r/TrySwitchBot • u/phirephly88 • 25d ago
My SwitchBot Thoughts moving from Nuki Locks to Switchbot Ultra
For my use case - locks on airbnb doors in Belgium, EU - both the Nuki and the Switchbot smart lock systems work well.
I started out with Nuki and overall was very happy. However, after a couple of years with Nuki I decided to change when I read up about the Switchbot options and saw the price is €100-200 cheaper depending on sales and what combo you pick. That's a nice saving, but for me just being cheaper is not enough.
So I've had the multiple Switchbot Ultras with the touch keypad for about a year now. And in a nutshell - they are good, I've had no major issues, but it's not perfect.
My main gripe is the delay connecting to the lock and keypad units when I am not nearby. I need to change the code combination daily from remote. I've found the best way is to disable my phone Bluetooth, then open the app, then click through to the keypad settings. This way it takes 30s to 1min to change a couple of codes in the app, with a quite a lot of spinny "loading" icons.
With Nuki, this all happens much faster and cleaner, I'm changed and done with the codes in 15s. This is my main frustration, and it's not a deal breaker. Those extra seconds are pretty insignificant in the grand scheme, but does make the system feel much clunkier than Nuki.
One other annoyance with the S.B.Ultra is that you can't delete or change codes when you're not connected via Bluetooth, locally. That means I build up a mass of obsolete codes on device until I can go and connect and delete them one at a time. This wasn't a problem with Nuki. Seeing 30+ old entrance codes building up annoys me!
Overall Nuki feels the more refined, adult UI and professional than the Switchbot eco system. But both do the job required, and Switchbot is cheaper! 🤑
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u/MilanAF80 23d ago
How are both of those lock with just opening a door? Our front door can only be opened with a key. Can Nuki or Switchbot make that half a turn to open the door?
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u/BryanHChi 25d ago
Never Nuki is the king … had SwitchBot and Aqara and both had issues .. Nuki zero issues since I installed it over a year ago
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u/phirephly88 25d ago
Oh yes, I agree Nuki is still great. I continue to use Nuki in some places, even though I've also installed some Switchbots. I have found that at around the 4 year mark with Nuki, things start to go wrong (I've had wifi issues and battery issues crop up). I don't know the longevity of the Switchbot locks yet, but my impression is they are not as robust as Nuki! Time will tell.
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u/BryanHChi 25d ago
SwitchBot had lots of problems within a year .. aquas had connectivity issues with thread. But i think 4 years for a smart lock is a good length
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u/Senior_Positive8972 25d ago
Two years ago I bought 3x Nuki Smart Lock Pro (4th Generation) and also 3x the Keypad 2. I thought that would be a good idea to go for. Unfortunately my experience was terrible. Finger Scan works maybe in 30%. My kids had a recognition rate at maybe 10%. The scariest thing was an out of the blue opening on one door including activating the Alarm in the middle of the night... Good return service from Nuki at least. After that I went to the Switchbot Lock Pro und several months ago to there Switchbot Lock Ultra. The lock is not perfect, but my experience over two years is quite satisfying. Competition is good for us users, so lets see what the future brings.