It seems the Kwikset 620 have the most advanced Z-wave S2 security and is 1/2 or less than the Yale/Schalges. The Yales seem to have same S2 level, but are 2x more. The Schlage’s from what I’m seeing are using fairly old tech even with their top of the line now.
What’s the best to get this coming year as far as best value and wireless/physical locks?
That’s an “it depends” question. Do you need a retrofit lock that doesn’t require you to replace existing deadbolt? Do you have an old hub and looking to future proof your lock selection? Where in the world are you? How much are you willing to spend? Do you want fancy features like fingerprint unlock, NFC, etc. And so on…
Have Schlage BE468, would be looking for a full replace of it to a modern S2 level. V3 Hub, all the latest except for that old lock.
Just have a keypad+s2 is fine I think. Can there be more like bio with those? I’ll look into that. Future proofing selection is the primary goal for Z-wave security. Location USA
I have a different point of view than others given ST apparent move away from Z-Wave support. All the appliance hubs and the ST Station lack Z-Wave and instead seem to be favoring Matter over Thread/Wi-Fi and continued Zigbee support given that it can use the same radio as Thread. I’m on an aging ST Wi-Fi Hub (Plume) and figure it will give up the ghost in the next couple of years. The v3 is in a similar situation as the Wi-Fi hub as it’s an old design with even less horsepower than a v2 or ST Station.
To that end, I’ve been looking at replacing my Z-Wave only devices with Matter devices as they fail. There are a number of good selections for switches, outlets, and most recently, locks. Here is a list of some of them:
IMO, the question comes down to whether you are interested in staying on the ST platform if your hub dies and all you can get is an old v3 to support Z-Wave or give up on Z-Wave and go to Zigbee or Matter. If you want to stick with Z-Wave AND want a newer generation Z-Wave hub, it’s likely you’re going to have to consider another ecosystem since it doesn’t appear there will be anything from ST/Aeotec forthcoming.
And I just got a few more zooz 800 switches to be faster and more secure. The crap thing is wifi needs more power and battery powered locks will eat it.
It all sucks for this. For security I suppose they have WPA3 right?
Edit: Thanks for your list of products, possible Matter with WPA3 is coming into more established. Seems Zigbee and Z-wave are certainly going on the death spiral some.
So it’s a bad time to buy Z2 Z-wave locks like my OP title I guess.
These Thread/Matter locks sure seem to be in the $299+ range, which is a bit insane. Not sure that’s worth going from my old Schlage Z0 that I listed in here at this time.
Lock manufacturers so far seem to have made the right choice and went with Matter over Thread. Thread is designed as a low power mesh protocol, well suited to battery operated devices. From a security perspective, it uses AES-128 encryption which is recommended by the NSA for securing government information.
WPA3 would only be used for Matter over Wi-Fi, assuming your Wi-Fi router/access point supports it.
You can get a cheap Schlage deadbolt for $40 or so, keep the existing exterior lock portion, and install the U200 over the interior part where it will be unseen.
U200 Aqara Rechargeable Li-ion Battery 7.4V or 4 LR6 1.5V Batteries for the door lock and 4 LR3 AAA 1.5V Batteries or 12V-24V AC 0.5A 50/60Hz or 12V-24V DC 0.5A wired input for the keypad.
U300 uses AA batteries and has emergency USB-3 port.
So, there are standard battery options for both.
Frankly, unless it dies, I’d stick with it and wait for Matter lock prices to come down.
Again, going from that old Schalge S0 that I listed to the 620 z-wave S2 for fairly cheap should be a good security upgrade all things considered right? I mean, I expect to stay with ST hubs or have to move to hubitat.
The Matter/thread cost is about 2-3x for now and I’m not sure if that’s cost-wise a good move.
Edit, last what you said, I guess keeping this S0 Schlage that works well is not worth going to an S2 for now. And it’ll be some non-Z-wave down the road if/when Matter locks ever get decently priced.
Why do you care about S0 vs S2? Realistically, is there really that big a risk of someone trying to snoop your Z-Wave network to get your lock codes? Or is it more likely that someone would just bust in a window to gain entrance?
I’m not getting any good answers, was the 620 s2 a worthwhile upgrade on the old S0 Zwave (for a few years) or just wait for… I don’t know, these Matter locks really have been expensive as hell. Like $300 lol. Maybe 2 more years for a ‘good’ upgrade from what I have (z0)