The NEW Aqara U50 Smart Lock is Ridiculous (For One BIG Reason)

The new Aqara U50 smart lock review is here. I'm calling it ridiculous, insane, and crazy for one big reason. It seems like Aqara has forgotten what year it is and instead of making something that you need to spend all your hard earned dollars on, they've made one of their great designs even less expensive.

I like this offer now and I think all of us should see the value in this budget smart lock from Aqara. It's the Aqara U50 review from us at Automate Your Life, and we hope you enjoy our new review format!

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Use coupon code USCAU50K in the US and Canada on Amazon for 20% off (from May 23-31)

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00:00 - Aqara U50 Smart Lock Review
4:10 - Aqara U50 Specifications and Features
7:20 - The Geek Dive on Install and Setup
8:54 - The Geek Dive on BMHA Grade 3
10:44 - The Geek Dive on Automation Features
12:40 - The Geek Dive on Alarms

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Thanks for watching, and Live Smart.

Brian

[HughD]

Thanks, Brian. I'm glad Aqara is offering a less expensive alternative, but can say that for me, the U100 is perfect. We've used all of the methods of unlocking and the fingerprint is the easiest and quickest way for family members to unlock the door. I can see if you're way up north, like you are, that your fingers are sometimes inside of gloves, but way down here in South Carolina that almost never happens. Anyway, Aqara makes a quality lock and the best of the three I've tried. Thanks for a good review.

[Drogonnis]

I saw in another review that unlike the U100, the U50 has a more common cylinder type that can be easily rekeyed by most locksmiths. Could you please confirm if this is the case? That was really the only thing holding me back from getting the U100, my condo management needs to be able to rekey the lock to fit their master key.

[redman]

After locking myself out of my house last week and then our 2nd house right after I finally got ticked off and ordered 2 of these locks. Mainly due to the Apple home kit integration since both houses have my own Apple TVs that function as hubs. I don’t have any smart stuff other then a couple lights mainly to automate random light ones to simulate someone being home when we are gone. The install was easy to install for me. I setup Apple home keys on mine and the GFs phone so we can just place the phone up to the lock to unlock. This is super handy. I can also use my watch to unlock it which is nice.

The only issue I had was setting up the GF on my home kit app.

[IEA_]

How does it work with the watch do I need to click any buttons or can I just tap ?

[chicagomike]

Ok, so you said your new channel mantra will be totally honest. I have seen some poor reviews on the U100 lock. Bad battery life, dropped connections..etc. You stated this U50 is the same except for fingerprint sensor and color. I really like the fingerprint sensor my wife hates it. Are the internals the same with both Aqara locks. If the U100 has upgraded software I would rather buy that. But I am willing to ditch the fingerprint reader if the U50 is not the same internals, software..etc

[nagyba]

Can I use it with Home Assistant with full functionality?

[NinaNng]

Hey, Brian, thanks for the recommendation.

[MrMuddyhands]

Is it waterproof to use on a shed. If not are there any that you wiuld recommend

[sendo]

I think I might get this lock because I have the August Smart Lock and it works great but it constantly disconnects and connects from my Wi-Fi and it's just annoying.

[malharshah]

can the lock open using NFC from google phone or Google watch?

[hofii]

The point about LPL is well taken. He's an absolute master at locks, but the choice isn't between perfect and this item. It's between what is existing or the other options and this item.

[PrivateHireGuy]

Any idea how this would work for folks in the U.K?

[magnusjohn]

I get some not wanting there finger print stored so this lock makes sense. Could the lock picking layer get past this of course but anyone with those skills is not likely to be breaking into your house but much more lucrative targets. Its meant to deter the average crooks and does a fine job of that. As for the rating it well get it unless there a huge flaw which is very unlikely at this point since it's been out long enough for that to be found.
As for the lock itself i found weird issue where it would try locking right away of auto lock problems but once resetting the lock and making sure it was up to date before doing anything i seen none of them. It seems like many devices previous settings may not be happy with newer firmware.

Are they perfect no but they are quite good for the money and if anything i like to see them add a distress code for opening that would send out alerts. It could come in quite handy for someone in home invasions, distress of dmv cases.

[removeme]

Aqara appears to release products that are not fully finished. Their FP2, for example, is essentially an unfinished product that makes many promises but has not yet delivered on them. It has been a year and they still haven't dealt with the issues it has. This makes me wary of trusting a company like this.

[IEA_]

Wait do I need the hub to use this with home key ?

[ldarbonnemagic]

There is a CERTIFIED (not just compliant) Level 1 (highest security level, that is 2 levels above this lowest level security lock) made by a true security lock company (Schlage) for $200. It seems to be worth the extra $50.

[garethjones]

Geek Dive should be the name of an AYL blog

[Artificial.Unintelligence]

The loss of a fingerprint reader is a weird sacrifice. It's the easiest and fastest method for people..

have 3 of the U100 and other than it's still a little buggy with auto lock / detecting the door fully closed it's honestly a perfect lock.. I specifically sought it out because it had fingerprints, pin, and keys.

Debating another one for an outdoor gate and DIY sealing it up to handle weather. Giving delivery people temporary or service specific codes is great AND counts as proof of delivery.

[jmchez]

Hmm. Is it any better than the Switchbot?

[Cashyonyt]

Can the key lock be rekeyed to existing keys?