August
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
$199.99Cheaper
Released 2021
Best Smart Locks · head-to-head
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) vs Schlage Encode Plus
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) is cheaper at $199.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Schlage
Schlage Encode Plus
$329
Released 2021
Which is better: the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) or Schlage Encode Plus?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) is the cheaper at $199.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) | Schlage Encode Plus |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $199.99 | $329 |
| Brand | August | Schlage |
| Released | 2021 | 2021 |
| Unlock methods | smartphone app, Apple Watch, voice assistant (Alexa/Google/Siri), auto-unlock, physical key (existing deadbolt retained) | Apple Home Key (NFC tap on iPhone/Apple Watch), keypad access codes, smartphone app, voice assistant (Alexa/Siri/Google), physical key |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz built-in, Bluetooth LE | Wi-Fi built-in, Bluetooth |
| Matter | No | No |
| Auto lock | Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | 2× CR123 | AA batteries (built-in compartment; specific count not published by Schlage) |
| Finish options | Silver, Matte Black | Satin Nickel, Matte Black, Bright Chrome, Aged Bronze |
| Install type | Retrofit interior — mounts over existing single-cylinder deadbolt, no drilling | Replaces existing deadbolt — single-bore door, no hub required |
| Release | 2021 | 2021 |
Sources — August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen): august.com (verified 2026-06-15). Schlage Encode Plus: schlage.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) and Schlage Encode Plus?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Unlock methods: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) smartphone app, Apple Watch, voice assistant (Alexa/Google/Siri), auto-unlock, physical key (existing deadbolt retained) vs Schlage Encode Plus Apple Home Key (NFC tap on iPhone/Apple Watch), keypad access codes, smartphone app, voice assistant (Alexa/Siri/Google), physical key
- Connectivity: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz built-in, Bluetooth LE vs Schlage Encode Plus Wi-Fi built-in, Bluetooth
- Battery type: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) 2× CR123 vs Schlage Encode Plus AA batteries (built-in compartment; specific count not published by Schlage)
- Finish options: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) Silver, Matte Black vs Schlage Encode Plus Satin Nickel, Matte Black, Bright Chrome, Aged Bronze
- Install type: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) Retrofit interior — mounts over existing single-cylinder deadbolt, no drilling vs Schlage Encode Plus Replaces existing deadbolt — single-bore door, no hub required
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (Engadget, Tom's Guide) cover this exact 4th-gen August Wi-Fi Smart Lock; both recommend it for an easy, tool-light install, a smaller hidden design, built-in Wi-Fi and broad smart-home support. Neither published lab benchmarks, so there are no measured numbers. Main gripes: unreliable Android auto-unlock (Engadget) and a keypad sold separately for $59.99 (Tom's Guide). (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Fast, tool-light install that keeps the original keyway and physical keys; Smaller, discreet design that hides on the inside of the door; Wi-Fi built in, so no separate bridge is needed for remote lock/unlock.
Flagged: Auto-unlock is finicky and unreliable, especially on Android; Keypad is not included and costs extra ($59.99); Dropped Z-Wave, so power users lose offline local control.
Schlage Encode Plus
Four whitelisted outlets (Tom's Guide, PCWorld, Reviewed/USA Today, TechRadar) reviewed this exact deadbolt hands-on. The only quantified hands-on metric was Reviewed's roughly 10-minute DIY install; no instrument benchmarks were run. All four praise the Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock and the easy, standard installation. Recurring gripes across the set: no backup power plus a single included key, a bulkier-than-average body, missing fingerprint/geofencing/door sensor, only 100 codes, and HomeKit Wi-Fi/remote access needing an Apple hub. Best suited to Apple households. (4 sourced reviews, 4 lab-tested.)
Praised: Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock via iPhone/Apple Watch is fast and genuinely convenient; Easy, standard hardware installation and quick pairing/setup; Broad platform support (Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit) with built-in Wi-Fi, no hub for basic use.
Flagged: No backup power source and only one physical key included; No fingerprint sensor; missing geofencing and door-open/close sensor; Stores only 100 access codes, fewer than several rivals.