Good for: Homeowners who want a full deadbolt replacement with a keypad, fingerprint access, and smart home integration. People who care about how their front door looks.
Avoid if: You need ANSI Grade 1 security. You don’t want to spend extra on the Wi-Fi module for remote access. You want a lock that works flawlessly from day one with zero app frustration.
The name “Yale” carries weight in the lock world. Linus Yale Jr. invented the modern pin tumbler lock in the 1860s—the same basic mechanism still used in most deadbolts today. When you see “Yale” on a smart lock, there’s an automatic assumption of security credibility that most smart lock brands can’t claim.
The Assure Lock 2 is Yale’s latest attempt to bridge that heritage with modern smart home tech. It’s sleek, modular, and available in more configurations than any other smart lock on the market. But here’s the question most review sites won’t answer honestly: is it actually more secure than a traditional deadbolt, or does the “smart” part create more problems than it solves?
The Big Thing Most People Don’t Know
Yale and August are siblings. Both are owned by ASSA ABLOY, the largest lock manufacturer on the planet. This isn’t a secret, but most buyers don’t realize it, and it matters because it explains the product strategy: August handles the retrofit market (slap it over your existing deadbolt), Yale handles the full replacement market (rip out the old lock, install ours).
They share the same parent app ecosystem (Yale Access, which evolved from August’s platform), and some of the same back-end infrastructure. But the hardware is completely different. The Assure Lock 2 is a full deadbolt—exterior keypad, interior thumb turn, and the bolt itself are all Yale. That means unlike August, Yale controls the entire security chain from the keyway to the smart module.
That should be an advantage. Whether it actually is depends on which model you buy.
Configurations: Choose Wisely
The Assure Lock 2 comes in four base configurations, and this choice matters more than you’d think:
| Model | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Keyed + Keypad | Physical buttons, backup keyhole. The safest bet for most people. |
| Keyed + Touchscreen | Smooth touchscreen, backup keyhole. Looks sleeker but harder to see in sunlight. |
| Keyless + Keypad | No keyhole at all. Unpickable—but if electronics fail, you need the 9V battery trick to power it from outside. |
| Keyless + Touchscreen | Most minimal look. Same “no keyhole” tradeoff applies. |
On top of that, the smart module is separate. The base lock comes with Bluetooth only. Want Wi-Fi for remote access? That’s a $79 module. Z-Wave for Ring/SmartThings? Another module. Matter/Thread? Yet another. This modular approach is genuinely clever—you only pay for the connectivity you use—but it means the sticker price is misleading. The lock most people actually want (touchscreen + Wi-Fi + keyed) lands around $260.
Real Pros & Cons (No Fluff)
What’s Good
- Beautiful design—genuinely one of the best-looking smart locks made
- Fingerprint reader (Touch model) is fast and accurate once programmed
- Unlimited PIN codes with scheduled access—perfect for rentals
- 30% smaller than the original Assure Lock; fits more doors
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 certified
- Modular smart connectivity—upgrade later without replacing the lock
- Keyless model eliminates the keyway entirely (no pick vector)
- Runs on 4x AA batteries; lasts 6-9 months typical use
What’s Not
- ANSI Grade 2, not Grade 1—less kick and torque resistance than the best deadbolts
- Touchscreen nearly invisible in direct sunlight
- Wi-Fi module costs extra and is basically required for the “smart” experience
- Initial Wi-Fi setup can be frustrating—multiple users report needing to redo pairing
- Fingerprint enrollment takes 12 impressions per finger and can lag
- Can’t schedule access for fingerprint users—only PIN users
- No Apple Home Key support on the base model (need the “Plus” version)
- DoorSense sensor feels flimsy and the adhesive doesn’t always hold
The Security Breakdown
Let’s talk about what the ANSI Grade 2 rating actually means. The ANSI/BHMA grading system tests locks for durability and forced entry resistance. Grade 1 is the highest (commercial-grade), Grade 2 is mid-tier (residential), and Grade 3 is the minimum acceptable. For a full breakdown of what each grade requires, see our guide to ANSI lock grades.
Grade 2 means the Assure Lock 2 can withstand:
A 75-pound force test on the bolt (Grade 1 requires 150 pounds). 400,000 cycles of locking and unlocking (Grade 1 requires 800,000). Five strikes from a battering ram test (Grade 1 requires ten).
Is Grade 2 bad? No. It’s standard residential-grade and will handle normal use just fine. But here’s the point: a $40 Schlage B60N is ANSI Grade 1. The $260 Yale Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi is Grade 2. You’re paying more for smart features and getting less physical security. That’s the tradeoff you need to understand.
The keyless models do eliminate one attack vector—there’s no keyway, so there’s nothing to pick. That’s a real advantage if lock picking is your threat model (it usually isn’t for residential burglars, who prefer kicking doors, but it’s still a point worth noting). The keyed models use a standard Yale keyway that’s reasonably pick-resistant but not in the same league as something like an Abloy Protec2.
Living With It: The Long-Term Experience
The First Week
Installation takes 20-30 minutes if you’re replacing an existing deadbolt. Yale’s instructions (in-app and printed) are genuinely good, with a measurement ruler included. The Wi-Fi setup is where frustration can happen—several users and reviewers report needing to restart the pairing process at least once. Once it connects, it’s stable. But that first setup can test your patience.
Month One
The fingerprint reader is the feature that grows on you the most. It recognizes prints in under half a second and feels genuinely futuristic. But here’s the catch: you can’t restrict fingerprint access to specific days or times like you can with PIN codes. So your dog walker gets 24/7 fingerprint access or PIN-only scheduled access. Strange limitation.
Month Three and Beyond
Battery life is solid at six to nine months on 4x AA batteries. The app sends low-battery warnings with enough lead time. The activity log is comprehensive and useful for anyone managing rental or shared-access situations. The auto-lock feature (set to engage after a custom timer) is reliable and gives peace of mind.
The touchscreen visibility issue is real. If your front door gets afternoon sun, you’ll squint trying to find the numbers. The keypad (physical button) model doesn’t have this problem. If I were buying again, I’d get the keypad version for that reason alone.
Yale Assure Lock 2 vs August Smart Lock
Since these are sibling products, this is the comparison everyone wants. The short version: August is a convenience layer you add to an existing deadbolt. Yale is a complete deadbolt replacement. If your current deadbolt is solid and you just want to add smart features, August makes more sense. If you want to replace the whole thing with a modern package, Yale is the better path.
For the full breakdown, read our August vs Yale: Same Company, Different Lock comparison.
Who Should Actually Buy This
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the best-looking, most versatile smart lock you can buy right now. It earns that with a modular design that future-proofs your purchase, a fingerprint reader that genuinely works, and the kind of style that most smart locks completely miss.
But it’s not the most secure lock at its price point. That honor goes to simpler, dumber deadbolts with higher ANSI ratings and better bolt assemblies. If maximum physical security is the goal, a Grade 1 deadbolt with a quality strike plate will outperform the Assure Lock 2 every time.
The ideal buyer is someone who values the full package—looks, convenience, access management, and solid (not extraordinary) security—all in one unit. If that’s you, this is one of the best options available.
Check the current price on the Yale Assure Lock 2:
View on Amazon →Related Reviews
If you’re still deciding between smart and traditional, check out our Deadbolt vs Smart Lock: Real Security Test. Curious about the August alternative? Read our August Smart Lock After 6 Months review. And for the most pick-resistant lock we’ve ever tested, see the Abloy Protec2 review.