Yale smart lock has a classic design and is easy to install, making it a smart option for anyone looking to improve the security of their smart home.
Yale’s newest smart lock never disappoints, as it addresses most of the issues that were raised in the previous release.
It still has the same stylish number pad, great integration options, and uses the same easy-to-use app as the previous model. But it is about 30% more compact than the original model.
It also uses interchangeable modules if you want to connect it to Z-Wave, Zigbee, WiFi, Bluetooth, and even Matter. So, you can coordinate it right from your smartphone.
And if you prefer the peace of mind offered by a physical key, then you don’t have to worry because the set comes with a touchpad for entry codes plus a separate keyhole in case of any problem.
However, it lacks a few features found in premium smart locks. We will highlight some of them in this Yale smart lock review. So, let’s get started.
Overview of the Yale Smart Lock
Pros
- Sleek, attractive design
- It works seamlessly with Google Home, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit.
- It is Matter-compatible
- Reliable auto-unlock
- Smaller footprint
- Quieter operation
Cons
- You have to tap the Yale logo to activate the lock.
- The app may take a while to load, especially if you are using an Apple Watch.
Price
$309 at Yale Smart online store
Detailed Review of Yale Smart Lock
1. Design
As noted above, the new Yale smart lock is beautiful. While it has a similar setup as other smart locks, it stands out in some areas. In fact, it is better-looking than the previous version.
In this version, the numbers on the touchscreen will only appear if the screen is on. They are also more streamlined and encircled to look like buttons.
Like other premium smart locks, the Yale smart lock has a number pad on the exterior of your door, meaning that it may not include a keyhole, depending on the version you choose. The key-free version is minimalistic and attractive, with a matte finish.
On the inside of the door is the bigger half of the smart lock, but it is still 30% smaller than the original Yale smart lock.
The lower half of this inner part of the lock holds the throw to enable you to manually lock and unlock the door, while the top half features a black plastic cover that can pop off to show the battery compartment and the lock’s wireless module.
Overall, it is an appealing lock with a minimalistic design, meaning that it won’t take up too much space inside and outside of your door.
2. Performance
In terms of performance, the newest Yale smart lock was satisfactory in our tests. The lock’s number pad lit up faster and responded instantly to inputs. Also, the throw on the inside was solid and steady.
Another good thing about the lock is its matte number pad, which is coated to prevent your fingerprints from leaving a mark.
However, it would have been better if it also had an easier-to-use security feature, just like some premium smart locks like Kwikset Halo.
The latter requires you to press two random digits before you can enter your code. But with the Yale smart lock, you have to press the Yale logo at the top to be able to activate the pad’s backlight.
This arrangement might not be so obvious, even to users who have used a smart lock before. On the positive side, you don’t have to press any buttons for the lock to work.
Just activating the auto-unlock feature in the Yale app makes the lock open automatically once your phone gets within Bluetooth range.
The only worry is that there is no secondary authentication needed to unlock the door. To circumvent this challenge, you can decrease or increase the radius around which your lock will activate or deactivate.
Apart from this, you may also want to activate the auto-lock feature on the app. For Apple Watch users, they can lock and unlock their Yale smart lock using the app on their gadget.
Unfortunately, this operation is not as straightforward as in Schlage Encode Plus, which is a simple tap-to-unlock. In a Yale smart lock, you have to press the button on the watch to operate the lock.
3. Installation
Yale smart lock installation is a fairly straightforward process. It will likely take less than 30 minutes to complete the setup process.
All you need is your smartphone and a screwdriver. In instances where you don’t have appropriate holes in your door frame and door, a power drill may be necessary.
The good thing is that the package comes with most of the things that you need, including mounting screws for the deadbolt and batteries. So, what you need to do is unscrew your old deadbolt before you can set up the new lock.
And if you are installing the smart lock on a new door, you need new drilling templates, but they are usually included in the package.
As for the specific instructions for setting up the lock, you first need to remove the original lock before you can attach the inward- and outward-facing parts of the lock and the deadbolt.
What we like about Yale is that it includes a paper template, which will guide you to make sure that the size of holes in the door and door frame matches with what is in the lock.
In case you are stuck at any point, you can follow the installation instructions on the app. It usually offers short videos to help walk you through the installation process.
As you may know, the Yale smart lock comes with a small Doorsense module, which helps you know whether the door is closed or not. You can mount this Doorsense module within the doorframe on the side.
To complete the installation process, you can create an access code on the keypad. The good thing is that some Yale smart locks, like Assure Lock 2, can hold up to 250 codes.
And when your lock runs out of power, you can hold a 9-volt battery on the lower side of the exterior part of the lock so as to temporarily inject power to enable you to get into the house before you can replace the AA batteries.
4. Installation Challenges
Some users have had issues getting the lock to sit right on their door.
This could be the issue if you can’t line up the screws after putting the touchpad and deadbolt on the door.
So, if you are less experienced in installing smart locks, you can engage a locksmith to do the installation.
5. Smart Home Integration and Mobile App Use
One of the best things about Yale smart locks is that you can control them via smartphone. You can do so using either the Yale app or the August app.
The good thing is that both Yale and August brands belong to the same company, so either app can connect to your lock.
In fact, they have the same user interface, so you are less likely to get confused.
Usually, the main screen has a huge red circle that indicates that your lock is closed. Besides this, it has a tiny green circle to show that your lock is open.
If you love controlling your smart home devices with your smartphone, then you will love the Yale smart lock.
There are several things that you can do with the lock via the app. Some of them include adding and assigning permission to users.
The only thing that you should note is that you can only perform these settings if you are connected to your smart lock through Bluetooth. This is a sure precaution against potential hackers.
Another great thing about this app is that it can connect to HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, Philips Hue, IFTTT, and Airbnb.
Compatibility with SmartThings is on the pipeline, as Matter. In addition to this, the new Yale lock has interchangeable modules for Zigbee, WiFi, and Z-Wave. They are planning to do the same with Matter.
It Might Interest you : ZigBee vs Z-Wave: Everything You Need to Know
6. Yale Smart Lock and Alexa Pairing
If you are looking forward to using Alexa to control your Yale smart lock, then you need to get your lock to work together with the Echo Plus. Here is how to do it:
- First, enter your master code.
- After that, press 7 on the keypad, and then press 1.
- Talk to Alexa to discover your devices.
- If all goes well, your yale lock will start beeping.
- Now, check your Alexa app to see if the lock appears.
The good thing about pairing your smart lock with smart assistants like Alexa is that you can use voice commands to open and close the lock.
You can also ask Alexa to check the status of the lock. But make sure to set an audible code.
Closing Thoughts
Most people will agree that Yale smart lock is a beautifully-designed lock with excellent features.
You may also love it because of its touchscreen that only appears when the screen is open. It is also smoother and more streamlined.
And when compared with other smart locks, Yale smart locks outshine most of them because they are among the few locks that have disappearing buttons.
It will be a nice addition if you are terrible at keeping keys or any other important gadget that you have to carry around. Remembering a code on a keypad is much easier than carrying your keys everywhere.
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