Schlage Z-Wave Connect Camelot Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product Schlage Z-Wave Connect Camelot | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | Best Overall Smart Lock | Best Value Smart Lock | Best Smart Features | ||
Price | $275 List $229.99 at Amazon | $230 List $152.99 at Amazon | $269 List $231.80 at Amazon | $124 List | $260 List $249.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | High security with keypad functionality, but remote access sharing options are somewhat limited | An easy to install option with great security, good connectivity, and is easily used with just about any smart home system | Streamlined smart features in an easy to install and high-security package | 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 |
Rating Categories | Schlage Z-Wave Conn... | August WiFi Smart | Schlage Encode | Wyze Lock | Schlage Sense with... |
Smart Features (35%) | |||||
Keyless Entry (25%) | |||||
Security (25%) | |||||
Installation (15%) | |||||
Specs | Schlage Z-Wave Conn... | August WiFi Smart | Schlage Encode | Wyze Lock | Schlage Sense with... |
Apple HomeKit | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Amazon Alexa | With Hub | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Google Assistant | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Smartphone Compatible | With Hub | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Z-Wave | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Zigbee | No | No | No | Yes | No |
ANSI Rating | Grade 1 | Grade 1 | Grade 1 | Grade 3 | Grade 3 |
Uses Existing Deadbolt or Full Replacement | Replacement | Existing | Replacement | Existing | Replacement |
Deadbolt Included | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
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" - 2 1/4" | 1 3/8" - 2 1/4" | 1 3/8" - 1 3/4" | 1 3/8" - 1 3/4" | 1 3/8" - 2 1/4" |
Face Bore Hole Diameter | 1 1/2" or 2 1/8" | 1 1/2" or 2 1/8" | 2 1/8" | 2 1/8" | 2 1/8" |
Power Requirement | AA Batteries | Pre-installed batteries | AA Batteries | AA Batteries Hub plugs into the wall |
AA Batteries Hub plugs into the wall |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Schlage Z-Wave Camelot is a full replacement smart lock that completely takes the place of your existing deadbolt. It's compatible with Amazon Alexa and other Z-Wave hubs.
Performance Comparison
Smart Features
The Schlage Z-Wave Camelot is one of many smart locks we tested that does not come bundled with a smart hub. As its name suggests, this lock is optimized to work with Z-Wave enabled smart hubs, and in our testing, we used the Wink 2 Hub. This lets you access smart features and even use the lock with Alexa. However, we found these smart features to be somewhat limited. You can do all the basic things like checking the status of the lock and unlocking/locking it remotely as well as view an activity log of what the lock has done. Beyond that, this lock feels more like a dumb keypad lock than a smart one. You can make keypad codes to share with specific people, but from the app you can only share those codes via email, not via text. Also, you can't put time constraints on those codes, so you're essentially providing 24/7 access until you remember to delete that code. In our opinion, this doesn't feel much better than just texting someone the code to a dumb keypad lock.
Keyless Entry
When it comes to keyless entry, we almost always prefer keypad locks. Punching in a code feels more convenient to use than having to take out a phone and open an app. This greatly endeared the Schlage Camelot to us when it came to keyless entry. Unlocking via the app was also smooth, so if you prefer to go that route, we found the Camelot to be completely reliable.
Security
This is the only area where the Schlage Camelot performed very well in our testing. In fact, the Camelot is one of the most secure locks we tested, boasting a commercial level ANSI Grade 1 security rating. This means it can stand up to lots of use, abuse, and multiple attempts to kick the door in. It also has an auto-lock feature that engages the deadbolt after 30 seconds of inactivity. We found this feature to be reliable.
Installation
The Schlage Camelot generally fits into standard doors, but it has fewer tolerances than some of the other locks we tested. That means it's likely you can install the Camelot into the vacated hole left by your old deadbolt without any modifications, but there's a slightly higher chance you might need to do a little extra DIYing than there is with some other models. The installation itself is also a bit more involved than with other locks. It took us 20 minutes to install the Camelot, while the average install time for our locks was around 15 minutes. Setting up the app and smart hub was fairly straightforward. In general, we wouldn't let the installation process of the Camelot dissuade you unless you tend to shy away from home DIY projects.
Should You Buy the Schlage Z-Wave Connect Camelot?
The Schlage Z-Wave Camelot lists for less than many of the others but requires a smart hub to be able to use its smart features, adding to its overall cost. That means that getting it up and running is not any less expensive than many of the smart locks we tested that we think have far more usable features. However, if you want a lock with the highest security rating and are willing to sacrifice some smart access-sharing ability to get it, the Camelot may be a decent value.
What Other Smart Locks Should You Consider?
The Schlage Z-Wave Camelot offers a top-notch security rating but falls short when it comes to remote access sharing. If you want all the smart features you can handle, check out the Schlage Sense instead. But if you already have a compatible smart hub and want a high-security but simple top-rated smart lock that provides you with an activity log, this may be a good choice.