The Aqara U400 meets
the Aqara U50
The lock that opens itself as you walk up, then backs it with every unlock method you could want. We tested it head-to-head against the Aqara U50 across 6 key dimensions.
Aqara U400
“The lock that opens itself as you walk up, then backs it with every unlock method you could want”
Aqara U50
“The cheapest honest path to tap-to-unlock Apple Home Key entry”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Aqara U400
- Ultra Wideband hands-free unlocking reads your approach angle, speed, and intent, and Gadget Evolution said it feels like magic because the door opens before you reach it with no phone or watch tap needed
- Matter over Thread makes it fast and reliable, and Stephen Robles confirmed it works at once across Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa
- It leaves no way to get locked out, with a fingerprint reader, keypad, Apple Home Key, NFC, USB-C rechargeable battery, and a physical backup key all built in
- Gadget Evolution and Foremost Picks note the headline UWB unlocking only works with newer iPhones and Apple Watches today, so Android owners wait for the Aliro standard
- Stephen Robles had to install the proprietary Aqara app, and sometimes a hub, just to register fingerprints and change auto-lock behavior
- Stephen Robles found the default voice prompts loud and chatty out of the box until he muted them in the app
Aqara U50
- The DIY Smart Home Guy crowned it Best Value of the 16 locks he tested, calling it the most affordable way to get Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock, well under half the price of the U400
- Stephen Robles notes it still supports Matter despite the budget price, so it is not locked to one ecosystem
- The DIY Smart Home Guy ranked it the second most attractive lock he tested thanks to its matte touchscreen keypad and modern look
- The DIY Smart Home Guy points out the base U50 has no fingerprint reader, so biometric access means stepping up to the pricier U100
- Stephen Robles notes it lacks Thread, so remote and smart home response is a little slower than the U400
- The DIY Smart Home Guy found you need a separate Aqara hub to unlock its full feature set beyond basic Apple Home
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
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.
Aqara U400
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.
- 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 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.
- 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