We recently received the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra to review. Now, Mr Wonders is a huge tech geek, so has taken over reviewing this one! Here is what he has to say:
I present to you, one big beautiful solid hardwood door. Can you tell I’m very pleased with this specimen. Fitted with a multipoint lock, for security and also made with the thought of fitting a smart lock to.
It started off life with a standard handle and key operated lock. A couple of years ago, I replaced this with a Yale Connexis L1 lock. It worked great for a while, then Yale insisted I buy an add on module and Yale hub for it to carry on working. Ever since this, its battery life (4xAAs each time) could be measured in days (around 10) and there was an ever present threat of being locked out. It was also never quite as ‘Smart’ as I would have liked. It ended up irritating me greatly.
Hunting around for a replacement, I happened across the Nuki range. Founded and made in Europe since 2014.
Their locks are designed as a retrofit option to existing doors and locks. They currently have three main lock options, the Go, Ultra and Pro. I would recommend a look at their site for a full overview.
As always our cats get involved when anything new comes into the house! (Note – they are not actually allowed on the kitchen counters!!)
We decided to go for the Smart Lock Ultra with Keypad 2. Mainly because our old (pre-smart) lock had an old style cylinder which we knew wasn’t up to modern security standards and also wasn’t quite the right size for the door, no idea why! This product option includes the Nuki Lock Cylinder. Before commencing installation I removed the Yale, and reverted to our previous key lock and handle.
Opening the Nuki box revealed two further boxes. One for the lock itself and one for the replacement cylinder. A quick start guide presented a QR code, this directs you to your chosen App Store, in my case Google Play, to download the Nuki app.
Once the app is installed you very much have your hand held with very clear instructions on each step. Replacing your existing cylinder is the most involved part of the installation process. But you certainly don’t need to be a locksmith, so don’t be intimidated by this. You are instructed on removing the old and carefully measuring it with the included measuring card. This is followed by assembling the Nuki cylinder components to suit your door. Sounded complicated, but wasn’t. Just read and obey the steps, and yes, you can go back through the steps if you didn’t read them properly the first time!
Once assembled, the cylinder is installed and tested with a key. Yes, you get a key on the outside of the door. Great as an emergency spare or if someone in the family insists on using a key!
Assuming all is working, then the Nuki lock itself is attached to the inside by pushing into place and turn to lock it on.
This should be it as far as hardware installation is concerned. You are then guided through various further configuration steps in the app, WiFi connection, etc. We chose the option of an additional keypad and fingerprint reader. Positioned just next to the door. We mostly always have our phones, but it’s great to have the option of using a pin or fingerprint if you don’t or have drained your battery. This is installed again via clear in-app instructions. We chose to attach it with the included double sided tape, but you can also screw it into place if preferred.
If you have made it this far, you will be ready to play with your new toy. Sorry, ‘configure your new security device’. I love the fact it’s USB rechargeable, and has a decent length cable. I will probably just attach it to a battery pack when needed, I have high hopes that this won’t be too often. You can also detach the lock from your door to charge elsewhere if needed.
Early days in our usage and I am getting to know the app, but so far I am impressed. It’s smaller than I thought, don’t know why but it looked larger on previous photos I had seen. Our lock (as many) requires you to lift the handle before turning the key, and the same is still true before the Nuki can ‘turn the key’. We have set ours so one press of the button either locks or unlocks. Two presses, unlocks, then 20 seconds later it locks automatically. Great if you’re leaving the house.
The handle needs to be up to auto-lock but it will let you know if it isn’t in place.
Finally, this is how it looks when the door is locked.
Auto Unlock is a really cool feature that works well. Essentially, your door unlocks automatically when you return home. The app detects when you return within the geo fence around your home/lock. This is a 100m circle, detected via GPS. Don’t worry, it doesn’t unlock yet. Only when you are then also within Bluetooth range of your lock will it actually unlock it! This is amazing and so intuitive.
I have added Mrs Wonders by sending her an app generated invitation via FB Messenger. She says that this was very straightforward to set up. So now, she has the app too and can get back in her own house 🙂
I have also added two grumpy teenagers fingerprints and PIN numbers, and no, they aren’t 123456!
Your Nuki account can be easily linked with your smart speaker (we have Alexa). You can then ask Alexa to lock or unlock your door. There is a security feature where if you ask Alexa to unlock your door, she will ask your personal security code that you can set in the app.
The lock appears very speedy in use. You can choose faster action, if you really need it, or slower if you wish it to be a little quieter.
All in all, very pleased and impressed by this bit of smart kit!
We were sent the Nuki Ultra Lock to review. As always, all opinions are my own.
