The Schlage Encode Plus has been on the market for a while now, but it remains the definitive smart lock for Apple users — and it's not particularly close. As the first (and still one of very few) smart locks to support Apple Home Key, it lets you unlock your door by simply tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch to the lock. No app, no fumbling, no waiting. Just tap and walk in.
At $299.99, it's one of the pricier smart locks available, and its chunky design won't win any beauty contests. But after two months of daily use across rain, snow, and sub-freezing temperatures, the Schlage Encode Plus has proven itself to be the most reliable and secure smart lock we've tested. The combination of ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 security, WiFi connectivity, and Apple Home Key creates a lock that genuinely changes how you interact with your front door.
Design & Build
Let's be direct: the Schlage Encode Plus is not a pretty lock. The exterior assembly is noticeably larger than a standard deadbolt, and the interior mechanism is bulky enough that it sticks out prominently from the door. If aesthetics are your top priority, the Level Lock or Yale Assure Lock 2 are sleeker options — though neither offers Apple Home Key.
The exterior touchscreen keypad has a fingerprint-resistant coating that works reasonably well, though it does show smudges in certain lighting after heavy use. The matte black finish (also available in satin nickel and aged bronze) is understated and pairs well with most door hardware. The Schlage logo is prominently displayed, which some will appreciate as a security deterrent and others will find unnecessary.
Build quality, however, is outstanding. The Grade 1 certification isn't just marketing — the lock feels solid and substantial in hand, with tight tolerances and no wobble in the mechanism. The deadbolt throw is smooth and confident. The weather sealing held up perfectly through weeks of New England winter, with no issues from ice, rain, or temperature swings between -5°F and 45°F during our testing period.
Features
Apple Home Key is the star feature, and it delivers. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock, and it unlocks in under a second — often faster than you can reach for the door handle. It works even when your phone battery is dead (using the power reserve NFC feature), which is a genuinely thoughtful detail. You can share keys with family members through Apple Wallet, and revoke them just as easily.
Beyond Home Key, the Encode Plus covers all the bases. Built-in WiFi means no hub or bridge required — it connects directly to your router and works with the Schlage Home app, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. You can create up to 100 unique access codes, set schedules for when codes are active, and view a complete access log of who entered and when.
The built-in alarm sensor detects potential break-in attempts and triggers an alert. In testing, it correctly identified forceful manipulation of the deadbolt while ignoring normal door vibrations from wind and closing. Auto-lock and auto-unlock based on phone proximity round out the feature set.
- Apple Home Key: Tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock instantly
- WiFi built-in: No hub or bridge required
- Grade 1 security: Highest ANSI/BHMA residential rating
- 100 access codes: With scheduling and activity logging
- Built-in alarm: Tamper detection with configurable sensitivity
Performance
In daily use, the Encode Plus is rock-solid. Home Key unlocking was consistent and fast throughout our testing — we estimate a 98% success rate on first tap, with the occasional retry needed when holding the phone at an odd angle. The motorized deadbolt engages and retracts smoothly with a satisfying mechanical sound, taking about 1.5 seconds for a full lock or unlock cycle.
WiFi connectivity was reliable, with the lock staying connected to our mesh network without dropouts. Remote lock/unlock through the Schlage Home app typically completed within 2-3 seconds, and HomeKit automations triggered consistently. We set up a "goodnight" scene that locks the door and arms the alarm, and it worked every time over two months of testing.
The elephant in the room is battery life. The Encode Plus uses four AA batteries, and the WiFi radio is hungry. Schlage estimates 6 months of battery life, and our experience tracks with that — the battery indicator dropped to 75% after about six weeks of moderate use (4-6 lock/unlock cycles per day). Z-Wave locks like the Schlage Connect typically last a full year. If you hardwire it to an existing doorbell transformer, this becomes a non-issue, but most people will be swapping batteries twice a year.
Ease of Use
Installation is straightforward for anyone who's replaced a deadbolt before — Schlage includes clear instructions and a template for drilling if you're doing a fresh install. The existing hole pattern works with most standard doors, and the whole process took us about 25 minutes. The only tricky part is routing the cable between the exterior and interior assemblies, which requires some patience.
The Schlage Home app walks you through WiFi setup and Home Key enrollment smoothly. Adding the lock to Apple Home is automatic if you set up Home Key, and it appears immediately in the Home app with full control. Adding access codes through the app is intuitive — you can name each code, set active hours, and assign them to specific users.
Day-to-day, the Encode Plus is the easiest smart lock we've used. Home Key eliminates the friction of unlocking entirely — there's no app to open, no code to type, no voice command to shout. You just walk up to your door and tap. For family members without iPhones, the touchscreen keypad is responsive and the backlit numbers are easy to read at night. Guest codes can be texted to visitors with a single tap from the app.
Value
At $299.99, the Schlage Encode Plus is among the most expensive smart locks on the market. The Yale Assure Lock 2 with WiFi module runs about $250, the August WiFi Smart Lock is $229, and budget options like the Wyze Lock Bolt come in at just $69.99. None of those support Apple Home Key, which is the Encode Plus's key differentiator.
The value equation really depends on how much you value the Home Key experience. If you're an iPhone user, the tap-to-unlock functionality is genuinely transformative — it's the kind of smart home feature that just works, every time, without thinking about it. That's rare, and it's worth paying for. If you're an Android user, the Encode Plus is still a great lock, but you're paying a premium for a feature you can't use.
The Grade 1 security rating also adds value that's hard to quantify. Most smart locks are Grade 2 or Grade 3, meaning the Encode Plus offers genuinely superior physical security. For a front door lock, that peace of mind matters. Factor in the no-hub-required WiFi and the comprehensive app, and $299.99 starts to feel reasonable — if not quite a bargain.
Pros
- Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock works instantly and even functions when phone battery is dead
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 security — the highest residential rating available
- Built-in WiFi requires no separate hub or bridge for full functionality
- Supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, and up to 100 scheduled access codes
- Built-in tamper alarm accurately detects forced entry attempts
Cons
- Bulky exterior and interior assemblies are noticeably larger than standard deadbolts
- WiFi radio drains batteries in roughly 6 months versus 12 months for Z-Wave alternatives
- $299.99 is a steep premium when competing locks like the Wyze Lock Bolt cost $69.99
- Android users miss out on the headline Home Key feature that justifies the price
Final Grade
The Schlage Encode Plus is the best smart lock you can buy if you're an Apple user, full stop. Apple Home Key transforms the mundane act of unlocking your front door into something effortless and almost magical. Pair that with Grade 1 security, reliable WiFi connectivity, and broad smart home platform support, and you have a lock that excels where it matters most: security, convenience, and reliability.
The chunky design and WiFi-hungry battery life are real drawbacks, and $299.99 is a lot to spend on a deadbolt. But if you're willing to swap batteries every six months and can look past the aesthetics, the Encode Plus delivers the best combination of security and smart features on the market. For iPhone and Apple Watch users, this is the lock to buy.
Setup & Troubleshooting Guides
- Installing Your Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt Installation
- Schlage Encode Smart Lock WiFi Connection Problems Troubleshooting
- Schlage Smart Lock Keypad Not Working or Accepting Codes Troubleshooting