Key takeaways
- Confirm the door and deadbolt dimensions. Check door thickness, backset, bore-hole size, and edge-bore size against the model’s installation guide. Existing deadbolt holes do not guarantee a drop-in fit.
- Test the bolt by hand. With the door open, extend and retract the bolt. It should move smoothly. If it binds, correct the door or strike-plate alignment before installing a motorized lock.
- Check the interior clearance. Make sure the inside assembly won’t collide with trim, a storm door, or a nearby window frame.
- Map the smart-home path. Decide whether you need the Schlage Home app, Apple Home, or another platform. Verify compatibility for the exact lock model and the specific controls you want; “works with” may not mean every alert, code feature, or remote function is available.
- Consider who needs access. A touchscreen may suit app-managed household codes, while tactile buttons may be preferable for frequent local entry without looking at the lock.
Best Schlage Smart Locks: Choose by Door, Battery, and Smart-Home Setup
The best Schlage smart lock for most homes is the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt if you want remote access without a separate hub; choose the Encode Plus if Apple Home Key matters, or a keypad model such as the Schlage BE365 if you mainly need dependable local code entry and want to avoid connected features. The right pick depends less on the number of features than on how you’ll unlock the door, what your door supports, and how much battery maintenance you’re willing to accept.
Start with the way you’ll use the lock
Schlage’s keypad locks use physical buttons, while its connected Encode models generally use a touchscreen keypad. Wi-Fi models add remote management through the Schlage Home app. “Keypad versus touchscreen” is therefore partly a choice between a basic, locally operated lock and a connected lock—not just between two ways of entering a code.
| Situation | Best fit | Why | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need codes at the door, no app or remote access | Schlage BE365 keypad deadbolt | Physical buttons, keyed backup, and no Wi-Fi radio to configure | No remote code changes or door-status checks |
| Want to manage access away from home | Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt | Built-in Wi-Fi supports app-based remote access without a separate lock hub | Wi-Fi and frequent use can increase battery demand |
| Use Apple Home and want phone or watch access | Schlage Encode Plus | Works with Apple Home and supports Apple Home Key on compatible devices | Apple-specific convenience may not matter in a mixed-device household |
| Use another smart-home platform | Check the exact Encode model and your hub first | Compatibility varies by model and platform | Do not assume every feature works in every app |
How the main Schlage options differ
Schlage BE365: physical keypad, minimal connectivity
The BE365 is a sensible choice when the goal is to stop carrying a house key or provide temporary entry codes, not to control the lock from across town. Its physical buttons are easy to distinguish by touch and don’t require waking a flat touchscreen. It uses a 9-volt battery for electronic code operation; keep a fresh battery available, particularly if the lock gives a low-battery warning. A mechanical key provides another way to unlock the door.
Choose this style for a rental, a family member who prefers buttons, or a home where Wi-Fi access at the front door is unreliable. It won’t send remote alerts or let you change a code while away. Also, don’t confuse the BE365 with a Wi-Fi deadbolt: it is a keypad lock, not a connected smart lock.
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt: remote control without a hub
The Encode adds a touchscreen keypad, built-in Wi-Fi, and app-based management. That combination is useful for changing or sharing codes remotely, checking lock activity, and controlling access when you aren’t home. Because Wi-Fi is built in, a separate bridge or smart-home hub isn’t required for its direct app connection.
The convenience has a power cost. The lock relies on batteries for both the motor and connected electronics, so battery life depends on use, signal quality, and settings. A weak Wi-Fi signal near the door can make the connection less reliable and may increase power use as the lock attempts to stay connected. Before buying, check the signal where the interior side of the deadbolt will sit—not just in the room beyond it.
Schlage Encode Plus: the Apple Home option
Encode Plus offers the connected-lock features of the Encode line, with Apple Home integration and Apple Home Key support on compatible Apple devices. Home Key can make entry convenient for people who regularly use an iPhone or Apple Watch. It is not a reason to buy this model if the household relies on a different ecosystem or doesn’t plan to use Apple’s home app.
Check current device, software, and home-hub requirements before purchase, since supported features can depend on the Apple setup. For remote access, confirm that your home has the required Apple Home configuration; the lock’s direct app features and a smart-home platform’s remote-control features are not always the same thing.
Battery life: compare your habits, not just the advertised figure
Schlage’s published battery-life estimates are not a guaranteed replacement schedule. Daily cycles, door alignment, cold weather, Wi-Fi conditions, and alerts or automation can all affect how often batteries need attention. A useful way to plan is to translate the estimate into a household’s expected lock cycles.
| Planning example | Assumption | Calculated cycles |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate household use | 10 lock/unlock cycles per day | About 3,650 cycles per year |
| Busy household | 20 cycles per day | About 7,300 cycles per year |
| High-traffic entry | 30 cycles per day | About 10,950 cycles per year |
This calculation is a workload estimate, not a battery-life prediction: it excludes radio use and mechanical resistance. Its practical value is that a lock used by a large family or as a short-term rental’s main entrance should be checked more often than one used by a couple who enter through another door. Set a calendar reminder to inspect battery warnings, and keep the specified replacement batteries on hand. If batteries seem to drain unusually fast, first check that the bolt moves freely with the door open; a misaligned strike plate can make the motor work harder on every cycle.
Fit and compatibility checks before you buy
- Confirm the door and deadbolt dimensions. Check door thickness, backset, bore-hole size, and edge-bore size against the model’s installation guide. Existing deadbolt holes do not guarantee a drop-in fit.
- Test the bolt by hand. With the door open, extend and retract the bolt. It should move smoothly. If it binds, correct the door or strike-plate alignment before installing a motorized lock.
- Check the interior clearance. Make sure the inside assembly won’t collide with trim, a storm door, or a nearby window frame.
- Map the smart-home path. Decide whether you need the Schlage Home app, Apple Home, or another platform. Verify compatibility for the exact lock model and the specific controls you want; “works with” may not mean every alert, code feature, or remote function is available.
- Consider who needs access. A touchscreen may suit app-managed household codes, while tactile buttons may be preferable for frequent local entry without looking at the lock.
Which one should you buy?
Pick the BE365 when local keypad access is enough and you prefer physical buttons over app features. Pick the Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt when remote code management is the priority and you have solid Wi-Fi at the door. Pick the Encode Plus when Apple Home Key is a feature you’ll actually use. If your priority is a different smart-home ecosystem, verify the exact model’s compatibility before ordering rather than assuming the Encode name guarantees support.
Whichever model you choose, a smart lock can’t compensate for a poorly aligned door or a weak account password. Install it only after confirming the bolt travels freely, use unique app credentials, and keep a working mechanical key or the manufacturer’s recommended backup method available.
