Smart Locks · owner-verdict comparison

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) vs Level Lock+: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Level Lock+: 41% of 133 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 37 for the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen).

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

35%of 37 owners recommend
35% recommend · 16% neutral · 49% don't
Owners praise
  • Rock-solid, flawless day-to-day performance for a large share of owners, some going years without a single hiccup
  • Smooth setup and integration with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home, including running through Z-Wave and HomeKit/Alexa simultaneously
  • Battery life becomes a non-issue once paired with the August Connect bridge, with some owners going years without a battery change
Owners complain about
  • Buggy, unreliable companion app and firmware, from confirmations that never load to owners calling the software an outright mess
  • Poor battery life, with batteries draining unusually fast or going completely flat within a couple of months for some owners
  • Wi-Fi connectivity is shaky, with frequent disconnects and setup struggles that some owners feel the Wi-Fi version never fully solved
Full owner report →

Level Lock+

41%of 133 owners recommend
41% recommend · 16% neutral · 43% don't
Owners praise
  • Much more reliable after the Matter/Thread update, going from flaky to fast and solid
  • Unlocks with a tap of an Apple Watch or phone via HomeKey/Apple Wallet
  • Looks like a normal deadbolt, not a smart lock
Owners complain about
  • Connectivity is unreliable, with frequent Bluetooth/HomeKit disconnects and drop-offs
  • Firmware/Matter updates break HomeKit or HomeKey pairing and knock the lock offline
  • Poor battery life, and it dies suddenly with little or no warning
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) if
  • ✓Homeowners wanting deep HomeKit/Alexa/Google Home integration with minimal setup hassle
  • ✓Users who add the Connect/Bridge, which owners say fixes battery drain and reliability
  • ✓Buyers upgrading from earlier August generations who've had a smooth multi-year run
  • ✓Households on standard deadbolts wanting z-wave plus app control simultaneously
Skip it if
  • Anyone relying on auto-unlock, which many owners call inconsistent or broken
  • Buyers who can't tolerate flaky software, frequent Wi-Fi disconnects, or app freezes
Get the Level Lock+ if
  • ✓People wanting a lock that hides its smarts
  • ✓Apple HomeKey users unlocking by watch or phone
  • ✓Renters keeping original keys and exterior hardware
  • ✓Owners on Matter-over-Thread with a solid mesh
Skip it if
  • Anyone unwilling to troubleshoot connectivity drops
  • Buyers needing a built-in keypad

What August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) owners say

“One thing i love is i have it running thru z wave to my alarm panel AND HomeKit/alexa simultaneously.”
— tgoz13 on Reddit
“Setting up notifications was a breeze. Alexa setup was a breeze. HomeKit works great. I have had zero issues and have been very impressed.”
— blampen on Reddit
“It hasn’t been as reliable as my old August Pro + Connect. It’s been disconnecting from Wi-Fi frequently and the original batteries had gone completely flat in less than 2 months.”
— d3rw1n on community.home-assistant.io

What Level Lock+ owners say

“I have Level Locks and love them.”
— @peterrasmussen3100 on YouTube
“Maybe it’s fully deserved, but I like mine (Level Touch.)”
— bakerzdosen on Reddit
“Don’t buy this thing you can hit it with a hammer and it will unlock itself”
— @shanemowery7255 on YouTube

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) vs Level Lock+: frequently asked questions

Is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) or the Level Lock+ better?

Real owners lean toward the Level Lock+: 41% of 133 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 37 for the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen).

Who should get the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)?

Owners point the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) at homeowners wanting deep HomeKit/Alexa/Google Home integration with minimal setup hassle, and users who add the Connect/Bridge, which owners say fixes battery drain and reliability.

Who should get the Level Lock+?

Owners point the Level Lock+ at people wanting a lock that hides its smarts, and apple HomeKey users unlocking by watch or phone.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) is buggy, unreliable companion app and firmware, from confirmations that never load to owners calling the software an outright mess. For the Level Lock+, it's connectivity is unreliable, with frequent Bluetooth/HomeKit disconnects and drop-offs.