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Schlage has been making locks since 1920, and the Encode Plus is their flagship smart lock — built with that century-plus of hardware expertise baked in. With built-in Wi-Fi, Matter support, and an ANSI Grade 1 certification, it's positioned as the security-first choice in the smart lock market. But is it worth the premium price? After months of testing, here's our detailed Schlage Encode Plus review.
Design & Build Quality
The Schlage Encode Plus replaces your entire deadbolt assembly — interior and exterior. The exterior presents a clean, professional appearance with a capacitive touchscreen keypad integrated into the deadbolt escutcheon. Available in Aged Bronze, Bright Chrome, Matte Black, and Satin Nickel finishes, it suits a range of architectural styles.
The build quality is immediately noticeable. The lock is heavy, solid, and fitted precisely. There's no rattling or play in the hardware. The keypad illuminates fully when touched and the buttons register clean presses. Even in winter testing with gloved hands, we had no issues with false activations or missed presses.
Inside, the thumb turn has a satisfying, mechanical feel — it's clearly a lock that was designed to be a lock first, with the smart features added thoughtfully rather than bolted on as an afterthought.
Installation
Unlike retrofit locks, installing the Schlage Encode Plus requires removing your existing deadbolt entirely. This means aligning the new deadbolt cylinder with your door's existing bore holes. Schlage supplies detailed instructions and the process is manageable for a competent DIYer, but it does take longer than the August's 10-minute retrofit — expect 30–60 minutes for a first-time installer.
The supplied drilling template helps with any necessary adjustments. The lock comes with two physical keys, which remain fully functional even when the battery dies (a critical consideration that cheaper smart locks sometimes overlook).
Keypad & Access Codes
The built-in keypad is one of the Encode Plus's greatest strengths. It supports up to 100 unique access codes, each with customisable scheduling. You can create a code that works only on Monday mornings, only between certain dates, or permanently. This makes it excellent for property managers, Airbnb hosts, and households with regular visitors like housekeepers or dog walkers.
A "vacation mode" disables all codes temporarily, providing an extra layer of security when you're away. The keypad also auto-locks after a configurable period, and backlit keys make night-time entry effortless.
Matter & Smart Home Integration
The Schlage Encode Plus was among the first smart locks to receive Matter certification, and it shows. Setup via Matter is straightforward: scan the QR code, and it pairs directly with Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa without any proprietary hub or bridge.
For Home Assistant users, Matter support means direct local control once your HA instance is running a Matter controller. This is a significant advantage over older Wi-Fi locks that rely entirely on cloud APIs.
Supported platforms include:
- Apple HomeKit / Apple Home (via Matter)
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Home
- Samsung SmartThings
- Home Assistant (via Matter)
- Schlage Home app (direct)
Security Credentials
This is where the Schlage Encode Plus truly sets itself apart. The deadbolt mechanism carries ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 certification — the highest grade for residential locks. This means it's been tested to withstand significantly higher forces than a standard residential deadbolt. The anti-pick and anti-bump features address the most common physical attack vectors.
The Schlage keypad is also resistant to smudge attacks (where an attacker tries to read which digits were most frequently pressed). After entering a code, the lock illuminates the entire keypad briefly to mask which numbers were touched.
Battery Life
The Encode Plus runs on four AA batteries. In our testing, batteries lasted approximately 9–12 months with normal use. This is excellent for a Wi-Fi-connected lock. The app notifies you when battery level drops below 20%, and there's a 9V emergency battery contact on the exterior if the batteries die completely.
Our Verdict: 9/10
The Schlage Encode Plus is, in our assessment, the best all-around smart lock you can buy in 2025. Best-in-class physical security, excellent battery life, a beautifully integrated keypad, and future-proof Matter support make it a compelling choice. The only real downsides are the higher price and the lack of auto-unlock. If those features are important to you, consider the Yale Assure Lock 2 or August instead — but if security is your top priority, the Schlage is unmatched.
Schlage Encode Plus Smart Deadbolt
ANSI Grade 1 security, built-in Wi-Fi, Matter certified, and a beautifully designed keypad. The best keypad smart lock in 2025.
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