Black Friday is here, and the deals on smart home devices are getting hot. One deal we’ve uncovered is on August’s Smart Locks, with both the standard and Pro versions discounted by 47%. But act quickly — as these deals are only good until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday.
Usually $150, Amazon is selling the August Smart Lock for just $79, while the Smart Lock Pro, usually $280, is marked down to only $149. These prices are both the lowest we’ve seen all year for either device by at least $10, and we don’t expect them to be this cheap again before Christmas.
Which one should you choose? Out of the box, the Smart Lock has a fairly basic feature set. You’ll only be able to lock and unlock your door with your smartphone, and it can’t connect to other smart home platforms or unlock remotely.
Those features require the purchase of an August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge, a $62 optional accessory that allows your Smart Lock to connect to other smart home devices via your Wi-Fi network. While purchasing these two products separately saves you about $8, there are other features that you still won’t have.
Only the Smart Lock Pro is compatible with Apple’s HomeKit and Z-Wave, the latter allowing you to connect your lock to your broader smart home system outside of the August platform. While the lack of these features won’t be a dealbreaker for many, keep that in mind before you try to save yourself a bit of money — especially those with iPhones and other Apple devices.
Either way, both locks are solid buys. The Smart Lock Pro sports an overall smaller footprint and might work better depending on where your lock bolt is located on your door. However, if you just want smart lock functionality without all the bells and whistles, the Smart Lock is absolutely a solid choice.
This deal is by no means the only smart home deal out there this Black Friday. You can find our continuously updated list of the best buys here, and we recently posted about another smart lock deal on Amazon from August’s competitor Yale.
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.