August
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
$199.99Cheaper
Released 2021
Best Smart Locks · head-to-head
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) is cheaper at $199.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
August
$199.99Cheaper
Released 2021
Level
$349
Released 2023
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) is the cheaper at $199.99.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $199.99 | $349 |
| Brand | August | Level |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Unlock methods | smartphone app, Apple Watch, voice assistant (Alexa/Google/Siri), auto-unlock, physical key (existing deadbolt retained) | smartphone app (Bluetooth range), Apple Home Key (NFC tap on iPhone/Apple Watch), physical key (original hardware retained), optional keypad accessory ($79), optional key card/fob |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz built-in, Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth 4.0/5.0 built-in, Matter over Thread; Wi-Fi via optional Level Connect bridge ($79 add-on) for remote access |
| Matter | No | Yes |
| Auto lock | Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | 2× CR123 | CR2 |
| Finish options | Silver, Matte Black | Multiple — integrates into existing exterior hardware (knob/lever retained; interior module is discrete) |
| Install type | Retrofit interior — mounts over existing single-cylinder deadbolt, no drilling | Retrofit interior — replaces existing deadbolt interior mechanism, exterior hardware unchanged |
| Release | 2021 | 2023 |
Sources — August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen): august.com (verified 2026-06-15). Level Lock Pro: level.co (verified 2026-06-15).
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (Engadget, Tom's Guide) cover this exact 4th-gen August Wi-Fi Smart Lock; both recommend it for an easy, tool-light install, a smaller hidden design, built-in Wi-Fi and broad smart-home support. Neither published lab benchmarks, so there are no measured numbers. Main gripes: unreliable Android auto-unlock (Engadget) and a keypad sold separately for $59.99 (Tom's Guide). (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Fast, tool-light install that keeps the original keyway and physical keys; Smaller, discreet design that hides on the inside of the door; Wi-Fi built in, so no separate bridge is needed for remote lock/unlock.
Flagged: Auto-unlock is finicky and unreliable, especially on Android; Keypad is not included and costs extra ($59.99); Dropped Z-Wave, so power users lose offline local control.
Only one whitelisted tester, PCWorld/TechHive, published a hands-on review of this exact 2025 Matter-over-Thread Level Lock Pro; it calls it the best and most attractive smart lock you can buy and recommends it without reservation. No lab measurements are reported. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Invisible design that looks like an ordinary deadbolt, not a smart lock; Supremely easy, fast installation and setup; Matter-over-Thread lets it work across multiple smart home ecosystems (Apple Home, Alexa, SmartThings) simultaneously.
Flagged: High price at $349; Numeric keypad is an added-cost option ($79); No biometric access (no fingerprint or palm-vein reader).