Eufy Smart Lock Touch Wi-Fi
“The addition of Wi-Fi puts this smart lock on par with its competitors.”
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Robust design
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Unlocks quickly with a fingerprint
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Can set up temporary codes
Eufy was in tears in the smart home market last year. So far, its line of products has been shown to strike a balance between features, performance, and price as the company tackled everything from robotic vacuums to surveillance cameras. Now Eufy is breaking into the world of intelligent locks.
Enter the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch which appears to be on business. What’s a bit of a surprise is the price, which at a whopping $ 250 seems like a bold statement for a company that prides itself on the budget pricing for many of its devices. Is this premium price worth it?
Long installation
Here is the first thing you should know. To use Eufy’s Smart Lock, you’ll need to replace all of the existing deadlock. I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic because it means that I have to replace my existing set of keys. Even if, like me, you’re familiar with installing smart locks, the installation process can be a chore.
The entire installation process from start to finish took 30 minutes. This is more than double the time it took to install the SimpliSafe Smart Lock and Level Lock. Both of them let you use your existing lock.
Why does it take so long? On the inside of your door is a mounting plate for the inner assembly, which houses the batteries and the lock switch. Positioning and assembling it isn’t a challenge, but it’s a bit fussy.
The entire installation process from start to finish took about 30 minutes.
Solid design
I admit the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch has an intimidating presence. The design includes a metal frame, glossy plastic accents, and a distinctive fingerprint sensor. Seams are barely visible on the outer assembly, while the keyhole is protected by a metal cover. The digital keyboard appears invisible to the naked eye unless it is touched, which activates the backlight.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
The durability is low as it has a weatherproof IP65 rating, so it can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
Although it runs on four AA batteries, there is a micro-USB port on the underside of the outdoor assembly that can be connected to a power source. This is useful when the battery is dead and you don’t have the physical keys. The battery is designed for one year and shows all five bars after two weeks.
It may look chunky, but given its durable design, I’m okay with the bulky and intimidating look.
Now smarter thanks to Wi-Fi
Convenience is important, so I like a smart lock that can get me inside in no time. The fingerprint sensor is without a doubt my preferred method of unlocking the lock as it can recognize me in less than a second. It was spot on to see my fingerprints.
The digital keyboard is my next choice. However, you will encounter the problem that fingerprints will become visible on the surface. This problem can make it easier for someone to guess your passcode by examining the buttons you’ve pressed in the past.
The Eufy Security app has a function, the scramble password, which you can use to enter random digits before or after entering the passcode. It’s a nice idea, but it seems too troublesome to use at any frequency.
Of course, you can also use the Smart Lock app to unlock it. The original version of the Smart Lock is based solely on a Bluetooth connection. However, the biggest change in this model is the introduction of 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity. It opens up a whole range of new features, such as: B. the remote control when I’m not there, as well as the support of voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
By adding Wi-Fi, the Eufy Smart Lock is given the same benefits as other current Smart Locks. If you’re not there and want to let the dog walker in, you can do so through the app – while it wasn’t before. In this way, you also stay informed about what is happening at home, for example when and at what time the door is locked or unlocked.
There are also options to set up temporary access for individuals. You can select the dates and times when these temporary codes are active. This is ideal for guests or dog walkers.
If you’re concerned about privacy, just know that fingerprints and in-app data are stored locally with a bank-grade AES128 encryption chip.
Our opinion
Eufy’s had a number of solid smart home devices, and now that Wi-Fi is available on the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch, it’s on the same playing field as most of its contemporaries. Better yet, it keeps its original price of $ 250, while the non-Wi-Fi version now retails for $ 200. It’s a big investment when you look at some of the other locks’ other smarts, but it does the job.
Is there a better alternative?
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock achieves the same amount as this one, but has more features and an easier installation that keeps the existing lock. The Level Lock is another similarly priced option that turns any existing lock into a Smart Lock, while the more expensive Level Touch adds a take-away keycard system that you won’t find in other Smart Locks. If you’re on a budget, the Wyze Lock is hard to beat at $ 100.
How long it will take?
It is solidly built and Eufy offers a 1 year limited warranty against defects. Smart locks are not misused a lot because they are locked in one position. So I would expect Eufy’s castle to last for years. You’ll likely want to replace it in newer locks due to upgrades long before it breaks.
Should you buy it?
Yes. With Eufy’s Smart Lock Touch, you can open the door simply and easily with a simple fingerprint.
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