Level has been building smart locks that feel like they were made for Apple users since the very beginning, and the new Level Lock Pro might be its most exciting upgrade yet. I have been testing it ahead of my full hands-on review, and it is clear that this is the direction smart locks need to go. Home key support is still the gold standard for Apple users, and Matter over Thread brings the speed and reliability that make it work extremely well with your daily schedule.
HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apple’s smart home framework.
Ever since Apple introduced Home Key, it has completely changed how I think about smart locks. Once you get used to walking up to your door and unlocking it with a tap from your iPhone or Apple Watch, everything else feels like a step backward. Level was one of the first brands to adopt Home Key, and the new Level Lock Pro feels like the culmination of everything the company has learned so far. After spending time with it, it is clear this is the direction smart locks needed to go, and it feels reliable enough that I’d recommend it to anyone, regardless of whether they are “tech savvy” or not.
What’s included with Level Lock Pro?
Inside the box, you get the full deadbolt assembly, the strike plate, the internal mounting hardware, a CR2 battery, two physical keys, and two NFC key fobs. The key fobs work a lot like home key. You tap them on the outside of the lock, and the door opens. I find these perfect for kids to unlock the door, but you don’t want to give them an iPhone yet. This is a MINOR request, but I’d love the ability to order multiple at a time and have them all be on the same physical key as well.
Level includes everything you need to get the lock installed with nothing more than a Phillips screwdriver. Installation is basically the same process as a traditional deadbolt. If your door already has the standard bore hole and the common backset lengths, everything fits without any drilling. That is part of what makes Level unique. It hides inside your existing hardware and looks exactly like a traditional lock once installed. I’ve installed dozens of these, so swapping a deadbolt only takes me around five minutes. The strike plate was slightly different than my existing one, so I chiseled a lot of the interior door frame out so the lock wouldn’t catch at all. That’s not anything Level could account for, but just how the strike plate was originally installed/cut out when the home was built.
Key features of Level Lock Pro
The headline feature is Matter over Thread. That brings fast performance and rock-solid reliability while keeping the lock completely local. The thread doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi range the same way older smart locks do. If you have a modern Apple TV or HomePod, you already have a Thread border router that will work with this lock. I added on the Level Connect, so I could use the Level app remotely, but if you have it onboard to your Home app via Matter, you’ll be able to use it remotely through that as well (assuming you have an Apple Home hub).
Design-wise, Level Lock Pro continues the minimal look the company is well known for. It is small, light, and disappears into the door. You would never know it is a smart lock from the outside. It nearly matches my existing doorknob as well. One of my favorite upgrades is the new door status detection. Instead of using a magnetic sensor like many other locks, Level built the sensor directly into the hardware. The Level Lock Pro can detect whether the door is closed or still ajar, enabling better automations and more accurate alerts. I am not sure how it works, but I’ve been incredibly impressed so far.
Battery life is still something I am monitoring, as I’ve only had it installed for a month or so. Level claims up to a year on the included CR2 battery, which will depend on how often you use auto lock and how frequently you interact with the lock. The claim seems reasonable based on past models, and Thread should help keep power usage low.
You get every unlocking method you would ever need. Home key on iPhone and Apple Watch, the Home app, the Level app, NFC fobs, a physical key, or the optional keypad if you want PIN code access. Everything works fast, and I’ve experienced no lag thus far. Level has a lot of automatic unlock options as well that have worked really well in my testing. In fact, there has not been a single time that I’ve needed to reboot it, nor had a time when the home key wasn’t working, etc. This feels like the product that the company initially set out to build, and they had to wait for technology to catch up. There’s not a single thing I don’t love about it, nor do I find anything hard to use.
Level Lock Pro carries a AAA security rating from BHMA and meets the highest standards for durability and finish. It also has an IP54 rating. That means protection from rain, dust, and normal outdoor exposure. You cannot dunk it underwater, but if that happens, you probably have a much bigger problem on your hands.
HomeKit and Matter performance
This is the part that really matters for Apple users. Because the lock uses Matter over Thread, it appears in the Home app as a native accessory. Lock and unlock commands are almost instant in my testing. Home key works flawlessly. I tested auto lock after a short delay, and it worked every single time without me needing to check on it. Getting to thistype of reliability that makes smart locks worth using.
Door status sensing is also displayed in the Home app, representing a significant improvement over older models. If the door is not closed all the way, the lock will not try to auto-lock. You can build automations around this as well. For example, send an alert if the door remains open after ten minutes, or automatically turn off the lights near the entryway when the door closes.
Wrap up
After a few weeks with it, Level Lock Pro feels like the smart lock Apple users have been waiting for. It blends seamlessly into your home (two finish options available), works exactly as you expect it to, and offers all the best features without compromising on design or reliability. Matter and Thread deliver fast performance, the home key makes everyday use feel completely automatic, and the non-smart-looking design remains unmatched in the industry.
If you want a smart lock that doesn’t look like a smart lock, supports all the important Apple features, and has a nice hardware design, the Level Lock Pro is one of the best options available right now. In fact, I have no complaints about the product. It’s absolutely fantastic.
You can buy it directly from Level or browse the Level Amazon store to view all the available models.
- Level Lock Pro
- Level Lock+ (Matter) Smart Lock
- Level Lock (Matter) Smart Lock
- Level Bolt (Matter) Smart Deadbolt (uses your existing lock)
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