Yale Assure Lock 2 vs SL: Which One to Choose?
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
Carrying bulky keys is a thing of the past when you turn to a smart lock. With smart locks, you can unlock your door with your smartphone or even your voice, making it easier than ever to get into your home.
As one of the world's oldest lock manufacturers, Yale offers a range of smart locks to secure your home. Yale Assure Lock 2 and Yale Assure Lock SL are some of the popular choices.
In this article, we will compare these two smart locks to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
| Specs | Yale Assure Lock 2 | Yale Assure Lock SL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.99 | $179 |
| Color | Black suede, oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel | Black, oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel |
| Batteries Required | Yes (4 AA batteries included) | Yes (4 AA batteries included) |
| Connectivity | Built-in Bluetooth and WiFi | Built-in Bluetooth. WiFi connectivity needs smart module (sold separately) |
| Door Thickness | 1 3/8" to 2 1/4" | 1 3/8" to 2 1/4" |
| Touchpad Type | Touchscreen or keypad | Touchscreen or keypad |
| Lock Type | Keyed or keyless | Keyed or keyless |
| Fingerprint | No | No |
| Auto-Unlock | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-Lock | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Access Codes | Yes | No (250 with smart module, 25 without) |
| Passage Mode | Yes | No |
| Remote Access | Yes | Requires a separate smart module |
| Contact Sensor | Yes, DoorSense included | No |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit | Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit (certain modules and hub may be required) |
| Grade | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 |
| Battery Back-up | Yes (9V) | Yes (9V) |
Key Takeaways
Yale Assure Lock 2 has built-in Bluetooth and WiFi, while SL only has Bluetooth and needs a separate module for WiFi. Without the module, features like remote control via app and voice assistants are not supported. Assure Lock 2 also offers more features than SL, like unlimited access codes, Passage Mode, Vacation Mode, and DoorSense.
Yale Assure Lock 2
Premium Features
✓ Built-in Bluetooth and WiFi
✓ Auto-lock, auto-unlock, passage mode, DoorSense
✓ Unlimited access codes
✓ Works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit
Yale Assure Lock SL
Budget-Friendly Option
✓ Built-in Bluetooth. WiFi needs separate module
✓ Auto-lock, auto-unlock
✓ Limited access codes
✓ Works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit (module/hub required)
#1 Design
Yale Assure Lock SL
Yale Assure Lock 2 and SL have similar shapes, but SL has a bigger design with a traditional-looking interior lock, compared to the more modern and stylish matte finish of the Assure Lock 2. Both models offer some exterior variants, so you can choose either a touchscreen or physical keypad, and with or without a key. Some color options are also available, including black, oil-rubbed bronze, and satin nickel.
The interior lock of both Yale Assure Lock 2 and SL have a thumb-turn to manually lock or unlock the door from the inside, but they have some significant differences. The indicator light of Yale Assure Lock 2 is located below the thumb-turn, and it has a passage button to turn on and off Passage Mode. On the other hand, the indicator light of Yale Assure Lock SL is located above the thumb-turn and it features a privacy button instead of a passage button.
Both smart locks are powered by batteries, so they still work even when the power is out. There is an indicator on the screen to show you when batteries are running low and you can also get notified on your smartphone, but in case they die unexpectedly, both locks have a 9V battery backup to provide emergency power.
#2 Connectivity
Yale Assure Lock 2
Yale Assure Lock 2 has built-in Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, allowing you to lock and unlock your door using your smartphone or compatible voice assistants. Yale Assure Lock SL, on the other hand, only has built-in Bluetooth, but you can purchase a Yale Smart Module separately to connect it to your home WiFi network.
Both smart locks are compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. Apple Watch is also supported, so you can get into your home by just raising your wrist. However, for Yale Assure Lock SL, integration into those smart home systems requires a compatible Yale Smart Module and may require an additional compatible smart home hub. Such requirements make Yale Assure Lock 2 a more convenient and accessible option, in which you can utilize all of its features without having to purchase anything separately.
#3 Features
Yale Assure Lock SL
With Yale Assure Lock 2, you have several options to unlock the door to get into your home: by entering the access code on the keypad, with voice assistant, via Yale Access App on your smartphone or Apple Watch, or with Auto-Unlock feature that utilizes geofencing to know when you're approaching your home. Those features are also available in Yale Assure Lock SL, but a Yale Smart Module is required or else you'll be limited to using the keypad only to unlock the door.
Both smart locks also have an Auto-Lock feature, so you won't have to worry about forgetting to lock your door at night or when you go out. By utilizing the GPS on your phone, the smart lock will automatically lock the door when you're detected away from home. You can also set Auto-Lock to automatically activate after a certain period of time following every successful entry. When enabled, Yale Assure Lock SL will automatically lock the door 30 seconds after you unlock it, while Yale Assure Lock 2 gives more flexibility for you to customize the time delay between 30 seconds to 30 minutes before it automatically locks the door.
Yale Assure Lock 2 also comes with an installable DoorSense, a small sensor that detects whether your door is open or closed. With this additional feature, Auto-Lock can be configured to automatically lock the door every time the sensor detects that the door is closed. This gives you peace of mind that your home is always secure, even if you forget to lock the door.
Yale Assure Lock 2
If you want to give access to guests or family members, both Yale Assure Lock 2 and SL allow you to create entry/access codes consisting of 4-8 digits. It can work permanently, recurring, or on a temporary schedule. Yale Assure Lock SL provides limits on the number of access codes that can be created, while Yale Assure Lock 2 does not. The access code can be created remotely on the Yale Access App, but remember that remote access for the SL model requires a separate module.
Yale Assure Lock 2 also has an advantage in that it offers the Passage Mode. By pressing the passage button, you can set the lock to remain unlocked for a certain period of time, making it easier to move in and out of your home without having to unlock your door every time. This feature is not available in Yale Assure Lock SL.
Yale Assure Lock 2 also offers Vacation Mode, which will disable all access codes at once. This setting can be configured on the app. The SL model has a similar feature that can put the lock in do-not-disturb mode and disable all access codes, called the Privacy Mode. Other than activating it from the app, you can also enable it by pressing the privacy button on the interior lock.
Yale Assure Lock 2 vs SL
Final Thoughts
Yale Assure Lock 2
Yale Assure Lock 2 offers extensive premium features including Auto-Lock, Auto-Unlock, unlimited access codes, Passage Mode, Vacation Mode, DoorSense, and more. Yale Assure Lock SL offers some comparable features at a lower price, but it requires a separate module for full functionality, bearing additional costs and inconvenience.
If you like to read more about Smart Home Locks, check out our other relevant guides here:
The Best Smart Home Lock 2023
Yale Assure Lock 2 vs Nest x Yale Lock
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro vs Yale Assure Lock 2
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro vs Schlage Encode Plus
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