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Nuki Smart Lock is Redefining Keyless Home Access

Nuki

Your front door is probably the last thing in your home that still runs on a 200-year-old technology. Nuki, the Austrian smart lock company, has been fixing that since 2015, and in 2025 and 2026, it is moving faster than ever. With over 800,000 customers in Europe and a full US market debut in mid 2025, Nuki is now one of the most relevant names in residential smart access globally.

The lineup spans three clear tiers: the Smart Lock Go at €149, the Smart Lock Pro at €269, and the Smart Lock Ultra bundled with a Universal Cylinder at €349. In the US, the base smart lock launched at $159. That range covers most budgets and door types, which is exactly the point.

The Pro 5th Gen:

The flagship for most buyers is the Smart Lock Pro 5th Gen, which launched in Europe in March 2025. The design moved away from the older boxy form and now fits directly over your existing cylinder on the inside of the door, with no drilling and no cylinder replacement required. Installation takes under five minutes, which makes it genuinely renter-friendly.

The hardware upgrade that stands out most is the brushless motor. It locks and unlocks over three times faster than previous models, and you can pick from three locking speeds, including a quieter mode for late nights. The built-in rechargeable battery charges fully in about two hours via a magnetic connection, directly on the door.

Connectivity and Smart Home:

The Pro comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Thread support, which means remote access with no separate bridge or hub required. It is also Matter certified, so it connects natively to Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings. Setting up across different ecosystems is straightforward rather than a workaround.

The Nuki app supports up to 200 user authorizations, an activity log, Auto Unlock, Auto Lock, Lock ‘n Go, and a customizable Night Mode. Auto Unlock detects your location via your phone and opens the door as you approach, so your hands can stay full from the grocery run to the front door.

The Keypad 2 NFC:

In March 2026, Nuki launched what became one of the more talked about smart home accessories of the year. The Keypad 2 NFC became one of the first Aliro certified devices on the market. Aliro is the new unified standard for digital keys, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the same group behind Matter.

To use Tap to Unlock, you simply hold your phone or smartwatch up to the keypad; there’s no need to open the Nuki app. It works with Apple Home Key, Samsung Digital Home Key, and Aliro-compatible wallets. The Keypad 2 NFC is available for $179. It works with all fourth and fifth-generation Nuki smart locks, so existing users can add it without replacing the lock itself.

Privacy and Security:

Nuki uses end-to-end encryption, and its servers are located exclusively in the EU, keeping it fully compliant with GDPR. In 2025, it was again recognized by AV TEST as a secure smart home product, an independent certification that carries real weight for buyers who want proof rather than promises. The company has also won the Red Dot Award, the iF Design Award, and a CES Innovation Award.

Who this Works for:

Nuki fits a wide range of situations. Renters appreciate the no-drill, fully reversible installation. Homeowners running short-term rentals benefit from the access sharing and activity log features. Power users with existing smart home setups get clean integration through Matter, without adding friction to what they already have.

For anyone building out a connected home and looking at smart lock options, the Nuki ecosystem is one of the more complete and well-documented options available right now.

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