Smart Locks / August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) vs SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05)
$199.99
VSSwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle
$149.99
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) vs SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle
SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle
The renter's answer: keeps your keyway, but the lock itself is Bluetooth-only.
Wins overall by 0.9 points
Quick Verdict
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 0.9 points. The renter's answer: keeps your keyway, but the lock itself is Bluetooth-only.
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) and SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle are both closely matched smart Lock models, and the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle is $50 cheaper than the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) ($149.99 vs $199.99). On Battery Life, the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle leads (8.0 vs 3.0/10) — real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands. On Connectivity, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) leads (7.5 vs 5.5/10) — which radios are actually inside the lock, and whether a hub or bridge is needed and included. On Value, the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle leads (7.5 vs 5.5/10) — security, entry methods and connectivity relative to price, including accessories you must buy separately. Overall, the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle scores 6.8/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 5.9/10 for the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) | SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $149.99 |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2024 |
| Lock Type | Retrofit over the existing deadbolt's interior thumbturn | Retrofit over the existing deadbolt's interior thumbturn |
| ANSI/BHMA Grade | Not applicable and not published — the retrofit motor carries no BHMA grade and your existing deadbolt keeps its own | Not applicable and not published — a retrofit motor carries no BHMA grade, and your door keeps whatever grade its existing deadbolt already had |
| Keeps Existing Keyway | Yes — the exterior cylinder and your keys are untouched | Yes — the original exterior cylinder and keys are untouched |
| Smart Radio | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, plus Bluetooth, all inside the lock | Bluetooth only inside the lock. SwitchBot states plainly: 'Lock Pro is not directly Matter enabled' |
| Hub or Bridge Required | No — this is the generation that moved Wi-Fi into the lock body. Older August locks needed the separate Connect bridge | Yes — and it is included in this bundle. Without a SwitchBot Hub Mini Matter Enabled or Hub 2 there is no Matter, no remote access and no voice control |
| Apple Home Key | No — HomeKit control only, not tap-to-unlock | No |
| UWB Hands-Free Unlock | No | No |
| Biometrics | None — there is no keypad and no fingerprint reader in the box | None in this bundle — fingerprint requires the separate Keypad Touch or Keypad Vision |
| Battery Type | 2 x CR123A lithium (included) | 4 x AA (included); optional rechargeable Dual Power Pack |
| Claimed Battery Life (months) | 3 | 9✓ |
| Backup Power & Key Override | Your existing exterior key always works; August does not publish an emergency power contact on this generation | Your existing exterior key always works; SwitchBot describes a triple-power design (main, backup and emergency) |
| Door Thickness / Backset | Most single-cylinder deadbolts — check August's compatibility list first. Body is 72mm across and 46mm deep on the inside of the door | Works with most US single deadbolts, jimmy-proof and mortise locks (adapter); no drilling and no new bore |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Silver, Matte Black | Black, Silver |
Category Scores
Security
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) leads clearly here, 4.5 against 4.0 — a 0.5-point margin on published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door. If that is what you are buying for, the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle does not close the gap elsewhere.
Fail-Safe Access
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on what happens when the battery dies, the Wi-Fi drops or the app is down — physical key, emergency power contact and offline codes. The spec buyers most often discover too late. If that is what you are buying for, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.5 — a 2.0-point margin on which radios are actually inside the lock, and whether a hub or bridge is needed and included. If that is what you are buying for, the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Support
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.0 — a 1.0-point margin on matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each. If that is what you are buying for, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Entry Methods
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) and SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle are level here, at 4.5/10 each. keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Battery Life
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle leads clearly here, 8.0 against 3.0 — a 5.0-point margin on real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands. If that is what you are buying for, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Installation & Fit
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle leads clearly here, 9.5 against 9.0 — a 0.5-point margin on DIY difficulty, retrofit versus full replacement, and door thickness, backset and bore limits. If that is what you are buying for, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.5 — a 2.0-point margin on security, entry methods and connectivity relative to price, including accessories you must buy separately. If that is what you are buying for, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) scores 7.5/10 here (which radios are actually inside the lock, and whether a hub or bridge is needed and included).
Choose the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle if…
- • Battery Life matters most to you — the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle scores 8.0/10 here (real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands).
- • Value matters most to you — the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle scores 7.5/10 here (security, entry methods and connectivity relative to price, including accessories you must buy separately).
- • Fail-Safe Access matters most to you — the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle scores 8.5/10 here (what happens when the battery dies, the Wi-Fi drops or the app is down — physical key, emergency power contact and offline codes. The spec buyers most often discover too late).
- • Smart Home Support matters most to you — the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle scores 7.0/10 here (matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each).
- • You want to spend less — it's $50 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05)
Pros
- +The only retrofit here with dual-band Wi-Fi in the lock — it will join a 5GHz-only guest network that defeats most rivals
- +DoorSense is still the best-implemented door-ajar sensor in the category
- +Mature HomeKit support and an app that has had a decade of iteration
- +Retrofit install takes minutes and is fully reversible for renters
Cons
- −August's own figure is up to 3 months of battery life, and owners routinely report changing the CR123A cells every 90 days — by far the worst battery economics here
- −CR123A cells cost several times what AAs do, so the running cost is real
- −No keypad, no fingerprint, no Home Key: without your phone you are back to the metal key
- −No Matter support has been published for this generation, and it is a 2020 design at a 2026 price
SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle
Pros
- +The most landlord-proof install here: no drilling, no new hardware outside, fully reversible
- +Your existing key keeps working, which matters when the battery dies at 11pm
- +AA cells rather than CR123A — SwitchBot's own figure is roughly a third of the battery cost of the old Lock
- +The bundle includes the hub, so Matter works out of the box rather than after a second purchase
Cons
- −The lock is Bluetooth-only. Every remote feature, every Matter integration and every voice command runs through the hub — lose the hub and you have a Bluetooth thumbturn
- −No keypad or fingerprint in this bundle; adding Keypad Touch or Keypad Vision is another $60-$180
- −Retrofit means your security is still whatever your existing deadbolt was — an ungraded builder-grade lock stays ungraded
- −Bolted to the inside of the door, it is visibly a gadget rather than a lock
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) or SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Battery Life, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) or the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle?+
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle scores higher on Battery Life (8.0/10 vs 3.0/10) — real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands.
Which is better for Connectivity, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) or the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle?+
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) scores higher on Connectivity (7.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — which radios are actually inside the lock, and whether a hub or bridge is needed and included.
Which is better for Value, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) or the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle?+
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle scores higher on Value (7.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — security, entry methods and connectivity relative to price, including accessories you must buy separately.
Which is better for Fail-Safe Access, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) or the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle?+
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle scores higher on Fail-Safe Access (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — what happens when the battery dies, the Wi-Fi drops or the app is down — physical key, emergency power contact and offline codes. The spec buyers most often discover too late.
Is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) worth the price difference over the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle?+
The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle is the cheaper option at $149.99 versus $199.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Battery Life.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) is the better fit if you mainly care about retrofit or rentals. The SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle is the better fit for matter-thread.
What's the warranty on the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) vs the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle?+
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) ships with a 12-month warranty; the SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini (Matter Enabled) bundle ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad — $179.99
Premium Option
Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) — $169.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.