Aqara U100 Review: The smart lock for Aussie Apple fans

The Aqara U100 is a rare breed. It's one of the few Home Key smart locks you can buy in Australia, and that makes it a pretty attractive proposition for those embedded in the Apple ecosystem.

Home Key is an Apple-centric feature that effectively turns your iPhone or Apple Watch into your key. A virtual key is added to your Apple Wallet, which then allows your devices to unlock your door with just a tap. You don't even need to open an app or your Apple Wallet. It's pretty damn nifty, and I can't overstate how much satisfaction not having to carry keys around has given me.

Sure, the Aqara U100 isn't just for Apple users. It has a keypad and a fingerprint reader as other options for unlocking your door, and both work perfectly well. There are just plenty of other smart locks that can do the same. Home Key sets the U100 apart.

A mostly easy breezy install 

To start, actually installing the Aqara U100 was surprisingly simple. It's a deadbolt lock, so you'll ideally need an existing deadbolt on your door to start. I did, and replacing my existing lock was a mostly painless affair. I had to chisel a little wood away to make the deadbolt fit flush with my door and I kept using my existing strike as the one included in the box was too tall.

Otherwise, it was just a case of unscrewing the old one, and screwing the U100 in. Oddly, there weren't any instructions in the box, but here's a link to the PDF.

(If you don't have a deadbolt, you could always cut into your door and door frame to make room. That's just well beyond my DIY abilities. It's probably best to get professionally done.)

The smart home part of the setup was even easier. Scanning a QR code with Apple's Home app is all you really need to do. You'll be prompted to set an access code for the door and add a Home Key to your Wallet, but that's all there is to it.

Just note that you'll need an Apple TV or HomePod to act as a hub for the best experience. The U100 is a Bluetooth device, and as such can't connect to the internet without a base station. While you can still use the U100 without an Apple TV or HomePod, you won't be able to access it remotely, for example.

If you're not using an iPhone and want to set up the U100 in the Aqara app, the process is pretty similar, but with a few extra steps. Namely, you'll also want to set up the included E1 Hub. The U100 will connect to the E1 Hub via Zigbee, and the E1 connects it to the internet.

Living the keyless dream

In use, the U100 is largely as simple as you'd hope. If you're using Home Key, you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, and it unlocks. Otherwise, you'll put in your PIN or scan your fingerprint. All three methods are quick and easy, but setting up my fingerprint for the first time was a bit finicky. The U100  didn't like any fingers on my right hand, but I was able to add my left thumb on the first attempt. (Note that you can only add fingerprints via the Aqara app, not through Apple Home.)

When you're leaving home, an icon will flash to remind you to tap it and lock the door. Alternatively, you can configure the U100 to auto-lock whenever you close your door. I've kept this functionality off given how much I open and close the door to let my dog out, but it worked well I switched it on to test.

If you've got guests, you can set up visitor PINs using the Apple Home app or Aqara app. The functionality you get in Home is quite basic: you create a passcode, and then turn it off when you no longer need it. The Aqara app gives you more options, like creating a one-time PIN that will expire immediately after it's used, or passcodes that only work at certain times on select days.

Even if you're mostly using the U100 through Apple Home, setting up the Aqara app is still worth it for these extra features. It also gives you deeper options, like being able to customise the lockout period that kicks in if someone fails to unlock your door a certain number of times in a row.

In terms of battery, Aqara says the U100 will last up to eight months using four AA batteries, based on eight locks and unlocks per day. In around four weeks of testing, my battery has only dropped by 1%, which is pretty promising. I'm only unlocking and locking the U100 a few times per day, however.

If you do manage to run the U100 dry, there's a USB-C port on the front you can use to provide temporary power. There are also two physical keys included, and an actual lock hidden under a sliding base plate. If your smart lock running out of battery is something you're worried about, you can always hide a spare key somewhere safe. You also get two NFC tags in the box, which can always give to guests if you don't want to set up a PIN. (Once again, these need to be set up in the Aqara app.) 

Aqara U100 Smart Lock - Final Thoughts

Are you looking for a Home Key smart lock that you don't have to import? The U100 is a great choice! Sure, it might be one of your only choices, but fortunately, it's also easy to setup and reliable.

If you weren't explicitly already looking for a smart lock but are curious, the U100 is easy to recommend for those in the Apple ecosystem. If you've got an iPhone and a HomePod / HomePod mini or Apple TV, the U100 is a great option for building out a smart home. Being able to tap my iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock my home absolutely rules.

The U100 is still a neat premium smart lock for those who aren't as invested in Apple's product line, but there are plenty of more affordable options. Our sister website SafeWise Australia recommends the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro as its best overall smart lock pick, and that sells for under $200. The U100 retails for $499, making it a much pricier proposition. I have seen it on sale for under $400, however.

While the Aqara U100 is definitely best suited to the Apple faithful, if you can snag it for a good price, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to everyone else.

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