An intelligent option for smart homes: a review of the Yale YDM7116A smart lock

By Rameshwaran Karunakaran – Published On: August 22, 2024

Review Summary

Expert Rating ★8/10

If you live in a big city, smart locks are gradually becoming more of a need than a luxury. Yes, you do have access to some extra security features, such alarms that will sound if someone tries to break in. But if you’re not home or are too lazy to get out of bed, smart locks also make it easier to get into your house. In fact, your real estate agent might even highlight smart locks as an extra amenity if you have a look at brand-new builder homes in Delhi or even future apartments in Gurugram or Noida. But what about conventionally locked older homes? Are they also eligible for an upgrade?

When Yale asked me to test their smart lock—the YDM7116A, to be exact—two things in their pitch really stuck out. First off, elder clients may easily customize settings on Yale’s modern locks, which are made with their convenience in mind rather than merely catering to millennials. The assurance of a company with more than a century of experience in the field comes in second.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Yale YDM7116A smart lock to anyone wishing to update their current residence or move into a new one after using it for more than a month. Continue reading to learn more.

Box contents, set up, and design

Although it is designed particularly for main entrance doors, the Yale YDM7116A smart lock can also be used in your home office or bedroom. Only use it for the main entry, in my opinion, if the door is adequately covered from the elements. This is because, despite Yale’s observation that it should be alright against little splashes, the lock isn’t adequately protected against water.

Multiple access possibilities are guaranteed wherever you put the YDM7116A smart lock, which explains its high Rs 57,999 price tag (I will go into more depth about it in the next section). The brand provides a number of reasonably priced, sleekly designed choices for various rooms.

The size of the Yale YDM7116A box and lock may seem a little intimidating at first. Because the lock brackets are heavy, Yale suggests using them on doors that are at least 40 mm thick. Sadly, this means that a lot of older homes—like those built by the DDA—might not qualify because their doors usually have a thickness of 35–38 mm. Yale suggests a door closer in addition to the lock’s auto-lock feature. The company’s official door closer may cost anywhere from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000. A local retailer can have more contemporary and less expensive selections.

There are various color options available for the Yale YDM7116A smart lock. I was given the Red Bronze unit, which adds a deep red color that enhances the traditional wooden finish on my door. Another good option that is common in many new houses is matte black. Although the Champagne Gold is in the middle, it looks well with doors that have dark walnut or mahogany finishes. It also looks great on grey-finished office doors. The metal finish on all color variants gives the lock a high-end, elegant appearance.

The box has two manual access keys and four RFID (radio frequency identification) cards in addition to a lock. The lock bracket and screws are additional components. Four AA batteries are also included in the box for the lock. Thus, even in the event of a power outage, the Yale YDM7116A smart lock will continue to operate. In case you were wondering, you can only change the batteries inside the house.

Because there is some little wiring involved, installing the Yale YDM7116A smart lock might require professional assistance. I would suggest getting in touch with a Yale expert for installation. The setup is rather simple once the lock is installed.

The smart lock has an integrated Bluetooth module that allows you to control settings and, if you’re within the normal 10-meter range, even unlock the door with your linked smartphone. The door can only be unlocked remotely with the extra Wi-Fi Bridge, which costs Rs 7,999. The official Yale Home app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, can be used to manage and control the lock.

All things considered, the Yale YDM7116A smart lock skillfully combines design and utility. Though I would have preferred it to be sleeker, you have to pay for a system that has numerous entry possibilities and a “force-locked alarm.” In order to maintain the lock’s contemporary appearance, I particularly appreciate that it contains a secret chamber for manual keys. The fingerprint scanner and touchpad on the front of the lock functioned well throughout my extensive review. The metal construction of the lock also gives it an incredibly solid feel. The plastic components cover the slotted keyhole and four AA batteries.

Performance and security

As mentioned, the Yale YDM7116A smart lock offers multiple access points. You can use:

Security pin
An RFID card
Fingerprint scanner
Directly via smartphone

Let’s see how each feature works.

Security pin: This is perhaps going to be the most commonly used access method, at least for non-family members who frequently visit home. With the Yale Home app, you can even enable “hide entry codes”, in case you don’t want anybody else looking at the security code. Like most smart locks, users have to add a * after the code for authentication.

RFID card: Yale’s RFID card stands out with its slender, modern design, unlike the typical credit card-style cards. It even has a punch hole, allowing you to attach it to your keychain with your car keys. However, the RFID card doesn’t work right out of the box, as you’ll need to authenticate it through the Yale Home app. The process is simple and the feature resides under the “contactless key only” option under the “guest list” tab.

Yale’s RFID card continued to function properly even when in close contact with my smartphone, unlike hotel keys that use a magnetic stripe to store data. However, you can restrict the access of the RFID card from “always” to “recurring” and “temporary”, similar to a hotel room key. This allows you to control entrance into your property if the card is being used by a caretaker or guest, say for an Airbnb.

Fingerprint scanner: Similarly, you can customise fingerprint support to “always”, “recurring”, and “temporary.” During my test, the fingerprint scanner worked efficiently, but it was not immune to sweaty or oily fingers. The same problems are also limited to smartphones with fingerprint scanners. Again, the Yale Home app will be required to add new members for fingerprint unlock. This option is available within the “invite” section under “guest list” menu.

Directly via smartphone: I was happy to find this option as most of the affordable smart locks typically skip smartphone access. That’s also because there’s the added work of building an app with a friendly interface. The Yale Home app can be used to unlock the door if you’re within the Bluetooth range (5-10 meters). As mentioned, you can remotely open the door via your smartphone if you purchase Yale’s Wi-Fi bridge (MRP: Rs 7,999).

Do note that setup requires a 2.4GHz network, generally saved as “Wi-Fi name 4G” by service providers. If the option is not available, you can reach out to your internet service provider. I didn’t test the Wi-Fi bridge feature, but the smartphone unlock function worked smoothly with the smart lock whenever it was within range.

Other features

In terms of battery, the YDM7116A smart lock is promised to last for nearly months with four AA batteries. The lock is programmed to notify when the charge gets low. In case the battery runs out when you’re away from home, Yale mentions a backup option. However, I would still advise you to keep the manual key with you at all times

Despite all of its smart features, I’m glad the lock still has a few conventional features that can be accessed from within the house, such a child safety button and a double safety lock. Additional choices include integration with Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Alexa, offering a multitude of ways to control the door through various apps. Voice commands can also be used to unlock using the virtual assistant.

Yale Home app

The Yale Home app is simple to use and has an intuitive layout. The software makes it incredibly easy to manage and store locks by room or even floor if you own numerous smart locks from the manufacturer. Additionally, when the alarm is set off or the lock becomes stuck, the app will notify the user. This function comes in especially handy if you are a commercial property manager.

The app’s greatest feature is that it keeps track of every lock and unlock event for the door. Seeing this data by category on a neat, well-organized tab would make the app even more awesome. In the future, it can still be accomplished through an OTA update.

As previously said, the app is essential for adjusting the smart lock’s settings. Although you might be able to unlock the door remotely using the Wi-Fi Bridge, significant configuration changes necessitate Bluetooth, which means you have to be in close proximity to the lock. If a user has purchased the optional Wi-Fi module, this may irritate them.

Yale can also consider adding more Indian languages to its app for users who are not fluent in English.

Final verdict

In general, the Yale YDM7116A smart lock is a well-made gadget that is perfect for contemporary households. Installing it in older homes is also possible as long as the door is at least 40 mm thick. It’s a terrific solution even for those who manage an Airbnb because of the many access choices, which are not only convenient and easy to use but also offer additional protection.

The Yale YDM7116A smart lock, which costs Rs 57,999, is ideal for opulent homes and offices. Yale has a number of options if you’re looking for something more reasonably priced. For example, the YDME100NxT (which costs Rs 15,999) has some of the more well-known features (passcode and fingerprint scanner). We think Qubo’s Smart Door Lock Elite is a good option, and it makes our list of the best technology for 2023.

However, the YDM7116A smart lock is a simple recommendation if you’re looking for one of the greatest smart locks for your residence or place of business.

Editor’s rating: 8 / 10

Pros

Multiple access options
User-friendly app support
Built-in alarm system
Manual lock features available

Cons

Pricey
Bulky design

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