Skip to main content

The Yale Assure Lock 2 has only grown better with age

the yale assure lock 2 has only grown better with age plus
Jon Bitner / Digital Trends

The Yale Assure Lock 2 has long held a spot on our roundup of the best smart locks . Offering a sleek design, robust companion app, and a multitude of customization options, it’s a premium choice that’s an easy recommendation for most shoppers. And while some smart locks begin to show their age over the years, the Yale Assure Lock 2 has only grown more enticing.

Part of this is due to its impressive durability — the one installed on my front door has seen more than a few Colorado storms yet remains in pristine condition — but the other reason is Yale’s commitment to expanding the number of models in the Assure Lock 2 lineup. I recently had a chance to test out a second, newer version of the Assure Lock 2 that works with Apple Home Keys , and it cemented my belief that it’s one of the best smart locks money can buy.

Customization options galore

Part of what makes the Yale Assure Lock 2 so easy to recommend is its variety of footprints. With the standard Assure Lock 2 model, you can choose from the following features and layouts:

  • Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
  • Keyed or Key-Free
  • Touchscreen or Keypad
  • Black, black, or nickel finishes
Recommended Videos

Depending on how you configure the lock, you’ll see a price anywhere from $160 to $260, making it a great choice for most budgets. The availability of three finishes also makes it easy to match it with your home.

If you’re looking for added security (or are using it on a rental property), the availability of a key-free model is a huge win. Coupled with a powerful mobile app that lets you track when the door is opened or closed, create passwords, or sync it with Google Home, Apple Home, and Amazon Alexa, and you’ve got a well-rounded smart lock.

New models offer enhanced functionality

While the standard Assure Lock 2 is great, Yale has continued to expand its lineup with new models that bring cool new features to the table. For example, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch bundles in a fingerprint scanner — making it easier than ever to access your home.

Then there’s the Assure Lock 2 Plus. It’s Yale’s first-ever smart lock with Apple Home Key built in, and it’s just as wonderful as you’d expect. Installation is a breeze, and having the ability to use your iPhone or Apple Watch to quickly unlock your door is as convenient as it sounds. It lacks some of the customization options found on other models, but you can still choose from three striking colors and Bluetooth or Wi-Fi support.

It’s great to see Yale continue to build upon the success of the Assure Lock 2, as it’s an excellent launching point for new and exciting features. We’ll likely see a Matter-enabled version of the smart lock in the future, which will only improve its longevity and make it play nicely with all sorts of other devices.

While it can be a bit expensive when all its customization options are maxed out, it’s hard not to love the versatility of the Yale Assure Lock 2. With a streamlined design and powerful mobile app, it’s been a wonderful companion to my front door for years. Its battery life can sometimes be lacking — other models can go years without needing new batteries while the Assure Lock 2 runs for months — but that’s a minor caveat for an otherwise excellent device. If you’re shopping for a new smart lock, be sure to check out everything offered by the extensive (and constantly growing) Assure Lock 2 lineup.

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Ring shows off new Kidde smoke alarms and free 2K camera upgrades at CES 2025
A person setting up a Ring Smoke Detector.

Ring made a big -- though rather surprising -- announcement at CES 2025, revealing that it has partnered with Kidde to launch a new collection of smart smoke alarms. Arriving in April, the collection includes the Kidde Smart Smoke Alarm and Combination Alarm, the latter of which detects both smoke and carbon monoxide. They’ll sync with the existing Ring app to send users alerts should anything trigger its sensors, and they should be an enticing option for folks who have already bought into the Ring ecosystem.

While customers will receive alerts via the mobile app, they can also sign up for the new Ring 24/7 Smoke & CO Monitoring Subscription for $5 per month. This is a professional monitoring service that lets a trained dispatch team keep tabs on your detectors -- and if they’re triggered, the dispatch team can automatically contact emergency services and send them to your home. That should provide more peace of mind than your normal smoke alarms, which might ring out loud and clear but can’t alert the fire department.

Read more
Beatbot reveals futuristic AquaSense 2 Series pool cleaners at CES 2025
Beatbot AquaSense 2

The original AquaSense Series was wildly popular when it hit the market in early 2024, and at CES 2025, Beatbot officially revealed its successor, the AquaSense 2 Series. Consisting of three robotic pool cleaners and starting at $1,500, Series 2 models are designed to automate all aspects of pool cleaning. The high-end AquaSense 2 Ultra even incorporates AI technology into the mix, promising a superior clean.

AquaSense 2 is the most affordable of the trio at $1,499, yet the three-in-one pool cleaner is still pretty well-rounded. It can clean floors, walls, and the waterline, and can run for up to four hours before needing a recharge. Toss in obstacle detection, four unique cleaning modes, and an array of 16 sensors, and it’s well-suited for most pools.

Read more
Ultraloq showcases the first-ever ultra-wideband smart lock at CES 2025
Bolt Mission UWB + NFC installed on a white door.

Ultraloq showed off two smart locks at CES 2025 -- one of which is the first smart lock to ever offer ultra-wideband (UWB) support. The Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB + NFC uses UWB technology to unlock automatically as you approach your front door. Similar functionality already exists on other smart locks, but UWB should allow the Ultraloq Bolt Mission to be more accurate than the competition.

The Bolt Mission uses technology similar to digital car keys, and Ultraloq says it can track the keyholder’s phone location with “centimeter-level” accuracy. As your phone gets closer to the front door, the Bolt Mission can be programmed to automatically unlock, giving you a hands-free way to get inside. Better yet, because the smart lock can detect both your distance and direction from the front door, it should prevent you from accidentally unlocking the smart lock while inside your home.

Read more