Yale Assure Lock 2 review: The do-everything smart lock

Everybody has completely different ranges of curiosity in terms of house automation, however I might argue {that a} sensible lock is likely one of the greatest and most impactful methods of upgrading your abode. And with the Assure Lock 2, Yale’s newest sensible deadbolt is straightforward to put in, it is easy to make use of and it really works with all the most important sensible house platforms (together with the lately finalized Matter protocol). Additionally, as a result of the system is out there in a variety of finishes and configs, there is a good probability it’s going to struggle proper in with your property’s design. In a number of methods, it is the do-everything sensible lock.

The fundamentals

The Assure Lock 2 is out there in three finishes (black suede, bronze and satin nickel) throughout 4 primary configurations: a $160 keypad model with bodily buttons that may be specced each with and and not using a bodily keyhole and a barely extra refined $180 touchscreen mannequin, which as soon as once more helps each keyed and key-free setups. By default, the lock options Bluetooth connectivity, however for individuals who need deeper integration with sensible house ecosystems, Yale sells modules that may add assist for WiFi, Z-Wave and Matter. (Be aware: There are additionally variations of the lock that include the WiFi module pre-installed beginning at $240. Nonetheless, whereas Yale says the Guarantee Lock 2 is absolutely suitable with the Matter normal, its Matter modules aren’t anticipated to be out there till early 2023).

For the needs of this evaluation, I will be specializing in the keypad mannequin with WiFi and a devoted keyway, because it affords the most effective combo of conventional comfort and new faculty smarts.

Setup and set up

I admit the concept of putting in a deadbolt may sound a bit intimidating for some, however there’s actually not a lot to be involved about. Yale says the Guarantee Lock 2 is designed to work with most doorways used within the U.S. and Canada, with assist for boreholes as much as 2 ¾-inches in diameter on slabs as much as 1 ¾-inches thick. The one software you want is a Phillips head screwdriver, so even mildly handly metropolis people like myself had no hassle screwing every thing down in below half-hour. And that features a small little bit of troubleshooting I needed to do with customer support.

Step one is eradicating your outdated deadbolt. After that, you should use the included set up guide or obtain the Yale Entry app (you’ll want it later anyhow) which incorporates a actually thorough step-by-step information, full with movies and visible aids. The field additionally features a paper template that will help you determine the scale of your door, which is vital as a result of there are a couple of packs of different-sized screws you will want to make use of relying on its particular dimensions.

As soon as the deadbolt is put in, the subsequent factor you must do is mount the DoorSense module, which is what permits the Guarantee Lock 2 to determine when your door is open or closed. You possibly can select to stay it on the door body close to the lock, which simply requires a few included screws and a few pre-installed double-sided tape. Or you possibly can go for a extra seamless set up by hiding the sensor contained in the body of the door. However you’ll want a ⅝-inch drill bit for that so you possibly can hole out a gap for the DoorSense’s magnet.

The one half the place the system obtained tripped up was throughout calibration, which is when the lock makes an attempt to latch and unlatch itself in an effort to determine when the door is correctly secured. Sadly, though my earlier deadbolt was a WiFi Good Lock from August (which like Yale is owned by Assa Abloy), the depth of my latch was a bit too shallow, stopping the lock from extending all the best way. Nonetheless, after calling Yale’s buyer assist, a pleasant agent named Victor had me e mail an image of my lock, which helped us kind out the problem. And after digging out the cavity for the latch a bit extra, every thing labored completely.

In use

When you get every thing up and working, the Guarantee Lock 2 actually shines. It is like a Ronco rotisserie oven, you just set it and forget it. You possibly can assign a number of entry codes and invite company as wanted through the Yale Entry app. If somebody makes use of the PIN you assigned them, the app information a log of after they entered. Nonetheless, in case you use the auto-unlock characteristic, you could by no means want to make use of the keypad in any respect. That’s as a result of anytime you go greater than 200 meters away from house, it makes use of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to find out if you find yourself coming again so it could actually unlock routinely as you stroll up. And though on Android gadgets you get a warning that the auto-unlock characteristic could also be a bit gradual on sure gadgets, I by no means had any points when utilizing both a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 or Google Pixel 6.

While you’re leaving, you possibly can merely press the Yale emblem to lock your door. Otherwise you could be even lazier and allow the auto-locking characteristic. I’ve mine set to a latch a minute and a half after the door is closed, which is simply sufficient for me to depart, stroll to the trash chute in my constructing and get again earlier than the deadbolt re-engages, however not so lengthy that somebody might feasibly sneak in behind me with out being noticed. And since the deadbolt additionally helps voice assistant integration, you possibly can unlock your door simply by asking Google, Alexa or Siri. (For these anxious about voice controls being a safety situation, the system makes positive to ask for a PIN when utilizing spoken instructions. So don’t use them if somebody you don’t belief is round.),

The unlocking choices do not cease there although, as a result of for these with Apple Watches, you possibly can merely transfer your wrist close to the lock and use Bluetooth to allow you to in. And as at all times, you possibly can merely open the app in case you choose a extra guide method. Most significantly none of those choices failed me even as soon as throughout testing. So you could by no means want to make use of a bodily key once more except you actually wish to (although, I nonetheless like having one as a backup in case of emergency).

One other bonus of the Guarantee Lock 2’s new design, is that now it’s round 30 p.c smaller than earlier than. And when in comparison with one thing like August’s locks, it additionally sports activities a extra conventional, so that you don’t have to elucidate the best way to unlock the door guests wish to depart (which occurs much more usually than you may think). Nonetheless, the draw back is that since you’re changing your entire deadbolt as a substitute of including a tool on high of your current {hardware} like with a few of Yale’s rivals, the Guarantee Lock 2 may not be an amazing possibility for renters or individuals with strict HOAs.

Additionally, whereas I didn’t do that myself, if you wish to improve to a brand new lock however actually don’t wish to change out all of your keys, Yale even affords a service referred to as Keyed Alike. For a small payment ($4), you possibly can ship Yale the code for you present lock’s cylinder and when your new deadbolt arrives, it would work together with your current set of keys.

Battery life

Yale says the Guarantee Lock 2 with WiFi’s battery life is round three months, relying on how usually you are coming and going. And whereas I used to be initially a bit upset that the lock depends on 4 disposable AA batteries, Yale says that because of fireplace security laws, the corporate is not allowed to make use of rechargeable cells. You possibly can put your individual rechargeables in in case you really need, but when something goes flawed, that is on you. Oh, and for anybody who goes with a keyless mannequin, within the occasion that the lock’s batteries die when you’re out, you possibly can faucet a 9-volt battery on the contacts on the underside of the housing, which provides the lock simply sufficient juice to allow you to in.

Wrap-up

With the Assure Lock 2, Yale has created a wise deadbolt that basically covers all of the bases. You get 4 completely different configs in a wide range of finishes. And because of compatibility with a variety of ordinary door sizes, there is a excessive probability it’s going to match proper in on your property. So whereas different sensible locks provide comparable options like auto-unlock and the power to detect when your door is ajar, they usually do not present the flexibleness of each keyed and keyless choices whereas additionally missing assist for all the most important sensible house protocols (WiFi, Z-Wave and Matter). However my favourite factor concerning the lock is that it accomplishes what each actually nice sensible house system ought to do: it will get out of your approach. As soon as it is put in and configured how you want, you don’t actually have to fret about it once more. The Guarantee Lock 2 makes it simpler to trace and management who’s going out and in of your own home and in case you’re taking a look at getting a brand new sensible lock, this one must be on the high of your checklist.