You may have seen photos or videos about Level Lock + in the last week and was surprised that more information about the lock was not available on Level website. But today, that has changed. Level on Friday officially announced Level Lock+, the only second smart lock (that I know of) that supports the iPhone’s Home Key feature.
The $320 Schlage Encode Plus is another lock I could find that supports using your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock your front door, the same way you would when making mobile payments.
Level Lock+ has the same minimalist design as the original Lock, and if you also have an iPhone or Apple Watch, entering your home is as simple as buying something with Apple Pay.
I like the look of Lock+ because it looks like a standard stopper on the outside – no keyboard or screen of any kind. And on the back of the door, there isn’t a large compartment for the battery. It’s all housed inside the locks and latches, which is impressive.
Also: Don’t waste your money on these Apple products
Apple Home Key uses NFC to transfer data from a key in the Wallet app that is shared with other iPhone or Apple Watch users. When a key is detected, the lock activates. However, that doesn’t mean you can only share keys and give access to Apple users.
You can still use touch or keyboard entry, and send invitations to guests to give them access to your home. this is a Keyboard Accessories $79 you can put it nearby if you want a code to unlock the door.
I have been testing Schlage Encode Plus for several months now and it has completely changed the way we access our homes. All of my kids have their own keys on their iPhones or watches, which eliminates the problem we previously had with smart locks – they forgot the code. Go to the door, tap your phone or watch and boom, 2 seconds later you’re inside.
The Lock+ is available now for $329. It has a satin nickel finish and is available in Apple Stores or you can get a matte black buckle version through Apple.com.
