The ecosystem around Nuki connected locks is the most complete on the market. The manufacturer completes it with a second connected digital code, to which it adds a fingerprint reader, the Keypad 2.0. Something to simplify everyday life, if of course everything works as expected.
Intercom, Fob, digicode… the ecosystem developed by Nuki around its connected locks is quite impressive. It even offers a connected box (the Nuki Box) to control a building door. There is a real desire on the part of the manufacturer to offer all possible tools so that its connected locks really adapt to the specificities of each customer. With its new Keypad 2.0, it offers a classic solution, enhanced with fingerprint recognition. Is it enough to justify its 159 euros, against 79 euros for the classic Keypad? So we put it through its paces for this test.
This test was carried out using a product supplied by the manufacturer.
Design of the Nuki Keypad 2.0: minimalist and elegant
Compared to the brand’s first Keypad (90 x 30 x 15 mm), version 2.0 (118 mm x 29 mm x 21 mm) is longer and thicker. It is a rectangular case in smooth black plastic, the corners of which are delicately rounded. On the front is the illuminated display at the very top, followed by the numeric keypad, whose buttons are made of hard plastic.
When you dial your code, an LED lights up for each digit // Source: Chloé Pertuis — Frandroid
The buttons do not let water through, the Keypad 2.0 being waterproof // Source: Chloé Pertuis – Frandroid
In addition to the 9 digits (there is no zero), there is a “to validate» identified by an arrow pointing to the left. Just below is the fingerprint reader, underlined by light metal-colored strapping.
The back is covered with a 3M adhesive fixing. Installation is therefore child’s play: just remove the protective film and affix the Keypad 2.0 to the door, its frame or a wall. Be careful, put it down in one go! If you try several times, the adhesive loses a lot of its holding power with each try.
If you do not install it near your connected lock, remember that the range of Bluetooth 5.0 is 5 to 10 meters. So test the positioning before fixing the digicode for good. The Keypad 2.0 is IP54 certified, which means it is easily weatherproof. It can therefore be positioned outside, which will delight people living in a house, for example.
Nuki Smart Lock: an application known for its simplicity
The Keypad 2.0 is a product, once added to your Nuki ecosystem, which will communicate directly with your connected lock. If the latest Nuki Smart Lock 3.0 Pro is of course compatible, this is also the case for the first and second generations. To add this digital code, you must use the Nuki Smart Lock app.
The configuration in the application is very simple and the Bluetooth 5.0 pairing between the Keypad 2.0, the smartphone and the connected lock will not occupy you more than 2 to 3 minutes.
Select Smart Lock from the list of products // Source: Yazid Amer – Frandroid
Bluetooth pairing is very fast // Source: Yazid Amer – Frandroid
Each fingerprint must be given a name // Source: Yazid Amer – Frandroid
Once the digicode is installed, all that remains is to choose the entry code, before registering your fingerprint and assigning it a name. Knowing that the product can save 20 different ones and more than 200 codes.
Your code must include six digits // Source: Yazid Amer – Frandroid
Registering a fingerprint here is a process very similar to that offered by a smartphone // Source: Yazid Amer – Frandroid
In less than ten presses your fingerprint is registered // Source: Yazid Amer – Frandroid
When you invite another household member, they can remotely program their own entry code. To add his fingerprint, he must be in front of the Keypad 2.0. Good point, the registration does not reveal any difficulty, 5 to 10 presses at most are enough for your fingerprint to be registered.
Each user can customize their code to limit the risk of forgetting it // Source: Yazid Amer – Frandroid
Too bad, adding a fingerprint is not offered automatically after creating the code // Source: Yazid Amer – Frandroid
In use: difficult to do more efficiently
If you have not programmed the Auto Unlock of your Nuki lock, or you are not using the Door Sensor for automatic locking after closing the door. Pressing the “arrow» button on the Keypad 2.0 will double lock your door.
To unlock your door, all you have to do is enter your personal code. The reaction time from when you dial it to opening is 1-3 seconds. Ditto when you use the fingerprint reader.
We are also amazed by the responsiveness and precision of the latter. We made about 100 attempts and the error rate was less than 5%. This Keypad simplifies access to your home, informs you when a code has been entered successfully. If it is wrong, you will also be notified. This way, you will know that someone is trying to break into your home without having the correct combination of numbers.
We particularly appreciated this biometric reader which simplifies daily life. With your arms full of groceries or a crying baby, you will no longer have to search your pockets or your bag to find your keys. More likely that the youngest or the dizzy teenager will lose them at school. Plus, with Keypad 2.0, even if they forget their code, there’s little chance they’ll misplace their fingers.
We continued the test of this biometric reader by making things more difficult. Thus, we put it to the test with a very wet finger, which can happen on a rainy day. The reader is then mistaken less than one time out of ten. We then tested with a finger soiled with non-wet soil and again the reader did very well with an error rate of 15%.
We continued by spreading a little stick glue on our finger. A common incident for a schoolboy, but who can “butcher» the reliefs of the skin. Here, the test is a little tougher for the reader. If it is a single layer of glue, the impression is generally identified quickly. But if it’s multiple layers, the reader may end up not recognizing your fingerprint anymore. This also applies to adults who paint, for example.
In addition, micro-cuts, such as those caused by sheets of paper, will not bother the reader too much. Finally, Nuki promises that the fingerprint reader can adapt to the growth of children. Something that we will only be able to verify over time.
Autonomy of the Nuki Keypad 2.0
The underside of the Keypad 2.0 gives access to a compartment for four AAA batteries that Nuki has the good taste to deliver. Please note, you mustforcea little to open the compartment, but not too much at the risk of breaking it. The Keypad 2.0 theoretically has a battery life of 12 months. By carrying out a hundred biometric recognitions, we did not lose a single percent of battery.
Everything therefore leads us to trust the manufacturer on this point. Especially since depending on individual habits, the digicode will not always be requested. For information, if your Keypad 2.0 is stolen, Nuki will replace it once upon proof of a complaint.
Price and availability of the Nuki Keypad 2.0
The Nuki Keypad 2.0 is sold at a price of 159 euros on the Nuki site, as well as at Amazon or Darty.