/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24710223/236692_Aqara_Door_Lock_JTuohy_0003.jpg "Smart locks featuring Matter technology have begun to appear.")
After what feels like an eternity, a selection of Matter-compatible smart locks have finally become available in the market. One of the options is Aqara’s Smart Lock U100, which was announced at CES and is now available for purchase for $189.99. The lock is compatible with Apple Home Key through HomeKit and has beta support for Matter through an Aqara hub. SwitchBot is also updating its SwitchBot 2 Hub this month to support Matter and connect with its smart lock. Yale also added a Matter module to its Assure SL smart lock last month for $229.99. Additionally, Apple recently announced that Matter locks will be supported on its platform with iOS 17.
Matter aims to provide a seamless experience for purchasing smart devices that can work with everything in a user’s home. Smart locks are among the initial device types supported, but it has taken until now for Matter smart locks to debut. With Matter, a smart lock can easily connect to one or multiple smart home platforms that support it, including Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. What this means is that an individual can share the lock across platforms without needing additional apps, account setups, or linking services.
New Matter devices are becoming available, with more expected to launch later this year. Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple Home are some of the major platforms that support Matter and have updated their compatible hubs to become Matter controllers.
The Smart Lock U100 from Aqara is powered by batteries and features a fingerprint reader, keypad, traditional key, app, and Apple Home Key. It is available for purchase for $189.99, which is the least expensive option for an Apple Home Key lock. The lock needs a Bluetooth connection to an Apple Home Hub or a Zigbee connection to an Aqara hub for out-of-home control and to connect to other smart home platforms, such as Google Home and Alexa. With a Matter-compatible hub, the lock can connect with these platforms as well as SmartThings and Alexa.
The update to support Matter on SwitchBot’s products is underway, including its smart lock. SwitchBot is enabled through its new hub, the SwitchBot Hub 2, that can control a variety of existing door locks. According to the PR manager, Sean Tan, the company is also working to support Home Key. The matter rollout also includes the Yale Assure Lock SL, along with the new Matter Smart Module for $229.99. The lock is compatible only with Matter, so it needs a Matter controller from the ecosystem of choice and a Thread border router to operate.
The fact that smart locks were among the first devices to be launched as part of Matter makes the slow rollout of the device type somewhat surprising. Manufacturers such as Yale and Schlage are citing issues with Matter as a cause for the slow adoption. Despite this, it is encouraging to see new Matter-compatible locks coming to the market.
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Alex Smith is a writer and editor with over 10 years of experience. He has written extensively on a variety of topics, including technology, business, and personal finance. His work has been published in a number of magazines and newspapers, and he is also the author of two books. Alex is passionate about helping people learn and grow, and he believes that writing is a powerful tool for communication and understanding.
