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Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint for $200: I’ve now tested three Ultraloq smart locks for a year and a half, and while I think the company offers some of the best hardware for the money, there are a few software quirks that put these locks at the bottom of our top picks. First I started with the Bolt Fingerprint, which has been the most reliable of all Ultraloq smart devices. If you have a fixed door with a dead bolt bore, it will be quick to install (Ultraloq has a Thick Door Kit ($10)). At first I had a few problems getting the lock to connect to my Wi-Fi, but after a few tries and a few choice words, it connected. I haven’t had any connection problems since then. The program is not very beautiful, but it works. You can add user profiles, unlock remotely, receive notifications when doors are unlocked, share codes, and register fingerprints. There is also an automatic unlock function when you walk in the door, but I found it a bit inconsistent and left it off. The fingerprint is the monitor after all. You have to get used to placing your finger on the sensor a certain way, and after doing this a few times, I’ve gotten it down to the point that I always open it on the first try. It comes with a door sensor, so when the door closes, it automatically closes (you can turn this off). The next lock I tried was Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint with Wi-Fi and HomeKit ($170). This one did a better job of connecting to my home Wi-Fi network via the U-Home app and was quick to add to my Google Home. Unfortunately, after a few months of success, one day it decided to start rejecting my finger. The problem? When I put my finger on the scanner, it refused and blocked all other unlocking methods except the app (or the included physical key). This was so annoying that I ended up just using the numbers with the keypad. Finally, I recently changed to Bolt Fingerprint With Matter ($170)and let’s just say I’m still looking into the matter with the company. The shutter decided to stop working after a few hours, forcing me to remove one of the batteries and put it back in to “reboot”. I might just have the wrong part, so we’ll see. –Julian Chokkattu
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro for $130: WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu also tested the U-Bolt Pro from Ultraloq, which uses the same software that the Fingerprint models do. He says it took a few tries to connect to Wi-Fi, but once connected it worked fine with no Wi-Fi issues during the year he tested it. It has Wi-Fi, uses four AA batteries that last about two months (less in colder weather), and has a hidden keyhole as a backup in case the battery dies while you’re away, and you’ll find two spare keys. There’s a charging port on the bottom for emergency charging if the lock is dead and you don’t have the key, but we wish it was USB-C instead of Micro USB. It’s a good lock, but they prefer the Fingerprint version as it has a better build quality and has eight batteries, so the lock lasts longer.
Photo: Nena Farrell
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch for $300: I’ve been testing the lock for a few weeks with both ADT and Google Home security. Unlike the other locks in this book, I didn’t install it – the ADT tech did, and installation can be included in an ADT security package like the one I’ve been testing. For the lock itself, it worked fine. It is a deadbolt replacement, and came with one key, and has a keyboard and fingerprint reader for input options. Fingerprint recognition is fast and efficient, and my husband says the keyboard is easy to use (you open the keyboard by touching the Yale button, but if your finger is registered to the app, so is the fingerprint reader). Instead of using the Yale software, I manage the software with the ADT+ software, but there are lock models that do not use or require the ADT service. I wish I could set it to shut down every 10 minutes, instead of three, but that’s the longest the ADT+ app gives me to set. I can also control a bit in the Google Home app, but only lock and unlock, so I don’t have to enter details like passcodes and lock times.
Yale Assure Touchscreen Lever Lock for $249: I’ve been testing the immortal door handle and its fancy keys for seven months on my apartment door from inside my garage. In contrast Yale’s Approach Lockit can’t hear you coming, but it wakes up with a simple touch on the keyboard. It’s easy to lock and unlock and view the lock on the Yale Access app, or you can use a pin to unlock it. You can also create different codes so that different people know who is coming and going and when. It works with Google Home, Apple Home, and Alexa, and it also has two physical keys for battery backup. Setup wasn’t exactly cool, requiring the Bilt app to be installed and then Yale to configure it, and online reviews are heavy on their complaints about battery life and the handle getting loose over time. None of these things happened during our testing; however, we will update this review and review more over time. — Kat Merck
Avoid These Smart Locks
We haven’t liked every smart lock we’ve tried. These are the ones to skip.
Eufy FamiLock S3 Max for $280: This lock is cool because it includes a camera, allowing the device to double as a digital tablet (perfect for younger family members!) Unfortunately, once installed, the lock didn’t work on my door, even though it was the right size and placement.
