Smart Locks · owner-verdict comparison

Level Lock+ vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: 75% of 130 owners recommend it, vs 41% of 133 for the Level Lock+.

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

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 →

Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt

75%of 130 owners recommend
75% recommend · 7% neutral · 18% don't
Owners praise
  • Rock-solid and reliable, it just works
  • Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock with iPhone or Apple Watch
  • Long battery life, often many months between changes
Owners complain about
  • Goes offline or shows no response, can't control it remotely
  • Works best only with a strong Thread network or Apple hub nearby
  • Drops sometimes need a router restart, factory reset, or re-pairing
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

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
Get the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt if
  • ✓Apple users wanting HomeKey tap-to-unlock
  • ✓Homes with existing Thread or smart-home infrastructure
  • ✓Buyers wanting reliability with a physical-key backup
  • ✓Those replacing less-dependable smart locks
Skip it if
  • Buyers without Thread devices for good coverage
  • Shoppers unwilling to pay a premium price

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

What Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt owners say

“I have the Schlage Encode Plus HomeKey lock. HomeKey fucking rocks. I love having my house key in wallet. It is so unbelievably slick.”
— seaessbee on Reddit
“Replaced our August Smart Lock Pro with a Schlage Encode Plus. It’s been rock solid for about 6 months now. Works quickly. Supports Homekey.”
— smorrison0 on Reddit
“This is crap you all need to record the WiFi setup”
— @dnldnl4880 on YouTube

Level Lock+ vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: frequently asked questions

Is the Level Lock+ or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt better?

Real owners lean toward the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: 75% of 130 owners recommend it, vs 41% of 133 for the Level Lock+.

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.

Who should get the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt?

Owners point the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt at apple users wanting HomeKey tap-to-unlock, and homes with existing Thread or smart-home infrastructure.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Level Lock+ is connectivity is unreliable, with frequent Bluetooth/HomeKit disconnects and drop-offs. For the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt, it's goes offline or shows no response, can't control it remotely.