Aqara has extended its smart lock lineup and released its first lever lock: the Smart Lock U300–a follow-up to the Aqara U200 retrofit lock released back in July.
Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the company says that its new lock offers an alternative to traditional non-deadbolt locks, replacing levers and knobs on single-bore doors. The Smart Lock U300 features Matter-over-Thread capabilities and Apple Home Key unlocking for seamless interoperability and ease-of-use.
Built upon the latest Thread protocol which is purposely developed for IoT devices, the Smart Lock U300 is natively Matter enabled, ensuring seamless integration with Aqara’s lineup of smart home devices and those from a wide range of third-party brands.
Connecting to a Thread Border Router, such as the M3 Hub, the U300 can be used with and managed by any Matter-compatible platform, including Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Home Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings with a corresponding Matter Controller.
Aqara asserts the U300 lock is among the first smart lever locks to support Apple Home Key unlocking, which allows iOS users to simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to enter, even when the Apple device is out of power.
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The new smart home lock also offers versatile access options like fingerprint recognition, personalized passwords (one-time and recurring), mobile app control capabilities, voice assistant control capabilities, and Aqara NFC cards. Aqara also provides mechanical keys for emergencies like power outages or electronic malfunctions too.
According to Aqara, homeowners no longer need to worry about forgetting to lock a door. The Smart Lock U300 ensures the door always locks behind you automatically.
For added flexibility, the U300 also offers the company’s Passage Mode that enables hassle-free entry and exit, which Aqara says users can engage for events like parties, furniture moves, or providing additional access to outsiders in commercial settings. The Passage Mode can be activated and deactivated locally on the lock without using a mobile app.
The company also notes the Smart Lock U300 features a modern design that looks complementary in any home environment to serve as a solution that provides security while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of homes.
Aqara adds the Smart Lock U300, which is available in a choice of black or silver finishes, and it incorporates a compact design with the fingerprint reader ergonomically placed. The lock’s outer panel is IPX4 rated, and the lock features a weather-resistant design the company claims is capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from -22 degrees Fahrenheit to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.
Moreover, through Thread’s power-efficiency, the smart lock offers battery life of up to 10 months between changes.
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