Aqara’s New Smart Lock B50 is in Lowe’s Stores Across the US
Aqara has released its latest budget-friendly smart lock, the Smart Lock B50, now available in more than 500 Lowe’s stores in the US as well as on Lowes.com. The B50 is a Wi-Fi deadbolt that works without a hub designed for more straightforward access control for households.
The B50 supports individual PIN codes via the physical keypad, that can be set as one time, recurring, or permanent, with an anti-peek option that lets users add extra digits before and after the real PIN. An auto lock setting can secure the door after a chosen delay, and the lock’s status can be checked remotely through the Aqara Home app. As it includes built in Wi-Fi 6 on the 2.4GHz band, users can manage the lock directly without extra hardware.
Out of the box, the B50 works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, which allows it to be tied into routines or combined with devices such as video doorbells. Those wanting Matter support can link the lock to an Aqara Matter Controller and hub (currently only the M3, G5 Pro and M100), which then exposes it to Matter platforms such as Apple Home.
Installation is designed to be simple, with no drilling required, like many deadbolt locks. Power is supplied by four AA batteries, which Aqara rates for around six months of use, though this will vary by household. A USB-C port is included for emergency power if the batteries run flat, and a standard mechanical key remains available if needed.
As the lock is designed for outdoor use, it offers IPX3 protection, which whilst not as good as IP65, is still adequate in most cases. It can also be rekeyed, which is something that past Aqara locks haven’t offered as an option.
When it comes to Apple Home, as this is a budget smart lock there’s no Apple HomeKey support, and it’s probably unlikely to also offer Apple’s own Manage Access feature that allows for users to manage passcodes and users directly within Apple Home.
Aqara’s partnership with Lowe’s gives the B50 broad retail visibility in the US, something that not many smart home manufacturer is able to achieve, aiming to bring a lower cost smart lock option to a wider audience. The lock is available to purchase now, both in store and online for US$99.99, with general availability beginning on 22 November.
Still, there are many locks on the market that offer more features for a slightly higher price, like the Thorbolt X1 (video HERE, review HERE), that for just US$30 more gives you Apple HomeKey, a fingerprint sensor, and Thread (albeit HomeKit over Thread), along with four finishes.
For more information, visit Aqara’s website.
