I tried using a smart lock for a week – here's how it went

"What's the point of all this?"

Those were my exact thoughts two years ago when I saw a viral TikTok clip of a woman who had just given a brief tour of her newly refurbished "smart home".

In the clip, almost everything in her home was powered by technology and automation – even down to innovative dishwashing products – and I couldn't help but think of the movie Wall-E, in which humans are depicted as being lazy and over-reliant on technology in a future where the earth is no longer inhabitable.

Although I was a sceptic, I admit that I still found these gadgets to be rather fascinating. Slowly, my inner Luddite started to dissipate and the thought of owning one of these began to sound more enticing.

After contemplating for a while, I decided to give in by starting out with a rather simple but staple smart home characteristic: a smart lock.

And so when I was given the opportunity to try out Aqara's smart door lock, I was eager to get my hands on it and see what the hype was all about. I decided to try it for a week – and here are my findings.

Day 1: Setting up the lock

As a tech novice, I initially felt overwhelmed by the various methods I could use to unlock the door, but to my surprise, setting up the lock was easier than I had expected.

It took me a while to find out what to do, but once I got the hang of it, the process was smooth-sailing.

Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Zigbee can be unlocked with a total of nine different methods:

• Permanent passwords
• One-time passwords
• Configurable passwords
• Fingerprint
• NFC card
• Mechanical key
• Aqara Home app
• HomeKit or Siri (includes use of the home key feature in Apple Wallet – just tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock the door)
• Google Assistant

I especially liked how unlocking can be controlled with just one app – Aqara's own app.

Day 2: I forgot my key

To make my transition to a smart lock user smoother, I wanted to start the week off by using a mechanical key for the first few days.

It didn't take long for me to forget my keys though.

Nobody was home when I got home that evening, and I was forced to come up with an alternative to open the door on the spot. Thankfully, with its various unlocking methods, I eventually got in by using my fingerprint.

I was actually taken aback by how fast and smooth the fingerprint-unlocking process was. I didn't even have to find the censor.

I just needed to grip it, and the fingerprint reader embedded in the handle was able to pick up on my fingerprints immediately. There was no struggle, and it barely felt like it was even locked at all in the first place.

Day 3: My hands were full, so I used Apple's home key

The next day, I decided to go for a little shopping spree after work and when I came home, my hands were full of bags and I was struggling to open the door.

Thankfully, I've already set up the home key in my Apple Wallet. All I had to do was quickly whip out my Apple Watch and hold it near the lock – and the door was unlocked!

The convenience of Apple's proximity-based unlocking option is truly unbeatable. But if you want more security, there's another unlocking mode which will require you to use Face ID or enter your passcode first.

Locking the door is also equally intuitive. Just lift the inner handle after you close the door, and my home is secured.

To add an extra layer of security, I can also opt to use the night latch knob which allows the lock to be opened either from inside or by using the administrator's authentication from outside.

I got to say, this flexibility and convenience is otherwise impossible with a traditional lock.

Day 4: I invited my friends over – but they came earlier than expected

On the third day, I decided to throw a mini gathering for my friends at my place.

I was out getting drinks for them when I received a text message from some of my friends informing me that they had arrived – except they were 30 minutes early and had nowhere else to wait.

I panicked and was about to wrap up my shopping session when it hit me that I didn't even have to rush at all. With Aqara's app, I could unlock the door from a remote location, allowing my friends to let themselves in to beat the heat.

P.S. You can also set a one-time password for your friends!

As I had installed my lock with Aqara's camera hub, I can also look into my home whenever I unlock my door remotely.

I didn't do it for this scenario as they're my friends, but this function is definitely useful when dealing with deliveries or repairmen!

Day 5: It already feels like I've been using the lock for years

Despite being part of the "digital native" generation, I was never that dexterous with smart gadgets.

Fortunately though, the device is designed to be so user-friendly and effortless that I barely even felt like I had to get used to it at all. It's been less than a week, and I already feel like I have been using the lock for years – it's just a touch-and-go.

Day 6: I forgot to close the door

Feeling exhausted after a long day at work, I didn't realise I had left my door ajar. I was about to go into my room when the alarm from the lock went off, alerting me to the careless error I had just made.

This is just one of the many ways the smart door lock ensures security. Thanks to multiple built-in sensors, the lock is able to detect whether the door is open or closed – which then alerts me immediately if I leave the door open for too long.

The Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Zigbee also notifies me if there are any signs of tampering or abnormal unlocking attempts. There is also a cloud to store an unlocking log which can be viewed remotely, allowing me to track the activity on my door.

Security is definitely safe with this one.

Day 7: My final thoughts

After spending seven days with Aqara's smart door lock, I realised the kind of technological access and convenience I was missing out on. I can even say that I have been converted into a fresh smart home enthusiast.

And while we should never be over-reliant on technology, its purpose is also to enrich our lives and eradicate everyday problems that we didn't even realise existed.

Through using the Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Zigbee, I now realise just how convenient and secure a smart door lock can be, and you'd be surprised by how much a simple change like this can make an impact on your life.

Alas, as I live with my family, I don't have much say in smart-proofing my entire house now.

Nonetheless, it's safe to say that owning this smart lock has given me a glimpse into becoming a full-time smart homeowner in the future – and I'll look forward to the journey.

Check out Lazada to get the Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Zigbee and start your very own smart-proofing journey.

The article is brought to you in partnership with Aqara.

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wongdaoen@asiaone.com

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