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Netatmo (Finally) Releases its First Smart Lock

Netatmo today released its first smart lock for Eurocylinder-style doors, in what can only be described as a long wait for, well, not much to show for it. First announced way back in (I kid you not) January of 2020, the lock is now available to buy from the company’s online store in selected regions, for €379.99, with a single additional key for €39.99, or a 3-pack for €99.99, saving you around €20. Three keys are already included in the package.



You might think that’s a steep price to pay, and given the lack of features currently available with many other smart locks at around half the price, you’d be right. To start things off, however, here are the main features;

  • Use a Smart Key or your smartphone to lock or unlock the door
  • A lock that meets the strictest security certifications and tamper-proof, non-duplicable keys.
  • Deactivate a lost or stolen Key and add new Keys from inside the app
  • Send your guests a smartphone invite, which then acts as a key, from wherever you are
  • Compatible with all doors equipped with a Euro cylinder.
  • Over a year of battery life and a micro USB backup connection.
  • A single Smart Key for multiple Door Locks
  • A standalone product with no hidden fees.
  • Apple HomeKit compatibility to create smart connections with other devices

So as you can see, it offers some neat security features and certainly appears to be very well made, as well as being Apple Home compatible. Due to it being largely a retrofit option, it would allow renters to fit it without remodelling the door, or even take the lock with them upon moving home. However, it doesn’t currently come with a separate keypad option, it doesn’t have Apple HomeKey, and it even uses Bluetooth 4.2, which is odd considering how long Bluetooth 5.0 and later have been out, not to mention Thread! The included keys do use NFC, but I get the sneaking feeling that this lock wouldn’t get an upgrade to Apple HomeKey, as much as I’d like to be wrong on this count.

In its defence, the lock does deliver the goods in terms of hardware security;

Compliant with the most stringent requirements that guarantee your home the highest level of mechanical and electronic security, in accordance with standard EN15684. It is designed to protect you from physical break-in attempts such as picking, drilling, pulling, cutting and hammering. The cylinder, designed by Netatmo, is made from highly durable stainless steel, reinforced with an anti-drilling pad and 3 security pins for optimum protection.

With HomeKit compatibility, along with the option to use Netatmo’s own app, the lock can be set to a locked or unlocked state, while the mortice lock remains in its original position, albeit unlocked. This means that while the physical lock doesn’t turn, it can be remotely placed in an unlocked state through a signal from your phone or via remote access. For instance, if you want to grant access to someone while you’re away, you can remotely set the lock to be unlocked, and the visitor can simply turn the external doorknob to enter. Similar to many other locks, this one uses Bluetooth to connect to Apple HomeKit, with NFC data stored locally on the lock itself.

The lock relies on four AAA batteries, with a claimed battery life of up to two years according to the company. In case the batteries unexpectedly run out, you can temporarily power the lock using a micro USB cable (micro USB in 2023, really?), presumably connected to a portable battery pack (though carrying one with you all the time is not necessarily practical). The dedicated lock app from Netatmo also issues a warning when the battery levels are low.

Depending on your location, you can order the lock from Netatmo’s own store today, or perhaps wait until Aqara delivers its own retrofit option early in 2024…

The Editor

Editor - Musician, graphic designer and HomeKit aficionado.

6 thoughts on “Netatmo (Finally) Releases its First Smart Lock

  • If it had Homekey support, I would buy it right away. Even for this insane price. I love the design and the keys. It’s not pickable this way. But this product is not future proof, so I hope another company will fill this gab in the EU. A retrofit option that replaces the inside in the EU would be nice

  • Micro-USB? Going into 2024?? Netatmo, get it together… 😬

  • Went all in at some point with Netatmo and I still regret it. Indoor camera heating like hell, security system is a total disappointment with door sensors not visible in Home App and valves that are having issues with batteries either draining them or showing new ones as depleted plus you can’t use rechargeable. On top of that support is a disaster. They know that they are selling faulty products but still it’s the customer that has to prove it every single time. I’m definitely not trusting them with a crucial equipment like a door lock especially for that price with so many other options.

  • No Bluetooth 5. No USB-C. No Apple Home Key support. What the hell have they been doing in the nearly four years since they announced this?

  • Here’s message and response from Netatmo 2 days ago. Hints at further testing/development perhaps?

    @NetatmoSupport
    – Bit by bit I see more about the long awaited smart lock. Now there are downloads and tech details on the UK site. But ‘this product is not available in your country’. In which countries is it available and when in the UK? Its been a long wait!
    9:51 PM · Oct 17, 2023
    ·
    6
    Views
    View post engagements
    golfcity

    NetatmoSupport
    @NetatmoSupport
    ·
    21h
    With this in mind, we have concentrated initially on the 3 fastest-growing markets, and on exclusive distribution with key partners. This model will enable us to study consumer needs and then duplicate our distribution method in other countries.
    Tnx for your understanding. 2/2

    golfcity
    @golfcities
    ·
    21h
    OK, thanks for the heads-up.

    NetatmoSupport
    @NetatmoSupport
    ·
    21h
    Hi, thank you for your interest in our brand new product. The smart doorlock market is still in its early stages, and we want to make sure that we respond perfectly to its specific needs. 1/2

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