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August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review: The best lock gets better

August’s new lock features a couple of important changes: built-in Wi-Fi and a much smaller body. We’ve liked August’s previous offerings, and this is the best one yet. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock proves itself as the best retrofit smart lock and wins CNET’s Editors’ Choice award. The $250 lock is expensive, but we talk…

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August’s new lock features a couple of important changes: built-in Wi-Fi and a much smaller body. We’ve liked August’s previous offerings, and this is the best one yet. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock proves itself as the best retrofit smart lock and wins CNET’s Editors’ Choice award.

The $250 lock is expensive, but we talk about why the cost is worth it if you want retrofit smarts for your front door.

You can buy the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock from Best Buy:
*CNET may get a commission from this offer/these offers.

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56 Comments

56 Comments

  1. Vikingz. edits

    May 15, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    I never saw you on a video before
    I like it, you should do more

  2. A Deep Dive Into:

    May 15, 2020 at 2:40 pm

    This seems worthless

    • j7a1k1e

      May 15, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      Worthless? I live in an apartment where I’m not allowed to remove or change my deadbolt as it has a second keyway for maintenance entry. The only way to add a smart lock to my place is to replace the internal mechanism of the deadbolt. This is so useful for me. Well worth the money to protect my things.

  3. rudyanz geneziz

    May 15, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    What if someday you forget to change the battery and its turn off by itself while you are in hurry go back home to get toilet?

    • The Earls Renegade

      May 15, 2020 at 3:17 pm

      You got a free dye for your pants, enjoy.

  4. Zaid Adel

    May 15, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    The man going crazy Too much quarantine

  5. The Earls Renegade

    May 15, 2020 at 3:08 pm

    Oh yeah, let’s give the power of easy burglary to any hacker.

    First your house could burn down (WiFi boiler), now this (I know WiFi locks have been around for awhile).

    Also what happens if:
    Your WiFi ISP goes down?

    You lose your phone, anyone who gets it’s now have the literal key to you House.

    You locks battery (xD) dies and you forget to change EVERY 2-3 Months, especially considering the batteries are not of a common type (c type batteries?).

    • Max Meier

      May 15, 2020 at 5:11 pm

      you can lose your keys – and now anyone who has them can get inside your home.
      you can lose your keys – and now you yourself cant get in.
      does that mean you dont use keys to get inside?
      also: just dont use the automatic open function. there will be the option to only do it manually so you would have to unlock the phone first.
      also: just dont rely on the lock 100 % and have a key with you, just in case.
      also: as it said in the review, the device will alarm you at 25 % charge- that means you have weeks to change the batteries.

  6. P WHALES

    May 15, 2020 at 3:13 pm

    It works just as long as the wifi is working. If I was to get one , it would have to be able to operate manually like normal locks work like.

    • Max Meier

      May 15, 2020 at 5:15 pm

      it also has bluetooth.

  7. David Wattley

    May 15, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    By experience, this lock will stop working right after warranty and they will tell you too bad and will offer to take 10% off a new one. You are sponsoring their R&D efforts. DONT BUY

  8. Umang Malik

    May 15, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    someone tag LockpickingLawyer

  9. Unknown94

    May 15, 2020 at 3:24 pm

    🤔 Hmm a wireless hackable lock, I’ll pass.

  10. Speed Racer

    May 15, 2020 at 3:30 pm

    This is a waste of money, the 3rd gen pro model is the one to get

  11. Lyn Washington

    May 15, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    For the love of all that’s holy–shut off the stinking, repetitive, maddening “music.” I had to bail out at 2:20.

  12. Liu Esstuo

    May 15, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    What about the Wyze Lock? It’s only $99 with the same fetchers

    • Chuck

      May 16, 2020 at 2:32 pm

      August app is not awesome but security in wyze is really poor.

  13. johnnygoodface

    May 15, 2020 at 4:08 pm

    As usual with this guy, lots is missing: no testing of door detection, no mention of Homekit, etc. etc.

    • j7a1k1e

      May 15, 2020 at 7:01 pm

      Apple homekit compatible. The only differences between this and the previous generation are size, built in wifi, and a lack of z-wave. The rest is identical to the smartlock pro. Google is your friend

  14. Etzio Play

    May 15, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    what kind of security this lock has? in regards to cyber security

  15. Eric Mason

    May 15, 2020 at 4:48 pm

    I have the last gen August smart lock and it came with the WiFi module. Didn’t pay an extra $80 for it. Bought it at the Apple Store for $250.

  16. Shketri

    May 15, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    These kinds of ‘smart’ devices make me want to stick to my analog old-school devices even more.

    The kind of smart locks that i want? The one where it doesn’t need batteries but still works if the power is out. And the one that can recognize the inhabitants and automatically lock/unlock the door. Since that is still impossible, i’m sticking to my knob and keys.

  17. Username

    May 15, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    These kinds of ‘smart’ devices make me want to stick to my analog old-school devices even more.

    The kind of smart locks that i want? The one where it doesn’t need batteries but still works if the power is out. And the one that can recognize the inhabitants and automatically lock/unlock the door. Since that is still impossible, i’m sticking to my knob and keys.

  18. myHomeKithome

    May 15, 2020 at 4:51 pm

    I like the security that comes with Bluetooth, but the convenience of the built-in WiFi connection is pretty sweet. I’m pretty excited about the Level Lock as long as it doesn’t compromise the physical security of the deadbolt.

  19. Max Meier

    May 15, 2020 at 5:16 pm

    life hack: if you are trying to break in someone’s home, just shout “alexa” or “ok google” and then “open door”.
    dont be dumb, dont use voice controls for anything in life.

    • j7a1k1e

      May 15, 2020 at 6:58 pm

      Google home uses voice signature recognition for any commands you set to require it. And any signature commands require your phone be on the same network to work. There are plenty of secure ways to use voice control. But I’m happy to let you stay paranoid. 50 years ago we left our front doors unlocked all day as long as we were home.

    • Chuck

      May 16, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      Google home asks for a password when use open the door command with August

    • Sam MushroomMan

      May 18, 2020 at 6:58 pm

      @Chuck As does Alexa with the $99 Wyze smart lock

    • Chuck

      May 18, 2020 at 7:06 pm

      Sam MushroomMan good luck with the security concerns with Wyze. 2FA, log-in notifications, authorized devices, etc. Also they had a security problem few months ago.

  20. 2b 1a

    May 15, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    Not sure about this as an “upgrade”, just by being smaller but using unusual sized battery then u might aswell use button batteries in the next generation.

    Bluetooth 5 also consume less power than wifi so should last longer.

    The modular setup makes more sense also.

  21. John Debest

    May 15, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    This electronic lock is solving a problem that doesn’t exist. A good deadbolt at the same price will give you exellent security, no batteries required.

    • webcomment

      May 16, 2020 at 6:25 am

      John Debest You don’t understand what this is.
      It doesn’t replace your deadbolt. It just attaches inside replacing the interior handle so you can remote control the lock with an app.
      You keep your existing deadbolt.

  22. jordan wilkins

    May 15, 2020 at 6:18 pm

    Has nobody ever heard of rcr123 batteries? They rechargeable cr123 batteries and they aren’t that expensive. I use them in a few of my flashlights. Not a big deal at all

  23. mutlunun

    May 15, 2020 at 6:37 pm

    More battery rubish for environment.

  24. John Gyver

    May 15, 2020 at 6:40 pm

    You call it “the best” for no reason. Is it just because it has Wi-Fi? It doesn’t make sense for me.
    I wonder how many security flaws are there – both HW and SW, especially because I’ve never heard the name of that company before.
    And the price is kind of ridiculous.

  25. NIKA - I very love s*x

    May 15, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    👑 😃 🤑

  26. Ryu Underhill

    May 15, 2020 at 8:07 pm

    Why don’t you show the underside? Why don’t you show us how it attaches to a door and what mechanisms it works with.. I suggest mentioning the WiFi and cost once and using the new found time to actually add useful details for buyers.

    Other than that, nice video.

  27. Vina Nguyen

    May 15, 2020 at 8:53 pm

    What about the Level Lock? No need for that puck!

  28. Brighty McBrightface

    May 16, 2020 at 5:16 am

    $250? … c’mon …
    When will these iot people “get it” that they need to sell a lot, not charge a lot and end up a niche product that gets wiped out because a small user base isn’t sustainable

    $40 for a wifi stepper motor in a puck … would be fine

  29. Jonathan

    May 16, 2020 at 7:39 am

    This has got to be the worst audio ever on a CNET video. They make these things called microphones.

  30. Jim - Cute Drawings

    May 16, 2020 at 8:36 am

    best.. let’s be friends or partners

  31. ali naif

    May 16, 2020 at 11:33 am

    What is the WiFi is out due a power cut and total black out and you can’t get in or out

    • Sam MushroomMan

      May 18, 2020 at 6:53 pm

      if it’s like the Wyze lock it works off your phones Bluetooth. Wyze lock is also more then half the price less of this one.

  32. SuperChiko K.R

    May 16, 2020 at 11:56 am

    Great Quarantine edition

  33. cafeta

    May 16, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    Buy the Wyze Lock, is half the price and has more features.

    • John Walton

      May 19, 2020 at 7:38 am

      Uh…, No. Wyze is an option. But, it’s not the same quality and the app isn’t as polished. Not saying it’s not a good purchase at $100, but you get what you pay.

  34. Scott Johansen

    May 16, 2020 at 4:22 pm

    Looks plastic
    As a locksmith of 20 years i wouldn’t trust it

  35. Techie-X

    May 16, 2020 at 5:33 pm

    What if the wifi goes boom ??! U stay locked out of ur own house ?!

  36. zztop3000

    May 16, 2020 at 11:22 pm

    What a pos. I just kick that with my foot and it’s off, I’m in.

    • Sam MushroomMan

      May 18, 2020 at 6:57 pm

      Nice try but these go on the INSIDE part of your door.

  37. Douglas Sassaman

    May 17, 2020 at 12:22 am

    He’s really annoying

  38. Video Biker

    May 17, 2020 at 1:30 pm

    Thanks!! Good blend of information and humor.

  39. Freddie the Fly

    May 18, 2020 at 2:16 am

    Wyzle lock for $99.99 is just as good as this $250 lock. Don’t waste your money on this one.

  40. KueKuatSheu

    May 18, 2020 at 10:23 am

    are you out of your mind? $250? just one piece….

  41. rawrbro69

    May 18, 2020 at 8:53 pm

    Is there an app for it in the Apple Watch store? And would I still be able to use my dead bolt key if I forgot my phone

  42. Ted M

    May 19, 2020 at 1:57 am

    I’m not buying just because the battery type

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