Aqara has released a new door lock. The Smart Lock U200 Lite is already available to purchase on Amazon Germany and some other countries, and it should hit the US market rather sooner than later. The smart lock comes in two different colors, namely black or white.
As its name already suggests, the U200 Lite has a slightly slimmer feature set. Specifically, it's truly just a door lock and lacks an external keypad or fingerprint sensor, for example. The term "door lock" isn't entirely accurate either, as it's more of a device that turns an inserted key. This usually means it’s easy to install without drilling or screws, which is particularly relevant for renters. It supports keys that are up to 0.2 inches thick, with a handle length of up to 1.5 inches.
The smart lock further supports Matter over Thread, so it can be integrated into various smart home ecosystems, even though a compatible Thread router may be required. The Aqara U200 Lite can be controlled and managed via Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings or Google Home, but there may be some differences in functionality compared to direct Bluetooth connections or Thread.
That said, the door lock can be unlocked remotely via Bluetooth, voice or an NFC card. Automatic locking is available, meaning the door can simply be pulled shut. Moreover, scheduled automatic locking is also supported and a button can be used to manually lock and unlock it from the inside. Last but not least, the Aqara smart lock comes with a 2,000mAh battery, which should last up to 6 months on a full charge.