The Yale Assure SL looks good and works well. But you’re limited in which smart home integrations you get based on which additional module you buy. (They’re sold separately.)
Touchscreen surface Keyhole-free BHMA Grade 2 deadbolt 25–250 user codes (depending on module) 4 AA batteries power the lock Battery backup option in case of dead batteries 12-month battery life (on average) Lifetime warranty on finish and mechanics Multiple finishes available Alternative lock types available (keyhole, keypad, and lever) Z-Wave, Zigbee, August, or HomeKit module options (choose one)
The Yale Assure has a 9V battery terminal that you can use to power the door lock if the regular batteries die before you have a chance to change them. Just hold a 9V battery to the terminal, and you can enter your door code as normal. We recommend keeping your backup battery in your car or another safe, accessible place if you know you might forget to change the Yale Assure’s batteries in time. You’ll probably also want to buy a smart module for your Yale lock, which usually costs an additional $50–$100. And if you want to use your Yale Assure with the August app, then you’ll also need an additional bridge, which is yet another expense. The modules are little devices you slide into the back of the lock. You can only add one, and they’re usually sold separately, so you have to choose which integrations are most important to you and then spend the money to buy the module that supports them.
Z-Wave Plus Smart Module Zigbee Smart Module iM1 Smart Module (Apple HomeKit) August Connect module
We recommend opting for the August Connect module. This enables your Yale Assure lock to work with the August mobile app, and you can usually get the August Connect bridge as part of the upgrade kit that includes the module. The August accessories give your Yale lock more smart home integrations and features than the other modules by themselves. Just know the total cost for the lock and the August upgrade kit will be about $300. Features: The Yale Assure SL has a touchscreen-only design that lets you get rid of your door keys. It also includes standard smart lock features, like guest access codes. Pricing: The base price for the Yale Assure SL is reasonable, but you’ll need to buy a few accessories that will jack up the price. If you want any smart home features at all, you’ll need to buy an additional module. Home automation: The Yale Assure SL has a few different module options for smart home integrations, including Z-Wave Plug, Zigbee, and HomeKit. You can only choose one, so we recommend going with the August Connect module. You get better smart home support with that one than you do with the others. Installation: The Yale Assure SL replaces your entire deadbolt mechanism, so installation can seem a bit tricky. But you should be able to get the lock up and running in around 30 minutes. If you want to check out some of our other top picks for smart door locks, see our Best Smart Door Locks review.
