Never search for keys again: Why you want a smart lock and smart doorbell

Imagine: it's dusk and you come home with groceries, searching for your keys in your bag, only to find your old sensor light by the front door going out too quickly again. Sound familiar?

A smart lock and smart doorbell make your life a lot easier, safer, and more enjoyable. In this blog post, we'll tell you all about the benefits of these smart devices, how they work together, and which models are best for a truly smart home.

Why buy a smart lock?

A smart lock (also called a smart lock, smart door lock, or smart doorlock) is the ultimate convenience for anyone who's ever lost their keys or gotten locked out. But there are many more reasons why you might want a smart door lock:

• Never forget keys again:
  Open your door with your fingerprint, a code, your smartphone or even by voice.
• Faster access:
  You won't notice this until you have a smart lock, but getting in with a fingerprint or NFC tag is much faster!
• Remote access:
  Let the cleaner, home care worker or parcel delivery person in – even if you're not home.
• Temporary codes:
  Grant family, friends or visitors one-time or temporary access without handing out keys.
• Activity Log:
  You see exactly who comes in and out and when.
• Extra safety:
  Replacing cylinders due to lost keys is now a thing of the past.

Smart doorbell : always know who is at the door

Combine your smart lock with a smart doorbell (also called a smart doorbell or smart chime) and you have the perfect duo for a safe and smart home:

• Live images: see who's at your door, wherever you are.
• Talk to visitors: have a chat with the mail carrier or deter a burglar – all from your smartphone.
• Motion detection: Get notified when someone is in your front yard, even if they don't ring the doorbell.
• Automatic actions: turn on your lights when someone rings the doorbell, ideal for the hearing impaired or as extra security.
• Combined with your Smart Lock: see who's at the door and let them in with a single push of a button.

How do smart locks and smart doorbells work together?

With the right combination, you can put your home on autopilot. Here are a few practical examples:

• Parcel delivery: You see on your phone that the mailman is at your door. You speak with him and unlock the door remotely, so he can leave the package in the hallway.
• Welcoming guests: Give friends a temporary access code through the app. They'll be able to enter while you're busy with your visit.
• Home care or cleaner: let caregivers in without getting up, while you know exactly who is coming in.
• Automatic lighting: have your smart lights flash or turn on when someone rings the doorbell or when you come home.

Which smart locks and smart doorbells do you choose?

Product	Works with Home Assistant	Works with Homey	Works with Apple HomeKit	Particulars
Aqara Smart Lock U200 Kit	yes (via Matter)	no	Yes	Fingerprint, Code, NFC, Apple Home Key, Matter over Thread
Aqara Smart Lock U200 Kit Lite	yes (via Matter)	no	Yes	NFC sticker, Apple Home Key, Matter over Thread, affordable
Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4	no	no	Yes	1080P Full HD, AI facial recognition, local storage, wired or battery powered, no subscription required
Reolink WiFi Video Doorbell with Chime | 2K+ Super HD	Yes	Yes	no	2K+ Super HD, WiFi, Person detection, Home Assistant integration, no subscription required
Reolink PoE Video Doorbell with Chime | 2K+ Super HD	Yes	Yes	no	2K+ Super HD, PoE, Person detection, Home Assistant integration, no subscription required

Short product descriptions

• Aqara Smart Lock U200 Kit :
  A versatile smart lock with fingerprint, code, NFC, and Apple Home Key. It works with Matter over Thread, so it integrates easily with Home Assistant and Apple HomeKit. Note: Currently, you can only read and control the lock status via Home Assistant.
• Aqara Smart Lock U200 Kit Lite :
  The affordable version without a keypad but with NFC. Works with Matter over Thread, so it integrates easily with Home Assistant and Apple HomeKit. Note: Currently, you can only read and operate the lock status via Home Assistant.
• Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 :
  Flexible smart doorbell with AI facial recognition, local storage, and Apple HomeKit support. Works with both wired and battery power, so you don't need to run extra cables. No subscription required for all features.
• Reolink WiFi Video Doorbell with Chime | 2K+ Super HD :
  Works perfectly with Home Assistant, but can also be used with Homey. Excellent image quality, person detection, and local storage.
• Reolink PoE Video Doorbell with Chime | 2K+ Super HD :
  Like the Wi-Fi version, but powered via a network cable (PoE). Ideal for a stable connection and easy installation.

You want an Aqara U200 Smart Lock, do you need an Aqara adjustable cylinder?

With a smart lock like the Aqara U200, the key always remains on the inside of the door. This is convenient for security, but not every cylinder is suitable for this situation. Many standard cylinders don't have a panic function. The panic function ensures that you can always open the door from the outside, even if the key is inside the lock. If you don't have a panic function, you can no longer open the door with a key from the outside if the U200 is installed on the inside.

That's why it's important to choose a cylinder with a panic function, like the Aqara adjustable cylinder for the U200 Smart Lock. This way, your lock remains safe and practical to use, without the risk of getting stuck.

Furthermore, not every door has the same cylinder length. The Aqara adjustable cylinder ensures the lock fits perfectly on your front door, back door, or patio. This prevents the lock from malfunctioning or preventing you from accessing all the locking pins. This simplifies installation and increases security.

In short:
The Aqara adjustable cylinder is a smart addition to your U200 Smart Lock. You benefit from a secure fit for the U200 lock, added security thanks to the panic function, and greater ease of use. Is it mandatory? No, but if the battery is completely empty (because battery charging notifications are ignored) or the U200 malfunctions (worst case scenario), you will no longer be able to enter through the front door if your cylinder doesn't have a panic function.

To test whether your current cylinder has a panic function, you can do the following:

1. Make sure there is a second person inside in case you lock yourself out.
2. Insert the key into the lock on the inside of the door.
3. Do not turn the key, just leave it in the lock and close the door,
4. Now try to open the door from the outside with a second key.

Can you open the door from outside while there is a key in the lock inside?
→ Then your cylinder probably has a panic function.

Are you unable to open the door from outside when there is a key in the lock inside?
→ Then your cylinder does not have a panic function.

With a panic function, you can always operate the lock from both sides, even if a key is already in one of the lock sides. This is especially useful in emergency situations and prevents you from accidentally locking yourself out.

Affordability: A smart doorbell and smart lock don't have to be expensive

You might think a smart doorbell or smart lock is only for tech enthusiasts with deep pockets. Nothing could be further from the truth! These days, these smart solutions for your front door are much more affordable than you might expect. You don't have to spend a fortune to enter your home more securely and conveniently.

The Aqara U200 Lite , for example, is an affordable solution with a suggested retail price of just €129.99. This means you don't have to spend a fortune on extra security and convenience. Both Reolink and Aqara's smart doorbells are also affordable and offer many benefits for a small price.

Practical examples: how to make your home smarter

• Keyless entry: The sun has set and you're walking towards your house. At the front door, your smart doorbell recognizes you and turns on your smart garden light . The smart lock recognizes your smartphone or fingerprint and automatically unlocks the door. When you enter, your smart lights dim.
• Receiving packages: You see on your phone that the delivery person rings the doorbell. You speak with them and open the smart lock remotely so they can place the package inside.
• Letting friends in: You're meeting friends at home, but you're running late. Give your friends a temporary access code through the app. They'll be able to come in while you're still on your way.
• Extra security: If someone is in your front yard at night, you'll receive a notification and your outdoor lights will turn on. The footage is automatically saved.