Nest x Yale Smart Lock Adds Black Finish

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Lock maker Yale, in cooperation with Google Nest, has launched a new version of the Nest x Yale smart door lock in a black finish, ideal for modern homes fitted with matte black door hardware, lighting fixtures, and plumbing fixtures. Called Black Suede, this update to the popular Next x Yale lock joins the existing Satin Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze versions.

New Finish, Same Smart Lock

The black finish on this new version of the Next x Yale lock carries through all components, including the housing of the backlit touchscreen keypad, interior escutcheon, plunger assembly, and strike plate. If you’ve visited design centers and model homes for major homebuilders recently, you’ve no doubt noticed matte black finishes are everywhere. The new Next x Yale lock will go a long way toward completing the matte black look inside and outside your front door.

The Black Suede version of the Nest x Yale smart lock features matte black finishes on all visible components. Image: Yale.

In the same fashion as the nickel and bronze versions, the lock is entirely keyless and can be operated by tapping a PIN code on the keypad, using the Nest or Google Home apps, Google Nest Hub smart displays, and the Google Assistant (for locking only). Furthermore, when the home is fitted with the Nest Connect Wi-fi bridge, the lock can be operated remotely. The tap-to-lock and unlock features in the app add to the appeal and convenience, while location-based auto-locking, customizable guest PINs, and an activity feed make the upgrade easy to live with.

Nest Accounts and Google Accounts

The Nest x Yale lock remains the only smart lock that can reside in the Nest app, alongside Google Nest cameras, video doorbells, and smart thermostats. However, unless you have an existing Nest account, you will have to use or create a Google account in order to add this lock to the Nest app as well as the Google Home ecosystem. That’s due to the fact legacy Nest accounts are being phased out in favor of Google accounts. We’ve written extensively about this Nest account to Google migration.

New Google Nest products—such as the latest Google Nest thermostat and the redesigned Nest Doorbell—do not work with the Nest app. In fact, they can only be set up and used with the Google Home app and related Google technologies. Expect any future redesign of the Nest x Yale smart lock to follow suit.

Been to a national homebuilder’s design center or model homes recently? Black matte hardware and finishes are everywhere. Image: Yale.

Matching Handlesets Available

Yale, a subsidiary of the multinational lock and door systems company Assa Abloy, offers multiple handsets in the same Black Suede finish. These run the gamut from traditional handlesets with the customary pull handle, to modern levers, and even the unique Navis paddle. However, since the new Nest x Yale lock is effectively matte black, you can also find myriad choices from other handleset makers that should match just fine.