Nuki presents a high -end version of its connected lock, more aesthetic, more compact and faster, without sacrificing its connection capacities. But however by forgetting certain essential aspects.
“We don’t change a winning team. But we can always improve it.” This is how we started our test of the 4th generation connected lock of Nuki (read our article). Suffice to say that we had a lot of hope by seeing the Smart Lock Ultra arrive, a new high -end version of Nuki.
Especially since the advantages of a connected lock such as those offered by Nuki are numerous. You can for example, naturally, lock and unlock your door with your smartphone or connected watch. We can even do it from a distance if we ever realize that we left a little quickly by slamming the door without locking it. And besides, to avoid this kind of stress, you can also program the lock so that it locks all by itself after a few minutes. And you can always, of course, open your door with your key. In the case of the Ultra Nuki that said, you will necessarily have to change the key to your home since this new motorized lock is delivered with its own barrel, which must be installed to be able to receive the Nuki Ultra.
On paper, the promises of this new connected lock are up to its superlative name. Nuki promises a faster product, more compact and even easier to integrate into a home automation environment thanks to the integration of Matter and Thread standards. We will see it, the promises are very widely held. But as in the world of smartphones manufacturers, who have long adopted the qualifier of Ultra for their high -end models, we sometimes wonder if the game is worth the candle. A lock that opens and closes faster? Yes, that’s good. But is it essential? A reduction in volume is more aesthetic, it’s true. But with what sacrifices? Here are some of the points we are talking about in this test after several weeks of use.
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Nuki Smart Lock Ultra: a compact design but a frustrating recharge
The first contact with the Smart Lock Ultra is very positive. Its compact and minimalist design, with a stainless steel body, gives it a premium pace, less utilitarian than the smart lock pro 4 which is almost “balourd” next to its battery or battery compartment located under the engine. This therefore means that the battery is completely integrated into the engine block of the Ultra Nuki. And this is the first weak point in our view of this new lock. The battery being integrated, it is therefore no longer removable, just like the vast majority of smartphones today. Of course, where the autonomy of smartphones is counted in days, that of the Nuki Ultra is counted in weeks, or even in months, according to the manufacturer. But that also means that over the years, the autonomy will decrease since a battery always wears out over time. And, it seems, it will therefore not be possible to change the battery without changing the engine block completely.
When the need for load is felt, one of the major drawbacks of this design is faced. If you have an electrical outlet near the door, then you can connect a charger (not supplied) and connect the lock there without dismantling the door via the cable provided to it. But it is not a standard USB-C cable: always for compactness reasons, Nuki preferred to opt for a magnetic attachment, which therefore remains on the surface of the lock. We understand the interest in space gain inside, but in these times of standardization of the USB-C socket almost everywhere, the choice is surprising to say the least. Better not to lose this precious cable!
You can also choose to detach the engine engine block, which is quite simple, and then connect it to its charger always via the same magnetic cable. But we then come up against another problem with this very compact design. First of all, there is a small plastic room, this small yellow toothed wheel that we see in the photo, which is not fixed to the engine block, which can fall and which can therefore be easily lost . Not to mention that the choice of plastic for this room, it seems essential to the training of the lock, seems questionable to us. In addition, the cylinder that must be used with the Ultra Nuki only allows you to use a key from the outside. As we can see in the photo, the inner part offers only a small metal tab in which the small yellow plastic gear wheel settles. And this tab is not at all practical to run by hand. In other words, when the lock is in charge, the locking and the door of the door is not very simple from the inside. It will therefore be necessary to remember to recharge the lock during the night for example.
Nuki Smart Lock Ultra: a complex montage
Unlike the Nuki Smart Lock Pro 4 of our previous test which could, under certain conditions, adapt to the cylinder already installed on its door, the Ultra Nuki can only work with the cylinder delivered in the box. Again, this is one of the compromises chosen by Nuki to make her new lock as compact as possible. And it is better to say it right away, you have to prepare for a little bit of DIY, especially since the installation seemed much more complex than expected.
We therefore start by uninstalling the cylinder already present on his door. It is the simplest operation since it is enough to open the door, to find the long transverse screw which keeps the lock in its accommodation and then to drag the latter to remove it. But it is at this stage that everything is complicated. Because the cylinder delivered with the Ultra Nuki may be universal, you still have to adapt its length to the thickness of its door. And as we see in the photo, we find ourselves facing a real puzzle. Especially since despite our research, both in the app and on the web, we did not find a really complete and detailed guide to help the installation. Several trials were therefore necessary. We will gladly admit that we are not the most gifted with DIY enthusiasts but all the same.
Once the cylinder in place, you must still screw the engine block support on the barrel, just below the swivel part, finding the screw of the right length, insert the toothed wheel in yellow plastic evoked above on the Metal tongue and you can finally clip the Ultra Nuki. Once the operation is completed, the whole gives a good impression of solidity and we appreciate in particular the good quality of the cylinder supplied. Do not forget to distribute the new keys to all family members: beware there are only three provided in the box.
Nuki Smart Lock Ultra: an app always as pleasant and complete
Like all other models of the brand La Nuki Smart Lock Ultra is then controlled by the application to be installed on your smartphone, iPhone or Android. Nothing to say from this point of view, the Nuki application is a model of ergonomics allowing to easily access the very many functions. Nuki even pushed refinement by allowing to easily transfer all the settings of a Nuki lock previously installed towards the news if, therefore, you are a faithful of the brand. In our case, we have therefore replaced the Smart Lock Pro with the Smart Lock Ultra. And the transfer went perfectly. All parameters have been transferred from one lock to another, including other users (home members and guests) and the use of accessories such as the door opening detector and the outdoor digital keyboard with ‘A fingerprint sensor. We did not even need to re-record the fingerprints in question. Everything has been transparent.
Naturally, the application then gives access to the additional functions of the Nuki Ultra, and in particular the choice of the locking-shift speed. We have the choice between Gentle,, Standard And Insane. Oddly, the words were not translated into French. The standard mode corresponds to the only mode which was available on the smart lock pro 4. As we can see on screenshot, the other two modes allow you to go more slowly or faster, choice that has an impact on both autonomy only on noise. The sound level is also one of the greatest disappointments in our test. We found the noise of the engine particularly unpleasant without seeing major changes in its level, whatever the speed chosen. The video below allows you to get an idea, compared to the noise of the Smart Lock Pro 4 (on the left).
Nuki Smart Lock Ultra: Domotic integration at the cutting edge
High-end obliges, the Nuki Ultra embeds all the possible standards of home automation and all types of connections: Thread, Matter, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Nuki Ultra therefore easily integrates with Apple Home, Google Home or even Alexa (Amazon home automation), without needing any intermediate bridge. The application also shows in a very clear way in which ways the lock is connected. In the capture below, we see for example that Wi-Fi is not activated because the lock does not need it: it found near the compatible matters and thread relays. To fully understand, we must remember the difference and complementarity between Matter and Thread. Matt is language that allows objects to talk to each other, while Thread takes care of the transport of messages between devices. Thread therefore plays the same role as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, since it is a wireless network. But Thread is entirely designed for connected objects which allows it for example to consume less energy than Wi-Fi while being faster than Bluetooth. Each Thread compatible device can also play the relay role, ensuring good transmission throughout the house even for devices that would be far from the Wi-Fi box therefore. And as Thread devices therefore do not need Wi-Fi, this avoids cluttering its main network by ensuring an optimal internet connection for house computers.
Nuki Smart Lock Ultra: an expensive, innovative and frustrating product
At 349 euros, the Smart Lock Ultra is clearly positioned as a high -end model. However, at this price, we would have liked to see a USB-C recharge, a removable battery or even an improvement in engine noise. In comparison with the Nuki Smart Lock 4th generation, which already offers a very complete experience for a more accessible rate, the ultra version struggles to justify the price difference. For those looking for an ultra-complete connected lock and are not frightened by its high price, the Smart Lock Ultra is a good choice, especially if you are looking for a connected lock that is both more aesthetic and discreet ( Visually) whether its competitors or other models in the Nuki range. But if you are looking for the best value for money, the Nuki Smart Lock 4th generation remains more interesting.