At a glanceExpert’s Score
Execs
Easy, hiccup-free bodily operation
Simpler set up than prior iterations
Significantly better PIN assist, with 250 accessible
Z-Wave and Wi-Fi bridge choices accessible
Cons
Very massive proportions on either side of the door
App wants refreshing and updating
Excessive worth
Our Verdict
The Alfred DB2S isn’t a lot of a visible departure from the producer’s earlier choices, nevertheless it does provide some engaging new options, together with a chargeable battery and RFID assist. Be ready to shell out for this lock, although.
Worth When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Greatest Pricing Right now
After I final checked out a wise lock from Alfred, the corporate had upgraded its DB1 lock collection to the DB2 collection, bringing with it an easier industrial design and a few additional options, together with voice prompts.
So, this most up-to-date subsequent model of Alfred’s lock have to be the DB3 collection, proper? No, sir. Naturally it’s referred to as the Alfred DB2S.
Specs
The DB2S seems to be quite a bit just like the older DB2, though this new model is barely accessible in black or satin nickel trim choices, with no gold choice. It additionally now options elongated escutcheons (each approaching 7 inches in peak), a lighted touchscreen that vanishes altogether when not in use, and a bodily keyhole with a swiveling metallic colour.
The keypad on the Alfred DB2S good lock disappears when it’s not in use. The lock’s inside escutcheon is kind of massive.Alfred
A chargeable lithium-ion battery that Alfred says ought to final 8 to 12 months replaces the 4 AA batteries used within the Alfred DB2. A USB-C port on the entrance of the lock is out there for emergency entry within the occasion of a lifeless battery. The battery have to be faraway from the lock for charging, which takes about 4 hours. Alfred sells a spare battery for $50, should you don’t need to expertise any downtime.
Out of the field, the DB2S is a Bluetooth-only gadget, until you buy one among two equipment. The Alfred Join V2 Wi-Fi Bridge, a plug-in gadget, can join the lock to your Wi-Fi community (2.4GHz networks solely), or in case you have a wise dwelling hub that helps Z-Wave, you may add Alfred’s Z-Wave 800-series module ($40). Both accent will add Amazon Alexa or Google Dwelling compatibility to the lock (assuming your Z-Wave hub does, that’s, however that’s all however a certainty).
Alfred says the DB2S “exceeds all ANSI Grade 2 testing necessities and exceeds lots of the ANSI Grade 1 cycle testing necessities,” nevertheless it has not been formally licensed by the BHMA. Unsure what all which means? Seek the advice of our information to the requirements and certification processes of the ANSI and BHMA (Builders {Hardware} Producers Affiliation) as they relate to residential deadbolt locks.
Set up and setup
Alfred would do effectively to retool its app for managing its good locks, because it’s wanting fairly dated.Christopher Null/Foundry
Set up has improved over the notoriously goofy course of I skilled with the Alred DB1 and Alfred DB2, each of which required part of the tailpiece to be eliminated through the setup course of. Putting in the DB2S is essentially according to trade requirements, with a body bolted by the door to the outside escutcheon, and the inside escutcheon mounted on prime of that. A thick set up information is included that will help you by this course of, although with 17 intricately detailed steps, it could be an excessive amount of of factor.
The Alfred DB2S good lock’s distinctive Away and Privateness modes disable all PINs besides the grasp code to reinforce safety and privateness respectively.
The one twist is the inclusion of an optionally available wired door sensor, which attaches through its personal separate cable close to the highest of the inside escutcheon and have to be run beneath the rubber that surrounds the mounting plate. This informs the Alfred app as as to if the door is open or closed, and it’s barely difficult to get completely aligned. Somewhat loosening and tightening of the mounting bolts will get it into place shortly sufficient. As with the prior variations of the lock, a change on the within of the motor housing tells the lock whether or not it’s mounted on a left- or right-handed door.
The lock helps two technique of digital ingress (along with utilizing the Alfred Dwelling app): You’ll be able to enter a PIN on the lock’s numeric keypad or current an RFID card to its onboard reader. The unit helps as much as 250 PINs (up from a meager 20) and a most of 250 RFID playing cards (two of that are included within the field). That must be loads for even the busiest family.
Utilizing the Alfred DB2S good lock
Miraculously, the Alfred DB2S can be utilized with out its companion cell app, with all programming undertaken by coming into codes on the numeric keypad, as laid out in a prolonged, second software program information. This can be a very inefficient method of doing something with the lock, and also you’re much better off working with it by the straightforward however easy Alfred Dwelling app, which doesn’t seem to have modified in any respect since I final used it in 2021.
Onboarding the lock into the app was very expedient in my testing, because the app locates the lock robotically with none sort of scan or enter required. Pairing the Wi-Fi bridge requires scanning a QR code on its bottom.
For those who don’t have a wise dwelling hub that helps Z-Wave, you’ll need to additionally buy Alfred’s plug-in Wi-Fi bridge; in any other case, you’ll solely be capable to use the lock through Bluetooth.Alfred
The Alfred app, as talked about, is primary and dated. It nonetheless sees the entry factors on mesh networks as separate networks, and it robotically capitalizes your Wi-Fi password, nevertheless it no less than covers the fundamentals. Customers might be invited to obtain the app and given entry instantly that method, however PINs and RFID entry have to be configured individually after which assigned to a consumer.
There’s no approach to see all the varied entry varieties {that a} consumer has on a single display, so if somebody has each a PIN and an RFID tag, they have to be managed individually through their respective interfaces. The method is a little bit archaic, nevertheless it ought to work effectively sufficient for smaller households. The app can also be speedy.
Different app options embrace auto-locking (after a user-selected time span of 30 seconds to three minutes) that works along side the door sensor, so the lock received’t throw its bolt when the door ajar (thus stopping unintentional injury to the trim round your door).
Plug this Z-Wave 800 module into the Alfred DB2S and you’ll handle and function the lock utilizing your favourite Z-Wave good dwelling hub (SmartThings, Homey, Hubitat Eleveation, and many others.)..Alfred
For those who’ll be away from dwelling for an prolonged interval and aren’t anticipating anybody to achieve entry to your private home, you may allow an Away mode that disables all PINs aside from the grasp. If somebody enters a PIN apart from the grasp, or in the event that they flip the thumbturn from inside the home, an onboard alarm will sound. There’s additionally a Privateness mode that does the identical factor, however with out activating the alarm when somebody enters their PIN.
Lastly, there’s a geofencing characteristic that’s imagined to unlock the door when a certified consumer approaches with their smartphone on their individual. Away and Privateness modes labored effectively, however I used to be by no means in a position to get geofencing to work in any respect. Alfred does provide a complete logging system, and push notifications associated to unlocking actions arrived shortly throughout my testing.
The Alfred DB2S has a lot of choices, however I couldn’t get it’s geofencing characteristic to work throughout my evaluation.Christopher Null/Foundry
As with most Alfred {hardware}, the DB2S isn’t probably the most elegant lock due to its huge dimension, though its sweeping curves counterbalance this to some extent. Thankfully, the lock works easily and with out grievance; other than the geofencing miss, I by no means encountered any main operational points all through my testing, throughout all forms of lock and unlock operations.
Do you have to purchase the Alfred DB2S good lock?
With a beginning worth of $320 ($360 if you would like Z-Wave connectivity, or $390 for Wi-Fi), Alfred is asking a small fortune for a wise lock that doesn’t embrace such trendy entry options as fingerprint recognition or palm-vein scanning, and that doesn’t assist Matter (or Apple Dwelling, both).
Sure, you would possibly discover it promoting for much less should you store round—I discovered it on-line at Tractor Provide Co. for $300, and—remarkably—at Walmart, bundled with Alfred’s Wi-Fi module, for simply $255; however even at these costs, it’s nonetheless one of many costlier locks in the marketplace given its characteristic set.
For those who love the look of this lock, watch for a sale.
This evaluation is a part of TechHive’s in-depth protection of the very best good locks.
