The Bosch FU8 vs FU30 Plus decision comes down to two things: battery and size. Both locks share the same face recognition, camera, display, user capacity, and intercom. The Bosch FU8 (AED 2,650) adds a bigger 5000mAh battery in a larger body. The Bosch FU30 Plus (AED 2,450) uses a 4200mAh battery in a noticeably slimmer body. If you care most about longer gaps between charges, pick the FU8. If you want a sleeker lock on your door and AED 200 back in your pocket, pick the FU30 Plus.
What's identical on both locks
Here's what you get on both models, so you're not paying for any of it twice:
- Unlock methods: 3D facial recognition, fingerprint, PIN code, IC card, mobile app and a mechanical backup key
- User capacity: 100 faces, 100 fingerprints, 100 password sets, 100 IC cards
- Display: 4.45-inch IPS screen, 480 x 854 resolution
- Camera: 1280 x 720 resolution, 120° horizontal angle
- Face recognition range: 40–90cm distance, for users between 1.2m and 1.9m tall
- Intercom: visitors press the bell, you get an app notification and can talk to them remotely
- Lock type: fully automated
- Door thickness: 40–100mm
- Operating temperature: -20°C to +60°C
- App: Smartlife, on iOS and Android
- Emergency power port plus mechanical backup key, standard on every lock SmartLuck sells
Day to day, both locks behave the same at the door: walk up, the camera recognises your face, the door opens. Neither lock gives you a better camera, a faster face scan or more users.
Bosch FU8 vs FU30 Plus: the 3 real differences
| Bosch FU8 | Bosch FU30 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | AED 2,650 | AED 2,450 |
| Battery | 5000mAh lithium | 4200mAh lithium |
| Outside panel (H x W x D) | 430 x 87 x 65.5mm | 415 x 75 x 47mm |
| Inside panel (H x W x D) | 430 x 87 x 81mm | 415 x 75 x 68.5mm |
1. Battery: the FU8 holds about 19% more charge
The Bosch FU8 3D facial recognition smart lock runs on a 5000mAh lithium battery. The FU30 Plus uses 4200mAh. Face recognition, the screen and the intercom all draw power, so a busy door (a family of five, a maid, drivers, deliveries) will drain a battery faster than a door used twice a day. More capacity means fewer recharges.
Neither lock will strand you, though. Both warn you in the app well before the battery runs out, and both have an emergency power port that works with any power bank, plus the mechanical key. Our guide on what happens when your smart lock battery dies covers that in detail.
2. Size: the FU30 Plus is slimmer on both sides of the door
The Bosch FU30 Plus smart lock is 12mm narrower and 15mm shorter than the FU8. The bigger gap is depth: the outside panel sticks out 47mm on the FU30 Plus versus 65.5mm on the FU8. That's almost 2cm less hardware projecting off your door.
This matters on:
- Narrow door stiles, where a wide panel can look crowded
- Doors where you want a flatter, more minimal look
- Apartment corridors where the lock sits close to a wall or another door
The FU8 shares its body size with the Bosch FU6 Plus, so if you've seen one of those installed, that's what the FU8 looks like on a door.
3. Price: AED 200 apart
At AED 2,450 the FU30 Plus is the cheapest way into Bosch face recognition. The FU8 costs AED 200 more, and that money buys you the extra 800mAh of battery and nothing else.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the Bosch FU8 if:
- Your door gets heavy daily traffic (large family, staff, frequent visitors)
- You'd rather recharge less often and don't mind a bulkier panel
- It's for a villa main door with cover, where a larger panel looks in proportion
Choose the Bosch FU30 Plus if:
- You want the slimmest Bosch face recognition lock
- It's an apartment door or a narrower frame
- Your door sees normal household traffic and recharging every so often is no problem
- You'd rather keep the AED 200
If you're torn, ask yourself this: "Do I care more about how the lock looks or how often I charge it?" Looks → FU30 Plus. Charging → FU8.
What about the next step up?
If you're comparing these two because you want face recognition, the Bosch EL600VF is worth a look at AED 3,250. It's SmartLuck's best-selling lock across villas and apartments and has a sharper 1920 x 1080 camera with a wider 160° angle. The trade-off is that it stores 20 faces instead of 100. And if never running out of power is your top priority, the FU6 Plus runs two batteries (4200mAh + 2250mAh), so it keeps working while one is charging. Our full Bosch FU6 Plus review explains how that setup works.
Installation and warranty
Both locks need professional installation. They aren't clip-on retrofits. SmartLuck installs both for free in Dubai and Sharjah (charges apply in other Emirates), and both come with a 12-month warranty. Our technician sets up your faces, fingerprints and PINs before leaving, so the lock is ready to use as soon as the job's done. See what to expect from smart lock installation in Dubai.
FAQ
What is the main difference between the Bosch FU8 and FU30 Plus?
Battery and size. The Bosch FU8 has a 5000mAh battery in a larger body, while the Bosch FU30 Plus has a 4200mAh battery in a slimmer body that projects 47mm from the door instead of 65.5mm. Face recognition, camera, screen, intercom and user capacity are identical on both.
Is the Bosch FU8 better than the FU30 Plus?
Not overall. It's better only on battery capacity, holding about 19% more charge. The FU30 Plus is slimmer and AED 200 cheaper while matching the FU8 on every security and access feature. The FU8 suits high-traffic doors, and the FU30 Plus suits buyers who want a sleeker lock at a lower price.
Do the Bosch FU8 and FU30 Plus have the same camera?
Yes. Both use a 1280 x 720 camera with a 120° horizontal angle and a 4.45-inch IPS screen. Both recognise faces at 40–90cm for users between 1.2m and 1.9m tall. Both also include a remote intercom, so you can see and talk to visitors through the Smartlife app.
How many faces can the Bosch FU8 and FU30 Plus store?
Both store up to 100 faces, along with 100 fingerprints, 100 password sets and 100 IC cards. That's five times the face capacity of the Bosch EL600VF, which stores 20, so either lock suits large households or homes with regular staff.
Is installation free for the Bosch FU8 and FU30 Plus?
Yes, in Dubai and Sharjah. SmartLuck installs both locks free of charge in those two emirates, and installation charges apply in other Emirates. Both carry a 12-month warranty and include a mechanical backup key and emergency power port as standard.
