- Better: built-in fingerprint and keypad features The reviewer points to Aqara Smart Lock U100 as offering built-in fingerprint functionality that Level lacks.
Level Lock+ Smart Lock Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Level Lock+ if you want a discreet Apple-friendly smart lock with Home Key and flexible access. Skip it if you need built-in keypad/fingerprint access, stronger pick resistance, direct Wi-Fi, or broad non-Apple integration without hubs.
Best for
Best for Apple HomeKit users who want a smart lock that looks like a normal deadbolt and unlocks quickly with iPhone or Apple Watch. It also suits homes that value temporary app passes, NFC cards, and flexible access sharing.
Not for
Not for buyers who want a built-in keypad, fingerprint reader, direct Wi-Fi, or the strongest pick-resistant cylinder out of the box. It is also less ideal for poorly aligned doors or non-Apple smart homes without the right hubs.
Verdict
Reviewers consistently position the Level Lock+ as a premium smart lock for people who care about appearance and Apple Home Key convenience. Its ordinary-deadbolt design, quick NFC unlocking, flexible guest access, and mostly easy installation earn strong praise, and several reviewers found daily locking reliable once the door was aligned. The tradeoff is that its minimalist design pushes important conveniences outside the lock: the keypad costs extra, Wi-Fi or remote access can require hubs or bridges, and non-Apple ecosystems are more complicated. Security is also split: forced-entry build quality is praised, but pick resistance and cylinder quality draw repeated criticism.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Schlage Encode Plus
- Better: lock cylinder security The reviewer says Level Lock+ is weaker than Schlage Encode Plus on cylinder security.
- Cheaper: price and integrated keypad The reviewer notes that Schlage Encode Plus is a cheaper Home Key alternative with a built-in keypad.
Level Bolt
- Older model: stealth design and smart features The reviewer frames Lock+ as improving on the Level Bolt's stealth-smart-lock concept, especially with Home Key.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
31 reviewed features- Very positive 4.5-5.0 23% 7 features
- Positive 3.5-4.4 29% 9 features
- Neutral 2.5-3.4 35% 11 features
- Negative 1.5-2.4 13% 4 features
- Very negative below 1.5 0% 0 features
Pros
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Industrial design was the clearest consensus strength, with reviewers praising the stealth, minimal, ordinary-deadbolt appearance.
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Build quality came across as premium and well constructed, with reviewers praising the polished hardware and overall workmanship.
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Locking reliability was a major strength across testing, with reviewers repeatedly saying the lock worked reliably once installed and aligned.
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User access management was a strength, with reviewers praising flexible control over household members, guests, cards, and shared access.
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Physical forced-entry strength was praised by one reviewer based on the lock's residential rating and deadbolt strength.
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Reviewers strongly liked the simple physical install, often calling it exceptionally easy, though one reviewer found the instructions thin and had to backtrack.
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Home Key and app unlocking were generally quick, with reviewers describing NFC as immediate and app responses as just a few seconds.
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Smart-home integration was strongest for Apple HomeKit and Home Key, while broader ecosystem support was more conditional or dependent on updates.
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Voice control generally worked well through Siri or Alexa, though one reviewer noted occasional Siri delay.
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Physical key fallback was treated as a useful backup, especially for battery failure or less tech-oriented household members.
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The app was praised for features and access sharing, but its setup and firmware-update experience could be uneven.
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Guest access was well liked for passes, cards, and temporary sharing, though several reviewers disliked requiring guests to install the Level app.
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Access logs were useful overall, but one reviewer wanted better accuracy and detail from the activity history.
-
Remote access was useful and sometimes reliable, but it depended on bridges, HomeKit hubs, or Wi-Fi Connect rather than direct lock Wi-Fi.
-
Backset fit was mixed, with one reviewer needing sanding because neither bolt length fit cleanly and another finding the longer backset adjustment easy.
-
The optional keypad was considered useful, especially for guests and rentals, but reviewers disliked that it costs extra and is not integrated.
Cons
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Future update potential was mixed: Matter/Thread promises made the lock feel future-proof to some, but delayed deployment was a concern.
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Battery replacement was praised as elegant and easy, but battery reporting frustrated reviewers because it lacks precise percentage detail.
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Auto-lock was useful but limited because it relies on timing rather than knowing with certainty that the door is closed.
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Bluetooth was the most inconsistent connectivity area: some reviewers found it stable, while others called it spotty or range-limited.
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Geofencing and touch-based arrival features were useful but more context-dependent than Home Key because they rely on location and Bluetooth.
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Door fit was the main setup caveat: smooth, well-aligned deadbolts worked best, while tight clearances, older doors, and imperfect alignment caused extra work.
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Motor performance depended on door alignment; reviewers warned that resistance can keep the small motor from throwing the deadbolt properly.
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Value was mixed: reviewers liked the premium design and Apple experience but repeatedly noted the high price and security tradeoffs.
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Wi-Fi was useful when included through Connect, but reviewers disliked the lack of direct Wi-Fi and the dependence on a bridge or alternate hub.
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Because Lock+ replaces the full deadbolt, reviewers noted less reuse of existing keyed hardware and more friction when trying to keep old keys.
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Hub requirements were a recurring drawback, especially the nearby Connect bridge and the need for separate bridging in some ecosystems.
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Reviewers wanted true door-sense behavior; the repeated concern was that the lock cannot tell whether the door is actually closed.
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Keyway quality drew serious criticism because reviewers felt the cylinder was too easy to pick and not robust enough for the price.
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Fingerprint access was viewed as a missing convenience, with one reviewer explicitly wishing the keypad included a fingerprint scanner.
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Pick resistance was a weak point, with reviewers citing easy picking and available-tool attacks as a meaningful security caveat.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Smart Locks, this product is below average in Pick/drill resistance (if rated), Fingerprint, Keyway quality.
Summary
8 compared features- Above average 0.4+ pts higher 0% 0 features
- Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
- Below average 0.4+ pts lower 100% 8 features
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pick/drill resistance (if rated) | 1.8 | 3.8 | -2.1 |
| Fingerprint | 2.0 | 4.0 | -2.0 |
| Keyway quality | 2.0 | 3.4 | -1.4 |
| Hub requirement | 2.6 | 3.8 | -1.2 |
| Existing hardware reuse | 2.7 | 3.8 | -1.2 |
| Value and Price | 2.9 | 4.0 | -1.1 |
| Wi-Fi | 2.7 | 3.7 | -1.0 |
| Locking motor | 3.0 | 4.0 | -1.0 |
FAQ
Is the Level Lock+ easy to install?
Most reviewers found installation very easy with basic tools, and some called it the easiest smart lock they had installed. A few still had issues with alignment, door fit, or sparse instructions.
Does Apple Home Key work well?
Yes. Reviewers repeatedly praised Home Key as fast, convenient, and a major reason to buy the lock, especially with an Apple Watch or iPhone.
Does it need a hub or bridge?
Remote access and some integrations can require an Apple home hub, Level Connect, Ring/Sidewalk bridge, or other compatible setup. Reviewers saw this as one of the main tradeoffs.
Is the keypad built in?
No. Reviewers noted that the keypad is optional and useful, but it costs extra and lacks the convenience of an all-in-one keypad lock.
How secure is the Level Lock+?
Reviewers praised its forced-entry build and rating, but several criticized the cylinder and pick resistance. It is convenient and discreet, but not the strongest choice for buyers prioritizing pick resistance.
How reliable is the lock day to day?
Most reviewers reported reliable locking and unlocking once the door was aligned correctly. Bluetooth, geofencing, and app-based control were more variable than Home Key.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 3.8/5
YouTube - Youtube
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.6/5
Article Reviews
macrumors.com
- Review score
- 3.2/5
reviewed.com
- Review score
- 4.1/5
Consider This Instead
If you want better Pick/drill resistance (if rated)
Choose Kwikset Halo Touch Fingerprint Smart Lock. It scores 4.8 vs 1.8 for Pick/drill resistance (if rated), with a 3.8 overall score.
If you want better Fingerprint
Choose eufy Video Smart Lock E330. It scores 4.9 vs 2.0 for Fingerprint, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Door-sense
Choose Aqara UWB Smart Lock U400. It scores 4.7 vs 2.1 for Door-sense, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Hub requirement
Choose Lockly Visage Zeno Series Smart Lock. It scores 5.0 vs 2.6 for Hub requirement, with a 4.0 overall score.
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