Kwikset Announce Smart Lock With Matter over Thread – Homekit News and Reviews

US-based lock specialists Kwikset has announced a new smart lock, and their first with Matter over Thread. Whilst this won’t be their first smart lock to market, it’s the very first that features both the new smart home connectivity standard and  the wireless protocol that is favoured for the smart home.

The Kwikset Halo Select is a standard deadbolt lock, and is therefore primarily intended for use in North America, coming in two finishes – Satin Nickel or Matte Black. As we’ve come to expect with smart locks, this comes with a touchscreen keypad, as well as a standard keyhole for traditional unlocking. The good news is that according to the company, this lock can easily rekeyed, so you can continue to use your original keys if you so wish.

Whilst it can use Matter over Thread, thus allowing it to be integrated into all Matter enabled smart home platforms (Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings), there’s also an option to totally bypass Matter integration entirely using a built-in WiFi module and the company’s own app. This latter option can also continue to work with Amazon and Google via a cloud-based connection, and offers exclusive features like geofence auto lock, guest access control, intrusion detection, and the ability to check the door status via a built-in door sensor. This doesn’t allow it to work with other smart devices in your Apple Home setup, however.

The one feature this lock lacks, unfortunately, is Apple HomeKey, which seems to be a bit of a dealbreaker for many Apple Home users these days. With fingerprint sensors being almost as popular and common these days, HomeKey is less of a prerequisite for many, but as this lock also doesn’t come with a fingerprint sensor, it does make you wonder if the company has slept on the many recent advances in smart home tech for locks. As with most locks, this uses four standard AA batteries.

Still, for those mostly concerned with security, this lock does comes with the highest residential security certification (ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA) and also offers a lifetime guarantee for mechanical parts of the lock and the outside finish. The smart portions of the lock come with a standard 12 month guarantee.

You can read more about this lock via the company’s own website.