ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock, Keyless Entry Door Lock via Bluetooth, Smartphone, Fingerprint ID, Anti-peep Keypad, Auto Unlock, Smart Lock for Front Door, Smart Deadbolt Lock, IP65 Waterproof

I've owned an ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock with Door Sensor for about five (5) months now, and then about a month and a half ago, I purchased a second one (the same model). So clearly I'm a satisfied customer.This review will cover my experiences with both locks.I put the first one purchased on the front door of my home and intended to put the second on my side garage door. That plan went awry when I was unable to consistently get the "new" lock to connect to my home wifi. As part of my troubleshooting, I moved the "old" lock to the garage side door and installed the new lock on my front door. When I did that, the new lock connected without any issues, while the old lock (which had never had a wifi problem) connected sporadically. So clearly my wifi was the issue. I left the locks as installed.I will say that the Ultraloq customer service was quick to respond when I thought that the issue was one with the lock itself. They continued to follow up with me as I went through my troubleshooting efforts and offered to replace the lock if I thought that was the issue.As stated, the oldest lock is now about five (5) months old. I've had to replace the batteries once in those five months, about 3 weeks ago. I'm not sure if the wifi issue will cause the batteries to die earlier, but I suspect that might be the case. The app (I'll talk about it later) gives you plenty of notice that the batteries need to be replaced. It is recommended that regular AA alkaline batteries be used rather than rechargeable batteries or lithium batteries due to the rapid fail time once they start to die. In the event your batteries completely die, you can use a 5-volt USB source to power the lock to allow you to open it, or you can simply use a key.Installing the locks is fairly straightforward. All you will need to use will likely be a Philips screwdriver. That was the case with both of my locks. Something to keep in mind is that if your existing deadbolt doesn't close "cleanly", that is, if you need to pull/push the door to engage the deadbolt, then you'll have to do some work to remedy that for ANY automatic deadbolt to work properly. At my home, the front door was not an issue while the garage side door was. All I needed to do for the side door was clean out the material inside the strike plate some, and the deadbolt engaged freely. You might need to do the same and/or relocate your existing strike plate if you have an issue.The instructions included with the Ultraloq are clear and concise, and walk you through the installation process. Be sure to follow them in order to complete the steps in the correct sequence…it does matter when the batteries are installed, when the app is launched, etc.Please be aware that as with most IOT (internet of things) Smart Home devices, the Ultraloq requires a 2.4 GHz network connection, NOT a 5 GHz network. If you have a network that cannot be separated, then you may have some challenges connecting the Ultraloq to your wifi.Once the lock is installed and connected through the app you can then begin to configure it. I’m not going to try to explain all of that <smile>.For me, the biggest selling point of the Ultraloq was the number of methods you can use to unlock the device. They are:1. Via a physical key – the entire face of the lock can pivot down revealing the key slot. Obviously, that’s not the preferred method, but it’s nice to have that option if needed. A note about the keys…they’re big and probably not the kind you want to carry around. I had copies made at my local Lowe’s. From discussion on the Ultraloq support forums, it seems that some of the locks have Schlage key styles while others are Kwikset key styles. Both of my locks were the Schlage style and the copies worked fine. Something that my OCD self would desire would be the ability to have both of my locks keyed alike, but alas…2. Via the keypad – there is a round numerical keypad on the front of the lock. The lock can store user codes for up to 50 users. Your code can be as short as four (4) digits and as long as eight (8) digits. The lock allows you to enter a “vague” user code of up to sixteen (16) digits as long as YOUR USER CODE is contained within the string. This is an anti-peep measure. Once you enter the code and press the ULTRALOQ button, the unit will unlock. This has worked flawlessly for me.3. Via the fingerprint reader – this is likely why you’re looking at this model, and for the most part, it works well. Each user can register up to two (2) fingerprints. Note that registering a fingerprint involves multiple scans of the finger. In my use, the lock ALWAYS recognizes the fingerprint of my wife. Me…not always…probably about 75% of the time. I’ve registered and re-registered my fingerprints and typically it will work great for a couple of weeks then I’ll start having some issues. In the lock’s defense, my fingerprints (particularly on my thumbs) are very faint.4. Via the smartphone app – this works well. Just press the button in the app, and voila, your door locks/unlocks.5. Via smart-home devices – my home uses Amazon Echo devices and this works flawlessly as long as there is a wifi connection to your lock. So in my case, the front door always works and sometimes the garage side door works (see above). I simply say “Alexa, lock/unlock the front door”. If I am locking the door, nothing else is needed. If I am unlocking the door, then I have to say a 4-digit code to confirm that “itsa me Mario”, just kidding. You can also include engaging the lock in your routines. For example, I have a nightly shut-down routine that tells both doors to lock. Of course, you need to enable the Ultraloq skill for any of this to work.6. Via geo-fencing – this quite honestly has been very hit-or-miss for me. Sometimes I’ll come home and the lock will unlock…sometimes it won’t. I don’t personally feel this is a big issue, but if you do, it might be a deal-breaker.To lock the device, you can use many of the methods above or you can engage it manually from inside or by pressing the ULTRALOQ button from the outside.The locks I purchased were the ones with the door sensor. This is a small unit that mounts beside the interior lock piece that helps the device determine if the door is open or closed. Once configured, both of mine have worked flawlessly. This allows you to check the status of your lock remotely using the app.The U-tec app is fairly straightforward. It allows you to manage multiple (or single) locks, add users, see the usage logs (lock/unlock), etc. It’s pretty easy to use.Something that I saw either in a review or on the support forum was a suggestion to put a piece of white electrical tape on the raised section of the inside lock knob. This makes it easier to see the lock status in a dark room, from a distance, etc. when glancing at the lock. I’ve done this with both of my locks and it helps.So, would I buy it again? Yes, I would. In fact, I’m planning on purchasing the lever version of this lock to complete the exterior locks on my home.

I’ve been using these locks on my rental property for the past few years. Recently I have even upgraded my house with them. All in all, I have 2 units of the UL1 (combined handle/deadbolt), 1 unit U-bolt Pro (fingerprint deadbolt model), and 2 units U-bolt Pro with build in WiFi. For a total of 5 units! These locks also integrate with Alexa fairly nicely, you can set them on a routine to Auto-lock at specific times or by using a voice command activated prompt (custom Alexa command) or direct interaction (Alexa lock the front door). For security reasons, it will not allow you to Auto Unlock using the Routines, which is inconvenient at times, but also understandable.The good the bad and the ugly.The good, on all the units, the mechanics of the locks seems outstanding, they feel nice and sturdy. The buttons and convenience of the units makes for a wonderful experience. When you have a problem, I have had a few, the customer service takes care of the issues in a reasonable and timely manner.The bad, now we get to the problems I’ve had. I’ve had a handle door latch break, the inner mechanism of the handle, so you cannot open the door by pushing down on the handle. Sounds simple enough, just pull up on the handle to open the door, while waiting for repair parts. However, on the UL-1 pulling up also engages the deadbolt. So kind of difficult on the timing. But as I said, the customer service sent out a new one very quickly. I’ve also had a clutch go out in the same unit, again, very quickly I had a replacement sent, and I am happy with it.I’ve also had the a deadbolt that I ordered come with a defective clutch that would fail if given time. When the deadbolt is locked electronically, the clutch doesn’t disengage, you can hear the sound difference, then when you open manually from the inside, it’s hard to turn and you can hear the motor whirl.Sometimes when you use a unit that is connected to WiFi using a Bridge, it is very slow to connect, or doesn’t connect at all, kid of annoying, but overall not to interruptive to the experience.Sometimes on the deadbolts, it takes a couple attempts with your fingertips to get the sensor to notice you are trying to get a response.The ugly, out of the 5 units I own, being an owner for about the last 5 years, I have have had 3 or 4 warranty claims. I still give an overall experience of 5 stars as the outstanding customer service and quick resolutions and great follow up communication by the manufacturer makes up for the folly. Both myself and my wife have been locked out by the deadbolt not responding to our touch, or turning a color but then not actually responding to it. So make sure you have your manufacturer recommended spare key box outside the house somewhere.Final thought, I love the product, I love the service when something does happen. I have not had an out of warranty claim on their electronics. But for the price, I just wish their warranty on the “electronics” part of the unit was for more than a year. It would be good peace of mind.