Six unlock methods and built-in Wi-Fi make the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi one of the more capable keyless entry options around. Working against it: no Apple HomeKit support, a 2.4GHz-only Wi-Fi radio, and mediocre battery performance. The compact design and reliable fingerprint sensor still make it a strong addition to most smart homes.
Full review
Six ways in, including a fingerprint reader
The U-Bolt Pro's differentiator is entry methods: a 360-degree fingerprint reader, a keypad with anti-peep code entry, the U-tec app, Bluetooth proximity, GPS geofencing and a physical key behind the faceplate. Art of Lock Picking, which scored it nine out of ten, rates the reader as the standout — quick enough that reaching for the keypad stops being worth it, and tolerant about finger placement. PCMag's four-and-a-half-star review reaches the same conclusion about day-to-day reliability.
It stores up to 100 fingerprints at two per user, which is more than a household needs and genuinely useful for a rental or a small office.
Wi-Fi built in, so there is no bridge to buy
Unlike locks that need a separate bridge for anything remote, this one joins the network itself, so unlocking from work or checking the activity log needs no extra hardware on a shelf. The radio is 2.4GHz only, which is normal for smart-home devices and still trips up anyone running a router that merges both bands under a single name — separating them is usually the fix.
No HomeKit and no Amazon Key
Alexa and Google Assistant are supported; Apple HomeKit is not, and neither is Amazon Key. For a household built around HomePods and the Home app that is disqualifying on its own, and it is the most common criticism levelled at an otherwise well-equipped lock. The Magic Shake gesture, which unlocks by shaking the phone, only works with the app in the foreground, which defeats most of the point of a gesture.
Four AA cells and a motor you can hear
Power comes from four AA cells and the runtime is unremarkable. The constant Wi-Fi connection is the reason, and it is the trade you accept for skipping a bridge. The motor is also loud enough to hear across a quiet hallway. Neither is a fault so much as a consequence of the design.
The reader occasionally wants a second attempt with wet fingers, which is true of every capacitive fingerprint sensor and worth knowing before it happens in the rain.
IP65 rated and installed with one screwdriver
Art of Lock Picking fitted it in about 15 minutes with a Phillips screwdriver, and it suits standard doors from 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches with both common backsets. The zinc body is IP65-rated and specified from -22 to 149 degrees, so it belongs on an exposed exterior door rather than an interior one. The matte black finish does show fingerprints, which is an odd flaw on a lock designed to be touched.
Strengths
- +Supports six unlock methods including fingerprint, keypad, key, app, geofence, and Bluetooth
- +Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity eliminates the need for a separate bridge or hub
- +Compact design fits standard doors with universal backset adjustment (2-3/8" or 2-3/4")
- +Fingerprint reader allows up to 100 fingerprints with two per user and works flawlessly in tests
- +IP65-rated for dust and water resistance, operating in temperatures from -22 to 149 degrees
Watch-outs
- −Requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only and does not support dual-band networks
- −Battery life is described as so-so, requiring 4 AA batteries
- −Lacks support for Apple HomeKit and Amazon Key integration
How it compares
The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi offers the most unlock versatility with six methods, including a robust fingerprint reader that the Schlage Encode Plus and August Wi-Fi Smart Lock completely lack. While it shares the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi limitation with the August, it avoids the Level Lock+'s need for a separate bridge for remote control, though it sacrifices Apple HomeKit support which is a primary selling point for the Level Lock+ and Schlage.
Rating sources
Our 4.4 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
