Aqara Smart Lock U400 vs ULTRALOQ Bolt SE

ULTRALOQ Bolt SE, on price, integrations and a claimed 18 months of battery life with built-in Wi-Fi plus Matter over Thread. Aqara Smart Lock U400 wins on entry technology, with UWB hands-free unlock, Apple Home Key and NFC, and on IP65 weather resistance.

Aqara Smart Lock U400, using ultra-wideband to detect an approaching iPhone or Apple Watch and unlock without a touch. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE requires a fingerprint, a code, the app, an eKey or a mechanical key, and it has no Apple Home Key either.

ULTRALOQ Bolt SE is rated at 18 months on four AA cells, although some owners report much less. Aqara Smart Lock U400 uses a built-in rechargeable battery rated at six months with a USB-C emergency port, so it needs charging two or three times a year.

ULTRALOQ Bolt SE has built-in Wi-Fi for its own app and uses Matter over Thread for Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings, so a Thread border router is the only extra. Aqara Smart Lock U400 also needs Thread, and Google Home and Alexa additionally require an Aqara hub.

Aqara Smart Lock U400, whose outer panel is rated IP65 for dust, splashes and heavy rain. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE does not publish a weather resistance rating, so a sheltered doorway is the safer placement for it.

Apple households that want the door to open as they walk up, plus Home Key, NFC and fingerprint in one lock, and who can live with an Aqara hub for Google and Alexa. For a cheaper fingerprint deadbolt with long battery life and broad Matter support, ULTRALOQ Bolt SE is the better value.