How to install a smart lock on an existing deadbolt - and why this model is my top pick

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

The Nuki astute fastener is present disposable for $159 connected its own, and $229 erstwhile combined with the Keypad 2.
This astute fastener fits into an existing deadbolt, supports Matter for casual integrations with astute location systems, and features hands-free unlocking.
Though innovative, the Nuki astute fastener requires a subscription for afloat distant access; it's besides precise large erstwhile locking and unlocking, and the Keypad 2 is somewhat slow.

I'm each for astute location technology, but I tin recognize that galore radical don't stock my views. Though I'm presently embracing each the ways I tin unrecorded similar a Jetson, I besides recognize that galore folks are hesitant astir introducing robots and AI-powered tech to their homes for however they alteration your lifestyle.

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If you're a astute fastener skeptic, the Nuki astute lock I tested is simply a low-fuss solution that mightiness marque you reconsider. This cylindrical-shaped astute fastener fits connected your existing deadbolt's interior mechanism, truthful it doesn't alteration your door's outer quality oregon region the quality to usage your carnal cardinal to unlock the door.

To acceptable up the Nuki astute lock, you region your accepted deadbolt's thumb crook and regenerate it with the Nuki. It adjacent includes portion to enactment implicit your deadbolt's outer portion truthful it doesn't autumn portion installing the retrofit astute lock. It's a elemental installation process that requires nary handyman skills.

Setting it up connected the app is conscionable arsenic casual arsenic pairing your astute lock, and utilizing it doesn't adjacent necessitate an account.

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The Nuki astute fastener is large erstwhile locking and unlocking, which isn't great. There's ever a whirring dependable whenever you usage the lock, letting astir radical successful the location cognize erstwhile the door's been locked oregon unlocked. I don't attraction for a large astute lock, simply due to the fact that it sounds old-fashioned, but the dependable isn't a deal-breaker.

Each fastener includes a cablegram to recharge the Nuki. When the artillery runs retired (which Nuki says should beryllium up to a year), you don't person to region it oregon instrumentality the fastener isolated to recharge it. Just plug the cablegram into a adjacent outlet and link it to the fastener utilizing the magnetic larboard to recharge its battery.

You tin besides usage hands-free unlocking done geofencing to person your Nuki unlock your doorway erstwhile your smartphone connects to it via Bluetooth. The Nuki astute fastener besides offers auto-lock astatine predetermined times, though it doesn't hold until the doorway is closed to fastener -- you'd request to bargain a abstracted doorway sensor for that.

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The Nuki astute fastener supports Amazon Alexa and Google Home retired of the box, but it besides supports Matter, which lets you easy link it to different smart location automation systems, similar Apple HomeKit.

I tested the Nuki astute fastener for a fewer days earlier adding the subscription. Unfortunately, I'm not a instrumentality of paying monthly fees aft spending a mates of 100 dollars connected a product, particularly erstwhile different astute locks connection astir of Nuki Premium's subscription offerings for free.

Not having distant entree isn't inconvenient for astir people's mundane use, but it tin beryllium troublesome if you request to fto radical into your location erstwhile you're away. Many users similar having distant entree to fto successful guests, canine walkers, cleaners, and adjacent younger household members, but you'd person to enactment astir this if you privation to bypass the subscription.

You could wage other to adhd connected a Keypad and springiness visitors a impermanent entree code, but beryllium mindful that this would inactive not springiness you distant access.

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Nuki offers an introductory perk of a escaped beingness subscription for users who motion up for Nuki Premium earlier September 30, which is worthy signing up for.

ZDNET's buying advice

The Nuki astute lock is designed to acceptable seamlessly with existing deadbolts, making it a bully enactment for renters and homeowners who don't similar the look of a astute fastener connected their exterior door. However, it's besides cleanable for astute fastener skeptics and tech-averse folks, arsenic you tin adhd the perk of a astute fastener without forgoing your existing carnal key.

You tin besides acceptable up your Nuki Smart Lock without creating an account, truthful it's besides a bully enactment for privacy-conscious users. However, the Nuki astute fastener is comparatively costly erstwhile you see adding a Keypad for outer cognition and a subscription for distant access, making it little than perfect for anyone connected a budget.

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