August Smart Lock vs. Smart Lock Pro: Which smart lock should you buy?
Simple and reliable
The base August Smart Lock is one of the cheapest smart locks on that market that provides plenty of value. However, it lacks quite a few features unless you get an August Connect to go with it, and even then, it still doesn't play nicely with Apple's HomeKit.
For
- Cheaper
- Easy to install
- 3-month battery life
Against
- No voice assistant support without August connect
- Doesn't support HomeKit even with the connect
King of functionality
The August Smart Lock Pro has absolutely everything you could want in a smart lock. With support for Google, HomeKit, and Alexa, the inclusion of the August Connect makes the Smart Lock Pro easy to use with any of the major smart home assistants. However, all the functionality does come with a price tag that can shock the wallet.
For
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's HomeKit
- Has remote access
- Comes with August connect
Against
- High cost
- Bulkier design
August Smart Lock vs. Smart Lock Pro: A quick breakdown of the specs
Keeping our homes safe and secure is a top priority and the convenience of the best smarts locks is unbeatable. We've been using technology around our homes for years, so finding the right tech is our bread and butter.
If you've been looking to add a smart lock to your home, chances are you've run across August. The company makes several smart lock and smart-lock-adjacent accessories for your home. Its most popular product, the August Smart Lock, comes in two flavors: the standard August Smart Lock and the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect. If you're trying to decide between the two, here's what the key differences are!
Header Cell - Column 0 | August Smart Lock | August Smart Lock Pro + Connect |
---|---|---|
App support | Yes | Yes |
Auto-Unlock | Yes | Yes |
Auto-Lock | Yes | Yes |
DoorSense | Yes | Yes |
Works with Apple HomeKit | No | Yes |
Works with Amazon Alexa | Requires August Connect | Yes |
Works with the Google Assistant | Requires August Connect | Yes |
Works with Z-Wave Plus | No | Yes |
Remote access | Requires August Connect | Yes |
August Connect included | No | Yes |
As you can see, it's not just the look and feel of these locks that separate them. The cheaper August Smart Lock doesn't have the same smart home integrations as the pricier Pro model. And even if you choose to upgrade the August Smart Lock by purchasing an August Connect, you still won't have access to all the platforms supported by the Pro model.
If you're interested in adding to your HomeKit or Z-Wave-based smart home setup, your best bet is going to be the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect. If you're using an Amazon Echo, a Google Home, or if you need remote access to your August Smart Lock, you can save money by purchasing the August Smart Lock and August Connect.
Everything you need.
The August Smart Lock Pro has absolutely everything you could want in a smart lock. With support for Google, HomeKit, and Alexa, the inclusion of the August Connect makes the Smart Lock Pro easy to use with any of the major smart home assistants. However, all the functionality does come with a price tag that can shock the wallet.
Missing a few bells and whistles
Using the August Smart Lock will save you money upfront, but its functionality is limited. It's worth noting that buying an August Connect to go along with it is still cheaper than purchasing the Pro version. Regardless, it's a stylish and reliable smart lock for any home.
Master your iPhone in minutes
iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way.
Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.