August vs Schlage Smart Lock — Which Is Right for You in 2026?
The SCHLAGE Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt at $269.11 wins if you want built-in keypad access without a hub — works directly over WiFi, supports up to 100 access codes, and is BHMA Grade 1 certified. Choose August Wi-Fi Smart Lock if you want to retrofit over your existing deadbolt and keep current keys.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Display | Processor | RAM | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August Home Smart Lock Pro + Conn… August Home |
Worth Considering | $294.99 Buy → |
— | — | — | 5.7 |
| 2 | Best Keypad | $275.04 Buy → |
— | — | — | 5.7 | |
| 3 | Best Schlage | $319 Buy → |
— | — | — | 5.7 |
Score Breakdown
| August Home Smart Loc… | Schlage Encode Smart … | Schlage Encode Plus S… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| Value | – | 95 | 65 |
| Battery Life | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Display | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Portability | 65 | 65 | 65 |
Scores 0–100 derived from published specifications, verified buyer reviews, and price-to-performance analysis. 0 = feature not present. – = insufficient data. How we score →
August vs Schlage Smart Lock Buying Guide
August and Schlage define opposite ends of the smart lock design philosophy — August retrofits your existing hardware; Schlage replaces it completely with a built-in keypad.
Installation Type
August smart locks are retrofit locks — they install on the interior side of your existing deadbolt in 10 minutes with no tools beyond a screwdriver. Your current keys still work, your exterior appearance doesn't change, and you don't need a locksmith. This makes August ideal for renters and anyone who doesn't want to replace their exterior hardware. Schlage Encode is a full deadbolt replacement — you remove the old deadbolt completely and install the Schlage unit on both the interior and exterior. Installation takes 30-60 minutes but results in a complete smart lock system with a built-in keypad.
Keypad Access
Schlage's biggest advantage: both the Encode ($269.11) and Encode Plus ($281.84) include a built-in touchscreen keypad for keyless entry. Enter a code, the door unlocks — no phone, no app, no Bluetooth required. This is essential for households with kids, cleaners, dog walkers, or anyone you want to let in without giving them a physical key. August's Wi-Fi models ($294.99 and $294.99) don't include a keypad — entry requires either a physical key or the August app. August does offer a separate Smart Keypad (sold separately) if you need code-based entry.
App and Voice Control
The August app is considered the most polished smart lock app — auto-unlock as you arrive home, activity log, guest access management with time-based codes, and DoorSense (detects if door is actually closed). The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Generation ($294.99) connects directly to WiFi with no hub required; the $294.99 model also has built-in WiFi. Both August models work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit natively. Schlage's app is functional but less feature-rich than August's. Schlage Encode Plus ($294.99) adds Apple HomeKit support; the standard Encode ($294.99) requires Alexa or Google for voice control.
Security
Schlage has a 130-year history in commercial-grade lock hardware — their deadbolts meet ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 standards, the highest residential rating. The Encode's solid metal construction is physically more secure than many competitors. August smart locks depend on your existing deadbolt quality — a Grade 1 existing deadbolt plus August is equally secure; a cheap deadbolt is a weak point. For physical security, Schlage hardware is generally considered superior. For digital security, both brands use AES-128 encryption for wireless communication.
Battery Life
August Smart Lock 4th Generation: approximately 6 months on 4 AA batteries. August Wi-Fi Keyless ($109): approximately 3 months (WiFi radio consumes more power). Schlage Encode: approximately 6 months on 4 AA batteries. Both brands send low-battery notifications via app. Replace with standard AA batteries — no proprietary packs required on any model.
How We Compared These
We compared August and Schlage across auto-lock reliability, keypad durability in weather, retrofit installation ease, and smart home ecosystem integrations, cross-referencing expert measurements, thorough reviews, and verified owner satisfaction data.
Watch Before You Buy
“The August Smart Lock Pro retrofits over your existing deadbolt without replacing hardware, so you keep your original key as backup — a key advantage over full-replacement locks at $294.99.…”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Retrofits over existing deadbolt -- no locksmith needed
- Retains key access alongside app
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock by proximity
- Works with Alexa, Google, Siri
Watch out for
- Requires separate Connect hub for remote WiFi access
- Less secure installation than full deadbolt replacement
Read Full Analysis
The August Home Smart Lock Pro 3rd Gen takes a fundamentally different approach from both SCHLAGE options on this page: it retrofits over your existing deadbolt interior rather than replacing the full hardware. You keep your original key cylinder and physical backup access — which matters for renters or anyone who prefers the option to revert. At $276.20 it lands between the SCHLAGE Encode ($269.11) and Encode Plus ($281.84) on price, but you are paying for a different installation philosophy, not meaningfully more hardware. The catch is remote WiFi access. Both SCHLAGE Encode models include WiFi natively — August Home requires the separately sold Connect hub at roughly $30–40 extra, pushing the real total above both SCHLAGE competitors. The August Home Pro does support Alexa, Google, and Siri equally well, and auto-lock and auto-unlock by proximity work reliably. Apple Home Key (NFC tap-to-unlock) is only on the SCHLAGE Encode Plus — August Home does not offer that. Buy if: You rent, want to keep your existing deadbolt hardware intact, or plan to take the lock when you move. Skip if: You want built-in WiFi without an add-on hub — the SCHLAGE Encode at $269 delivers that natively at nearly the same price.
“Schlage Encode (non-Plus) delivers the same Grade 1 security and Wi-Fi keypad at a lower price — best if you don't need Apple HomeKey.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Built-in WiFi -- no hub required
- 100 access codes
- Built-in alarm for forced entry
- ANSI Grade 1 highest residential security rating
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant
Watch out for
- Higher price than August
- App can be slow to connect on first launch
Read Full Analysis
The Schlage Encode is Schlage's standard Wi-Fi smart deadbolt—the built-in keypad without Apple Home Key (the Plus model adds NFC) at $170–200. Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Ring, and the dedicated access code management supports up to 100 unique codes for households with regular service providers, housecleaners, and family members. Schlage's Grade 1 ANSI residential security rating is the highest for residential deadbolts—the Encode's physical security construction matches the quality of non-smart Schlage deadbolts that locksmiths recommend as best-in-class for residential security. Smart locks that compromise physical security for technology features fail the primary function; Schlage's construction prioritizes the deadbolt first. Against August's retrofit approach on this page, the Schlage Encode is the full system replacement that provides keypad entry without a phone—appropriate for households with children, older family members, or frequent guests who benefit from the exterior keypad rather than app-only access.
“At $282, the Schlage Encode Plus stands out with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth plus Apple Home Key — tap your iPhone or Apple Watch directly on the lock to open without launching an app. It holds 100…”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Apple Home Key -- tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock
- Built-in WiFi + Bluetooth
- ANSI Grade 1 security
- 100 access codes
- Google Home and Alexa compatible
Watch out for
- $300 premium
- Apple Home Key requires iPhone (Android users get no benefit)
Read Full Analysis
The SCHLAGE Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt earns the Best Schlage badge on this August vs. Schlage smart lock page as the flagship SCHLAGE option with Apple Home Key integration. At $294.99, the SCHLAGE Encode Plus includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — no hub or bridge required — plus the ability to tap an iPhone or Apple Watch directly on the deadbolt to unlock without opening an app. ANSI Grade 1 security certification and capacity for 100 unique access codes complete the security credentials. On this Schlage vs. August VS page, the SCHLAGE Encode Plus ($294.99) competes in a tight price band against the SCHLAGE Encode standard ($294.99) and the August Smart Lock Pro ($294.99). Against the standard SCHLAGE Encode, the Plus adds Apple Home Key — worth $294.99 only to iPhone users. Against the August Smart Lock Pro, SCHLAGE wins on ANSI Grade 1 security and access code capacity; August wins on retrofit installation (fits over existing deadbolt hardware) and broader smart home integration. Buy this if you are an iPhone or Apple Watch user who wants tap-to-unlock Apple Home Key and ANSI Grade 1 security in a Schlage deadbolt. Skip it if you use Android — Apple Home Key is iPhone-only, and the SCHLAGE Encode standard at $294.99 provides the same hardware without paying $294.99 for an unused feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do August smart locks require a hub?
Can I still use physical keys with August locks?
Does Schlage Encode work with Apple HomeKit?
Which smart lock is better for renters?
How do smart locks handle power outages?
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 28,694+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →
How We Score These Products
Dimension scores on this page come from published measurements by named independent reviewers, matched to the exact model listed — not to a similar product from the same range. We do not test products ourselves, and we do not score a dimension we could not source. A dash means no published measurement was found for that product, not that it performed badly.
Value: Price-to-performance ratio. Products with high ratings and low prices score highest.
Build Quality: Based on Amazon verified buyer ratings (rating × 18, capped at 100).
Battery Life: Based on review mentions of battery life, charging speed, and runtime.
Display: Based on review mentions of screen quality, brightness, resolution, and color accuracy.
Portability: Based on weight, form factor, and review mentions of portability and travel-friendliness.
The overall score is the mean of the dimensions we could evidence for that product, on a 10-point scale. Price is shown separately and is never folded into the score — a cheaper product does not score higher for being cheaper.