Verdict on the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra
The Nuki Smart Lock Ultra is a premium 5th generation door lock that impresses with its compact design, the included universal cylinder and seamless integration into smart home systems such as Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa via Matter and Thread.
Nevertheless, there are some significant weaknesses: the new brush motor is quieter than its predecessor, but still reaches 63 dB(A) in gentle mode and up to 72 dB(A) in faster modes, which can be disturbing at night. The battery life of around five months with intensive use is solid, but the permanently installed battery cannot be replaced by the user, forcing them to contact the manufacturer in the event of a defect.
The app offers extensive options such as 200 user authorisations, auto-unlock and logs; occasional reliability issues with the snapper retraction or missing push notifications after keypad failure attempts reduce the feeling of security. At $350 plus an optional keypad ($159), the price is in the upper segment. For technically ambitious households, the purchase is definitely worthwhile and can be a real asset in everyday life.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The Nuki Smart Lock can be purchased directly from the Nuki online shop, but is also available on Amazon.
Table of Contents
- Verdict on the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra
- Specifications: Nuki Smart Lock Ultra
- Body and features – Smart Lock Ultra comes with Matter support
- Installation and operation - Extensive configuration of the Nuki Smart Lock possible
- Everyday use and battery life – Nuki Smart Lock is smart and reliable
- Optional with Nuki Keypad 2
The Smart Lock Ultra is Nuki's premium version of its 5th generation electronic door lock. At $350, it is not exactly cheap, but it does come with a universal cylinder so that it can be installed on any door. The product is developed in Austria and manufactured within the EU.
The new door lock is said to be superior to its predecessors in every respect: it is more compact, faster, more secure, quieter and can be easily integrated into your smart home. We put it to the test.
Specifications: Nuki Smart Lock Ultra
| Power supply | Lithium polymer battery (9.7 Wh, 11.1 V, 870 mAh) |
| Weight | 250 g |
| Dimensions | 57 mm diameter, 58 mm depth |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4 LEWLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)Thread IEEE 802.15.4 (2.4 GHz) |
| Operating temperature | 10 - 40 °C |
| Scope of delivery | Smart Lock Ultra, 2 base rings, 1 universal lock cylinder, mounting plate, Allen key, charging cable (2 m) |
| Available since | 12.11.2024 |
| Firmware version | 5.6.9 |
| RRP | $350 |
Body and features – Smart Lock Ultra comes with Matter support
The Nuki Smart Lock Ultra is made of plastic and stainless steel. It gives a solid and visually appealing impression. The base ring is available in white and black. Unlike the Pro version, there is no need to leave a key in the lock, as a modular universal locking cylinder is included, which can be assembled to fit the door (inside: 30–67.5 mm, outside: 30–55 mm).
The smart door lock is controlled via Bluetooth at close range, but can also be integrated into your own smart home via Wi-Fi or Thread with Matter. This means that the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra also works with Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and Amazon Alexa.
Installation and operation - Extensive configuration of the Nuki Smart Lock possible
The Nuki app guides users step by step through the installation process. Although this takes a while, it is explained in a way that is easy to understand, even for laypeople, and is illustrated clearly. The modular system of the lock cylinder is a little fiddly, but this does not detract from its overall high-quality impression. It also has a 3-star SKG certification, meaning it is considered particularly secure and can withstand attempted break-ins with heavy tools for at least five minutes. Three matching keys are also included.
There is a plastic gear wheel between the base plate and the Smart Lock, which can break on older models. If this happens, Nuki will replace it free of charge. Smart Locks delivered since October 2025 are not affected by this.
The Nuki Smart Lock Ultra can be controlled via the app, which is available in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery. If you use a smartwatch with Apple Watch OS or Google Wear OS, you can also install an app there and use the watch to control the lock. Older Huawei watches also work, and numerous Garmin watches offer a compatible app, but the apps for Huawei and Garmin do not work independently and still require a smartphone to control the lock. Optionally, a Nuki Keypad (see below) or one of the keys can also be used to open or close the lock.
The Smart Lock Ultra can manage up to 200 individual authorisations or users, whose access can be individually configured and also limited in time. The app also offers logs, time control, auto unlock and Lock'n'Go.
Everyday use and battery life – Nuki Smart Lock is smart and reliable
The Nuki Smart Lock Ultra has a new brush motor that is supposed to be particularly quiet. Compared to its predecessor, this is true, but especially at night, when everything is quiet, the lock can be quite loud even in Gentle mode, measuring up to 63 dB(A) (measuring distance: 1 m). In standard mode, it is 70 dB(A), and in Insane mode, up to 72 dB(A). The latter is also higher in frequency and therefore more unpleasant. However, its advantage is that the lock opens and closes extremely quickly. Nuki claims that the speed is tripled. In our test, we mostly left Gentle mode active permanently, but this can only be activated temporarily with night mode. All in all, the Smart Lock can be very fast, but it is also loud.
The internal battery is charged via a magnetic connection. If you don't have a power outlet nearby, you can simply use a power bank. Charging takes about two hours. If the door is opened during this time and the cable is pulled, it simply falls off the Nuki Smart Lock so that nothing can be damaged. The disadvantage of the internal battery is that it is permanently installed and cannot be replaced by the user.
The battery delivers around 9.7 Wh and is supposed to last for six months. With intensive use in a four-person household, we get a little more than five months.
In everyday use, the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra proves to be reliable. In rare cases, the latch does not retract when unlocking, but this was no longer a problem after the second attempt at the latest. It is also practical to be able to grant temporary access authorisations when on holiday or business trips. If you combine this with a smart video doorbell, you can let someone into your home even when you are not there, as remote access is easily possible.
Optional with Nuki Keypad 2
If you don't want to pull out your smartphone every time or don't have a smartwatch, you can also use an optional Nuki Keypad 2 (RRP: $159, buy here on Amazon) to open the Smart Lock Ultra. It allows you to open the door using your fingerprint or a code.
The keypad can be attached using a small base plate, which can either be drilled in or attached with adhesive tape. It is weatherproof in accordance with IP54 and can withstand outdoor temperatures between -20 and +70 °C. It connects to the Smart Lock via Bluetooth and is powered by four AAA batteries, which should guarantee a runtime of at least 12 months.
The Nuki app guides us quickly and easily through the setup of the Keypad 2. It can manage up to 200 access codes and 20 fingerprints.
It proves to be very reliable in everyday use and the capacitive fingerprint scanner delivers high recognition rates, but usually requires a little more pressure. The door connected to the Nuki Smart Lock can also be locked using the back button. If you are concerned about pranks, you can deactivate this function.
Incorrect code entries or unrecognised fingerprints are stored in the Nuki app log. It would be desirable to have a push notification after several incorrect entries in a row to make it easier to detect attempted access by third parties.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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