Wyze Lock Bolt Review, Pros & Cons and Specs 2022

THE BOTTOM LINE for Wyze Lock Bolt Review

Sleek, Bluetooth-only lock bolts are easy to install and offer multiple ways to unlock, but it lacks advanced voice control and integration with other smart devices.

Wyze Lock Bolt Review PROS

Reasonable pricing

Stylish design

Easy to install

Fingerprint, keypad, and mobile app unlock options

Wyze Lock Bolt Review CONS

Bluetooth-only connectivity

Lacks integrations and automations

No voice control support

WYZE LOCK BOLT SPECS

Connectivity                                         Bluetooth

Installation                                         Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon

App                                                         Mobile

Geofencing/Location Services         No

Guest Access                                         Yes

Tamper Alarm                                         Yes

Touchpad                                         Yes

Voice Activation                                 No

Advanced Smart Locks can be expensive, but the stylish and affordable Wyze Lock Bolt ($ 69.99) can suit you. This lock uses Bluetooth (instead of Wi-Fi) to connect to your phone and supports a number of ways to unlock; these include a fingerprint reader, a backlit pad, and a mobile app. ? It also offers an automatic lock feature, but the security device does not integrate with third party platforms or work with voice control. If you care about the advanced features, winning the Editors' Choice Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi ($ 249) is a great option. It just costs too much.

Locking In on Complete Simplicity

Where the original Wyze Lock uses most of your existing lock hardware, the Wyze Lock Bolt is a complete lock assembly consisting of internal and external escutcheons. A dead bolt assembly; A strike plate; A mounting plate and mounting hardware; A drilling template; And four AA batteries.

The outer escutcheon has an attractive matte black finish and measures 4.5 x 3.0 x 0.8 inches (HWD). It has twelve round and rubberized backlit buttons (0 to 9, lock, and unlock) along with a keypad, a battery indicator, and a fingerprint scanner. Below the rubber gasket on the bottom edge is a USB power port that you can use to operate the lock when the batteries fail. (This model does not have a key backup.) The Metal Extrusion has an IPX5 weatherproof rating, so rain should not be a problem.

The inner escutcheon plays the same black finish and measures 6.6 x 3.0 x 1.8 inches. (This width measurement includes a thumb-turning knob for manual operation.) The removable panel has a battery compartment and a Bluetooth pair of buttons. Wyze claims that you should get up to a year of battery life from a set of AAs before you can replace them.

Lockbolt allows you to give users permanent or default access via codes or fingerprint scans. Alternatively, you can create one-time access codes that expire after four hours. The device also has an auto lock feature. With it, you can easily specify how long the lock should last after inactivity.

Otherwise, the feature set is slim. This lock doesn't have Wi-Fi radio, which means you can't connect it to an Alexa- or Google Assistant-compatible device, or create IFTTT applets. It also does not support Apple HomeKit, nor does it connect to other Wyze devices, such as the Wyze Cam V3 and the Wyze Plug. And, because Lock relies on Bluetooth to connect to your phone, you must be within Bluetooth range (approximately 16 feet) to control it via the app. In contrast, the August Smart Wi-Fi Lock (249.99) is an advanced, if more expensive, alternative if you want support for Alexa, HomeKit, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.

The App Unlocks the Power

Lock uses the same mobile app (available for Android and iOS) as every other Wyze device, including Wyze Thermostat and Wyze Bulb Color. It appears in a panel on the homepage. You tap the icon to access a large status circle that is either green (locked) or orange (unlocked). Just tap the circle to lock or unlock the door.

Below the status circle is a list of lock and unlock events, complete with time, method (app, fingerprint, auto, or manual) and user information. The gear button in the upper right corner takes you to a screen where you can configure AutoLock settings. Create users and access codes; Register Fingerprints And adjust the sound settings. Here, you can also create one-time access codes and invite users to share access to the lock.

Straightforward Setup and Operation

The Wyze Lock Bolt comes with a detailed installation guide, although you can also choose to follow the instructions in the app. Either way, it was easy to install in lock testing.

I started by removing my existing lock and all the hardware associated with it. Then, I installed the Wyze Dead Bolt Assembly and the strike components. Next, I attached the extraterrestrial extension to the mounting plate, the data cable on the outer escalator to the inner escalator, and the inner escalator to the mounting plate. After using the thumb turn to verify that Dead Bolt works smoothly, I installed four AA batteries and opened the Wyze app.

I tapped the plus button in the upper left corner of the home screen, selected Add Device, and selected Wyze Bolt Lock from the menu. I chose to skip in-app setup directions because I had already completed the physical installation.

The next step was to press and hold the pairing button (located on the interior extension) for three seconds. When I heard three beeps, I tapped Next, and the app immediately paired with the lock. I locked the door, manually locked the dead bolt, gave the lock a name, and created a PIN code. To complete the installation, I registered a fingerprint (a process that requires eight successful scans), although you can perform this step later if you wish.

Lockbolt worked reliably in our tests. It responded quickly to locking and unlocking commands from the app, and the touchpad was very responsive. The fingerprint scan also worked perfectly. The lock always adheres to my default and one-time access codes, as well as my auto-lock settings. The lock motor is relatively quiet, but you'll want to turn off the sound as the bell and beep can be annoying. 

A Solid, Low-Frills Smart Lock

If you're looking for a cheap Bluetooth-powered smart lock that offers a stylish look, backlit pad, and fingerprint scanner, the Wyze Lock Bolt is worth your while. It was very easy to install and worked like a charm in testing. That said, this lock lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, which means you can't control it remotely or integrate it with Alexa, Google, or HomeKit services. Furthermore, Lockbolt does not interact with third party smart devices or even other Wyze devices.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money on Smart Lock but still want smart platform integration options, the Wi-Fi-powered Bosma Aegis ($ 119.99) is a solid choice, although you'll pay extra for a fingerprint scanner. Have to do . And, if your budget is more flexible, the above-mentioned Ultralight U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi offers even more bells and whistles than Aegis, in addition to a built-in fingerprint scanner, a keypad, and a hidden keyway.