Aqara
Best for Small Hosts
Pick Aqara if you want a lower hardware floor with biometric entry and broader smart-home ecosystem support including Home Assistant and IFTTT.
From $169 • No free trial
View alternativesAll tools/Level Home
Smart LocksUpdated 2026-04-24
Level Home
Invisible smart deadbolts for design-focused short-term rentals
At a glance
Updated 2026-04-24Solid Option
Premium aesthetics, but a poor fit when you need PMS-driven access automation
Best for: Design-focused boutique STR hosts with 1-10 units who want a near-invisible deadbolt and live in the Apple Home / Matter ecosystem
Pricing
From $249 • No free trial
What Level Home actually is
Level Home makes smart deadbolts whose motor and electronics are hidden inside the door, leaving the exterior looking like a traditional lock. The product line targets design-conscious homeowners and boutique short-term rental hosts who want remote unlock, scheduled codes (via the optional Level Keypad), and Apple Home Key support without a visible piece of tech on the door. Level was acquired by Assa Abloy in 2024.
Core features
- Invisible in-door deadbolt form factor
- Apple Home Key support via Apple Wallet
- Matter-over-Thread connectivity (Level Lock+ Matter)
- Optional Level Keypad for app-free PIN code sharing
- Works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings
- Optional OnTech professional installation
Pros
- Hidden hardware blends with high-end interior aesthetics
- Broad smart-home support including Apple Home Key and Matter
- Optional Keypad lets guests use PIN codes without the Level app
Cons
- No documented native PMS integrations for vacation rental software
- Higher hardware MSRP than mainstream STR-targeted locks
- Auto-lock and door-state detection less robust than DoorSense competitors
Best for
- Design-focused boutique STR hosts with 1-10 units who want a near-invisible deadbolt and live in the Apple Home / Matter ecosystem
Not for
- Operators at scale who need turnkey PMS-to-lock automation that auto-generates per-reservation codes from Hostaway, Guesty, OwnerRez, etc.
Is Level Home right for you?
Honest per-segment take. Click any card for the full breakdown.
1–5 listings
Small portfolios
If you run 1-10 design-conscious units and live in the Apple Home or Matter ecosystem, Level fits — provided you accept manual code management.
Read full take →
5–20 listings
Mid-sized portfolios
Without a direct PMS integration, mid-sized operators end up bridging Level through middleware — a fragile setup for 10-50 units.
Read full take →
20–100 listings
Large portfolios
Level is not built for portfolio-scale access automation; large operators should pick a lock with documented PMS connectors.
Read full take →
Airbnb primary
Airbnb-first hosts
Airbnb-only hosts who manage check-in by hand can make Level work, especially with the Keypad accessory for guest PINs.
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Vrbo primary
Vrbo-first hosts
Vrbo hosts get the same aesthetic and Keypad benefits, but no first-party Vrbo automation.
Read full take →
3+ channels
Multi-channel operators
Multi-channel operators need a lock that plugs into their channel manager or PMS; Level doesn't ship that integration.
Read full take →
Related tools
Same category, different fits. Each pick has a direct comparison reason.
August Home
Best for Small Hosts
Pick August Home if you can't modify the door exterior, want a reversible 10-minute retrofit, and need native Airbnb code automation at a lower entry price.
From $149.99 • No free trial
View alternativesIgloohome
Best for Small Hosts
Pick Igloohome if your properties have unreliable internet or you need native Airbnb calendar sync that auto-generates guest PINs without a WiFi bridge dependency.
From $129 • Free trial
View alternativesSifely
Solid Option
Pick Sifely if you want the lowest hardware cost per door with five unlock methods and direct Auto Booking Code integration with Airbnb, Guesty, and Hostaway.
From $79.99 • No free trial
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