Schlage Encode Plus Review (2026)
This schlage encode plus review answers yes for most households: a full deadbolt replacement with built-in Wi-Fi on 2.4 GHz, codes, app control, voice control and Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock, with no bridge and no monthly fee for the app. Renters who cannot swap hardware should look at a retrofit option instead.
If you’re reading a Schlage Encode Plus review, you probably want one straight answer: is this the deadbolt to buy if you don’t want a hub, a subscription, or a drawer full of spare keys? After our channel comparison against four rival locks, our answer is yes for most households. It’s not the cheapest way to go keyless, and we’ll be honest about where it asks you to compromise.
Key Takeaways
- Whole pitch: it replaces your deadbolt completely, connects over its own built-in Wi-Fi, and gives you codes, app control, voice control and Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock in one unit — no bridge on your shelf, no monthly fee for the app.
- Fit and install: a full deadbolt replacement fitted with a screwdriver, for doors from 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick; Wi-Fi runs on 2.4 GHz only.
- Day-to-day: a touchscreen keypad, the Schlage Home app, Apple HomeKit, Alexa and Google voice control, auto-lock, one-touch locking, a built-in alarm for door movement and forced entry attempts, and a physical key override with two keys in the box.
- Power and rating: 4 AA batteries, with Schlage rating battery life at around six months; ANSI/BHMA A156.40 Grade AAA and A156.36 Grade ratings.
- Check before you buy: a lock that connects directly to your router lives or dies on signal strength at the front door — if your hallway is a dead spot, fix that first or expect slower responses.
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Watch the full comparison:
Quick Verdict
Our pick for best overall smart lock. The Encode Plus replaces your deadbolt completely, connects over its own built-in Wi-Fi, and gives you codes, app control, voice control and Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock in one unit. No bridge on your shelf. No monthly fee for the app. That’s the whole pitch, and it holds up.
Schlage Encode Plus Review: What You Actually Get
This is a full deadbolt replacement, so the old lock comes off and the Encode Plus goes on with a screwdriver. It fits doors from 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick. Wi-Fi is built in and runs on 2.4 GHz only, which is worth knowing if your router setup is unusual. Once it’s on, you get a touchscreen keypad, the Schlage Home app, and support for Apple HomeKit, Alexa and Google voice control.
Apple Home Key is the feature we’d buy it for. Tap your iPhone or Apple Watch against the lock and you’re in. No code to remember, no app to open with your hands full of shopping bags. For everyone else in the house, you can create up to 100 access codes, which is plenty for family, cleaners, dog walkers and the neighbour who waters your plants.
Day-to-Day Living With It
Auto-lock means the door secures itself behind you, and one-touch locking lets you tap and walk away. There’s a built-in alarm that reacts to door movement and forced entry attempts. If the batteries die or you just prefer old school, a physical key override is there, with two keys in the box. It runs on 4 AA batteries, and Schlage rates battery life at around six months.
On ratings, the Encode Plus holds ANSI/BHMA A156.40 Grade AAA and A156.36 Grade 1, which are the highest residential ratings in those categories. We won’t promise any lock makes a home unbreakable — no lock can — but if certification matters to you, this one tops the list we tested.
- Pros: built-in Wi-Fi with no hub, Apple Home Key, up to 100 codes, top Grade AAA and Grade 1 ratings, built-in alarm, free app with no subscription tier, physical key backup
- Cons: Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz only, full replacement install takes longer than a retrofit, battery changes are part of ownership
What Most Reviews Won’t Tell You
Two things. First, the app really is free. Schlage Home has no subscription tier hiding the good features, which is rarer in smart home gear than it should be. Second, think about your Wi-Fi before you buy. A lock that connects directly to your router lives or dies on signal strength at the front door. If your hallway is a dead spot, fix that first or expect slower responses.
Our Verdict
The Schlage Encode Plus is the lock we recommend to friends who ask for one suggestion and no homework. It covers Apple households, code-heavy households and voice-control households in a single deadbolt, and it does it without extra hardware. Renters who can’t swap hardware should look at a retrofit option instead, but for homeowners, this is the easy choice.
FAQ
Does the Schlage Encode Plus need a hub?
No. Wi-Fi is built into the lock, so it connects straight to your home network and app.
Does the Schlage Home app cost anything?
No. The app is free and Schlage offers no subscription tier for core lock features like codes and locking history.
What happens if the batteries run out?
You still have the physical key override. Two keys are included, so keep one somewhere you can actually reach it.
