Wyze Lock Bolt v2 review: Now with Wi-Fi

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$79.98

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Three years ago, Wyze did what Wyze does best, introducing a functional smart lock that covered just the basics and nothing more, with a no-frills offering that could be had for next to nothing ($70 at launch). Now, Wyze is back with an update to its original Lock Bolt, redesigning and updating the device to keep up with the many advances that have come in the smart lock space since 2022.

The good news is that it's still incredibly inexpensive, and the whole package remains a huge win worth considering for smart home enthusiasts on a budget.

Specifications

Christopher Nall / Foundry

For starters, the Wyze Bolt Lock v2 is completely redesigned, now featuring a backlit glass touchscreen instead of physical buttons, and there's now a mechanical key option where there wasn't one before. (The fingerprint reader remains untouched, and Wise says it's been upgraded with a “self-learning AI scanner that picks up pressure, angle, and even tiny skin changes” every time it works to improve its model.)

However, the biggest change is under the hood: although Wyze bolt lock v1 was a Bluetooth-only system, Bolt Lock v2 adds Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz only), support for which is now an industry must-have. The device is powered by eight AA batteries (included instead of four on the v1 model), which Wise says should last about eight months. An emergency USB-C port is also available on the underside of the outer trim for emergency use.

IP53 weatherproofing is a little less impressive than what you'll usually find on the market, but likely good enough for your front door, and its commercial ANSI Level 2 certification suggests the lock's physical security is likely adequate for most suburban homes. For more information, read our detailed description ANSI and BHMA entrance lock certificates.

The device can store up to 50 PINs and 50 fingerprints, which is convenient since the Wyze app supports a maximum of 50 users. Also included are one-time passwords that expire on a schedule you choose—up to a week. Auto-lock can be set from instantaneous to 15 minutes, although there is no open/close detection system, so the auto-lock will work whether you've closed the door or not. The blocking can also be set to turn on at certain times each day and on certain days of the week, which is useful for automating blocking at the end of the day. Finally, integration with the Amazon Alexa or Google Home ecosystems is included.

Installation and configuration

Christopher Nall / Foundry

There is no mystery to installing Lock Bolt v2. Like its predecessor, the outer trim is attached to the inner mounting frame with two bolts. One cable connects to an internal pad, which is secured to the frame with three smaller bolts. Unfortunately, the holes that these three bolts fit into were too narrow for my standard screwdriver to fit through without damaging the plastic housing of the inner trim. To complete the job, I had to grab a smaller screwdriver from my toolbox, although this made the task more difficult than necessary because the screwdriver head was smaller than the size of the bolts.

One note to keep in mind when installing batteries is that the warning label states that you should use 1.5-volt batteries (standard alkaline batteries, eight of which are included in the kit, as noted above) instead of 1.2-volt batteries, namely NiMH rechargeable batteries. Although NiMH batteries are not that common anymore, it is still worth noting.

I spent no more than 10 minutes installing the lock, and then it was time to connect it using the Wyze app. The now cluttered Wyze app requires you to select a product to add from a list (or search for it by name), which becomes a cumbersome way to find your device. As I noted with TP-Link, it's long past time for Wyze to implement auto-discovery across its entire product line. Luckily, Wyze only makes four smart locks at the moment, so finding version 2 shouldn't be too difficult.

Christopher Nall / Foundry

Oddly enough, the initial registration failed without explanation, as did my first attempt to calibrate the lock. However, persistence paid off on both fronts and after another try, the castle succeeded. After a few quick settings tweaks and a quick firmware update, I was able to start using it.

Using the Wyze v2 Locking Bolt

Christopher Nall / Foundry

Looking back at my review of the original Wyze Lock Bolt, it's clear that while the hardware has seen updates, very little has changed in the app in three years.

Functionally, the lock works great, which is in line with other Wyze smart locks. I've found that unlocking the door is quick and seamless whether I'm using the keypad or thumbprint or interacting with the lock through the app, whether I'm nearby or 200 miles away. User management is intuitive and fast, and Wyze makes it easy to choose between loyal, recurring, or temporary users when setting up new visitors. Fingerprints register quickly, and in my testing the scanner was very accurate (though not perfect). One-time codes also worked flawlessly, and the logging of it all was reliable and detailed.

From a hardware standpoint, the lock motor is quiet, although it does make a fair amount of clunking noise when running, which ultimately led me to turn off its “status and operation” volume altogether. This is more of a personal preference than anything else.

Is Wyze Lock Bolt v2 worth buying?

The Wyze Lock Bolt v2 costs just $10 more than the v1 at launch, which says a lot about how far this industry has come in just three years. Better looking and much more powerful thanks to built-in Wi-Fi, it's probably the best value for money available on the smart lock market, at least for now. (Many other locks are available for under $100, but they either don't have Wi-Fi, don't have a fingerprint scanner, or both.)

This is of course a situation that is changing quickly, but I doubt we'll see a better deal than this anytime soon.

This review is part of an in-depth TechHive review best smart locks.