Aqara Smart Lock U600: Matter-over-Thread Lock for UK Multipoint Doors, £229.99

Most smart locks are designed for American deadbolts or European cylinders, which leaves British front doors out. On October 14, 2026, Aqara launched the Smart Lock U600, a lock built specifically for standard UK multipoint doors on uPVC, composite and timber, as HomeKit News reports. It costs £229.99 on Aqara’s UK store and Amazon.co.uk.

Matter over Thread: Home Assistant included

For us this is the key line: the U600 uses Matter over Thread, so Aqara says it works with Apple Home, Home Assistant, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings. You’ll need a Thread-enabled Matter controller (and a Thread border router) in your ecosystem. With an Aqara hub — M3, M200, M100, G5 Pro or the G410 doorbell — the Aqara Home app adds remote unlocking and automations without a subscription.

Every way to unlock

• Apple Home Key in Apple Wallet on iPhone XS or later (iOS 18.6+) and Apple Watch Series 6 or later (watchOS 11.5+); an Apple home hub is required. There is no UWB hands-free unlocking.
• Samsung Wallet Digital Home Key via SmartThings
• Fingerprint in under 0.5 seconds, up to 50 prints
• Permanent, offline and scheduled PIN codes, NFC cards (sold separately), voice control and a mechanical key

Built for British doors

The body measures 335 x 40.5 x 28 mm and fits doors 40 to 80 mm thick, with centre distances of 72–92 mm and backsets of 35–70 mm. According to HomeKit News, installation takes 15 to 30 minutes with a screwdriver, with no drilling or wiring, and can be reversed when you move — handy for renters. Aqara does warn that you have to remove the existing cylinder, so check with your insurer first.

Batteries and weather

Four AA batteries last up to 10 months by Aqara’s estimate, with app warnings at 20% and 10%, and a USB-C port lets you power the lock from a power bank in an emergency. The outer panel is IP65, the lock runs from -20 °C to 55 °C and passed a 100,000-cycle test. Auto-lock, a Do Not Disturb mode and a Night Latch mode round things out.

Rocks take

A Matter-over-Thread lock is the clean way to get a door into Home Assistant without a cloud bridge — door-open triggers, “lock everything at night” automations and lock status on a wall display. The catch: the U600 is UK-only for now, so readers in the US and France will have to look at Aqara’s other models.