August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the 4th generation smart lock by August. It is a type of lock that eliminates the extra bulk from the previous generation Smart lock with the in-built Wi-Fi support.
On the other hand, August Smart Lock Pro is the third-generation smart lock, but you might need to connect the bridge to the home’s Wi-Fi network for using the smart lock feature. If you compare it with the latest version, it carries more weight but has the double battery life.
If you see both the locks’ specs, you can quickly identify that August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the upgraded version lock. Everything in the 4th generation is fine: smaller design, better grip, in-built Wi-Fi, and even the company recently dropped the price of this smart lock. Unfortunately, the company had to reduce the number of batteries inside the lock that may lead to worse battery life. It is not a good idea to choose August Wi-Fi Smart Lock by watching the only downside. You have to look at the overall performance of both the Smart locks.
Presence Of All Essential Elements
The impressive part of the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is that the 4th generation lock is 45% smaller than the previous version and also has a Wi-Fi chip inside the lock. The chip allows the lock to connect to the Wi-Fi directly, but previous generation smart locks by August require a Wi-Fi bridge to plug into any place in your home. The Wi-Fi chip eliminates the need for all Wi-Fi bridges to connect the smart lock.
It is like an electrical device on your front door that can protect your home in smarter ways. Even the company has reduced the price of this smart lock and makes it affordable for most of the buyers.
Best Among These Two
The 4th generation lock doesn’t require separate elements, and August has significantly removed the extra bulk from their previous locks. As it is the 4th generation lock, it includes the latest technology like Wi-Fi chipsets, and that has reduced the size of the smart lock. It is a 20% thinner device, which means a smaller metal like the lock is going to protect your home more smartly.
But sometimes, the smaller design might face more difficulty while using this device. The company has tried to redesign the smart lock’s signature looks, which will give more grip to the users. Instead of dots, there you will find a dial that offers a better grip to their customers.
Yes, having a Wi-Fi chip and smaller design is a pleasant update for any smart lock, but still, it doesn’t look like a perfect product. The real issue about August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is battery life, which might be responsible for their low sales. If August uses AA batteries that they have used with the 3rd generation smart locks in their 4th generation locks, then they don’t have the room to include other smarter features like Wi-Fi chips.
So, August had included the two CR123 batteries in place of the four AA batteries in their 4th generation locks. CR123 is the shorter version of the AA battery. It might be an issue, but these batteries are rechargeable, and for that purpose, you need to buy a charger. If you purchase it, then it will eliminate the need to buy the batteries. Otherwise, you might need to buy a pair of CR123 batteries.
The company estimates that a pair of CR123 batteries will last between three to six months. It usually depends on the auto-locking system’s use and the strength of the Wi-Fi signal. If you have a stronger Wi-Fi signal, the lock will use less battery because it needs the internet to communicate. But the 3rd generation smart lock will give you around six to twelve months of battery life, which is double than their 4th generation’s lock. Now you know that half-sized lock also has a half battery life.
Latest Is Better
The newer release doesn’t mean that it is a better product than the previous one, especially in the technology industry. In this case, you might see that a newer device is better than the earlier version. August’s latest design is half the size of the previous one and offers a more grip-friendly lock. You can lock it manually and also look great on the door. Despite having a 45% smaller design than the 3rd generation smart locks, the 4th generation lock has the in-built chip that avoids the need for the bridge to connect the lock with the internet.
The only disadvantage of the latest design is the battery life. For reducing the size, the company has cut down the battery life. But you can manage this issue as the 4th generation lock has the rechargeable CR123 batteries. You can also change it every three months if you use the smart lock more occasionally.
Source: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock vs August Smart Lock Pro: Which One is Better
World Technology 