Review AQara U50 smart lock (2025): Affordable until the center

The latest course of AQara, U50, was in my front door in a better part of the month. I almost forgot it because it was smooth in my family's life right before the holiday season. My family learned a new code, and although I gave two courses, none of us needed them.

That is the most affordable lock I tested. However, it comes with all the features I want in the smart lock: automatically locked after a certain period of time and the ability to create multiple import codes and it can know the door open or close without additional accessories or sensors. It doesn't even have any sneaky registration fee that you will find with some security companies and smart houses.

I really like this lock. But you will want to get AQA M3 Hub ($ 110) To have access to all its features and the center's price card only doubled the cost of buying the lock. However, if you can get without Wi-Fi access (that means not integrating smart houses and not remotely checked to the locking state of the door), this affordable lock is a great buying transaction.

Thinly formed

Photo: Nena Farrell

U50 has a minimalist design, with a simple, modern keyboard on the exterior dashboard and a smooth death on the inner panel. I like the large Sans Serif font on the keyboard and have two buttons after 0: Away mode button, you can configure in the AQara application and the Enter/Lock button that you need to click after entering the door code or to send back the back door. The keyboard requires you to press it and wake it up before you enter the code, this is not difficult, but I have to deliberately press a button to wake it compared to the light exploitation somewhere into the keyboard.

There is also a large area below the keyboard is really a hidden hole. It is covered by a dashboard that you slide down to reveal the lock hole. Sliding shells will click on the position to open, so you don't need to worry about keeping it open while you use your key. It is a good security feature if you are worried about those who choose to lock, because it is not clear just by looking at the lock that the control panel will slide. You can also have a professional lock mechanic Rekey it.

Photo: Nena Farrell