REASONS TO BUY
Bluetooth key and keypad entry
WiFi built-in
Broad smart home compatability
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky battery compartment
No geofencing
Expensive
Schlage Encode Review
Reliable and simple smart features make this a great addition to any front door and one of our favorite locking systems
Schlage
Credit: ULTRALOQ
RELATED: Best Smart Locks of 2024
Our Verdict
The Schlage Encode is one of our favorite smart locks we've ever used. The built-in WiFi allows you to access smart features without dealing with an external smart hub. The keypad allows you to share access with simple, time-constrained keycodes. The broad compatibility allows you to use Alexa or Google Assistant to control the lock. Installation is relatively quick and easy. There is even a physical key option available just in case the battery dies. Our only complaint with this lock is the lack of geofencing, meaning it won't automatically unlock as you pull into the driveway. Overall, we feel this is one of the most intuitive and user-friendly smart locks on the market.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product Schlage Encode | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Smart Lock |  Best Value Smart Lock |  Best Smart Features | ||
| Price | $269 List $219.00 at Amazon | $230 List $124.00 at Amazon | $124 List | $260 List $259.00 at Amazon | $150 List $77.24 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Streamlined smart features in an easy to install and high-security package | An easy to install option with great security, good connectivity, and is easily used with just about any smart home system | An affordable home device that works well with the Wyze smart home ecosystem | One of the best options for people that want to be able to share access to their home and check on the status of the front door remotely | Provides the option for simple and straightforward, if somewhat limited, operation without a smart hub |
| Rating Categories | Schlage Encode | August WiFi Smart | Wyze Lock | Schlage Sense with... | August Smart |
| Smart Features (35%) | |||||
| Keyless Entry (25%) | |||||
| Security (25%) | |||||
| Installation (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Schlage Encode | August WiFi Smart | Wyze Lock | Schlage Sense with... | August Smart |
| Apple HomeKit | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Amazon Alexa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Assistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | With Hub |
| Z-Wave | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Zigbee | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| ANSI Rating | Grade 1 | Grade 1 | Grade 3 | Grade 3 | N/A- retrofit |
| Uses Existing Deadbolt or Full Replacement | Replacement | Existing | Existing | Replacement | Existing |
| Deadbolt Included | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Backset | 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" | 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" | 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 | 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" | 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" |
| Door Thickness Range | 1 3/8" - 1 3/4" | 1 3/8" - 2 1/4" | 1 3/8" - 1 3/4" | 1 3/8" - 2 1/4" | 1 3/8" - 2 1/4" |
| Face Bore Hole Diameter | 2 1/8" | 1 1/2" or 2 1/8" | 2 1/8" | 2 1/8" | 1 1/2" or 2 1/8" |
| Power Requirement | AA Batteries | Pre-installed batteries | AA Batteries Hub plugs into the wall |
AA Batteries Hub plugs into the wall |
AA Batteries Hub plugs into the wall |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Schlage Encode is a full deadbolt that replaces your current front door lock. This device is compatible with many other devices, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and your smartphone.
Performance Comparison
Credit: Jason Peters
Smart Features
One of the best aspects of the Schlage Encode's smart features is that you don't need a smart hub to access them. It has WiFi built right in, so it can connect right to your home's network without any potentially problematic intermediaries.
Once connected, the Schlage Encode allows you to lock and unlock the door remotely from your phone. You can create up to 100 unique keycodes to share access with your friends and family, and the app shows you a log so you can tell exactly who accessed the lock and when. You can also grant someone else access to unlock the door from their phone. However, this requires that person to download the Schlage app and make an account, so unless they live in the house full time we found it much more convenient to just share key codes. When you share access, you can also set time limits for it. For example, you can provide a dog walker with a key code that only works on weekdays between the hours of 1 pm and 3 pm.
The interior face is rather large.
Credit: Jason Peters
Keyless Entry
We found keyless entry to be near flawless. Whether we triggered an unlock via the app or with a keycode, the lock responded almost instantly. The one feature that is clearly lacking here is geofencing, which would allow the door to unlock automatically when your phone gets within a certain distance of your home. This is nice if you walk home with your hands full of groceries, as you won't have to dig around in your pockets in order to get the door unlocked.
Security
The Schlage Encode sports an impressive ANSI Grade 1 security rating. To earn this rating, it must withstand at least six attempts to kick the door in. Locks of this grade are generally considered adequate for commercial use, and it's one of the highest security grades you'll find on a residential lock. You can also set the lock to automatically lock after a set time of inactivity, securing your home even if you forget to lock the door.
Large keypad buttons make for easy keycode access.
Credit: Jason Peters
Installation
We found the installation of the Schlage Encode to be quite easy. We had no issues installing the lock into the hole vacated by the old deadbolt using nothing but a screwdriver, and the process only took about 10 minutes. After another few minutes of downloading the app and linking the lock to our WiFi networks, everything was functioning smoothly.
One potential annoyance with the Schlage Encode is its size. The large battery port juts out quite a bit on the indoor side of the door, and the black plastic covering doesn't look quite as high quality as the rest of the lock. Functionally this does not matter, but if you're picky about your interior decorating, you might want to take this into consideration.
Physical installation usually only requires a screwdriver.
Credit: Jason Peters
Should You Buy the Schlage Encode?
The Schlage Encode is one of the more expensive models we tested, but most others also occupy a similar price range. Given its reliable and impressive performance, we think it is well worth the money for anyone looking for a fully-featured smart lock — as long as you don't mind not having geofencing capabilities.
What Other Smart Locks Should You Consider?
The Schlage Encode ticks most of the boxes that one could hope for from a smart lock and does so without the extra bother of a separate smart hub. If you'd like a model with geofencing as well, check out the August WiFi Smart — though you'll need to also have a compatible smart home hub. But if you want a smart lock without the hassle of converting your whole home into a smart home, the Encode is a great option.
It's easy to change out the batteries when the time comes.
Credit: Jason Peters
—Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
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