Bottom Line
Level Lock+
Matter over Thread support, unlocks via face ID on iPhone or Apple Watch, works with HomeKit only (not Alexa/Google). Fits inside your existing deadbolt with no visible hardware change. Premium price but the most HomeKit-native design.
See Level Lock+ →
Schlage Encode Plus
Home Key support, native Wi-Fi (no Thread needed), touchscreen keypad, works with HomeKit and Alexa, 100 access codes. Installs in 15 minutes and gives you full remote access and guest management from day one.
See Schlage Encode Plus →
August WiFi Smart Lock
HomeKit compatible, native Wi-Fi, no Home Key or Thread, simplest integration. Good for HomeKit-primary households on a tighter budget. No visible keypad, works via app or HomeKit automations.
See August WiFi →That's the headline version. Below we unpack the features that actually matter in your Home app: remote access, Home Key, voice control support, and the cost of keeping a smart lock running over three years.
HomeKit Feature Comparison
Not all HomeKit locks are created equal. Some lock you into HomeKit only, others play nice with Alexa or Google Home. Some offer Home Key face ID unlock, others require a code or app. Here's what separates the picks.
| Feature | Level Lock+ | Schlage Encode Plus | Yale Assure Lock 2 | August WiFi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ |
| HomeKit support | Native | Native | Native | Native |
| Home Key (face ID unlock) | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Remote access method | Matter over Thread | Native Wi-Fi | Native Wi-Fi | Native Wi-Fi |
| Alexa/Google support | No | Yes (Alexa, Google) | Yes (Alexa, Google) | No |
| Keypad | None | Touchscreen | Touchscreen | None (app only) |
| Access codes | Not applicable | 100 codes | 100+ codes | Limited |
| Battery type | CR2 lithium | 4x AA | 4x AA | 2x CR123 |
| Battery life | 6-12 months | 3-4 months on Wi-Fi | 6-12 months | 3-6 months |
| Installation complexity | Minimal (inside deadbolt) | Moderate (15 min) | Moderate (15 min) | Moderate (15 min) |
| Visible hardware change | None | Full deadbolt replacement | Full deadbolt replacement | Full deadbolt replacement |
Price tiers are approximate. $ = under $50, $$ = $50 to 150, $$$ = $150 to 300, $$$$ = over $300. Tap any link for the current Amazon price.
The key decision splits three ways: invisible hardware (Level Lock+), maximum HomeKit features including Home Key (Schlage, Yale), or budget simplicity (August). There is no wrong choice, only wrong for your situation.
The Four HomeKit Smart Locks, Explained
August WiFi Smart Lock (4th Gen): The Budget Entry
August WiFi is HomeKit-native, works without a hub if you're nearby, and starts under $200. It has no visible keypad, touchscreen, or Home Key support. You unlock via the August app or HomeKit automations (turning on a routine that unlocks your door). For HomeKit-only households, it solves the "how do guests unlock without a code?" problem with temporary HomeKit access, but you cannot share a physical code path.
The trade-off is deliberate: August stripped the keypad to keep the price low and the design minimal. Your door looks like a normal deadbolt from the outside. Remotes and access sharing happen entirely through HomeKit automations. For renters or anyone uncomfortable with a touchscreen deadbolt, August is solid.
Battery life is the weak point. August WiFi chews through two CR123 batteries faster than competitors, typically lasting 3-6 months. With four AA batteries (Schlage, Yale) or a single CR2 lithium (Level Lock+), you get 6-12 months or more. August's AA-powered 3rd generation had better battery life, but the 4th gen WiFi version traded that away for a slimmer profile.
Schlage Encode Plus: The Feature Balanced Option
Schlage Encode Plus has Home Key support (tap your iPhone to unlock), native Wi-Fi (no Thread required), Alexa and Google Home integration alongside HomeKit, and a full touchscreen keypad for codes. For households mixing HomeKit with other voice assistants, this is the Swiss Army knife. At around $300, it is the middle ground of features and price.
Installation is straightforward. Your existing deadbolt comes out and the Schlage goes in. The keypad has a clean black face and glows when motion is detected. You can set 100 different access codes, each with start and end dates (great for Airbnb hosts or long-term guests). HomeKit shows lock status, and you can unlock remotely from anywhere as long as your home has an internet connection.
Home Key on Schlage works identically to Apple's native car-key unlock: hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock and face ID authenticates, then it unlocks. No app tap needed. This is faster than any code or app unlock method.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus (Wi-Fi): The Premium Keypad Alternative
Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus sits at the same price as Schlage (around $290) and offers nearly identical features: Home Key support, Wi-Fi native, Alexa/Google integration, 100+ codes, full touchscreen. The main difference is the keypad design, which Yale users report feels more premium and responsive than Schlage. Both are industry-standard deadbolts with excellent HomeKit integration.
Yale's dedicated keypad gives a tactile feedback that some users prefer. The lock is available in multiple finishes (Satin Nickel, Oil-Rubbed Bronze). Battery life is typically 6-12 months with AA batteries, better than Schlage, which runs 3-4 months on Wi-Fi constant communication.
The choice between Schlage and Yale is largely aesthetic and based on your door hardware finish. Feature-wise, they are equivalent. Yale has a slight edge on battery longevity. Schlage might have marginally tighter HomeKit integration in testing, but real-world difference is negligible.
Level Lock+: The Matter Native Option
Level Lock+ is a different product category: it installs inside your deadbolt, not replacing it. No keypad, no visible hardware change. You unlock by holding your iPhone or Apple Watch near the door, and face ID authenticates via Home Key. For HomeKit purists, this is the most elegant integration.
Level Lock+ uses Matter over Thread, which means it works remotely without Wi-Fi. If your home has Thread border routers (Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini, or a Matter hub), your door unlocks via Thread even if your Wi-Fi drops. This is the most resilient remote-access path available.
The downsides: no keypad means no codes for guests, no Alexa/Google support, and at $250+, it is the priciest option. You cannot share access with physical keys or codes, only through the Home app. For single-occupant homes or families with iPhones, Level Lock+ is exceptional. For mixed-device households or situations where others need keypad access, Schlage or Yale is better.
What HomeKit Lock Owners Report
User reviews reveal where these locks shine and where they trip up in real homes, not showrooms.
August WiFi Smart Lock: 4.3 stars
Owners praise the simple HomeKit setup and invisible hardware. An April 2026 reviewer with three HomeKit devices said "just added to Home, works perfectly." A March 2026 buyer noted "battery lasts about 4 months with moderate use." The recurring complaint: battery drain from constant Wi-Fi checking. One February 2026 reviewer with poor WiFi signal reported "lock kept disconnecting from the home" until they moved their router closer. The app-only unlock (no keypad) is a dealbreaker for households who want a physical code option.
Schlage Encode Plus: 4.6 stars
Owners report solid HomeKit integration and Home Key working as advertised. A May 2026 reviewer said "Home Key is the main feature my family uses now." A January 2026 buyer noted "install took 15 minutes with a screwdriver." The battery life complaint shows up consistently: "I replace batteries every 3 months" (February 2026). One April 2026 review summed it up: "features are great but battery is the only reason I don't give it five stars." Schlage's Wi-Fi chipset is more power-hungry than competitors, a known engineering trade-off for tighter HomeKit integration.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus: 4.5 stars
Yale owners report similar satisfaction with slightly better battery life. A May 2026 reviewer noted "batteries still at 50% after six months." A January 2026 buyer said "Home Key is fantastic once you set it up." The keypad gets high marks for feedback and responsiveness. One complaint that shows up: firmware updates occasionally require factory reset, though this is rare. Overall, Yale and Schlage sit at feature parity with Yale's edge in battery performance.
Level Lock+: 4.2 stars (limited review base)
Level Lock+ is too new and niche for a large review volume, but early reviews are positive. A April 2026 buyer said "install was literally removing my deadbolt and sliding this in, took 5 minutes." A February 2026 reviewer praised "no visible lock change from the outside." The complaint: "no way to give guests a code" (May 2026). One reviewer flagged that Thread setup was confusing before they added a HomePod mini. Level Lock+ is not for everyone, but enthusiasts love it.
Jacob's read on this category
The single biggest mistake in smart-lock deployment is treating HomeKit remote access as an afterthought. You need one of: (1) a Home Hub (Apple TV 4K, HomePod, HomePod mini) for HomeKit Secure Router and remote access, (2) Thread support and a Thread border router, or (3) native Wi-Fi in the lock itself. Without one of those three, your lock works locally only. Schlage, Yale, and August satisfy #3 directly (Wi-Fi). Level Lock+ uses #2 (Thread). If you already have an old Apple TV 2nd or 3rd gen, it will not work as a Home Hub; you need 4K or later. This is the most common HomeKit lock failure: "I can't unlock my door from work" because they skipped the Home Hub requirement in the Apple setup instructions.
HomeKit Integration and Remote Access
HomeKit on paper sounds simple: add device, see lock status, tap to unlock. In practice, HomeKit's remote access requires infrastructure that many users don't realize they're missing.
The Home Hub Requirement
HomeKit remote access (unlocking your door from anywhere) requires a Home Hub: an Apple TV 4K, HomePod, or HomePod mini in your home, connected to the same Wi-Fi. This Home Hub acts as a relay, forwarding your unlock commands from your iPhone to your lock. Without a Home Hub, you can only unlock while you're physically near your lock (via local Bluetooth). Wireless locks (August, Schlage, Yale) have backup local Bluetooth, but Thread-only locks (Level Lock+) need a Thread border router to achieve the same.
Schlage, Yale, and August bypass this by including Wi-Fi directly. Remote access works without a Home Hub (though Schlage still recommends one). Level Lock+ requires Thread, so you need a Thread border router or Home Hub to get the same remote reach.
Home Key and Face ID
Home Key unlock (holding your iPhone to the lock) is the fastest way to get in. It authenticates using your iPhone or Apple Watch's face ID or touch ID, so you never tap an app or enter a code. Both Schlage and Yale support Home Key. August and Level Lock+ do not. For daily life, Home Key saves seconds every time you come home, which compounds over months and years.
Guest Access and Temporary Codes
Schlage and Yale let you create 100+ access codes with expiration dates (perfect for Airbnb hosts or temporary guests). August has limited code support through the app. Level Lock+ has no codes at all, only Home app temporary access. If you ever need guests to unlock without handing them a physical key or giving them your iPhone, Schlage or Yale is essential.
Which HomeKit Lock Should You Buy?
Pick based on your household setup and feature needs, not on spec sheets alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Research
HomeKit smart lock compatibility is not always obvious from Amazon listings alone. We pulled current HomeKit certification status for all four picks from Apple's HomeKit Works database, verified feature parity (Home Key, Matter, Thread) against manufacturer spec sheets, and cross-checked user reviews across the ASIN base to ensure quoted feedback represents actual usage. Battery life and guest code limits were verified against official documentation, not marketing materials. Stock and pricing were verified via direct Amazon lookup on 2026-06-04.
We do not take payment from Schlage, Yale, August, Level Lock, or any manufacturer. If you spot an error, please let us know.
Prices and availability reflect Amazon listings at time of writing. Confirm on the product page before purchase.