Compare Yale Assure Lock 2 Smart Lock vs Yale August Smart Lock

Access logs were consistently useful, letting reviewers track who locked, unlocked, or entered and helping families or hosts monitor activity.

The activity log was useful in one review, but another reviewer reported a serious failure where an unlock event was not logged.

The app was often described as simple or easy to follow, but reviewers also reported slow loading, antiquated design, connectivity frustrations, and setup hiccups.

The app was widely praised as intuitive, responsive, and feature-rich, though one reviewer had severe app freezing during setup.

Auto-lock and auto-unlock were useful conveniences for many reviewers, but reliability depended on DoorSense behavior, proximity logic, and reviewer preference for location tracking.

Auto-lock was one of the strongest features, praised for flexibility and peace of mind, though one reviewer disabled it because it could lock them out.

Backset flexibility was a clear limitation in one review, which said the lock was not an option for a longer-than-average backset.

Battery life was one of the weakest areas, especially with Wi-Fi models, with complaints about short life, limited battery visibility, and frequent replacement concerns.

Battery life was the most consistent weakness, with repeated concern about CR123 batteries, shorter lifespan, replacement cost, and one six-to-eight-week real-world result.

Bluetooth performance was positive when direct and local, but one reviewer found waiting for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi switching frustrating in real use.

Bluetooth-range control was described as responsive in one review, with the lock reacting nearly immediately when pressed.

Build and design earned broad praise for a sleek, premium, sturdy feel, though a few reviewers found the interior bulk or thumb-turn construction less appealing.

Build quality drew praise where discussed, with reviewers calling out high-quality materials and a solidly built feel.

DoorSense was useful for knowing door status and enabling safer auto-lock behavior, but installation, appearance, and occasional calibration behavior were recurring caveats.

DoorSense was praised when it worked and was considered worth installing, but one reviewer reported repeated calibration failures and incorrect open/closed status.

Door fit was mostly workable on standard doors, though reviewers stressed measuring carefully and one reviewer found their dimensions did not match at a first install location.

Reviewers valued the retrofit deadbolt fit for renters and existing-door setups, though one installation was complicated by tight door trim.

Keeping the outside hardware and existing deadbolt was repeatedly praised, especially for renters, maintenance access, and preserving exterior appearance.

Fingerprint performance split sharply: several reviewers praised quick, accurate recognition, while one long-term reviewer reported persistent failures that undermined the feature.

Fingerprint entry was treated as a missing keyless feature rather than a strength of this lock.

The matte screen finish drew praise for reducing visible finger smudges, which reviewers treated as a useful security and appearance benefit.

Geofencing and auto-unlock were convenient when they worked, but reviewers disliked fixed radius limits, constant location access, or privacy/battery implications.

Geofencing and auto-unlock were the most mixed smart feature: some reviewers found it handy or excellent, while others found it slow, inconsistent, or stopped working.

Guest codes were one of the most consistently praised features, especially temporary, scheduled, unlimited, or child-friendly access options.

Guest access was easy and useful, with virtual keys, sharing by text, and scheduled codes highlighted positively.

Module-based connectivity and reduced bridge requirements were viewed as flexible strengths, though some features still required a paid module or the right protocol.

Reviewers liked that built-in Wi-Fi removes the need for an add-on bridge or Connect module.

Most reviewers found installation manageable or easy, helped by app guidance and templates, but several called out door measurements, DoorSense drilling, cable routing, or calibration as potential friction.

Most reviewers found setup easy, quick, and well guided by the app, with one strong dissent reporting freezes, verification issues, and calibration trouble.

Backup entry options were valued, including physical keys on keyed models and 9V battery contacts on key-free models, especially as protection against dead batteries.

The retained physical key was useful as a fallback and for renters, but one long-term tester still ended up carrying keys because smart unlocking was not fast enough.

Keypad impressions were mixed: reviewers liked responsive, readable, and kid-friendly entry, but disliked sunlight readability problems and extra taps to wake the screen.

The optional keypad works and can be useful, but reviewers noted it is not included and may disappoint buyers who want a built-in keypad experience.

Lock/unlock speed was generally strong, with reviewers describing quick keypad response, fast auto-unlock behavior, and instant fingerprint unlocking.

App/manual locking was often described as instant, smooth, or quick, but one reviewer found physical keys faster than app, Siri, or watch workflows.

The locking mechanism was viewed positively, with smooth, quiet, solid operation and audible confirmation highlighted across reviews.

The motor was praised for quiet operation in PCMag testing.

Core lock reliability was mostly strong, with many reviewers reporting smooth or problem-free operation, though some long-term and connectivity-related issues softened the consensus.

Locking reliability was excellent in most formal testing and one six-month review, but one reviewer reported serious state confusion and unreliable locking status.

Notifications were useful for access, auto-lock, and ajar alerts, but some reviewers wanted earlier low-battery warnings or reported missing/annoying alerts.

Notifications were a clear strength, with reviewers praising flexible smart alerts, quick push alerts, and better door-status awareness.

Physical attack resistance impressions were positive where discussed, especially for the key-free model and reviewers’ sense that the lock felt tough.

Physical security received strong praise from TechGearLab, which highlighted the ANSI Grade 1 strength rating and intruder resistance.

Remote access was a major strength: reviewers valued checking status, controlling the lock away from home, and getting peace of mind from anywhere.

Remote access was praised as convenient for controlling the lock from elsewhere in the house or anywhere with a phone connection.

Security features drew mixed-to-positive reactions, including two-factor setup, encryption, keypad lockout, and backup-key tradeoffs.

Security software features were reassuring in the CNET review, especially authentication and encryption protections around the app and account.

Smart-home integration was broad and often praised across HomeKit, Alexa, Google, Matter/module plans, and other ecosystems, though Home Key and Android/Wear OS gaps created caveats.

Smart-home integration was broad and often praised, but Alexa/Google setup hitches, HomeKit offline issues, and one severe HomeKit complaint made reliability mixed.

The touchscreen looked clean and worked well at night or in cold weather, but direct sunlight visibility was a repeated weakness.

The lack of a built-in outside touchpad/touchscreen was a drawback for the reviewer who preferred that style of lock.

Two-factor authentication was explicitly praised as part of the app’s account security requirements.

User management was strong overall, with app users, entry codes, schedules, and guest controls praised for families, visitors, and rental scenarios.

User access management was praised for free virtual keys and scheduled access codes.

Value was mixed: reviewers liked the feature range and some found it affordable or worth it on sale, while others considered it pricey or questioned add-on costs.

Value was mixed: several reviewers called it pricey but worthwhile, while others weighed the high price against batteries, keypad add-ons, and reliability frustrations.

Voice control generally worked and added convenience, but security restrictions and PIN requirements limited how seamless it felt.

Voice control worked quickly in one test and was supported broadly, but other reviewers reported password recognition issues or slow/failing Siri and Google Assistant use.

Support was a weak point in one long-term review, where Yale helped resolve some issues but did not solve or replace the fingerprint problem.

Support was viewed positively through a resolved battery-warning bug and confidence that August/Assa Abloy support would keep software maintained.

Weather-related impressions were positive where tested or judged, including cold-climate touchscreen use and confidence that the lock could withstand the elements.

Wi-Fi added valuable remote control and ecosystem support, but reviewers repeatedly connected it with battery drain, slow or spotty connectivity, and setup annoyances.

Built-in Wi-Fi was praised for freshness, range, and eliminating a bridge, but reviewers tied it to battery drain and one reported mesh/Wi-Fi frustration.