Compare Yale August Smart Lock vs Google Nest x Yale Smart Lock

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

Access logs were consistently useful where evaluated, with reviewers praising the history or timeline for showing who locked or unlocked the door and when.

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

The Nest app was widely praised as easy, intuitive, or reliable, with one notable exception where early crashes and hangs made setup and use frustrating.

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.

Auto-lock was usually reliable and useful, especially with Home/Away behavior, but reviewers noted it does not provide automatic unlocking and one found the options limited.

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.

Battery evidence was mostly positive, including long life, alerts, and emergency access, although the no-key design makes dead batteries feel higher stakes.

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

Bluetooth scored poorly because reviewers specifically missed proximity/Bluetooth-style unlocking and said it could not unlock automatically when approaching.

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

Build quality was one of the stronger themes, with reviewers repeatedly calling the hardware high quality, sturdy, solid, and reliable.

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

Door-sense was a clear weakness where discussed: reviewers wanted an open-door sensor, and one reported the lock throwing the bolt while the door was open.

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

Deadbolt fit was mixed: it worked well on compatible doors, yet shallow frames, oversized holes, and older settled doors sometimes required trimming or adjustment.

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

Existing hardware reuse was inconsistent: one install kept the doorknob, while others noted the lock replaces more hardware or required a new handle/backplate changes.

Feature additions via updates had limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer highlighting newer Google Assistant routine value added after release.

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

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.

Geofencing was a split attribute: away-based auto-lock was useful, but reviewers repeatedly wanted GPS/proximity auto-unlock that the lock lacks.

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

Guest codes were broadly useful for family, visitors, dog walkers, Airbnb, and contractors, though one reviewer reported frequent keycode creation errors and another called the feature average.

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

The hub requirement is a tradeoff: Nest Connect or Guard enables remote access and reliability, but it adds cost and sometimes setup/connectivity headaches.

Industrial design was mostly praised as chic, sleek, stylish, and attractive, though one reviewer disliked the inside appearance.

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

Most reviewers found installation straightforward on standard doors, but several hit alignment, door-depth, or Nest Connect setup snags that lowered confidence for less typical doors.

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.

Key override reliability scored low because several reviewers disliked the absence of a physical key, even though emergency 9V power can help after battery failure.

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.

The keypad was easy enough for many reviewers, but repeated criticisms focused on the extra checkmark step, fiddly touch behavior, and limited tactile feedback.

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 motor was praised for quiet operation in PCMag testing.

The locking motor was praised in the few reviews that evaluated it, especially for smooth operation and unusually quiet performance.

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

Locking reliability was generally strong, with multiple reviewers reporting that locking and unlocking worked consistently, though one review noted broader glitches and door-fit caveats.

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

Notifications were praised for speed and specificity, including lock/unlock events, user-specific alerts, and battery or power-related warnings.

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

Physical attack resistance had limited evidence, but one installer praised the longer strike screws for making the deadbolt more secure against break-in attempts.

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

Remote access was one of the most valued strengths, letting reviewers lock, unlock, and grant access from afar through the app.

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

Security features were discussed mainly through privacy mode and keypad disabling, which reviewers valued as an extra safety layer; no encryption-specific evaluation appeared.

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

Smart-home integration was the biggest tradeoff: Nest ecosystem integration helped, but limited Alexa, HomeKit, SmartThings, IFTTT, and non-Nest support hurt flexibility.

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

Touchscreen evidence was mixed: reviewers liked the clean lit keypad, glove use, and fingerprint resistance, while others found it finicky or lacking feedback.

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

User access management was usually strong thanks to scheduled, revocable, and user-specific codes, but one review found app/account requirements and code-sharing glitches frustrating.

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

Value was mixed: reviewers liked the reliability, Nest app, and quality, but the lock was often described as expensive or best justified for Nest users.

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.

Voice control evidence was split by review timing and ecosystem: newer Google Assistant locking/status support added value, while many reviews criticized missing Alexa or assistant support.

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

Weather resistance received limited but positive evidence, mainly around extreme-temperature operation and confidence in hot conditions.

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.

Wi-Fi evidence was mixed: setup could be seamless through Nest Connect, but weak signal or Connect problems could disable remote app access.