At the risk of sounding dull, the key to the smart home begins with — in my humble opinion — the front door. Allow me to explain. One of the top recommendations I always give for people starting a smart home is to install either a video doorbell or a smart lock. When used together, they are a tour de force. You can let package couriers in temporarily to drop an expensive delivery inside your home — instead of having it sit around outside for hours. You can also issue guest or temp keys for family, friends, and beyond. Which brings us to the topic of today, Aqara’s smart locks. They do all of this and more and they’re on sale today for a pretty hefty discount.
The Aqara Smart Lock U100 and Aqara Smart Lock U300 are the focus today, and you can get up to 32% off at Amazon from now until December 22. The U100 is $130 instead of $190, while the U300 is $180 instead of $230. Let’s talk a bit more about what they can do.
With Apple Home and Home Key support, and plenty of automation through Aqara, including third-party devices, this smart lock is fully customizable. For example, you can sync it with ecosystems like Google Home, Alexa, or even IFTTT. It features an auto-lock and do-not-disturb mode, the latter of which mutes door lock sounds to keep the house quiet. You could also enable the always open mode which leaves the door unlocked, for when you know visitors are coming.
This smart lock can be opened via the built-in keypad, Bluetooth with your phone or app, and fingerprint — with up to 50 unique fingerprints stored. It’s powered by standard AA batteries, which should last for up to 8 months under standard use.
The Smart Lock U300, as you can see, features a more streamlined and modern design with the keypad built right into the handle element. It also supports Apple Home and Home Keys integration. Plus, it syncs with an Aqara thread-enabled Matter hub, Google Home, Alexa, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. You can unlock it via the keypad, fingerprints, or your phone. You can also use an Aqara NFC card, but that’s sold separately.
It has auto-lock and do-not-disturb modes, and temporary passcodes, and it’s all easy to install.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.