The smart home product manufacturer Xthings has announced that its latest Ultraloq Bolt Z-Wave smart lock has achieved Z-Wave Plus V2 certification.
We’ve long appreciated the Ultraloq series for its diminutive proportions, measuring 2.95 inches square, with its numeric keypad encircling its key cylinder (and on some models, but not this one, a fingerprint reader). Similarly compact industrial designs are used in models with Wi-Fi radios and NFC readers, but this latest edition of the Bolt Z-Wave is powered by a Z-Wave 800 chip.
When paired with a Z-Wave 800-powered smart home hub, the latest Ultraloq Bolt Z-Wave smart lock promises range of more than 1,300 feet. The lock is also backward-compatibile with any previous generation of Z-Wave hub.
Xthings Ultraloq
That silicon endows the Bolt Z-Wave with very long range—up to 1,300 feet, according to Ultraloq—and improved ability for signals to penetrate building materials. But you’ll need a Z-Wave smart home hub to bridge the lock to your home Wi-Fi network. To that end, the new lock is certified to work with hubs from Alarm.com (a SaaS provider powering dozens of independent home security service providers) as well as the DIY-oriented hubs from SmartThings and Home Assistant. The lock is also backward compatible with older Z-Wave hubs, although you won’t get the same incredible range with hubs equipped with older Z-Wave hardware.
Z-Wave Plus V2 certification also means the lock can be set up by scanning a QR code via the manufacturer’s SmartStart technology, and that it supports Z-Wave S2 128-bit AES encryption for enhanced security.
Ultraloq’s “anti-peep” technology helps guard against burglars learning your PIN code by watching you unlock the lock or by lifting telltale fingerprints left on the numeric pad. Simply enter random digits before and after your PIN, and they won’t be able to guess what it is. You can grant temporary access to short-term rental guests, service providers, or contractors with time-limited PINs that are valid during the date and time they’re authorized to have access to the property.
The Ultraloq Z-Wave with Long Range Support smart lock is available now for $179.95.
This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks.
