I previously reviewed the Aqara Smart Lock U200, and at the time, it was my favourite smart lock I had tried. I continued to use it as my primary smart lock until May this year, when I reviewed the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo. I am tempted to move back as I have had to recalibrate the SwitchBot twice since the review went live.

More recently, I have been reviewing the new affordable Aqara Smart Lock U200 Lite, which, as the name suggests, is a new affordable smart lock, with an RRP of just £129

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Specification

Features

Design and Installation

The U200 Lite employs a retrofit design that attaches over existing lock mechanisms without requiring door modifications. This approach preserves the original key functionality for emergency access whilst adding smart capabilities. The lock supports Euro mortise locks with emergency function requirements and accommodates Euro profile and select Scandinavian cylinders.

Installation follows a DIY-friendly process, with the device measuring 62.3 × 60.6 × 152.5 mm and available in black or white finishes. The package includes comprehensive installation hardware, including cylinder adaptors, mounting screws, and positioning aids.

Access Methods

Mobile Application Control
The primary access method utilises the Aqara Home mobile application, enabling remote unlocking capabilities and visitor access management. The system operates without subscription fees for core functions including real-time notifications, activity logs, and remote operation.

NFC Technology
Near Field Communication access allows users to unlock the door by tapping compatible smartphones against the included NFC Sticker Card. This method works with both iOS and Android devices and provides quick access without requiring app interaction.

Voice Integration
Voice control functionality operates through Siri and Amazon Alexa platforms, enabling hands-free operation for compatible smart home ecosystems.

Smart Home Integration

The U200 Lite utilises Thread wireless protocol with native Matter support, ensuring broad compatibility across smart home platforms. Supported ecosystems include Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Home Assistant, Homey, and Samsung SmartThings.

Integration capabilities extend to security devices such as video doorbells, surveillance cameras, and motion sensors, creating comprehensive access control systems. The Thread protocol provides reliable mesh networking specifically designed for IoT applications.

Automated Functions

Auto-Lock Mechanism
The device includes automatic locking functionality that engages once the door closes properly. An acoustic reminder alerts users when the door hasn’t closed correctly. This feature operates without additional contact sensors, reducing installation complexity and cost.

Pull Spring Function
When activated, the door latch retracts automatically upon unlocking, eliminating the need to manually operate door handles. This proves particularly useful for doors without external handles or those opening inward.

Quiet Operation Mode
A silent unlock mode reduces operational noise levels, accessible through the mobile application. This feature prevents disturbance during night-time access.

Technical Specifications

Power Management
The lock incorporates a 2,000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated at 7.4V, providing up to six months of operation between charges. This eliminates the need for regular battery replacements whilst maintaining consistent performance.

Environmental Tolerances
Operating temperature range spans -15°C to 55°C, with humidity tolerance up to 93% relative humidity without condensation. These specifications ensure reliable operation across typical UK weather conditions.

Connectivity
Wireless communication employs Thread and Bluetooth protocols. Thread provides the primary smart home connectivity whilst Bluetooth enables local device pairing and setup procedures.

Turn-to-Lock Operation
Manual operation requires approximately 30 to 60 degrees of knob rotation to engage or disengage the locking mechanism. This provides tactile feedback and ensures positive lock engagement.

Unboxing

Unboxing the U200 Lite, I realised it was strikingly similar to the U200+. I was only providing limited information before this review, so I was expecting it to be smaller with fewer features. But the lock itself seems to be identical. The key difference is the lack of a keypad.

The package includes:

• The main body of the smart lock
• The metal backplate for mounting
• Precut 3M tape for the backplate
• The battery
• Adaptors that can be used to help turn the spindle/key
• A couple of NFC tags

The NFC tags caught me off guard, as the U200+ supports NFC tags on the keypad, so I was wondering why these were included on a lock without the keypad. These are supposed to be used to tap your phone against, which then brings up the Aqara app.

They seem a bit pointless, but I wonder if it is possible to set up an automation where they load up the app and automatically unlock the door.

Installation

As I have reviewed quite a lot of smart locks now, the installation process is mostly self-explanatory and the Aqara locks are one of the better options for the way the lock mounts and the overall installation process.

With UK doors, the smart lock sits awkwardly on top of the handle hardware so it is important to have a secure mounting mechanism.

With the Aqara, you have a metal backplate with a strong pre-cut 3M adhesive, then some foam 3M pads that can stick under the handle for where the lock overhangs.

Then around the keyhole, you have three screws that will clamp the lock in place if you have a cylinder that sticks out slightly.

In my case, I did have some issues, but this is not due to Aqara. I reused the hardware from the Ultion Smart Lock, and this doesn’t have a cylinder that extends out to the inner lock. It then has a long metal plate that the smart lock turns.

For the Aqara, it seemed to struggle with this design, and the included adapters didn’t fit properly, as the metal insert that turns the lock was too long.

With a bit of experimentation, I got it to work. For most smart locks, I use the Yale Linus adjustable cylinder (affiliate link), which I have found works perfectly, and I don’t have to worry about measuring my door for the correct-sized cylinder.

Aqara App

Integration with other smart home systems with Matter

Just like the U200+ this smart lock uses the Thread communication protocol with Matter support. You can therefore pair it with smart home ecosystems other than Aqara, including Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, Home Assistant and SmartThings.

As I am heavily invested in Aqara, I paired this with the Aqara Hub M3.

I have moaned about difficulties with pairing Thread-enabled Aqara devices in the past. They typically need to be very close to the hub due to it using Bluetooth to establish the initial connection.

For this, it worked straight away.

With it paired to the Hub M3, I was able to go to third-party ecosystems and generate a Matter code, which I used to add to Home Assistant.

Within Home Assistant, you can:

• Check lock status
• Check battery status
• Remotely lock/unlock the door
• Use the lock as part of automation, and there is a wide range of triggers available

In-Use / Performance

Unsurprisingly, the overall performance of this lock has been essentially the same as the U200+. However, there is less to say about it due to the lack of a keypad.

I have found locking and unlocking reliable, whether this is via Bluetooth or remotely.

The thread connectivity appears to be reliable and is more responsive than Bluetooth. Disabling Bluetooth and pressing unlock in the Aqara app has an almost instant response time. There is a bit of a delay if I do this from within Home Assistant.

I have left most of the settings as standard, as I don’t really need the quiet mode. Auto locking is a bit redundant in the UK due to our multipoint locking doors. I naturally lock my door whenever I lift the handle, and if I forget to lift the handle and lock, the auto-locking function won’t work anyway, due to the multipoint locks not being engaged.

Battery Life

I have only been using this lock for a couple of weeks, so I haven’t tested the battery life thoroughly, but it should perform about the same as its more expensive brother.

I think I have charged the U200+ twice since installing it in our house in July 2024, and on both occasions, it still had enough battery life to keep going for quite a while.

There are only two of us at home, though when I initially installed it, I was working from home full time, so I was in and out a bit. Since September, we have both worked from an office, so we typically only lock/unlock a couple of times per day.

One of my favourite features of both these locks is a small but significant detail. The USB-C charging port faces outward, allowing you to charge it while still in place if you remove the faceplate. It is such an obvious design decision for smart home devices, I can’t understand why other companies don’t do this by default.

Both times I charged the U200+ lock, I used a power bank with a long USB-C cable and placed it on a table to the side. For the U200+, Aqara even included a little pouch so you can hang a power bank on the door handle.

Price and Alternative Options

Aqara Smart Lock U200 Lite Kit is available for £129 from aqara-shop.co.uk

The Aqara Smart Lock U200+ Kit, which includes a keypad, has an RRP of £280 and is available for £210.

The SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro is available for £140.

The Yale Linus Smart Lock L2 is available for £220.

The cheapest Nuki is the Smart Lock Go, which is available for £139.

Overall

To the best of my knowledge, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 Lite is basically the same as the Aqara Smart Lock U200+ but lacks the keypad.

If you look at the RRP, that keypad adds £150 to the price of the lock, which is a steep price to pay, but after using it for nearly a year, I’d say it was well worth it.

With the discounted price of the silver colourway, that price difference drops to just £80, and I would say it is a no-brainer to pay the extra for this keypad.

It is a shame Aqara don’t sell the keypad separately, giving you an upgrade path, but now the U200 Lite is out, I wouldn’t be surprised if they offer this at a later date.

Overall, I thought the Aqara Smart Lock U200+ was superb, and this is basically the same lock minus the keypad at a lower price, so I therefore think it is also excellent. But, I’d only buy it if I were sure I didn’t want the keypad and for most scenarios, I don’t see why you wouldn’t want the convenience of a keypad.

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.

Last update on 2025-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API