Choosing a smart home lock means balancing the access methods you want with condition, finish, and listed price. Both the Aqara U100 and August Smart Lock, 3rd Generation are electronic, keyless options, but they take different approaches. Aqara foregrounds fingerprint entry, Apple Home Key, and HomeKit, while August emphasizes smartphone home entry. The listed-price gap is $25.04, so the decision is largely about whether Aqara's new condition and feature naming or August's lower entry price better match your priorities.
Quick verdict
Choose the Aqara U100 when new condition, a gray matte zinc-alloy deadbolt, universal/reversible door handing, and the named fingerprint, Apple Home Key, and HomeKit features are central to the purchase. Choose the August Smart Lock, 3rd Generation when you prefer the lower listed price, a silver satin finish, smartphone-oriented naming, and a listed self-closing feature. Electronic and keyless operation are shared characteristics, so they do not separate the two.
At-a-glance comparison
| Detail | Aqara U100 Smart Lock | August Smart Lock, 3rd Generation |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 104.99 | USD 79.95 |
| Condition | New | Open box |
| Finish and color | Gray, matte | Silver, satin |
| Listed access wording | Fingerprint, Apple Home Key, HomeKit | Smartphone home entry |
| Shared or distinct features | Electronic, keyless | Electronic, keyless, self closing |
Where each lock stands out
Aqara U100: new-condition deadbolt with named Apple-focused access
Aqara makes the stronger case for a residential front entrance door shopper who wants a deadbolt described with universal/reversible door handing. The gray matte finish and zinc-alloy material create a clearly defined look, and hardware plus a key are included. Its product name also explicitly calls out fingerprint access, Apple Home Key, and HomeKit, making those named features a practical deciding point for a household already focused on that style of access.
August Smart Lock, 3rd Generation: lower listed price and smartphone framing
August is the more direct pick when the starting price matters most. Its title specifically centers on keyless home entry with a smartphone, and self-closing appears among its features. The silver satin finish offers a different visual direction from Aqara's gray matte option, while the listed 2.1-inch depth adds one concrete physical specification. Open-box condition is the important trade-off against Aqara's new condition.
Product notes
Aqara U100 Smart Lock Fingerprint Apple Home Key HomeKit Keyless Deadbolt Gray
The Aqara U100 suits a shopper seeking a new gray deadbolt with explicit universal/reversible door handing. Its matte zinc-alloy construction is paired with included hardware and a key, while its name foregrounds fingerprint entry, Apple Home Key, and HomeKit. That combination gives Aqara a distinct role for a front entrance door where those named access options and the gray matte appearance matter. The limitation is simple: at USD 104.99, Aqara is the higher-priced choice here. Pick Aqara when new condition, its specified material and finish, and the Apple- and fingerprint-focused feature naming matter more than paying the lower listed price.
August Smart Lock, 3rd Generation Silver Keyless Home Entry With Your Smartphone
The August Smart Lock, 3rd Generation is a sensible fit for someone prioritizing a lower listed cost without giving up electronic, keyless operation. Its smartphone home-entry wording is prominent in the title, and the listed self-closing feature distinguishes its feature set from Aqara's. The silver satin finish and 2.1-inch depth further define the option. At USD 79.95, August is the less expensive lock in this comparison. Its key limitation is condition: it is listed as open box rather than new. Choose August when smartphone-oriented access language, self-closing, and the lower price carry more weight than Aqara's new condition and Apple Home Key or HomeKit naming.
Final choice by use case
- Choose Aqara U100 for a new gray matte zinc-alloy deadbolt, universal/reversible handing, and product-name support for fingerprint, Apple Home Key, and HomeKit access.
- Choose August Smart Lock, 3rd Generation for the lower listed price, silver satin appearance, smartphone-focused title, and listed self-closing feature.
- Choose based on condition first if that is non-negotiable: Aqara is new, while August is open box.
