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ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro Review

A decent lock with the uniqueness of also including a fingerprint scanner to gain access to your home
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ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro Review
Credit: ULTRALOQ
Price:  $169 List
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Manufacturer:   U-Tec
By Max Mutter and Michelle Powell  ⋅  Sep 29, 2022
64
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 9
  • Smart Features - 35% 6.2
  • Keyless Entry - 25% 9.5
  • Security - 25% 4.6
  • Installation - 15% 4.8

Our Verdict

For those seeking a lock with the most advanced smart features, it's hard to beat the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro. It offers many of the same smart features we've seen on other locks, plus a unique fingerprint scanner that lets you unlock the door even if you forgot your keys and phone. It even has a micro USB port that allows you to run the lock from an external power source if the battery dies while you're out and about. Apart from some minor annoyances in the initial setup, we think the Ultraloq offers a great user experience and more smart features than other models in our review of top-ranked smart locks.
REASONS TO BUY
Many smart features
Compatible with most smart home platforms
Charging port
REASONS TO AVOID
Requires external smart hub
Initial setup can be tricky

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Price $169 List
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Bottom Line The unique fingerprint scanner is the highlight of a long list of available smart featuresAn easy to install option with great security, good connectivity, and is easily used with just about any smart home systemStreamlined smart features in an easy to install and high-security packageAn affordable home device that works well with the Wyze smart home ecosystemProvides the option for simple and straightforward, if somewhat limited, operation without a smart hub
Rating Categories ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro August WiFi Smart Schlage Encode Wyze Lock August Smart
Smart Features (35%)
6.2
7.4
7.2
6.4
6.8
Keyless Entry (25%)
9.5
8.4
6.3
8.4
6.4
Security (25%)
4.6
10.0
9.6
6.4
4.6
Installation (15%)
4.8
8.4
7.2
8.4
7.4
Specs ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro August WiFi Smart Schlage Encode Wyze Lock August Smart
Apple HomeKit No Yes No No No
Amazon Alexa Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Google Assistant Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Smartphone Compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes With Hub
Z-Wave No Yes No No No
Zigbee No No No Yes No
ANSI Rating N/A Grade 1 Grade 1 Grade 3 N/A- retrofit
Uses Existing Deadbolt or Full Replacement Replacement Existing Replacement Existing Existing
Deadbolt Included Yes No Yes No No
Backset 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 2 3/8" or 2 3/4"
Door Thickness Range 1 1/3" - 2" 1 3/8" - 2 1/4" 1 3/8" - 1 3/4" 1 3/8" - 1 3/4" 1 3/8" - 2 1/4"
Face Bore Hole Diameter 2 1/8" 1 1/2" or 2 1/8" 2 1/8" 2 1/8" 1 1/2" or 2 1/8"
Power Requirement AA Batteries Pre-installed batteries AA Batteries AA Batteries
Hub plugs into the wall
AA Batteries
Hub plugs into the wall

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro replaces your current deadbolt with a high-tech-looking keypad/fingerprint scanner. It's compatible with several other products, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and your smartphone.

Performance Comparison


ultraloq u-bolt pro - the ultraloq u-bolt pro has a circular keypad with a fingerprint...
The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro has a circular keypad with a fingerprint scanner in the center.
Credit: Jason Peters

Smart Features


First and foremost, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro has a fingerprint scanner that allows you to unlock the door with a quick tap. This is a feature we haven't seen on any other models and allows easy access even if you forget your phone.

You can also open the door by entering a code on the keypad, by using your phone as a Bluetooth key, or with a physical key by opening the hidden key port. Via the app, you can easily share access with anyone, whether you prefer to use a code or a Bluetooth key (the latter requires the person you're sharing access with to create an account and download the associated app). No matter how you share access, you can put time constraints on that access. This makes remote access sharing far more useful, as you can do things like share access with a dog walker only during the week and at certain times of the day. You also get a log of all your lock's activity, so you know when people access your home.

ultraloq u-bolt pro - the circular keypad allows for a sleeker design, but does take a...
The circular keypad allows for a sleeker design, but does take a minute to get used to.
Credit: Jason Peters

The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro offers broad smart home compatibility, working seamlessly with both Google Assistant and Alexa. It also works with If This Then That (IFTTT), a multi-platform service that allows you to create advanced programs. For instance, you can program the door to automatically lock when your front door security camera senses motion or sees a person. Another unique feature, the Ultraloq has a micro USB charging port. This allows you to run the lock from an external power source in the event that it runs out of battery. This works great in a pinch if the battery runs out when you've left the house without the physical key — as long as you have the right cable handy.

Though it's still in the beta stage, there is also a “magic shake” feature that opens the lock simply by shaking your phone. Right now, this only works if you open the app first, which largely defeats the purpose.

ultraloq u-bolt pro - the ultraloq u-bolt pro's fingerprint scanner is one of the most...
The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro's fingerprint scanner is one of the most unique smart features we've come across.
Credit: Jason Peters

Keyless Entry


In our testing, keyless entry for the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro worked flawlessly. We had no issues and almost no delays, whether we were accessing the lock from the app, using a code, or via the fingerprint scanner. There is also an optional geofencing feature, which automatically unlocks the lock when your phone gets close and automatically locks it when it gets a certain distance from your home. This was one of the quickest locks we tested at opening the door when we asked it to.

Security


The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is not certified with an official ANSI rating. We contacted customer service concerning its security level, and they told us it was modeled after ANSI Grade 2, which is considered adequate for most residential uses, but again it is not officially certified as such. There is also an auto-lock feature that protects against forgetting to lock the door when you leave your home.

Installation


The physical installation of the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is relatively straightforward compared to other locks on the market. We had some minor issues in setting up the smart features, namely, connecting the lock to its separate smart hub. There were multiple restarts of the app and many unplugging of the hub before they started talking to each other, but once paired, they worked perfectly with no further issues.

ultraloq u-bolt pro - the battery chamber is easily accessed. there is also a microusb...
The battery chamber is easily accessed. There is also a microUSB port that can be used to power the lock from an external source, if those batteries happen to die.
Credit: Jason Peters

Should You Buy the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro?


While the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is quite expensive, it's on par with most of its competitors. Though it lacks some smart hub compatibility, it works wonderfully with the few it is compatible with. Its keyless entry options are some of the best we tested. And if you're stoked on the idea of a fingerprint scanner, the functionality and cost of the Ultraloq, we think, are worth it.

What Other Smart Locks Should You Consider?


The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro offers exceptional features and functionality when paired with the right hub. If you're running your home on one of the hubs, this lock doesn't support the Schlage Sense or August WiFi Smart may be a better fit for your front door. But if you're just jumping into the smart home life and love the idea of unlocking your door with your fingerprint, the Ultraloq is a great choice.

ultraloq u-bolt pro - the sleek interior face.
The sleek interior face.
Credit: Jason Peters

Max Mutter and Michelle Powell