There's now a cheaper version of one of our favourite smart locks

Smart home device manufacturer Aqara has started selling a more affordable version of its U100 smart lock: the U50.

The U100 was notable for being the only Home Key-compatible smart lock easily available for purchase in Australia, and the U50 continues to offer support for the feature, despite the cheaper price tag.

Home Key is Apple-centric technology that lets you unlock your home by tapping the lock with your iPhone or Apple Watch. You don't even need to open an app or your Apple Wallet.

While we loved the U100 - we gave it four stars in our review - our main complaint was the price. It retails for $499. The new U50 comes in at $150 cheaper, selling for $349.

Of course, a cheaper price also means some compromises. The U50 doesn't have an integrated fingerprint reader, and it doesn't come with a Zigbee hub in the box. The Zigbee hub is only necessary if you want to use the U50 with non-Apple smart home platforms, such as Google's or Amazon's. Aqara sells its E1 Zigbee hub for $49.99.

While you don't need a Zigbee hub to use the Aqara U50 within the Apple ecosystem, you'll ideally want an Apple TV or HomePod to act as a hub. Without these, the U50 isn't able to connect to the internet, so you won't be able to access it remotely.

The U50 is powered by four AA batteries, said to last up to six months per charge. Physical keys are also included in the box. Unlike the U100, the U50's physical lock can be recut if you want to use an existing key.

The Aqara U50 smart lock is in stores now.

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Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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