
Knock $145 Off Your Smart Home Upgrade With This Level Lock Plus Smart Lock Deal
The humble smart lock is often overlooked when people are setting up their new smart home, but that's a mistake. They can improve security and make it more convenient when you enter and leave your home -- and they're downright cool, too. Unfortunately, they can be expensive. Thankfully, Best Buy has slashed the price of a Level Lock Plus with a keypad all the way down to just $284. That's a massive $145 of savings from its usual asking price of $429, so it's quite a discount. The catch? You'll need to act fast. This one-day deal ends tonight, so make sure to order your new Level Lock Plus smart lock before it's too late.
Level's locks aim for quality more than affordability, with an ANSI rating of 156.40 and temperature resistance to provide maximum durability. It's rated to last for 136 years with average use. The brand also offers a variety of finishes and additional lever designs to find your door's best look. But those high-end features can be costly, so we're glad to see this Level Lock -- one of our favorite models -- drop to less than $300. If you're looking for more ways to smarten up your home, check out the top deals on smart home gadgets happening right now.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
The most attractive thing about the Level's Lock Plus? It doesn't look like a smart lock. There's no awkward-shaped retrofit or backside bulk holding a Wi-Fi connection. Instead, it looks exactly like a normal mortal deadbolt with a compact, even minimalist design that no one would guess hides smart tech along with a well-concealed, replaceable CR2 battery. This model does include a keypad, though, which you can install anywhere within 30 feet of your lock. That gives you plenty of leeway if you don't want a keypad to take away from your entryway's aesthetic.
In addition to Alexa, Ring, Apple Home and Google Home support, you can manage locking via the Level app or just swipe your phone close or use the keypad to unlock at will. Plus, you can create passes for others or even buy physical NFC passes for people to use, so you still have plenty of options. You can also create and manage Apple Home Keys, another kind of digital pass that's particularly easy to use with an Apple Watch or iPhone. On top of all that, a physical key will still work. This particular kit includes the Level Lock Plus, the Connect Wi-Fi bridge, a keypad, a CR2 battery and two keys.
Read more: Best Smart Home Gifts for Anyone
For more, you can also see the latest updates to our complete list of home security systems or peruse our list of the best smart locks so you can have all of the information you need to make the right purchase for you.
Why this deal matters
There are many reasons to upgrade to a smart lock, and this one-day deal knocks $145 off one of our favorite options out there. It's very unlikely that the price will drop any lower any time soon, so we recommend picking this lock up today if you were already considering upgrading to a smart lock and it falls within your budget -- especially considering tariffs are causing prices to rise on many goods, including electronics.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Digital Trends
6 hours ago
- Digital Trends
Best Buy is having an Apple Sale — this iPad mini is the best deal
There's a big Apple Shopping Event going on right now at Best Buy. As you may know, Apple is a big brand. They don't need deals to drive sales. So, while there are always great Apple deals going on, it always feels like there aren't too many of them at any given time. At least that's my experience with the category. This time around, there are a few deals that stick out. Examples include the Apple Watch SE 2 at $169 and this Apple iPad at just $299. But there's one huge winner, and that's the Apple iPad Mini with an A17 Pro chip and 128GB of storage marked down to just $399. That's a $100 discount off of the $499 regular price. It's all yours if you tap the button below. As always, keep reading for our take. Why you should buy the Apple iPad Mini If you think of Apple iPad Minis being slightly small iPads with refined features, you're definitely in for a treat here because the A17 Pro chip version checks all of the boxes you've been building for it already. It has an 8.3-inch screen, 2266 x 1488 pixel resolution screen, and 8GB of RAM. Its screen is small but pops and has a great aspect ratio for reading, especially comics, and should definitely be considered as a tablet for reading — after all, it does have the friendly paperback book size. Of course, if you want something more action oriented, we've found that this little guy plays games easily as well. As our Apple iPad Mini 2024 review puts it, 'this is the only small tablet out there worth its salt.' Ultimately, this can be considered as a little brother tablet to the 2024's iPad Air as its got good power and a 'snappy, smooth' operation, but all packed up in a miniature size. Getting 2024's Apple iPad Mini for $399 instead of the usual $499 (a savings of $100) is a great deal. Get it now by tapping the button below. Alternatively, you can check out more tablet deals to see if there's something more to your liking on sale, too.


CNET
6 hours ago
- CNET
Here's Why You Probably Can't Afford to Buy a Home on a $100K Salary
Tharon Green/CNET In today's expensive housing market, it's not a mystery why someone making $100,000 a year would see homeownership as out of reach. With more than two decades as a real estate professional, I tell my clients to be honest about what fits their financial reality, not just the bank's formulas. Unless you're buying a home with cash (unlikely), it's valid to ask if you can afford to take out a mortgage on an above-average salary. Let's start by making a key distinction. The amount you borrow for your home loan and the amount you qualify for are different. Although a lender may approve you for a large loan, that doesn't mean it's a smart financial move for your life or budget. The key is understanding how much you can borrow, your monthly budget and home prices in your local market, not just nationally. You'll also need to understand debt-to-income ratios and what goes into your mortgage payment beyond your interest rate alone. Gross salary vs. disposable income If you earn $100,000 per year, that breaks down to $8,333 per month in gross income. Lenders will use your monthly gross income when calculating how much house you qualify for. This figure doesn't reflect what you actually take home. Your net pay is closer to $6,561 per month, depending on your specific tax deductions and benefits. When budgeting for homeownership, look at your disposable income, i.e., the amount of money you have available for spending, saving or investing after all mandatory deductions and taxes have been subtracted. Mortgage lenders don't factor in what you spend on groceries, child care or your car lease, either. Their math is entirely based on your gross pay, which can make your budget look stronger than it actually feels. What to know about a monthly mortgage payment A mortgage payment is more than just the loan. Lenders often refer to PITI, which stands for principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Many homes also include HOA fees. Here's what makes up your full monthly payment: ☑️ Principal: The amount you're paying off each month toward your mortgage loan balance. ☑️ Interest: The cost of borrowing, based on your mortgage interest rate. Average rates are currently in the 6.5% to 7% range and they're expected to be there for a while. ☑️ Property Taxes: Depending on your location, a good estimate is between 1% and 1.5% of your home's value annually, divided into monthly payments. ☑️ Homeowners insurance: Usually $100 to $150 per month, although this will vary a lot by region. ☑️ Mortgage insurance: If you put down less than 20%, this can add up to a few hundred dollars per month based on your down payment, credit score and the number of borrowers on the loan. ☑️ HOA Fees: Common in condos or planned communities, ranging from $100 to $500 or more. Real example: An initial calculation for a $2,000 monthly mortgage payment might actually be closer to $2,700 to $3,000 when everything else is factored in. Always run the full numbers, not just the loan payment. Affording a $400,000 home with a $100,000 salary Over the years as a realtor, I've worked with buyers of varying financial backgrounds who find ways to buy a home, even in an unaffordable market. My main advice is to remember that no home-buying budget is ever the same. Each household has different needs, expenses and financial padding. Always look at the full picture, including other expenses, before you take out a mortgage. If you're stretching with a low down payment or have debt already, consider a less expensive home or a more affordable location. In these instances below, your housing expenses will be about 40% or 50% of your take-home pay. It may look safe on paper but in real life, you will have little left over for anything else. At the same time, this might be manageable for some buyers who have minimal debt, a second stream of income or additional savings. Understand your risk tolerance The safest approach when purchasing a home is to borrow less than you qualify for. Many realtors recommend the 28/36 rule, a solid target for long-term financial stability. That means keeping your housing costs under 28% of your gross income and your total monthly debt under 36% of your gross income. With $8,333 per month in gross income, that would cap your total monthly payment at $2,333. More cautious buyers often follow the rule recommended by the personal finance author Dave Ramsey. Ramsey recommends keeping your mortgage at less than 25% of your take-home pay (not your gross income). Looking at your net salary of $6,561 per month, that would cap your total monthly payment at $1,640 -- a tough number to hit unless mortgage rates are low, you have a large down payment or are buying in a low-cost market. Conventional mortgages vs. FHA loans Most first-time buyers use either a conventional loan or a Federal Housing Administration loan. The right option depends on your credit score, savings and long-term goals. Conventional loans are best if you have good credit (typically 680 or higher) and can put down at least 5 to 20% upfront toward the home's purchase price. With a 20% down payment, you skip mortgage insurance and may qualify for a lower interest rate. FHA loans let you qualify for a mortgage and buy a home with as little as 3.5% down and with a credit score as low as 580. These government-backed loans often have more favorable average interest rates than conventional loans but you'll have more fees to pay. FHA mortgages allow higher debt-to-income ratios, which makes them more flexible if you're pushing your budget. The trade-off with an FHA loan is being stuck with mortgage insurance premiums unless you refinance later. Both loan types are common if you're starting your homeownership journey. It just depends on your personal situation and how much you can realistically afford to pay off in monthly mortgage debt. With a smaller down payment, you'll be taking out a larger loan with more debt to pay off over the long term. Decide how much down payment you can afford Your down payment percentage has a direct impact on your loan, monthly payment and whether you'll need mortgage insurance. Let's take a more detailed look at what this would mean for a $400,000 home, which is less than the average home sales price in the US. Down payment on a $400,000 home: FHA loan: 3.5% = $14,000 down payment Conventional loan minimum: 5% = $20,000 down payment Conventional without mortgage insurance: 20% = $80,000 down payment A 20% down payment means lower monthly payments, no mortgage insurance and less debt and interest paid over time. It also increases your odds of getting your offer accepted in a competitive market. But if putting 20% down drains your savings, that's not the best move either. You still need reserves for closing costs, maintenance and emergencies. Determine your debt-to-income ratio Debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is how lenders measure your ability to repay a loan. It's a simple formula: monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income. Two numbers matter. The front-end ratio is the percentage of your income that goes toward housing expenses only (mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, etc.). The back-end ratio is the percentage that includes all monthly debts (from housing, credit cards, student loans, car payments, etc.). Most conventional loans allow up to 49.99% on the back-end ratio, although many lenders aim lower. FHA loans are more flexible, with lenders often allowing DTIs above 50% if your credit and income support it. Keep in mind that these are maximum limits. Just because you can borrow that much doesn't mean you should. A lower DTI gives you more breathing room in your monthly budget and can make life feel a lot less stressful after you move in. Buying a home with a $65K salary Purchasing a home with a lower salary is definitely riskier and harder for most people. Your options will be limited by loan size and monthly debt caps. In most cases, you'll need a large down payment, a second income or family support to make it work. In more affordable regions, you can still buy modest homes or condos with help from FHA loans or grant programs. But in places like California or New York, homeownership options will be very restricted without assistance. Preparing for the housing market today While home prices may cool in some areas, a major drop is unlikely. Waiting for a price crash could mean missing out on the right home. Housing inventory is still below pre-pandemic levels, with current homeowners holding tight to their cheaper mortgage rates. Demand for homes remains strong, maintaining the supply/demand imbalance and keeping prices elevated. Before you start home shopping, speak with a mortgage loan adviser. They'll help you understand exactly how much home you can afford based on your income, credit and debt. They'll also break down your full payment so there are no surprises. Taking out a mortgage is one of the biggest commitments you'll make. Getting the numbers right, especially in a high-priced market and an unpredictable economy, helps you prepare for the costs of homeownership and avoid regret.


CNET
7 hours ago
- CNET
Where to Find a Nintendo Switch 2 Right Now: Try Best Buy in Person
The Nintendo Switch 2's first day on sale was a blockbuster, as gamers lined up, retailers like Best Buy opened their doors at midnight, and online stocks disappeared. If you're looking to buy a Switch 2 right now, try visiting a Best Buy store in person. Because the electronics retailer limited online sales to stop scalping, more consoles are available to purchase in person, and some stores may still have them available. If your local store doesn't have one, keep an eye on this page to find out when it will be available for purchase online. And if you're wondering what all the fuss is about, here's what's going on. Why everyone's excited to get their hands on the Switch 2 The original Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, was one of the Japanese game maker's biggest hits ever, selling 152 million units around the world to date. The Switch took off during the COVID-19 pandemic, and fans of all ages have since fallen in love with the Switch's portable design–it transitions seamlessly from console to handheld device–and its collection of favorites from Nintendo history like Mario Kart and The Legend of Zelda. The Switch 2's subtle changes make the experience even better, whether you're playing on the small or the big screen. The 1080p LCD screen is now 7.9 inches, which is nearly 2 inches bigger than the original. The Switch 2 refreshes at a smooth 120Hz for handheld play and, when docked, can spit out 4K graphics depending on the game and the TV. Support for 4K is one of the biggest things fans have waited for, and the Switch 2's graphics, which Nintendo says are ten times better than the original Switch, are one of the main reasons everyone's rushing to buy it. And, of course, they're excited about Mario Kart World, the latest update to the beloved franchise that's only available on the Switch 2. The new Mario Kart comes with a live audio-video chat so you can play with friends and family anywhere, anytime, and enjoy up to 24-player multiplayer races that CNET's Scott Stein says are "wild" and "a blast." Nintendo A versatile console now does even more The Switch 2 comes packed with smaller design upgrades that make it even more adaptable. The console has a U-shaped kickstand for more stable tabletop playing and the dock has a fan to cool down the Switch 2 after long sessions. A USB-C port on the top can connect a camera to FaceTime with friends. You know, a LAN party minus the danger of screenwatching. The Joy-Cons – the special term for Switch's detachable controllers – now attach to the system with magnets, which eliminates the finicky task of lining up the plastic bits for those of us with Donkey Kong hands. You can also face the inner side of the controller down on a surface and use it as a point-and-click mouse. Get your Nintendo Switch 2 at Best Buy today With stock limited online, your best bet for finding a Nintendo Switch 2 is in person at Best Buy. Find a store near you or keep an eye on this page to find out when the Switch 2 will be available online.