Smart Lock choices in 2024

Hardware
1

I’m looking around for a smart lock, ideally Zigbee, but could be Bluetooth, but must be compatible with HA. It should work with a UK multipoint door, but I accept that I’ll have to lift the handle to engage the deadlock and enable the door to lock.

Nuki seems to be a strong contender, but I’m also interested in these:-

https://www.smart9.com.cn/products/smart9-zigbee-smart-lock-core-cylinder-working-with-tuya-zigbee-hub-battery-powered-and-chip-encrypted-keys-powered-by-tuya?variant=c355d751-c290-4880-8496-ffd3d557ca88

and wondered if anyone had one, and integrated it into HA ?

Also, if the above works in HA, I may also need a zigbee keypad that I can install outside, and recommendations for that too ?

EDIT:- A note for Uk multi point door users. This lock is the only one I’ve come across that can lock the door WITHOUT lifting the handle:-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Simpled-Weatherproof-Fingerprint-Electronic-Smartphone/dp/B0BNF2BG4J/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1NMZ2N6CTM0OU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ftVoTbXdG8a5hK0X6JVB-3A8Qs2GmCT0gIXtqOukUma_aHjIImwCMtOeBcguDWoHctEsbgc_Mi864AKUdwfGLUujSUv_APZaqId6QSPG5OC0m0ziN78-l7elvbHYln_GUIyiq6BaTEVCQBMOWBWABTuD6lQn_MEGtUNnjr09cvV0Y59gad3qkzfCYYHF4RAz91MLrUIKm2VJ0ShuyO-jYAxQLX462DJlJmIlCAkJdnX0i7loAVih0Th81yxStbh90FuTzcn9hpMEf6alX3BiUCBoWEur3AAgFqCi85TCSxM.rsnPIJYUJaswjlw0C6XU18FZGRp4-KS3O2-kaW_dvjo&dib_tag=se&keywords=simpled%2Bslim%2Bseries%2Bsmart%2Block&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1727867434&sprefix=simpled%2Bslim%2Bseries%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d7e5a2de-8759-4da3-993c-d11b6e3d217f&th=1

(I think any Simpled slim series will do this… maybe even any simpled lock at all)

It doesn’t have the grunt to lift the mutlipoint (I cant find any that could do this), but instead, disconnects the outside handle from the lock, so the door can be locked with or without the multipoint engaged, and the outside handle only ‘works’ if the door is unlocked.

2

Natively it doesn’t work with HA.
You’ll a need tuya homekit hub, pair the lock to it, then use homekit integration to control the lock

3

I think I’m at the same point as you. Want a smart lock that works with ha and can lock the door remotely (I understand it’s not fully locked but better than unlocked!)

My main need is to know that the house is secured, whether while in bed or out shopping.

Itv would be great to get more feedback on this lock.

4

I’ve done a bit more research since this post, read some articles, watched some videos. The simpled locks appear to be just resellers for ttlock, but the locks look good, and the customer service reviews are great.

You can definitely ‘lock’ a UK multipoint door without having to lift the handle with their handle replacement locks. This does not engage the multipoint, but you can do that manually if you want to, either before or after the doors latch is locked, you simply lift the handle as normal.

When the door is locked, pressing down on the outside handle does nothing, it just presses down but does not engage the latch. The inside handle always unlocks the door.

There are two ways to integrate a ttlock into HA, one is via a developer account (thats free to create) and use the current working ttlock cloud integration here:-

This requires the lock to have a wifi to Bluetooth hub and an internet connection.

The second is from HA directly (locally) to the lock via Bluetooth (assuming you have a Bluetooth dongle or proxy installed in HA). This thread discusses it and has the relevant links:-

However, the repo is not currently maintained and I think you have to do some editting to get the code to work with the current version of HA, and there is no guarrantee it will work with your ttlock (apparently how they communicate over Bluetooth has changed as different locks are released).

I think I’m ready to get one of the slim series locks and give it a try. They are on special offer until 6th October with a pretty hefy price saving.

The other thing to note, is because the simpled brand are ttlock compatible, you can buy much much cheaper accessories directly from aliexpress, so if you need that wifi hub, or fobs, or a remote keypress, or an additional wireless keypad, you don’t need to get them from the simpled website. (so I am told, I’ve not done this yet, but its worth a punt).

5

My NUKI is now in year 4 of operation and it has worked flawlessly.
I replaced the normal batteries with NiMh and I get around 6 months of use before I have to recharge.

I also use the keypad with the fingerprint reader from NUKI and quite honestly that has been the best purchase ever - it has been so reliable that I now often leave my house without anything in my pockets :slight_smile:

If this lock breaks, I will get another NUKI !

6

That was the other one on my list, and its a strong contender. There are pro’s and cons:-

The NUKI does not have to replace your existing key and from the outside looks like a normal lock, and can be operated with your normal key if the batteries die.

The NUKI (and all locks of this type) has to ‘turn the lock’ to lock it, and on my door, if you haven’t lifted the handle, it can’t lock the door, and I’ve read that this can sometimes put the NUKI into a jammed state.

Locks that have to ‘turn’ are also inherently more draining on the batteries.

The simpled does not have these problems, but the installation is more complex. They all come with a mechanical backup key that’s inserted into the bottom (its slightly out of sight) of the lock. They also have a usb connection in the same position to plug in a power bank if you have run out of juice.

NUKI Pro:- Totally local control into HA via an ESPhome/Bluetooth proxy, works straight out of the box.