Level Lock Touch Edition Review, Pros & Cons and Specs 2022

THE BOTTOM LINE FOR Level Lock Touch Edition

Level Lock Touch Edition supports Home Kit and many unlock options, including key cards, but lacks Wi-Fi and does not work with many other third party services.

Level Lock Touch Edition PROS

Supports Apple HomeKit and Ring Sidewalk

One-touch locking and unlocking

Key card access

Quiet motor

Stylish design

Level Lock Touch Edition CONS

Expensive

Does not work with Alexa, Google Assistant, or IFTTT

Requires bridge for remote access

LEVEL LOCK TOUCH EDITION SPECS

Connectivity                                             Bluetooth

Integrations                                             Apple HomeKit

Installation                                             Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon

App                                                             Mobile

Geofencing/Location Services             Yes

Guest Access                                             Yes

Tamper Alarm                                             No

Touchpad                                             No

Voice Activation                                     Yes

When we re-reviewed Level Lock in 2020, we praised how easy it was to install and support Apple Home Kit, but we also talked about its limited third-party platform options and the use of semi-hollow dead bolts. Weren't crazy The new Level Lock Touch Edition ($ 329) offers One Touch access via your finger or key card and looks as stylish as ever, but it's still compatible with Home Kit Hub or Ring Side Walk for remote access. Depends on the camera. If you don't already own such a device or otherwise want more diverse third-party platform options, the more affordable Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi ($ 249) is a better alternative, as well as the Smart Is the winner of our editorial selection. Locks

Sleek Looks, Few Integrations

While the original level lock uses your existing lock components and replaces the dead bolt latch with a motorized gear case assembly, the level lock touch replaces your entire lock. It includes an IPX4 water resistant extractor's way housing, an inner thumb turn, a motorized gear case, a dead bolt latch, a strike plate, two keys, two key cards, a long cap for the battery compartment, a CR2 battery, And comes with. Different screws. The lock is enclosed in four sleek finishes, including matte black, polished brass, satin chrome, or satin nickel.

The round exterior uses a mixture of stainless steel and metal, and has a key passage that is 2.5 inches wide and 1.2 inches deep. A smooth, beaded collar surrounds it and enables you to lock and unlock the door with the touch of your finger (as long as you have your phone). You can also program the key cards included to lock and unlock the door.

The interior is round and has the same finish as the exterior. It is 2.5 inches wide and 1.3 inches deep, and features a thumb turn to manually lock and unlock doors. The lock fits on doors that are 1-3 / 4 to 2 inches thick and have standard 2-1 / 8 inch diameter boreholes. A single CR2 battery powers the lock and should last up to a year before you need to replace it. Like the original level lock, the dead bolt is semi-hollow to accommodate the battery. Again, I question the durability of semi-hollow dead bolts compared to solid ones, but, according to the level people, the dead bolts meet ANSI (American National Standards Institute) grade 1 / A locking standards. Or more

Level Touch supports Bluetooth but does not have Wi-Fi radio. You can still remotely control it if you connect it to the Apple Home Kit Hub, however (synced hub devices include Apple TV, HomePod, and iPad). Alternatively, you can connect it to the Color Sidewalk network as a bridge via a synchronized color video doorbell and control it remotely from the Color app. Just remember that you can't use the lock at the same time with both the home kit and the color sidewalk.

For the above mentioned touch to unlock feature you need to enable location services on your phone and it only works when you return home from remote mode. This lock also features auto lock and auto unlock. With AutoLock, you can configure to lock the door anytime between 30 seconds and an hour. The auto-unlock feature uses location services (geo-fencing) to automatically open the door when you return home. Note that you cannot enable both Auto Unlock and Touch to Unlock options at the same time.

As mentioned, Level Touch supports Home Kit (and thus Siri Voice Commands). This means you can configure it to work with other home kit devices through Sense and Automation in the Apple Home app. Lock does not work with Alexa, Google Assistant, or IFTTT which limits its interoperability.

Level Lock App Experience

Touch Edition Lock uses the same level home mobile app (available for Android and iOS) as the standard model. The Lock Home screen appears in a panel that shows its name, status (locked or unlocked), last access time, and end user. Tap and hold the square icon to lock and unlock the device.

Tap the gear icon in the bottom right corner to configure AutoLock, AutoUnlock and Touch settings. Here, you can adjust the lock bell and beep volume, calibrate the lock, add an optional keypad ($ 79), and enable the boost range (which is more powerful for more consistent performance). Bluetooth provides signal, but shortens battery life by about a month).

To add users and assign limited access to full-time, recurring, or dates, tap the People icon in the upper right corner of the home screen. When you send an access invitation via email, the recipient receives a link to accept the invitation and instructions to download the app. For users who don't have a phone, you can create a key card that can lock and unlock the door, but you can't set any restrictions or time constraints for the cards. You can buy an additional key card in a pack of four for 20.

Simple to Install and Use

I had no problem installing the Level Lock Touch Edition. I started by removing my existing lock and dead bolt assembly. Then, I installed the new dead bolt with the added patch. I slipped the motor assembly through the borehole and tightened the connecting screw to secure it to the bolts. Next, I attached the strike plate to the door jamb, fed the outer housing through the motor assembly, and attached the inner and outer housings using the included bolts. I put the battery in the Bolt compartment, heard a chirp, and downloaded the Level Home app.

After creating the account, I tapped Adlock on the welcome screen and then added. Once the app recognized the lock, I gave it a name and added it to a room. A brief chat confirmed that the installation was completed successfully. I updated the firmware and then chose between HomeKit or RingSide Walk platforms. I picked up the Home Kit, scanned the Home Kit code on the installation guide, and enabled the Touch to Lock and Touch to Unlock features.

Level Touch did a good job of testing. It responds quickly to my Touch to Lock and Touch to Unlock commands. The auto lock and auto unlock options also worked perfectly. The commands in the app to lock and unlock the door also worked according to purpose, as did the key card access and Siri voice commands.

The lock was very quiet in testing, walked smoothly, and paired seamlessly with other home kit tools. For example, an automation I made for the Eve Smart Power Strip so that if someone opened the door, it could be turned on without any problems. I didn't have any trouble even when I added a lock to the Good Night Scene in which they both turned off certain lights and closed the door.

Works Best for HomeKit-Centric Homes

If you use the Apple HomeKit and / or own a compatible color sidewalk device, the Level Lock Touch Edition can be a worthwhile addition to your smart home. It works with Siri Voice Commands and Apple Home Automation, as well as offering several unlock options. But it lacks a Wi-Fi radio and needs a home kit hub or ring side walk bridge for remote operation. If you can skip HomeKit support, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi is a strong choice because it offers more unlock options, doesn't require a hub, and supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.