This Renter-Friendly Smart Lock Is on Sale for Prime Day

I finally found a lock that would work on my wacky, old door.

Even though I live in a house chock full of smart devices, my front door remained without a smart lock until this year because I was cursed with a 70-year-old "jimmy-proof lock."

When Aqara invited me to test the U200, I waved it off with the same explanation as usual: "smart locks won't fit my front door." It wasn't until the company pressed further that I looked into it and was willing to give it a go. The U200, a result of a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, retrofits almost any door. Because it's a retrofit, it's a smart lock that even renters can install.

Installation was far easier than other smart locks I've installed (I have the U50 on my backdoor, with its completely normal locks). Even though I usually just use a pin code to unlock, the U200 is also compatible with NFC tags, keys, Bluetooth, the app, voice control, or temporary codes. A few of my neighbors, who have all held onto a rusty key to my front door for years, have never been happier. While smart locks are a dime a dozen, I also really like this one from Aqara. The app is clean and easy to use, and since Aqara is committed to the Matter protocol, this is also an option for Apple HomeKit users.

• Aqara Smart Lock U200, now $215.99, down from $269.99 for Prime Day