Smart Locks · owner-verdict comparison

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

Real owners lean toward the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt: 81% of 232 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 Smart WiFi Deadbolt

81%of 232 owners recommend

81% recommend · 3% neutral · 16% don't

Owners praise

Rock-solid, reliable operation
Remote code control and notifications
Built-in WiFi, no hub needed

Owners complain about

Battery drains fast on WiFi
Connectivity drops, occasional dead units
Expensive for a deadbolt

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 Smart WiFi Deadbolt if

✓Airbnb and short-term rental hosts managing guest codes
✓Apple households wanting HomeKey tap-to-unlock
✓People who want built-in WiFi without a separate hub
✓Homeowners wanting remote codes and access alerts

Skip it if

Buyers on a tight budget
Deep Home Assistant or voice-unlock power users

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 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

“Smart door lock (Schlage Encode) for my mom's place. It sends notifications for each user's access codes when the door is locked or unlocked.”
— LionSuneater on Reddit

“The Schlage encode is actually not designed to stand up to that level of humidity. I learned this after going through their customer support for each lock that stopped working.”
— Captain_hindsight126 on Reddit

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

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

Real owners lean toward the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt: 81% of 232 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 Smart WiFi Deadbolt?

Owners point the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt at airbnb and short-term rental hosts managing guest codes, and apple households wanting HomeKey tap-to-unlock.

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 Smart WiFi Deadbolt, it's battery drains fast on WiFi.