August Smart Lock 3rd Gen with Connect Bundle - Full Review

The August Smart Lock 3rd Gen with Connect Bundle combines a retrofit deadbolt with its companion Wi-Fi bridge in a single package, giving you remote access from the moment installation finishes. This review covers model AUG-SL03-K01-G0X, the bundle that most buyers should reach for instead of the standalone lock.

Why the Bundle Makes Sense

The August Smart Lock 3rd Gen is a Bluetooth-only lock at its core. Without the Connect bridge, you can only control it when your phone is within Bluetooth range, roughly 30 feet. The August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge closes that gap by acting as a local relay: it plugs into a wall outlet near your door, connects to your 2.4 GHz network, and proxies commands between the August cloud and the lock.

Buying them bundled at $149 instead of separately ($99 lock plus $59 bridge) isn't a dramatic saving. The real value is convenience, everything is matched, certified together, and ships in one box with one setup flow. If you're buying new and want remote access, the bundle is the right starting point.

smart locks with remote access

How the August Smart Lock 3rd Gen Works

Retrofit Design

The lock mounts on the interior side of your existing door, clamping over the thumb turn of your current deadbolt. No drilling, no cylinder replacement, no exterior hardware change. Your existing keys still work. August ships adapters for the most common thumb turn geometries, and most standard American deadbolts are compatible. Installation typically takes 10 to 15 minutes with a screwdriver. The process is easy enough that most people finish before their coffee goes cold.

The exterior of your door looks unchanged. For renters, that's a genuine advantage: the lock can be removed cleanly when you move out.

DoorSense

DoorSense is the magnetic door position sensor included in the box. It attaches to the door frame alongside the door edge and tells the app whether the door is physically open or closed. This is separate from deadbolt position. A door can be shut with the deadbolt retracted, or the deadbolt can be thrown while the door sits slightly ajar.

DoorSense prevents auto-lock from engaging on an open door, which is the failure mode that would pin your bolt against the frame. You can also set alerts so the app notifies you if the door has been open longer than a set time.

Auto-Lock and Auto-Unlock

Auto-Lock engages the deadbolt after a configurable delay between 30 seconds and 30 minutes. With DoorSense active, it only triggers when the door is fully closed. This combination works reliably: you close the door behind you and the lock handles itself.

Auto-Unlock uses geofencing plus a Bluetooth handshake. The app detects when your phone leaves and returns to your home area, then initiates the unlock as you get close enough for Bluetooth to connect. The two-step process reduces false triggers from driving past your house.

Smart Home Integrations

The August Smart Lock 3rd Gen supports Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home for voice control and automation. HomeKit provides the deepest integration for iOS households: lock status in the Home app, Siri commands, and automations that trigger on your location or other HomeKit device states.

Alexa and Google Home cover basic commands: lock, unlock, and status checks. SmartThings integration is also available through the August skill, letting the lock participate in SmartThings routines alongside other compatible devices.

voice assistant smart home control

App and Access Management

The August app is the control center for everything: lock and unlock remotely, review the access log, create virtual keys, and adjust auto-lock settings. Guest keys are time-limited by default. You set the valid date range and hours when sending a key, and it expires automatically without you having to revoke it.

Every lock and unlock event logs with a timestamp and the user or method that triggered it. If someone unlocks with a guest key, a physical key, or a voice command, it shows up in the activity feed. That audit trail is useful when you're managing access for multiple people.

August Smart Lock 3rd Gen vs Wi-Fi Pro Model

August's current lineup includes the Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro (ASL-05), which has built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and doesn't need the Connect bridge at all. That model costs more upfront but removes a device from your setup. The 3rd Gen with bundle is still worth considering if you find it discounted or prefer the smaller form factor of the older design.

The 3rd Gen does not support Matter as of mid-2026. If Matter compatibility is important for your smart home hub, the Pro model or alternatives from Yale and Schlage are better options.

For a full comparison of retrofit smart locks, see August's official product page for current specs and compatibility details.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Connectivity: Bluetooth (lock) + 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (via Connect bridge)
• Voice control: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri via HomeKit
• Platform support: Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings
• Battery: 4x AA (approximately 3 months typical use)
• DoorSense: Included, door open/closed detection
• Bundle price: $149 (lock + Connect bridge)
• Warranty: 1-Year Limited Warranty

Final Assessment

The August Smart Lock 3rd Gen with Connect Bundle is a competent retrofit smart lock that covers the fundamentals: remote access, voice control, guest key management, and DoorSense door awareness. It's not the flashiest option in August's lineup, but the bundle format makes it a clean, predictable purchase.

If you're on a tight budget and want remote access without surprises during setup, this package delivers. If you want built-in Wi-Fi, Matter support, or longer battery life, look at the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro or the Yale and Schlage full-replacement alternatives.