 weatherproof rating that can work in temperatures as high as 66°. So, it should be capable of handling various climates thrown at it.
Key Features of the Aqara U100 Smart Lock
What makes this product worth considering? Are the features to be discussed in this Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review enough for your needs? Continue reading and see if the Aqara U100 is the best Smart Lock.
Integrated Fingerprint Reader With Keypad
The product had a quality precision fingerprint reader that can save a maximum of 50 fingerprints. It also has a matte keypad that lets you access it using a periodic, permanent, and one-time password.
Lock Status Sensing + Automatic Lock
The Aqara Home app lets you check the lock status. The 100 also has a built-in gyroscope that automatically locks after you close the door.
Focus on Security and Durability
The U100 is BHMA Level 3-compliant and has end-to-end encryption. It also uses a secure 128-bit AES algorithm and stores sensitive data locally, ensuring safety from unauthorised users.
Aside from superior security, it has an IP65 rating for durability. You can use it outdoors, and the lock can withstand extreme temperatures.
Backup Plans – Emergency Unlocking Methods
The U100 is a highly responsive product that works with a mechanical key if it runs out of battery life. You can also use the USB-C emergency charging port.
Aqara U100 Smart Lock to Unlock at Your Fingertips
The high-precision fingerprint sensor offers 98.6% accuracy, and our tests for this Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review proved it. You can also store up to 50 fingerprints locally, allowing you to save multiple fingerprints for each family member. The U100 offers excellent biometric security and makes unlocking your door easy with one touch.
Open With One Tap
Aside from the fingerprint sensor, you can unlock the U100 by tapping on your iPhone or Apple Watch. It supports the Apple Home app, where you can set guest access codes. This product makes entering your home easier, and you can say goodbye to searching for house keys every time.
Easy Sharing with the Aqara U100 Smart Lock
The U100 has a matte keypad where you can input a password to unlock your door. It also works with an anti-peep password, which allows adding random digits to your passcode. It keeps your password safe from prying eyes and offers more secure access.
When using the U100, you can select from one-time, periodic, and permanent passwords. You can also grant access to family members, household helpers, friends, services, or guests. Aqara streamlines all these privacy features for your convenience.
The U100 also generates one-time passwords locally, so your home is always safe.
The Key to a Smart Home Living
Built on the Zigbee protocol, the U100 is compatible with numerous ecosystems, including Google Home, Matter, IFTTT, Alexa, etc. Integrating this lock with smart home setups was convenient when we tested it on this Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review.
Easy DIY Installation
The U100 is easy to install, offering a clean and stylish finish. Aqara includes simple tools in the package and eliminates the need to drill.
Battery-powered
The Zigbee protocol is energy-efficient, keeping the battery life long enough to last for eight months. Replacing the battery is also simple.
One-Click Unlock from the Video Doorbell Plugin
You can integrate the U100 with the Video Doorbell G4. With this integration, you can view the person on your porch if someone presses the doorbell. You can also unlock the U100 when necessary.
NFC Tags
The U100 works with NFC tags, making it convenient for those finding it difficult to use a fingerprint or remember a password.
Specifications
- Lock Type: American standard deadbolt supporting 60mm or 70mm backset
- Battery: 4x AA batteries
- Average Battery Life: Eight daily unlocks and auto-locks last for eight months)
- Emergency Power Supply: USB-C, 5V DC, external
- Inner Panel Dimensions: 140.2 x 76.2 x 29mm
- Outer Panel Dimensions: 134.2 x 73.2 x 81.4mm
- Door Thickness Compatibility: 35 – 55mm
- Door Gap Compatibility: 2 – 10mm
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- Communication distance: Over 20m in open areas
- Zigbee Standard: Zigbee 3.0
- Zigbee Communication distance: Over 20m indoors
- Voice Languages: English (default), Chinese, Spanish, and French
Hands-on with the Aqara U100 Smart Lock
We tested the product to see if it would work well and provide the security Aqara promises. Also, our test results will help you determine if this Smart Lock will meet your needs.
Before discussing the performance, our Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review will focus on setting up the product. We will also cover everything you need to know about the Aqara Home.
Setting up the U100 was straightforward and took us less than 30 minutes. Before installing it, we had to remove the existing deadbolt from our door. Also, we ensured that our door thickness and gap met the installation requirements of the U100.
After installing, we added the batteries before setting up the Aqara Home app and installed the Matter firmware. Next, we registered the lock into our Smart Home system by linking it to the hub and following the instructions. When setting up this lock, you will need a 2.4GHz network.
Integrating the U100 with your Smart Home involves several steps. The integration was seamless, and we had no connectivity issues since we followed all the instructions well.
The Aqara Home app is a comprehensive software interface where you can monitor and control the U100. It shows the status, battery life, logs, connectivity, and a button for locking or unlocking the door. You can also access settings for user management and creating passwords.
The logs section lets you view all nearby activities categorised as unlock events and alerts. It shows how the door was unlocked – via fingerprint, passcode, keys, etc.
In addition, you can receive alerts for failed attempts at unlocking or failing to lock the door. The app also indicates if a person used a wrong code, an unregistered NFC card, or an unrecognised fingerprint.
When you generate a one-time passcode, you can only use it once, and it expires within 15 minutes. It is handy for one-time visits and drop-offs.
The user management menu of the Aqara Home is where you can manage users. You can add new people, register more fingerprints, register NFC cards, or set a new passcode.
You can also manage temporary users. The app lets you set up their codes and schedule when they can use them.
The U100 has a speaker for prompts and alarms, but you can also customise these alert settings. You can adjust the volume, alert duration, and timeouts. Voice prompts have four volume levels, including mute.
Aside from the audio settings, you can choose the language used for these prompts. The options include English, Chinese, Spanish, and French.
Another feature of the U100 is it shuts down the lock after repeated failed unlocking attempts. You can adjust the lockout time between 1 and 30 minutes or switch it off.
When activating DND mode, the U100 mutes all the sounds or prompts from the lock except for warning alerts. If there is an alert, the keypad digits flash red.
We tested all the unlocking methods of the U100 after setting it up. The product impressed us throughout our tests since it was fast, responsive, and hassle-free.
The fingerprint scanner instantly became our favourite since it accurately and quickly detected authorised fingerprints. It also did not unlock when unauthorised users without registered fingerprints tried to use the fingerprint scanner.
We also liked unlocking the door via the app since the U100 responded to our commands immediately. It worked well even when using third-party systems like Apple HomeKit.
Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review Summary
The U100 is an innovative, feature-rich Smart Lock that offers more than expensive products. It has multiple unlocking methods and integrates well with third-party systems, making it a highly flexible product.
Aside from its superior features and functions, the U100 is easy to install and set up. We had no problems testing it for this Aqara U100 Smart Lock Review. Also, Aqara included all the necessary tools and accessories to install the lock.
We highly recommend the U100 if you want a secure, versatile, and durable Smart Lock for your home.
Visit the official Aqare product page for more details about the U100 Smart Lock.
