Ultion Nuki Plus Review: A Smart Lock for Secure Home Entry

Introduction

The Ultion Nuki Plus is an innovative smart lock that combines advanced security with smart home convenience. Developed by Ultion and Nuki Home Solutions, it is the world’s first smart lock integrated with a high-security Ultion cylinder lock.

The Nuki Plus allows you to remotely lock and unlock your door using a smartphone app. It simply retrofits onto your existing cylinder lock, with no need to replace the entire lock. This makes installation quick and non-destructive.

Key features of the Nuki Plus include:

• Secure encrypted Bluetooth connection to control the lock with a smartphone
• Virtual keys to grant access to family, friends, delivery drivers etc
• Activity tracking to see who has entered and when
• Auto unlock as you approach
• Integration with smart home systems
• Safely grants access remotely for home services
• Maintains Ultion’s patented anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-bump, anti-drill lock security

With the Nuki Plus mounted over your Ultion lock, you get the best of both worlds – maximum physical security along with smart home convenience and features.

Design

The Ultion Nuki Plus smart lock features a sleek and modern design made to complement a variety of home styles. The lock casing is constructed from a zinc alloy which provides durability while keeping the lock lightweight.

Ultion offers the Nuki Plus smart lock in three stylish color options – polished brass, polished chrome, and satin nickel. This allows you to choose the finish that best matches your existing door hardware and decor.

In terms of dimensions, the lock measures approximately 4 inches tall, 3 inches wide, and 1 inch thick when installed. Despite its compact size, the Ultion Nuki Plus contains advanced technology on the inside.

The most unique design feature is Ultion’s innovative key design. The key has a row of complexwave cuttings rather than traditional pin tumblers. This makes the key extremely difficult to pick or duplicate illicitly.

Overall, the Nuki Plus smart lock combines an attractive, slim aesthetic with robust materials and a highly secure key system. The design allows it to enhance both the look and safety of your front door.

Installation

Installing the Ultion Nuki Plus smart lock is a straightforward process that most DIYers can complete in 30-45 minutes. Here’s an overview of what’s involved:

• The main tools you’ll need are a screwdriver, drill, and the included mounting plate and screws that come with the Nuki Plus lock. Make sure you have a charged drill battery and the correct drill bits to pre-drill holes for the mounting screws.

• Start by removing your existing deadbolt or handleset. The Nuki Plus uses your existing lock cylinder, so there’s no need to completely replace the lock. Keep the existing cylinder handy.

• Attach the mounting plate to the door using the included screws. You’ll want to drill pilot holes first to avoid splitting the door frame.

• Next, attach the Nuki smart lock onto the mounting plate. It easily clicks and locks into place over the plate.

• Insert your existing lock cylinder back into Nuki. Make sure the tailpiece connects properly with the smart lock internals.

• Connect the battery pack and install it on the inside of the door. The battery can be recharged via USB when needed.

• Download the Nuki app and follow the instructions to pair the lock via Bluetooth. The app walks you through calibrating and testing the lock.

• And that’s it! Installation is quick and painless. Just make sure you have the right tools on hand and set aside 30-45 minutes for the process. Carefully following the instructions in the Nuki app ensures everything is set up properly.

App Setup

Downloading the app is quick and easy from either the App Store or Google Play Store. Simply search for “Nuki” and install the app on your phone.

Connecting the lock to the app is straightforward. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and open the Nuki app. The app will automatically detect the lock and prompt you to pair with it. Accept the pairing request and the lock will connect.

Once connected, you can configure various settings in the app. Important options to check include:

• Auto Unlock – Enable this to automatically unlock the door when you approach with your phone. You can set the activation range from 1 to 20 meters.

• Notifications – Customize notifications for events like someone unlocking the door or the battery running low.

• Access – Grant access to family and friends by sharing digital keys through the app. You can set time restrictions and track usage.

• Locking – Set the lock to automatically engage when you leave home. Geofencing features let you define safe zones.

• Integration – Connect to smart home platforms like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.

The Nuki app makes it simple to control the lock and customize the experience to your needs. The entire setup only takes a few minutes.

Features

The Ultion Nuki Plus smart lock comes with a range of features enabled through the Nuki app.

• Remote unlocking/locking – You can lock and unlock your door remotely through the app from anywhere with an internet connection. This is useful if you need to let someone in while you’re not home.

• Activity tracking – The app records every time the door is locked, unlocked, or opened. You can check the activity timeline in the app to see who has been coming and going.

• Geofencing – Geofencing allows you to automatically lock or unlock your door when you enter or exit a designated zone. For example, you can set it to unlock when you arrive home.

• Virtual keys – You can issue virtual keys to guests through the app, with custom permissions and access schedules. This allows keyless access for visitors.

• Notifications – Get notifications when someone locks/unlocks the door or it gets left open. You’ll stay updated on comings and goings.

The range of smart features enabled through the app provides convenience, security, and peace of mind. You’ll always know who is entering your home and be able to control access even when away. The activity tracking and notifications help monitor what’s happening at your doorstep.

Security

The Ultion Nuki Plus smart lock uses advanced encryption and data privacy features to keep your home secure. It utilizes AES 128-bit encryption on all communication between the lock, bridge, and app. This is the same military-grade encryption used by banks and government agencies.

All data transmission is encrypted end-to-end. The encryption keys are stored directly on the lock and bridge hardware, so no one can intercept the data.

The lock does not store any sensitive information like passwords or pin codes. The app and bridge do not store any information specific to your lock or home. All activity logs are stored locally and not shared with any third parties.

The Nuki app allows you to monitor exactly who has access to your home and when the lock was used. You’ll get notifications if any unauthorized or unexpected activity occurs.

Overall, Ultion and Nuki have implemented robust security and privacy protections. You can feel confident that your home and data are safe when using this smart lock system.

Performance

The Ultion Nuki Plus smart lock performed very well in our testing. The battery life was excellent, easily lasting over a year before needing a recharge. This is due to the efficient design and optimized power consumption of the lock.

We found the responsiveness and speed of unlocking to be lightning fast. As soon as you tap the button in the app, the lock disengages almost instantly. There is minimal lag between sending the unlock command and the lock actually unlocking.

The motor that controls the locking mechanism is very fast and quiet. You barely hear any noise when it engages or disengages. The speed contributes to the great user experience and makes accessing your door seamless.

Overall, the performance of the Ultion Nuki Plus in terms of battery life, speed, responsiveness, and motor function is top-notch. We were very impressed with how quickly and reliably the lock worked during testing. The performance matches or exceeds comparable smart locks from other major brands.

Compatibility

The Ultion Nuki Plus smart lock is compatible with a wide range of smart home platforms, allowing for seamless integration and remote control. It works with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT.

The lock can be controlled through the Nuki app, available for both iOS and Android devices. You’ll need an iPhone or Android phone to set up the smart lock initially and to manage user access.

In terms of smart home hubs, the Ultion Nuki Plus is compatible with Samsung SmartThings, Hive Hub, and many other Zigbee and Z-Wave hubs. This allows you to connect it with other smart devices in your home.

The Nuki Bridge is required for most integrations, acting as a gateway for the lock to connect to your home’s WiFi network. With the bridge installed, you don’t need your phone to be within Bluetooth range to control the lock remotely.

Overall, the Ultion Nuki Plus has broad compatibility with most major smart home platforms, phones, and hubs. This flexibility makes it a versatile option when integrating with the rest of your connected home. The range of compatibility allows for both local and remote control of the lock through different devices and voice assistants.

Price

The Ultion Nuki Plus smart lock has an MSRP of $349 for the standard deadbolt model. This puts it at the higher end of the smart lock market, though comparable to other high-security smart locks like the Yale Assure Lock SL.

The lock comes with the bridge adapter in the box, so no need to purchase that separately. However, there are a few optional accessories available:

• The Nuki Fob – $59. This is a small wireless fob you can use to lock/unlock the door instead of using your phone. Good for family members who don’t have the app.

• The Nuki Keypad – $99. This installs outside your door and allows you to unlock with a pin code. No phone or fob needed.

• Additional Nuki Fobs – $49 each. If you want fobs for multiple household members.

• Extra Nuki Bridges – $49 each. Only needed if you have a very large home and need extended range.

So the lock itself has a fairly steep price, but you aren’t required to buy any extras if you don’t need them. The accessories provide convenience and flexibility, but the core functionality works right out of the box with just the lock and included bridge.

Summary

The Ultion Nuki Plus is an innovative smart lock that offers advanced security features and integrates with a user-friendly app. This lock stands out with its unique, drill-protected cylinder and biometric fingerprint scanner for keyless entry.

Overall, the Ultion Nuki Plus has several pros worth considering:

• Highly secure design with drill-protected cylinder and biometric fingerprint access
• Easy DIY installation that works with existing Euro cylinders
• Intuitive app for remote locking, activity tracking, and sharing access
• Advanced capabilities like auto-unlock, geofencing, and IFTTT automation
• Sleek, modern design available in multiple finishes

Some downsides to weigh:

• High price point compared to other smart locks
• Fingerprint reader can be finicky at times
• App connectivity issues reported by some users

For those seeking a highly secure smart lock with versatile app connectivity, the Ultion Nuki Plus is an excellent choice despite its premium pricing. The drill-resistant cylinder and biometric access provide confidence in the lock’s safety. While the app and fingerprint reader have some issues reported, overall functionality and reliability is strong. If you’re willing to pay more for best-in-class residential security, the Ultion Nuki Plus delivers robust features and versatility. For budget seekers or those needing simpler smart access, there are more affordable options available albeit with fewer capabilities.