When you’re shopping for a HomeKit door lock in 2025 and it doesn’t assist residence key, maintain shifting. The faucet to unlock expertise with iPhone or Apple Watch is the characteristic that makes sensible locks really feel like a significant improve over a bodily key and even unlocking by way of the Dwelling app. It’s quick, dependable, and when you get used to it, there’s no going again. The ThorBolt X1 checks all of the packing containers for an important HomeKit lock and brings a number of good surprises for below $150k.
HomeKit Weekly is a collection centered on sensible residence equipment, automation ideas and tips, and every part to do with Apple’s sensible residence framework.
What’s residence key?
Dwelling key’s an unimaginable person expertise. When you add a supported lock to the Pockets app in your iPhone, you possibly can faucet your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock your door. There isn’t a must open an app, faucet a code, or pull out a bodily key. Because of Energy Reserve, it even works in case your iPhone is out of battery. As good as utilizing the Dwelling app is for unlocking, residence key’s a fairly magical expertise.
What’s included with the ThorBolt X1
The ThorBolt X1 is able to exit of the field. The lock is totally assembled and suits most traditional US and Canadian doorways, so it is best to have every part you want. It features a bodily key backup if you’d like it, however the actual magic is the built-in residence key assist with a devoted NFC zone for tapping to unlock along with your iPhone or Apple Watch.
There’s additionally a touchscreen keypad and a fingerprint reader that proceed bettering the machine as you employ it. Along with utilizing HomeKit and the house key, it really works with the Sleekpoint iPhone app for managing customers, passcodes, and settings. You’ll be able to add as much as 100 fingerprints and 100 PIN codes (that’s lots of people) and customise settings like auto lock and sounds. You would possibly need to use the app as a result of the ThorBolt X1’s firmware updates come by means of it.
It runs on eight AA batteries and may final round a yr. If the batteries die, there’s a USB-C port for emergency energy. The lock has an IP65 score for outside utilization, and the motor is fast and quiet when locking and unlocking. I’ve not owned it lengthy sufficient to confirm the battery score, so take that for what it’s value
What’s Thread and why it’s an unimaginable characteristic for a wise lock
One of many distinctive options of the ThorBolt X1 is built-in Thread assist. Thread is a kind of behind-the-scenes applied sciences that makes an enormous distinction in on a regular basis use, but it surely’s not one thing you’ll actually see. Most sensible locks both use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Wi-Fi could be gradual to reply and drain batteries sooner than Bluetooth, however Bluetooth can typically be gradual to attach. Thread solves each of these issues.
The ThorBolt X1 helps Thread out of the field, and I don’t assume I’ve seen it in a house key lock earlier than. Thread creates a low-power mesh community that retains units related and responsive. Which means the X1 can discuss on to your Dwelling hub, like an Apple TV or HomePod, with out counting on Wi-Fi. You will notice sooner unlocks, extra constant standing updates, fewer No-Respone errors, and higher general efficiency within the Dwelling app.
This characteristic alone, at this value level, makes the ThorBolt X1 an important purchase.
Rekeying assist with Schlage SC1
The ThorBolt X1 is appropriate with commonplace Schlage SC1 cylinders, so you possibly can rekey it to match your present home keys. If you have already got Schlage locks in your house, maintaining every part constant with out carrying round a number of units of keys is simple. It’s a small element, but it surely’s a pleasant win general for many who need to use a key as effectively.
Set up course of
I’ve embedded a video above displaying the total set up course of, but it surely’s actually not laborious. Exterior of rekeying, nearly anybody can deal with the method. All you want is a Philips head screwdriver, however keep away from over-tightening.
You’ll take away your present deadbolt and drop the ThorBolt X1 instead. My fundamental tip is to make sure the cable runs below the inside plate and that the inside deadbolt piece is correctly centered earlier than you tighten every part down. When you take your time and observe the steps, it’s a fast job.
As soon as that’s achieved, you possibly can proceed with putting in the batteries, including it to the Sleekpoint app, and onboarding it to HomeKit for automations and residential key. The QR code is on the machine, however as all the time, take a photograph of it, write it down, or add it to Homepass.
You’ll see how briskly it’s when you get it up and working. It’s completely one of many quickest sensible locks I’ve examined.
Wrap up on the ThorBolt X1
I’m all the time glad to see new residence key choices present up. For below $150, the ThorBolt X1 packs a critical punch for HomeKit followers. It checks all of the packing containers. The one factor I’d like to see is a chargeable battery as a substitute of normal AA, however that may be a minor criticism. Thread, residence key, fingerprint unlock, bodily key backup, it has every part you’d need in a HomeKit sensible lock. One factor to notice is that it’s lacking Matter assist, however to me, that’s a small value to pay for residence key assist.
It is available in black, grey, and silver finishes, so it ought to work with most door {hardware} setups.
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