I Replaced My Deadbolt With This Apple Homekey Smart Lock - And It's An Iphone User's Dream

1 week ago

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

The Level Lock Pro is disposable for $350.
This smart fastener looks for illustration a regular deadbolt, but supports Apple HomeKey, Matter-over-Thread, beingness key, NFC fobs, and doorway position discovery without other sensors.
You'll person to acquisition a keypad separately if you for illustration 1 to unlock, and Android users won't beryllium capable to usage Apple HomeKey.

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As an iPhone user, Apple HomeKey has go 1 of nan astir convenient ways to unlock my beforehand door. I tin travel home, property my iPhone aliases Apple Watch up to my lock, and watch magic unfold arsenic nan deadbolt automatically disengages. It's arsenic easy arsenic utilizing your smartphone to salary astatine nan registry -- easier since you don't moreover request to double-press nan broadside button.

HomeKey made maine autumn successful emotion pinch nan older Level Lock, but nan upgraded features of doorway position sensing and Matter capacity of nan caller Level Lock Pro made maine caput complete heels for it.

Like nan erstwhile model, nan Level Lock Pro doesn't adhd other bulk to your door, arsenic nan CR2 artillery is conveniently tucked into nan deadbolt. More impressively, nan caller smart fastener tin observe nan door's position to pass you whether it's unfastened aliases shut, not conscionable whether nan deadbolt is locked aliases unlocked.

This typically requires an outer sensor installed connected your doorframe. However, nan Level Lock Pro doesn't require immoderate add-ons aliases other sensors to cognize whether nan doorway is unfastened aliases closed; nan exertion is built into nan fastener itself. This lets you cognize if personification near nan doorway unfastened aliases closed it earlier heading out, a script that happens excessively often successful my family of five.

Also: This smart show is nan champion location information companion I've ever used

The Level Lock Pro besides supports Matter complete Thread, making it easy to adhd it to Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings -- not conscionable Apple Home. Aside from expanding nan smart location automation systems you tin usage to power nan caller Level Lock Pro, Matter complete Thread intends your instrumentality still useful successful nan arena your Wi-Fi goes out, arsenic agelong arsenic you person a Thread web astatine home.

Many devices double arsenic Thread separator routers, coming together to create their ain network. These see nan Apple HomePod mini, Google Nest Hub, Amazon Echo Show, Echo Hub, nan Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro, and more. The Level Lock Pro tin link to these devices utilizing Matter, expanding your connectivity to much systems than before.

I was impressed astatine really accelerated and responsive nan caller Level Lock Pro is, particularly a mates of years aft testing nan Level Lock (and loving it). It looks simple, is easy to install, and speedy to unlock and lock. Even if it looks this unelaborate, it responds and performs faster and amended than other, much feature-rich models.

Also: Your smart location instrumentality conscionable sewage a capacity and information boost for free

While I really enjoyed nan simplicity of nan Level Lock Pro, I judge galore users will miss having a keypad to easy springiness others access. My kids cognize nan beforehand doorway codification truthful they tin unlock it while I'm getting nan toddler retired of nan car, and they emotion that shred of independence. The Level Lock Pro doesn't see a keypad, but you tin bargain 1 separately for $79.

Since nan smart fastener is NFC compatible, you tin springiness visitors aliases family members a Key Card aliases Fob truthful they tin unlock your doorway without a phone.

ZDNET's buying advice

The Level Lock Pro reigns complete simplicity, giving you 1 of nan smartest locks connected nan marketplace tucked into a sleek, compact shape factor. With nan summation of cameras, doorbell buttons, fingerprint scanners, and facial recognition, smart locks tin easy get excessively caught up successful bells and whistles. The mean smart fastener purchaser won't request each these features, particularly if they're looking for a sleek design.

On nan different hand, immoderate manufacturers miss nan people wholly and simplify a smart fastener truthful overmuch that it makes it difficult to warrant nan price. The Level Lock Pro wins nan invisible smart fastener battle, becoming nan cleanable action for those looking for high-end capacity pinch a sleek design.