Aqara Door Handles vs Smart Locks: Building Your Smart Entry
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An Aqara door handle on its own does not lock anything. Both Aqara handles in this lineup, the Entry Door Handle lever and the Front Door Handleset, are listed as non-locking hardware designed to sit below an Aqara smart deadbolt such as the U100. If you want one piece that locks, unlocks and gives you a lever to pull, you need the Aqara Smart Lock with Handle U300 instead. Knowing which side of that line you are on is the whole buying decision.
This article covers five Aqara products: two passive handles, two smart deadbolts and one smart lever lock. The U300 and U100 both support Apple Home Key, the B50 trades fingerprint and Home Key for built-in Wi-Fi with no hub, and the two handles exist to finish the look and function of a deadbolt setup. We compared listings, specifications and intended use rather than installing each lock, and we call out where a listing leaves something unsaid.
JOB SHEET
Which Aqara Door Handle or Smart Lock Should You Buy
- Best lever to pair with a U50 or U100 deadbolt: Aqara Entry Door Handle
go to no. 01 - Best all-in-one Apple Home Key lever lock: Aqara Smart Lock with Handle U300
go to no. 02 - Best front door handleset to go under a smart deadbolt: Aqara Front Door Handleset
go to no. 03 - Best Apple Home Key deadbolt with fingerprint: Aqara Smart Lock U100
go to no. 04 - Best for remote control without a hub: Aqara Smart Lock B50
go to no. 05
No. 01
of 5
Aqara
Aqara Entry Door Handle
4.7
out of 5
Amazon buyer average
Well rated
4.6 or better out of 5 on Amazon
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Pairing a lever with a U50 or U100
Pros
- Reversible lever
- Fits 60mm or 70mm backsets
- Works on bedrooms too
Cons
- Non-locking on its own
- Odd Zigbee line in specs
The Aqara Entry Door Handle is a modern lever set listed as non-locking. Its job is to latch the door and give you something to push or pull while a separate smart deadbolt handles security. Aqara says it matches the U50 and U100 smart locks, and it is suggested for front entrances, bedrooms and other modern doors. The lever is reversible, so it works on left-hand and right-hand doors.
Fit is standard: 2-3/8 inch (60mm) or 2-3/4 inch (70mm) backsets and door thickness from 1-3/8 inch to 1-3/4 inch. Installation hardware is included. The specification table lists Zigbee as a connectivity protocol, which is odd for a passive handle with no electronics described anywhere else in the listing, so do not count on it to report anything to a hub. It suits anyone building a U100 setup who prefers a clean lever to a handleset with a grip.
- Reversible lever for either door hand
- 60mm or 70mm backsets
- Doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch thick
- Designed to match U50 and U100
No. 02
of 5
Aqara
Aqara Smart Lock with Handle U300
4.2
out of 5
Amazon buyer average
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Hub-free remote locking over Wi-Fi
Pros
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6
- Anti-peep keypad
- IPX3 weatherproofing
Cons
- 4GHz Wi-Fi only
- No fingerprint reader listed
Best for
Apple Home Key on an existing deadbolt door
Pros
- Apple Home Key
- Up to 50 fingerprints
- IP65 zinc alloy body
- Keys and batteries included
Cons
- Zigbee hub needed for remote codes
- Up to 8 months battery
Best for
Apple homes wanting an all-in-one lever lock
Pros
- Apple Home Key
- 160×160 fingerprint sensor
- Matter over Thread
- Up to 10 months on AA
Cons
- Needs Thread Apple hub for Apple features
- Requires alkaline batteries
The Aqara Smart Lock with Handle U300 is the answer for anyone searching for an Aqara smart lock with handle in one unit. It is a smart lever lock with Apple Home Key, so you can tap an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, or use Siri. Apple features require a Thread-enabled Apple hub, and the listing names HomePod 2nd Gen, HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K 2021 among them.
Its fingerprint reader uses a 160 x 160 pixel sensor that Aqara claims recognizes a finger in under 0.3 seconds. It runs Matter over Thread, which lets it join multiple platforms at once, and the item highlights mention HomeKit, Alexa and Google support plus a touchscreen keypad. Power comes from 4 AA alkaline batteries for up to 10 months, and the listing warns that alkaline cells are required; dual USB-C ports provide emergency power. Fingerprint data is stored locally with AES encryption, and Bluetooth setup in the Aqara app unlocks auto-lock timing and Scheduled Quiet Mode.
For tinkerers who want the most complete, Apple Home Key smart lock in this group without matching a separate handle, the U300 is the one. If your door already has a deadbolt bore and you like the idea of a separate lever, the U100 plus a handle is the alternative.
- Apple Home Key via Thread Apple hub
- 160 x 160 fingerprint sensor
- Matter over Thread
- Up to 10 months on 4 AA alkaline batteries
No. 03
of 5
Aqara
Aqara Front Door Handleset
4.5
out of 5
Amazon buyer average
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Front doors needing a full handleset
Pros
- Handleset with thumb latch style
- Reversible for either hand
- No extra drilling claimed
Cons
- Non-locking, needs a deadbolt
- Finish options not specified
The Aqara Front Door Handleset (model DL-D07E) is a single-cylinder style exterior handleset with a lever, again listed as non-locking. It gives the front door a grip handle outside and a lever inside, which is the classic look for a main entrance, and it pairs with the U50 or U100 smart lock above it.
Like the entry handle, it is reversible and fits 60mm or 70mm backsets on doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch thick. Aqara says installation needs no complex tools or additional drilling, and the listing describes it as a black exterior handle. It suits homeowners who want a traditional front-door handleset look while keeping all the smart features in the deadbolt. If you prefer a slimmer lever for an interior or side door, the Entry Door Handle fits better.
- Exterior handleset with lever
- Reversible for right or left doors
- Installation hardware included
No. 04
of 5
Aqara
Aqara Smart Lock U100
4.3
out of 5
Amazon buyer average
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
The Aqara Smart Lock U100 is a fingerprint deadbolt with Apple Home and Apple Home Key support. The listing says Home Key works even when the iPhone or Apple Watch is out of power, and access can be shared from Apple Home. The fingerprint reader stores up to 50 prints, and other unlock methods include remotely configurable passwords, one-time local passwords for visitors and the included mechanical keys.
Some features need an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub: remote password setup and connections to Google Home, Alexa and IFTTT. A built-in gyroscope drives auto-lock after the door closes, and Do Not Disturb mutes lock sounds. Power is 4 AA batteries (included) for up to 8 months, with a USB-C emergency port. The zinc alloy lock body carries an IP65 rating. Pair the U100 with either handle above to build a complete entry that is Home Key ready.
- Up to 50 fingerprints
- Apple Home Key support
- Gyroscope auto-lock
- IP65 zinc alloy body
No. 05
of 5
Aqara
Aqara Smart Lock B50
4.4
out of 5
Amazon buyer average
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
The Aqara Smart Lock B50 is a keypad deadbolt with built-in Wi-Fi 6, so you can lock, unlock and check status from the Aqara Home app, Alexa or Google Home with no hub. It only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Unlocking options include keypad code, app, voice, physical key and shareable offline passwords, and an Anti-Peep function lets you type random digits around your real code.
Batteries are 4 AA for up to 6 months, with a USB-C emergency port. Safety features include Auto-Lock, Night Latch Mode, Failed Attempt Lockout and Do Not Disturb, plus AES-128 encryption and IPX3 weatherproofing rated from -31°F to 150°F. Matter connectivity is available through compatible hubs for Apple Home, Home Assistant and SmartThings. The listing does not mention a fingerprint reader or Apple Home Key, so it suits renters and families who want simple remote control over those extras.
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6, no hub needed
- Anti-Peep keypad
- IPX3, -31°F to 150°F
- Works with Aqara doorbells such as the G410
What Sets These Models Apart
| Model | Type | Apple Home Key | Connection | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Door Handle | Non-locking lever | No | None described | Not applicable |
| U300 | Smart lever lock | Yes | Matter over Thread, Bluetooth | Up to 10 months |
| Front Door Handleset | Non-locking handleset | No | None | Not applicable |
| U100 | Fingerprint deadbolt | Yes | Zigbee hub for remote features | Up to 8 months |
| B50 | Keypad deadbolt | Not listed | Wi-Fi 6, 2.4GHz | Up to 6 months |
Figures in this table are copied from the Amazon listings for these models.
NOTES
Buying Tips for Aqara Door Handles and Smart Locks
Decide first whether you want one device or two. A deadbolt such as the U100 or B50 needs a separate handle to latch the door, which is exactly why Aqara sells the non-locking handle and handleset. The U300 combines lock and lever. If you are comparing this approach with a traditional keyless entry lock with a built-in handle, the core question is the same: do you want one bore and one device, or a deadbolt plus handle?
Next, map the lock to your ecosystem. Apple Home Key needs the U300 or U100 and a Thread-capable Apple hub. The U100 needs an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub for remote passwords and third-party voice assistants, while the B50 connects directly over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Measure your backset and door thickness before ordering; both handles list 60mm or 70mm backsets and doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch thick.
Finally, plan for batteries. The U300 requires alkaline AA cells, and all three locks provide USB-C emergency power, so keep a power bank and cable somewhere you can reach from outside. If you also have an exterior glass door, a matching storm door handle keeps the entry looking consistent.
FAQ
Does the Aqara door handle lock by itself?
No. Both the Entry Door Handle and the Front Door Handleset are listed as non-locking. They are meant to be paired with an Aqara smart deadbolt such as the U50 or U100.
Which Aqara lock supports Apple Home Key?
The U300 and U100 both list Apple Home Key. The U300 notes that Apple features require a Thread-enabled Apple hub. The B50 listing mentions Apple Home only through Matter via a compatible hub and does not mention Home Key.
Do I need a hub for Aqara smart locks?
It depends on the model. The B50 has built-in Wi-Fi and needs no hub. The U100 needs an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub for remote passwords and some integrations. The U300 needs a Thread Apple hub for Apple features and uses Bluetooth for app settings.
What happens if the batteries die?
All three smart locks include a USB-C port for emergency power. The U100 also comes with two mechanical keys, and the B50 lists a physical key as an unlock method.
Which Aqara lock should I buy for a rental?
The B50 is the simplest fit because it needs no hub, offers shareable offline passwords and runs over standard 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Check your lease before replacing any door hardware.
