An Aqara smart lock suits you if you already run (or plan to run) a connected home and want the door to join it. A Lockly smart lock suits you if keypad and keyless entry matter most. Fitted in Sydney, either typically lands around $600, within a range of $345–$920 per lock.
This guide compares the two brands on fit, features, running costs and installation, so you can choose before you buy. For the full overview, start with our smart locks guide.
Key points
- A smart or digital lock supplied and fitted in Sydney typically costs about $600 (range $345–$920).
- Door thickness, backset and existing cut-outs decide which model fits, so measure before you order.
- Keep a mechanical key override on any smart lock so a flat battery never locks you out.
- In NSW, locksmiths work under a Class 2 security licence; ask for the licence number before work starts.
Aqara smart lock vs Lockly smart lock: quick comparison
Both brands sell in Australia, but they approach the door differently. Use this table as a starting point, then confirm details on the current product page.
| What to compare | Aqara smart lock | Lockly smart lock |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Homes built around a connected smart-home setup | Households that want keypad-first keyless entry |
| Setup | Check whether the model needs a separate hub | Check how the lock connects to your phone and Wi-Fi |
| Entry methods | Confirm which codes, cards, fingerprint or app options your model offers | Confirm which keypad, fingerprint or app options your model offers |
| Key override | Confirm the model includes a mechanical key | Confirm the model includes a mechanical key |
| Fitted cost in Sydney | Typically about $600 ($345–$920) | Typically about $600 ($345–$920) |
| Door fit | Check thickness, backset and cut-outs | Check thickness, backset and cut-outs |
What an Aqara smart lock does well
- Connected-home focus: an Aqara smart lock makes the most sense when your lights, sensors or blinds already sit in one app.
- Routines: you can often link a lock to other devices, so a door that unlocks can trigger lights; confirm this for your model.
- Hub question: some smart locks need a separate hub for remote control, which adds to the total cost, so ask before you buy.
- Family access: separate user codes or cards let you see who comes and goes, instead of handing out copied keys.
- Checking the door: sagging doors and misaligned strike plates stop motorised locks from working smoothly, whichever brand you choose.
- Renting: an Aqara smart lock may need a landlord’s approval, because replacing a lock in a tenancy is covered by your agreement.
What a Lockly smart lock does well
- Keypad-first entry: a Lockly smart lock is built around code entry, so guests and tradies can come in without a key.
- Code management: give visitors their own codes and delete them after the visit instead of rekeying the door.
- Fingerprint options: some models add fingerprint entry; check the current range, because features vary by model.
- Exposed keypads: in direct sun or salt air near the coast, check the finish and weather rating before you commit.
- Smudge marks: a keypad on a front door shows wear patterns over time, so choose codes you can change easily.
- Short-stay rentals: a Lockly smart lock suits holiday lets, where a new code per guest replaces key handovers.
Aqara smart lock cost in Sydney
Price depends on the model you buy and the work on the door. The figures below are Sydney fitted prices as at October 2026, including GST.
| Job (Sydney, Oct 2026) | Price range | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Smart or digital lock, supplied and fitted | $345–$920 | $600 |
| Deadbolt installation | $170–$460 | $290 |
| Basic lock replacement | $140–$400 | $255 |
| Re-key, per lock | $52–$140 | $75 |
- Price the lock separately from the fitting if you buy online, so you can compare it with the supplied-and-fitted price above.
- Add any hub or gateway to your budget if the model needs one for remote access.
- Allow for door work such as new cut-outs, which may add to the quote (indicative — get itemised quotes).
Lockly smart lock cost and running costs
- Fitted price: a Lockly smart lock typically costs about $600 supplied and fitted in Sydney, within a range of $345–$920.
- Batteries: battery life varies by model and use, so replace cells before the low-battery warning (indicative — check the product manual).
- Subscriptions: check whether any remote-access feature needs a paid plan before you rely on it.
- Spare keys: a standard key costs about $14 to cut ($6–$34), so cut a spare for the mechanical override.
- Re-key comparison: re-keying a conventional lock costs about $75 per lock, which is the cost to beat for a rental turnover.
- Replacement later: a basic lock replacement costs about $255 ($140–$400) if you ever return to a standard lock.
Which smart lock fits your door?
The lock itself is rarely the problem. The door usually decides what you can fit.
- Measure door thickness and compare it with the range on the spec sheet before ordering.
- Check the backset (the distance from the door edge to the lock centre) against the model’s requirement.
- Look at existing holes: a lock that reuses current cut-outs saves joinery and keeps the door intact.
- Inspect the frame: rotten timber or a loose strike plate will fail long before the electronics do.
- Check fire and egress doors: NCC exit-door egress rules apply to some doors, so ask a locksmith before you change the hardware.
- Look at the existing lockset: older Lockwood and Gainsborough sets often share common cut-outs, but confirm against AS 4145 compatible hardware first.
Smart lock installation: DIY or licensed locksmith?
- Light DIY: swapping batteries and updating codes is fine for most owners.
- Licensed fitting: a locksmith aligns the latch, sets the door and tests the override, so problems show up on the day, not weeks later.
- Licence check: locksmiths in NSW work under a Class 2 security licence, so ask for the licence number first.
- ID check: a legitimate locksmith asks for ID or proof of residence before working on a home door.
- Strata and rentals: get written approval before changing a lock on a unit or tenancy.
- Existing keys: have old keys cancelled by re-keying any locks you keep, so previous copies stop working.
Common mistakes to avoid with a smart lock
- Buying before measuring: returns cost time, so check thickness and backset against the spec sheet first.
- Skipping the key override: a flat battery on a lock with no mechanical key means a lockout call.
- Using obvious codes: birthdays and repeated digits are easy to guess, so pick a code that means nothing to others.
- Ignoring the door: a sagging door puts strain on the latch and motor, however good the brand.
- Forgetting old codes: delete guest and tradie codes once the visit ends.
- Fitting without approval: tenants and unit owners should confirm the rules before replacing anything.
Aqara smart lock and Lockly smart lock FAQs
Is an Aqara smart lock worth it?
An Aqara smart lock is worth it if you already use connected-home devices and want your door to join them. If you only want keyless entry, a keypad-focused lock may do the job with less setup. Fitted in Sydney, smart locks typically cost about $600.
Is a Lockly smart lock better than Aqara?
Neither is better for everyone. A Lockly smart lock leans towards keypad entry, while Aqara leans towards smart-home integration. Compare the specific models, check your door measurements and confirm the mechanical key override before you decide.
How much does it cost to fit a smart lock in Sydney?
A smart or digital lock supplied and fitted in Sydney typically costs about $600, within a range of $345–$920 per lock (October 2026). Door work or extra hardware can raise the final quote, so ask for an itemised price.
Do I need a licensed locksmith to fit a smart lock?
You can change batteries and codes yourself, but fitting and aligning the lock is best left to a licensed locksmith. In NSW, locksmiths work under a Class 2 security licence, so ask for the licence number before work starts.
Choosing between Aqara and Lockly for your door
Match the lock to your door and your habits first, then the brand. TQN Locksmith’s licensed Sydney locksmiths supply, fit and test smart locks and keep a key override in place. See the smart locks guide or get a fixed-price quote.
