I found a hidden smart lock that’s as easy as using tap-to-pay

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As an iPhone user, 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 against my lock, and watch as the deadbolt automatically disengages. It’s as easy as using your smartphone to pay at the register — easier since you don’t even need to double-press the side button.

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HomeKey made me fall in love with the older Level Lock, but the upgraded features of door position sensing and Matter capability of the latest Level Lock Pro made me head over heels for it. 

Like the previous model, the Level Lock Pro doesn’t add extra bulk to your door, as the CR2 battery is conveniently tucked into the deadbolt. More impressively, the new smart lock can detect the door’s status to inform you whether it’s open or shut, not just whether the deadbolt is locked or unlocked.

This typically requires an external sensor installed on your doorframe. However, the Level Lock Pro doesn’t require any add-ons or extra sensors to know whether the door is open or closed; the technology is built into the lock itself. This lets you know if someone left the door open or closed it before heading out, a scenario that happens too often in my family of five.

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The Level Lock Pro also supports Matter over Thread, making it easy to add it to Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings — not just Apple Home. Aside from expanding the smart home automation systems you can use to control the new Level Lock Pro, Matter over Thread means your device still works if your Wi-Fi goes out, as long as you have a Thread network at home. 

Many devices double as Thread border routers, forming their own network. These include the Apple HomePod mini, Google Nest Hub, Amazon Echo Show, Echo Hub, the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro, and more. The Level Lock Pro can connect to these devices using Matter, expanding your connectivity to more systems than before. 

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

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While I really enjoyed the simplicity of the Level Lock Pro, I believe many users will miss having a keypad to easily give others access. My kids know the front door code so they can unlock it while I’m getting the toddler out of the car, and they love that shred of independence. The Level Lock Pro doesn’t include a keypad, but you can buy 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 buying advice

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

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On the other hand, some manufacturers miss the mark entirely, simplifying a smart lock so much that it becomes difficult to justify the price. The Level Lock Pro emerges victorious in the battle for the invisible smart lock, making it the ideal choice for those seeking high-end performance paired with a sleek design.