Igloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge Review

In our review of the original Igloohome Smart Padlock ($129), we highlighted its toughness, multiple access options, and ease of use, but didn't like the lack of push alerts and voice features. The Padlock 2 and Bridge ($199) addresses both of these issues. In addition, the upgraded lock is more durable and includes a Wi-Fi bridge that enables remote access from anywhere. Limited integration support is still a concern, but this lock is otherwise an excellent choice for digitally securing and sharing access to sheds, toolboxes, and gated entryways from afar. Just be prepared to pay a premium for it.

The Igloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge is a two-piece system that consists of a Bluetooth padlock and a hub that connects the lock to your Wi-Fi network. If you don’t need the Wi-Fi connectivity, you can purchase the lock by itself for $159. Like the original Smart Padlock, it has a matte black finish and uses a mixture of zinc alloy, stainless steel, and rubber. However, it has an even better IPX7 waterproof rating, up from IP66. It also meets the MIL-STD 810H standard, meaning it passes military-grade tests for reliability and resistance to things like rain, shock, heat, humidity, and impacts.

The 1.1-pound padlock measures 3.2 by 2.2 by 1.3 inches (HWD) and has a hardened steel shackle that protrudes 2.5 inches from the top of the device when it's unlocked and 1.6 inches when it's locked. The front includes a keypad with 12 buttons that light up and beep when you press them, as well as a pair of LEDs that quickly flash blue and green when the lock receives an unlock command, briefly glow green when you engage the lock, and turn red when the battery level goes below 20%. The lock beeps twice when you unlock it and once when you lock it.

A rubber bumper protects the back of the lock, while a rubber cover on the bottom hides a USB-C port for charging the battery or jump-starting the lock with an external power source via the included USB-C cable. The battery should last up to nine months assuming normal usage and requires just an hour to fully recharge.

The Bridge, which measures 0.8 by 2.5 by 2.5 inches, also has a matte black finish. The top has a Wi-Fi indicator that glows green when it has an active connection to your network, and a Bluetooth light indicates the connection status with the lock. Both indicators blink when the hub is in pairing mode. The hub sports a pairing button on one side and a USB-C power port on the other. Under the hood, there are 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios. You can link as many as 10 devices to a single bridge.

The Padlock 2 doesn’t support HomeKit, IFTTT, or Matter. It also doesn't work with Google Assistant voice commands, but you can use Amazon Alexa voice control to lock and unlock it.

The lock pairs with the Igloohome mobile app (available for Android and iOS). On the app's home screen, a dedicated panel shows its name, battery level, and last sync time, along with an unlock button.

Tap the panel to see tabs for Unlock, Access, Logs, and Settings. The Unlock screen displays the same battery level and sync information as the overview panel, as well as Lock and Unlock buttons. This section should eventually offer Siri and Apple Watch Shortcut options, but neither were available at the time of testing.

Choose the Access tab to create PIN codes and Bluetooth keys. You can set up PIN codes with permanent, one-time, or weekly duration for access, with specific start and end dates and times. The app can generate a code or you can enter one yourself. Bluetooth keys can also have start and end dates and times, but they require invitees to download the Igloohome app before they can use the lock.

The Logs tab displays a list of all lock events, complete with the dates and the times of each activity, the associated user, the unlock method, and details on whether someone tried an incorrect code. You can even check the creation time of any PIN code.

Finally, tap the Settings tab to toggle features such as Auto Unlock (which uses your phone’s location to unlock the padlock when you are in range), Auto Lock (which locks the padlock once you push in the shackle), Relock Reminder (in which the lock emits a series of beeps if it is left open for a specified amount of time), and Security Lockout (after five incorrect attempts, the lock disables the keypad and sounds an alarm). To reset the lock in the event of the latter security event, you have to use the app's Unlock button. Other settings allow you to toggle the keypad LEDs, adjust the beep and alarm volume, link or unlink the lock to a bridge, and update the device firmware.

Preparing the Padlock 2 for first use doesn't take much time at all. To begin, I downloaded the mobile app and created an account. Next, I made sure to enable Bluetooth on my phone, powered up the lock using the included USB-C cable, and tapped Start Pairing on the app's main page. The app immediately detected the lock, so I created a home location and added the lock to it. I confirmed I had the latest firmware version before powering on the Bridge via the included USB-C cable (you have to supply a power adapter). I tapped the plus button in the top right corner of the home screen and repeated the pairing process, this time with the Bridge. After a successful connection, I entered my Wi-Fi network information and just had to wait a couple of minutes for the connection process to complete. Finally, I returned to the main screen, tapped the Bridge panel on the Devices screen, and selected Linked Locks and Devices to link the lock to the Bridge. I ran a quick Link test, which indicated the pair was ready to go.

The Padlock 2 performs very well. It responds quickly to lock and unlock commands from the app and its keypad is responsive. Alexa voice commands to unlock the padlock work well too, as do the Auto-Lock and Security Lockout features. Duration-based PIN codes time out according to my settings and event logs are accurate as well. Relock Reminders are reliable, though I would prefer if the beeps were a little louder.

The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge is a smart choice if you want to remotely monitor and share access to everything from your shed, to your gated property, to your bicycle. Its durable build and long battery life mean you don't have to worry about leaving it outside for long periods, and you can absolutely use it indoors, too. Our main complaint is that it doesn't offer any third-party integrations. You do get a Wi-Fi bridge that enables remote access from anywhere and Alexa voice commands this time around though, so it's worth considering if a traditional padlock just won't suffice.

The Igloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge smart lock combo is secure and easy to use with support for app, keypad, and voice control.

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