# Schlage Encode (original)

- Source: https://stierproducts.com/products/schlage-encode-smart-wifi-deadbolt-original
- Category board: https://stierproducts.com/categories/smart-locks
- Placement: #14 of 16 in Smart Locks, F tier
- Brand: Schlage
- LP on this board: 166
- Last researched: 2026-08-18T19:03:42.054Z
- Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology
- Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.

## Verdict

Schlage Encode’s original model suffers from frequent connectivity issues and a short warranty.

## For

- Good battery life
- Strong security and build
- Recognized by Consumer Reports
- Built-in Wi-Fi deadbolt from a mainstream brand
- Earned a strong reputation when it launched in 2019

## Against

- Frequent connectivity problems reported
- Short warranty period
- Coasting on a reputation earned in 2019
- Wirecutter now passes it over in favor of the Arrive, which offers better hardware and reliability for the same or less money
- No Apple Home Key and older internals

## Flagged as one to avoid

This product entered 3 of 8 runs as one buyers cross-shop but should not buy, rather than as a pick. It is published here rather than dropped.

## Evidence

Consolidated from 58 cited sources across 46 outlets

| Outlet | Said by | Stance | Link | Link status |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facebook | Elizabeth Weiss | C | https://www.facebook.com/groups/professionalhosts/posts/25664697843200232/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Techlicious | Palash Volvoikar | B | https://www.techlicious.com/blog/wi-charge-schlage-smart-lock-wireless-power/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Getsafeandsound | getsafeandsound.com | B | https://getsafeandsound.com/blog/schlage-encode-vs-encode-plus/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Security.org | Paul Frew | B | https://www.security.org/smart-locks/best/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Door Locks Direct | Renee Vega Crawford | S | https://doorlocksdirect.com/schlage-camelot-encode-wifi-touchscreen-deadbolt-single-cylinder/?srsltid=AfmBOoopajY5MLpJWn7gqgwH2dRz7bc6Sdc3vC3ZC-KBgqiXNS-27NRw | fetched and confirmed |
| Feisworld Media | Fei Wu | B | https://www.feisworld.com/blog/best-smart-locks-for-your-home | fetched and confirmed |
| iPhone in Canada \| Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and deals | Gary Ng | B | https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2026/05/26/schlage-encode-plus-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Dude, I Tried It | Dude, I Tried It | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQYXDuMwah4 | fetched and confirmed |
| r/smarthome | u/Videopro524 | D | https://www.reddit.com/r/smarthome/comments/1om7zb9/schlage_encode_smart_lock_trapped_me_inside_my/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Faster Locksmith | faster-locksmith.com | B | https://faster-locksmith.com/blog/schlage-smart-lock-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Instagram | - | B | https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUtiq9BEsWx/ | fetched and confirmed |
| LinkdHOME | David Mead | C | https://linkdhome.com/articles/smart-locks-that-work-with-ring | fetched and confirmed |
| Smart Home Explorer | smarthomeexplorer.com | B | https://www.smarthomeexplorer.com/guides/best-apple-home-key-smart-locks-2026 | fetched and confirmed |
| Low Rate Locksmith | lowratelocksmith.com | C | https://www.lowratelocksmith.com/blog/what-homeowners-should-know-about-schlage-encode-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Forbes | Steven John | B | https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/the-best-smart-lock/ | fetched and confirmed |
| r/HomeKit | u/cjammin17 | C | https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeKit/comments/1n1ryo5/home_key_homekit_lock_choices/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Smart Lock Advice | smartlock25 | B | https://smartlockadvice.com/best-schlage-smart-lock/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Lunar Lock Solutions | Lunar Locks | B | https://www.lunarlocks.com/post/stop-changing-aa-batteries-charge-your-schlage-encode-smart-lock-wirelessly | fetched and confirmed |
| The Verge | Jennifer Pattison Tuohy | C | https://www.theverge.com/23393163/best-smart-door-lock | fetched and confirmed |
| Cision PR Newswire | Wi-Charge | B | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wi-charge-ships-sold-out-first-batch-of-schlage-encode-wireless-power-kit-second-batch-now-open-302686326.html | fetched and confirmed |
| Tiktok | tiktok.com | B | https://www.tiktok.com/@lockst4r/video/7668730647199976735 | fetched and confirmed |
| Buyersguide | Buyer's Guide | B | https://buyersguide.org/keypad-lock/t/best/schlageencodesmartwi-fideadbolt | fetched and confirmed |
| Mr. Locksmith | Mr. Locksmith | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcSRxLcpTkY | fetched and confirmed |
| Cam Secore | Cam Secore | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-83X5r9Dje4 | fetched and confirmed |
| 9to5Mac | 9to5Mac | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jq_pOwf9bo | fetched and confirmed |
| BRIGHT SIGHT | BRIGHT SIGHT | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FGS4n5BaGw | fetched and confirmed |
| CDM | CDM | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFQ9Thk1Gno | fetched and confirmed |
| QC Dads | QC Dads | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pKoBrqINlE | fetched and confirmed |
| SchlageLocks | SchlageLocks | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F98CkP1SZjc | fetched and confirmed |
| Terry Lee White | Terry Lee White | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ9Qu-LZTIs | fetched and confirmed |
| SchlageLocks | SchlageLocks | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWNRDI1DRk | fetched and confirmed |
| Tech Trends | Tech Trends | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_5SM3YoHao | fetched and confirmed |
| Mike Holmes | Mike Holmes | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzpZxc5T9Fs | fetched and confirmed |
| The Product Critiques | The Product Critiques | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOIPZFqb7hk | fetched and confirmed |
| Canadian Tire | Canadian Tire | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg6Tu9DZjpQ | fetched and confirmed |
| SchlageLocks | SchlageLocks | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCKmgAgWF4o | fetched and confirmed |
| danny jensen | danny jensen | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoydRsJR1Bo | fetched and confirmed |
| Mr. Locksmith | Mr. Locksmith | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKhsloAAW40 | fetched and confirmed |
| getreview guy | getreview guy | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS5CWrGQPzo | fetched and confirmed |
| Best Buys Reviewed | Best Buys Reviewed | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wIYstOPJHY | fetched and confirmed |
| Rosco Reviews | Rosco Reviews | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5885gvjzLQ | fetched and confirmed |
| Mr. Locksmith | Mr. Locksmith | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjNx9U-H3nk | fetched and confirmed |
| St3rmTig3r | St3rmTig3r | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzt42ijUJrI | fetched and confirmed |
| Locksmith Recommended | Locksmith Recommended | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qaq2kgXoHvg | fetched and confirmed |
| Your Review Crew | Your Review Crew | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_KSp2ixZ1o | fetched and confirmed |
| Scott Jean | Scott Jean | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l28lBKFsubw | fetched and confirmed |
| Mike Holmes | Mike Holmes | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOYsxd8SSQU | fetched and confirmed |
| Joe's Garage | Joe's Garage | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zJjkh-6gM | fetched and confirmed |
| Hangtime31 | Hangtime31 | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc4V_Saj__8 | fetched and confirmed |
| ZProStudio Tech | ZProStudio Tech | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H9yPyfdv2s | fetched and confirmed |
| Mr. Locksmith | grumpy039 | D | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcSRxLcpTkY#comments | fetched and confirmed |
| Shane Whatley | chargerman165 | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwXGh9xdGjI#comments | fetched and confirmed |
| 9to5Mac | evansims | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jq_pOwf9bo#comments | fetched and confirmed |
| Tech Trends | TechTrends-sd4gi | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_5SM3YoHao#comments | fetched and confirmed |
| SchlageLocks | benjaminwashington2555 | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCKmgAgWF4o#comments | fetched and confirmed |
| Mr. Locksmith | NicoleCostello-kx5gs | D | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKhsloAAW40#comments | fetched and confirmed |
| Rosco Reviews | edzimmerman5591 | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5885gvjzLQ#comments | fetched and confirmed |
| Joe's Garage | colorgrower | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zJjkh-6gM#comments | fetched and confirmed |

## Nearest alternatives on this board

| Rank | Product | Tier | Page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch | S | https://stierproducts.com/products/yale-assure-lock-2 |
| 2 | Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/schlage-encode-plus-smart-wifi-deadbolt |
| 3 | Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/schlage-arrive-smart-wifi-deadbolt |
| 9 | Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro with Wi-Fi | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/ultraloq-u-bolt-pro-with-wi-fi |
| 10 | Kwikset Halo Select | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/kwikset-halo-select |
| 11 | Eufy Video Smart Lock E330 | D | https://stierproducts.com/products/eufy-video-smart-lock-e330 |
| 12 | Eufy Smart Lock C34 | D | https://stierproducts.com/products/eufy-smart-lock-c34 |
| 13 | Wyze Lock Bolt | D | https://stierproducts.com/products/wyze-lock-bolt |
| 15 | Nuki Smart Lock | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/nuki-smart-lock |
| 16 | Lockly Visage | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/lockly-visage |

The full board is at https://stierproducts.com/categories/smart-locks.

## What this tier means

- F: Avoid. The evidence points you elsewhere.

## How to read this

- Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand.
- LP is this product's points on its own category ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories.
- Link status reports what our pre-publication link check found when it fetched the cited URL. It says nothing about the quality of the review.
- A citation with no usable link is listed rather than dropped, and is excluded from the counted total above.

## Image

https://stierproducts.com/images/products/schlage-encode-smart-wifi-deadbolt-original.webp

Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.