Read SimpliSafe Smart Lock Review August locks have always played nice with other smart home devices and the Wi-Fi Smart Lock is no different. On the inside, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is powered by two CR123 batteries. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/august-wi-fi-smart-lock, Works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit, IFTTT, and more. What's remarkably different is the size. To get started with getting your August Smart Lock Pro connected to SmartThings, you will first need to go through the initial installation and setup of your lock by using the latest version of the August app. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I opened the app, tapped Set up Device in the menu, and selected Set Up a Smart Lock. I'll talk more about those later. Keep your screws organized. It’s not only the smallest August lock yet, it’s the first to offer embedded Wi-Fi instead of requiring an add-on bridge. For control outside of that range, indeed for control from anywhere in the world, you need Wi-Fi. Battery life will also be affected by how often you lock and unlock your door, especially over Wi-Fi or data connections. Features are plentiful and include Auto Lock and Unlock, support for Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands, support for Apple HomeKit and IFTTT applets, and seamless integration with a variety of home automation and home security platforms. Here you can also create custom Smart Alerts that will send notifications when a door is left ajar, when the door is Auto Locked, when the door is locked or unlocked by a specific user, and when the door is locked or unlocked manually. Manual operation was smooth and easy, and push alerts of lock activity arrived quickly. At $250, the new lock is pricey but it's in the same price range as the previous generation lock, and well worth your money if you're looking to get your front door online. Industrial designer Yves Béhar has completely rethought the fourth generation August lock, introducing a softer surface, more rounded edges and textured ridges that provide a more solid, doorknob-style feel when you open and close the lock. Smart locks have trouble calibrating and fully locking doors that need an extra shove to close completely. You can also provide instant access to family and friends, check on activity at your home, and control the lock easily with most voice assistants. A 13-year veteran of PC Magazine's Labs (most recently as Director of Operations), John was responsible for the recruitment, training and management of the Labs technical staff, as well as evaluating and maintaining the integrity of the Labs testing machines and procedures. If you … In fact, with the chime disabled, the lock was virtually silent. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is 45% smaller than its predecessors, measuring 2.83 inches in diameter and just 1.81 inches in depth. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. If the lock needs to constantly reconnect to an access point or wake up due to polling from the access point, you'll see a quicker drain. If you're concerned about compatibility with your existing deadbolt, August has a helpful page listing compatible models from most brands. August Smart Lock Pro: SmartThings Wi-Fi Integration Setup. If you're switching over from a keypad or some other keyless exterior system, you'll need to retrain your brain. The Settings button takes you to a screen where you can enable and disable features including Auto Lock, which will lock the door instantly or on a timer, and Auto Unlock, which uses your phone's location services to unlock the door (via Bluetooth) as you approach. Keep an eye on your inbox! Recently I had the chance to test this latest version of August’s very impressive smart deadbolt lock to see if it lived up to (and indeed surpassed) previous generations. I selected the Wi-Fi Smart Lock from the list and followed the instructions to scan the QR code on the back of the lock’s cover. When the lock is accessed using the app, it will show you who locked or unlocked the door and when the event took place. It's so much less distracting, partly because I'm a bit more accustomed to seeing smart locks on doors by now, but also because it's really significantly smaller. With the sensor installed, I pressed Begin Setup and the app scanned and found the lock immediately. Make sure the deadbolt moves freely and there isn't any friction in the lock's mechanics. Schlage and Kwikset also have Wi-Fi models (both also priced at $249), and it's likely the way of the future for most smart locks. Next, I removed the faceplate, removed the battery tab, pressed Continue, and followed the instructions to install the DoorSense sensor. Yet. You'll notice a slightly different ridge pattern around the sides of the lock, designed to improve grip. The reduction in size is great, too. As with every other August lock, the Wi-Fi Smart Lock replaces your existing interior thumb turn mechanism and uses the rest of your existing lock hardware, including the keys. I attached the mounting plate to the door using the two bolts that I had just removed and installed the proper tailpiece adapter. If you're interested in a smart lock, but want to keep your exterior hardware traditional, this is the lock for you. Pros Works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit, IFTTT, and more When we got back after half an hour, I realized I had no way to open the door because my phone and keys were inside. It also supports Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and numerous other third-party platforms and devices, following in the suit of its predecessors and earning our latest Editors’ Choice for smart locks. The design team, which includes renowned designer Yves Béhar, stayed true to the original design, while making small updates. It's smart enough to work with smart home setups for Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. And with built-in WiFi, requires no additional bridge to connect. August also offers users a unique method of control over who can enter their homes, and when. Welcome to my review of the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation)! Which screw length goes where can really matter on a smart lock. Nearly all smart locks require this aesthetic obstruction, relying on a large battery and thumb latch housings mounted on the interior side of your door. The lock responded quickly to Alexa voice commands to lock and unlock the door (you have to set up a pin code to unlock using your voice), and my IFTTT applet to have an Arlo Pro 3 camera begin recording when the door was unlocked worked like a charm. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Smart locks can add convenience, enhance security, and provide an easy way to share electronic keys. August smart locks are popular, and for good reason. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review: Verdict If you’re in the market for a smart lock, you can’t do much better than the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. Together with the August app, it’s now even easier to securely control and manage your home. Samsung's Galaxy S21 upgrades likely won't spell an end to Galaxy FE or Note lines. The retrofit design makes them easy to install without replacing your existing deadbolt. Also included in the box are a mounting plate, an optional mounting cover plate for thinner doors, four tailpiece adapters, a strip of adhesive tape, a door sensor, and a quick start guide. It's important to do your best to keep the cam bar (see below) centered in the August back plate while you secure the screws. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Redesigns in Wi-Fi chip technology made it possible for companies like August to work it into lock design more easily. The build quality of the new August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, 4th Generation is superb and the device is easy to install on the door; however, the August App is clumsy and does not always connect with the lock. I was using a beta version of the August app and after talking with the team, they found a bug in the battery prediction algorithm that led to a premature low-battery notification. I also created a Smart Alert to be notified when a specific user locked or unlocked the door, and this too worked as advertised. The Good Your August Smart Lock Pro purchase includes a DIY smart lock, a Connect Wi-Fi module and a DoorSense open/close sensor -- all for $279. Wi-Fi isn't easy on batteries, and this is the first August model with the CR123 battery. Make sure you have a good Wi-Fi connection. The new August Wi-Fi … Now, there's a new one on the scene. Once calibrated, I added the lock to my HomeKit home, and when prompted, I entered my home network SSID and password. We gave multiple generations of August locks our Editors' Choice Award for their easy installation, great app and smart home integration. The sleek August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is easy to install and packs a ton of features into its compact frame. You'll also want to download the August app available on iOS or Android, as there is a helpful guide with animations to walk you through the process. I already had the mobile app installed on my phone, but if this is your first August device, you’ll have to download the mobile app and create an account to get started. The green adapter provided fit my Kwikset deadbolt. I can't discern a huge difference, but I'm not bothered by it, either. Along the bottom edge of the screen are buttons for Lock, Camera, Activities, Guest List, and Settings. Under the hood are a Bluetooth radio and a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio. The circle is solid red when the door is locked and solid green when it is unlocked. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the little brother of the August Smart Lock Pro. Prior to joining Ziff Davis, John spent six years in retail operations for Federated Stores, Inc. before accepting a purchasing position with Morris Decision Systems, one of New York's first value-added resellers of the original IBM PC. Enjoy convenience and peace of mind in one small package with the 4th-generation August Wi-Fi smart lock. Installing the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is easy. Following the on-screen installation instructions, I taped my lock’s outer cylinder to the door to hold it in place and removed my existing thumb turn mechanism. August's unique retrofit design stays true to its roots in this fourth-generation model. To operate it manually, simply turn the lock to the left (unlock) or to the right (lock). Known for providing convenient Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled smart locks and video doorbells, August promises to keep your home and family safe and secure around the clock. The day after I set up the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, we walked the dog around the neighborhood without our keys or phones. It's a  nice, digital detox. Its most impressive feature is its flexibility of smart home integrations. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (Newest Model 4th Gen) - Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, SmartThings and Airbnb Compatible - Upgrade Your Deadbolt – Matte Black 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,613 CDN$ 279.99 The good news is, as with previous generation August Smart Locks, even if the batteries are dead you can still use a physical key to unlock your door. 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Previously, smart lock makers have relied on a plug-in Wi-Fi adapter, like the August Connect, to integrate Wi-Fi, but the smart lock landscape has changed a lot since the first August lock. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. The Lock button takes you back to the Lock screen and the Camera button opens a live feed if you have an August View Doorbell Camera installed. Along that ridge is a cleverly placed August logo to help you tell whether your door is locked or not. Robust third-party integrations, multi-platform support, and ease of use are all good reasons to consider the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. If you find that it's too far up or down, loosen and readjust the screws while holding a bit of pressure on the plate to keep it in place. August Wi-Fi smart lock (4th generation) review For anyone building a smart home, adding smart locks is an investment worth considering. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock turns much more smoothly than previous August models, takes up less space and is just as smart and secure. Embedded Wi-Fi makes for August's smartest lock yet. Requires August Connect ($199 for bundle), Read more: How to use your smart lock safely | What to know before buying a smart lock. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Other settings include DoorSense Door Ajar Timing, which allows you to set the amount of time needed to trigger an open door notification; HomeKit, which lets you choose a Home, add the lock to a Room, and give it a Siri name; and Calibrate, which calibrates the lock and the DoorSense sensor that lets you know if the door is opened or closed. I'll take a second here to address my standard smart lock tips. The lock comes in matte black or silver and sports a textured grip around the outer edge and a removable magnetic faceplate with a backlit August logo status indicator. A two-pack of CR123s at your local big box store should cost around $8 to $10. You … The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock runs on two CR123 batteries. August's smart locks have been some of our favorites since we reviewed the company’s first offering back in 2014. However, they connect to wireless networks, which brings a slew of potential connectivity issues. It also offers wide compatibility with other smart-home devices. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. August says its new Wi-Fi Smart Lock (right) is 45-percent smaller in volume, and 20-percent slimmer than its August Smart Lock Pro. If you're looking for a Wi-Fi smart lock that works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Homekit, August's newest model puts smarts at your door without replacing your deadbolt. It connects to the companion app, allowing you to lock and unlock the door remotely from anywhere. The August Wi-Fi Smart Locks is an essential smart home upgrade. You can also lock and unlock your door using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands, and you can create IFTTT applets to have it interact with numerous third-party smart devices. The updated side texture of the lock is designed to provide better grip. Voice unlocking via the various virtual assistants requires a spoken PIN. Use the Guest List button to add users and give them permanent, recurring, or temporary access to the lock. August engineers resolved the bug on the back end, and I didn't have any issues after that. During that process, you will have to set up an August account, which will later be used to authenticate with SmartThings. Upgrade your deadbolt with the all-new August Wi-Fi Smart Lock - a lock so smart, it simplifies your daily life and the way your family lives. Moreover, the lock integrates seamlessly with home automation and security platforms from Honeywell, Logitech, SimpliSafe, and Samsung. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (right) is 45% smaller than the August Smart Lock Pro (left). Discuss: Review: The new August Smart Lock with built-in Wi-Fi is our favorite yet. That's a shorter suggested lifespan than the six months to a year promised for the older, AA models. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi, negating the need for the extra August Connect ($63 at Amazon) plug-in modules. That said, if you’re looking for a stylish smart lock that is easy to install and offers broad third-party support, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is your best bet and our Editors’ Choice. News Reviews Before I tested this lock at my house, I had a smart keypad ($55 at Amazon) on my front door. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. The team at August estimates the lock's batteries should last three to six months. That's a big help not having to fiddle with keys or an app to open the door. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. CNET may get a commission from these offers. Note: I did encounter a low battery warning just three days into testing the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. It is undoubtedly a quality smart lock with a powerful platform. Our most recent review of the August Smart Lock Pro garnered an Editors’ Choice for its multi-platform support, easy installation, and sleek aesthetics. Our most recent review of the August Smart Lock Pro garnered an Editors’ Choice for its multi-platform support, easy installation, and sleek aesthetics. I was delighted with the small scale of this August model. Other locks with Wi-Fi built in cost just as much and require replacing your entire deadbolt. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. You can lock and unlock it using the August mobile app (for Android and iOS) or with the Apple HomeKit app, and you can create HomeKit Automations and Scenes. An add-on August keypad ($60)  is also an option. He then worked for the now defunct ComputerLand chain of PC dealers before joining PC Magazine in 1987. Your subscription has been confirmed. The back contains two wing latches that secure the lock to the mounting plate, and a reset button. The built-in Wi-Fi is what sets this lock apart from the previous iterations of August locks, which all require a bridge to connect to your home network. 1 factor in battery life is the quality of your Wi-Fi connection. Many smart locks connect via Bluetooth to your phone, which lets you control the lock when you're in close proximity to it. August's new lock features a couple of important changes: built-in Wi-Fi and a much smaller body. 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