Let's keep this really simple - just get this lock. Why you ask? Fine, fine, I guess I should explain the *why* behind getting this lock. But be warned, this is a long review...
Truly, the U-Bolt Pro is everything a lock should be - literally. By biggest gripe with smart locks is that they usually have two features - some sort of key manual access and then some sort of technology. Maybe it's a key unlock and a smart phone app, or maybe it's a key unlock and a number pad, or maybe it's a key unlock and a finger print reader. But this lock, my friends, has *all* those things.
First off, in case anyone has not said this, you CAN get this lock rekeyed to match your existing set of keys. I love, love, love this - now I do not have to be stuck with some new random key for the deadbolt in addition to my current house key. The strange thing is, while the manufactures site states that this uses a Schlage style barrel, it actually uses a Kwikset key? Odd right? The locksmith I had rekey the barrels (which yes, you can remove from the lock and can take to your local lock smith!) was baffled as well. Personally this was not an issue for me (more of a great surprise actually) as I already had Kwikset keys on my house, but if you were expecting Schlage then you'd be disappointed as the barrel does not work with them. I assume one could buy a Schlege barrel and place it in the lock... however my locksmith warned against this as the tail is quite long on the included barrel and he did not believe there were any Schlege style barrels with such a long tail. So your mileage may vary - but TL;DR, this lock can be rekeyed to Kwikset keys!
But back to what I was saying - I cannot, I repeat cannot, understate how important the all-the-above options to unlock the deadbolt was to me. You have SO many choices to unlock the door - and yes at first that might sound silly - but trust me, it's great. Especially for people like my parents who do not want to use a smart phone app.
Let me give you a general run down of how all these features have made my life simpler. When I pull into my neighborhood, the app alerts me that the locks are ready to unlock when I approach my house. And when I pull into my driveway, the locks instantly unlock so I do not even have to take the keys out of my pocket to get inside. And when I finally step into the house, the locks (after a set amount of time I preconfigured) will auto lock behind me. Just like that, with my hands full of groceries, I did not even have to pull the keys or my phone out of my pocket. Wow. And this becomes exponentially better when it's raining and I am not fumbling for my keys to unlock the door! I can just run inside barely getting soaked! Now it's not always perfect, maybe once or twice a month I have a Bluetooth issue where the lock does not detect I'm there but hey, I can stomach that inconvenience - especially when you have other options to unlock the door.
Leading to my next comment - the fingerprint and pin pad unlocking. Maybe I left my phone at home or perhaps the lock did not detect me at the door. No problem, finger print scanner to the rescue. Just one two second hold with my finger and the door unlocks without a hitch! And when I've had gloves on and that's not an option, I can unlock the door with the number pad. Also FYI, these are the two methods my parents prefer the most - they don't want to have the app on their phones, but they also would like for a way to unlock the door without having to fumble with a key. A fingerprint or a number code stored locally on the device (that can work even without Wifi!) is excellent for them. Now if you want to unlock the device from the app when say you're at at work for example and no where near your house, you will need the bridge - but otherwise the device functions entirely on Bluetooth locally.
If all else fails - my phone did not connect, the finger print reader was not reading my thumb for some reason, or perhaps the lock is dead and the number pad cannot function - I can just flip down the lid and insert my traditional house key. Did you count that? There are FOUR different ways to unlock this deadbolt! And did I mention there are NO MONTHLY FEES fees for this?!
Okay okay look I concede, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. There's one eency weency issue: Alexa and this lock hate each other. Perhaps this can be fixed with a software update... but the issue still persists to this day for me. Now the lock will pair fine with Alexa, and I can even ask Alexa to unlock the device or lock the device with my voice. But, that's where the problem begins. First you have to tell Alexa a pin to unlock the deadbolt... which seems crazy to me. Yes I know, the whole point is so that no one can just shout "Alexa, unlock the front door!" from outside your house and the Alexa device inside hears the command and unlocks... but also, I really would prefer not to have to tell Alexa a pin every single time, especially when other people around me outside could hear such a pin. However honestly it wouldn't matter if they did hear my pin as, surprise, Alexa cannot unlock this lock! She will lie to you and say she has but oh no, do not believe her beautiful voice - she is a liar! The Alexa app will say the door is unlocked too, but that is also false. It simply just does not work with Alexa - and if that is something incredibly important to you then this may not be the lock for you. With that said, I really don't believe it should be, though; I never once felt the need to unlock the deadbolt with Alexa nor ever found the idea more convenient than using the location proximity/the app, my fingerprint, the number pad, or the key itself. Maybe it would have been nice when I'm already inside to make sure the door is locked, but isn't that what the auto lock feature or the app is for already? And I guess this issue could be solved down the line with an update too, so maybe by the time you are reading this the whole paragraph is a nonissue!
Wow, I typed a lot here - though when you're spending almost $200 on a lock, you want to make sure that your money is going towards a good investment. I can confidently say that yes, it absolutely is - heck, I bought three of them, dropping more than half a grand... and without a doubt, it's been 100% worth it. If you want a lock with multiple smart unlocking options, a physical key option, and no monthly subscription, you found it. Installation was simple too! I just really, really, really like this lock if you can't tell by now - and I hope you will too.
| Brand | ULTRALOQ |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | 360° Fingerprint ID with AI , Smartphone Control From Anywhere with Extra Ultraloq WiFi Bridge, 7 Ways to Unlock, Auto Lock & Auto Unlock, Glove-friendly Anti-peep Keypad, Highest Commercial Level of Security and Durability, No Drilling Required |
| Lock Type | Smart Lock |
| Item dimensions L x W x H | 2.95 x 2.95 x 1.22 inches |
| Material | Zinc |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Home/Airbnb/Hotel/Office/Apartment |
| Style | Fingerprint + Bluetooth |
| Color | Black with Satin Nickel |
| Finish Type | Brushed |
| Included Components | ULTRALOQ Smart Lock with Fingerprint Scanner and Hidden Key Hole, Mounting Hardware, Backup Key, AA Alkaline Batteries, User Guide |
| Controller Type | SmartThings；Amazon Alexa；Google Assistant；IFTTT；iOS |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Item Weight | 3 Pounds |
| Control Method | App |
| Connectivity Protocol | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Manufacturer | ULTRALOQ |
| Part Number | U-Bolt Pro |
| Item Weight | 3 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 2.95 x 2.95 x 1.22 inches |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | U-Bolt Pro |
| Batteries | 4 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | Fingerprint + Bluetooth |
| Finish | Brushed |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Certification | ANSI Grade 1 |
| Special Features | 360° Fingerprint ID with AI , Smartphone Control From Anywhere with Extra Ultraloq WiFi Bridge, 7 Ways to Unlock, Auto Lock & Auto Unlock, Glove-friendly Anti-peep Keypad, Highest Commercial Level of Security and Durability, No Drilling Required |
| Usage | Outside; Professional; Front Door; Home; Residential; Commercial |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Alkaline |
| Warranty Description | 18 months electronic warranty and lifetime mechanical warranty |
