If you want better Access logs
Choose Yale Approach Smart lock. It scores 4.5 vs 2.8 for Access logs, with a 3.6 overall score.
Yale August Smart Lock Review
Bottom Line
Choose it for an easy retrofit smart lock with strong app controls, integrations, notifications, and reliable locking. Skip it if you need long battery life, built-in keypad/fingerprint entry, or flawless auto-unlock/HomeKit behavior.
Best for
Best for renters, homeowners, or shared households that want smart access while keeping the existing deadbolt, exterior hardware, and physical keys. It especially fits users who value app control, notifications, guest access, and smart-home integrations.
Not for
Not for buyers who want a built-in keypad, fingerprint entry, long battery life, or a lock that works perfectly with auto-unlock and HomeKit in every setup. It also may frustrate anyone who dislikes CR123 batteries.
Verdict
Reviewers generally frame the Yale August Smart Lock as a polished retrofit lock: it keeps existing exterior hardware, installs quickly, and delivers a strong app experience with broad smart-home support, remote access, notifications, and dependable manual/app locking in most tests. The tradeoff is that its compact Wi-Fi design leans on CR123 batteries, and several reviewers found battery life or replacement cost disappointing. Auto-lock is widely liked, while auto-unlock/geofencing ranges from smooth to frustrating depending on home layout, phone behavior, and HomeKit/Wi-Fi conditions. It also is not the best match for shoppers who want a built-in keypad, fingerprint reader, or zero-fuss voice/HomeKit reliability.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
30 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.011 (37%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.414 (47%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.43 (10%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.42 (7%)
Pros
-
Keeping the outside hardware and existing deadbolt was repeatedly praised, especially for renters, maintenance access, and preserving exterior appearance.
-
Most reviewers found setup easy, quick, and well guided by the app, with one strong dissent reporting freezes, verification issues, and calibration trouble.
-
Notifications were a clear strength, with reviewers praising flexible smart alerts, quick push alerts, and better door-status awareness.
-
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.
-
Reviewers valued the retrofit deadbolt fit for renters and existing-door setups, though one installation was complicated by tight door trim.
-
App/manual locking was often described as instant, smooth, or quick, but one reviewer found physical keys faster than app, Siri, or watch workflows.
Cons
-
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.
-
Fingerprint entry was treated as a missing keyless feature rather than a strength of this lock.
-
The lack of a built-in outside touchpad/touchscreen was a drawback for the reviewer who preferred that style of lock.
-
The activity log was useful in one review, but another reviewer reported a serious failure where an unlock event was not logged.
-
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.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Smart Locks, this product is above average in Existing hardware reuse, Door compatibility (deadbolt fit), Locking motor, near average in Smart-home integration (Alexa, Google, Siri, HomeKit, Matter, Thread), Auto-lock, below average in Fingerprint, Access logs, Battery.
Comparison summary
30 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher13 (43%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts8 (27%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower9 (30%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint | 2.0 | 3.9 | -1.9 |
| Access logs | 2.8 | 4.4 | -1.7 |
| Battery | 2.3 | 3.8 | -1.4 |
| Touchscreen | 2.5 | 3.9 | -1.4 |
| Existing hardware reuse | 4.7 | 3.6 | +1.1 |
| Door compatibility (deadbolt fit) | 4.5 | 3.4 | +1.1 |
| Keypad | 3.0 | 4.1 | -1.1 |
| Locking motor | 5.0 | 3.9 | +1.1 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Lock/unlock speed
Choose Yale Assure Lock 2 Smart Lock. It scores 4.7 vs 4.3 for Lock/unlock speed, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Battery
Choose Google Nest x Yale Smart Lock. It scores 4.4 vs 2.3 for Battery, with a 3.8 overall score.
If you want better Keypad
Choose Schlage Encode Smart Lock. It scores 4.7 vs 3.0 for Keypad, with a 4.3 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
August Connect
- Older model: Wi-Fi bridge requirement The reviewed lock improves on August Connect-era setups by eliminating the separate module requirement.
Schlage Encode
- Alternative: included keypad Schlage Encode is presented as a strong alternative for shoppers who want a keypad included.
Schlage’s Encode lock
- Compared: price, keypad, and full deadbolt replacement Schlage’s Encode lock is in a similar Wi-Fi lock price range but includes a keypad and replaces the lock.
FAQ
Does it replace the whole deadbolt?
No. Reviewers emphasized that it installs on the inside and keeps the existing exterior hardware and physical keys, which is especially useful for renters.
How easy is installation?
Most reviewers found installation easy, quick, and well guided by the app, often around 10 minutes. One reviewer with tight door trim had to work around fit issues, and one reported major app/setup problems.
How is battery life?
Battery life is the biggest tradeoff. Reviews repeatedly noted CR123 batteries, shorter life than older AA August locks, higher replacement cost, and one six-month reviewer saw only six to eight weeks.
Does auto-unlock work reliably?
Results were mixed. Some reviewers found geofencing and auto-unlock handy or mostly successful, while others said it was slow, inconsistent, stopped working, or even caused trust issues.
Is a keypad included?
No built-in keypad is included. Reviewers noted that August sells a separate keypad, and one tester found it worked but was small and less satisfying than a built-in touchpad.
How well does it work with smart-home platforms?
The lock has broad Alexa, Google, Siri/HomeKit, IFTTT, and smart-home support, and several reviewers praised that range. Still, some had Alexa, Google password, HomeKit offline, or voice-control reliability issues.
Is the app good?
Most reviewers praised the app as simple, intuitive, responsive, and feature-rich, especially for status, alerts, and access management. One negative review reported app freezes during Wi-Fi, HomeKit, and DoorSense setup.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
Article Reviews
Top Smart Locks to Consider
Choose the Aqara U400 if you want hands-free UWB unlocking, strong Apple Home integration, and many backup entry methods. Skip it if you dislike bulky smart-lock hardware or need a...
Pros: Locking reliability, Lock/unlock speed
Cons: Bluetooth, Physical attack resistance
Choose the Tapo DL110 if you want fast fingerprint entry, strong app control, long battery life, and premium features under a lower price. Skip it if your door/strike alignment is...
Pros: Value and Price, Lock/unlock speed
Cons: Existing hardware reuse, Door compatibility (deadbolt fit)
Choose the Wyze Lock Bolt v2 for low-cost Wi-Fi, fast fingerprint entry, and flexible codes. Skip it if you need Matter/HomeKit support, rechargeable batteries, or stronger door-sense behavior.
Pros: Lock/unlock speed, Keypad
Cons: Door-sense, Battery
Good if you want one polished lock, camera, and doorbell with excellent fingerprint access. Skip it if short battery life, screen/storm doors, or a narrow camera view would frustrate you.
Pros: Lock/unlock speed, Security features (encryption)
Cons: Door-sense, Keyway quality