Nuki has launched The Nuki Keypad 2 NFC for its smart locks, and this one is a step forward. It supports Apple Home Key and Aliro, bringing Tap to Unlock along with much broader cross platform compatibility to its smart lock lineup.
If you have not come across Aliro yet, it is a new standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the same group behind Matter. The difference is that Aliro is built purely for access control. It allows your phone or smartwatch to act as a secure digital key across different brands, which is exactly what the smart lock space has been missing.
The headline feature here is Tap to Unlock. You can tap your iPhone or Apple Watch against the keypad to unlock your door, very similar to how contactless payments work. It is simple, fast and exactly what most users want.
What is missing though is UWB. There is no automatic unlocking based on proximity like you get with locks such as the Aqara U400. That feels like a strange omission, especially when the industry is clearly moving in that direction.
To use Tap to Unlock, you will need a compatible Nuki smart lock, a Matter controller such as an Apple Home hub, and a supported iPhone. Thanks to Aliro, compatible Samsung devices can also use it, which is a big step forward for cross platform support.
More options
It is not just about digital keys. The keypad also supports fingerprint access, PIN codes and app control. In total, it can store up to 20 fingerprints, 200 access codes and 35 Tap to Unlock credentials, so there is plenty of flexibility for households and guest access.
Pricing and availability
The Nuki Keypad 2 NFC is available now for £165 or $179 as a standalone accessory, or bundled with a compatible Nuki smart lock.
Buying it on its own does feel expensive, especially when you can pick up something like the Aqara U200 smart lock for around the same price. It also makes the lack of UWB even harder to ignore.
