August Smartlock Review
I've had my August Smartlock for a few weeks now and recently enabled the remaining features and shared access with my wife, so, I thought I would circle back and review it and smart locks in general. A bit.
Firstly, as I've said before, it does do the 2 things I wanted most out of a smart lock. It allows me to lock it remotely and allows me, in a pinch, to grant someone access to my home.
That last bit is not clean at the moment, and it is an expensive solution. I would argue that the easiest way to grant someone access is to use the keypad, but that is a separate purchase. And if you want to setup a unique code and you're not at home to do so, it also requires the bridge. Yes another separate purchase. So, these things can get expensive quickly.
That being said, I can think of a number of ways to keep the costs down. Probably the most cost efficient solution there is get just the lock and keypad. Create one or more codes ahead of time but don't tell them to anyone until you need to hand one out. This would eliminate the cost of the bridge. In fact, I'm starting to feel like the bridge was a waste of money. Though, I'm not feeling that way just because of anything I've said so far, but rather, that in combination with 1 other feature; auto-lock.
Simply put, with auto-lock I don't really NEED to check remotely that the door is locked. It will lock itself if I forgot after a predefined amount of time. Which is even more reliable than me having to remember to check when I forget. Add with a keypad and even if I get locked out with a key or smartphone I can get back in. Granted, that is a problem which can only be created by the auto-lock feature as I'd either need my phone or a key to lock the door without it. But, I'm sure we can fabricate something like I left my key in the house and locked with the phone, but then my phone died.
I'll probably end up with a keypad, 2 locks and the bridge. But, in hindsight, I could have lived without the bridge. And that is slightly annoying. I'll just have to make sure I make use of it now.
The lock itself I enjoy. The design is a little weird and my wife thinks it is ugly. But, the functionality is great. From a day to day perspective the 2 features which make it feel smart are auto-lock and auto-unlock. We have it on a 5 minute timer, though I may bump it up to lower the odds of being locked out accidentally. My wife regularly forgets to lock the door, probably because our daughter can be a handful, and this ensures that it doesn't matter all that much.
The auto-unlock feature I read some complaints about, though I know that the software was recently improved. So, I don't know if your experience is a result of improved software or the quality of the Bluetooth on our phones (both are new Pixel 2's) or both. Either way, there is something magical about walking up the walk way and hearing the door unlock basically the second I step onto the front porch. It uses a combination of GPS and Bluetooth and for us it works perfectly.
Honestly, my biggest concern wasn't waiting around a few seconds for it to connect as some reported. I was actually more concerned that it would unlock when I was still rather far from the door. I wanted to be able to HEAR it unlock so that I KNEW that it A) locked in the first place and B) only unlocked because I was actually near it. That being said, having to wait wouldn't be ideal either, but realistically, without it I'd need to wait a few seconds as I got my keys and unlocked the door and that could be compounded by having my hands full. So, while it might degrade the experience, it wouldn't have been a deal breaker. Having it work as it does it freaking brilliant though.
I don't really give a hoot about smart assistant integration. If auto-lock and auto-unlock work fine for you, I really don't think you'll find yourself using an assistant with it. I used Alexa once just to test that it worked. Haven't used it since. Don't see myself using it ever again.
So, where do I end up? It is complicated. I certainly think that the August suite of Smart Lock products is good. I don't think they really advertise well which pieces solve which problems which makes it a little daunting. And most of the other reviews didn't really cover that either. Not even common ones. Perhaps reviewers simply didn't know where the lock ended and the hub began. Here are my thoughts if you don't know what you need:
PREAMBLE: I'm not a security expert. These are just my opinions. I accept no responsibility for the results of following suggestions below. Only continue reading if you accept that. Consult a professional if you want professional advice.
Primary Residence: If giving other people access isn't a reason, get just the lock. Configure auto-lock and auto-unlock and test how well they work for you. If you have issues... probably you should return it and look into another product. If you have lots of people in the house or the occasional need to let someone else in, then add the key pad. Generate codes for family and one or more "guest" keys. Ignore the hub unless you can think of a reason you need it. Reasons to take the hub might be if you think auto-unlock won't work for you, but you still want the ability to check on the house and lock it remotely. All the hub adds as far as I can tell is integration with digital assistants and remote administration. If it is your primary residence and auto-lock isn't an issue, you really shouldn't have a huge need for those. And you can always add to the mix later if you disagree or find a need.
Secondary Residence: Lock + Hub. Toss in the key pad only if you regularly want to give others access. With the hub you can still grant others access in a number of ways. If they have an Android or iOS device you can give them a virtual guest key remotely and they can use their phone to lock and unlock the door. Or, they could text or call you, and you could lock or unlock it remotely. This might sound like a burden, but it opens up some better alternatives. Without a smart lock you'd probably leave a spare key outside the house. With this approach, you unlock the door remotely once and leave a spare key INSIDE the house. Your friends or family simply leave the key hidden or wherever you agreed upon when the are done and either lock it remotely or let auto-lock handle that side of it. Additionally, this allows you to check on the history remotely as well. Great for a residence you're not using all of the time.
Separate AirBNB-like scenario: All 3. This is more theoretical as I don't do this myself. But it makes a good additional scenario which is different from the above. While I think the key pad actually degrades security a bit, that is only if not used properly. Also, I would expect with a short term rental unit that you'd check-in more often than with a secondary residence for cleaning, inspecting, etc... In this scenario what I'd probably do is ensure that there is never more than one code active and it is unique per guest. If no one is currently using it (legitimately), simply leave no codes active. The Hub is to allow you to monitor access remotely and also administer codes remotely. Key pad ensures people renting can access even without a smart phone. Never leave a physical key, but ensure batteries in lock and key pad are changed regularly in case access is needed for emergencies, etc...
Again, the above is just what I think makes sense and why in a few scenarios. Just hoping to help give some context to the range of devices available and how they might be used in different situations. Like I said, I personally would have been happier if I had this information as I wouldn't have bought the Hub. I think the products are good, but a common theme I see with smart products is that they don't necessarily do a good job describing what problems they actually solve or how. You can easily be mislead into believing that the hub is mandatory or without being aware of the features, thinking you need a key pad or worse, all 3.
At the end of the day, a smart lock is still a lock. If you don't mind locking and unlocking with a key you may not need one at all. How such a device is smart is critical in determining whether or not it adds value for you.
Firstly, as I've said before, it does do the 2 things I wanted most out of a smart lock. It allows me to lock it remotely and allows me, in a pinch, to grant someone access to my home.
That last bit is not clean at the moment, and it is an expensive solution. I would argue that the easiest way to grant someone access is to use the keypad, but that is a separate purchase. And if you want to setup a unique code and you're not at home to do so, it also requires the bridge. Yes another separate purchase. So, these things can get expensive quickly.
That being said, I can think of a number of ways to keep the costs down. Probably the most cost efficient solution there is get just the lock and keypad. Create one or more codes ahead of time but don't tell them to anyone until you need to hand one out. This would eliminate the cost of the bridge. In fact, I'm starting to feel like the bridge was a waste of money. Though, I'm not feeling that way just because of anything I've said so far, but rather, that in combination with 1 other feature; auto-lock.
Simply put, with auto-lock I don't really NEED to check remotely that the door is locked. It will lock itself if I forgot after a predefined amount of time. Which is even more reliable than me having to remember to check when I forget. Add with a keypad and even if I get locked out with a key or smartphone I can get back in. Granted, that is a problem which can only be created by the auto-lock feature as I'd either need my phone or a key to lock the door without it. But, I'm sure we can fabricate something like I left my key in the house and locked with the phone, but then my phone died.
I'll probably end up with a keypad, 2 locks and the bridge. But, in hindsight, I could have lived without the bridge. And that is slightly annoying. I'll just have to make sure I make use of it now.
The lock itself I enjoy. The design is a little weird and my wife thinks it is ugly. But, the functionality is great. From a day to day perspective the 2 features which make it feel smart are auto-lock and auto-unlock. We have it on a 5 minute timer, though I may bump it up to lower the odds of being locked out accidentally. My wife regularly forgets to lock the door, probably because our daughter can be a handful, and this ensures that it doesn't matter all that much.
The auto-unlock feature I read some complaints about, though I know that the software was recently improved. So, I don't know if your experience is a result of improved software or the quality of the Bluetooth on our phones (both are new Pixel 2's) or both. Either way, there is something magical about walking up the walk way and hearing the door unlock basically the second I step onto the front porch. It uses a combination of GPS and Bluetooth and for us it works perfectly.
Honestly, my biggest concern wasn't waiting around a few seconds for it to connect as some reported. I was actually more concerned that it would unlock when I was still rather far from the door. I wanted to be able to HEAR it unlock so that I KNEW that it A) locked in the first place and B) only unlocked because I was actually near it. That being said, having to wait wouldn't be ideal either, but realistically, without it I'd need to wait a few seconds as I got my keys and unlocked the door and that could be compounded by having my hands full. So, while it might degrade the experience, it wouldn't have been a deal breaker. Having it work as it does it freaking brilliant though.
I don't really give a hoot about smart assistant integration. If auto-lock and auto-unlock work fine for you, I really don't think you'll find yourself using an assistant with it. I used Alexa once just to test that it worked. Haven't used it since. Don't see myself using it ever again.
So, where do I end up? It is complicated. I certainly think that the August suite of Smart Lock products is good. I don't think they really advertise well which pieces solve which problems which makes it a little daunting. And most of the other reviews didn't really cover that either. Not even common ones. Perhaps reviewers simply didn't know where the lock ended and the hub began. Here are my thoughts if you don't know what you need:
PREAMBLE: I'm not a security expert. These are just my opinions. I accept no responsibility for the results of following suggestions below. Only continue reading if you accept that. Consult a professional if you want professional advice.
Primary Residence: If giving other people access isn't a reason, get just the lock. Configure auto-lock and auto-unlock and test how well they work for you. If you have issues... probably you should return it and look into another product. If you have lots of people in the house or the occasional need to let someone else in, then add the key pad. Generate codes for family and one or more "guest" keys. Ignore the hub unless you can think of a reason you need it. Reasons to take the hub might be if you think auto-unlock won't work for you, but you still want the ability to check on the house and lock it remotely. All the hub adds as far as I can tell is integration with digital assistants and remote administration. If it is your primary residence and auto-lock isn't an issue, you really shouldn't have a huge need for those. And you can always add to the mix later if you disagree or find a need.
Secondary Residence: Lock + Hub. Toss in the key pad only if you regularly want to give others access. With the hub you can still grant others access in a number of ways. If they have an Android or iOS device you can give them a virtual guest key remotely and they can use their phone to lock and unlock the door. Or, they could text or call you, and you could lock or unlock it remotely. This might sound like a burden, but it opens up some better alternatives. Without a smart lock you'd probably leave a spare key outside the house. With this approach, you unlock the door remotely once and leave a spare key INSIDE the house. Your friends or family simply leave the key hidden or wherever you agreed upon when the are done and either lock it remotely or let auto-lock handle that side of it. Additionally, this allows you to check on the history remotely as well. Great for a residence you're not using all of the time.
Separate AirBNB-like scenario: All 3. This is more theoretical as I don't do this myself. But it makes a good additional scenario which is different from the above. While I think the key pad actually degrades security a bit, that is only if not used properly. Also, I would expect with a short term rental unit that you'd check-in more often than with a secondary residence for cleaning, inspecting, etc... In this scenario what I'd probably do is ensure that there is never more than one code active and it is unique per guest. If no one is currently using it (legitimately), simply leave no codes active. The Hub is to allow you to monitor access remotely and also administer codes remotely. Key pad ensures people renting can access even without a smart phone. Never leave a physical key, but ensure batteries in lock and key pad are changed regularly in case access is needed for emergencies, etc...
Again, the above is just what I think makes sense and why in a few scenarios. Just hoping to help give some context to the range of devices available and how they might be used in different situations. Like I said, I personally would have been happier if I had this information as I wouldn't have bought the Hub. I think the products are good, but a common theme I see with smart products is that they don't necessarily do a good job describing what problems they actually solve or how. You can easily be mislead into believing that the hub is mandatory or without being aware of the features, thinking you need a key pad or worse, all 3.
At the end of the day, a smart lock is still a lock. If you don't mind locking and unlocking with a key you may not need one at all. How such a device is smart is critical in determining whether or not it adds value for you.
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