Yale Guarantee Lock 2 Overview

Whether or not you might be renting your house out to visitors, wish to track your canine walker’s comings and goings, or you might be simply bored with fumbling round with keys, a sensible lock can upload severe comfort for your existence. The Guarantee Lock 2 from Yale is sleeker and smarter than the former era and helps Apple HomeKit on all fashions. It begins at $159.99 for a Bluetooth-only model, whilst the probably the greatest touch-screen type with Wi-Fi is going for $259.99. Regardless of which you select, the Guarantee Lock 2 means that you can lock and free up the door in a couple of techniques, create and arrange get entry to codes for visitors, and consider a timeline of door and lock job. The $249 Ultraloq U-Bolt Professional Wi-Fi Sensible Lock stays our Editors’ Selection winner for its biometric fingerprint scanner, however the Guarantee Lock 2 is a robust competitor with a placing design. 

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Sleeker and Smarter

Starting from $159.99 to $259.99, the Guarantee Lock 2 assortment is made up of 4 fashions, which can be as much as 30% smaller than their predecessors.

(Credit score: Yale)

The bottom fashions function a keypad with bodily buttons, although you’ll improve to a slightly display screen for $20 extra. Each and every is to be had key-free or keyed, the latter of which includes a mechanical key cylinder that works with a bodily key. Key-free and keyed fashions price the similar. The Guarantee Lock 2 is to be had in 3 finishes: Black Suede, Oil-Rubbed Bronze, or Satin Nickel. 

All fashions paintings with the Yale Get right of entry to app (to be had for Android, iOS, and watchOS) by means of Bluetooth and make stronger Apple HomeKit. Within the field with the Guarantee Lock 2 you additionally get Yale’s DoorSense tool, which makes use of a magnetic sensor to trace when your door is open and closed. 

(Credit score: Angela Moscaritolo)

To keep watch over the lock past the restricted Bluetooth vary (about 30 ft), you wish to have a Wi-Fi Sensible Module, which fits into the again of the lock and permits for far flung control by means of the Yale Get right of entry to app from anyplace you might be. For extra comfort, the Wi-Fi Sensible Module not calls for a Wi-Fi Attach Bridge, so it is more practical to arrange and does not occupy a wall outlet. Yale sells a model of the Guarantee Lock 2 with the Wi-Fi Sensible Module preinstalled (beginning at $239.99), or you’ll acquire it one at a time for $79.99 and upload it to the lock your self. 

Putting in the Wi-Fi Sensible Module
(Credit score: Angela Moscaritolo)

For this evaluate, Yale despatched me the key-free, touch-screen Guarantee Lock 2 with Wi-Fi in Satin Nickel ($259.99). 

Yale additionally plans to release Z-Wave and Topic Sensible Modules (priced at $79.99 apiece), which must show you how to combine the Guarantee Lock 2 along with your good house ecosystem of selection. With a Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, or Topic Sensible Module, the lock works with Airbnb(Opens in a brand new window) and all kinds of third-party safety and automation programs, together with Amazon Alexa, Google House, Philips Hue, Ring, and Samsung SmartThings. 

The Guarantee Lock 2 assortment suits on doorways measuring 1-3/8 to 2-1/4 inches thick with a deadbolt bore hollow of 2-1/8 inches (the usual measurement in the United States) or 1-1/2 inches (repeatedly present in Canada), and a backset of 2-3/8 inches or 2-3/4 inches.

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Stay Additional Batteries on Hand

Irrespective of which type you select, the lock is powered through 4 AA batteries, which can be incorporated within the field. Bluetooth-only locks must closing between six and 9 months earlier than it’s a must to change out the batteries. Including the Wi-Fi module, then again, shortens battery existence to simply 3 months, Yale says. Battery existence varies relying on use and different components like Wi-Fi sign power and the interior friction of your deadbolt. I burned throughout the batteries in my Wi-Fi-enabled unit in simply seven weeks, however I locked and unlocked it dozens of occasions on a daily basis whilst operating in this evaluate.

Sadly, the app does not show the battery stage in any respect till it drops underneath 20%. When the batteries do succeed in that essential stage, the Guarantee Lock 2 warns you by means of a notification within the app, a crimson mild at the tool itself, and an audible sound. I want it driven those indicators a lot quicker. In trying out, I were given locked out—throughout a torrential downpour whilst dressed in simply socks on my ft—earlier than I gained one of the vital low-battery warnings within the app. 

By the point I were given a low-battery notification within the app, I used to be already locked out
(Credit score: Yale)

If the batteries die and also you get locked out, you’ll nonetheless open the door in one among two techniques. With the keyed type, you’ll merely use the main. With the keyless type, you’ll use a typical 9V battery to energy it from the out of doors. Once I were given locked out, I used the latter way (after my sort neighbor drove me to the shop) and it labored. You merely position a 9V battery towards the terminal at the backside of the outside keypad or contact display screen, then the show must illuminate so you’ll kind on your code to get in.  

Powering the Guarantee Lock 2 from the out of doors with a 9V battery
(Credit score: Angela Moscaritolo)

Converting out the batteries is discreet: Simply slide the battery quilt off the internal lock, pull the ribbon to take away the outdated ones, insert the brand new ones, and reinstall the duvet. 

A Yale spokesperson says nearly all of patrons move with a keyed type as a result of they would like that bodily backup for peace of thoughts. If the battery dies and also you don’t seem to be wearing the main with you, you’ll be able to want to name a locksmith to get again in. The chance of having locked out is in reality decrease with the keyless type as a result of you’ll at all times seize a 9V battery on the retailer to energy it again up. The selection is as much as you, however I went with the key-free type for its extra streamlined design and 9V battery backup possibility. 

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Set Apart Some Time for Set up

Most of the people must be capable to set up the Guarantee Lock 2 on maximum doorways themselves with simply a typical Phillips-head screwdriver, supplied it suits within the position of your earlier lock. Adjusting an present door or prepping a brand new door for the Guarantee Lock 2 complicates the method and calls for some further gear, together with a drill, a software knife, a wooden mortise chisel, a tape measure, and a degree. 

(Credit score: Angela Moscaritolo)

As discussed, if you happen to’ve modified out a deadbolt lock previously, you should have no issues putting in the Guarantee Lock 2. I am not adept at such duties, so I enlisted my to hand neighbor Ali, who has put in a number of good locks of various manufacturers previously. 

Yale features a written and illustrated set up information within the field, and the Yale Get right of entry to app too can information you throughout the procedure. From begin to end, Ali finished the set up of my evaluate unit in about two hours, although he notes he was once taking his time.

(Credit score: Angela Moscaritolo)

Putting in the non-compulsory DoorSense tool, which might require drilling a hollow with a 5/8-inch paddle bit, as my door did, was once the trickiest section. The DoorSense can also be put in on wooden or steel door frames.

DoorSense put in
(Credit score: Angela Moscaritolo)

In trying out, I had no bother pairing the Guarantee Lock 2 with its better half Yale Get right of entry to app. If you are new to the app, you’ll be able to want to create an account, then test each your electronic mail and call quantity the use of one-time codes. Subsequent, press Set Up a New Tool after which use your telephone’s digicam to scan the QR code at the lock (within the battery compartment or at the fast get started information). 

After the app locates your tool, it asks whether or not you need to view the set up directions or start setup. Step one of the method is to call your own home within the app and specify which door the lock is on. Subsequent, the app instructs you to open and free up the door so it will possibly calibrate the tool. The calibration solely takes a minute or so. As soon as entire, you must be capable to keep watch over the lock throughout the app by means of Bluetooth. Should you decide to make use of the DoorSense tool it’ll additionally want to be calibrated, however this step is similarly fast and simple. 

(Credit score: Yale)

When you have the Wi-Fi Sensible Module, you wish to have to go into your Wi-Fi password within the app to attach the lock to your house community. Be aware that the Wi-Fi Sensible Module solely helps the two.4GHz frequency and does not paintings with 5GHz networks. 

All the way through the setup procedure, the app activates you to create the four- to eight-digit access code you’ll be able to use to free up the door. At this level, I created distinctive codes for myself, my neighbor, and my canine walker. When inviting others to make use of the lock, you’ll give them complete app get entry to or only a private access code. You’ll pick out your individual numbers to customise the codes so they are simple to keep in mind. 

(Credit score: Yale)

The Yale Get right of entry to app is discreet and neatly arranged, making it simple to regulate your lock. The app options tabs on the backside that will let you temporarily take a look at your lock and door’s present standing, lock and free up the deadbolt with a faucet, view a timeline of lock and door job, and create and arrange get entry to codes. 

Within the app’s Lock Settings menu, you’ll arrange automations like Auto Free up and Auto Lock, and permit Apple HomeKit so you’ll keep watch over the lock with Siri voice instructions and Apple’s House app. Right here, you’ll additionally permit Sensible Indicators to be notified about sure occasions, like when the door is locked/unlocked manually, locked/unlocked through a particular consumer, left ajar, auto locked, or keypad locked. 

(Credit score: Yale)

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Going Keyless With the Guarantee Lock 2

(Credit score: Angela Moscaritolo)

When no longer in use, the outside contact display screen turns off, so all you spot is the Yale emblem on the most sensible. To free up it with the contact display screen, you merely faucet the Yale emblem, input your code the use of the numbered buttons at the show, then faucet the checkmark button. Neither I nor any of my visitors with an get entry to code had any bother unlocking the door this fashion. The lock got here in to hand after I traveled to Berlin to hide the IFA shopper electronics business display, permitting my canine walker to simply come and move two times an afternoon to maintain my canine Bradley.

(Credit score: Yale)

The Auto Free up function, which makes use of Bluetooth to stumble on when you find yourself almost about robotically free up the door, is especially helpful—in most cases I am nonetheless accumulating issues from my automobile after I listen it robotically unlocking. With notifications from the Yale Get right of entry to app enabled, it sends an alert when it is robotically unlocking the door. That mentioned, when used with the Wi-Fi module, the lock every now and then didn’t robotically free up in trying out, by which case I needed to kind within the code to open the door. 

Controlling the Guarantee Lock 2 from an Apple Watch SE
(Credit score: Angela Moscaritolo)

As discussed, you’ll lock and free up the Guarantee Lock 2 with one faucet by means of the Yale Get right of entry to app to your smartphone or Apple Watch, and this selection labored reliably in trying out, however I nearly by no means used it for the reason that different strategies are more straightforward. 

The Wi-Fi Sensible Module is a pleasing addition, however I would not name it vital function since I spend maximum of my time at house. For me, the principle good thing about the Wi-Fi connection is having the ability to take a look at the door and lock standing anyplace I’m. With a Wi-Fi connection, you’ll additionally remotely lock and free up the door, track the job feed, and proceed to obtain notifications when you are out and about. With no Wi-Fi connection, those options will solely paintings inside of Bluetooth vary. And, as famous above, the Wi-Fi module every now and then interfered with the Bluetooth Auto Free up function.

Controlling the Guarantee Lock 2 by means of Apple’s House app
(Credit score: Apple )

In trying out, I had no bother connecting the Guarantee Lock 2 with a number of third-party good house platforms, together with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant, by means of their respective cell apps. I may just then keep watch over and track the lock with voice instructions comparable to “Siri, lock my entrance door” by means of a HomePod mini, “Good day Google, what’s the standing of my entrance door” by means of a Nest Mini, and “Alexa, lock my entrance door” by means of an Echo Display 8. 

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Sensible Seems and Capability

The Yale Guarantee Lock 2 can carry the glance of your door whilst including comfort for your existence. Starting from $159.99 to $259.99, it gives a just right selection to satisfy your wishes, personal tastes, and finances, together with keyless and keyed fashions with bodily buttons or a slightly display screen. All fashions function Bluetooth and paintings with the Yale Guarantee app and Apple HomeKit, and you’ve got the choice so as to add Wi-Fi connectivity for far flung tracking and keep watch over. Battery existence for the Wi-Fi model might be higher, however we in a different way have few lawsuits. The competing Ultraloq U-Bolt Professional Wi-Fi ($249) has the brink due to its fingerprint scanner, however the Guarantee Lock 2 is a wonderful selection, particularly if minimum aesthetics strike your fancy.