Aqara Launches U600 For UK Doors With HomeKey And Matter Over Thread, But No UWB

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Aqara has launched the U600, a smart lock designed for common UK multipoint door systems and available now for £229.99. It supports Apple Home Key, Samsung Wallet Key and Matter over Thread, but the supplied report does not list ultra-wideband (UWB) support.

Aqara has launched the Smart Lock U600 in the UK, offering a smart lock designed for common British multipoint door systems with Apple Home Key and Matter over Thread. It is listed for sale through Amazon.co.uk at £229.99; the product details in the launch report do not list UWB support.

The U600 is built for doors with multipoint locking systems commonly found on uPVC, composite and timber doors. Aqara’s stated supported dimensions include doors 40–80 mm thick, centre distances of 72–92 mm and backsets of 35–70 mm. The lock measures 335 x 40.5 x 28 mm. Aqara says installation typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, using a screwdriver and without additional drilling or wiring. The report says the installation can be reversed, allowing the original lock to be put back.

For Apple users, Home Key allows a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock the door when held near the lock. With Express Mode enabled, Aqara says users do not need to unlock the phone or open an app first. The report also describes Apple Power Reserve support, which can allow a compatible iPhone to operate the lock for up to five hours after the phone battery is depleted. Samsung Wallet Key is another supported tap-to-unlock option for compatible Galaxy phones.

The U600 connects through Matter over Thread and is described as compatible with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant, subject to the required Matter controller and Thread Border Router. It also offers a fingerprint reader, PIN codes, separately sold Aqara NFC cards, voice control through Siri and Alexa, and a physical key. Aqara’s listed specifications include storage for up to 50 fingerprints and a claimed recognition time of about 0.5 seconds.

A UK Fit for Home Key

The U600 addresses a practical limitation for UK households: smart locks designed around North American deadbolts or other door formats may not fit British multipoint systems without replacing or altering existing hardware. A lock designed for those door dimensions could give residents keyless access without a major door conversion, if their lock falls within the supported measurements.

Its mix of Home Key and Matter over Thread also gives buyers options across Apple and other smart-home platforms. That could make the product relevant both to Apple households seeking phone or watch access and to people who want a lock that can join a broader Matter setup. The stated compatibility still depends on having the appropriate controllers and network equipment, so the lock is not necessarily a standalone route to every remote or automation feature.

The launch report says extra Aqara Home app functions, including remote unlocking and automations with other Aqara devices, require a compatible Aqara hub. The U600’s listed price is £229.99, making its fit with a particular door and existing smart-home setup important parts of the purchase decision.

Designed Around British Locking

Smart-lock fit varies by door type and locking mechanism. The U600’s stated focus is the multipoint systems common on UK doors, rather than a one-size-fits-all claim. Aqara provides specific ranges for door thickness, centre distance and backset; buyers will need to compare those measurements with their own hardware before purchasing.

The lock is powered by four AA batteries, with Aqara quoting up to 10 months of battery life depending on usage. The exterior panel has an IP65 rating, and Aqara says the unit is designed to operate from -20°C to +55°C. A concealed USB-C port can provide temporary power from a power bank if the batteries run out, while a physical key provides another entry method. These are manufacturer specifications reported by Homekit News and Reviews, not independent test results.

According to the launch report, the U600 is available now through Amazon.co.uk for £229.99. The supplied product information does not identify UWB as a supported feature; it lists proximity-based Home Key use but does not describe UWB-based hands-free unlocking.

“Installation typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes.”

— Aqara, as reported by Homekit News and Reviews

Fit, UWB and Real-World Performance

The published launch details do not list UWB support or describe hands-free unlocking based on that technology. They do not establish whether Aqara plans a UWB-capable version or whether the absence reflects a feature limitation for this model. The report describes Home Key tap-to-unlock and Express Mode, which should not be conflated with UWB functionality.

It is also not yet clear from the supplied information how the U600 performs across different door brands, how its stated battery life varies in everyday use, or whether every advertised Matter platform feature will be available in the same way across ecosystems. Compatibility is conditional on supported door dimensions and, for Matter and Thread functions, the required controllers and border router. Aqara’s product claims have not been independently tested in the source material.

Check Door Fit Before Buying

The lock is already listed for sale in the UK, so the immediate next step for prospective buyers is to check the door thickness, centre distance and backset against Aqara’s published ranges, as well as confirm the existing multipoint mechanism is compatible. Buyers should also check what Matter controller or Thread Border Router their home setup requires and whether they need an Aqara hub for the app features they want.

Further details on UWB, if Aqara issues any, would clarify whether the U600 offers a separate hands-free proximity mode. In the meantime, the confirmed entry methods include Home Key, Samsung Wallet Key, fingerprints, PIN codes, NFC cards, voice assistants and a physical key; the lock is available at the reported price of £229.99.

Key Questions

How much does the Aqara U600 cost in the UK?

Homekit News and Reviews reports that the U600 is available through Amazon.co.uk for £229.99.

Does the U600 support UWB?

UWB support is not listed in the launch details provided. The report describes Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock and Express Mode, but does not state that the lock supports UWB-based hands-free access.

Will the U600 fit any UK door?

No universal fit is confirmed. Aqara lists support for certain common UK multipoint systems and gives measurement ranges: doors 40–80 mm thick, centre distances of 72–92 mm and backsets of 35–70 mm. Check the measurements and lock type before buying.

Does the U600 work with Apple Home and other smart-home systems?

The lock uses Matter over Thread and is reported to support Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant, provided the required Matter controller and Thread Border Router are available. Some Aqara Home app features require a compatible Aqara hub.

What happens if the U600 batteries run out?

Aqara specifies a concealed exterior USB-C port for temporary power from a power bank and a physical key as an alternative entry method. The lock uses four AA batteries, with a claimed battery life of up to 10 months depending on use.

Source: rss