Is The Nuki 3.0 Smart Lock A Worthwhile Upgrade?

Consumer Tech Is The Nuki 3. 0 Smart Lock A Worthwhile Upgrade? Benny Har-Even Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I write about commercial cinema technology and smart-home tech.

New! Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. Got it! Aug 29, 2022, 05:29pm EDT | New! Click on the conversation bubble to join the conversation Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Nearly a year ago, I tested the Nuki Smart Lock 2. 0 and came away impressed.

It was a solidly made piece of kit and allowed access to the home without needing to take a key and was generally easy to use and reliable. However, I felt it could have been improved in two specific areas: first, it should be available in white as well as black, and second, it could be quieter in operation. It was almost as if they were already new, as shortly after, the company announced the Nuki Smart Lock 3.

0, which offered both of these things. I’ve since had the 3. 0 version of lock installed and in use for some time – so the question is, is it a worthwhile upgrade? It’s worth noting that Nuki also released the Smart Lock 3.

0 Pro, which offers built-in Wi-Fi, so you can control the smart lock from outside the home without having to use any extra boxes. The Pro also comes with the Power Pack, a rechargeable battery solution. You can get the same functionally with the non-Pro 3.

0 but you’ll have to purchase the Bridge, and the Power Pack separately. If you already have the 2. 0 and a Bridge and PowerPack they are both compatible with the 3.

0, making it an easy upgrade. However, as of writing, the Nuki website is offering an upgrade program for owners of the Nuki Smart Lock 1. 0 or 2.

0 to get the 3. 0 Pro, with a free door sensor, for €249, so that’s probably worth looking at. I had the standard Smart Lock 3.

0 and a new door sensor on test and upgrading to this from the 2. 0 was relatively straightforward. The existing 2.

0 lock is removed via a toggle that sits inside the lock and it was a little fiddly to get it off, but I managed it eventually. I then left the existing lock plate in place and simply placed the new Smart Lock 3. 0 over the top.

Against my white door the smart Lock 3. 0 in white, which now sports an aluminum ring, was an immediate aesthetic improvement. The Nuki Smart Lock 3.

0 is now white – and is quieter that its predecessor. Nuki I then had to go through the setup routine to re-pair all the devices to the 3. 0, namely the Bridge, the optional keypad that I already had installed, and the new Door Sensor.

I had some trouble with the latter as initially, it refused to pair, and it took several attempts before it decided to play ball. I then also had to re-invite everyone in the family to the new lock, via the app, which solved one of the issues I was facing with the Auto-Unlock feature. This automatically opens the door when you approach with your phone, assuming you’ve left a radius of 100m from the door and then returned.

I love this feature as it means the door automatically opens when I pull up onto the driveway. Some people might be uncomfortable with this, but for me, it’s my favorite feature. For some reason, I could never fathom, with the previous installation it would work for two of us, but not the other two members of the family.

This time, however, Auto-Unlock works for all of us, most of the time. MORE FOR YOU Google Issues Warning For 2 Billion Chrome Users Forget The MacBook Pro, Apple Has Bigger Plans Google Discounts Pixel 6, Nest & Pixel Buds In Limited-Time Sale Event Not that everything is perfect. On a couple of occasions, Auto Unlock doesn’t work, and I have to open the door manually.

More worryingly, a few times I have found that the lock won’t open via the app, with the lock status not appearing. When this has happened, I have instead turned to my Apple Watch to open the door, or the keypad. If I didn’t have either of these, however, it would have been something of a problem.

Another issue is that sometimes the lock mechanism flashes red that it’s jammed, and also the door sensor gets confused about whether the door is open or closed. A recalibration will likely sort this out. While these make the Nuki sounds troublesome, they are very much occasional issues, and generally, I wouldn’t want to be with the Nuki.

I no longer have to rely on carrying a key and love that I can have my hands full when I approach the door and it swings open for me. Nuki says that it has improved the motor function so that it’s quieter than it was previously – and that is the case. It’s far from silent – it’s a motor turning a key in a lock, but it’s less cringeworthy when it auto locks at night and it has yet to wake anyone up.

All told, this is a good upgrade to the Nuki Lock 2. 0. If you’ve been waiting on a white version, it could be worth upgrading, depending on how important that is to you but if it’s just the noise that was bothering you, I would stick with what you have as the difference is there but relatively minor.

If you have yet to get a smart lock the Nuki Smart Lock Pro version is the one to go for, as long as Nuki has stock – that semiconductor shortage is still doing its thing. Follow me on Twitter . Benny Har-Even Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.