Compare Schlage Encode Smart Lock vs Yale August Smart Lock

Activity history, lock logs, and audit trails were repeatedly mentioned as useful for knowing who locked or unlocked the door and when.

Activity timelines and logs are useful in most reviews, showing who used the lock and when, but one reviewer reported a serious missed log after an unexpected unlock.

The tamper/forced-entry alarm exists, but loudness opinions vary sharply from quiet to deafening or 90 dB.

The app was usually described as useful or easy for status, codes, locks, and history, but setup and third-party configuration were sometimes confusing.

Most reviewers liked the August app's clear controls, alerts, access tools, and setup flow, though one found the shared Yale/August app experience confusing and another had freezes during setup.

Auto-lock is widely supported and often appreciated, though reviewers warned it can be risky without door-sense if the door is open.

Auto-lock is broadly praised for flexible timers and convenience, with one reviewer turning it off because it could lock them out without keys or a phone.

One locksmith test found the keypad temporarily disabled after multiple invalid codes, although it did not send an active phone notification.

Locksmith reviews confirmed the bolt can adjust between common 2-3/8-inch and 2-3/4-inch backsets.

Battery evidence centered on four AA batteries, often around six months of life; Wi-Fi drain was a repeated caveat, though one reviewer reported 40 percent after five months.

Battery life is the most consistent drawback: reviewers cite three-month expectations, costly CR123 cells, and in one long-term test only six to eight weeks.

Bluetooth evidence is limited but positive, with reviewers noting nearby communication and one locksmith emphasizing encrypted Bluetooth.

Bluetooth supports local detection and auto-unlock behavior, but it is also tied to range limits and mixed reliability in some owner experiences.

Most evidence points to sturdy, heavy, secure hardware, although one reviewer criticized the bulky interior electronics housing.

Reviewers generally liked the compact, solid-feeling design and high-quality materials, especially compared with earlier, bulkier August locks.

Doorbell and camera integration was strongest with Ring and Amazon Key for live-view lock control, but Ring Alarm support and multi-app setup caused limitations.

Door-sense is a clear limitation: one review explicitly listed no door sense and described the auto-lock open-door risk.

DoorSense is valued for door-open status and alerts, but reliability is mixed because one reviewer could not calibrate it accurately.

Reviewers found the lock compatible with standard deadbolt holes and common door thicknesses, but one installation needed strike-plate alignment work.

The retrofit deadbolt design is a standout because it fits over existing interior hardware rather than replacing the exterior lock.

The Encode is a full deadbolt replacement, so it generally replaces rather than reuses the existing lock body.

Existing exterior hardware and house keys remain usable, making the lock especially attractive for renters or shared-key situations.

Fingerprint support is absent in the reviewed evidence; one reviewer specifically wished Schlage had added a fingerprint recognition sensor.

Fingerprint entry is not a strength because one review explicitly notes the lock has no fingerprint pad.

Direct finish evidence is limited, but GearBrain cited the top ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA rating for security, durability, and finish.

Geofencing and true auto-unlock were repeatedly called out as missing compared with some alternatives.

Geofencing and auto-unlock are praised when they work, but long-term and negative reviews describe delays, failures, and stopped automation.

Guest access was a major strength, especially the 100-code capacity plus temporary, recurring, scheduled, or app-based access options.

Guest access is a consistent strength, with virtual keys, temporary access, scheduled codes, and text or email invitations mentioned across reviews.

Reviewers strongly agreed that the lock avoids a separate hub, bridge, adapter, or Wi-Fi module, which simplifies ownership.

Built-in Wi-Fi removes the old bridge requirement in most reviews, although reviewers note this convenience comes with battery tradeoffs.

Installation was usually described as screwdriver-simple and fast, often helped by app guides or snap-in hardware, though some reviewers found setup, programming, or alignment tricky.

Installation is usually described as quick and easy with app guidance, but one owner-review had setup freezes and calibration trouble.

Reviewers frequently valued the physical key backup for battery, app, or electronics failures, although some noted the package includes only one key.

Because the exterior lock remains, physical keys still work reliably as a backup when batteries die or smart features disappoint.

The keypad was usually easy, backlit, accessible, or responsive, with minor complaints about night visibility and limited settings granularity.

A keypad exists as an add-on, but it is not included and reviewers mention extra cost, small size, or slight delay.

Keyway evidence is limited to one locksmith review identifying the Schlage SC1/C keyway and straightforward rekeying.

Keypad and app unlocking were often described as instant or near-instant, while voice/app status updates sometimes showed lag.

App-based lock and unlock speed is excellent in lab-style reviews, while one long-term reviewer found phone, watch, and voice workflows slower than a key.

Motor feedback was mixed: some reviewers found it quiet or strong, while others described it as loud, grinding, or bulky.

The locking motor is viewed positively for smooth, quiet operation, though one negative owner-review reported state confusion.

Locking reliability was generally strong, with multiple reviewers reporting flawless, smooth, or reliably working lock/unlock behavior.

Locking reliability is strong in most tests, but one rant-style review reported serious confusion and unexpected unlock behavior.

Notifications for lock state, code use, or battery were useful across many reviews, though invalid-code push alerts were not always available.

Notifications and smart alerts are widely appreciated for lock status, door-ajar events, and user activity, with one review raising concern over missing logs.

Physical security was a major strength, with repeated Grade 1/ANSI/BHMA praise and reinforcement hardware evidence.

Physical security evidence is limited but positive, with one review citing an ANSI grade 1 rating.

Pick and drill evidence is mixed: one review cites resistance to bumping and picking, while a locksmith called the stock cylinder good but not impossible to pick.

Remote access was consistently supported, letting users lock or unlock from the app or phone while away, with some app-flow caveats.

Remote access is a major benefit of the built-in Wi-Fi, with reviewers repeatedly noting control from anywhere through the app.

Security encryption evidence is limited to one locksmith review explicitly praising encrypted Bluetooth.

Security features are positively supported by mobile-app encryption in one review and optional biometric app authentication in another.

Smart-home integration is useful but uneven: Alexa, Google, Ring, Amazon Key, and Home Assistant appear in evidence, while HomeKit, IFTTT, SmartThings, and Ring Alarm limitations recur.

Smart-home integration is a major strength across Alexa, Google, Siri, HomeKit, IFTTT, and other platforms, though a few reviewers hit HomeKit or assistant issues.

Tamper detection is supported through the built-in alarm, and one review specifically noted adjustable alarm sensitivity in the app.

The touch interface was considered responsive and fingerprint resistant by some, but another locksmith noted it is not a true modern touchscreen.

Touchscreen support is weak because the lock itself does not include a native outside touch panel.

Two-factor authentication is directly supported in one review for account login and setup.

User management is flexible through access codes, schedules, time limits, virtual keys, and PIN changes, but one review noted no single-use code.

User management is strong, with permanent, recurring, temporary, household, and PIN-code access controls mentioned.

Value was context-dependent: reviewers called it expensive or not the best value, but many still found it worth the money for features and security.

Value is mixed: reviewers often call it pricey, but some still justify the cost because Wi-Fi is built in and retrofit installation is strong.

Voice control works mainly through Alexa and Google, with unlock often requiring a PIN and Google unlock support limited or absent in several reviews.

Voice control works across major assistants in positive reviews, but some reviewers disliked spoken-password security or found Siri and Google too slow.

Warranty evidence was positive where mentioned, including lifetime mechanical and 3-year electronics coverage or a three-year warranty.

Support evidence is limited but positive around continued software and security updates under Assa Abloy/Yale ownership.

Weather-resistance evidence is limited to PCMag identifying the exterior keypad escutcheon as weatherproof.

Built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi is a core strength for remote access and hub-free setup, though reviewers noted connection and battery tradeoffs.

Built-in Wi-Fi is one of the lock's defining advantages for remote control, but it contributes to battery-life complaints and setup issues in one review.