The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is a deadbolt alternative that turns a typical deadbolt into a sensible one that may routinely unlock if you arrive dwelling.
This easy, sensible dwelling improve is one among our favorites, and it really works out nice in an condo as a easy improve to ensure you aren’t locked out.
August is a widely known title in sensible locks, and that is the 4th technology mannequin. It connects on to Wi-Fi, so there isn’t a want for a hub or gateway. It works with Apple HomePackage, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
We love the auto-unlock characteristic that unlocks our door once we get dwelling. It is wise sufficient solely to do that when coming back from a visit out of the constructing, and solely once we are approaching our door on our flooring. Most of the time, the door is unlocked by the point we attain for the deal with, however sometimes the automated unlock took lengthy sufficient that we stood on the door for just a few seconds ready to listen to the door unlock. Even with the occasional delay, this options is terrific when your arms are filled with groceries.
There is an auto-lock characteristic that makes positive your door is locked as you permit, and with DoorSense, you may test to see in case your door is open or closed from the app. With Smart Alerts enabled, you may get an alert in your telephone when somebody arrives or leaves. You can even share entry with mates or relations utilizing the app, together with full, recurring or short-term entry.
We’re utilizing the August Smart Lock with Wi-Fi (4th gen) for 2 weeks in an condo. Here’s what that you must learn about it.
Buy for as little as $219.19 at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Home Depot.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Installation
Josh Smith
Installing the August Wi-Fi Smart lock is straightforward and takes about Quarter-hour. The lock replaces the interior a part of your deadbolt and leaves the exterior lock and the precise deadbolt in place. This is necessary as a result of it signifies that your key stays the identical. This is a necessary characteristic for condo dwellers.
August consists of every thing you want apart from a Phillips screwdriver. Use the included tape to safe the deadbolt’s exterior portion, take away the deadbolt swap from the within, connect the included lock plate, decide the correct adapter, and snap the Wi-Fi Smart lock into place. If you need the lock to know when your door is open or closed, you may set up the included sensor on the doorjamb close to the lock. Since we’re renting, we secured the sensor with the pre-installed adhesive, not the included screws.
This assumes that your entrance door is in fine condition. Any sensible lock will work greatest on a door that closes simply with a deadbolt that locks and unlocks freely. If that you must apply strain to lock your deadbolt, most sensible locks will not simply auto-lock or auto-unlock. If your door requires strain, you will have to plan on a extra concerned set up, together with adjusting the lock plate or working in your door. If you’re involved concerning the Smart Lock working together with your deadbolt, test this record for compatibility.
Our door is in good situation, so following the in-app directions resulted in an easy set up. This is far simpler than putting in a full deadbolt alternative, and it takes about half the time as a whole alternative.
It’s additionally necessary to keep in mind that you want an excellent Wi-Fi connection at your door for the lock to carry out nicely.
This is an efficient time to think about switching out a doorknob in case your doorknob additionally locks. This removes the prospect that you will get locked out by a locked doorknob.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Design
Josh Smith
August redesigned the sensible lock for this technology, lowering the dimensions and including deeper ridges to the sides, making it simpler to grip when locking or unlocking from inside.
Even with the brand new design, the Wi-Fi Smart Lock stands out from the door 1.75 inches. This is important to deal with the locking mechanism and the batteries.
There is a small raised edge with an August brand on it that makes it simple to see if the deadbolt is locked at a look.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Battery Life
Josh Smith
The latest August Smart Lock makes use of two CR123 batteries to energy the lock, and these are included with the lock. August estimates the battery life at three to 6 months. We’ve been utilizing the lock for underneath a month, and we have but to get any low battery notifications.
When the battery life is at 25 %, you will note a notification that the battery life is low, supplying you with sufficient time to purchase alternative batteries for round $10 at most shops. Even if the batteries die, you may nonetheless unlock the deadbolt together with your key.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Connectivity
Josh Smith
Since this model of the August Smart Lock connects on to Wi-Fi, there isn’t a want to purchase a bridge to get it on-line. Our lock is throughout the condo and down a hallway, the place it has an excellent Wi-Fi sign from our TP-Link Archer AX6000 router.
The lock additionally options Bluetooth, which your telephone will connect with when altering lots of the settings.
You can use your telephone to unlock the door or use the Apple Watch if you do not have your telephone with you. There is an elective August Smart Keypad ($59) that removes the necessity for a tool or a bodily key.
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is simple to connect with Apple HomePackage or to different sensible dwelling assistants and it could actually even work with a wide range of third-party companies for dwelling automation.
You can set the app to solely unlock with a fingerprint or facial recognition, and for those who lose your telephone, you may disable the sensible lock entry from the August web site.
Is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Worth Buying?
Josh Smith
The August Wi-Fi Smart Locks is a necessary sensible dwelling improve. The auto-lock and auto-unlock options and understanding in case your door is open ship comfort and peace of thoughts.
At $250, it’s an costly sensible dwelling improve, however it’s in step with comparable choices from Nest x Yale, Schlage and Kwikset. There is not any want to purchase a bridge to make use of the net options, and there aren’t any month-to-month charges, so this can be a worthwhile funding. Amazon typically options the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock on sale as little as $219.19.
We love the comfort of auto-unlock, the flexibility to share keys with different customers and remotely lock and unlock the door.
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