Yale Assure Lock 2 Keyless Smart WiFi Lock Review

Yale Assure Lock 2 Keyless Smart WiFi Lock Review

Buy it at Amazon: Yale Assure Lock 2 Keyless Smart WiFi Lock [Affiliate Link]

Takeaway: Simple setup, secure, reliable, and convenient.

#sponsored #freeproduct

Thank you to Best Buy for sending me this product for free to try.

You’ll receive the touch keypad, interior lock housing, mounting plate, deadbolt latch, strike plate, mounting screws, DoorSense sensor, 4 AA batteries, security screws, reset pin tool, a WiFi module sold separately or as part of a bundle, and installation and user guides.

The Assure Lock 2 is our second smart lock from Yale, as we installed the original Yale Assure Lock several years ago. Like the original, this model comes in two versions: keyed and keyless and this is the keyless version, so a physical key won’t be available as a backup entry method. However, this lock is equipped with an external emergency battery terminal, so even if the installed batteries go flat, a 9V battery is all you’ll need to power on the keypad from outside, allowing you to input your code and unlock the door. For fully keyless entry, the door’s knob should be left unlocked or replaced with a non-locking knob, and I recommend the latter to eliminate the risk of being locked out accidentally.

The installation process for this lock is simple and straightforward, so long as your door fits the requirements. A tear out ruler in the instruction manual helps you verify all the measurements. This lock includes everything needed to install a deadbolt, if your door doesn’t already have one. When replacing an existing deadbolt, like I’m doing, setup is even easier, and the only tool required for installation is a Phillips head screwdriver. All you’ll need to do is swap out your old latch with the Yale one. The latch’s length is adjustable to fit either a 2-3/8” backset or 2-3/4” backset, by simply twisting the neck of the deadbolt. Security screws are included to reinforce the strike plate with longer screws.

If your existing bore hole is smaller than a 2-1/8” diameter, removing the hole adapter allows the interior bracket to fit into 1-1/2” face bores. There are three color-coded mounting screws to accommodate different door thicknesses from 1-3/8” to 2-1/4”. Once you’ve attached the exterior keypad and interior bracket, there’s only one wire connector you’ll need to plug in. The attachment screws for the electronics are located in the battery bay behind the 4 AA batteries, so they’re hidden for a clean screw-less appearance when finished. The included DoorSense sensor communicates with the lock to determine if the door is opened or closed, and it can be installed either on the interior frame adjacent to the lock or flush mounted inside the jamb, and we chose the latter for a cleaner look.

This smart lock can pair with your smartphone via Bluetooth if you’re nearby, and with the optional WiFi module can also connect to your WiFi network for remote access from anywhere with an internet connection. This lock does not require a separate bridge or gateway for WiFi connections, as the original lock does, so it’s one less piece of equipment to setup. Just remember not to install or remove the WiFi module while the batteries are installed in the lock.

After inserting the batteries, the lock will power on, and you can set it up in the Yale Access smartphone app, formerly the August Home app. Adding the lock in the app is simple, and there are guided steps with pictures and video including lock installation. At the end, you’ll calibrate the sensor so it can report if the door is open, closed, locked, and unlocked.

In the app, you can quickly lock and unlock the door by tapping the button in the middle, enable voice commands via Alexa, and create pass codes for multiple users with no limit on number of codes. For extra security and control, pass codes can be restricted, for example, only usable during specific times and days on a recurring schedule, for dog walkers and cleaning personnel, or have a specific start and end time and date for temporary guests. Just note that when creating scheduled codes, while you can choose multiple days of the week, only one time interval is allowed across all the selected days. You also cannot create the same PIN for two different users, so everyone needs to have a unique 4 to 8 digit passcode. AirBnB hosts will be able to take advantage of the lock’s native integration too, and a temporary entry code can be automatically be created for guests when they book a stay.

One quirk with the app is that if you have multiple Yale Smart locks installed, for example the front and back doors, ‘Owners’ will be able to see multiple devices listed under their user profile. However, guest codes are listed for each lock separately and don’t list the device until you tap the individual entry.

The lock can be set to auto-lock after 10 seconds up to 30 minutes after unlocking, but only when the DoorSense sensor indicates that the door is closed; auto-lock won’t engage if the door is detected as open. You can also pause auto-lock using the passage mode button located in the inside lock panel to the upper right of the thumbturn. Pressing this button temporarily disables auto-lock, until the door is manually locked again for brief trips outside like taking out the trash. There is an auto-unlock feature as well that will automatically unlock the door if you have left, farther than 200m, and then return later. This feature uses the GPS in your phone to determine your location and requires an internet connection using the WiFi module. You can optionally enable a door ajar notification if the door has been left open for 1 up to 30 minutes, by setting up a Smart Alert in the app. Oddly, there’s no event notification option for a jam if the deadbolt fails to engage the plate, though the lock itself will beep when it happens.

The touch keypad on the outside has a smooth matte finish and doesn’t show fingerprints readily. To wake the lock, touch the keypad and the numbers will light up. The touchpad is responsive and responds with an audible sound when a key is pressed. For security, the keypad will timeout for 10 seconds up to 3 minutes, if there are multiple incorrect code attempts, adjustable from 3 up to 10. One-touch lock lets you lock the unit from the outside by tapping the Yale logo on the keypad. I like this specificity over the “touch-anywhere” to lock function of the original model as it reduces the likelihood of accidental locking while the door is open.

Overall, this lock is simple to setup, has a number of security settings and options, and functions pretty reliably. The only real drawback is that it goes through batteries quickly, since you aren’t supposed to use rechargeables. I found that alkaline AAs last anywhere from 1 to 2 months depending on the ambient temperature with shorter lifespan during the winter. The battery life meter in the app alerts you when there’s about 20% remaining, so you’ll have enough time to change them. The LED indicator inside, and the gear icon on the keypad flash different colors when the batteries are running low as well. I hope you enjoyed this review. You can ask me any questions in the comments. I’ll put a link to the product in the description below. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and join me next time.

Buy it at Amazon: Yale Assure Lock 2 Keyless Smart WiFi Lock [Affiliate Link]