Compare Schlage Encode Smart Lock vs Tapo Smart Door Lock DL110

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

Reviewers repeatedly praised the event/activity logs for showing who used the lock, when codes or fingerprints were used, and when the doorbell rang.

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

Only one review directly discussed loudness, saying the built-in speaker can get pretty loud at full volume.

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

The Tapo app was consistently described as clear, useful, and easy to set up, with controls for codes, fingerprints, logs, notifications, and settings.

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 was widely covered and generally liked, especially because the timer and schedules can be adjusted, though one review saw retries when calibration was off.

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

Failed-attempt protection was described as a lockout or wrong-try limiter that can notify the user and temporarily block further attempts.

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 was one of the strongest themes: reviewers liked the 10,000 mAh rechargeable pack, USB-C charging, emergency power, and claimed year-long runtime.

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

Bluetooth was valued as a fallback or close-range control method, especially when Wi-Fi is down.

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

Build quality impressions were positive overall, with reviewers calling the lock durable, sturdy, well-made, and premium for the price.

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.

Reviewers liked the built-in doorbell as a useful extra, with phone notifications, app controls, and adjustable or paired chime options; no camera performance was reviewed.

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

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

Door fit was generally manageable for standard deadbolt-style installations, but reviewers emphasized checking compatibility and alignment first.

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

The main evidence on reusing existing hardware was mixed: one reviewer had to adjust the strike plate because the DL110 was more alignment-sensitive than prior locks.

Firmware support appeared in setup and troubleshooting context, with one reviewer hoping updates could improve motor retry behavior.

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

Fingerprint unlocking was one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly described as fast, accurate, easy to register, and a major convenience upgrade.

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

Finish feedback was positive, especially the matte surface resisting fingerprints or helping hide smudges on the exterior keypad area.

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

The only proximity-style evidence came from Bluetooth unlocking when the phone is nearby; reviewers did not document full geofence automation.

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

Guest access was a major strength, with one-time, temporary, scheduled, recurring, and household codes appearing across many reviews.

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

Core use was described through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, app, and voice integrations; hubs and chimes appeared as optional accessories rather than strict requirements.

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.

Most reviewers found installation straightforward, often taking 5–20 minutes, but one detailed review warned that precise strike-plate alignment matters.

Jam handling was lightly covered; one review showed a door-jam alarm setting, while another described motor retries when the bolt met resistance.

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

Physical-key backup was consistently presented as a practical last-resort option, hidden behind the doorbell cover and paired with USB-C emergency power.

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

The keypad was generally easy to use, with passcode entry, decoy/scramble options, and responsive operation, though it may need a touch to wake.

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

A locksmith review specifically praised the SC1/Schlage keyway because it can be pinned to an existing house key.

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

Unlocking speed was a standout, especially by fingerprint, with several reviewers calling it near-instant or quoting 0.42-second recognition.

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

Motor feedback was mixed: some reviewers found it quieter or refined, while one saw repeated cycling when the bolt was not aligned perfectly.

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

Reliability was positive in normal use, with steady operation over weeks, but careful calibration and strike-plate alignment are important.

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

Notifications were frequently praised for arriving quickly and showing lock, unlock, doorbell, suspicious activity, and user-specific events.

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

Reviewers repeatedly emphasized BHMA/ANSI Grade 2 certification and the claim of 400,000 uses as a security and durability advantage.

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 locking and unlocking through the app was repeatedly demonstrated and treated as one of the lock's most practical smart features.

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

Security features were broad for the price, including scramble/decoy PINs, suspicious-activity alerts, wrong-try lockout, and app biometric confirmation.

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 support was consistently listed for Alexa, Google Home/Assistant, and SmartThings, with useful app and voice control examples.

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

Tamper detection was covered most directly in one review, which described a tamper alarm and suspicious-activity notifications.

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

The exterior keypad/display is touch-activated, but one reviewer wished it had motion wake so it was ready before touching it.

The strongest two-factor-like evidence was app biometric verification, which requires a fingerprint before app lock/unlock actions.

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 was consistently strong, with profiles, members, fingerprints, admin codes, household access, and scheduled permissions.

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 was one of the strongest points, with many reviewers saying the DL110 delivers premium smart-lock features around the under-$150 range.

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 worked with Alexa and Google examples, though some unlocking flows require an access code for security.

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

Support evidence focused on in-app setup help, user guides, installation guides, firmware checks, and support-center links rather than warranty terms.

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

Weather resistance was positive where discussed, with IP65, weatherproof design, and rain/snow/temperature handling mentioned.

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

Wi-Fi support was central to remote access, notifications, setup, and smart-home control, with Bluetooth available as fallback.