Best Smart Locks · head-to-head

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) vs Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi is cheaper at $179.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) or Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi is the cheaper at $179.99.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi
US price $199.99 $179.99
BrandAugustUltraloq
Released20212021
Unlock methods smartphone app, Apple Watch, voice assistant (Alexa/Google/Siri), auto-unlock, physical key (existing deadbolt retained) fingerprint (100 fingerprints, 0.3s recognition), keypad PIN (up to 50 codes), smartphone app (iOS/Android), Apple Watch, auto-unlock (geofence), physical key override
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz built-in, Bluetooth LE Wi-Fi 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n built-in, Bluetooth; also available in Z-Wave Plus and Matter over Thread variants
Matter No No
Auto lock Yes Yes
Battery type 2× CR123 4× AA (alkaline or lithium)
Finish options Silver, Matte Black Matte Black, Satin Nickel (inferred from product line; specific finishes not enumerated on page accessed)
Install type Retrofit interior — mounts over existing single-cylinder deadbolt, no drilling Replaces existing deadbolt — single-bore 2-1/8" door, DIY 4-screw install
Release 2021 2021

Sources — August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen): august.com (verified 2026-06-15). Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi: u-tec.com (verified 2026-06-15).

What's the difference between the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) and Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Unlock methods: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) smartphone app, Apple Watch, voice assistant (Alexa/Google/Siri), auto-unlock, physical key (existing deadbolt retained) vs Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi fingerprint (100 fingerprints, 0.3s recognition), keypad PIN (up to 50 codes), smartphone app (iOS/Android), Apple Watch, auto-unlock (geofence), physical key override
  • Connectivity: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz built-in, Bluetooth LE vs Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi Wi-Fi 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n built-in, Bluetooth; also available in Z-Wave Plus and Matter over Thread variants
  • Battery type: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) 2× CR123 vs Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi 4× AA (alkaline or lithium)
  • Finish options: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) Silver, Matte Black vs Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi Matte Black, Satin Nickel (inferred from product line; specific finishes not enumerated on page accessed)
  • Install type: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) Retrofit interior — mounts over existing single-cylinder deadbolt, no drilling vs Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi Replaces existing deadbolt — single-bore 2-1/8" door, DIY 4-screw install

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (Engadget, Tom's Guide) cover this exact 4th-gen August Wi-Fi Smart Lock; both recommend it for an easy, tool-light install, a smaller hidden design, built-in Wi-Fi and broad smart-home support. Neither published lab benchmarks, so there are no measured numbers. Main gripes: unreliable Android auto-unlock (Engadget) and a keypad sold separately for $59.99 (Tom's Guide). (2 sourced reviews.)

Praised: Fast, tool-light install that keeps the original keyway and physical keys; Smaller, discreet design that hides on the inside of the door; Wi-Fi built in, so no separate bridge is needed for remote lock/unlock.

Flagged: Auto-unlock is finicky and unreliable, especially on Android; Keypad is not included and costs extra ($59.99); Dropped Z-Wave, so power users lose offline local control.

Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi

Two hands-on testers reviewed this exact model: TechHive (Christopher Null) and Reviewed/USA Today (Rick Broida). Both praise the fingerprint reader, easy installation, multiple entry methods, and built-in Wi-Fi that needs no separate bridge. Both flag the strict 2.4GHz-only Wi-Fi with no dual-band support. They split on Wi-Fi setup reliability: TechHive called the built-in Wi-Fi 'half-baked' after it refused to join a mesh network, while Reviewed's app connected in seconds. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

Praised: Fingerprint reader is fast and reliable; Easy, tool-light installation (roughly 10-20 min deadbolt swap); Multiple entry methods with flexible user management.

Flagged: 2.4GHz-only Wi-Fi, no dual-band support; No Apple HomeKit or Amazon Key support; So-so battery life on 4 AA cells (3-6 months claimed).

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