![]() ![]() The Wi-Fi bridge worked flawlessly, which isn't a given, allowing us to lock the house from afar with the app or using voice assistants like Alexa. ![]() It worked well in our testing, though stick-on sensors may be more reliable for some folks-albeit with added complexity. The Wyze Lock also uses an interesting auto-sensing feature that can tell whether your door is ajar or not without the need for stick-on sensors. (We had to re-share after the other person made their account, so it wasn’t foolproof, but we got it working with minimal fuss.) You can also share access with others through the app, either long-term or on a recurring schedule. The mechanism is smooth and responsive whether you're locking it by hand, through the app, or through the geofencing feature, which uses your phone's location to unlock the door as you arrive home. Thankfully, the Wyze Lock's installation is quite easy, and even first-timers should have no problem installing the deadbolt. On one hand, this is nice, because you can buy only what you need and skip the rest-but it also amounts to a bit more work than something like the Encode for those who want the full package. An optional mount-anywhere keypad is also available for numeric codes, though it's sold separately. Wi-Fi connectivity requires a separate bridge you need to plug in near the lock, though it's bundled in the package. That means you won't have to re-key anything. ![]() It uses your existing deadbolt and keyhole, so your front door will look the same to outsiders, packing all the smarts in a simple panel attached to the inside of the door. Coming off the heels of Wyze’s surprisingly good security cameras, the Wyze Lock offers a solid feature set at a great price. Wyze continues to impress us with its incredibly affordable smart home products. Read our review of the U-tec Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi. It looks good, installs easily, and offers just about every unlock option imaginable: smart, digital, and mechanical alike. Despite a few limitations, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi is an easy smart lock to recommend. The lock delivers in nearly every way that matters it performed just about flawlessly during testing. Some kind of rechargeable battery pack would be preferable to disposables. You can also add guest users with just a few taps, a handy option for Airbnb owners.īattery life is one concern, though: U-tec promises three to six months of operation from the four non-rechargeable AAs the lock requires. But it supports nearly everything else (Alexa, Google, IFTTT, etc.), so you can easily add it to compatible smart-home platforms. The lock is also missing two key integrations: Amazon Key and Apple HomeKit. If your router is limited to 5GHz, keep shopping. Just take note, however, that the onboard Wi-Fi supports only 2.4GHz networks. It’s easy to install and configure, with detailed instructions and online videos available to help you through each step. The U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi boasts an attractive, compact design-a refreshing change from larger, clunkier-locking locks. If there’s a way to open a door, this thing has it. That’s in addition to unlocking via the numeric keypad, voice assistant, Apple Watch, mechanical key, and even fingerprint reader. No more hub needed now you can control the lock from anywhere via your phone. The new Wi-Fi version improves on the previous model in several key ways starting with the addition of, yep, Wi-Fi. “A lock should be secure without having to buy an aftermarket part.U-tec’s Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi is the best smart lock you can buy right now. “We think manufacturers should include beefier hardware with their locks,” says CR’s lock test engineer, David Trezza. The kick-in resistance of most locks improves dramatically when we replace a stock strike plate with 3-inch screws and a box strike, which you can buy online for as little as $5. But as we’ve reported in the past, far too many of those included short screws that catch only the jamb and not the framing of the house. The models that fail-and at least half do-then go through another test round with a reinforced box strike plate installed on a new lock sample.Īll locks come with a strike plate that attaches to the door jamb. They repeat the test eight times, at ever-increasing heights, or until the lock fails. That goes for conventional deadbolts and smart locks-those you can operate with your smartphone.įor the kick-in tests, CR’s test engineers built a custom jig that allows them to swing a 100-pound steel battering ram at a replaceable section of door with the deadbolt installed. In our labs, a few well-placed kicks or a couple of minutes under assault from a cordless drill was all it took to defeat almost every lock in our ratings. Many of the deadbolt locks tested by Consumer Reports lack the level of protection you might want or expect. The #1 issue of smart or dumb locks are the strike plates, not the mechanical construction. ![]()
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