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When we reviewed the August Smart Lock back in 2014, its quick and easy installation process, user-friendly app, and overall smooth performance earned it our Editors’ Choice for smart door locks. The company’s latest effort, the $229 August Smart Lock HomeKit Enabled, raises the bar by adding Apple HomeKit compatibility, Siri voice activation, and an IFTTT (If This Then That) channel. You’ll need an additional August component or an Apple TV ($144.00 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) to control the Smart Lock remotely, but it’s still the most versatile lock we’ve tested, and our new Editors’ Choice.
Design and Features
This version of the August Smart Lock ($289.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) looks nearly identical to the original. It has the same 3.2-by-2.2-inch hockey puck shape and anodized aluminum finish (available in dark gray or silver), but instead of a curved notch at the top there’s a bar sporting an August logo. The lid covering the four included AA batteries is held in place by three tiny, powerful magnets, and the edge of the housing has a dimpled texture. A small ring of LED indicators in the center of the housing glows green when the door is opened and red when it is closed. As with the original lock, a chime sounds after each lock/unlock event.
As its name implies, the lock supports Apple’s HomeKit platform and can be controlled using Siri voice commands. You can say tell it to lock or unlock the front door, or ask Siri if doors are locked or unlocked. You can also lock and unlock the door manually by turning the housing left or right. The Smart Lock has an Auto-Lock feature that automatically locks the door after it’s been open for a predetermined period of time (30 seconds up to five minutes), and the Auto-Unlock feature uses geofencing to unlock your door based on your phone’s location. There aren’t any email notifications, but the lock has an If This Then That (IFTTT) channel that lets you create a recipe to generate a Gmail message when the lock is engaged or disengaged. You can also have a phone call or push alert generated, and set the lock to trigger other IFTTT-enabled devices such as cameras, lights, plugs, and thermostats.
The lock uses Bluetooth to communicate with your phone, which means you need to be within range (around 40 feet) to control it with your phone. However, if you also own the August Doorbell Cam ($99.95 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) , you can use it to bridge the lock with your home’s Wi-Fi and control the lock the lock from anywhere. You can also do this with the August Connect(Opens in a new window) ($79), which plugs into a wall outlet and acts as a Wi-Fi bridge, or an Apple TV.
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The app is well-designed and easy to navigate. The Keychain page displays all installed locks by location. Tap a location and a lock to see its current status; a red circle indicates the door is locked, and a green circle indicates that it is open. To lock the door, tap the green circle, and to unlock it, tap the red circle. The Activity page displays a daily log on openings and closings by user, as well as other activities such as adding or deleting a user. There’s a Guestbook page where you can enter notes about invited guests, and a Guest List page where you can add users and see a list of invitees with their access status. Invited users can be granted temporary or permanent access to one or all locks, and can be assigned an access schedule or given full-time rights. There’s also an Airbnb Invite option that allows you keyless access to reserved rental properties.
Tapping the gear icon takes you to the Lock Settings page where you can name locks, enable sounds, toggle the Auto-Lock and Auto-Unlock features, configure HomeKit settings, and calibrate the lock. Here you can also add other devices such as the August Connect.
August Smart Lock HomeKit Enabled
Installation and Performance
The Smart Lock uses your existing keyed cylinder deadbolt and strike plate, so installing it is easier than installing an entire lock such as the Schlage Sense ($254.95 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) or the Lockitron Bolt . I removed the interior thumb-turn from my existing lock by taking out the two long bolts that attach it to the keyed cylinder. I attached the mounting plate to the cylinder using the same bolts, affixed the proper deadbolt tailpiece adapter, and secured the lock to the mounting plate using the attached wing clamps.
I then downloaded the app and created an account using my name, password, and a profile photo (you have to supply a photo for family members, friends, and other all invited users). Next, I entered my mobile phone number and selected a device to set up (Smart Lock or Video Doorbell). I selected the Smart Lock and hit Start Setup, which began a scan for locks within Bluetooth range. It found mine in around 10 seconds and prompted me to name my lock and house. I then calibrated the lock by rotating it by hand until it was in the locked position, then rotated it until it reached the unlocked position. I hit Continue, and the lock was calibrated and ready to use. At this point you can configure the lock to work with Siri or do it later. To use Siri, the lock must be added to HomeKit using the 8-digit code found on the inside of the lock cover. You can enter the code manually or use your phone camera to capture to capture it.
The lock performed flawlessly in my tests. It responded quickly to lock and unlock commands, and tracked each activity without issue. It also responded to Siri voice commands to lock and unlock the door, and relayed the correct status when I asked Siri if the door was locked or unlocked. The Auto-Lock feature worked perfectly as well; I tested it at 30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, and 5 minutes, and it performed on cue every time. The Auto-Unlock feature also worked well, unlocking the door when I approached.
I created several IFTTT recipes for the lock, including one that triggered a phone call when it was unlocked, and one that turned on a lamp that was plugged in to a Belkin WeMo Insight Switch ($69.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) , and both recipes worked wonderfully. I also created a recipe to have a NetGear Arlo Q ($199.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) camera begin recording when a specific family member unlocked the door, and it never failed to record a 30-second clip.
Conclusions
The August Smart Lock HomeKit Enabled doesn’t come cheap, but it’s the most feature-packed connected lock we’ve seen to date. In addition to its simple installation, it offers a well-designed app that lets you lock and unlock doors, view lock activity, and grant family, friends, and guests temporary or permanent access. As with the Schalge Sense, it supports Apple’s HomeKit platform and can be controlled using Siri voice commands, but unlike the Schlage lock, the August Smart Lock offers geofencing technology and has its own IFTTT channel. All this makes it the smart lock to beat, and our new Editors’ Choice for the category.
4.5
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The HomeKit-enabled August Smart Lock keeps tabs on who is entering and leaving your home using your smartphone. It’s a snap to install and offers all the latest technologies including voice activation, geofencing, and an IFTTT channel that allows it to trigger other devices.
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Source link : https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/august-smart-lock-homekit-enabled