Main trade-off
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
It only fits standard bored deadbolts with a 1.75 to 2 inch door and a 2.125 inch bore. It is not a match for mortise, multipoint or interconnected hardware.
Head-to-head
Level Lock Pro vs August AUG-SL05-M01-S01: Level hides smart hardware, August keeps the existing deadbolt
The short answer
Level is the discreet Apple Home Key choice. August is the easier retrofit when the existing deadbolt should stay in the door.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The needs that actually separate these two
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black has the stronger fit for “Replace my deadbolt” and “Tap my phone or watch to enter”. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation has the stronger fit for “Keep the lock outside unchanged” and “Give family and guests a code”.
What this is based on
This compares the current strong and useful fit assignments for the exact products. It does not turn them into one overall score.
Main trade-off
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
A keypad is a separate accessory.
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Choose it for
- Replace my deadbolt
- Tap my phone or watch to enter
- Main trade-off
- It only fits standard bored deadbolts with a 1.75 to 2 inch door and a 2.125 inch bore. It is not a match for mortise, multipoint or interconnected hardware.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Choose it for
- Keep the lock outside unchanged
- Control it away from home without a hub
- Main trade-off
- A keypad is a separate accessory.
About this comparison
Level Lock Pro and August AUG-SL05-M01-S01 compared by door installation, entry methods, home platform.
The practical choice turns on door installation and entry methods, then on the constraints in your own setup.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Replace my deadbolt
For door installation, Level Lock Pro, Matte Black records “replaces a standard US deadbolt while keeping the smart hardware hidden inside the door. 1.75 to 2 in door” and August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation records “interior retrofit. Keeps the outside lock and fits over the interior thumbturn”. Measure the available space and mounting points because this can be a hard fit constraint.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Better fit
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Depends
Tap my phone or watch to enter
For home platform, Level Lock Pro, Matte Black records “apple, google, alexa, smartthings, matter” and August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation records “alexa, apple, google”. This changes setup and daily operation more than the product's core physical job.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Better fit
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Depends
Keep the lock outside unchanged
Retrofit the interior side of an existing single-cylinder deadbolt.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Depends
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Better fit
Build around Matter
Use native Matter or documented Matter support through the maker ecosystem.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Better fit
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Depends
Control it away from home without a hub
The lock has built-in Wi-Fi or another documented direct remote path.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Depends
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Better fit
Make a reversible renter upgrade
Keep the outside hardware and avoid replacing the full deadbolt.
- Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Depends
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- Better fit
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The needs that actually separate these two
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black has the stronger fit for “Replace my deadbolt” and “Tap my phone or watch to enter”. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation has the stronger fit for “Keep the lock outside unchanged” and “Give family and guests a code”.
How we reached this conclusion
This compares the current strong and useful fit assignments for the exact products. It does not turn them into one overall score.
One choice covers more of this shortlist
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black covers 3 of the 4 buyer requirements attached to this comparison. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation covers 2, missing “Replace my deadbolt” and “Tap my phone or watch to enter”.
How we reached this conclusion
This count uses the current strong and useful fit assignments for the named products. A requirement counts once, and no arbitrary score is added.
How much choice there is for “Keep the lock outside unchanged”
3 of 25 checked smart locks match this need. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation is in that group. Level Lock Pro, Matte Black is not.
How we reached this conclusion
The count filters the current category dataset for a strong or useful fit on this one buyer need.
Finding models for “Keep the lock outside unchanged” and “Keep a physical key backup”
3 of 25 checked smart locks cover both “Keep the lock outside unchanged” and “Keep a physical key backup”. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation is in that group. Level Lock Pro, Matte Black is not.
How we reached this conclusion
The count is reproduced by filtering the current category dataset for products with a strong or useful fit for both needs.
Choice A
Level, Level Lock Pro
Lock Pro, Matte Black
The documented door range is 1.75 to 2 inches thick. Entry options include home-key, phone, touch, key-fob, physical-key.
- Best matched use
- replace my deadbolt and tap my phone or watch to enter
Checked facts
- The documented door range is 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.
Choice B
August, AUG-SL05-M01-S01
Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
The documented door range is 1.375 to 2 inches thick. Entry options include phone.
- Best matched use
- keep the lock outside unchanged and keep a physical key backup
Checked facts
- The documented door range is 1.375 to 2 inches thick.
- Entry options include phone.
- The documented platform list includes alexa, apple, google.
- Installation is documented as interior retrofit.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Level Lock Pro, Matte Black | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Measure the available space and mounting points because this can be a hard fit constraint. |
| Entry methods | home-key, phone, touch, key-fob, physical-key | phone | This can be a compatibility or access requirement, so match it to the existing home and daily entry routine. |
| Home platform | apple, google, alexa, smartthings, matter | alexa, apple, google | This changes setup and daily operation more than the product's core physical job. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
- Remote control needs a compatible Matter-over-Thread hub. Level Connect is sold separately for Level app Wi-Fi features.
If you choose August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
- CR123 cells are less common and Wi-Fi use can make replacement more frequent.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
The useful difference
Level hides its motor inside the door bore.
What the numbers change
August replaces only the interior thumbturn.
The trade-off
Both provide automatic unlocking, while only Level adds Apple Home Key.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Multipoint and mortise doors need separate fit checks.
- Platform features can change with firmware.
- No consumer lock removes the need for a sound door and strike.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current smart locks comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
None of the 25 models checked covers every part of “Replace my deadbolt”, “Tap my phone or watch to enter”, “Keep the lock outside unchanged”, and “Keep a physical key backup”, so the recommendation favors the closest practical compromise.
0 matching models from 25 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Replace my deadbolt”, “Tap my phone or watch to enter”, “Keep the lock outside unchanged”, and “Keep a physical key backup”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level Lock Pro, Matte Black |
|
| |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation |
|
|
Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Level Lock Pro, Matte Black
Replace my deadbolt
See price & reviews on AmazonAugust Wi-Fi Smart Lock, fourth generation
Keep the lock outside unchanged
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.