U-tec Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter review: Now hear this?

Price When Reviewed

$169.99

Best Prices Today: U-tec Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter

At CES 2025, U-tec launched its first lock with Matter, the newest installment in an ongoing refresh of the U-Bolt Pro, which we reviewed over 4 years in the past. Now known as the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter (dropping the “U-” for this line), the massive replace is Matter over Thread help, together with a couple of behind-the-scenes enhancements.

Besides the Bluetooth and Thread-only Bolt Fingerprint Matter lock that we’re reviewing right here, there’s a forthcoming variation that works with Wi-Fi in addition to Thread. This level bears repeating: the Bolt Fingerprint Matter we’re now does not have built-in Wi-Fi, and may solely talk with Wi-Fi networks if you buy the Ultraloq Bridge Wi-Fi Adaptor ($50), which we didn’t obtain for overview. Of course, with Matter’s Thread connectivity, chances are you’ll not want entry to Wi-Fi in any respect.

Those unconcerned by the Bolt Fingerprint Matter’s lack of Wi-Fi might but be perturbed by one other subject: the unit’s noisy motor. More on that in a bit.

Design

The Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter lock arrives alongside different new Ultraloq fashions, together with the usual Bolt Fingerprint, a non-Matter model of the lock that works with Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings (a separate Bolt Fingerprint SKU works with Apple Home, too); the Bolt NFC Wi-Fi, an Apple Home-compatible lock that may unlock itself if you maintain your iPhone or Apple Watch close to the unit; and the upcoming Bolt Mission UWB+NFC, which can work with ultra-wideband networks.

The bodily design of the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter stays about the identical as U-tec’s earlier good locks, and simply as divisive: Either you’re going to love the squat, all-black exterior escutcheon (simply 3 x 3 inches in measurement), with its 10 bodily numeral buttons ringing a bodily keyhole and a fingerprint reader, otherwise you’re going to hate it.

At finest, it appears like one thing that might work finest defending a closet on the airport, and it stays one thing I’d probably not relish having on the doorway to my home.

Installation

U-tec proudly says that the Bolt Fingerprint Matter Edition may be put in by attaching simply 4 bolts, and that bears out: Two bolts join the outside escutcheon to an inside body via the door, and two extra bolts mount the inside escutcheon onto that body.

Although the screws on the inside escutcheon are set inside very slim channels that weren’t fairly vast sufficient for my common screwdriver to simply entry, the bodily set up proceeded with zero hassle. That’s a giant shift from our expertise in 2019, as U-tec has happily discontinued the necessity to trim the tailpiece of the lock with a hacksaw and has corrected a couple of different horribly misguided design errors.

The lock carries an IP65 climate resistance designation (which means it ought to be dust-tight and proof against water jets from any path), and U-tec says the lock meets ANSI level 1 standards, although it’s not truly licensed as such. Power comes courtesy of 8 included AA batteries, which Ultraloq says will final for a few yr of typical use. There’s no emergency energy port, so ensure you maintain one of many included bodily keys useful.

Setup and Matter configuration

Most customers gained’t want a handbook to put in the lock, and that’s good, as a result of U-tec doesn’t provide one within the field. An included card moderately has a QR code printed on it which guarantees entry to a User Guide, however this in reality takes you to U-tec’s help website, particularly a page featuring various videos for unrelated merchandise. If you got here to this overview in search of the handbook, I dug it up on this page.

Once put in, digital setup may be executed via the U-tec app or via the Matter platform of your selection. However, U-tec notes that quite a few options can be found provided that you’re utilizing the “U home” platform, together with the flexibility to create momentary entry codes, add fingerprints, and the geofencing auto unlocking characteristic. I examined the lock with each the U dwelling system and through a Matter connection to iOS and the Home app. (I’d suggest solely configuring the lock with one platform, as numerous settings can change into contradictory when you’ve got each configured concurrently.)

Christopher Null/Foundry

My first try to hook up with the lock through the U dwelling app failed. The app merely couldn’t discover the lock, although the Matter connection labored high quality. I ended up resetting the lock twice, which ultimately obtained issues working properly sufficient for U dwelling to seek out the lock (although this additionally pressured me to re-create the Matter connection).

App management and performance

The U dwelling app isn’t sophisticated, and helpfully it even mechanically calibrates the lock opening path in the course of the setup course of. U dwelling’s authentication system is constructed round creating customers (as much as 50), every with configurable entry through app, 4- to 8-digit PIN (1 per person), or fingerprint (2 per person). Users may be set as Admin (full management, along with the flexibility so as to add extra customers), Normal User (full-time entry through app, PIN, or print), or Temporary User (restricted by time/date/day of week, or restricted to opening the lock a finite variety of makes use of). When PINs are entered, the lock helps the addition of additional digits earlier than and/or after the PIN as a part of an obfuscation technique towards snoops.

Additional lock options are scant, however they embrace auto-locking (configurable for 10 seconds to 30 minutes) and a geofencing auto-unlock mode, which works higher than most. An included magnetic door sensor (the usage of which is non-compulsory) can inform the lock whether or not the door is ajar (and stop auto-locking whether it is). Logging is strong and contains each lock and unlock actions, although word that Matter-initiated actions are tagged as “Z-Wave Unlocked” within the log.

The bodily entry options of the lock work properly. U-tec has at all times had nice fingerprint studying know-how, and this lock continues that streak, despite the fact that the situation of the reader makes it slightly troublesome to entry. I didn’t have any hassle opening the lock through print or any of the opposite permitted means, though I discovered the Matter connection usually to be barely slower, taking a few additional seconds to open or shut the lock.

Noise (an excessive amount of of it, that’s)

I did have one main criticism, nevertheless: The lock has a grinding, wheezing motor, which is loud and alarming and easily unacceptable for dwelling use.

Whether locking or unlocking, the Bolt sounded one thing like a dying animal, which didn’t instill confidence and made it a non-starter in my home.

Specifications

• Lock kind: Deadbolt
• Case materials and end: Zinc alloy, satin nickel
• Dimensions (exterior): 3 x 3 x 1.2 inches (HxWxD)
• Dimensions (inside): 5.4 x 2.9 x 1.3 (HxWxD)
• Weight: 3.5 kilos
• Power: 8x AA batteries
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, Thread
• Matter compatibility: Yes

Should you purchase the U-tec Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter?

Kudos to U-tec for getting Matter up and working on its lock, however in 2025, a lock like this could have Wi-Fi in-built, with out the necessity for a separate bridge. (Again, a Wi-Fi-enabled model of the Bolt Fingerprint Matter is on the way in which.)

My larger concern stays the quantity of disconcerting noise this lock produces–which is extra disturbing the extra you employ it–and which raises questions, for me a minimum of, concerning the potential longevity of the system.