The Best Smart Door Locks
Verified by
Ryan V. Editor-in-Chief
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The Aqara U400 wins because it makes the door open on its own and still refuses to ever lock you out. Its headline trick is Ultra Wideband proximity unlocking, and reviewers kept reaching for the same word. Gadget Evolution said it feels like magic, because the lock reads your approach angle, speed, and intent and knows the difference between you walking up to enter and just walking past. Rebecca Brand and Stephen Robles both called it a lifesaver when your arms are full of groceries. Underneath the magic is a fast foundation. Stephen Robles traced the speed to Matter over Thread, which responds quickly and works across Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa at the same time instead of trapping you in one app. Then there is the hardware. Out of the box the U400 carries a fingerprint reader, a keypad, Apple Home Key, NFC card support, a USB-C rechargeable battery, and a physical backup key, so whatever fails you have four other ways in. At around $270 it lands right in the premium sweet spot without crossing into $400 territory.
What It Won't Do
The U400's best feature is the most conditional. Gadget Evolution and Foremost Picks both note that the UWB hands-free unlocking only works with newer iPhones and Apple Watches right now, so Android owners buy the lock and wait for the Aliro standard to catch up. The software has rough edges, too. Stephen Robles had to download the proprietary Aqara app, and sometimes add a hub, just to register fingerprints and change the auto-lock timing, and the lock shipped with loud voice prompts he had to mute.
The Aqara U50 wins on value because it hands you the one modern feature people actually want for a fraction of the price. The DIY Smart Home Guy tested 16 locks and crowned the U50 his Best Value, because it is the cheapest honest way to get Apple Home Key. You tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to the door and you are in, a trick that usually costs far more and runs well under half the price of the U400 here. Stephen Robles points out it still supports Matter at that price, so it plays with more than just Apple. And it does not look cheap. The DIY Smart Home Guy ranked it the second most attractive lock in his test, praising the matte touchscreen keypad. You give up hands-free unlocking and a few seconds of speed, but you keep the feature most buyers reach for.
What It Won't Do
The U50 saves money by leaving hardware out. The DIY Smart Home Guy notes the base model has no fingerprint reader, so biometric access means paying up for the U100 instead. Stephen Robles flags that it lacks Thread, so its remote response is a little slower than Thread locks. And to unlock the extra features beyond basic Apple Home, you have to buy a separate Aqara hub.
Who Should Buy Which
Aqara U400
The lock that opens itself as you walk up, then backs it with every unlock method you could want
- iPhone and Apple Watch owners who want true hands-free entry
- Homes that want every backup unlock method in one lock
- Buyers running Matter over Thread across Apple, Google, or Alexa
- People who arrive with full hands and want the door to open itself
- Anyone replacing a deadbolt who wants the premium sweet spot, not the $400 tier
Aqara U50
The cheapest honest path to tap-to-unlock Apple Home Key entry
- Budget-conscious Apple users who mainly want tap-to-unlock Home Key
- First-time smart lock buyers testing the waters cheaply
- Renters and owners fine with keypad and Home Key over fingerprint
- Buyers who want Matter flexibility without overspending
- Anyone happy to skip hands-free unlocking to save well over $100