Latest news with #Nuki
CNET
a day ago
- CNET
This Metallic Smart Lock Has Arrived in the US to Dethrone Other Retrofits: I Think It Has a Shot
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. Nuki's smart is powerful and compact -- is it the new retrofit king? Tyler Lacoma/CNET Table of Contents This Metallic Smart Lock Has Arrived in the US to Dethrone Other Retrofits: I Think It Has a Shot In the world of smart locks, retrofits occupy a unique, useful space. They're cheaper than a full deadbolt replacement and fit over your current deadbolt to give it smart features -- not a bad deal, but they tend to be bulky and, well, not very aesthetic. Nuki's European smart lock, now available in the US, is an exception. This $160 lock, which can be bundled with a wireless keypad, uses a powerful brushless motor that's screw directly into the existing deadbolt once you remove the indoor component. It's slightly more complicated to install than a retrofit like August, but in return the Austrian design is compact, elegant and locks or unlocks in a snap. LED indicators on the front of the lock can blink if it's unlocked or show you battery status, among other tricks. When it came to performance, I found Nuki's lock to be everything you could want in a retrofit. There's no bulky components, no wasted space, just a smooth metal design (plus a small plastic band) made for efficiency and speed. As a result, it looks and functions like a dream. It's not a traditional lock, so there's no keyhole or obvious deadbolt latch to flip, but the unique appearance works in Nuki's favor. There are also a plethora of smart features packed into the lock, including the ability to create passes for time-limited access and connect with smart home apps like Alexa, Google Home and third-party options like Home Assistant. Nuki does require a subscription for some features, which is unusual for the average smart lock. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Nuki's lock isn't perfect -- the app, while effective, could be a bit more intuitive for the more complex settings. And it's a little hampered by the rechargeable battery design, which requires using a magnetic cable attachment and more or less forces you to detach the lock and charge it up for a couple of hours every few months. Also, if you want permanent remote access, you'll have to start paying a $6 per month subscription for it, an unusual step for a smart lock when most offer it for free. Without that subscription, you'll be limited to Bluetooth controls over a shorter range. Quirks aside, Nuki has brought a smart lock to America that looks and feels better than other retrofit brands like August. I'm still contemplating if it deserves a spot on my best smart locks list. Maybe I should make a new category, something for "best design" or "high-end retrofit." If you don't mind paying a subscription for that important remote access, the Nuki Smart Lock could be a good look for your home, too.
Android Authority
02-07-2025
- Android Authority
Nuki, my favorite smart lock, is now available in the US; I can't recommend it enough
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Europe's best smart lock, the Nuki Smart Lock, has launched in the US. The Matter-compatible lock costs $159 alone, or $299 with the fingerprint-supporting keypad (currently $229 on Amazon). You'll have to pay for a premium subscription to enable remote access and notifications. If you ask me about my favorite product I've ever reviewed in my 19 years as a tech writer, the answer would be pretty straightforward: the Nuki smart lock. The first lock I tried blew me away in 2016 with its extensive features and excellent reliability, so much so that I became a smart lock convert. Recently, I switched to the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra (£309.99 at Manufacturer site), which is by far the best European smart lock you can buy. But what if you live in the US? Well, Nuki is now launching in the US, and you can get your hands on one of the most thoughtful and complete smart home products ever made (this is not an exaggeration) for $159 on Amazon, or $299 with the Keypad 2 with fingerprint support (currently down to $229 on Amazon). If you're curious about why a smart lock makes sense or what makes Nuki special, you can read my complete rundown of the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra. The short version, though, is that this is an end-to-end encrypted lock that you can use without ever creating an account or logging in (unless you want remote access). It's sleek, small, less noisy than previous versions, and offers a million and one options to let you customize it precisely to your liking, and most importantly, your comfort levels. I love that every feature from the swipe actions in the app or tap actions on the button, to the speed of the brushless motor, night mode, guest access, disabling Bluetooth pairing, auto-unlock, auto-lock, what's logged and what's not, and more, is user-controlled. For a device that supervises the entrance to my home, that's a win on all fronts. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Nuki is also Matter-compatible and supports Google, Apple, and Amazon's smart home platforms, as well as Home Assistant (I've set it up locally via MQTT) and Samsung SmartThings. Plus, it has apps for Wear OS smartwatches and the Apple Watch. Honestly, anything you think you want from a smart lock is there; it's almost crazy to see a product that is this complete. I rated it 9/10 in my review, but I could've easily given it a perfect 10; that's how much I love it. A smart home device that supervises the entrance to my home should give me control over all the settings. Nuki does that and takes privacy very seriously. The US version of the Nuki Smart Lock retains all of those features, but is retrofitted on top of US single-cylinder deadbolts and can be installed in under 15 minutes. It's installed from the inside, so you keep access to your home from the outside with a key. You can also buy the Keypad 2, which offers an end-to-end encrypted way to unlock with access codes or with a fingerprint sensor. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority There is one hiccup compared to the European version, though, and that is the introduction of Nuki Premium — a $5.90 monthly sub that sends you smart alerts when something happens to your door and gives you remote access via the Nuki app to see what's going on. It's not essential if you use Matter or any other smart home platform, but it's still a bit annoying to see Nuki take free features in the EU market and make them paid in the US. If you do sign up before September, though, you'll have free lifetime access to Premium, which is an excellent deal. The Nuki Smart Lock is available now from Amazon and, if you can't already tell, I can't recommend it enough. You can also grab some extra accessories for it like a $59 door sensor or a cheaper $89 code-only keypad if you don't need fingerprint access.
The Verge
02-07-2025
- The Verge
Nuki's Smart Lock is a better retrofit door lock
The Nuki Smart Lock ($159) is the most advanced retrofit smart lock I've tested. It features a sleek, compact design that looks and works like a regular doorknob, but it's much more than a doorknob. It can automatically unlock as you approach, lock behind you, unlock using a keypad or your fingerprint, and be controlled from anywhere. It also supports every smart home platform through Matter, and you can still use your existing key — if you're old-school like that. I love the button integrated into the stainless steel design that locks and unlocks with a single press — no need to turn the knob. And the Nuki is shockingly fast: quicker than manually turning the lock and easily twice as fast as any other smart lock I've tested, locking in under a second. 9 Verge Score Exciting new retrofit locks have been few and far between since the fourth-generation August Wifi Smart Lock launched over 5 years ago. While that lock has held up as a good option for a smart lock that doesn't require replacing your existing deadbolt, the Nuki is a better choice. It's faster, smaller, and smarter than the August, plus it works with Matter over Thread and promises up to a year of battery life. That's significantly more than the two to three months I got with August. The European-made lock also arrives with an impressive focus on privacy and a competitive price. But a subscription for some features in its app and an interesting approach to charging the lock could be dealbreakers. I love trying out all the cool new tech smart locks are leaning into – from palm scanners to facial recognition and built-in cameras, but I get that most people just want their smart lock to look like a regular lock. Unfortunately, design is too often an afterthought for lock manufacturers. Most smart locks are big, black, and bulky, and either plasticky or very expensive. The Austrian-designed Nuki strikes a sweet spot: a minimalist style with a premium look and feel, all for under $160. The Nuki Smart Lock is its first designed for the US, but the company has been making locks for over a decade and is on its fifth generation in Europe. The lock's small size stems from a clever design that has evolved over the years to be constructed entirely around a new brushless motor. It's essentially a motor with a lithium-polymer battery attached. The battery is built-in and non-removable, which helps with the compact design and seamless look. It charges via a proprietary 6-foot USB-C/Magsafe-style cable. The idea is you can charge it without removing the lock, and if someone opens the door while it's connected, the cable pops off safely. I love the integrated button that locks and unlocks with a single press But I didn't have an outlet anywhere close enough to the door to try this, and I'm likely not alone. Removing the lock for charging is simple, but then you can't open your door for the two hours it takes to charge. Not ideal. The cable is almost comically long, but probably needs to be longer. Additionally, a non-removable battery raises concerns about longevity. Nuki claims the battery should last 10 years, and says a replacement plan will be offered. Installation was simple. After charging the lock, I removed the thumbturn from my Schlage deadbolt and replaced it with the Nuki backplate, then snapped the lock into place. The rest of the setup is via Nuki's app, which requires you to create a security code rather than signing up for an account. This means you don't have to provide Nuki with any information about yourself to use the device, a rare feature for a smart lock. One quirk, however, is that the security code feature made navigating the app rather slow, as it checks the code again every time you enter a more 'sensitive' section of the app. You can choose to use the lock locally over Bluetooth with Nuki's app, or connect to Wi-Fi, Matter over Thread, or both for control away from home and integration with smart home platforms. If both are enabled, Nuki says the lock prioritizes Thread to conserve battery life. Nuki's app is one of the most fully-featured I've tested, offering multiple settings and customization options. Along with standard features like assigning guest access, enabling auto-lock and auto-unlock, I could set schedules, which many locks only allow through a smart home platform. There are also some other neat features, such as Night Mode, which locks the door at a set time, disables auto-unlock, and enables auto-lock. I also like the option to set swipe gestures in the app for quick control when approaching the door. Connecting to Wi-Fi provides access to Google Home, Alexa, and MQTT (for connecting to Home Assistant). There's also the option to sign up for a Nuki cloud account. This isn't required to use the lock or the app, and comes with a steep $5.90 monthly subscription fee. The keypad lacks a zero button, which momentarily confounded me since all my go-to codes require a zero. The subscription adds cloud-based features, such as remote control from the Nuki app and notifications, including a tap-to-unlock prompt when you approach the door, as well as one that alerts you if the door is unlocked when you leave. It also enables integrations with Airbnb and other rental platforms, as well as web-based controls for the lock. If you don't subscribe, you can only use the Nuki app locally over Bluetooth, and you won't get notifications from it. Nuki is offering all new customers free access for the lifetime of the lock if they sign up before September 30th. Unless you really need those extras, opt for the Matter-over-Thread connection. This enables out-of-home control and notifications through any Matter-compatible smart home platform (I used Apple Home). Thread connectivity is free and improves battery life (up to a year versus 6 months on Wi-Fi). But bear in mind, you will need a Matter hub and a Thread border router. With the Nuki, you don't have to choose between the manufacturer's app control and your Matter app of choice. I could control the lock in the Nuki app and use its more advanced features, including hands-free auto-unlock, while also having basic control in Apple Home. This is an issue with Matter in general, where the standard doesn't support some of the more advanced features of smart devices, such as auto-unlock. Some manufacturers, such as the Kwikset Halo Select lock I recently tested, require you to choose one or the other. Outside of the app, you can use the Nuki Keypad 2, included in a bundle with the lock for $229. It's designed to be mounted outside your door using 3M tape or screws. It supports both PIN codes and fingerprints. The fingerprint reader worked well, though its small surface sometimes required repositioning my finger a couple of times. I liked the keypad's tactile rubbery buttons and dedicated key for locking, but it lacks a zero button. This momentarily confounded me since all my go-to codes require a zero. There's also no backlight, making nighttime use tricky without a porch light. Nuki sells a door sensor to detect open/closed status, but unlike most locks, it doesn't come with the sensor; you have to buy it separately for a whopping $59. I tested the lock over Bluetooth, Thread, and Wi-Fi, and in all cases, it was super responsive, executing commands instantly. As mentioned, the motor is amazingly fast, as you can see in the video. But this means it's loud, although thankfully only for a second. The LED ring on the knob showed me at a glance whether the door was locked or unlocked (and can be turned off). Disappointingly, there's no support for Apple's Home Key or ultra-wideband unlocking (UWB), a new tech coming to smart locks to enhance the auto-unlocking feature. Nuki says it will release a keypad later this year with UWB and NFC that will be compatible with the new Aliro standard, which should extend Apple's tap-to-unlock Home Key features to Android phones. While innovation in full replacement locks has moved fast, retrofit locks have largely lagged behind — as noted, August was the last great option, and we haven't seen a new model since 2020. It's unlikely we ever will. August is now part of Yale, and the Yale Approach appears to be August's successor. While the Approach is a fine lock, it lacks August's flair. At $99, it is cheaper than Nuki, so might be more appealing to renters, but it doesn't support Matter and has a larger footprint, both for the lock and the keypad. $6 a month is too high a price to pay for the privilege of unlocking your front door The Nuki is a fantastic lock that I would recommend to anyone who wants a smart lock that doesn't look like a smart lock, doesn't require replacing your existing deadbolt, and lets you keep using your current key — especially if you use it with Matter. It's a better option than August, thanks to longer battery life and broader smart home support. Just be sure to have the Matter infrastructure in place to support it, or purchase the lock before the end of September to receive lifetime Nuki cloud access. As a startup without a large corporation behind it, Nuki is smart to look to secure its future with the ongoing revenue of a subscription. But $6 a month is too high a price to pay for the privilege of unlocking your front door. Photos and video by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It's impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit 'agree' to use devices when we review them, since these are agreements most people don't read and definitely can't negotiate. To set up the Nuki Smart Lock, you must download and install the Nuki app (iOS and Android), no account is required. You need to accept the following agreements: The Nuki can be set up in Matter platforms such as Apple Home and Samsung SmartThings, but you need to use the Nuki app initially. Final tally: two mandatory agreements
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Nuki Debuts in the U.S., Launching Its Innovative Smart Lock to the American Market
GRAZ, Austria--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nuki, Europe's category leader in smart access solutions, today announced the official entry into the United States with its newest version of its flagship product, the Nuki Smart Lock. Combining seamless integration options, an intuitive app developed to optimize user experience and a customer-centric design, Nuki sets a new standard as the smarter lock choice for American consumers seeking advanced, reliable smart home security. Named a 2025 CES Innovation Awards® Honoree, the Nuki Smart Lock is now available to American consumers seeking to upgrade their home with a keyless access solution that offers superior hardware quality, integration capabilities and stylish aesthetics without compromise. Founded with a mission to provide best-in-class technology, elegant design and unparalleled privacy, this milestone opens the door for American homeowners and renters to access Nuki's revolutionary smart access solutions, arriving stateside with a track record of established, trusted dependability amongst more than 800,000 satisfied customers in Europe. Developed in Austria and manufactured in Europe, the latest Nuki Smart Lock allows users to unlock their door conveniently and automatically in under one second. This remarkable performance is enabled by cutting-edge brushless motor technology – used in a Nuki Smart Lock for the first time – offering the efficiency, durability and performance commonly found in electric vehicles. The Nuki Smart Lock enhances convenience by effortlessly retrofitting onto existing U.S. single-cylinder deadbolt, installing in under 15 minutes without any drilling or modifications required. Nuki played a pioneering role with the launch of the world's first electronic door lock with native Matter support in 2023. The newest generation naturally provides full support for Matter as well, and features expanded compatibility with other smart home platforms including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and more – making home entry part of a seamless connected home experience. Some of the Nuki Smart Lock's features and benefits include: Privacy is a core value, unlike with other smart lock providers, personal and security-relevant data are not stored on Nuki servers to protect user privacy choices. The Nuki Smart Lock can be used without the need to create an account, with all data stored locally. Designed with end-to-end encryption commonly used by online banks, Nuki's software meets rigorous security standards to ensure users data protection. Fitting into any home aesthetic, the compact design is only 2.2 inches in diameter and comes with a sleek stainless steel body and a black base ring. Providing users with multi-access options for convenience, the lock is controlled via the Nuki App, offering complete control from anywhere. It can also be unlocked via smartphones, smartwatches, PIN-code, fingerprint and even the physical key – with users always having access to lock activity through the app. Hands-free unlocking, Nuki's Auto Unlock feature opens a door automatically when you come home. The Nuki App detects when you leave your home. When you return, your Smart Lock automatically opens the door. High-speed locking mode offers quieter entry and exit, and up to 12 months battery life.* The centerpiece of innovation is the newly developed brushless motor. Previously known mainly from electric vehicles, this technology now brings its proven efficiency and durability to a Nuki Smart Lock for the first time. 'We founded Nuki a decade ago with one clear mission: to make everyday life more convenient through keyless access solutions while maintaining the highest possible standards of home security,' said Martin Pansy, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. 'At Nuki, we believe the safest data is the data you never have to share. That's why from day one, Nuki Smart Locks have been designed to work without requiring a mandatory user account. Your data stays with you and it is never stored on Nuki servers by default,' adds Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer Jürgen Pansy. "Our Nuki Smart Lock sets itself apart as 'The Smarter Lock' by providing U.S. customers with a smart access solution that can offer far more than pure functionality – it's about the interplay of technology, security, convenience, and design. We are thrilled to introduce our product to the American market," concludes Martin Pansy. Perfect for both homeowners and renters, the Nuki Smart Lock brings European precision and award-winning design to the American market – setting a new standard for smart home security. The Nuki Smart Lock is now available for purchase on Amazon: The Nuki Smart Lock and Keypad 2, which comes with access code and fingerprint options, is priced at $229. If you opt for just the lock ($159) to begin with, you can add various accessories like Nuki Keypad with code option ($89), Keypad 2 with code and fingerprint ($149) or the Door Sensor ($59), at any time. All prices MSRP. Products will be available in Nuki's own online shop later this fall. Nuki also launches their Nuki Premium subscription ($5.90 per month) that includes full remote access via the Nuki app including real-time activity alerts, a two-year immediate product replacement, special VIP perks including discounts and deals for product releases, and many more. Early birds who sign up until September 30th will receive free access to Nuki Premium for the entire product lifetime of their Nuki Smart Lock. Nuki Premium is of special interest for hosts who want to use the Nuki Smart Lock for renting their property as it offers and includes seamless hosting integrations with all major platforms like Airbnb, Smoobu or Lodgify. Nuki Premium can be activated optionally through the Nuki app to enjoy full control of the Smart Lock from anywhere in the world. To learn more about Nuki and the Smart Lock, as well as to sign up for all U.S. related updates, please visit About Nuki In 2015, the successful Kickstarter campaign laid the foundation for Nuki's success story. Since then, the company – founded by brothers Martin Pansy (CEO) and Jürgen Pansy (Chief Innovation Officer) in Graz – has grown steadily: Today, Nuki is Europe's leading provider of smart, retrofit access solutions. The company currently employs 150 people from 18 different nationalities at its headquarters in Graz. Nuki holds dual ISO certifications – ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 – attesting to its high international standards in quality and environmental management systems. In addition to its Europe-produced Smart Lock and a wide range of accessories and services, the Austrian company is committed to continuously developing smart access solutions for a completely keyless future. *The Nuki Smart Lock battery lasts up to 12 months when connected via Thread or Bluetooth; up to 6 months when using built-in Wi-Fi.
Android Authority
08-06-2025
- Android Authority
I'll never live in a house without a great smart lock, and Nuki is the greatest
Nuki Smart Lock Ultra Eight years ago, smart locks were all the rage in the smart home world, and I really wanted one, but I had huge concerns about privacy and security. After a million and one searches, I landed on Nuki, an Austrian brand that makes secure and audited locks specifically for European cylinders, which is precisely what I had on my door back in Lebanon. I decided to give it a go and was immediately blown away by how good it was. When I say that I've never tested a smart home product that was this good and this complete, I am not exaggerating. Every feature I thought about, every little setting or tweak I might've needed was there, and if it wasn't, it got added in the next update. What started as a 'let's test and see if we even trust and want this smart lock' discussion with my husband ended up becoming a four-year love affair with Nuki, which saved us from breaking our door once when we forgot our keys, got us out of a few pickles with handymen who didn't respect schedules, and constantly reminded us when we forgot to lock the door after walking away. In 2021, though, we left our home and our Nuki lock and moved to France. Our rental had a European lock, but the latch was so rigid and required shoving and pulling to fully open or close the door. It wasn't a job for Nuki — or any other smart lock for that matter — so we spent more than three years without one. You'd think that we'd have moved on by then, but no, every week or so, we'd have an instance of, 'If we had a Nuki we could…' Besides smart curtains, it was the smart home product we missed the most from our old apartment in Lebanon. I've never tested a smart home product that was this good and this complete. That was until we recently moved again to a new house with a door that's perfect for Nuki. By then, the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra (£309.99 at Manufacturer site) was already announced, and I couldn't wait to test it out. I've had it for several weeks now, and let me tell you: I'm never going back to a home without a smart lock. Here's why, and why the Nuki Ultra is by far the absolute best smart lock you can get if you live in the UK, EU, Middle East, or anywhere that uses European cylinders. (If you're in the US, it's coming there soon.) A good smart lock is more secure, not less secure Rita El Khoury / Android Authority In the mid-2010s, the words 'smart lock' caused dread in my heart. This is the door to my home, to my family, memories, belongings, and safety — ain't no way I'm trusting that to an unreliable gizmo! In a way, I still firmly believe that. You should not trust your home's door to a random gadget. But if you do your research, talk to your partner and family members, and decide what exactly you want and where you draw the line, then there are lots of benefits to having a smart lock, not the least of which being that it can actually be more secure than a traditional lock. How so? It's easier for a petty thief to learn how to pick a lock than how to hack a gadget. Besides being audited for security and breaches, the best smart locks out there aren't any more vulnerable than a regular lock. It is much easier for a thief to pick a lock than to learn how to hack a gadget, and if someone is hellbent on getting into your home, they will find a way to do it, smart lock or not. The safety issues of smart locks are big misconceptions, at least when it comes to the most trustworthy brands out there. Plus, smart locks provide extra security layers that a regular lock doesn't. My Nuki auto-locks five minutes after I unlock it, so my forgetful self never leaves the door unlocked, whether I'm at home or away. It warns me if I walk away from home and leave the door unlocked. It can make sure the door is aut0-locked every day at night. It notifies me each time anyone or anything opens the door, whether it's my husband, a manual button push, or an app integration, and provides detailed logs for every action. A regular lock can't do that. A smart lock can autolock after opening, lock at night, warn you if you leave your door unlocked, and save you from misplacing your keys. Best of all, though, my Nuki saves me from misplacing my keys. I still carry them with me all the time, because this lock allows entry with a regular key from the outside, but they stay in a safe pocket in my backpack. They're with me, should I need them, but I never misplace them. And finally, I don't have to share my physical key with people staying over and worry about them safekeeping it. I just issue a temporary code for them and then revoke it when they no longer need access. There are different Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Matter, Zigbee, and Z-Wave locks out there, with each protocol offering certain limitations and benefits. Nuki supports the first three and end-to-end encrypts the connection between the lock, phone, smartwatch, or web API. I've dismissed Matter for now (my experience with it on Tado was horrid); I'm only using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to control my lock, and I will enable MQTT soon to integrate it locally with my Home Assistant setup as part of my offline smart home. What I appreciate, though, is that if you want, you can stick to end-to-end encrypted Bluetooth and never even log in with an email address or anything. In this day and age, a company that doesn't ask you to create an account — what a novelty! A good smart lock gives you options and lets you decide Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Another misconception around smart locks is that you lose control over your door. You're giving away part of your power and letting an app and a gadget decide that for you. Once again, this is true, but there are nuances that good smart locks will provide. I don't trust a geofence to be 100% foolproof, so I never use auto-unlock. But I do use smart notifications with a manual button to unlock. The best example is auto-unlock. Most smart locks will auto-unlock when your phone is near the door, and while many of you might be OK with this, I am not. I know that geofencing on phones is not foolproof, and if there's a 1% or even 0.1% chance that my door will unlock when it shouldn't, I do not want that feature. With Nuki, I found the best middle ground. The app automatically surfaces a notification each time I'm near my door, but I have to manually tap on my Pixel Watch 3 or Pixel 9 Pro to unlock the door. It won't open by itself. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Third-party integrations are another example. Nuki has a Web API that lets me integrate the lock with other platforms, but it's locked behind two-step verification and requires a PIN each time I unlock it with my voice commands or the app on Google Home. If I decide I don't like this, though, all of it can be disabled. Nuki also lets me turn off Bluetooth pairing on the lock so that its Bluetooth signal isn't visible anymore. I can also disable Wi-Fi if I prefer to keep the lock usage local. There are dozens and dozens of options in the app to choose from, each with its own ramifications. The LED brightness, swipe actions, battery mode, Wi-Fi mode, unlock speed, unlatch duration, schedules, and on and on and on… It took me over an hour to go through them and talk with my husband, debating the pros and cons of each setting before we decided what we were comfortable allowing and what we didn't want. Swipes in the app are off for us, for example, because we're wary of accidental touches; auto-lock is on because we'd rather the door lock when we don't intend than it stay unlocked when we forget; and we receive notifications for every action to know what's happening with our door. Every option or setting I can think of is in the Nuki app. I would never trust my door to a company that doesn't give me this level of control. You'd be surprised how often I've researched a smart lock brand and saw that its app barely had a few settings. That's a red flag, if there's ever any. It's my door; no company should choose how or when it opens or locks. Beyond software, there are many hardware considerations you can make with a smart lock, too. You should decide whether you want one that mounts on the outside or inside of your door (Nuki is the latter, and I like that because I can still use my key from outside), and whether you want a keypad or some other fast way to unlock (UWB, fob, fingerprint, etc.) or not. I've only researched other smart locks and haven't installed any, so I can't speak for those, but I think the best locks don't force one way of doing things on you. They either offer multiple models or several accessories for the same model, so you can pick what works for you and evolve your setup if you need more options. The utter convenience of using the Nuki Ultra in my daily life Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Now that I've written more than a thousand words defending smart locks, I'll tell you a bit about how I use the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra in my everyday life and what it brings me. Unlike previous Nuki locks, which were installed over my existing lock and key, the Ultra comes with its own cylinder and keys. I had to replace my door's lock to install it, but it only took a few minutes. Thanks to this design change, though, the Ultra is much more compact and fits nicely over my door. The steel finish is sleek, and it comes with two color bands — white and black — to fit any door frame. I love how much faster, smaller, and quieter the Ultra is. It charges over USB-C, has integrated Wi-Fi, and turns my door faster than I could do it manually with a set of keys, even on the standard setting. The 'insane' speed mode is worthy of its name, too. It's still a bit louder than simply turning keys, but the noise difference is staggering with previous generation locks. All of these changes mean that I worry less about keeping a set of spare batteries charged up, the noise of locking at night, or having to stare for a few seconds at the lock while it slowly turns to free up my guests to leave. This helps the Ultra integrate better into my life, and I've found that most people understand that the middle circle is a button that can be pressed to unlock. With my older Nukis, I had to explain that to any guest. My in-laws are visiting us soon. Instead of giving them several sets of keys, which we don't have, I'll issue temporary access in Nuki for every one. For now, I haven't had to use my Nuki to let people in remotely, but my brother-in-law and his wife are soon coming over for 10 days, and I'm not worried about giving them a spare set of keys. I'll just issue temporary access for them so they'll be able to come and go as they please, even if they're not together. With a regular lock, I could only give them the one extra key we have. What I've mostly used Nuki for is to let myself in without having to fish my keys out of my backpack. Each time I'm near the door, the notification pops up on my phone and watch, and I unlock when I have clear visibility to ensure no random stranger is lurking nearby. When I'm in, I don't have to remember to lock because it'll do that automatically after five minutes (which is customizable). It's so satisfying to hear the door lock by itself each time I turn to walk away. I also love the lock-and-go function. I double-press the button when I'm about to leave home, and the door opens, waits twenty seconds (also customizable) to give me time to get out and close, then locks by itself. It's very satisfying to hear the door locking when I'm turning away, without me having to fiddle with any app or function. Plus, Nuki always updates me on when my husband gets home or leaves (and vice versa). It makes sure the door is locked at night. And it notifies us if something happens when we're away. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Perhaps, though, the best — and silliest? — benefit is that I can now go get the mail or meet the delivery person without leaving the door ajar. Our mailbox isn't near the door, so I used to leave the door open to avoid fiddling with keys and because I was often in a rush. But that meant letting cold air in the winter and insects in the summer. Now, I just close the door, go grab the mail or meet the delivery person, and know I have my phone to let me back in. It's not the sexiest benefit, but I do use it every day. This is the one product that I can't fault at anything. Design, build quality, features; it has it all. For all of these reasons and more, I don't want to go back to a home without a smart lock. For me, it's about the extra safety and peace of mind it brings, first and foremost, then the daily convenience, and finally some extra perks like automations or voice commands. If you live in the UK, EU, Middle East, or anywhere else where Nuki locks are compatible and you've been on the fence about getting one, I think you should give it a go. It's the only product I've ever reviewed that I can't fault at anything. I've already recommended it to two friends, and they love it. If you're in the US, Nuki is coming soon to the US, so keep your eyes peeled for that. Nuki Smart Lock Ultra Secure smart lock • Very customizable • Fast and not very noisy MSRP: £309.00 The Nuki Smart Lock Ultra is the fastest, most silent, and most customizable smart lock After eight years of making smart locks, the Smart Lock Ultra is the best one Nuki has made so far. It's very secure, routinely audited, small and super fast, rechargeable via USB-C, Wi-Fi-enabled, and full of customization options. It also integrates with Alexa, Google Home, Matter, SmartThings, and Home Assistant. See price at Manufacturer site Positives Security and routine audits Security and routine audits USB-C rechargeable USB-C rechargeable Compact size and sleek design Compact size and sleek design Less noisy than previous locks Less noisy than previous locks Many customization options Cons No UWB No UWB Keypad and door sensor cost extra
