One of the first steps homeowners may take when updating their spaces is to integrate smart locks. However, these locks are often significantly more expensive and bulky than their predecessors. In many cases, they add bulky battery compartments, a charging headache, and video components, which tend to be overkill if you already have video doorbell monitoring.
The Level Lock+ Connect is a smart lock option that promises great features in a discreet package without compromising the price of smart locks. It looks like a regular lock, but hides the intelligence of its smarter counterpart.
Level Lock+Connect
With its sleek, modern look and seamless integration with HomeKit, the Level Lock+ Connect is an ideal smart lock solution for Apple users who prefer not to use expensive smart locks. You can remotely unlock or lock the Level Lock+ using a Wi-Fi bridge, or let the smart lock detect when it’s time to lock, thanks to geofencing. While it also easily supports Amazon Alexa, its compatibility with Google Assistant is patchy.
- Perfect integration with Apple HomeKit
- Geo-tagging for easy locking and unlocking
- kind of price
- Doesn’t work well with Google Home.
Price, availability and specifications
Get it from major electronics retailers.
The Level Lock+ Connect retails for $349 at most locations, including directly from Level as well as Amazon. The lock is available through Best Buy, but only with the keypad, which adds $80 to the price. (At Amazon and Level, the keypad is an optional extra.)
While shopping, you might find a $249 version of the Level Lock—that doesn’t include the Connect Wi-Fi Bridge, the device that makes remote access and smart assistant integration possible. At the time of this review’s publication, the Lock+ Connect, without the keypad, was discounted on Level’s website from $349 to $299.
What are the good features of the Level Lock+ Connect smart lock?
Quick to install and easy to use.
Most smart locks I’ve used require 20-45 minutes of installation time, especially when complications arise such as video component issues or hardware troubleshooting. However, the Level Lock was very easy to install. Even with the Wi-Fi bridge firmware updates and some hardware issues described below, it took less than 15 minutes to get the lock up and running.
Aesthetically, this lock is very nice, and was designed with privacy in mind. The size and shape are almost identical to a regular old deadbolt lock, whereas some smart locks tend to stick out like a sore thumb with their bulky battery compartments. The range of finishes available caters to a number of looks as well — there’s matte black, polished chrome, polished nickel, and brushed brass.
The Level app has a well-polished, clean, and easy-to-use user interface. It offers everything from activity logs to automation to sharing temporary or permanent access to family members or one-time visitors. My favorite feature of the Level app is the auto-unlock feature.
With a geofence around your home, the app detects when the user leaves and returns from the lock’s range (for example, when going to work and coming home) and can automatically unlock the lock when you’re in range. I can understand how some people might not be convinced by this feature, especially in multi-unit living situations, so note that it’s an optional feature.
A huge advantage of the Level lock is its multiple locking and unlocking options. Each family member can unlock and lock the door in their preferred way, whether using the included keys, a traditional key fob, remotely via a mobile app, or using an NFC device such as a smartphone or smartwatch. There’s also the aforementioned geofencing feature, as well as touch-to-lock options.
While this isn’t a standout feature of this lock, Level is uniquely offering the Lock+ Connect’s internal mechanism—the bolt itself—as a standalone purchase to give your existing locks a smart upgrade. If you have an identical handle/lock combination and don’t want to split the combination, the Level Bolt Connect can replace the bolt while maintaining the existing interface. This isn’t something we’ve seen anyone offer before.
What are the disadvantages of the Level Lock+ Connect smart lock?
Some hardware issues were the main problem.
I have had some issues with compatibility with the devices. While it’s unclear if this is the fault of my door, the lock, or both, I have not had these issues with previously tested smart locks.
The lock plate is about three times thicker than my previous door lock and other smart locks reviewed in the past. The lock plate was not parallel to the frame, so with the Level deadbolt and lock plate installed, it was not possible to close the door without the plate and the two plates momentarily bumping into each other. As a result, every time the door was closed, a heavy shoulder tap was required to put things in place, which must be very annoying for a door that is used multiple times a day.
The other major appeal I have to Level and other smart latch makers is this: While I understand the logic behind why the pocket on the door frame into which the latch itself slides when you close the door should be at least an inch deep from a security perspective, please understand that the holes on many residential doors were not originally drilled to this standard.
Please allow your smart lock users to override the calibration when the latch can only be extended ¾ inch into the lock pocket, for example. The hole in the door frame where you installed this lock is not a full inch deep, and the lock will still work when activated remotely, but not without jamming or an error message every time.
Every user who has a deadbolt pocket that is too shallow is likely aware that it would be safer to have one that is an inch deep, but they lack the means to make it so—whether it’s because they don’t own a chisel or Dremel set, or because they’re a renter and can’t permanently drill into their door frame, or they simply didn’t sign up to use power tools when they bought a simple, do-it-yourself smart lock.
I’d also like to see some time-based scheduling capabilities right within the Level app for users who don’t integrate the lock into an existing smart system. For example, I can set the lock to lock every night at 8 p.m. through Apple HomeKit, but that kind of functionality isn’t possible without some sort of smart assistant. There are still plenty of automation options in the Level app, though, like automatically locking for a set amount of time after the door is opened.
Should you buy it?
Functional and feature-rich, but underwhelmed by its price.
The NFC and GPS-based entry options are great. The ease of installation is great. The interaction with the main smart assistants is excellent. But at this premium price point, aside from the dynamic unlocking and smart integration, the lock feels a bit lacking.
I’d love for the product to include some premium features, like video surveillance or a keypad, if I were paying this much — but since the Level Lock+ Connect is all discreet and not a smart lock at all, it feels like you’re paying for fashion. Plus, it requires me to sacrifice precious outlet space for the Wi-Fi bridge. Competing locks from other brands like Yale and Wyze offer the same remote access capabilities without the Wi-Fi bridge, which increases the cost and takes up a much smaller outlet for less.
Related to
Yale Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi Review: Future-proofing your home’s security
All that matters is tomorrow
Perhaps the concept of paying extra for simple design concepts has extended to the world of smart locks. If so, shoppers who appreciate a sleek, understated look here won’t hesitate to pay the asking price. As capable as the Level Lock+ Connect is, I wouldn’t pay more than $200 for it—unless it includes Matter/Thread capabilities, as Level says it will sometime this year.
Level Lock+Connect
With a sleek, modern visual appearance and seamless integration with HomeKit, Level Lock+ Connect is the perfect smart lock solution for Apple users who prefer not to use expensive smart locks.
