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CES 2026: Kwikset Launches $189 Aura Reach Smart Lock With Matter Integration

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Kwikset today announced the Aura Reach, a smart lock that offers Matter over Thread and Bluetooth connectivity. With Matter, the lock is able to connect to HomeKit, allowing it to be controlled through Apple Home or with Siri voice commands.

kwikset-aura-reach.jpg

The Aura Reach supports hands-free auto unlock, proximity keypad wakeup, and a guided installation process for easy setup. It is able to be activated alongside other HomeKit and Matter devices using automations in the Apple Home app.

Users can set up temporary access codes for guests, track entry history, and get alerts if someone attempts to use an invalid code. The lock incorporates the Kwikset SmartKey Security, so it can be rekeyed in seconds. The lock is available in satin nickel and black color options.

Unlike some of the higher-end smart locks that have been coming out at CES, the Aura Reach does not include UWB, nor does it work with Apple's Home Key feature.

The Aura Reach is one of several Matter-enabled smart locks in Kwikset's lineup, including the Halo Select and Halo Select Plus. Compared to those locks, it lacks Wi-Fi, Home Key, and door sensing technology that's able to determine whether a door is open or closed.

The Aura Reach is priced at $189 and is available from major retailers like Amazon starting today.

Article Link: CES 2026: Kwikset Launches $189 Aura Reach Smart Lock With Matter Integration
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/05/kwikset-aura-reach-lock/
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I installed a Halo Select Plus on our door a couple weeks ago, and it's a pretty nice lock overall. I have not been able to get it to work under Matter though, as the setup fails on our wifi password because it has an apostrophe in it and that's not recognized as a valid text character. I emailed Kwikset about it and got a form email back that didn't address the character flaw (heh) and just gave me instructions to do a full lock reset. There is a manual way to start the Matter integration but that's not working either. When I get a moment, I'll do a full factory reset and see if I can then use the manual Matter setup process.

If that doesn't work, I'll probably replace it with a Thorbolt X1. We picked one of these up for an outside gate...it's not meant for that but I was able to seal it up well enough that it survived all the rain in the Los Angeles area the past two weeks. It connected to Matter and HomeKit flawlessly and has been very good, so good that I got a second one for the garage. The only drawback is that they have to be rekeyed manually (we have Kwikset SmartKey locks so not compatible), but that's not that hard to do (which I'll learn for sure once the rekeying kit gets here). If I can't get the Halo lock to work it's being replaced with another Thorbolt X1, it really seems like a quality product so far.
 
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And still no good modern options for people stuck with a lever-only exterior lock and no deadbolt. Grumble...

The Yale Assure Lever with Wi-Fi is a pile of sh*t.
 
While it doesn't have UWB or work with Apple's Home Key, it does appear to be shipping, which is more than we can say about the Schlage Sense Pro, now a full year after Schlage announced it.
 
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kotaKat said:
And still no good modern options for people stuck with a lever-only exterior lock and no deadbolt. Grumble...

The Yale Assure Lever with Wi-Fi is a pile of sh*t.
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Why would you be “stuck” with a lever-only lock? Install a deadbolt. Your exterior does should have them anyway.
 
Putting the keypad on a lock like this is something I never understood. Yes I know everyone is doing it. Because people do not really try to hide what they "type" into those.

(Now, a "remote" keypad which can be placed at a different angle / place and is connected to the lock, that's much better.)
 
Plutonius said:
I'm also not sure how it would handle someone trying to break in using a crowbar (i.e. ripping it off the door).
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If this is like the Halo Select, the outer lock attaches to a plate on the inside of the door, so it's braced around the hole. To pry it, it will require pulling through both the door itself and the internal bolt part. It may be that the lock breaks apart or the screws snap off, but it's going to take a lot of force to make that happen I think. It's probably easier to pry the door itself open using the crowbar, if it's a wood door.
 
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bigboy29 said:
Putting the keypad on a lock like this is something I never understood. Yes I know everyone is doing it. Because people do not really try to hide what they "type" into those.

(Now, a "remote" keypad which can be placed at a different angle / place and is connected to the lock, that's much better.)
Click to expand...
That's the nice thing about HomeKey, you tap your Apple Watch against it and you're done. At least in theory, since I haven't gotten the Halo to work under Matter yet I can't be sure. The Thorbolt works that way, plus it has a thumbprint reader as well which has actually been very reliable.

These locks also are now coming with a setup where you can type a longer string of numbers and as long as it contains your key code it will open, so that helps at least. In reality, it's not too likely that someone you don't want is looking over your shoulder, and it's probably easy to block the lock from the street for most situations.
 
chewbaka said:
Why would you be “stuck” with a lever-only lock? Install a deadbolt. Your exterior does should have them anyway.
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Yes, because we own our house in the year 2026. /s

""Just!" get a deadbolt!" is not the correct, appropriate, or suitable answer in this situation.
 
I recently updated our older Kwikset Premis locks to Halo Select's when Home Depot had them listed in error for something like $179. Well, I got two of them before they adjusted the price back up, so we still have one Premis, on the front door. I had to google the difference between this and the Halo Select. This device doesn't have wifi, where as the Halo's do, and a few other options that make this a less expensive option. I'll probably just wait for another Home Depot error to upgrade the last one. We rarely use the front door so it doesn't bother me that its older.


Plutonius said:
What happens when it loses power ?

I'm also not sure how it would handle someone trying to break in using a crowbar (i.e. ripping it off the door).
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If you lose power, you use a physical key as a backup. We have one hidden in the garage. They'll break the glass before they go through the trouble of using a crowbar to remove the keypad. Traditional deadbolts are attached the same way so they would also be just as vulnerable to your crowbar concern. In the end, if they really want in, they'll find a way.
 
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segfaultdotorg said:
There appears to be a manual bypass. Easy to overlook!

View attachment 2593528
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Yep. The SmartKey locks are easier to break into than regular tumbler locks. Every house I've purchased, I've replaced the SmartKey lock with tumbler lock and reuse the SmartKey for interior doors. For exterior doors, I suggest a Schlage (a step up from Kwikset/Defiant type) unless you're paranoid about security.
 
The Schlage Sense Pro was introduced LAST year at CES 2025.
Looking at a late 2025 release.
Has yet to materialize.
Vaporware anyone?
 
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