Level Lock - Touch Edition

TLDR; Perfectly designed and machined, easy to use and integrate, but you'll likely need to do a little work on your door unless your builders were perfectionists. Also, get the connect wi-fi dongle. I recently got a house with a smart lock that told me I was unable to use it due to not being the "owner." While this makes sense from a security perspective, there was apparently no way to reset the device, even with full physical access, without engaging the prior homeowner. This wasn't a problem as we'd been in contact, but annoyed me no end. That, plus the fact that the prior smart lock was a tumor attached to the deadbolt, ate batteries, etc. led me to seek out a better solution. Level's bolt is the better solution. It is hidden in the door, uses your original hardware, seems to not be vulnerable to any standard attack with magnets etc. It's designed very well, to spec and standards, and works perfectly. The app is low footprint and can be dropped once you hook the lock up to google home or alexa. It just offers more details about lock and unlock history. I gave "alexa integration" five stars, though I am using it with Google Home. I have to assume the experience is similarly easy. Ease of install should be five stars, but it does require more fiddling with hardware than other on-top solutions. Ideally this would amount to a couple more screws to take out. However, beware that most homes are not drilled and cored to exact spec. This lock measures perfectly according to spec, but my door did not. I ended up carving out a little more wood on the wall side for the deadbolt to fit through (not much, it was flat before but drilled offcenter with a round hole). I also had to do a bit of carving with a chisel to get the strike plate on the door side to fit properly. All-in all, it was very satisfying and not hard, just a little time-consuming. Once it was in place, the rest of the setup only took a couple minutes. I'm fairly certain that the problems with door fit were why the prior lock solution ate batteries, as the motor in it had to struggle (as would a human with fingers) to get the deadbolt into place. Now that the hole is in the proper place for the deadbolt, keys, fingers, and the smart lock all work with no pressure/effort, and the lock has been in place for longer than it took to burn through a new set of batteries on the prior smart lock I had. Big thumbs up.

Short Review: The MAIN feature of this lock is the Touch to Unlock feature. It ONLY works 20% of the time. Customer support was no help either. At first they'll say this is a known issue and is being worked but no time frame is given on that update. Next, when you show them pictures of where the lock is installed, they will start to blame the location of the lock. I have mine installed in the door that connects to my garage. Simply put: Do NOT buy this lock. Detailed Version: The main reason you're looking at this lock is due to the convenience of just touching the lock to lock/unlock the door. On paper that does sound super convenient! But how about if the lock never unlocks for you? You are just standing in front of your door touching the lock over and over and over but nothing happens. Beyond frustrating and you start to question "Why did I buy this?". I reached out to Level support and at first they actually acknowledged the issue as a known problem. Great! When will the main feature of this lock be fixed? Nicole over at customer support has no idea so she let me know she would follow up later with the engineering team that's working on the firmware update. Ok that's fair! She initially blamed Apple's iOS and how it handles background operations request from apps so thus the randomness of the unlocking. Understandable. How Apple or even Google updates their Operating System is out of Level's control. Both Nicole and the engineering team follow up with me and this is where it all goes downhill. They suggest that the lock needs time for it to get ready for the Touch to Unlock feature to kick in. This MIGHT be true as sometimes I am standing at my door 15-20 seconds before it actually unlocks. 20 seconds might seem short just saying it but actually standing in front of your door for that long is ridiculous. Sometimes the feature just doesn't even work and you have to pull out your phone/key/card to unlock! Isn't everyone buying this lock expecting to just walk up to the lock and be able to unlock it without a waiting period? I sure thought so. And this whole thing about having to wait with a buffer is all nonsense because of the 20% of the time that it DOES work. I am simply walking up to it and touching/unlocking the lock and it works. Where was the buffer in those times? They then request pictures of where the lock is installed. They immediately say I have the lock installed in a wrong room and that the lock is only meant for entry way doors. I have mine installed in the doorway after getting in through the garage door. I believe they mean they only expect this lock to be installed on the outer perimeters of your home. Like the main entry door way for example. If that's the case, shouldn't this be way more clear in their marketing or product descriptions? Also, why did support pivot from the whole "this is a known issue and is being worked on" to "you installed it in the wrong room"? They sure do make it sound the lock would work PERFECTLY if I just fixed all the issues they mentioned. Not ONCE in the follow up did the engineering team even mention a firmware update. Basically all the blame is put on me and the room I chose to install the lock and what operating system is on my phone. Stay far away from any product that Level releases.

This was surprisingly easy to install and has worked well in the short time that I've own it. It took less than 20 minutes to install starting with unboxing, and probably half of that was taken up by a couple of rounds of firmware updates. Once installed, you can't see the Level Bolt, but the build quality is outstanding. Really great design and finish. Be aware that there are multiple models of the Level Bolt. This review is for the Bluetooth (only) model. If you want Matter over Thread, it's a different model and about twice the money. Bluetooth is fine for me -- I don't really need remote operation of the lock, but could do so if I had a compatible Apple TV or HomePod located within 25 feet or so of the lock. As stands, HomeKit running on my Apple TV can be used to operate and monitor the Level Bolt, but only if my iPhone is within 25 feet of the Level Bolt. I plan to buy a couple more of these for other swing doors in my house.

BLUF: Good once you get it setup and have worked out all the kinks. I got this product for probably the same reason many people get this product, to let people in while not at home, check that I locked the doors remotely, and be able to let myself or my family in, if we accidentally locked ourselves out. To do these things, except for the last, I’d need the Level Connect to bridge the Bluetooth of the lock to my home Wi-Fi. I’ve had the product less than a month. These are the problems I encountered: 1. The door needed to have pressure on it to close easily, so the product did not work at first. 2. The Level Connect would not stay reliably connected to my router. 3. The app. For number 1, I figured the reason the lock didn’t slide smoothly enough was because the lower catch that does not have a lock was not pushed far forward enough, so I glued some metal against the little tab of metal to have it close tighter. That worked and the lock now slides in and out easily and reliably works. For number 2, I tried different settings in my router which is an ASUS GT-AX11000, which seems to have problems unrelated to the Level lock. I pulled out my old Google mesh router (comes in a pack of 3, but I just used one) and then once I switched the access point in the app, it worked. For number 3, the first problem I had in the (Android) app was after connecting, it immediately started updating the firmware without asking if I wanted to. I was a bit annoyed because I didn’t know if I had however long it was going to take to do that, and I was afraid I might brick the lock if the firmware update did not work. Then, after successfully updating the firmware, it said another update, and started updating again. Then a third time, and I realized that it was the same firmware update number! I cancelled it in the middle and then the lock didn’t respond. I thought I HAD bricked the lock at that point! I closed out the app and started it again and it seemed all was well and it no longer wanted to update the firmware. The second problem I had with the app was when I was trying to get the Level Connect added. If you have a good solid low-tech router or you use all default settings with your router, you probably won’t have a problem. I had problems with the Level Connect staying connected to the router. When I would go in the app to try and resolve this problem, it correctly said it wasn’t connected, but when I went to reconnect it, the app couldn’t find ANY Wi-Fi connections. I would have to remove the Connect from the app and re-add it. If it didn’t connect the first time to the router, I could go back and change the password, but if I wanted to choose a different hotspot or router, again, it would not find ANY connections to connect to (which was obviously a bug). You can imagine how this could make troubleshooting your router’s settings unnecessarily drawn-out and difficult. One other minor issue is the Level Connect has a status light on it that you cannot turn off. That should be an option in the app but it is not. Lastly, I tried the Auto Lock feature, which lets you lock the door after a set amount of time. It worked, but it also locked my wife out, as she went outside to clean the car and closed the door to keep the cold air out, and did not have her keys nor did she have the app set up yet. I turned that feature off. Summary: Was it worth all the trouble? Yes, to me it was for the three reasons I bought it stated above. It gives me another level of piece of mind and I didn’t have to change out keys or anything. I wish it had some way to pull itself tight and lock it so I didn’t have to jury-rig my door and I wish their app was less buggy, but if I had to do it all over again knowing what I know now, I’d still buy it.

The Level Bolt with Matter is an amazing piece of engineering and design! Called “The Invisible Smart Lock”, the Level Bolt sits inside your deadbolt, only replacing only the existing latch and strike plate. No one will ever know you have a smart lock! Installation can take less than 10 minutes. Simply remove the existing latch and strike plate. Replace the latch with the Level Bolt, insert the motor, then install the CR2 battery and like magic it just works! For me, the time-consuming task was removing putty from around the existing strike plate added by our home builder and needing to slightly trim the wood behind the strike plate, as the Level strike plate is thicker than a standard contractor-grade strike plate. On inserting the CR2 Battery, Matter-compatibility executed a notification on my Google Pixel phone to “Set Up Your Device”. I simply scanned the supplied QR Code and everything self-installed, with Google Home being the default platform. Even before installing the Level app, most everything worked within my Google Home ecosystem, including naming the bolt and controlling the lock, less battery status. For security, you can’t unlock the bolt by a “Hey Google” voice command, but you can lock it. From within the Google Home app, you can remotely lock or unlock the bolt from anywhere. The packaging also claims compatibility with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa and SmartThings. I recommend also installing and registering the Level Home app. It adds firmware updating, calibration, sound level settings, battery status, Auto Lock options (setting a duration from 30 seconds to one hour to auto-lock my door after unlocking) and more. You can setup sharing and create a “Pass” e.g. setting temporary access for your visiting in-laws. he Level Home app does not include its own Google Widget, but the Google Home Widget works just fine. I definitely recommend the Level Bolt with Matter.

I was very hopeful for this lock after so many terrible reviews of earlier versions—this one was better reviewed when I bought it. Unfortunately, it is completely unreliable and I would suggest carrying a key at all times because it will lock you out of your house. It’s only good between 10% of the times you need it to work. I have had my contractor come back twice after installing to insure it is absolutely perfectly installed and I still get errors that make the lock inoperable until you use a key or the thumb latch. First, beware that if there is anything even slightly touching the bolt as it closes (not blocking), it will fail to lock. Even if it turns easily manually, the slightest brush will not allow it to lock/unlock with your phone. It is VERY sensitive to dust even. The Apple HomeKit connection was another selling point, but the lock is constantly show as “Updating” in the app when I open it. If I wait a bit, leave the app, then come back in, it will show as available. (Annoying when you are trying to get into your house). I was trying to eliminate the need for so many different apps by using HomeKit, but I’m almost always forced to got to the Level App instead. The Level App will give me a “Timeout Error” when it doesn’t lock/unlock within 3.5 seconds of me asking it to do so—even though it is completing the task in, say, 3.6 seconds. Once you get that error, you can’t get the lock to do anything from your phone. The only way I can figure out how to reset it is to then open and close the lock manually—only then can I use the app again. No reason for the timeout error—we are on fiber internet and there is a signal booster in the foyer, unobstructed and 7’ from the lock. Level support doesn’t offer any support for this error or have solutions listed in their support materials. I was also excited about the Apple Keys feature. I was hoping this was going to be like my BMW when I get within a certain distance of the driver’s door, it unlocks. No such luck. You still have to pull your phone out and hold it perpendicular to the lock after selecting the key in your apple wallet. It takes a while for the lock to “wake up”—you have to wait and then kind of move your phone around a bit to get it to recognize you’re there. Once it knows you’re there, it will finally open it only about 10% of the time without an error. It’s so frustrating, I’d rather just use a key at that point. I had hoped this would be a beautiful lock to have on my front door that was functional. It is beautiful and fits with my decor and doesn’t ruin the front door look like others with keypads, but it is just not reliable. I was hoping to put these on all my doors, however instead I’ve purchased a different, Schlage smart lock with a keypad for the side door and leaving the rest alone for now. The Schlage may not be as pretty, but it has integrated into HomeKit seamlessly, allows me to use my apple keys without any delay or issue, always locks and unlocks when I ask it to remotely, was easily installed without my contractor having to mess with it, and has never, ever locked me out with an error message that can only be reset from inside or with a key.

This is a review of the Level Bolt written on 07 Mar 2024. I installed the lock in late July 2023 in a door manufactured in the 1920s. I also have the Level Keypad installed outside on the house next to the door. Pluses: Works with existing double-cylinder deadbolt. This is unique as far as I know. Existing lock works as it always has, regardless of usage of smartlock features Existing lock will still work if the company goes belly-up or there is an EMP I have not yet replaced the battery that was included with the lock Works consistently with separate Level keypad Works with Alexa (This is apparently not supported by Level, but it works as of this writing) Works with Sidewalk (This is apparently not supported by Level) Minuses: The battery is inside the bolt itself. So this is not exactly an ANSI Grade 1 design. The smaller jamb strike plate cost extra Tolerances are limited, so expect to do some custom fitting in an old beat up door. Deadbolts are usually more or less cylindrical but with two flat sides, the flatness increasing clearance if the door is not lined up perfectly with the jamb. However the Level Bolt deadbolt is perfectly cylindrical. A clever design but the drawback is, if it is even slightly out of alignment with the strike plate on the jamb, it will not lock or unlock properly. I had a lot of hassles with the keypad when the keypad battery got low during cold weather. I did NOT receive a low battery alert, and the app in fact said the battery was OK. I tried multiple sets of alkaline batteries and it was not happy; as the temp dropped below 20F daily in January, the keypad would not work later at night or early mornings before it warmed up. I switched to non-rechargeable lithium batteries and the problems vanished. I had started a support case for that and they had me do the usual useless intrusive things to no avail. This seems like that "designed in California" biz. Did they even bother testing this in the freezer for a few months to simulate a midwestern winter? When used with Alexa, I can lock and unlock reliably For about a month (January 2024) there was no status feedback ("Lock is unlocked" "Lock is locked") from lock to Alexa/Echo. This did work at installation but stopped working after December 2023. I started a support case, found out Alexa-Sidewalk was not officially supported with the hardware I had (Echo Input), and left it at that. About a week later, it started working again as it had in 2023. So whatever. Occasionally I will come home expecting the door is locked. So, I use the code to unlock it. Unfortunately, if the door was already unlocked, the code locks it. This is not a problem when I say "Alexa, unlock door": She will ask for the code, but if the door is already unlocked, she does not lock it. Seems they are tracking the state of the lock, as expected, not just toggling regardless of initial state. So, seems it would be low-hanging fruit to allow one code for locking and another code for unlocking. Comments on the app: Level seems to be highly focused on the form and design of the app. It is pretty, but in spite of that, they missed the boat on what the app should be helping with; the app should be pushing when batteries are low. It does not. In fact, given the keypad and Alexa / Sidewalk functionality, the app works well for setup, and is a nice backup, but it would never be the primary means of locking and unlocking at our house. I almost always have stuff in my hands when I get home, and pulling out my phone would be a hassle. It is an administrative aid that I use occasionally. So the one thing that that app would be useful for day-to-day, it was not designed to do. That says a lot to me about where their design focus is not. Suggestions: More rigorous cold weather testing for keypad Add low battery push notifications to app More sophisticated power management that can sense when battery performance drops out of acceptable range when temperatures drop Support for functionality with Alexa, other home automation Change the battery and bolt design so it jams less often if the door is not lined up perfectly Add the option to have codes that work only for locking and only for unlocking

When I first saw these I was skeptical of the company, its features, and everything about it as I wasnt sure they would live up to the hype or their advertising but these exceeded my expectations by a mile (and then some). First off, these are some of the simplest, most elegant smart locks Ive ever seen. Ive used the August smart locks in the past, and recently even the newer Aqara ones but these are SO much better. You pay a small premium for these over the other ones I mentioned but its well worth it for how much better these are. Although the aforementioned ones meet different needs for different people, I think these ones are for those that want to maximize functionality while keeping aesthetics intact. The others are too bulky and take up way more room than they should and while the August ones are much quicker to install, and the Aqara has a keypad integrated, these just look so much better that its almost not even worth considering the other options. Home Keys with my phone or watch work SUPER quick and the lock has NEVER been disconnected or unreachable in the home app. Its super simple to share access with other people and the installation is very straightforward (as long as you dont have messed up door jambs like I did). The only issue Ive ever had with these is that it sometimes says its jammed if you haven't fully turned the paddle all the way over. Which to be honest isn't even the lock's fault but sometimes its so close to being fully turned its strange to see it consider it to be jammed. Only other gripe I have with it is that the battery is an odd size. This honestly couldn't have been solved in any other way on their part but an option to somehow hardwire these would be great. So far the battery life has been excellent, its been installed for about 6 months now but I am curious to see how these will fare compared to other locks Ive had in the past.