Schlage Encode Plus
The plain Encode drops Home Key for less
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- Key backup
- Yes
- Battery life
- 9 to 15 months on 4 AA
Why it ranks here. The lock r/smarthome tells people to buy after a bad experience elsewhere: wifi built in, a real key, Apple Home Key you tap with a watch, and owners a decade and more in with zero failures. Locksmiths love it, and one owner who has warrantied every brand calls Schlage's after-sales service the best by far.
A family of four has tapped in with phones and watches for two years without a miss, on batteries that last nine months or more, and one owner runs six or seven of them. The gripes: the keypad numbers only light up once you press one, which confuses guests; codes live in two apps; it is the most expensive lock here; and it comes without a door sensor.
What owners like
- Zero failures over a decade
- Real key plus Apple Home Key
- Best customer service, three-year warranty
What owners complain about
- Keypad invisible until tapped
- Codes split across two apps
- Most expensive
“The Schlage Encode Plus is the lock to get. I've had one for 2+ years, and it's always responded to Iphone or Apple Watch taps of our 4 family members. You can also use a standard key or a numeric code, and you can even rekey it to your existing door lock using a the Schlage rekey kit. The phone app to control it uses WiFi, but doesn't need any smart home controller... I have a pretty decent WiFi setup and the 4 AA batteries (very easy to change) have lasted 9 months or more.” — Reddit comment · u/scifitechguy · r/smarthome · 2026-07-10
10 positive · 2 mixed · 12 voices · ✓ all 12 linked to source
Read all 12 quotes (12 voices)
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I would recommend the Schlage encode. Will work just fine with no need for any other ecosystem, and it's a quality, well-built lock. The "plus" version lets you unlock automatically with your Apple Watch but is quite a bit more expensive. The regular just works off the keypad.
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The Schlage Encode Plus is the lock to get. I've had one for 2+ years, and it's always responded to Iphone or Apple Watch taps of our 4 family members. You can also use a standard key or a numeric code, and you can even rekey it to your existing door lock using a the Schlage rekey kit. The phone app to control it uses WiFi, but doesn't need any smart home controller... I have a pretty decent WiFi setup and the 4 AA batteries (very easy to change) have lasted 9 months or more.
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Triple down on the Schlage Encode series, I have about 6-7 of these also and they just work. Only complaint if I had a gun to my head is having to replace batteries, but that’s like 1-2x a year only
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Schlage Encode Plus, all the reviews are right. I did find some people complaining about battery performance but I’m averaging 10-15% battery loss per month so I’m not sure if it drops off or if I just happen to have mine closer to a routers but I’m super pleased with it. The codes are great and granting temporary access but my favorite is using my watch to unlock it.
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Nearly every locksmith loves the Schlage code lock. Batteries last for several years. There are no motors to move the bolt. Can have several codes set at the same time. Simple and reliable. Has a backup key slot.
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Schlage Encode/Plus. I have warrantied multiple Kwikset/Schlage/Yale smart locks due to mechanical failures and Schlage is by far the best after-sales customer service. They have my business for life. Schlage also has the best electronics warranty (3 year) of those 3.
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Just get a Schlage Encode Plus. Has the keypad, keyed entry and home key. Only thing I wish it had was being hardwired. But I put lithium AA batteries in mine and they last about a year between replacements.
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Yale just makes garbage locks. I’ve owned various Schlage smart locks over the past 15 years and had exactly 0 issues across all of them. They do a good job of alerting you when the battery is running low and not one has ever just surprise failed. I recommend them to everyone and nobody I know has ever had an issue either.
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I've been using Schlage smart locks for just over 10 years and (touch wood) haven't had any issues. Even when using rechargeables (which often don't report correctly in the app), the lock itself gives the low battery warnings beeps well before it stops working.
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Reed I have the same lock! As far as not being able to see the number pad, all you have to do is press the SCHLAGE name at the top of the lock and the keypad will illuminate! hope this works for you
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I’ve had mine since April of last year and it has been great. I have had no issues with it. One thing I do wish it had built in or came with is a sensor to notify you the door is either open or close. Having the key on my watch is great when carrying in groceries and forgetting to unlock the lock before loading your hands up with everything.
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the thing I like the most about this lock is Apple's home key and that's probably the reason you're gonna buy this lock and it works extremely well you just hold up your phone to it just tap it and it works instantly this thing is awesome... some of the things I don't like about this lock is it's very difficult to see the numbers... they light up once you press a button and this can be annoying for guests because they don't see the numbers and they have to press one to light it up and that counts as your first number for the code.
