Compare Aqara U50 Smart Lock vs Lockly Secure Plus Smart Lock

The log feature earned praise because it lets reviewers see when people lock and unlock the door and helps track comings and goings.

Reviewers who discussed logs liked the recordkeeping, citing accurate history entries and even a year of usable activity history.

Alarm and sound controls are useful and adjustable, but one reviewer found the default voice volume very loud and hub-dependent to change.

The Aqara app is viewed as powerful, especially for automations, status checks, and advanced settings, with repeated praise for its breadth of options.

The app was generally considered easy, clear, and responsive, though one review separated that from a difficult guest-code workflow.

Auto-lock is one of the U50's clearest strengths, with reviewers praising improved behavior, passage-style controls, and dependable nighttime locking.

Auto-lock has limited but strong evidence, with PCMag reporting that the feature worked very well in testing.

Battery feedback was positive overall, with reviewers calling the life a thumbs up, appreciating ordinary AA batteries, and noting useful low-battery warnings.

Battery evidence is limited to one long-term review, but that reviewer called performance stellar after about a year of use.

Bluetooth is a backup and low-power option, but reviewers consistently preferred Zigbee or hub-based connections for faster, steadier response.

Bluetooth evidence is positive, with stable connectivity and unusually quick app response over Bluetooth range.

Build quality generally impressed reviewers through sturdy materials and solid feel, though one noted some cheaper-feeling plastic elements.

Build quality was repeatedly praised as sturdy, well-built, strong, and rock solid.

Door-sense split reviewers: one was impressed by the built-in sensor, while another liked the idea but found it not reliable enough for exact door position.

Door fit received positive but limited evidence: one reviewer said it worked in many doors and was not hard to install.

Compatibility evidence is positive but limited, with reviewers noting standard-door fit and successful single-doorknob replacement.

Aqara's updated periodic passcode controls were praised as a meaningful improvement that brought the lock in line with other manufacturers.

The missing fingerprint reader was the biggest tradeoff versus the U100; some reviewers missed it, while others accepted it as part of the lower price.

Fingerprint access is the strongest feature across reviews, described as fast, accurate, responsive, effective, and unusually good.

Guest access is a major strength, with praise for multiple codes, temporary or periodic access, NFC access, and practical use for family, visitors, dog walkers, and Airbnb hosts.

Guest access is mixed: several reviewers liked the flexible access options, while one found temporary-code delivery convoluted and buggy.

Hub feedback was mixed: some Apple Home users can avoid an Aqara hub, but several reviewers disliked needing one for full features, volume controls, or broader integrations.

The hub requirement is a drawback because remote and voice features require added hardware and cost.

Design opinions were mixed: reviewers liked the modern black look and sleek layout, but several called it bulky, plain, hard to read from a distance, or limited in color options.

Design opinions are mixed: reviewers liked the attractive, premium look, but several also called the lock large, bulky, or obvious.

Installation and setup were consistently praised as easy, fast, and approachable, though there were isolated caveats about door fit and instructions.

Installation is sharply mixed, ranging from simple, app-guided, and quick to unusually complicated and frustrating.

Jam or abnormal-deadbolt feedback was positive in limited testing, with the lock alerting the reviewer when the door did not latch properly.

Physical key backup and rekeying were praised, especially the hidden keyhole and the convenience of matching existing keys.

Key backup evidence is positive, with reviewers valuing physical-key and backup access as a practical fallback.

The keypad earned strong marks for lighting, large numbers, easy code entry, and fast response, despite a few wake-up quirks.

The keypad and PIN Genie concept were widely praised for security and usability, although one reviewer found the shifting layout disorienting.

Unlocking was consistently described as quick, especially with HomeKey, keypad, and improved hub/Matter response paths.

Lock and unlock speed was consistently positive, with instant app response or unlocks taking only a couple of seconds.

The locking mechanism was praised in limited evidence for moving smoothly once installation was aligned correctly.

Motor evidence is limited, but PCMag praised the lock for relatively quiet operation.

Reliability feedback was strong: the lock kept working without the hub, worked smoothly with Apple devices, and automatically locked as expected.

Locking reliability is mixed: some testing found smooth, great performance, while Digital Trends encountered unresolved calibration errors.

Notifications were useful to reviewers for lock activity, people coming home, low battery, and related automation triggers.

Notifications are a weakness in the limited evidence, with PCMag specifically missing push notification support.

Residential security was treated as adequate rather than premium, with one reviewer saying the lock was good enough for most homes.

The hidden keyhole cover was praised as an extra security measure against casual lock-picking visibility.

Remote access was mixed: it gave peace of mind when working, but some reviewers disliked Bluetooth limitations or slower Home app control.

Remote access is a repeated limitation because the lock lacks built-in internet control and needs extra Wi-Fi hardware.

Security evidence is positive, with praise for hack resistance and unusually comprehensive account-security setup.

Smart-home support is a major selling point, with praise for HomeKey, HomeKit, Matter, Alexa, Google, and broad ecosystem flexibility, tempered by hub/Bluetooth tradeoffs.

Smart-home integration is one of the clearest weaknesses, with repeated criticism of missing or limited platform support.

Touch input is mostly good, especially swipe-to-lock, but reviewers noted that waking the panel before entry can be mildly confusing.

The touchscreen evidence is positive, with reviewers praising seamless operation and responsive keypad behavior.

User management is useful for household and guest codes, though Apple Home controls were described as bare-bones compared with Aqara's app.

User access management is mixed, combining flexible access options with one strong complaint about difficult PIN assignment.

Reviewers strongly agreed that the U50 is excellent value, repeatedly calling it affordable, a great deal, and one of the best budget HomeKey smart locks.

Value is a common concern because reviewers repeatedly describe the lock, hub path, or overall package as expensive.

Voice control had limited but positive outcome evidence, with a reviewer showing a voice-assisted unlock working after PIN confirmation.

Voice control is limited because it is not built in and depends on extra Wi-Fi hardware that reviewers criticized.

Warranty evidence was limited and negative: one reviewer warned that replacing the cylinder could leave the user on their own with warranty coverage.

Warranty evidence is strongly positive, with Digital Trends calling it one of the best in the smart-lock market.

Weather resistance was viewed as sufficient for outdoor use, though one review noted the lower dust rating as a cost-cutting compromise.

Weather resistance evidence is positive but limited to one review that judged the casing able to handle harsh conditions.

Wi-Fi was a recurring limitation because the U50 lacks built-in Wi-Fi and needs a hub for remote access and fuller smart-home features.

Wi-Fi is mixed: the lack of built-in Wi-Fi is criticized, but one review found hub-connected Wi-Fi response very fast.