Nuki Ditches Smart Lock Fee, Increases Device Cost

Nuki, an Austria-based company, has announced it will no longer charge a subscription fee for Wi-Fi access to its smart lock. Previously, users were required to pay for Nuki Premium to access the lock remotely. The company cited that the market was not yet ready for such a subscription model. This shift moves Nuki back to a one-time purchase model, ensuring key smart features remain accessible without ongoing fees.

While the Wi-Fi subscription is being dropped, Nuki is implementing a price increase for its hardware. The Nuki Smart Lock will now cost $199, an increase of $40 from its previous price. The Smart Lock + Keypad 2 bundle also sees a $40 price hike, now costing $269. These price adjustments aim to support a sustainable business model for the company.

In addition to these changes, Nuki is introducing a new offering called Guarantee Plus. This provides customers with a three-year extended warranty for their Nuki Smart Lock for an additional $29. This move comes as subscription fees are common in the smart home security market, though typically for cloud storage and advanced features of security cameras.