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

Everybody has totally different ranges of curiosity relating to dwelling automation, however I would argue {that a} sensible lock is among the greatest and most impactful methods of upgrading your abode. And with the Guarantee 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 key sensible dwelling platforms (together with the lately finalized Matter protocol). Additionally, as a result of the gadget is obtainable in a variety of finishes and configs, there is a good probability it will battle proper in with your private home’s design. In quite a lot of methods, it is the do-everything sensible lock.

The fundamentals

The Guarantee Lock 2 is obtainable 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 dwelling ecosystems, Yale sells modules that may add assist for WiFi, ZigBee and Matter. (Observe: 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 commonplace, its Matter modules aren’t anticipated to be out there till early 2023).

Professionals

• Out there in a variety of configs and finishes
• Assist all the key sensible dwelling requirements and platforms
• Appropriate with most doorways

Cons

• Assist for WiFi
• Zigbee and Matter price additional
• A bit expensive for higher-end fashions

For the needs of this evaluation, I will be specializing in the keypad mannequin with WiFi and a devoted keyway, because it provides one of the best combo of conventional comfort and new college smarts.

Setup and set up

I admit the concept of putting in a deadbolt would possibly 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 all the things down in underneath 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 need to use the included set up handbook or obtain the Yale Entry app (you’ll want it later anyhow) which encompasses a actually thorough step-by-step information, full with movies and visible aids. The field additionally features a paper template that can assist you work out the dimensions of your door, which is vital as a result of there are a couple of packs of different-sized screws you may want to make use of relying on its particular dimensions.

As soon as the deadbolt is put in, the subsequent factor you’ll want to do is mount the DoorSense module, which is what permits the Guarantee Lock 2 to determine when your door is open or closed. You’ll be able to 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 gadget acquired tripped up was throughout calibration, which is when the lock makes an attempt to latch and unlatch itself in an effort to work out when the door is correctly secured. Sadly, despite the fact that 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 way in which. Nonetheless, after calling Yale’s buyer assist, a pleasant agent named Victor had me e-mail an image of my lock, which helped us type out the difficulty. And after digging out the cavity for the latch a bit extra, all the things labored completely.

In use

When you get all the things up and working, the Guarantee Lock 2 actually shines. It is like a Ronco rotisserie oven, you simply set it and neglect it. You’ll be able to assign a number of entry codes and invite friends as wanted by way of the Yale Entry app. If somebody makes use of the PIN you assigned them, the app data a log of once they entered. Nonetheless, in the event you use the auto-unlock characteristic, chances are you’ll 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 dwelling, it makes use of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to find out if you find yourself coming again so it could unlock robotically as you stroll up. And despite the fact that on Android units you get a warning that the auto-unlock characteristic could also be just a little gradual on sure units, 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 brand to lock your door. Otherwise you might 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 go away, stroll to the trash chute in my constructing and get again earlier than the deadbolt re-engages, however not so lengthy that somebody may 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 apprehensive about voice controls being a safety situation, the system makes certain 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 all the time, you possibly can merely open the app in the event you want a extra handbook method. Most significantly none of those choices failed me even as soon as throughout testing. So chances are you’ll by no means want to make use of a bodily key once more until 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 % 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 find out how to unlock the door guests wish to go away (which occurs much more usually than you may think). Nonetheless, the draw back is that since you’re changing the complete deadbolt as an alternative of including a tool on prime of your current {hardware} like with a few of Yale’s rivals, the Guarantee Lock 2 may not be an amazing choice for renters or folks 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 provides a service referred to as Keyed Alike. For a small charge ($4), you possibly can ship Yale the code for you present lock’s cylinder and when your new deadbolt arrives, it’ll 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 as a consequence of hearth security laws, the corporate is not allowed to make use of rechargeable cells. You’ll be able to put your individual rechargeables in in the event you actually need, but when something goes fallacious, that is on you. Oh, and for anybody who goes with a keyless mannequin, within the occasion that the lock’s batteries die whilst you’re out, you possibly can faucet a 9-volt battery on the contacts on the underside of the housing, which supplies the lock simply sufficient juice to allow you to in.

Wrap-up

With the Guarantee Lock 2, Yale has created a sensible deadbolt that basically covers all of the bases. You get 4 totally 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 will match proper in on your private home. So whereas different sensible locks provide related 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 key sensible dwelling protocols (WiFi, Zigbee and Matter). However my favourite factor concerning the lock is that it accomplishes what each actually nice sensible dwelling gadget 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 the event you’re taking a look at getting a brand new sensible lock, this one must be on the prime of your checklist.