Yale's redesigned Assure Lock 2 will be one of the first Matter-enabled smart home devices

We've already written about the convenience of Yale's smart locks. But now, after five years on the market, Yale is updating its flagship with an all-new design, a wider range of connectivity options, and even more styles to fit your home.

Priced between $160 and $260, the new Assure Lock 2 will be available in four main variants: two touchscreen models (with and without keyed cylinder) and two keypad models (one keyed and one without key). By default, all models include Bluetooth connectivity, but you can also upgrade to a version with built-in WiFi. But perhaps most importantly, because users will be able to purchase and install add-ons that allow additional wireless connectivity, it's easy to upgrade your lock after purchase. Additionally, Yale says the Assure Lock 2 will be one of the first Matter-enabled smart locks on the market when it launches its Matter add-on shortly after the Matter specification officially goes live later this fall. .

Yale

Along with a wide range of connectivity options, Yale also says WiFi models will no longer require the use of a dedicated connection bridge, which should help streamline installation. And as for the lock itself, the company claims the Assure Lock 2 is 30% smaller than its predecessor while still being compatible with most standard door sizes used in the United States and Canada. Meanwhile, to ensure the lock blends in better with your door, customers will be able to choose from three different finishes including Black Suede, Oil Rubbed Bronze and Satin Nickel. And as before, on models without a physical key cylinder, if your lock runs out of juice, you can still unlock the door by pressing a 9-volt battery to the contacts on the bottom of the device case.

Once installed (which Yale says can only be done with a standard screwdriver), users can activate a number of security features ranging from voice commands (via Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri), two-factor authentication and even the ability to unlock your door using biometric verification on your phone. Other standard features include automatic locking and unlocking, virtual keys/passcodes for shared access and more.

So while we haven't had a chance to test Assure Lock 2 yet, it really looks like Yale has covered all the bases with its new flagship smart lock. The Assure Lock 2 is available today starting at $160 for the keyless Bluetooth/Apple HomeKit model, with WiFi models starting a bit higher at $240. Later this year, there will also be a version supporting Z-Wave out of the box starting at $190, with additional modules (including the upcoming Matter add-on) costing $80 each.

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