Test Nuki Smart Lock Ultra: the smaller, faster, more powerful connected lock!

I've been a Nuki fan since the very beginning, and have had every generation in my hands. So when I heard that Nuki was releasing a new “revolutionary” version, I was pretty excited! I was lucky enough to be able to test this new Nuki Smart Lock Ultra as a preview, and I have to admit that the manufacturer has achieved a few feats here. First and foremost, of course, is its extremely reduced size compared to previous models. While previous generations all used the same form factor, this time Nuki has shaken things up. But let's discover it without further ado…

Unpacking the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra

The packaging sets the tone right from the start: no more rectangular blocks, the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra is cylindrical! But it also comes with a universal cylinder.

Inside we find a box for the lock, and another for the cylinder:

As soon as you open the box, you know you're dealing with something serious. The Nuki Smart Lock Ultra is presented in a jewel box worthy of a jeweler, and for good reason: it's a veritable technological jewel before our eyes. The stainless steel body immediately catches the eye, reflecting the light as if to taunt us: “So, impressed?”

And how could we not be? This new iteration of Nuki's famous connected lock is not only smaller than its predecessors, it also boasts a resolutely modern design. With its sleek lines and futuristic look, the Smart Lock Ultra leaves no one indifferent.

To compare with the previous version: it's as if Nuki had kept only the central button. The miniaturization is quite impressive!

Apart from the lock, all that's included is a mounting plate and a charging cable.

You'll need to keep this cable in a safe place when not in use, as it's a magnetic cable for recharging the lock. Gone is the Usb-C port.

The lock simply comes with a round plate for attachment to the door cylinder.

But make no mistake, it's not just a question of appearance. The Smart Lock Ultra hides some pretty impressive innovations under its hood. The highlight? An all-new brushless motor, a technology usually found in electric vehicles, for a more powerful and quieter lock.

Also included in the box are two interchangeable base rings, one black and one white, to suit all door styles. A discreet but welcome detail.

As mentioned above, this lock comes with the manufacturer's new premium universal cylinder. Well, from M&C to be precise, a long-established Swiss manufacturer in the field.

A complete package that smacks of innovation.

The contents are quite substantial: you'll find the cylinder, along with 3 high-security keys, their identification cards, and a whole host of adapters. An impressive content, but don't worry, the Nuki assistant will be there to guide us step by step.

The advantage of this cylinder is that it can be adapted to any door, as it is highly modular:

As you can see, this cylinder is marked SKG 3 stars: this indicates that it offers optimum resistance against burglary. SKG *** products must be able to stop a burglar equipped with heavy tools for at least five minutes. Nuki has not skimped on security, and we'd expect nothing less!

Let's move on to the installation of this Nuki Smart Lock Ultra!

Installing the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra

The packaging may look impressive, but don't worry: the entire installation is guided step by step, and even if you've never changed a lock cylinder before, it'll be a breeze in less than 10 minutes.

You'll need to start by installing the Nuki mobile app, available on both Android and iOS. If this is your first use, you'll need to create an account, then request to add a new lock.

Press the central button for 5 seconds to wake up the lock and put it into pairing mode, and within seconds it's detected by the app.

The assistant then asks if you'd like help installing the lock. If this is your first time, we highly recommend it! The assistant begins by listing all the contents required for installation.

The first step is to measure the cylinder protrusion inside and out, then transfer the values to the application.

For this purpose, the manufacturer has included a small cardboard ruler for easy measurement:

The next step is to dismantle the cylinder already in place on the door. Here again, the assistant explains everything in detail:

All you need is a screwdriver to unscrew the cylinder screw on the edge of the door.

Then insert the cylinder key into the screw, and turn it slightly until the cylinder emerges smoothly from its hole:

Now it's time to measure it. Cylinders are identified by their inside and outside dimensions. There are many different combinations of cylinders. That's why we've come up with a universal cylinder that will make our lives a whole lot easier.

Once again, all you have to do is measure the cylinder with the small cardboard ruler, aligning yourself with the hole in the cylinder and on the card:

Here we can see that my cylinder measures 40mm on the inside, and 30mm on the outside. We transfer the values to the application. It then tells us which parts to remove or add to the universal cylinder, each part being numbered:

This is done simply by removing the screw at the end of the cylinder, and adding or removing the necessary parts. Well, I'm in an “easy” situation here. My cylinder is relatively standard, so I only need to remove 3 parts to get the right size.

The next step is to attach the round plate to the end of the cylinder. Here again, the assistant tells us which screw to use, which is longer or shorter depending on the cylinder's configuration.

Our cylinder is now ready, and perfectly sized:

All that's left to do is insert the cylinder into the door to replace the old one, remembering to replace the screw on the side of the door to hold it in place.

Insert the key and check that it turns correctly. Occasionally, this may not be the case, if the cylinder is not fitted correctly or if the screw is too tight.

If everything's working properly, all that's left to do is place the little yellow washer and fix the Nuki lock to the cylinder.

And that's it: our connected lock is in place!

All that's left is a few small steps in the application, which will involve updating the lock and renaming it for easier identification.

We can also indicate its geographical position, which will be used to manage the lock's status if you're away or when you arrive home.

The wizard then asks us to validate our handle type. This will be necessary to calibrate the lock.

We close the door (without locking it), then the lock performs a few rotations to determine the power required for closing, as well as the number of turns. And that's it!

The lock is now fully operational. It can be controlled from the app, or locally, either by pressing its central button, or by turning it manually.

Everything is possible! Of course, from the outside, you can open or close it with the key supplied, if you wish. But between you and me, once you've got used to using the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra, you'll never need a key again.

If you wish, you can continue with the other configuration steps, including activating Wifi, which allows you to control the lock even from a distance. Users reluctant to expose their lock to the Internet can simply maintain a local Bluetooth connection. But remote control comes in handy if, for example, you've forgotten to lock your door or need to open it for someone who hasn't arrived home yet.

You can also activate Matter connectivity to integrate it into a compatible home automation system, or add it to your favorite voice assistant (Google, Amazon or Apple).

In short, it's very complete!

And let's not forget the ability to migrate settings from an older model: if you replace a Nuki lock with this new model, all settings (users, operation, etc.) can be taken over automatically.

Nuki Smart Lock Ultra: in use

If you've already used a previous version, you won't feel out of place: the operation of this connected lock is identical. The lock can be operated manually or via the app. But a host of other parameters are available to make life a little easier.

One function I particularly like is the time programming. For example, you can set the lock to automatically lock at 10pm every day, to make sure you don't forget.

A night mode can even be set to automatically relock the lock. For example, after 10pm I need to go out to get something I've forgotten in the car. I unlock the lock, go out to retrieve the forgotten object, and come back in. If I don't re-lock it myself, the Nuki lock will do it by itself 15min later.

Similarly, the Auto Lock function can automatically lock the door after going out, whatever the time of day.

The geolocation function is also very practical: it unlocks the door as you approach it. Arriving with your arms full of shopping? No need to juggle your groceries while inserting the key, the door is already unlocked.

Of course, this lock manages access rights. You can create different users, and even give temporary access, whether for the cleaning lady or an AirBnB rental, with whom Nuki has a partnership.

Personally, I particularly like using the KeyPad 2, which features fingerprint recognition. No need for keys, or even a code to remember, just place your finger on it to be identified and unlocked. I've been using it for over a year now with the old version, and it's been adopted by the whole family! And of course this “accessory” is compatible with the new Ultra version (like the rest of the accessories).

In short, you'll find all the features that have made Nuki such a success, including its easy integration into numerous third-party systems, such as Apple Homekit, Home Assistant, Jeedom, etc. Between APIs, Matter, MQTT, etc., there's plenty to choose from to connect this lock to your home automation system.

But while all this might lead you to believe that it's just a change of design, since the functionalities are identical, this isn't quite true. Thanks to the use of its brushless motor, the Ultra is equipped with three operating modes of its own.

Let's start with the “Insane” mode. No, it's not a joke, it's really its name! And it lives up to its name, believe me. This mode locks or unlocks your door in less than 1.5 seconds. It's so fast you could almost believe it was magic. I've timed it several times in disbelief, and the result is always the same: a reaction time worthy of the best Olympic sprinters.

For those who prefer a slightly less frenetic pace, the “Standard” mode offers lock/unlock in 2 seconds. That's already 2.6 times faster than previous Nuki models. Suffice it to say that even in “normal” mode, this lock will impress you.

Finally, for those who prefer discretion, the “Gentle” mode reduces noise while maintaining a speed 1.5 times faster than previous versions. It's the perfect option for not waking up the whole household when you come home late from a party. In fact, it's the mode I use on a daily basis, since it's already faster than my old model, while enjoying greater discretion.

Everyday use of the Smart Lock Ultra is a real pleasure. Whether you choose to use it via the app on your smartphone, by voice command, or even with a good old PIN code, the experience is always fluid and intuitive.

Reliability is also a given. After several weeks of intensive use, I haven't encountered any connection or operating problems. The lock responds promptly (so to speak) to every request, whether via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

One point worth highlighting is the battery life. Despite its impressive performance, the Smart Lock Ultra doesn't seem to be a big energy guzzler. After 3 weeks of daily use, the battery indicator dropped by just a few percent. The manufacturer claims an autonomy of 6 months, reduced to around 3 months if other connection modes (Wifi, Matter, etc.) are activated. This will have to be verified over time, as I don't yet have enough experience on this subject. But don't worry about autonomy: on the one hand, the lock remains perfectly operational via its key; on the other, you're warned well in advance of the need to recharge, via notifications in the app, as well as by a red circle on the lock. Recharging is also very simple, thanks to the magnetic cable. You can either dismantle the lock to charge it, which takes just a few seconds, or play lazy like me by leaving it in place and plugging it into an external battery like we use for our smartphones :) A full recharge takes just 2 hours.

I was also impressed by the build quality. The stainless steel body isn't just for show: it gives the whole thing a reassuring solidity. You get the feeling that this lock is built to last, which is good news when you invest in a product of this quality. After all, this is a piece of equipment that secures our front door! But even on this point, we have the best possible guarantees: the Nuki lock is not accessible from the outside. On the outside, it's the ultra-secure cylinder, manufactured and certified by a recognized manufacturer, that takes care of security. So there's nothing more to worry about than with a non-connected lock.

Finally, I can't talk about the benefits of Smart Lock Ultra without mentioning the peace of mind it brings. Gone are the anxieties of “Did I lock the door properly?”. One look at the Nuki app and you're set. And if you forget, you can lock the door remotely. Using the keypad allows children to be autonomous when they come home from school. Not only is there no risk of them losing the key, but I know when they come home, since everyone is identified by their code or fingerprint.

Of course, no product is perfect, and the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra is no exception. If I really had to look for the smallest bugbear, I'd say that the point that bugged me at first was the fact that I had to replace my door cylinder. Not that it's complicated. It's an operation I'm used to, and as we've seen, the assistant guides us perfectly through the whole process. But I had replaced all my cylinders a few years ago with high-security models, which had the advantage of all using the same key. This is very practical. Here I find myself with a different key for the front door. But in the end, I've got so used to using a key for my front door that it's made absolutely no difference to the way I use it, the key just being put away somewhere just in case.

Conclusion

In the end, does the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra live up to its promise? A resounding YES! This connected lock achieves the tour de force of being ultra-high-performance, elegant and easy to use. It's a bit like combining the reliability of a Swiss safe with the speed of a cheetah and the design of an Apple product.

If you're a home automation enthusiast, or simply someone looking to simplify your daily life, the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra really deserves your attention. It represents the very best that technology has to offer: a solution that tangibly improves our quality of life without being complicated to use.

Of course, as with any connected product, you need to be aware of security issues. But Nuki has a proven track record in this area, and the Smart Lock Ultra is no exception, with its robust security protocols.

In conclusion, I'd say that the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra isn't just a connected lock, it's an open door (no pun intended) to simpler, safer everyday life. It's the perfect embodiment of the promise of the smart home: to free us from the small constraints of everyday life, so that we can concentrate on what really matters.

So, are you ready to take the plunge and say goodbye to your old keys? The Nuki Smart Lock Ultra will go on sale in December for €349 (cylinder included). And believe me, once you've tasted this level of comfort and technology, you won't be able to do without it.