Nuki’s Sensible Lock is a greater retrofit door lock

The Nuki Smart Lock ($159) is probably the most superior retrofit sensible lock I’ve examined. It contains a smooth, compact design that appears and works like a daily doorknob, nevertheless it’s way more than a doorknob. It might probably routinely unlock as you method, lock behind you, unlock utilizing a keypad or your fingerprint, and be managed from wherever. It additionally helps each sensible house platform via Matter, and you’ll nonetheless use your current key — should you’re old-school like that.

I like the button built-in into the stainless-steel design that locks and unlocks with a single press — no want to show the knob. And the Nuki is shockingly quick: faster than manually turning the lock and simply twice as quick as every other sensible lock I’ve examined, locking in beneath a second.

Thrilling new retrofit locks have been few and much between because the fourth-generation August Wifi Sensible Lock launched over 5 years in the past. Whereas that lock has held up as a superb choice for a wise lock that doesn’t require changing your current deadbolt, the Nuki is a better option.

It’s quicker, smaller, and smarter than the August, plus it really works with Matter over Thread and guarantees as much as a yr of battery life. That’s considerably greater than the 2 to 3 months I obtained with August.

The European-made lock additionally arrives with a formidable concentrate on privateness and a aggressive worth. However a subscription for some options in its app and an attention-grabbing method to charging the lock might be dealbreakers.

I like attempting out all of the cool new tech sensible locks are leaning into – from palm scanners to facial recognition and built-in cameras, however I get that most individuals simply need their sensible lock to appear to be a daily lock. Sadly, design is simply too typically an afterthought for lock producers. Most sensible locks are massive, black, and ponderous, and both plasticky or very costly. The Austrian-designed Nuki strikes a candy spot: a minimalist type with a premium appear and feel, all for beneath $160.

The Nuki Sensible Lock is its first designed for the US, however the firm has been making locks for over a decade and is on its fifth technology in Europe. The lock’s small dimension stems from a intelligent design that has advanced over time to be constructed solely round a brand new brushless motor. It’s primarily a motor with a lithium-polymer battery connected.

The battery is built-in and non-removable, which helps with the compact design and seamless look. It costs by way of a proprietary 6-foot USB-C/Magsafe-style cable. The thought is you possibly can cost it with out eradicating the lock, and if somebody opens the door whereas it’s linked, the cable pops off safely.

However I didn’t have an outlet wherever shut sufficient to the door to do this, and I’m possible not alone. Eradicating the lock for charging is straightforward, however then you possibly can’t open your door for the 2 hours it takes to cost. Not splendid. The cable is sort of comically lengthy, however in all probability must be longer. Moreover, a non-removable battery raises considerations about longevity. Nuki claims the battery ought to final 10 years, and says a alternative plan can be provided.

Set up was easy. After charging the lock, I eliminated the thumbturn from my Schlage deadbolt and changed it with the Nuki backplate, then snapped the lock into place.

The remainder of the setup is by way of Nuki’s app, which requires you to create a safety code somewhat than signing up for an account. This implies you don’t have to offer Nuki with any details about your self to make use of the system, a uncommon characteristic for a wise lock.

One quirk, nonetheless, is that the safety code characteristic made navigating the app somewhat gradual, because it checks the code once more each time you enter a extra “delicate” part of the app.

You’ll be able to select to make use of the lock regionally over Bluetooth with Nuki’s app, or connect with Wi-Fi, Matter over Thread, or each for management away from house and integration with sensible house platforms. If each are enabled, Nuki says the lock prioritizes Thread to preserve battery life.

Nuki’s app is among the most fully-featured I’ve examined, providing a number of settings and customization choices. Together with normal options like assigning visitor entry, enabling auto-lock and auto-unlock, I might set schedules, which many locks solely permit via a wise house platform.

There are additionally another neat options, similar to Evening Mode, which locks the door at a set time, disables auto-unlock, and allows auto-lock. I additionally like the choice to set swipe gestures within the app for fast management when approaching the door.

Connecting to Wi-Fi gives entry to Google House, Alexa, and MQTT (for connecting to House Assistant). There’s additionally the choice to enroll in a Nuki cloud account. This isn’t required to make use of the lock or the app, and comes with a steep $5.90 month-to-month subscription price.

The subscription provides cloud-based options, similar to distant management from the Nuki app and notifications, together with a tap-to-unlock immediate if you method the door, in addition to one which alerts you if the door is unlocked if you go away. It additionally allows integrations with Airbnb and different rental platforms, in addition to web-based controls for the lock.

In case you don’t subscribe, you possibly can solely use the Nuki app regionally over Bluetooth, and also you gained’t get notifications from it. Nuki is providing all new clients free entry for the lifetime of the lock in the event that they enroll earlier than September thirtieth.

Except you actually need these extras, go for the Matter-over-Thread connection. This permits out-of-home management and notifications via any Matter-compatible sensible house platform (I used Apple House).

Thread connectivity is free and improves battery life (as much as a yr versus 6 months on Wi-Fi). However keep in mind, you will have a Matter hub and a Thread border router.

With the Nuki, you don’t have to decide on between the producer’s app management and your Matter app of alternative. I might management the lock within the Nuki app and use its extra superior options, together with hands-free auto-unlock, whereas additionally having primary management in Apple House.

This is a matter with Matter on the whole, the place the usual doesn’t help a number of the extra superior options of sensible gadgets, similar to auto-unlock. Some producers, such because the Kwikset Halo Choose lock I just lately examined, require you to decide on one or the opposite.

Exterior of the app, you should utilize the Nuki Keypad 2, included in a bundle with the lock for $229. It’s designed to be mounted exterior your door utilizing 3M tape or screws. It helps each PIN codes and fingerprints. The fingerprint reader labored nicely, although its small floor generally required repositioning my finger a few instances.

I appreciated the keypad’s tactile rubbery buttons and devoted key for locking, nevertheless it lacks a zero button. This momentarily confounded me since all my go-to codes require a zero. There’s additionally no backlight, making nighttime use difficult with no porch mild.

Nuki sells a door sensor to detect open/closed standing, however in contrast to most locks, it doesn’t include the sensor; you need to purchase it individually for a whopping $59.

I examined the lock over Bluetooth, Thread, and Wi-Fi, and in all circumstances, it was tremendous responsive, executing instructions immediately. As talked about, the motor is amazingly quick, as you possibly can see within the video. However this implies it’s loud, though fortunately just for a second. The LED ring on the knob confirmed me at a look whether or not the door was locked or unlocked (and may be turned off).

Disappointingly, there’s no help for Apple’s House Key or ultra-wideband unlocking (UWB), a brand new tech coming to sensible locks to boost the auto-unlocking characteristic. Nuki says it is going to launch a keypad later this yr with UWB and NFC that can be appropriate with the brand new Aliro normal, which ought to prolong Apple’s tap-to-unlock House Key options to Android telephones.

Whereas innovation in full alternative locks has moved quick, retrofit locks have largely lagged behind — as famous, August was the final nice choice, and we haven’t seen a brand new mannequin since 2020. It’s unlikely we ever will. August is now a part of Yale, and the Yale Method seems to be August’s successor.

Whereas the Method is a advantageous lock, it lacks August’s aptitude. At $99, it’s cheaper than Nuki, so is perhaps extra interesting to renters, nevertheless it doesn’t help Matter and has a bigger footprint, each for the lock and the keypad.

The Nuki is a unbelievable lock that I might suggest to anybody who desires a wise lock that doesn’t appear to be a wise lock, doesn’t require changing your current deadbolt, and allows you to hold utilizing your present key — particularly should you use it with Matter.

It’s a greater choice than August, due to longer battery life and broader sensible house help. Simply you’ll want to have the Matter infrastructure in place to help it, or buy the lock earlier than the tip of September to obtain lifetime Nuki cloud entry.

As a startup with out a big company behind it, Nuki is wise to look to safe its future with the continuing income of a subscription. However $6 a month is simply too excessive a worth to pay for the privilege of unlocking your entrance door.

Images and video by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge