Smart locks are an increasing sight around smart homes as people are now prepared to but the locks on their doors in the hands of technology and move on from the humble Yale key. These devices fit on the inside of your door and sense your approach, via your smartphone, unlocking automatically.
While they are no solution if you live in a high crime area and need multiple locks, for the rest of us, they provide an easier way of getting in and out of home, and ensuring the door is locked without those moments of panic and dread in the office or at the mall.
We compare these competing smart looking, rotund, deadlock replacements based on their features, pros and cons and specifications.
Contents (Jump to)
Key Features of the August Smart Lock vs Danalock
DanaLock
The brushed bronze look of the DanaLock (also available in silver) will look pretty smart on any door. Using Bluetooth, it will detect your approach and automatically unlock the door for you, or you can use your key in an emergency.
It comes with a set of templates, so should work with most locks. On the front is a user button to grant access, and a twist feature to start the lock/unlock process. However, mainly, homeowners will use auto-unlock based on their smartphone nearing the door.
If you have a family, or need to let others access the home, then their phones can be given permission to trigger the lock with time limitations and scheduling.
August Smart Lock
The August Smart Lock first and foremost looks pretty smart, with a discreet yet stylish design wrapped in an anodized aluminum coating. The ubiquitous LED lights are subtle, and don’t overwhelm the design.
It works with single cylinder deadbolts and nothing else, so this won’t replace complex locks or hefty security solutions.
As with most smart locks, the August Smart Lock tries to leave traditional products in the dust with an array of features, so it uses batteries to keep going when there’s a power outage, You can provide varying lengths of access to guests and it is encrypted to prevent hacking.
The guestbook feature lets you provide digital keys to friends and family, and you can also send them notes which is a nice touch.
Be sure to check out my full – in depth – August Smart Lock review, for additional analysis.
Pros and Cons of Both Devices
DanaLock
- Battery Powered, But Requires CR123: The DanaLock operates off four CR123 batteries, that take up less space than the 4 x AAs of the August. That’s good but we bet you have less of these lying around the home than you do those long packs of AAs.
- Recognizes up to 15 Feet Away: It should be good enough to recognize your phone from up to 15 feet but your circumstances may see that vary. Note that the Danabridge app is compatible with iPhone 4S models and newer, and a range of recent Android devices from the Nexus 4 up.
- Compatible with Z-Wave Family: The DanaLock comes with Z-Wave built in so will work better with your smart home tech. For example, when you get home, it could disable the alarm, turn the lights on and other useful welcoming features. That also removes the need for an extra box for remote connection as with the August Smart Lock, making it even less expensive.
August Smart Lock
- Smart Locking: A lock is a simple thing, and most smart home locks try to over-complicate things, However, with its automatic unlock, you can walk into your home weighed down with shopping, and know that the door will lock itself after you on the way out, creating an added feeling of security.
- Guest Tracking: It also provides information on who comes and goes, which can be useful for a busy family, and you can let guests in who don’t have a key or access.
- Battery Power is a Plus: Finally, on the pro side, battery power may mean you need to change them from time to time, but it means you won’t be locked out in a crisis.
- Requires August Connect (Con): Unfortunately, you need the August Connect for an extra $49 to really make this product work smartly. That plugs into the mains and adds control via WiFi or over the Internet. On the plus side, you do get low battery warnings ahead of time to replace the power cells.
Possibly Applicable to Both Devices
We’ve seen users reports that both devices may struggle to install on some types of doors and there can be fiddling around to integrate the smart lock, but theoretically, both should be easy enough to install and pair with your smartphone with no technical knowledge.
Also, these automatic locks are both only guaranteed for one year, which doesn’t seem enough if the user is always coming and going. Some users report distressing sounds coming from the lock and burning smells, so your mileage may vary, but it could be down to an old or tight lock.
Finally, neither can tell your home systems which side the door was locked from, which could lead to some issues, and they generally means they are not quite as smart as they are made out to be with connectivity issues reported for both models.
Comparison – Specifications
| Specs | DanaLock | August Smart Lock |
| Dimensions | 3.1 x 3.1 x 1.9 inches
|
3.3 x 3.3 x 2.2 inches |
| Color | Silver, Bronze | Silver, Champagne, Gray or Red
|
| Price | (For the latest prices and discounts, check here) | (For the latest prices and discounts, check here) |
Final Recommendation – Which Smart Lock to Choose?
After trying both, they are very similar in functionality with a few slight differences. I would be cautious about where you purchase these and double-check return policies prior to checking out.
I’d definitely pick one up from a big retailer like Amazon, so I could take it send it back for a refund (no questions asked), if I had any trouble fitting it to the door, integrating with the lock, or generally having gremlins with one, whatever the model.
The extra cost of the August Connect would certainly lead me to favor the DanaLock, but, again, I’d be really cautious about installing it and relying on it. It may be a good job that both have 30-day no quibble returns.
Bottom Line: The lower overall cost of the DanaLock PLUS compatibility with the Z-Wave family of smart devices, gives it a slight edge. Just make sure you have the right CR123 batteries in reserve.
UPDATE: Danalock now has a new and improved V2, which you can check out here. Small improvements to the app, app settings, and notifications are definitely a step up, but nothing game changing.
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