Aqara launched the Smart Lock U100, a smart deadbolt compatible with multiple smart-home ecosystems.

Aqara Smart Lock U100 is compatible with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa and Google Home. However, there are some caveats depending on how you plan to integrate the lock into your home.

It will only work out of the box with Aqara Home or Apple Home/HomeKit.

You’ll have to use one of Aqara’s smart hubs to add Matter or Alexa to your home.

Hubs M2 are required if you want Matter Control, as Matter was released on this hub in February. The update will also be available for other Aqara hubs, including the Hub M1S and Hub E1, as well as the Camera Hub G3 and Camera Hub G2H.

• VERDICT: Aqara Camera Hub G2H Pro review

It’s still not as simple ( Matter isn’t really that straightforward at the moment )… Alexa doesn’t support locks yet (or bridges, like the Hub M2), but this is about to change.

Apple Home Key is compatible with the U100, so you can unlock your door using your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Apple’s Power Reserve (supported by iPhone XS and later, Apple Watch Series 4 running WatchOS 8), allows you to open your front door for up to 5 hours even after your watch or phone has run out.

Read about the best smart locks

The U100 supports other unlocking methods besides HomeKit, including fingerprints, passwords, NFC and mechanical keys.

Aqara Home allows you to create passwords that are one-time or periodic, and give guests access for a short, long, or a specific period of time.

Aqara says that the U100 can run for 8 months on four AA batteries. At 20%, you’ll receive a warning that the battery is low. If you let it run out of juice, you can charge it with a USB-C or a physical key.

Aqara, a brand that is rapidly growing, is an excellent option for those looking to upgrade their smart home powered by Apple HomeKit or Amazon Alexa, GoogleAssistant, or both.

We published a Aqara smart-home review a couple of years ago. Please read it for more details and information. We will be updating this review very soon.