Yale Home has launched a reengineered smart lock line, bringing the Yale Assure Lock 2 to market in a more compact form factor and offering keyed, key-free, touchscreen, and push button versions to cover all the bases. Featuring built-in Bluetooth and Apple HomeKit connectivity on all models, Yale has also retained its drop-in Smart Module feature to extend integration on these new locks, enabling Wi-Fi at launch and Z-Wave coming later in 2022. Yale will also support the new Matter standard through a Smart Module soon after Matter is commercially available.
Compact, fresh design on both sides of the door
In its first major end-to-end redesign since the original Assure lock line (we covered the first version of the Assure Bluetooth lock in 2017), Yale has slimmed down the exterior keypad housing of the lock somewhat over the latest Assure Lock SL, but went all-in to significantly minimize and modernize the formerly bulky interior housing. Overall, Yale says the locks are up to 30% smaller than their predecessors.
And while the interior housing is much smaller, Yale has managed to retain its Smart Module feature. This snap-in smart chip approach enables them to more easily support new technologies—such as the emerging matter smart home standard—building the necessary technology hooks into the module proper rather than having to add them to the Assure Lock 2’s onboard silicon. Individual Smart Modules are priced at $80, and will also be available bundled with the locks. Yale says the new Wi-Fi and forthcoming Matter Smart Modules will be compatible with the original Yale Assure lock.
Aesthetically, few will notice the more squarish redesign when viewed from outside the door, and Yale will continue offering the locks in black suede, oil rubbed bronze, and satin nickel finishes. On the inside of the door, the change is more dramatic, with the housing appearing much more compact than previously with a larger, more prominent thumb turn.
Take your pick. Yale Assure Lock 2 is available in keyed Keypad Deadbolt, keyed Touchscreen Deadbolt, key-free Keypad Deadbolt, and key-free Touchscreen Deadbolt variations. All use the same interior housing design. Image: Yale Home.
In a press release, Jason Williams, President of US Smart Residential at Yale Home’s parent company, Assa Abloy, summed up the new line. “Whether you regularly host guests, hire a pet sitter, have a neighbor check on your house while you’re on vacation, or just want extra peace of mind when you’re not home, Yale Assure Lock 2 has your front door covered, said Williams. “Our new collection taps into Yale’s 180+ year legacy of trusted security and pairs it with a fresh and timeless design, broad integration with your favorite smart home devices, and the latest tech advancements like Matter—delivering on our commitment to protect the things you love.”
Yale has retained its integrations with short-term rental firms such as Airbnb, making the locks a good choice for hoteliers. Image: Yale Home.
Going deeper into the tech
There is more evidence Yale has been busy integrating technology from sister company August Home Ito its newest locks. Like the Assure SL, the new Assure Lock 2 uses the Yale access app, which is essentially a clone of the August app that’s required for all August smart locks—including the recent Aug Wi-Fi Smart Lock and the Smart Lock Pro. That’s a good thing, since we use the August app daily and it’s always been a solid performer. It’s also a simple matter to enable (or revoke) smartphone app or PIN code access for maintenance workers, dog walkers, and cleaning staff through the app.
Smartphone app access for Yale Assure 2 will be through the Yale Access app, using technology the company inherited from sister company August Home. Image: Yale Home.
Furthermore, for the first time, Yale has incorporated the DoorSense feature into its locks, a technology and sensor designed to detect the open/closed/ajar status of the door—another feature birthed at August Home. This can be paired with other Yale/August features, including the geofencing-based Auto-Unlock capability.
Yale also offers the Apple Watch lock/unlock feature, another piece of tech developed at August. And in addition to Apple HomeKit, Yale has retained its integrations with Airbnb, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Philips Hue, Ring Alarm, and Samsung SmartThings.
Look familiar? The Apple Watch app for Yale Assure Lock 2 originated at sister company August Home. Image: Yale Home.
Yale says the new Assure Lock 2 locks are designed to be self-installable by consumers for a standard deadbolt door. In a twist to make the locks compatible with Canadian entryway doors, all the locks come with an adapter that can be used on doors with a deadbolt bore of 1.5-in. which is common in Canada.
Available Now Online
Yale Assure Lock 2 will be available for purchase at ShopYaleHome.com as well as major online retailers including Best Buy, Lowe’s, and The Home Depot starting on September 22. Retail prices will range from $159 to$259. Some of the models and bundles will only be available exclusively at either Lowe’s or The Home Depot. The locks will also be available later at Amazon.
