Why the Pro Is Our Top Pick
The Pro earns its recommendation through consistency. It does not try to be clever — it just works. The Thread radio means it responds to HomeKit and Google Home commands with no perceptible delay. WiFi means remote access works out of the box without a bridge. The AV-TEST certification means an independent lab verified its security, which matters when you are putting a radio on your front door.
What sets the Pro apart from cheaper smart locks is build quality. The internal mechanism grips the cylinder firmly, the motor has enough torque for stiff European multi-point locks, and the battery genuinely lasts months rather than weeks. We have tested locks from Yale, Tedee, and SwitchBot — the Pro feels more robust than all of them in daily use.
Full Specifications
The Pro supports Matter over Thread and WiFi simultaneously. No bridge or hub required. It fits standard European profile cylinders (KN or N/N configuration) and the Nuki Universal Cylinder covers edge cases. Battery is rechargeable via Micro-USB, rated for 4-6 months on WiFi or 8-12 months on Thread.
It supports up to 200 access permissions with time-based restrictions, auto unlock and auto lock, a detailed activity log, and remote lock/unlock via the Nuki app or any Matter-compatible smart home platform. Dimensions are 110 x 60 x 60 mm, weight is 310g.
Smart Home Compatibility
Matter changes the game for the Pro. Before Matter, you needed a Nuki Bridge for Apple HomeKit and Google Home, and Alexa required yet another integration. Now the Pro speaks directly to all three ecosystems through a single standard.
In practice, this means HomeKit automations trigger instantly, Google Home voice commands work reliably, and Alexa can lock and unlock without a skill configuration. If you switch smart home ecosystems — say from Google to Apple — the lock follows without reconfiguration. We tested all three platforms and the experience is consistent across the board.
The Pro also works with Home Assistant, MQTT, and the Nuki Web API for more advanced setups.
Auto Unlock — How Well Does It Work?
Auto Unlock uses your phone's GPS and Bluetooth to detect when you arrive home. When it works, it is magical — you walk up to your door and it unlocks before you touch it. Nuki claims "up to 99%" reliability. Our real-world experience: about 90%.
The 10% failures are not dangerous — the lock simply does not unlock, and you use the app or a keypad instead. Failures tend to cluster: if your phone's Bluetooth is flaky that day, you will miss multiple triggers. The feature works best on iOS with location services set to "Always" and Bluetooth constantly on. Android is slightly less reliable due to aggressive battery optimization killing the Nuki app in the background.
Our advice: treat Auto Unlock as a convenience bonus, not a guarantee. If you need 100% hands-free entry, pair the Pro with a Keypad 2 NFC for fingerprint or PIN backup.
Pro vs Ultra
The Pro costs €269 and the Ultra €349. They. The Ultra has a brushless motor (quieter) and magnetic USB-C charging. The Pro uses a standard motor and a removable rechargeable battery pack. In raw functionality — smart home integration, Auto Unlock, access management — they are identical.
If you are buying new, the Ultra is arguably the better pick for the same money. But if you already own a Pro, there is zero reason to switch. The Pro is a fully mature product that will be supported for years.
Who Should Buy the Pro?
Anyone who wants a smart lock that works across Apple, Google, and Alexa without a bridge. Renters who need a non-destructive retrofit. Families who want to grant and revoke digital keys with time restrictions. People who want an independent security certification rather than trusting a marketing claim.
The Pro is not the cheapest Nuki lock and not the newest — but it is the one with the most real-world mileage. That matters.