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Review: Schlage's Encode Plus Lock Offers Convenient Home Access Right From Your iPhone or Apple Watch

I ordered mine the minute it became available, what was it, last February or March? Something like that. And it didn’t show up until the middle of July due to the severe backorder. But I have to say I love it. It’s really one of the smart home purchases I’ve made that has actually improved daily life.

I initially ordered it for my grandmother who was having mobility issues and I was going to rig this up with a remote so she could open and lock the door for people without having to physically get to it - but in between the time it was ordered and the time it arrived, she ended up moving to an assisted living facility. So I just installed it for myself.


I’ve loaded it with Eneloop Pro rechargeable AA’s and it’s now on 20% with very regular daily use - so it’s possible it might make it to a full year on one charge.


I had similar issues as the author - The short range of the tap to unlock is my only real annoyance… I do find that I have to press my phone or watch right against it, or hunt for a sweet spot.
Lately I’ve gotten in the habit of just asking Siri to unlock the door as I start walking up, and that works just fine… probably quicker, actually, since it’s already unlocked by the time I reach the door.

I would like the homekey tap to unlock to be a bit more sensitive if there is ever a future revision. It doesn’t have to work from 5 feet away, but an inch or two would be nice.


Note that I have NOT yet updated my Home architecture to the “new” one that was pulled by Apple, it remains to be seen if that will improve or ruin the whole experience once Apple presumably re-enables it with iOS 16.4
 
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MrRom92 said:
Lately I’ve gotten in the habit of just asking Siri to unlock the door as I start walking up, and that works just fine… probably quicker, actually, since it’s already unlocked by the time I reach the door.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I do with my Schlage Sense Homekit lock that I've had since 2018. By the time I get to the door it's unlocked. Haven't had any desire to upgrade since I'm not sure how I'd benefit - particularly if carrying groceries and not wanting to mess with tapping watch to lock.
 
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MNGR said:
So if the batteries die, how would you open the door without a physical key?
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I have Yale's smart door lock. If my batteries die, I have 3 options:
  1. Tap the 9V battery on the bottom of the lock to temporarily power the lock (I would prefer USB-C)
  2. Open the garage door
  3. Go to the backyard and open the other smart door lock
 
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octopi said:
See that point I made? Oh, no... you didn't.
For the sake of a couple of security pins in that keyway you wouldn't be able to rake or bump. What's the point of an expensive lock with such a basic vulnerability? A couple of security pins would deter a lot of chancers who would move on to easier pickings. I don't disagree with your point on if someone wants in badly enough so why bother with an expensive lock at all?
Click to expand...

In the case of locks such as this, the buyer isn't paying for enhanced security above that provided by any other basic deadbolt in common use. They're paying for the convenience / capabilities of the "smart" aspects of the lock.

I'm curious though - do you have any stats as to how frequently actual residential burglars pick the lock rather than just smash a window or sidelight or kick the door in? Seems the criminals tend more to just kicking the door in or smashing a sidelight & reaching in to unlock the door, but I don't have any stats. Thus my curiosity given how focused many are on lock picking resistance.
 
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I have a Yale lock that has been problematic. Biggest issue is poor battery life, 3-4 months at best. I would love to replace it with this since I've had good experiences with Schlage locks in the past. Color selection is an issue since all the other hardware in the house is polished brass. Going with one of the available colors would look out of place.
 
Here in the Midwest we lock our deadbolts and our handles. I wish someone would make a smartllock combo.
 
I see some posts about rechargeable batteries and I should just note that the product manual says to only use regular batteries, not rechargeable. I don't have it in front of me but it didn't elaborate, so I searched around here and other forums when I first got the product and I believe the consensus among tech enthusiasts is that alkaline batteries are more consistent with discharge and rechargeable batteries can be harder to measure, or when they are lower they can drain more quickly (something like that). So although I have a bunch of rechargeable batteries for most products in my home, I followed the instructions and only put regular, single-use AAs in this lock.
 
This lock has been amazing. It works quickly and reliably which is a lot more than I can say of my august smart lock wifi (gen4). That thing was slow and laggy to the point where it felt like a ridiculous stunt pulling out my phone to unlock it.

I've noticed that the apple homekit (native) smart devices are pretty much the only ones that work as they should. Everything else gives me long delays, connectivity issues, annoying 3rd party apps etc. This lock feels like a proper piece of apple kit.

I don't have an apples-to-apples on batteries, but I used rechargeable 123 cells in the august lock and it didn't provide a reliable reading. They would die in about two months without notice. The Schlage lock has chugged only 7% of alkaline duracell batteries in a month.
 
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Coolestdude said:
Here in the Midwest we lock our deadbolts and our handles. I wish someone would make a smartllock combo.
Click to expand...

For a very long time I was in the locking-deadbolt-and-handle camp but got to thinking about what sort of scenario it'd make any real difference in security.

I didn't come up with one.

Whether or not the handle has a lock doesn't seem to have any impact on slowing a crook who's kicking in the door, the one who smashes the side-light and reaches in to unlock the door, or even the one who goes around back to smash in a window. Even if the catburglar is a lock picker - which I've yet to see any evidence is a common real world threat for residential burglaries - they'd pretty much as easily pick two cylinders as one.

I'd be curious what scenarios you feel it'd make a difference to have the handle also lock? (other than someone without a key being able to lock the door as they leave)
 
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To those who own this product, I have a question. Currently use a Yale lock which is connected to a Nest connect. Use the Nest app pretty regularly since we have multiple thermostats, temperature sensors and Nest protects however use HomeKit for everything else. I just ordered an aged bronze century trim that is arriving tomorrow and I’m curious: am I able to set this up with HomeKit AND also connect it with the Nest Connect. Not a deal breaker. Schlage’s website says you can use both but doesn’t really break down if you can use either app. I want the HomeKit functionality overall, to unlock with my watch or phone or Siri so would chose that if it’s either or, but hoping it’s both if anyone knows?
 
Coolestdude said:
Here in the Midwest we lock our deadbolts and our handles. I wish someone would make a smartllock combo.
Click to expand...
Where in the Midwest are you at? I would have said that here in the Midwest a lot of people don't even bother locking their doors, but one lock is usually enough.
 
I bought one 4 months ago to replace my Kwikset Kevo which I moved to another door. I then replaced the Kevo with another Encode Plus because it has addressed every complaint I had with the Kevo. Most obviously is the quick access with HomeKey. It is a game changer for smart locks. The batteries in the Kevo would die after a month or so. I was always replacing them. The Schlage is drastically quieter than the Kevo. And the Schlage never drops out of HomeKit with unresponsive errors or Siri not working. The only thing I miss is that the Kwikset app allowed for key-code access set by day of the week and time. I haven't found a way to limit the access with HomeKey except for manually disabling codes. This is a minor feature missing based on all the positives of the Encode Plus.
 
siriuset said:
Been trying to get this for six months and has been either out of stock or stupid expensive. By the time it's back on the shelf there will be a newer better model out there.
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It is showing in stock at Amazon. I bought my first one there. I got my second one last month at build.com because of the supply issues. It cost a little more there, but I had found a coupon to fix that issue.

smile.amazon.com

Schlage BE499WB CAM 619 Encode Plus WiFi Deadbolt Smart Lock with Apple Home Key, Keyless Entry Door Lock with Camelot Trim, Satin Nickel

Built on a century of industry-leading innovation and trusted security, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt is changing the way you protect what matters most. Built-in WiFi and secure encryption help you control and monitor your home from anywhere, no additional accessories needed. This i...
smile.amazon.com
 
Coolestdude said:
Here in the Midwest we lock our deadbolts and our handles. I wish someone would make a smartllock combo.
Click to expand...

That is how my house was until getting these locks. It was weird to think I wouldn't lock the knob anymore but I did research and it was REALLY clear the knob locks do ZERO to prevent entry and EVERYTHING comes down to the deadbolt. I replaced my knobs (or handles in your case) with identical models that didn't have a lock ($20 each, I did 2 doors) and then rekeyed the Schlage smart locks to match the rest of my house keys (as a backup, we obviously never use the key anymore.) I'm very happy and I don't perceive the slightest reduction in safety.
 
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I know this is an old article, but it will never not bother me just how atrocious looking these are. It's insulting actually, to design and market an Apple compatible product that is in every way so utterly opposite design wise, appearance wise, than anything Apple might make and bring to market. This is Tom Ford tuxedo wearing with Crocs bad.
 
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