YaleAssure Lock 2 Touchscreen with Wi-Fi Connect - Satin Nickel - for Vacation Rental Hosts

This is another variant in the myriad versions of the Yale Assure Lock 2. This particular variant offers the PIN lock pad, an optional fingerprint reader, and a backup key cylinder to manually operate the lock; this makes it a little less secure than the versions without the key cylinder, but it also makes it much safer in case the lock jams or runs out of power in case there isn't a second way into your home. It supports Apple HomeKit, but not HomeKey - so you can lock/unlock the door from the HomeKit app, but you can't tap your phone to it to unlock the door like with other variants of the Assure Lock.The other difference between this and other variants is how it connects to Wi-Fi. Previous versions of the lock have used the Wi-Fi module which slots into a slot internal to the lock and which doesn't require an external gateway. That's convenient, but apparently it doesn't support third party integrations with Alexa or other voice assistants. This version of the kit remedies that by offering a plug-in gateway.The listing advertises this is better for vacation rental hosts, so it's possible the plug-in gateway also enables more direct AirBnB integrations? I don't host a vacation rental, so I can't comment on that bit; the Yale app does support manually creating temporary codes for all versions of the lock, though, so as long as you have Wi-Fi support you can grant someone temporary access to your home from anywhere over the Internet.Installation of these is great - substantially better than installing the competing Level lock, which involved whittling down my door. The process is very similar for all of the various variants, and the app helpfully walks you through the various steps. Unlike other locks like the Level, this should fit your existing door and doorframe without any modification as its size and shape exactly matches most existing lock sets.The app is.. not bad! It's pretty intuitive to update the lock codes, and you can easily set up recurring limited access, auto lock features and such. I much prefer the convenience of the HomeKit enabled version, because I can simply tap my phone to the lock for secure opening through NFC, but PIN codes aren't too bad to use.I really like that the touchscreen is obscured by default - I was worried this would look ostentatiously electronic from the street, but the dark appearance by default really blends in.I think the Assure 2 is probably the best all-around smart lock available right now, but there are a lot of decisions to be made when shopping. If you get a better sense for what your goals are, the choice may become clearer. For the easiest unlock and most security, you probably want the HomeKit "Plus" version without the lock cylinder. For a lock with a key backup with the ability to integrate with third party cloud services and remote access, this version's the one you want. And if you don't need out-of-home connectivity at all, there's an entry level Assure Lock 2 with only Bluetooth connectivity you could consider as well at a reduced price.

Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch (5 stars)This is the lock to get it combine both WiFi, bluetooth, and touchpad for easy access to lock and unlock near field and remotely. This is the latest release from Yale and combines the best features of the product line.Overview:1. Easy check-ins with unique door codes2. Auto-lock with DoorSense3. Fingerprint recognition4. Yale Connect Wi-Fi Bridge for remote access5. Battery-powered with backup key6. Activity Feed for tracking guest access7. Two-factor authentication and matte keypadBenefits1. Convenient guest check-ins2. Enhanced security3. Remote monitoring4. Easy installation (no locksmith needed)5. Durable (ANSI/BHMA grade 2 certified)6. Weather-resistant (IPX5 rated, -22 to 140F)Ideal For1. Vacation rental hosts (Airbnb)2. Homeowners seeking smart lock solutionsAdditional Features1. Lifetime warranty2. Compatible with smart home platforms3. Customizable access codes4. Real-time notificationsThe lock insures a secure experience for vacation rental hosts and homeowners, providing easy check-ins, advanced security features, and remote monitoring capabilities.Securing Your Wi-Fi Connected Yale Door Lock: A Step-by-Step GuideHere's how:Step 1: Set Up a Separate Isolated NetworkWhy: Connecting your smart lock to a separate network isolates it from your main network, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential attacks. If a hacker gains access to your smart lock, they won't be able to reach other devices on your main network.1. Create a guest network on your router.2. Configure network settings: enable guest network, assign unique SSID and strong password.3. Connect Yale lock to guest network.Step 2: Use a Transparent BridgeWhy: A transparent bridge can help control and monitor the data traffic to and from your Yale door lock, adding an extra layer of security by making the lock’s presence on your network less obvious and more difficult to probe.How:1. Set up a secondary router or network appliance in bridge mode.2. Position bridge between main router and Yale lock's network.3. Monitor and filter traffic for unusual activities.Additional Security Measures1. Strong Passwords and Updates• Use strong passwords for main and guest networks.• Regularly update firmware for Yale lock and router.2. Network Encryption• Enable WPA3 encryption (if supported).3. Network Segmentation segment your network to isolate different types of devices. For instance, have separate segments for IoT devices, personal devices, and guest access.• Isolate devices (IoT, personal, guests).4. Monitoring• Use network monitoring tools.• Configure alerts for suspicious activities, like multiple failed loin attempts or unknown devices trying to access your network

This is advertised for a rental home, but I was able to set it up at my personal home. This smart lock provides me peace of mind in knowing that my door is locked. Sometimes I go out of the house and forget if my door is locked, and it is super easy to check on the app. It is nice and easy to check, but once installed, the lock auto-locks based on your location, so no issues with forgetting.Installation was relatively easy as the instructions were clear. I have great WiFi connection throughout my property because I recently installed multiple access points, but if you have weak WiFi, this may cause some problems. The touchscreen is responsive and sleek. It blends in with my door; I am so glad it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. You have the ability to grant codes to family members to log in, but I have not fully utilized that feature yet as I am always home if a guest will be in my house.While this is a great product that has not caused me any issues, I am admittedly a little too scared to use it at a rental property. At a rental property, I always account for the worst-case scenario, and a WiFi lock is a little too risky for what it’s worth. A simple key box has worked wonderfully for me thus far. Maybe in time, I will make the jump over to WiFi locks!

I’ve been using smart locks at our vacation rental for years. This is the first time I’ve used a Yale lock and I’m quite impressed.The lock itself looks to be high quality. The installation instructions were clear and I was able to replace my old deadbolt in about 30 minutes.Once installed I loaded the app and was able to easily sync the app to the lock. The one area that the instructions weren’t clear was with the little WiFi module. I wasn’t sure I had it connected properly and if it was working via WiFi or just the Bluetooth connection. But I was able to confirm the WiFi worked by locking and unlocking the door using the app while I was away from home.The app itself took a little getting used to but once I played with it for a while, I really like it. It’s very easy to create new door codes. It allows you to set a few different kinds of codes: - Always on codes: for family members or other that always have access- Scheduled codes: For cleaners or others that come at specific times each week- Temporary Codes: Great for vacation rentals when we only want the codes to work during the guest’s stay.You can assign unique codes to each family member or guest.You have the option of having it alert you whenever a specific code is used.Overall, I’m very happy with this lock and won’t hesitate to get more as the need arises.

The sleek satin nickel finish and advanced features seemed promising, but the reality has been an ongoing headache.To start, the Wi-Fi connectivity is incredibly unreliable. Despite following all instructions and troubleshooting, the lock frequently disconnects from the network, making remote access and control impossible at critical times. This defeats the whole purpose of having a smart lock for a rental property. I’ve had to make multiple trips to the property just to reset the lock—exactly what I was trying to avoid.The touchscreen isn’t much better. It’s unresponsive at times, requiring multiple attempts to input the code. Guests have complained about being locked out or struggling to use the lock, which creates unnecessary stress and embarrassment. For something marketed as user-friendly and ideal for vacation rental hosts, this is simply unacceptable.Adding to the frustration, the battery life is disappointing. Even with minimal use, the batteries drain much faster than expected. The app provides alerts, but with how often the batteries need replacing, it feels like I’m constantly managing the lock instead of letting it manage access for me.