Here's the dirty secret of the smart lock industry: almost every smart lock is worse at being a lock than the mechanical deadbolt it replaced. Yale Assure Lock 2? Grade 2. August WiFi Smart Lock? Grade 2. Level Lock+? Grade 2. They all traded physical security for Bluetooth chips and app connectivity. And for a lot of people, that trade makes sense — the convenience of keyless entry, remote access, and guest codes genuinely changes how you interact with your front door. But if you're reading NoPryZone, you probably care about what happens when someone tries to kick that front door in. And that's where the Encode Plus stands alone.
Schlage is the only major smart lock manufacturer that maintained ANSI Grade 1 certification across their connected lineup. The Encode Plus carries the same Grade 1/AAA rating as the mechanical B60N. Same bolt. Same strike plate. Same physical security. The smart features are layered on top of that foundation instead of built at its expense. That distinction matters more than any app feature or voice assistant integration.
Apple Home Key: The Feature That Justifies the Price
The Encode Plus was the first smart lock in North America to support Apple's Home Key — the ability to unlock your door by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch against the lock, the same way you tap to pay at a store. No app to open. No code to type. No fumbling for keys. Just hold your wrist near the lock and the door unlocks. In Express Mode, it doesn't even require Face ID or a passcode — the NFC interaction happens automatically.
If you live in an Apple household, this is transformative. Coming home with groceries? Tap your Watch. Kids getting home from school with an Apple Watch? They tap in. Running partner has no pockets? Watch tap. It's the closest a smart lock has come to the effortless experience of a hotel room key card, but on your front door.
Home Key also works when your iPhone's battery is critically low — Apple reserves enough power for NFC transactions even when the phone is technically "dead." And the key lives in Apple Wallet, so it's backed up and transferable across your devices automatically.
Every other smart lock asks you to either type a code, open an app, or carry a key. The Encode Plus is the only one where you can walk up to your front door and it just opens — no interaction beyond existing near it with an Apple Watch on your wrist.
The Connectivity Stack
Beyond Home Key, the Encode Plus connects to your home via built-in WiFi (2.4GHz) — no hub or bridge required. This means remote access, real-time notifications, and access code management from anywhere through the Schlage Home app. It also supports Thread for lower-power local communication, Matter for future-proofing, Apple HomeKit for Siri control and automations, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. If you have a smart home, this lock works with it regardless of ecosystem.
The touchscreen keypad supports up to 100 programmable access codes (4–8 digits each), which is generous — the Z-Wave Connect model only does 30. Codes can be scheduled, temporary, or permanent. For Airbnb hosts, the lock integrates directly with Airbnb's system to auto-generate codes for guests. The fingerprint-resistant touchscreen scrambles the number positions after each use so wear patterns don't reveal your code.
ANSI Grade 1 / AAA — only smart lock at this rating. Apple Home Key (tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock). Built-in WiFi — no hub required. Matter + Thread support. HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant. 100 programmable access codes. Built-in tamper alarm with adjustable sensitivity. Fingerprint-resistant touchscreen. Auto-lock with adjustable delay. Airbnb integration. Physical key backup. 9V emergency power terminal. AES-128 encrypted communication. Lifetime mechanical/finish warranty, 3-year electronics.
The Physical Security Nobody Talks About
Smart lock reviews focus on apps, ecosystems, and connectivity. At NoPryZone, we care about the thing that makes a lock a lock — what happens when someone tries to force it open.
The Encode Plus uses the same all-metal construction and Grade 1 hardware as Schlage's mechanical deadbolts. The 1" bolt, the oversized diameter, the spinning anti-saw pin, the reinforced strike with 3" screws — it's all here. The built-in alarm adds a layer that the mechanical B60N doesn't have: if someone tries to tamper with the lock, pry the door, or force the bolt, an audible alarm sounds. The sensitivity is adjustable through the app — you can set it to trigger on light tampering or only on serious forced entry attempts.
No other smart lock on the market matches this. The Yale Assure Lock 2 is Grade 2. The August Smart Lock Pro is Grade 2. The Level Lock+ is Grade 2. Grade 2 means fewer tested force cycles, lower impact resistance thresholds, and less rigorous security testing. For most homes in most neighborhoods, Grade 2 is adequate. But "adequate" isn't what NoPryZone recommends when Grade 1 is available for the same use case.
What It Doesn't Have
No fingerprint reader. Competing locks like the Aqara U100 and the Wyze Lock Bolt v2 include biometric fingerprint scanners. If you want to unlock with your fingerprint instead of a code or NFC tap, the Encode Plus doesn't offer that. For Apple users, Home Key largely fills this gap — it's arguably faster than a fingerprint — but for Android users or mixed households, it's a notable omission at $300.
Battery life is also shorter than Bluetooth or Z-Wave alternatives. The built-in WiFi radio is always on, which means the four AA batteries last roughly 6 months instead of the 12+ months you'd get from the Z-Wave-based Connect model. In cold climates (hello, Canada), that drops further. You'll be changing batteries twice a year minimum. The 9V emergency terminal on the exterior is there for a reason — use it if you forget.
$249–$330 — significantly more expensive than competing smart locks. No fingerprint scanner (competitors have this). WiFi drains batteries faster (~6 months vs. 12+ for Z-Wave). Battery life worse in cold weather. Interior assembly is bulky. Android users miss out on the flagship Home Key feature. Requires stable 2.4GHz WiFi — spotty signal means spotty performance. No key control on the physical backup key (standard SC1).
The Smart Lock Comparison
| Category | Schlage Encode Plus | Wyze Lock Bolt v2 | Schlage Connect BE469 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANSI Grade | Grade 1 / AAA | Grade 2 | Grade 1 / AAA |
| Connectivity | WiFi + Thread + BT | WiFi + BT | Z-Wave Plus |
| Hub Required | No | No | Yes (Z-Wave hub) |
| Apple HomeKit | Yes + Home Key | No | No |
| Fingerprint | No | Yes (AI learning) | No |
| Access Codes | 100 | 50 | 30 |
| Built-In Alarm | Yes | Tamper only | Yes |
| Battery Life | ~6 months | ~8 months | ~12 months |
| Price | ~$249–$330 | ~$70–$80 | ~$200–$250 |
| NoPryZone Score | 8.5 / 10 | 6.5 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 |
The Spec Sheet
| Category | Schlage Encode Plus |
|---|---|
| ANSI Grade | Grade 1 / AAA |
| Connectivity | WiFi (2.4GHz) + Thread + Bluetooth |
| Smart Home | HomeKit, Home Key, Alexa, Google, Matter |
| Access Codes | 100 (4–8 digits) |
| Unlock Methods | Keypad, Home Key (NFC), app, voice, physical key |
| Built-In Alarm | Yes — adjustable sensitivity |
| Battery | 4x AA, ~6 months |
| Emergency Power | 9V terminal on exterior |
| Auto-Lock | Yes, adjustable delay |
| Operating Temp | Exterior: -31°F to 150.8°F |
| Encryption | AES-128 |
| Warranty | Lifetime mech/finish, 3-year electronics |
| Price | ~$249–$330 |
| NoPryZone Score | 8.5 / 10 |
The Smart Lock That Remembers What "Lock" Means
The smart lock market is full of products that prioritize apps and ecosystems over the thing they're actually supposed to do — keep people out. The Schlage Encode Plus is the exception. It starts with Grade 1 physical security — the same standard as commercial deadbolts — and then adds Apple Home Key, WiFi, 100 access codes, a built-in alarm, and compatibility with every major smart home platform.
For Apple households, it's a no-brainer. The Home Key experience is genuinely magical the first time your door unlocks because you raised your wrist near it. For Android households, the $300 price tag is harder to justify without that flagship feature — the Wyze Lock Bolt v2 gives you fingerprint unlocking for a quarter of the price, though at Grade 2 instead of Grade 1.
But here's the NoPryZone perspective: a smart lock that can be kicked in is a $300 convenience device, not a security product. The Encode Plus is the only one where "smart" and "secure" aren't competing priorities. And for that reason, it's the smart lock we'd put on our own front door.