Nuki is relaunching its popular smart door lock. The 5th generation of the Nuki Smart Lock Pro not only reduces the size and volume, but also expands the feature catalog, making the smart door lock one of the best solutions on the market.
Nuki Smart Lock Pro Review: Smaller, slimmer, more elegant
- Significantly more compact than its predecessors
- Elegant finish
- harmonious look
Admittedly: The Nuki Smart Lock Pro was not a small device in previous generations. This has finally changed with the new 5th generation Nuki Smart Lock Pro, as the lock now has the compact dimensions of last year’s Smart Lock Ultra.
This means that the entire substructure has (finally) been removed, giving the Smart Lock a much more discreet look. Thanks to the stainless steel housing and white frame, the fifth generation also looks extremely stylish. At the front, there is still the central button with LED display, which you can use to lock and unlock the door and perform other actions.
All the technology is now located in the door knob. There is also a new, brushless motor that is not only wear-free, but should also work faster and more quietly.
The magnetic charging connection on the side is also particularly practical. This allows the Smart Lock Pro to be easily recharged without having to remove it – which is also quick and easy in practice. The workmanship is first-class. So everything is better with the 5th Smart Lock Pro? Yes, indeed.
Quick and easy to set up
- Compatible with almost all door locks
- Quick and easy to set up
- Clearly laid out app
Setting up the Nuki Smart Lock Pro is particularly simple. This is because the smart door lock is a retrofit solution for your existing lock that is compatible with almost all doors. The only requirement: your existing door lock must be able to be opened if a key is already in it. Does that work for you? Then nothing stands in the way of using the Smart Lock Pro.
The scope of delivery includes a mounting plate for screwing together with a suitable Allen key, as well as one for gluing. The former is necessary if your cylinder protrudes more than 3 mm. If not, simply use the plate for gluing.
The next step is to install the Nuki app on your smartphone or tablet, as this will guide you through the installation and set-up process and act as the central control center for the smart door lock.
Now all you have to do is attach the mounting plate to the inside of your door, insert the key into the hole and place the cylinder over it. And that’s all there is to it. As soon as the setup in the app is complete, you’re ready to go.
Setup and app connection
- Clearly laid out app,
- practical functions
The Nuki app serves as the central control unit for the Nuki Smart Lock Pro and reliably guides you through the installation process with pleasantly clear graphics and compact texts. It takes less than 5 minutes for the smart door lock to be installed and ready for use.
You will then find yourself in the clearly laid out main menu, where you can make various settings. For example, you can see at a glance whether the door lock is currently locked or unlocked. You can also set options such as night mode, time control or auto lock.
The latter is particularly interesting: Auto (Un)Lock automatically locks the door as soon as you move 100 meters away from the door (geofence) or opens it as soon as you get close to the smart door – thanks to the Bluetooth connection.
Another special feature of the 5th generation is the ability to set the closing speed. There are three settings to choose from: Gentle (slow and quiet), Standard and Insane (particularly fast). The whole thing can also be combined with a time control. In other words, the particularly quiet Gentle mode at night and fast opening with “Insane” during the day.
The Nuki Smart Lock Pro in a practical test
- incredibly fast and quiet
- very reliable
- particularly practical in combination with Keypad
Nuki has by no means promised too much. The new 5th generation Smart Lock Pro is one of the fastest and quietest smart door locks on the market. Only the in-house Smart Lock Ultra is even quieter when opening and closing, but the difference to the previous 4th generation is already enormous in standard mode – not to mention the quiet Gentle mode.
Thanks to the brushless motor, the opening and closing process is now much faster. It takes less than two seconds to unlock my front door. Outstanding!
You have various options for unlocking and locking the door. The main point of contact is of course the app, which the Smart Lock Pro uses to lock or unlock the door. With “Open door”, the smart door lock even pulls the latch so that the door immediately swings open a crack.
If you like, you can also combine the door with other smart home apps and services. Thanks to the Matter standard and Thread, the smart door lock can be used virtually anywhere. For example, in Apple Home or Google Home, while voice control with Amazon Alexa is even possible.
This works very reliably for the most part, even across systems, and is of course very practical. With Google Home, however, I have noticed that locking and unlocking regularly produces an error message, but the process is still completed without errors.
Unlike the WELOCK Touch61 (our test), the Nuki Smart Lock Pro cannot be unlocked by fingerprint, keypad or ex works. Here you have to buy additional accessories. For example, in the form of the Nuki Keypad 2, which enables opening by fingerprint as well as a numerical code.
In my opinion, this is an absolutely sensible addition, even if the manufacturer has to pay for it. But it is absolutely worth it, as the whole unlocking and locking process with a code or fingerprint is of course considerably simplified.
Another practical feature is the option to set up different users and corresponding codes. Time-limited access can also be activated here, for example to grant trusted guests access only for a defined period of time.
Battery life of the Nuki Smart Lock Pro
- Up to 6 months battery life
- Fully charged in just 2 hours
The Nuki Smart Lock Pro has an integrated and permanently installed rechargeable battery. This can be charged using the included USB-C cable, which has a magnetic holder. An absolutely successful innovation, as the Smart Lock can also be supplied with fresh energy while it is mounted.
The battery is fully charged in just two hours. The manufacturer does not provide any specific details on the runtime, as the runtime also depends on the set speed and resistance. However, around 6 months should be possible.
With a battery level of 20 percent or less, the app also informs you in good time that the Smart Lock needs to be recharged. However, if the battery is empty and you have forgotten to charge it, you can still open and close the lock without any problems using a key.
Nuki Smart Lock Pro Review: Conclusion
With the 5th generation Nuki Smart Lock Pro, the manufacturer once again impressively proves why there is no way around Nuki when it comes to smart door locks. The improvements compared to the fourth generation are quite impressive.
Particularly commendable is the new design, which is not only much more compact due to the elimination of the “box” underneath the cylinder, but also looks absolutely elegant and high-quality. This also applies to the entire design and workmanship.
Installation and commissioning is incredibly quick and easy. The Smart Lock Pro is compatible with almost all doors, making it a versatile all-rounder. What’s more, the smart door lock is even faster and quieter than its predecessors.
Operation via the clear Nuki app is absolutely exemplary, while the combination with keypad and door sensor further increases convenience. It’s just a shame that the manufacturer charges extra for these additional functions – but if you buy in a bundle, you save additional money.
In my opinion, the 5th generation Nuki Smart Lock Pro has no points of criticism. An absolute buy recommendation for all those who want to make their door intelligent.
- Elegant design
- Compact design
- Fast and quiet
- Clear app
- Battery can be charged mounted
- Comparatively expensive
- Code/fingerprint only with keypad
Nuki Smart Lock Pro
Design & Workmanship
Assembly & compatibility
User comfort
Battery
Value For Money
94/100
Outstanding, compact and comparatively quiet smart door lock with excellent operation, extensive functions and successful extras.
