Choosing August vs Yale Smart
Choosing August vs Yale Smart is a decision that affects not just convenience but the physical security of a home or business, and getting the details right before purchasing can prevent costly mistakes down the road. Both lock families have earned a place in the retrofit smart-lock market, yet they approach security, installation, and long-term serviceability in fundamentally different ways. This article walks through the key differences, the hidden costs, the risks that come with DIY installation, and the scenarios where a licensed locksmith should be part of the process.
Choosing August vs Yale Smart Overview
August Smart Locks are designed as retrofit devices that attach to an existing deadbolt’s interior thumb-turn, leaving the exterior hardware — and the existing key cylinder — completely unchanged. That design philosophy means installation takes roughly ten minutes, requires no new hole drilling, and lets a homeowner keep the same keys they already carry. The August line communicates via Bluetooth directly to a smartphone and, with an optional Connect bridge or a Wi-Fi-enabled model, also works over the internet for remote access.
Yale Smart Locks, many of which are sold under the Yale Assure and Yale Smart branding, replace the entire deadbolt assembly, including the exterior keypad or touchscreen, the interior turn piece, and — in most configurations — the key cylinder itself. Yale has a long history as a physical security manufacturer dating back more than 175 years, and the brand applies that heritage to products that meet ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 or Grade 2 ratings. Some Yale models omit a traditional key cylinder entirely, relying solely on a keypad code or Z-Wave/Zigbee network integration.
The August vs Yale Smart comparison, therefore, is not simply a battle of app features. It is a structural question about how much of the existing hardware a property owner wants to retain, and how willing they are to depend on electronics for primary access. Understanding this distinction is the foundation of a sound decision.
Key Factors
Physical security grade is the first factor worth examining. Yale Assure locks are sold in ANSI Grade 1 configurations, which is the residential specification that covers 250,000 duty cycles and a minimum bolt throw of one inch. August locks inherit whatever grade the underlying deadbolt provides, which could be Grade 1, Grade 2, or an ungraded builder-grade lock. If an existing deadbolt is a low-quality unit, adding an August smart module does not upgrade its resistance to forced entry, kick-in, or lock-picking.
Key cylinder access and rekeying options are a practical concern that many buyers overlook entirely. A question that comes up frequently is: can you rekey a Yale Smart lock? The answer depends on the specific model. Yale Assure locks that include a key cylinder — such as the Assure Lock SL with a key override — use a standard Kwikset or Schlage keyway depending on the variant purchased. Those cylinders can be rekeyed by a locksmith using standard pin kits, just like any conventional deadbolt. Yale models that ship without a key cylinder cannot be rekeyed because there is no cylinder present; access recovery in a lockout scenario depends entirely on code entry, a connected app, or a master reset procedure. August locks, by contrast, do not touch the cylinder at all, so rekeying the underlying deadbolt is always possible and follows standard procedure for whatever brand of cylinder is installed.
Connectivity architecture affects reliability and privacy in ways that marketing materials rarely emphasize. Yale integrates natively with Z-Wave and Zigbee, making it a natural fit for SmartThings, Amazon Alexa routines, Apple Home, and most professionally installed home automation systems. August communicates primarily over Bluetooth with optional Wi-Fi via a bridge module, which adds a dependency on a secondary device staying powered and connected. Neither approach is inherently superior, but Z-Wave integration tends to be more robust in large properties or multi-unit buildings where the hub is centrally managed.
Battery life and failure modes matter at 2 a.m. in a rainstorm. Most Yale Assure models run on four AA batteries and provide six to twelve months of typical use with a low-battery warning well in advance. August locks are powered by a set of AA batteries inside the interior housing, and battery consumption can be higher than expected if the Bluetooth radio is active continuously. Both platforms support 9-volt battery jump-starting through the exterior hardware as an emergency measure, but the Yale keypad allows code entry even during a low-battery state more reliably because the exterior electronics are embedded in the lock body rather than residing solely on the interior module.
Costs and Risks
Hardware pricing for the August vs Yale Smart comparison sits in a similar range at retail. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (fourth generation) typically sells for $149–$199. Yale Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi runs $129–$179 depending on finish and keyway. These prices do not account for installation, which is where the cost picture diverges.
August installation is genuinely self-serviceable for most homeowners with a screwdriver and thirty minutes. Yale installation involves removing the existing deadbolt, verifying door prep dimensions (standard 2-1/8-inch bore), installing a new latch assembly, aligning the strike plate, and programming the lock — a process that takes longer and has more failure points, particularly on older doors with non-standard prep or misaligned frames. Improper installation of a full deadbolt replacement can result in a bolt that does not extend fully, a cylinder that binds under load, or an exterior keypad that misaligns with the mortise opening. These problems may not manifest immediately but can lead to lockouts or reduced forced-entry resistance over time.
Professional installation by a licensed locksmith for a Yale-style full deadbolt replacement runs an average of $80–$150 for labor alone, not counting the hardware. Average: $115 · Range: $80–$150 · Travel: free in service area. That cost is worth accounting for in the total purchase decision, especially for rental property owners installing multiple units.
The risks of DIY smart lock installation extend beyond mechanical misalignment. Incorrect wiring of powered deadbolts, improper network configuration that leaves default admin credentials active, and failure to register the lock with the manufacturer’s security portal can each create exploitable vulnerabilities. A lock that is technically installed but running default codes is functionally unsecured. A licensed locksmith who handles smart lock installations regularly will verify physical security, test the bolt throw under door pressure, and confirm that the access code setup eliminates default credentials before leaving the site.
When to Call a Locksmith
There are several situations in the August vs Yale Smart decision process where calling a locksmith is the correct move rather than an optional upgrade. The first is any scenario involving a lockout. If a Yale Smart lock has lost its programming, the app is unavailable, and no key override cylinder was installed, a locksmith can assess whether non-destructive entry is possible or whether controlled drilling of the lock body is the least-damaging path to re-entry. Attempting to bypass the lock without that expertise frequently causes door damage that costs more to repair than professional entry would have.
The second scenario is rekeying after a tenancy change or security event. Can you rekey a Yale Smart lock that has a key cylinder? Yes, and a locksmith can do it in under fifteen minutes using standard pin kits matched to the existing keyway. This is significantly faster and cheaper than replacing the entire lock, and it is a service many property managers overlook because they assume smart locks eliminate the need for physical key management. They do not, in any configuration that retains a key override cylinder.
The third scenario is installation on a problematic door. Older wooden doors, steel doors with foam cores, and commercial hollow-metal frames all present unique challenges for deadbolt installation. A locksmith can assess whether the door prep is correct, reinforce a weak strike plate with a security plate and three-inch screws, and verify that the door gap tolerance is within the range that allows reliable bolt engagement. These are physical security details that app-based installation guides do not address.
The fourth scenario is any time a property has multiple entry points being converted to smart locks simultaneously. Managing master code hierarchies, ensuring that different locks are not sharing the same access codes across units, and verifying that Z-Wave or Zigbee pairing is done correctly on a hub requires a methodical process. A locksmith experienced with smart lock deployment can complete this work efficiently and document the configuration for future reference.
Recommended Next Steps
Before purchasing either lock, verify the existing door prep. Measure the backset (distance from the edge of the door to the center of the bore hole — standard is 2-3/8 inches or 2-3/4 inches) and confirm whether the current deadbolt is a standard cylindrical format or a mortise. Yale Assure locks are cylindrical deadbolts; August locks adapt to whatever is present. A door with a mortise lock requires either a dedicated mortise smart lock or a different integration strategy entirely.
Decide whether key override access is a requirement. For rental properties, vacation homes, or any dwelling where a physical key backup is legally or practically necessary, a Yale model with a key cylinder or an August-equipped deadbolt is the appropriate choice. For single-resident properties where the owner is comfortable with code-only access and has a reliable app backup, a keypad-only Yale Assure may simplify day-to-day operation. Neither configuration is universally superior; it depends on the use case.
Evaluate the smart home ecosystem already in place. If the property runs on a Z-Wave hub such as SmartThings or a certified professional system, Yale’s native Z-Wave integration will be more stable than August’s Bluetooth-plus-bridge architecture. If the primary interface is an iPhone with HomeKit, verify which specific Yale and August models carry the Made for iPhone / HomeKit certification, as not every SKU in either product line carries full HomeKit support.
Budget for professional installation if the door has any non-standard characteristics, if multiple locks are being installed, or if the goal is Grade 1 security for a high-traffic or higher-risk property. The labor cost for a single lock installation is modest relative to the cost of a lockout, a forced-entry repair, or a door frame replacement caused by a misaligned bolt under stress. After installation, schedule a follow-up rekeying if there is any question about who has had access to the space previously — a step that applies to both new construction and resale properties regardless of which lock platform is chosen.
Related from Low Rate Locksmith: Best Practices for August vs Yale Smart.
Call Low Rate Locksmith
Low Rate Locksmith provides 24/7 mobile locksmith service across the US and Canada, including smart lock installation, deadbolt rekeying, and emergency lockout response for both August and Yale Smart lock configurations. Whether the question is whether you can rekey a Yale Smart lock, how to recover from a keypad lockout, or how to harden a door before installing a new smart lock, the team is reachable any time at (833) 439-8636. Travel is free within the service area, and all work is performed by licensed technicians who carry the pin kits, strike hardware, and programming tools to handle the job correctly on the first visit.