Aqara’s Latest Smart Lock Works With Gates, Metal And Glass

InnovationConsumer TechAqara’s Latest Smart Lock Works With Gates, Metal And GlassByPaul Lamkin,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Paul’s a smart home expert and the founder of the Wareable Media GroupFollow AuthorMay 27, 2026, 06:05am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.The new Aqara U500 Gate lockAqaraAqara has announced a new trio of smart locks for the UK market, with the Chinese smart home specialist expanding its compatibility for more awkward doors and closures.The new Aqara U500 lineup includes three separate models designed for different installations, including glass doors, iron gates and more traditional doors where retrofitting a smart lock can sometimes turn into a DIY nightmare.The range consists of the Aqara Smart Gate Lock U500, Aqara Smart Rim Lock U500 and Aqara Smart Glass Door Lock U500.The Gate Lock U500 is aimed at metal gates and grille-style entrances, while the Glass Door Lock U500 is designed for frameless and glass door setups where most smart locks usually can’t be installed. The Rim Lock U500 takes a more conventional route, using a surface-mounted design that avoids the need for a mortise lock body, which should make installation far less painful.All three versions share the same core smart features, including fingerprint unlocking, NFC access, passcodes, app controls, voice assistant support and old-skool physical keys for backup access.Apple users get one of the bigger headline features as the U500 series supports Apple Home Key functionality, letting users store their house key directly inside Apple Wallet and unlock the door by tapping an iPhone or Apple Watch against the lock.Like Aqara’s most recent smart home launches, the U500 series is Matter over Thread, meaning the locks can connect directly to platforms including Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant with...