Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi

Should you buy the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi?

The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi is for the homeowner who wants fingerprint entry and app control without paying Schlage money for it. At $129.99 it costs about $100 less than the Schlage Encode, ties it at 86, and adds a fingerprint reader the Schlage does not have. It fits wood and fiberglass doors best. If you have a metal door, or you want the most polished touchscreen hardware regardless of price, the Schlage is the safer pick; if you want the most ways in for the least money, this is the top of the category.

Where it earns its score

• Eight ways to unlock. Fingerprint, keypad, app, auto-unlock, eKey, voice, and the old-fashioned key. The reader holds up to 100 prints, so a big household or rental turnover is not a problem.
• No hub required. Wi-Fi is built in, along with a door sensor, so you get remote access and door-ajar alerts out of the box. It works with Alexa, Google, SmartThings and IFTTT.
• Real security rating. ANSI Grade 1 and IP65 weatherproofing, which is more than most locks at this price claim.
• Warranty is the top factor. Lifetime coverage on the mechanical parts and 18 months on electronics earns a perfect 100 here, matching Schlage.

What to know first

• Not for metal doors. Ultraloq says so directly, and the fingerprint module in particular has fit and signal issues on steel doors.
• Quality is the weakest factor. It scores 74 against Schlage's 88. The hardware feels lighter and the finish is not in the same class.
• Fingerprint readers need clean, dry fingers. Expect a second try now and then in rain or with gloves; the keypad is the fallback.

Questions buyers ask