Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Lock for Front Door, Keyless Entry Deadbolt, Unlock with Apple Watch, Built-in WiFi and App Control, Easy Install, Alexa & Apple HomeKit Compatible, Matte Black

Great HomeKit lock. Easy to set up in HomeKit by itself, no need for another app. Thread functionality means it's fast, responsive, and battery life is great (Home app reports 86% after more than 5 months). Home Key is great, I love just touching my Apple Watch or iPhone to the lock and having it unlock or lock. Works every time, faster than putting in my PIN. Works with Home app guest mode, automations, and Siri. Oiled bronze color matches my door and other fixtures, just what the wife wanted. Doesn't stand out by looking too fancy.I had been thinking about other locks like the Level and Yale. Level was more expensive and the lock itself was maybe sleeker but the keypad looked janky and was 2 pieces and didn't come in bronze. Yale was also more expensive and while I liked it didn't have a key, reviews said it was unreliable on Bluetooth and got pretty awful battery life on WiFi. Got this on sale for not much more than $200. Has all the features I want and a decent price, what more could you ask for? Could maybe be a little quieter, but it's not annoying. I think my wife might like being able to hear it from across our hardwood floor house so she knows it's working and doesn't feel like she needs to go check that it worked, though it's never not worked.

[> TLDR Section <][> PROS <]Tapered Wedge Shaped Bolt DesignTimeout to re-lock (15s, 30s and 1 to 5 Minutes)iPhone as E-Key (Via Apple Wallet)Some iPhones can still be used as an E-Key even if off (Dead Battery)Voice Control via Siri/Alexa (Google untested)Siri access can be locked behind Face IDExcellent integration with Apple HomeKit"Anywhere" control and status through the app and Siri (Did not test with G-Home or A-Alexa)Integrates with more than one service at a time; i.e.: HomeKit & Alexa togetherMakes use of Apple HomeKit Automation RoutinesCan create Guest accounts with limited days/hours of authorized accessCan have multiple Residents under HomeKit to grant PIN and E-Key accessShows lock status on HomeKit Home View (Locked, Unlocked, Jammed, etc.)Can get lock's status from Siri/Alexa (Locked, Unlocked, Jammed, etc.)Attempted Forced Entry detection (adjustable sensitivity) with audible alarm and app notification.Default codes stop working once the lock is assigned to HomeKit Home (Alexa/Google Not tested)[> CONS <]Price $$$$Auto-Relock timeout time cannot be arbitrarily set, 5 minutes is the maximum timeoutOnly ONE physical key includedAlexa skill REQUIRES verbal PIN codeDefault and programming codes are easily accessible under the battery coverNo obvious way to provide dedicated power to the lock and use batteries as a backup[> POTENTIAL CONS <]Requires use of Schlage app which talks to a central app services serverIf centralized server is shut down then the lock will very likely cease operationNo obvious way to make use of the lock without proprietary softwareRequires Schlage's app account to use the lock electronically.---[> REVIEW NOTE <] I do not have access to an iPad, so no tests were performed with one. All tests were done with an iPhone 15 Pro Max, an iPhone 11, an Apple TV 4K and an Amazon FireTV Cube.[> FULL REVIEW <]This lock integrates very nicely with Apple's HomeKit perfectly. While it does integrate with Amazon's Alexa, the Alexa skill requires you to verbally supply a passcode in addition to the command. Apple's HomeKit does not have this requirement via iPhone. I did NOT test the lock with Google Home, so I can't give feedback on that. I specifically avoid Google anything these days for many reasons, most of all, the utter lack of respect for the privacy of their customers, much like Microsoft or the US Government.Being able to use my iPhone as an E-Key is VERY handy. That key shows up under Apple Wallet. Being able to use a voice command to Siri or Alexa is quite nice. The timed re-locking feature was also very important to me. I am my mother's full-time caretaker and she often forgets to re-lock the door, resulting in certain unwanted individuals to just enter the house without invitation. This lock solves that lapse in judgement and the resulting problem.The deciding factor on this particular lock over others with the same or similar functionality was the bolt's shape. It has a wedge shape to it that flares out into a fully round bolt instead of a full-shaft round bolt like pretty much every other deadbolt out there, smart or dumb. Our door has weather stripping that causes the door to not fully close if it isn't slammed or pushed against HARD to fully engage the standard door catch mechanism. Every other deadbolt I've tried on this door that is the typical cylindrical bolt (ROUND from head to tail) fails to engage properly if the door isn't FULLY closed (which is difficult for my mother to do due to her disabilities), thus not providing secure bolt engagement. Other deadbolts often fail to fully latch even if the door is fully closed because they have to overcome the reistance provided due to the weather stripping around the frame of the door. It was incredibly irritating until I found this lock and its tapered bolt design.The shape of this lock's bolt in combination with the motor and gear mechanism used inside the main body are good enough to overcome the problems with our particular door and allows the bolt to FULLY engage, even if the door is not fully closed properly. This provides us with peace of mind. And if the door isn't closed enough for the bolt to engage, the lock makes audible tones and shows on the app and Apple's HomeKit as "Jammed".I only really have two complaints. For the price of this lock, there really should be TWO physical keys included. Unfortunately, there's only ONE in the box. My second complaint is that the default access codes along with the programming code are easily accessed by just removing the battery cover. While convenient, it is a physical security risk if anyone you don't fully trust has access to the battery cover on the interior body of the lock. That sticker really should have been placed in such a way that a screwdriver would be required to get to it. Because I don't fully trust certain people who occasionally have access to the house while we're home, I was forced to remove that sticker and store it safely elsewhere. It is identical to the one provided on the ENGLISH manual. Unfortunately, once you peel the sticker off, the glue affixing it in place can't be "re-stuck" to something else.The ONLY other complaint I would have is that the lock can't be used without the Schlage app. It would have been far better had Schlage made use of Matter for integration instead of a proprietary app that relies on a centralized services server network. My only fear is that WHEN they decide to shut down those servers, the lock's functionality will cease to exist, at which point I'll have to hack it to make use of a Raspberry Pi Pico to make it work again! Hopefully they'll just keep the servers up, unlike some other manufacturers that just don't care. Only time will tell on this one, I'm afraid.

I researched a lot of doorknobs when looking to upgrade mine. This one by far is the sleekest and has zero problems. The batteries last long and I have connected it to my Alexa to lock my door when needed. I can tap my phone or Apple Watch to get inside as well as generate codes for maintenance, friends, and or family. If you have an Airbnb this is a great way to give guests access without having to worry about dropping off a key. You can set the duration that codes work which is also really nice. I rarely use the keypad but when I do, it’s quick and easy. I also can set the door to auto lock after a certain time which is great in case I forget to do it. All in all, I think for the features this lock is well worth it.When installing their are written instructions as well as a YouTube video that you can watch to ensure that your installing your lock correctly. Putting mine on was a pretty straightforward process and I’ve never installed lock of this type before.