The catch
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
Only standard bored deadbolts work, and that means a 1.75 to 2 inch door with a 2.125 inch bore. Mortise, multipoint and interconnected hardware is not a match.
Side by side
Level Lock Pro vs August AUG-SL05-M01-S01: August keeps the existing deadbolt, and Level hides the smart hardware
Quick verdict
For a discreet Apple Home Key lock, pick Level. If the existing deadbolt should stay in the door, August is the easier retrofit.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Where these two really part ways
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black is the better match for “Swap out my deadbolt” and “Get in by tapping my phone or watch”. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation is the better match for “Leave the outside of the lock as is” and “Hand a code to family and guests”.
Where this comes from
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
The catch
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
You add a keypad as a separate accessory.
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Why pick it
- Swap out my deadbolt
- Get in by tapping my phone or watch
- The catch
- Only standard bored deadbolts work, and that means a 1.75 to 2 inch door with a 2.125 inch bore. Mortise, multipoint and interconnected hardware is not a match.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Why pick it
- Leave the outside of the lock as is
- Run it remotely without needing a hub
- The catch
- You add a keypad as a separate accessory.
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What this page compares
Level Lock Pro and August AUG-SL05-M01-S01 are set side by side on door installation, entry methods and home platform.
This one comes down to door installation and entry methods first, then to the limits of your own setup.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Swap out my deadbolt
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black lists “replaces a standard US deadbolt while keeping the smart hardware hidden inside the door. 1.75 to 2 in door” for door installation, while August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation lists “interior retrofit. Keeps the outside lock and fits over the interior thumbturn”. Measure your space and mounting points first. This can be a hard limit on fit.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Better fit
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Depends
Get in by tapping my phone or watch
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black lists “apple, google, alexa, smartthings, matter” for home platform, while August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation lists “alexa, apple, google”. This shapes setup and day-to-day use more than the core physical job.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Better fit
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Depends
Leave the outside of the lock as is
Add smart hardware to the interior side of your existing single-cylinder deadbolt.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Depends
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Better fit
Base the setup on Matter
Rely on native Matter, or on Matter support the maker documents through its ecosystem.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Better fit
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Depends
Run it remotely without needing a hub
Built-in Wi-Fi, or some other documented direct remote path, is part of the lock.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Depends
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Better fit
Upgrade a rental in a way you can undo
Leave the outside hardware in place rather than swapping the whole deadbolt.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Depends
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Where these two really part ways
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black is the better match for “Swap out my deadbolt” and “Get in by tapping my phone or watch”. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation is the better match for “Leave the outside of the lock as is” and “Hand a code to family and guests”.
How we worked this out
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
One of them covers more of your list
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black meets 3 of the 4 needs this comparison is built around. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation meets 2 and misses “Swap out my deadbolt” and “Get in by tapping my phone or watch”.
How we worked this out
The count uses the current strong and useful fit ratings for these two products. Each need counts once, with no made-up score added on top.
How many models fit “Leave the outside of the lock as is”
3 of the 25 smart locks checked fit this need. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation makes the cut. Level Lock Pro, Matte Black does not.
How we worked this out
The count filters every model in the current category for a strong or useful fit on this single need.
Models that handle “Leave the outside of the lock as is” and “Have a physical key as a backup”
3 of the 25 smart locks checked handle both “Leave the outside of the lock as is” and “Have a physical key as a backup”. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation makes the cut. Level Lock Pro, Matte Black does not.
How we worked this out
You can reproduce the count by filtering the current category for models with a strong or useful fit on both needs.
Option A
Level, Level Lock Pro
Lock Pro, Matte Black
Documented for doors 1.75 to 2 inches thick, it lists home-key, phone, touch, key-fob, physical-key among its entry options.
- Best for
- tap my phone or watch to get in, with my deadbolt replaced
Facts we checked
- Documented doors range from 1.75 to 2 inches thick.
- Entry options include home-key, phone, touch, key-fob, physical-key.
- The documented platform list includes apple, google, alexa, smartthings, matter.
- Installation is documented as replaces a standard us deadbolt while keeping the smart hardware hidden inside the door.
Option B
August, AUG-SL05-M01-S01
Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
Phone is among its entry options, and the documented door range is 1.375 to 2 inches thick.
- Best for
- leave the outside of the lock alone and still have a physical key as backup
Facts we checked
- Documented to fit doors 1.375 to 2 inches thick.
- Phone is listed as an entry option.
- Platforms documented include alexa, apple, google.
- The documented installation is an interior retrofit.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Level Lock Pro, Matte Black | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door installation | replaces a standard US deadbolt while keeping the smart hardware hidden inside the door. 1.75 to 2 in door | interior retrofit. Keeps the outside lock and fits over the interior thumbturn | Fit can be a hard limit, so measure your space and mounting points before anything else. |
| Entry methods | home-key, phone, touch, key-fob, physical-key | phone | It may be a compatibility or access requirement. Fit it to your home and to how you come and go each day. |
| Home platform | apple, google, alexa, smartthings, matter | alexa, apple, google | Setup and everyday use depend on it more than the core physical job does. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Level Connect is sold separately if you want Wi-Fi features in the Level app. Remote control also needs a compatible Matter-over-Thread hub.
With August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- CR123 cells are less common, and on top of that Wi-Fi use can mean changing them more often.
Decision guide
How to decide
Level suits you if you want a discreet lock with Apple Home Key. August is the easier retrofit when the existing deadbolt should stay in the door.
Where they really differ
The Level motor sits hidden inside the door bore.
How the specs change things
Only the interior thumbturn is replaced with August.
What you give up
Automatic unlocking is on both, but Apple Home Key is added only by Level.
What this page can’t tell you
- Mortise and multipoint doors have to be checked for fit separately.
- Firmware updates can change what a platform supports.
- A sound door and strike are still needed, whatever consumer lock you pick.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the smart locks we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
None of the 25 models checked meets all of “Swap out my deadbolt”, “Get in by tapping my phone or watch”, “Leave the outside of the lock as is”, and “Have a physical key as a backup”, so the pick goes to the closest practical compromise.
0 models fit, out of 25 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Swap out my deadbolt”, “Get in by tapping my phone or watch”, “Leave the outside of the lock as is”, and “Have a physical key as a backup”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level Lock Pro, Matte Black |
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| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
Swap out my deadbolt
See price & reviews on AmazonAugust Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
Leave the outside of the lock as is
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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