Nuki hits hard with its Smart Lock Ultra: a high-performance, compact and secure connected lock. Despite a more technical installation, it offers reliable local or remote control, solid autonomy and European manufacturing. The price is high, but justified: €349 all inclusive.
A pioneer in the field of connected locks, Nuki has just released a new model. And he did well: his Smart Lock Ultra is a success in all areas, and the Austrian company has erased all the faults that I criticized in previous versions. The price is substantial, but average for quality models: €349, but everything is included (lock, secure barrel with 3 keys, Wi-Fi to connect it to the internet).
Nuki changes his concept, and he is 1,000 times right
There are two types of connected locks. The first is quite archaic but simpler to install: you attach a device with a small “clamp” to the key on the inside of the door, then a motor turns the key. You can therefore keep your barrel and your keys, but the energy efficiency is less, while the bulk is greater (it is much less discreet). Yale continues on this path (see my test of the Linus 2), Nuki therefore did well to move on to the second option, that of the specific barrel with a lug turned by the lock. The installation is more complex, because you have to change the barrel, but you end up with a kind of large round door handle containing a motor which opens/closes the door with better efficiency. In my opinion, we are a winner all round.
A rather easy installation
Le kit Smart Lock Ultra (349€) from Nuki therefore includes the round lock and a barrel, the latter incorporating everything needed to adapt to the thickness of your door. In the case of my test, it was an old wooden front door, the cylinder was only 60mm: I therefore had to remove the pre-installed extensions and reattach everything correctly. A somewhat delicate operation, even if the application guides you quite clearly, step by step, throughout the installation. You receive three secure keys to open from the outside if you don’t want to use your smartphone.
You must attach a round plate to the inner end of this customized barrel, a sort of rosette on which you will clip the lock. A few minutes of settings to calibrate it and connect it – if you wish to control it remotely – to your Wi-Fi network (you no longer have to go through a bridge, which is a very positive point), and you are finely equipped to control the opening and closing of your home.
Remote stability and accessibility
In the past, I have criticized Nuki for a lack of responsiveness and stability of its application. Things have changed: Nuki (on iOS at least) turns out to be reliable. When you launch it, it displays the status of your lock after 1 or 2 secondswhich is very reasonable. By pressing in the center, the open/close option is offered, which must be confirmed via a pop-up to avoid false manipulations. The lock-handle then turns “on itself”: it is effectively connected directly to the center of the barrel. Nuki used a small brushless motor, a technology from electric cars, which improves efficiency (less energy required). The lock turns out to be quite loud (more so than the Tedee I’ve used for years), and it can turn very quickly if you want – which will increase the volume even more.
Effective at home (therefore directly connected via Bluetooth), the Nuki Ultra can also order from the other side of the planetsince it is connected to your Wi-Fi network (which is not an obligation). But it’s less stable: during my first test, I had to wait around twenty seconds before seeing the mention “offline”; and another 20 seconds for it to finally appear online and be controllable. You might therefore have some remote scares, and the best solution is to be patient and check the connection status in the settings. Other types of control are possible, as the lock is compatible with other open home automation protocols, such as Matter hubs (via Threads) that you might have in your home.
on lifetime necessarily depends on your use. According to Nuki, with standard opening/closing use, you are comfortable: 7-9 months without remote access (Bluetooth), 5-7 months with access via Thread, 4-6 months with access to distance via Wi-Fi. Please note that it takes two hours to fully charge the lock’s built-in battery, which should be done exclusively with the cable provided at the magnetic end (if you don’t have a socket nearby, it is quite easy to unclip the lock with a small, very discreet button).
The best connected lock?
By opting for a compact and efficient format, by integrating remote connectivity and a good battery, Nuki has just replaced Tedee in my (non-exhaustive) ranking of the best connected locks available in Belgium. The installation is admittedly a little more laborious than previous versions that twisted your key, but it’s worth it. The Smart Lock Ultra works well when you’re nearby and, although there may be a bit of a wait when trying to access it remotely via Wi-Fi, it can be controlled from anywhere in the world, which can be useful in opening your home to an acquaintance, a contractor, etc. The price of 349€ is justified, because it is “all-inclusive” (lock, barrel, key… and no subscription necessary). The icing on the cake: Nuki is an Austrian company that manufactures the lock in a Romanian factory, a fairly rare European configuration in the field of electronics.
Nuki connected lock smart lock Mathieu’s tests
