I should have bought it sooner! The Xiaomi smart lock is cheap and you can install it yourself in a few minutes

There are couples who have clear roles in life. One is the driver, the other the navigator. One cooks, the other washes. My girlfriend and I have one shared discipline in which we are both absolute world champions – losing keys. For years, I resisted the idea of a smart lock, after all, a classic key just works. After a week with the Xiaomi Self-Install Smart Lock, I have to state one thing: if I had bought it sooner, I would have saved myself nerves and at least one visit to a locksmith.

Installation in 20 minutes without drilling or a handyman

What Xiaomi sells most is the “self-install” principle. The lock is fitted onto the existing cylinder from the inside and mechanically turns the key for you. So you don’t have to replace anything, drill, or interfere with the door in any way, which will be especially appreciated by people renting.

The assembly itself took, according to my watch, about 20 minutes, including the fact that I had to glance at the instructions a couple of times. You insert the key into the cylinder from the inside, attach the holder to it, embrace the cylinder with the lock body itself, and tighten the whole thing. No screwing into the door, no scrap, no destructive trace for the landlord. If you decide to remove the lock again, the door looks as if nothing happened.

What it can do in practice

I most often unlock the lock using my fingerprint. Another option is Bluetooth in the Xiaomi Home app. Just come within a few meters of the door, the phone pairs, and with one tap, the lock opens. It works reliably, with latency in the order of seconds. If I’m out of Bluetooth range, it can also be done remotely via Wi-Fi – so my girlfriend can let a friend into the apartment when she’s on her way home.

What I like are the notifications. The app notifies you of every unlock and lock, so you have an overview of who comes and goes and when. In addition, the lock can warn of attempted sabotage or unauthorized removal. The key, as a physical backup, remains fully functional ONLY if you have a cylinder with an emergency function (BSZ). If you don’t have one, I definitely recommend replacing it. It costs up to a thousand and is an absolute necessity for a smart lock. If the lock breaks down or runs out of battery, you can use the key normally. With a classic cylinder, you obviously won’t be able to turn it.

The only catch – the motor is a bit louder

No product is perfect, and the Xiaomi Self-Install Smart Lock has one point worth mentioning. The motor turning the key is a bit louder than I would have expected. It’s not an extreme that would wake up the neighbors, but if your front door is right next to the bedroom and your partner comes home when you’re already asleep, it’s possible it might wake you up at night.

Who will benefit from it

The Xiaomi Self-Install Smart Lock makes sense for anyone who wants smart unlocking without major investment and without interfering with the door. It’s ideal for tenants in apartment buildings, for people who often let in tradespeople, postmen, or cleaning services, and of course, for key-losing experts like us. If you’re betting on a smart home, you’ll also appreciate Matter support, which allows the lock to work with Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. After a week of use, I have absolutely no complaints (apart from the higher volume).

Do you already use a smart lock at home, or do you remain loyal to the classic key?