If you are deciding between these two fantastic smart locks, then its probably best you know the facts.
The Kevo Convert and the August Smart Lock have three major differences; price, look, and ease of use. The Kevo Convert costs more and looks higher quality, but has some common problems such as battery life and compatibility issues. August Smart locks are cheaper, and generally, are more compatible with other smart home equipment.
Of course, there is a lot more to it than that. Read on and find out which one is best or your situation.
Last update on 2023-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Kevo Convert
The Kwikset Kevo an interesting, smart lock, to say the least.
Many people have a lot to say about this lock specifically, and they even say that it is not a good representative for the brand.
I hope to break it down according to what its strengths and weaknesses are.
Look
Many smart locks really screw this part up. Sometimes these locks can look cheap, making the first impression of your home not exactly what you were hoping for when you spent 150 dollars on a lock.
The Kwikset Kevo is one of the only smart locks that looks really professional and modern. With several options for style, this lock can replace your current set up without sacrificing looks. This smart lock is installed over the top of your current deadbolt lock system and runs off of batteries.
Application
The Kevo Smart Lock is designed to be a smooth transition from a classic Kwikset lock into the world of smart locks. The idea is that all you need to do is remove the inside part of your door lock and then put this smart lock on in order to get started.
Everything about this lock sounds really awesome on paper. It looks good, sounds simple, and is from a reputable brand. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. A quick look into the Amazon page for one of these locks reveals its true nature. It has some major problems.
It is pretty rare that I come across something on Amazon that has this many low reviews. As a rule, I try and only purchase things that have at least 60% 5-star reviews on Amazon, but at the time of writing this, the Kevo Smart Lock has over 50% 1-star reviews.
That is just unacceptable!
Sometimes things that have this low of reviews are from people that have bought the wrong product or just don’t know what they are doing, so you can usually forgive many of the reviews. When a product consistently produces low reviews like this, little alarm bells begin to go off in my head.
The question that you need to ask yourself when you are thinking about buying a product that has many issues is, “Can I handle the bad in order to reach the good?”
Many smart locks have compatibility issues that hinder their use. Many locks have one terrible trait that gives them a bad reputation. Unfortunately, the Kwikset Kevo falls into neither of these categories. From all of the reports I have read, this smart lock simply doesn’t work. Some people say that it gets better after buying an additional hub to connect your Kevo to the internet, but that is just sub-par.
I refuse to support a product from a recognizable brand like Kwikset, which has major issues. People say that their phone takes too long to connect and that the lock only works on rare occasions. If you are looking to take your home into the future, then get a lock that has the ability to handle your present needs as well as room to grow.
The Kwikset Kevo Smart lock has plenty of reported issues, and it’s up to you to determine if you are willing to handle those problems. Do some research into whether or not your door is compatible with this lock, as many people have compatibility issues.
August Smart Lock
The August smart lock is one of the most popular smart lock solutions on the market, and I aim to help you understand why.
Look
Many people complain about the look of the August smart lock, and I totally get it. It can look like a huge ugly lump on the inside of your door. Until we design doors with smart locks pre-installed, we are sort of stuck with the bulky look. I really hope that comes soon, but for now, we must accept what is put out there.
The August Smart Lock does actually have several colors, and that may ease your pain. If you are willing to spend a little bit more, you can get a smart lock with a metal finish as opposed to the matte gray plastic.
Application
The August Smart Lock is the perfect example of simple execution. This lock has everything you need to enjoy having a lock that is connected to the world of technology.
As Bluetooth-only smart locks go, the August smart lock functions perfectly. It has all of the features that you could want in a lock, including granting/removing access to guests as well as automatically unlocking your home when you get close to your door! That means no more fiddling in your bag for keys anymore. That means that you do not have to set the groceries down in order to get into your house.
How cool is that?
The August Smart lock has so many great reviews. Everybody raves about this smart lock, and for a good reason. These locks are consistent in that they just work. All I want when I am working with home automation is for my life to become easier and even effortless. I love that my smart lock doesn’t have any issues!
The best part about the August smart lock is how the company has planned for the future. Obviously, most companies do this, but the August smart lock is equipped to be upgraded.
Meaning although it works great on its own, a simple August connect can be bought for 65 dollars that allows the user to connect his or her smart lock to the internet, which takes the Augusts’ abilities to a whole new level. There is so much that can be done with a smart lock, and the best parts of what they can do involve connecting to Wi-Fi.
Connecting to Wi-Fi means that you can unlock your door from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection any time somebody needs to access your home.
The August Smart Lock seamlessly connects with Alexa, Apple Homekit, and is Z-wave compatible as well.
There is so much to say about the August Smart Lock, but all you really need to know is that it works great. The reason they are so popular is that they work consistently, are easy to install, and are not any more expensive than another smart lock.
Conclusion: Kwikset Kevo vs August Smart Lock
Every situation is different, but I think that I can be pretty blunt when I say that the August Smart Lock is going to be the better choice.
Really, the only thing that the Kwikset Kevo does right is how it looks, but other than that, you are going to end up really frustrated and annoyed that you made the purchase. Me, being the expert on smart locks, would never recommend somebody get the Kevo Convert over the August Smart Lock.
If you are looking to do only a half replacement, meaning you only want to replace the inside of your door and do nothing else, then August does a great job. Their locks will surprise you with how high quality and efficient they are. That being said, the full replacement market is not dominated by August. August specializes in the half replacement portion of the market.
The Kevo is really not a finished product, but I have heard great things about their generation two touch to open Smart lock. Apparently its really good and does its job well. I am sure that if you were to get that lock, you would be fine, but I cannot recommend the Kwikset Kevo at this time.
Related Questions
Are August Smart Locks Bluetooth compatible? August Smart Lock uses Bluetooth to sync to a cell phone. Both Android and Apple devices that have Bluetooth capabilities will work as long as the August app can be installed from either the Google Play store or the App store.
Can Alexa unlock Smart Locks? Many smart locks have the ability to connect to an Amazon Alexa voice assistant. The Smart lock must be connected to Wi-Fi on its own, or a hub must be purchased. Bluetooth only smart locks will not be compatible with Alexa.
