{"id":9519,"date":"2025-06-24T01:53:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T01:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/9519\/"},"modified":"2025-06-24T01:53:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T01:53:12","slug":"yales-new-google-home-smart-lock-is-here-but-it-costs-more-thanks-to-tariffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/9519\/","title":{"rendered":"Yale\u2019s new Google Home smart lock is here \u2014 but it costs more thanks to tariffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Yale Smart Lock with Matter<\/a> is launching tomorrow, June 24th, for $189.99 \u2014 $20 more than when it was first announced in March<\/a>. Yale tells The Verge the price increase is due to the impact of tariffs<\/a>. The lock will be available on Amazon<\/a> and Yale\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to Yale, the new smart lock<\/a> was built for Google Home and Matter and designed specifically to complement Google Home\u2019s Nest video doorbells<\/a>. However, thanks to its Matter-over-Thread<\/a> connectivity, it can work with multiple smart home platforms, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant.<\/p>\n

In a briefing, Catelyn Herman, senior product manager at Yale, told The Verge that \u201ctariff costs and overall product costs led us to have to increase the price slightly.\u201d All the other features are the same as when it was first announced, which is also when Yale confirmed it had discontinued the two companies\u2019 previous collab: the Next x Yale lock<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The new lock comes in white and gray to match Google\u2019s Nest doorbells as well as black. Image: Yale<\/p>\n

The new Yale Smart Lock with Matter comes in white, black, and, this fall, gray. It has a promised 12 months of battery life on 4 AAs, thanks to Matter-over-Thread connectivity, which should also provide faster response times compared to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth locks. It\u2019s one of a growing number of full-deadbolt replacement locks that use the new protocol; others include Kwikset\u2019s Halo Select<\/a>, Level Lock Plus<\/a>, Eufy E30<\/a>, U-tec\u2019s Matter lock<\/a>, and Yale\u2019s Assure SL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Several control methods are available, including inputting a code on its backlit push-button keypad and using a key. You can lock and unlock it remotely using the Google Home app (as well as other Matter-apps) and with your voice control via Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple\u2019s Siri. Jesse Stroh, product manager at Google Home and Nest, confirmed that you can now unlock Matter locks using a voice PIN code via Google Assistant. <\/p>\n

Unlike the Nest x Yale lock that could disarm Google\u2019s Nest Secure security system<\/a>, the new lock won\u2019t integrate with any security system at launch, which is surprising considering both Yale<\/a> and Google\u2019s close relationship with home security company ADT.<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The new Yale lock has a push-button keypad with backlighting and a keyway. Image: Yale<\/p>\n

Unlike Yale\u2019s other locks \u2013 including the Yale Assure 2 line<\/a> \u2013 the Yale Smart Lock doesn\u2019t have an auto-unlock function, just auto-lock. The lock also features a keyway, which the Nest x Yale didn\u2019t. Herman says Yale\u2019s research shows that a push button and a keyed option are what most people prefer. I\u2019m on board with the push buttons, but I think these locks would look much sleeker without the keyhole.<\/p>\n

The lock can work with any platform that supports Matter, but Stroh said it has a \u201cbest in class integration with the Google Home platform.\u201d He said it\u2019s able to take \u201cfull advantage of the Matter features Google Home supports<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

These currently include creating and editing codes for the lock, including guest codes with set schedules. You can also view lock activity in the Home app\u2019s activity feed and get lock and unlock notifications, said Stroh, adding that current Google Nest doorbells will integrate with the lock so you can control it while viewing a live feed from the doorbell.<\/p>\n

Based on my experience using Matter-enabled locks in Apple Home and Samsung SmartThings, you should get these same features on those platforms as well. But, while it will work with other platforms, it\u2019s clearly designed to appeal to Google Home users. Although those who are looking to upgrade from the Nest x Yale lock may not be thrilled with the new look. The white and gray may match the Google Nest doorbells, but without the options of rubbed bronze or satin nickel<\/a> that the Nest had, it\u2019s not going to match your existing door hardware.<\/p>\n

One benefit of the new lock is that you can set it up directly in the Google Home app (or other Matter app) without needing to use the Yale app. However, as a Matter-over-Thread device<\/a>, it does require a Matter controller and a Thread border router<\/a>; the Matter hub needs to be a Google one if you want to use it in the Google Home app. <\/p>\n

Without these, you can control the lock using the Yale Home app over Bluetooth, something Yale\u2019s other Matter-over-Thread lock, the Yale Assure SL<\/a>, didn\u2019t offer. But this only works when you\u2019re in range, i.e., at home, as there\u2019s no built-in Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n

The lock can work over Wi-Fi with Yale\u2019s $90 Wi-Fi Connect bridge<\/a>, but I wouldn\u2019t buy that just to use this lock. You\u2019re better off picking up something like the Google TV Streamer<\/a> for $95 to get the Thread connectivity, Google Home Matter hub, and a good streaming box<\/a>. I plan to review the Yale Smart Lock soon.<\/p>\n

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