August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Review
August, which raised the bar in every smart lock it released, this time came up with the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock model. We’ve been waiting for a while to make a review of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock and finally we got the product and ready to make a review. We believe that you will have no questions left on your mind after reading our August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review which we we will share all our experiences. Let’s start the review.
Connection Standards and Smart Home Controller Options of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection as out of the box without need of any kind of bridge as their previous smart locks August Smart Lock + Connect Wi-Fi Bridge and August Smart Lock Pro 3rd Gen + Connect. However, this time there is no option for Z-Wave connection. To be honest, we find wifi connection pretty enough for smart locks.
Having lack of Z-Wave connection also brings some disadvantages as not giving you the option to use Ring Doorbell and similar products that uses Z-Wave connection. So if this is a very important case for you, we suggest yo to have a look at August’s previous smart locks. Apple Homekit, Google Assistant and Alexa is supported as out of the box.
Amazon Alexa
Most of the voice assistant users prefer to use Alexa at their homes. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock gives you ability to lock, unlock and check the status of your door. Additionally, now you can set notifications to make you remember battery changing time. This is a great feature to prevent battery drain situations.
Echo or Echo Dot can be used to send voice commands to Alexa. You have to add “August Home” skill to your Amazon Alexa app as the first step. After that you can start using your commands such as “Alexa, ask August to unlock the Front Door”. Below, you can find more detailed commands to use with Alexa.
These are the voice commands which you can use on Alexa
- Check if your front door is locked or not: “Alexa, is my front door locked?”
- Locking your door: “Show me the last motion event at the front door”
- Unlock your door: “Show me the front door.” [you will also need to say your pin code]
- Set PIN code: [Configured in Alexa app]
- August View Doorbell Camera: [Alexa will notify]
- August View Doorbell Camera Activate Microphone: “Answer the front door.” [Echo Show and Dot]
When you ask Alexa to unlock the door, you will be asked to say your 4 digit pin too. This step is to prevent unwanted unlocking operations by mistake. However, locking is very simple as saying “Alexa, lock the door” and it will be locked without anything extra needed.
Alexa is a very popular voice assistant but you might want to use Siri or Google Assistant too. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock presents you all of these voice assistant options.
Apple HomeKit
Just like the previous smart locks of August, August Wi-Fi Smart Lock also works perfectly well with Apple HomeKit. Pairing code can be found at the behind of the faceplate of lock. After you scan the code and add the lock to Home App, you can define an icon, change the lock name and assign it to a room if needed.
If you have more HomeKit devices at your home, you can use August Wi-Fi Smart Lock with them. As an example when you unlock the door, your lights will turn on. These kind of automations can be done easily.
Another great feature is creating shortcuts to be used by Siri, Apple Watch, or HomePod. Saying goodnight will lock the door, turn off the lights or any HomeKit device that is connected and added to automation routine.
These are the voice commands which you can use on Apple HomeKit
- Unlock: “Hey Siri, Unlock my door”
- Lock: “Hey Siri, lock my door”
- Check Status: “Hey Siri, is my front door locked?”
Google Assistant
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock and Google Home works well as expected. Pairing process is not easy as Alexa and Siri but once you follow the instructions given below you can easily complete pairing. You can lock, unlock and check the status of your door. Doorsense should be installed on your door in order to check the status of your door. Unlocking requires a pin for security reasons.
How to pair August Wi-Fi Smart Lock and Google Assistant
- Open the Google Home app and log in to your Google Account
- Select the Add (+) option at the top
- Select Set up a device
- Under Works With, choose “Have something already set up?
- ”Scroll to or search for August Home in the Manage Accounts menu
- Follow the steps to sign in to and verify your August Account
- Agree to allow Google to operate your August Smart Locks / View the Status of your August Smart Locks
- As the final step, define a PIN code to use while unlocking
These are the voice commands which you can use on Google Assistant
- Lock: “OK, Google, lock my front door.” (use the name assigned to your door in the August app)
- Check Status:“OK, Google, is my front door locked?”
- To check if your door is closed or not, you can use this voice command but your DoorSense should be installed on your door. “Ok, Google, is my front door closed?”
- Unlock: “OK Google, unlock my front door.” Google Assistant will prompt you for your security PIN code. Reply with your PIN to unlock the door.
Auto Locking of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Auto lock is a must for a smart lock and August had this feature till their first smart lock. If you enable this feature, your door will be locked after the time you defined passes after the door closed completely. You can set this timer as 30 seconds or 1 minute to 30 minutes over the August Home App.
This feature is a life saver for large families or for the people who want to automate the locking process. Just make sure that yor door closed completely in order to let auto lock work as it should be.
Auto Unlocking of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Auto unlocking is the star feature of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. When you enable this feature, your door will be unlocked when you come close to your lock approximately around ~15 ft range. Very useful feature for the people who want to automate unlocking or who carry bags while coming to house.
Auto Unlock uses your phone’s GPS to check if you are in the Geofence area which is approximately 500 ft from the lock. If you are inside this area, your lock will be active to catch the signals coming from your phone. Once you unlock your door, you will have to leave the Geofence are and come back again to activate auto unlocking again. This feature is preventing you to unlock your door while you are in the house.
Guest Keys of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock gives 3 types of guest keys for us. We have tested all of the guest keys listed below and never seen any problems. Always, Recurring and Temporary guest keys are possible to be created over the August Home App. Here are the details:
- Always: There is no limit for this key. It will always work without any limitations. Very ideal guest key for family members and most trusted friends.
- Recurring: This is a very important and useful type of key that you can create. Imagine that you have a gardener coming every Thursday between 10:00 AM and 03:00 pm. You can simply set recurring accesss for your gardener and let him/her to your house every Thursday between 10:00 AM and 03:00 pm. This code will continue to work until you delete it. Very ideal guest key for recurring visitors.
- Temporary: This guest key has multiple purposes. It can be given to any kind of visitor including Airbnb guests for home reantal. When you set a temporary code, it will work only between the dates and time range you set. Owner can create temporary guest key which will work at 09.03.20 – 09.10.20 and between 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM. It will not work after 03:00 PM 09.10.20.
Smart Alerts of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
You can track all the activity of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock by using smart alerts feature. When your door locked or unlocked you will directly get notifications. Below you can find all the activities which you will be notified when they occur.
- When the door is locked or unlocked manually
- When a user which is defined by you locks or unlocks the door
- When the door left ajar
- When the door is Auto-Locked
- When door is locked with One – Touch Keyapd
Battery Life of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August always had poor battery life and it looks like August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is not exception. At the previos models August Smart Lock + Connect Wi-Fi Bridge and August Smart Lock Pro 3rd Gen + Connect , they were using 4 x AA Alkaline batteries and they had 4- 6 weeks battery life. Now things got even worse. 2 x CR123 batteries required for August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (they are already included in the box) and you shoud buy them again every 4-6 weeks.
There are many factors effecting this battery life. Every user will get different battery life because of usage frequency, enabled features, weather conditions and quality of the used batteries. 4 – 6 weeks is an estimation based on the users’s experience who use August Wi-Fi Smart Lock since it is launched.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock have low battery warnings. You will get notifications over the app when your battery gets to 20% level. Light on the lock will also flash red when your battery is low. Additionally, Alexa will inform you when they are at 20% so you will not have any chance to face with battery drain problem.
Battery changing is very easy. Just open the cover on the lock and you will see the batteries. It will take maximum 1 minute to change the batteries of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
August Smart Keypad
August Smart Keypad is a controller which is sold separately. Keypad entrance is widely used so most of the people prefer this option. This keypad is extremely easy to use. You can create any kind of keys for your needs. As an example we can say you can give access to your guests, your baby sitter,house cleaner, contractor to enter your house in the defined time range. You can set all of these from August lock app.
If you want to track who/when has entered to your house over the app then you should enable Homekit. August Smart Keypad has also one button locking option. August Keypad one touch lock makes locking as simple as pressing the red August logo at the bottom of the keypad. Keypad uses Bluetooth connection.
Keypad has backlights but you should first touch one of the buttons in order to activate. This can cause wrong code entrance some times as you might miss the first correct number of your keypad while you are in the dark but buttons are large and well designed so this not likely to happen usually.
August Smart Keypad has also motion sensor but it can be activated only with August Doorbell Cam Pro . Battery life of the product is not very good. Avarage battery life could be expected as 1,5 months with 5-6 times daily usage but this could change depending on the temperature where device is used. It has also low battery warning system over the app and via e-mail. Sizes are pretty small as 1 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches.
Package includes:
– 1 Smart Keypad
– 2 AAA Batteries
– 2 Screws
– 2 Wall Anchors
– Double-Sided Tape
– Getting Started Guide
Installation Process of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is one of the easiest to install smart locks on the market. We have finished installation around 10 minutes so inexperienced users can expect to install August Wi-Fi Smart Lock in 15 mintues. You will only need a Phillips Head Screwdriver for the whole process. You can find the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock installation manual at here. Additionally, you can watch the installation video below.
Please note that August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is not compatible with the following products:
- Mortise locks
- Double Cylinder deadbolts (key hole on both outside and inside of door)
- Medeco, Mul-t-Lock or single sided deadbolts
Technical Details Chart of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
| Item Weight | 1.45 pounds |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 2.8 x 2.8 x 2.75 inches |
| Voltage | 3 volts |
| Batteries | 2 x CR123A batteries required. (included) |
| Included Components | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, DoorSenseTM sensor, 2 x CR123 batteries, Lock adapter & mounting hardware |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Lithium Metal |
| Warranty Description | 1 year manufacturer |
August Smart Lock Pro Comparison Chart
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| August Smart Lock Pro + Connect | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | August Smart Lock | |
| Use your phone as your key | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-unlock your door as you approach | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto lock your door as you leave | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remotely control your lock | ✓ | ✓ | Add August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge. Sold separately. |
| Works with Alexa, Google Assistant | ✓ | ✓ | Add August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge. Sold separately. |
| Compatible Standards | Bluetooth, Apple HomeKit, Z-Wave Plus, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Apple HomeKit, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth |
Cons and Pros of August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
We are at the last part of our August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review. We want to remin you that August’s previous models are already great. At this model, they made things even better by reducing the size to almost 30% of August Smart Lock Pro 3rd Gen + Connect which made this lock look as a classic door knob installed on your door. They even added embedded wi-fi so you don’t need bridge anymore to connect your smart lock internet.
We have a feeling as August Wi-Fi Smart Lock will be at the top 3 of the best smart locks of 2020 list. Below, you can find all the cons and pros that we have found. We hope you enjoyed reading our review and found all the answers.
Pros:
Small and aesthetic design
Very easy to install
Custom App
Support for voice assistants Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri
Airbnb options
Custom guest keys
Notifications on any kind of lock activity
Auto unlock and lock
Door sense
Low battery indicators
Multiple smart home controller options
Key usage if battery drains
Keypad contoller option
Cons:
Expensive batteries
Short battery life
Not integrated with SmartThings
Difficult to setup on Android devices
