One of the most reliable ways to improve your home’s security is to replace your standard door lock with a smart lock. Unlike traditional door locks, a smart lock offers allows you to lock and unlock your door right from your smartphone, eliminating the need for keys. They also give you the ability to create temporary access codes that you can share with other family members and service providers. Most modern smart locks also offer advanced features like activity tracking, and real-time alerts, giving you peace of mind and control over who enters your home — no matter where you are. For a smart lock that can offer you multiple methods of authentication, enhanced security, and is easy to install and configure, the U-tec ULTRALOQ Bolt NFC is an outstanding option to consider.
The U-tec ULTRALOQ Bolt NFC is a next-generation smart deadbolt lock that offers both keyless entry via 5 different methods and traditional key access with its included mechanical key. The lock has a weather-resistant construction and is designed to fit any US standard door. It integrates a tactile keypad for unlocking it with a pin code, which boasts an anti-peep passcode function that enables you to add random digits before or after your code to help protect it, while also featuring smart auto lock and auto unlock functions, plus two-layer 128-bit AES data encryption with AWS integration. The lock is also compatible with Apple Home Key for unlocking it with an iPhone or an Apple Watch, features an NFC unlocking function by using an NFC-enabled smartphone or its included NFC key fob, and works with most smart home ecosystems including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, and IFTTT, for which it also supports voice controls.
It also boasts Wi-Fi connectivity and offers up to 1 year of battery life. Via the U home app, you can lock and unlock the door, create and share Ekeys with other family members and guests that grant them permanent or temporary access, manage users, receive real-time notifications about the door’s status, and see a record log of who’s entered and at what time.
Designed for modern homes, this smart deadbolt lock gives you multiple ways to unlock your door together with next-level smart home integration, all in a single device.
Here’s our comprehensive review of the U-tec ULTRALOQ Bolt NFC, where we discuss in detail all the unique features this smart deadbolt lock has to offer you.
DESIGN & SPECS
Starting with the device’s size, this smart deadbolt lock has a compact form factor, with its exterior keypad measuring just 2.96 inches long by 1.23 inches thick by 2.96 inches tall, while its interior door latch piece measures exactly 2.91 inches wide by 1.34 inches thick by 5.39 inches tall. When put together, the door lock weighs a total of 3.5 lbs. (1.6 kg).
The ULTRALOQ Bolt NFC also sports a beautiful, modern aesthetic. Both the door lock’s keypad and its interior door latch come in a solid Black color, which gives it a very discreet appearance outside as well as inside.
More importantly, both its exterior keypad and its interior door latch also pack a highly durable construction. That goes especially for its keypad, as its protective case is built from strong zinc alloy.
Plus, its exterior keypad is also rated to have an IP65 Weather-Resistance Rating, which gives it protection against all weather elements, including dust, heavy rain, heat, and cold.
SETUP / INSTALLATION
When it comes to installing this smart deadbolt lock, the ULTRALOQ Bolt NFC is designed to fit any US standard door for an easy do-it-yourself setup.
Its installation is simple and should take you no more than 10 minutes.
The lock comes with everything you need to install it right out of the box and can be easily installed with just a screwdriver, as it only needs the four screws that come included in its package, meaning no wiring or drilling are required.
It also comes with guided, interactive instructions in the package that will guide you through its installation process from start to finish.
INTERFACE / CONTROL PANEL
Moving on to the lock’s interface, including its exterior tactile keypad and interior door latch, both of which feature a user-friendly interface that makes them intuitive to operate.
The lock’s interior door latch comes equipped with a built-in hand cylinder integrated at its bottom side that allows users to manually unlock and lock the door from inside their home.
Its door latch also integrates a set of LED status lights, plus locked and unlocked symbols around its hand cylinder that indicate to which side you should turn it when manually locking or unlocking your door.
The lock’s exterior keypad integrates 10 number buttons ranging from 0 to 9 for unlocking your door with the use of a custom pin code, along with a confirm button at the bottom in the form of ULTRALOQ’s official logo. The lock can save up to 50 different pin codes.
It also boasts an anti-peep passcode function that enables you to add random digits before or after your code as a way to confuse unwanted onlookers to help protect your code from prying eyes.
The lock also features bank-grade two-layer 128-bit AES data encryption, which helps ensure that all stored user pin codes are secured, along with AWS integration.
Plus, it also features smart auto-locking and auto-unlocking functions powered by ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, which make it capable of sensing your approach. This enables the lock to automatically unlock itself when you arrive at your door with your smartphone in your person, and then automatically lock itself once the door is closed.
The ULTRALOQ Bolt NFC is compatible with Apple Home Key for unlocking it with an iPhone or an Apple Watch.
In addition, it also boasts an NFC unlocking function that enables you to unlock it by using an NFC-enabled smartphone or its included NFC key fob.
On top of all the keyless entry methods already mentioned, this smart deadbolt lock also offers you traditional key access, for which it comes with a mechanical key.
CONNECTIVITY
For pairing with its mobile app, the ULTRALOQ Bolt NFC uses Wi-Fi connectivity.
What’s more is that the lock also works with most smart home ecosystems including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, and IFTTT.
Furthermore, it also boasts Voice Assistant support, which enables you to lock and unlock your door with simple voice commands.
BATTERY & BATTERY LIFE
For its power, this smart deadbolt lock utilizes eight AA batteries that can provide it with up to 1 year of battery life.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The U home App
For monitoring and controlling and the lock’s operation remotely, users are required to install the U home App on their smartphones (available for iOS and Android).
Via the U home app, you can lock and unlock your door from anywhere with just a tap in the app.
You can also create and share Ekeys with other family members and guests that grant them permanent or temporary access to your home, as well as manage all existing users.
The app also allows you to receive real-time notifications about the door’s status, letting you know when it has been opened and also when the lock’s battery is running low on power.
Lastly, you can also view a record log of who’s entered your home and at what time.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When considering all its advanced features, it’s safe to say that this smart deadlock lock is an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a way to enhance their home’s security. The lock is built to last and offers you multiple different keyless entry options along with traditional key access. Its smart home integration and mobile app also give you extra convenience for controlling and monitoring its usage.
If you’re interested in purchasing it, know each unit is priced at $199.99. You can order it online from U-tec’s official shopping page.
