Compare Schlage Encode Smart Lock vs Level Lock+ Smart Lock

Only one review directly tied the lock’s construction to pick/key resistance, saying it would be difficult for a thief to duplicate the key.

Pick resistance was a weak point, with reviewers citing easy picking and available-tool attacks as a meaningful security caveat.

Reviewers strongly agreed that built-in Wi-Fi and no hub, bridge, or adapter is one of the lock’s clearest advantages.

Hub requirements were a recurring drawback, especially the nearby Connect bridge and the need for separate bridging in some ecosystems.

Geofencing was repeatedly identified as missing, with reviewers noting the lack of hands-free auto-unlock as a meaningful convenience gap.

Geofencing and touch-based arrival features were useful but more context-dependent than Home Key because they rely on location and Bluetooth.

A locksmith judged the cylinder well-made but not impossible to pick, making keyway quality respectable rather than exceptional.

Keyway quality drew serious criticism because reviewers felt the cylinder was too easy to pick and not robust enough for the price.

Reviewers generally found the lock fit existing deadbolt openings or aligned well after adjustment, with no structural door changes needed in tested installs.

Door fit was the main setup caveat: smooth, well-aligned deadbolts worked best, while tight clearances, older doors, and imperfect alignment caused extra work.

The keypad was generally praised as easy, bright, backlit, and accessible, with one reviewer noting a nighttime first-press annoyance.

The optional keypad was considered useful, especially for guests and rentals, but reviewers disliked that it costs extra and is not integrated.

Auto-lock was widely useful for forgotten doors, though reviewers warned that timing and lack of door awareness can create practical issues.

Auto-lock was useful but limited because it relies on timing rather than knowing with certainty that the door is closed.

A locksmith praised the adjustable backset as working with almost any door in normal installations.

Backset fit was mixed, with one reviewer needing sanding because neither bolt length fit cleanly and another finding the longer backset adjustment easy.

Remote access was strongly praised for checking status, letting people in, locking from away, and fast reliable remote operation.

Remote access was useful and sometimes reliable, but it depended on bridges, HomeKit hubs, or Wi-Fi Connect rather than direct lock Wi-Fi.

Reviewers found the history/audit trail useful for seeing who entered and when, especially for family, guests, and rental-style access.

Access logs were useful overall, but one reviewer wanted better accuracy and detail from the activity history.

The main door-sense evidence was negative: the lock can auto-lock without knowing whether the door is actually shut.

Reviewers wanted true door-sense behavior; the repeated concern was that the lock cannot tell whether the door is actually closed.

One reviewer specifically wished the lock added fingerprint recognition, so the lack of it counted as a limitation.

Fingerprint access was viewed as a missing convenience, with one reviewer explicitly wishing the keypad included a fingerprint scanner.

Physical security was repeatedly praised through Grade 1/AAA ratings, reinforced hardware, and confidence against forced entry.

Physical forced-entry strength was praised by one reviewer based on the lock's residential rating and deadbolt strength.

Guest access was a major strength, with praise for many codes, scheduling, temporary access, texts, and family/service-person use; single-use code absence was the main caveat.

Guest access was well liked for passes, cards, and temporary sharing, though several reviewers disliked requiring guests to install the Level app.

User management was praised for quick code creation, schedules, granular options, and caregiver/parent use cases.

User access management was a strength, with reviewers praising flexible control over household members, guests, cards, and shared access.

Lock/unlock response was usually fast or instant, with one reviewer describing it as only somewhat more responsive than another lock.

Home Key and app unlocking were generally quick, with reviewers describing NFC as immediate and app responses as just a few seconds.

One review treated hardware reuse as a drawback because Encode replaces the whole deadbolt instead of modifying the existing one.

Because Lock+ replaces the full deadbolt, reviewers noted less reuse of existing keyed hardware and more friction when trying to keep old keys.

Motor feedback was mixed: one reviewer found it quiet, another said it was strong, while others complained it was loud or grinding.

Motor performance depended on door alignment; reviewers warned that resistance can keep the small motor from throwing the deadbolt properly.

The only explicit Bluetooth judgment was positive, emphasizing encrypted Bluetooth in the lock.

Bluetooth was the most inconsistent connectivity area: some reviewers found it stable, while others called it spotty or range-limited.

Wi-Fi was strongly valued for direct remote control without extra hardware, though battery drain and one weak connection were caveats.

Wi-Fi was useful when included through Connect, but reviewers disliked the lack of direct Wi-Fi and the dependence on a bridge or alternate hub.

Most reviewers found the Schlage Home or Key app easy, responsive, and useful, with some caveats about simplicity or setup complexity.

The app was praised for features and access sharing, but its setup and firmware-update experience could be uneven.

Smart-home integration was useful with Alexa, Google, Ring, Amazon Key, and Home Assistant, but limited by HomeKit, IFTTT, SmartThings, Google unlock, and Ring Alarm gaps.

Smart-home integration was strongest for Apple HomeKit and Home Key, while broader ecosystem support was more conditional or dependent on updates.

Voice control generally worked well, especially with Alexa, but Google unlocking limits lowered the overall score.

Voice control generally worked well through Siri or Alexa, though one reviewer noted occasional Siri delay.

Value was mixed but leaned positive: several reviewers called it pricey, yet many found the security, reliability, and features worth the cost.

Value was mixed: reviewers liked the premium design and Apple experience but repeatedly noted the high price and security tradeoffs.

Reviewers valued the physical key backup, especially as protection against dead batteries or smart-function failures.

Physical key fallback was treated as a useful backup, especially for battery failure or less tech-oriented household members.

Locking reliability was one of the strongest areas, with reviewers reporting perfect tests, flawless keyless entry, smooth unlocking, and dependable performance.

Locking reliability was a major strength across testing, with reviewers repeatedly saying the lock worked reliably once installed and aligned.

Installation was usually described as easy and quick, although programming, Wi-Fi setup, or third-party app setup could be confusing.

Reviewers strongly liked the simple physical install, often calling it exceptionally easy, though one reviewer found the instructions thin and had to backtrack.

Exterior design earned praise for style and curb appeal, but interior hardware size and appearance drew criticism.

Industrial design was the clearest consensus strength, with reviewers praising the stealth, minimal, ordinary-deadbolt appearance.

Reviewers consistently described the lock as solid, sturdy, beefy, heavy, or secure-feeling.

Build quality came across as premium and well constructed, with reviewers praising the polished hardware and overall workmanship.

Battery feedback was mixed: built-in Wi-Fi drains AA batteries faster, but warnings and at least one long-term experience were positive.

Battery replacement was praised as elegant and easy, but battery reporting frustrated reviewers because it lacks precise percentage detail.

Alarm loudness was split: one review called the siren quiet, while a locksmith found it very loud and annoying.

A locksmith observed that repeated invalid codes temporarily disable the keypad, showing the lockout behavior works, though active alerts were missing.

Future update potential was mixed: Matter/Thread promises made the lock feel future-proof to some, but delayed deployment was a concern.

The only direct encryption evidence was positive, with the reviewer praising the lock’s encrypted Bluetooth.

Ring doorbell/live-view control was praised when supported, but Ring Alarm compatibility created a major limitation in one review.

Notifications were usually useful for lock status and user activity, but reviewers noted missed battery warnings and no active invalid-code alert.

Touchscreen feedback was mostly positive for responsiveness and cold-use practicality, though one reviewer stressed it is not a true modern glass touchscreen.

Warranty evidence was limited but positive, with one locksmith calling its electronics warranty the longest among reviewed locks.