I replaced my deadbolt with this Apple HomeKey smart lock — and it’s an iPhone user’s dream

August/2025

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As an iPhone user, the Apple HomeKey has become one of the most convenient ways to unlock my front door. I can come home, press my iPhone or Apple Watch up to my lock, and watch the magic happen as the deadbolt automatically closes. It’s just as easy to use your smartphone to pay at the register – because you don’t even need to press the side button twice.

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Homekey made me fall in love with the old Level Lock, but the latest has the advanced features of door position sensing and meter capability level lock pro Prepared me for this.

Like previous models, the Level Lock Pro doesn’t add extra bulk to your door, as the CR2 battery easily snaps into the deadbolt. More impressively, the new smart lock can detect the state of the door and notify you whether it’s open or closed, not just whether the deadbolt is locked or unlocked.

This usually requires installing an external sensor on your door frame. However, the Level Lock Pro does not require any add-ons or additional sensors to sense whether the door is open or closed; The technology is built into the lock itself. This will let you know if someone has left the door open or closed before going out, a scenario that happens frequently in my family of five.

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The Level Lock Pro also supports Matter Over Thread, making it easy to pair it with not just Apple Home but Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings. In addition to expanding the smart home automation system you can use to control the new Level Lock Pro, Matter Over Thread means your device works even when your Wi-Fi is off, as long as your home has a Thread network.

Multiple device threads work as border routers and come together to form their own network. These include Apple HomePod Mini, Google Nest Hub, Amazon Echo Show, Echo Hub, Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro and more. Level Lock Pro can connect to these devices using Matter, expanding your connectivity to more systems than ever before.

I was impressed by how fast and responsive the new Level Lock Pro is, especially after a few years of testing Level Lock (and loving it). It looks simple, easy to install, and quick to unlock and lock. Even though it looks so sketchy, it responds and performs faster and better than other, more feature-rich models.

Plus: Your smart home devices get a performance and security boost for free

Although I really enjoyed the simplicity of Level Lock Pro, I believe many users will miss the keypad to give others easy access. My kids know the code to the front door, so they can open it when I’m taking the baby out of the car, and they love that piece of freedom. Level Lock Pro doesn’t include a keypad, but you can purchase one separately for $79.

Since the smart lock is NFC compatible, you can give visitors or family members a key card or fob so they can unlock your door without a phone.

ZDNET’s shopping advice

level lock pro The epitome of simplicity, offering one of the smartest locks on the market in a sleek, compact form factor. With cameras, doorbell buttons, fingerprint scanners, and facial recognition, smart locks can easily get caught up in the bells and whistles. The average smart lock buyer won’t need all of these features, especially if they’re looking for an attractive design.

On the other hand, some manufacturers completely miss the goal and make smart locks so simple that it becomes difficult to justify the price. Level Lock Pro has emerged victorious in the invisible smart lock battle, making it the ideal choice for those seeking high-end performance with an attractive design.