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Schlage builds the deadbolt most locksmiths recommend without a second thought, and its smart-lock lineup has grown into one of the more confusing families in the smart lock market — seven models across three generations of wireless tech, and at least one persistent myth about Matter support that Schlage itself had to publicly correct.
The confusion isn't really about security. Every current Schlage deadbolt except one carries an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 rating, the highest residential grade a lock can get, and the brand's reputation for build quality is well earned. The confusion is about connectivity — specifically, which models actually work without routing every unlock event through Schlage's cloud, and which ones are simply WiFi conveniences dressed up as smart-home devices.
This guide breaks down all seven models — Arrive, Encode, Encode Lever, Encode Plus, Connect, Sense Pro, and the discontinued-but-still-available Sense — by what they actually support: HomeKit, Matter, Z-Wave, Zigbee, or none of the above. For readers running Home Assistant or anyone who cares whether their front door depends on a vendor's servers staying online, that distinction matters more than the finish on the faceplate.
It's written for three overlapping groups: renters and first-time smart-lock buyers who just want reliability, Apple Home users deciding between HomeKit and Home Key, and privacy-minded Home Assistant users who need to know exactly which Schlage model will run locally and which one won't.
Schlage's Philosophy — Grade 1 Security First, Smart Features Second
Schlage's smart locks are built on decades of mechanical-lock engineering, and it shows: every current model except the Sense Pro carries an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 rating, the top residential security tier, with a lifetime mechanical warranty backing the hardware. The company's approach to "smart" has been more incremental — WiFi came before HomeKit, HomeKit came before Matter, and as of mid-2026 only one model in the entire lineup runs on a genuinely local, hub-independent protocol out of the box.
That's the single fact worth internalizing before comparing specs: no current Schlage WiFi lock — Arrive, Encode, Encode Lever, or Encode Plus — supports Matter or true local control. All four route through Schlage's cloud API for remote access and for the official Home Assistant integration, which polls that API roughly every 30 seconds rather than talking to the lock directly. The only locks that operate locally are the Z-Wave/Zigbee Connect (which needs a hub) and the new Sense Pro, whose Matter-over-Thread radio is the first local-capable connection method Schlage has shipped.
| Model | Tier | Connectivity | Hub required? | Local control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrive | Budget | WiFi | No | No — cloud only |
| Encode | Mainstream | WiFi | No | No — cloud only |
| Encode Lever | Mainstream | WiFi | No | No — cloud only |
| Encode Plus | Premium | WiFi + HomeKit | No (Apple hub for remote) | Partial — local via HomeKit only |
| Connect | Mid (local) | Z-Wave Plus or Zigbee | Yes | Yes — fully local |
| Sense Pro | Flagship | Matter over Thread + WiFi | Thread border router | Yes — local via Matter |
| Sense (discontinued) | Legacy | Bluetooth + HomeKit | Apple hub for remote | Yes — local via HomeKit |
Every model also shares two things that separate Schlage from cheaper competitors: none of them require a subscription for basic use — access codes, app control, and notifications are free across the board — and none of them lock you out during a power or WiFi outage. Keypad codes and the physical key backup (absent only on the keyway-free Sense Pro) keep working offline; only remote-access features need the internet.
Budget Tier — Schlage Arrive
The Arrive is Schlage's newest entry-level model, aimed at buyers who want a reliable WiFi deadbolt without touchscreen complexity or premium pricing.
Specs
- Deadbolt, ANSI/BHMA Grade 1
- Backlit silicone push-button keypad (not touchscreen) — up to 250 access codes
- Built-in WiFi + Bluetooth, no hub needed
- Physical key backup; 4x AA batteries
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and Ring; no Apple HomeKit, no Matter
Budget tier — Check Price on Amazon
Pros
- Grade 1 security at the lowest price point in the lineup
- Push-buttons are arguably more durable long-term than a touchscreen
- Codes and schedules persist through outages
Cons
- No HomeKit or Matter — a non-starter for Apple Home households
- Cloud-dependent like the rest of the WiFi tier; not covered by Home Assistant's tested-device list
- No touchscreen convenience found on the Encode line
Verdict: A sensible pick for Alexa or Google households that just want a dependable keypad deadbolt and don't care about local control.
Perfect for: budget-conscious buyers, rental properties, and anyone standardized on Alexa or Google Home who has no interest in HomeKit or Home Assistant.
Mainstream WiFi Tier — Schlage Encode & Encode Lever
Schlage Encode
The Encode is Schlage's longest-running WiFi smart lock and the one most frequently recommended for non-Apple households.
Specs
- Deadbolt, ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, built-in forced-entry alarm
- Touchscreen keypad, up to 100 access codes, physical key backup
- Built-in WiFi + Bluetooth, no hub required
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Ring/Key by Amazon, and Airbnb; no HomeKit, no Matter, no Z-Wave/Zigbee
- 4x AA batteries
Mainstream tier — Check Price on Amazon
Pros
- Confirmed to keep working in extreme cold, a genuine edge over cheaper WiFi locks
- Solid touchscreen build quality and a well-tested track record
- The most widely used Schlage model in the official Home Assistant integration
Cons
- Cloud-dependent — the native Home Assistant integration is a 30-second cloud poll, not a local connection
- No Apple HomeKit at all
- WiFi radio noticeably shortens battery life compared to the Z-Wave Connect
Verdict: The default choice for anyone outside the Apple ecosystem who wants a proven Schlage WiFi deadbolt and is comfortable with cloud-based control.
Perfect for: Alexa, Google Home, or Ring households that want an established, Grade 1 WiFi lock without HomeKit or local-hub requirements.
Schlage Encode Lever
Same electronics as the Encode deadbolt, in a lever handle for doors that need a rotary grip instead of a bolt — interior doors, side entries, offices, and single-bore-hole installs.
Specs
- Lever handle, touchscreen keypad, up to 100 access codes, built-in alarm
- Built-in WiFi + Bluetooth, same smart-home compatibility as Encode (Alexa, Google, Ring, Airbnb — no HomeKit, no Matter)
- 4x AA batteries, physical key backup
Mainstream tier — Check Price on Amazon
Pros
- Fills a real gap — most smart locks are deadbolt-only, and side/interior doors often need a lever
- Same Grade 1 build and cloud integration as the standard Encode
- Supported by the official Home Assistant integration alongside Encode and Encode Plus
Cons
- Same cloud dependency and lack of HomeKit/Matter as the deadbolt version
- Priced above the standard Encode despite similar internals
- US/Canada availability only
Verdict: Worth it specifically because it's a lever, not because it beats the Encode deadbolt on features.
Perfect for: offices, rental units, and interior or side doors where a rotary lever handle is the only option.
Premium WiFi Tier — Schlage Encode Plus
The Encode Plus is Schlage's Apple-facing flagship in the WiFi line, and the model most often mis-sold as Matter-compatible.
Specs
- Deadbolt, ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 and A156.40 Grade AAA, built-in forced-entry alarm
- Touchscreen keypad, up to 100 access codes, physical key backup
- Built-in WiFi + Bluetooth
- Native Apple HomeKit and Apple Home Key (NFC tap unlock via iPhone or Apple Watch), plus Alexa and Google Assistant
- Not Matter-certified — Schlage publicly retracted an earlier claim to this effect
- 4x AA batteries
Premium tier — Check Price on Amazon
Pros
- The only WiFi-generation Schlage with native HomeKit and Home Key tap-to-unlock
- Bluetooth fallback keeps local proximity control working if WiFi drops
- Highest security rating in the lineup (Grade AAA deadbolt strength on top of Grade 1)
Cons
- No Matter support despite early marketing suggesting otherwise
- Battery life drops noticeably when running constantly over WiFi rather than Bluetooth/HomeKit — some users report well under half of the rated life
- Home Assistant has no native local path; the only route in is a community HomeKit-bridge workaround, not an official integration
Verdict: The strongest HomeKit option Schlage sells that isn't the newer Sense Pro, provided a buyer accepts that "HomeKit" here means Bluetooth-range local control, not Matter.
Perfect for: Apple Home households that want Home Key tap-to-unlock and are willing to keep the lock in HomeKit-primary mode to preserve battery life.
Local-Control Tier — Schlage Connect
The Connect is the outlier in the lineup, and the one this site recommends most often for Home Assistant users. It has no WiFi radio at all — it talks Z-Wave Plus or Zigbee directly to a hub, with no Schlage app and no cloud in the loop.
Specs
- Deadbolt, ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, built-in alarm on the Z-Wave version
- Touchscreen keypad, up to 30 access codes, physical key backup
- Z-Wave Plus with S2 encryption (model BE469ZP) or Zigbee (model BE468); requires a hub — SmartThings, Ring Alarm, Nexia, or Home Assistant with a Z-Wave or Zigbee radio
- 4x AA batteries, roughly a year of life — notably longer than the WiFi models thanks to the lower-power radio
Mid tier, local-control specialist — Check Price on Amazon
Pros
- Fully local: no Schlage cloud, no Schlage app required once paired to a hub
- The Z-Wave Plus version is "Works With Ring" certified; the Zigbee version works with Amazon Key
- Meaningfully longer battery life than the WiFi-based Encode or Arrive
Cons
- Requires a hub — this is not a standalone smart lock out of the box
- Only 30 access codes versus 100–250 on the WiFi models
- No native HomeKit; Apple Home support depends entirely on the hub bridging it
Verdict: The best Schlage option for anyone who wants Grade 1 security with genuinely local control and already runs — or is willing to run — a Z-Wave or Zigbee hub.
Perfect for: Home Assistant, SmartThings, or Ring Alarm users who prioritize privacy and reliability over app polish, and who already have a hub in place.
Flagship — Schlage Sense Pro
Launched in June 2026, the Sense Pro is Schlage's first lock with Matter over Thread, and its first local-capable option outside the legacy Z-Wave Connect.
Specs
- Deadbolt, ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 — notably lower than every other current Schlage model, and a deliberate trade-off for the keyway-free, pick-resistant design
- No keyway at all; unlock via ultra-wideband (UWB) hands-free approach, Apple Home Key NFC tap, touchscreen keypad, or app — up to 250 access codes
- Matter over Thread plus built-in WiFi and Bluetooth; requires a Thread border router such as a HomePod mini, HomePod (2nd gen), or Apple TV 4K
- UWB hands-free unlock is Apple-only at launch; Android support is expected later via the Aliro digital-key standard
- 4x AA batteries, plus a USB-C jumpstart port for emergency power since there's no physical key backup
Premium/flagship tier — Check Price on Amazon
Pros
- First Schlage lock that can join Home Assistant, SmartThings, or Alexa as a genuinely local Matter device, not just a cloud bridge
- UWB hands-free unlock is a real convenience upgrade over Bluetooth-range approach detection
- No exposed keyway removes an entire category of physical bypass techniques
Cons
- Grade 2 rating is a step down in raw mechanical security from every other current model
- Matter feature parity outside Apple Home is still incomplete — access-code management, UWB modes, and auto-lock scheduling remain locked to the Schlage or Apple Home apps even when the lock itself is added to Home Assistant
- No physical key means a dead battery is a bigger deal than on any other Schlage — mitigated only by the USB-C jumpstart port
- Requires an existing or new Thread border router, an extra piece of infrastructure most non-Apple households won't already have
Verdict: The most technically interesting Schlage in years, but an early-adopter product — the security rating and incomplete non-Apple Matter support mean it's not an automatic upgrade over the Encode Plus or Connect for most buyers yet.
Perfect for: Apple Home households that want hands-free UWB unlock and are comfortable being early adopters of a lock's Matter implementation.
Legacy — Schlage Sense (Discontinued)
Schlage discontinued the original Sense, along with its optional WiFi Adapter, in July 2020, but it's still sold new by third parties and shows up frequently used.
Specs
- Deadbolt, ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, built-in alarm
- Touchscreen keypad, up to 30 access codes, physical key backup
- Bluetooth only, with native Apple HomeKit; remote access requires an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad acting as a home hub
- 4x AA batteries, roughly a year of life
Legacy/value pick — Check Price on Amazon
Pros
- Native HomeKit with no cloud subscription of any kind
- Longer battery life than any current WiFi Schlage, since there's no WiFi radio to power
- Still fully functional years after discontinuation, with an established support history
Cons
- No longer manufactured — buyers are relying on remaining retail and used stock
- Bluetooth-only range means slower reconnection on arrival compared to newer approach-detection methods
- No WiFi or Matter path if a household later wants broader ecosystem support
Verdict: A capable, cloud-free HomeKit lock for buyers who find one in good condition, but the Encode Plus or Sense Pro are the current, supported replacements.
Perfect for: budget-minded Apple Home users comfortable buying a discontinued model, or existing owners deciding whether to keep it running.
Schlage vs Yale — The Honest Comparison
Yale is Schlage's closest direct competitor in the Grade 1 smart-deadbolt space, and the comparison that comes up most often when buyers are choosing between brands.
| Schlage | Yale | |
|---|---|---|
| Security rating | Grade 1 on all current models except Sense Pro (Grade 2) | Grade 1 across most current models |
| HomeKit + Home Key | Encode Plus, Sense Pro | Assure Lock 2 line |
| Matter | Sense Pro only | Broader current-model Matter support |
| Local-hub protocol | Z-Wave Plus / Zigbee (Connect) | Z-Wave / Zigbee available on select models |
| No-subscription access codes | Yes, across the board | Yes, across the board |
| Physical keyway | Present on all except Sense Pro | Present on most models |
The practical difference isn't security — both brands build genuinely solid Grade 1 hardware. It's rollout pace on newer protocols: Yale has generally shipped Matter-certified models across more of its lineup, while Schlage concentrated its first Matter implementation into a single flagship (Sense Pro) rather than spreading it across the WiFi tier. For a deeper side-by-side on locks that work with a specific ecosystem, see the smart locks compatible with Google Home, Ring & Apple HomeKit; for local-control specifics beyond Schlage, the Home Assistant compatible smart locks guide covers Yale and other brands' Z-Wave and Zigbee options directly.
Which Schlage Should You Buy?
Renting or on a tight budget, using Alexa or Google Home: the Arrive covers the basics — Grade 1 security, a reliable push-button keypad, no subscription — without paying for features you won't use.
Standardized on Alexa, Google, or Ring, want a proven track record: the Encode is the safest bet in the WiFi tier, with the largest install base and the longest history of the official Home Assistant cloud integration.
Need a lever instead of a deadbolt: the Encode Lever is essentially the only Schlage option for interior, side, or single-bore-hole doors.
Apple Home household wanting Home Key tap-to-unlock without going all-in on Matter yet: the Encode Plus delivers native HomeKit and Home Key, provided you're willing to run it in Bluetooth/HomeKit-primary mode for battery life.
Running Home Assistant or SmartThings and prioritizing local control and privacy over app polish: the Connect (Z-Wave Plus or Zigbee) is the only current Schlage that operates with zero dependency on Schlage's cloud once it's paired to a hub. For background on choosing between the two radios, see Zigbee vs Z-Wave vs Matter.
Want the newest tech and are comfortable being an early adopter: the Sense Pro brings UWB hands-free unlock and genuine Matter-over-Thread local control, at the cost of a lower Grade 2 security rating and rough edges outside Apple Home.
Found a discontinued Sense in good condition: it's still a legitimate, cloud-free HomeKit option — just know it won't get further updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do any Schlage smart locks require a subscription?
No. Access codes, app control, and push notifications are free on every current and legacy Schlage model. There is no recurring fee for core smart-lock functionality.
Q: Does the Schlage Encode Plus support Matter?
No. Schlage announced Matter support for the Encode Plus at CES 2022 but later retracted the claim; its support team confirms the model "is not equipped with Matter." The Sense Pro is currently the only Matter-certified Schlage lock.
Q: Will a Schlage smart lock lock me out during a power or WiFi outage?
No, with one caveat. Keypad codes and the physical key keep working offline on every model except the Sense Pro, which has no keyway and relies on its USB-C jumpstart port for emergency power if the batteries die.
Q: Which Schlage lock works locally with Home Assistant, without depending on Schlage's cloud?
Only the Connect, via a Z-Wave Plus or Zigbee radio and hub. The Encode, Encode Lever, and Encode Plus are all handled through Home Assistant's official integration, but it works by polling Schlage's cloud API roughly every 30 seconds — not by talking to the lock directly. The Sense Pro can join Home Assistant as a local Matter device, though its access-code management and advanced modes still require the Schlage or Apple Home app.
Q: Is there a "Schlage Lock+"?
No — that's a different product. Lock+ is made by Level, a separate company, and is sometimes confused with Schlage due to similar positioning and the shared Apple Home Key feature.
Q: What's the difference between Schlage Connect's Z-Wave and Zigbee versions?
The Z-Wave Plus version (BE469ZP) uses S2 encryption and is "Works With Ring" certified. The Zigbee version (BE468) is compatible with Amazon Key. Both require a hub and operate fully locally once paired — the choice comes down to which radio your existing hub or Home Assistant setup already uses.
Q: Why does the Sense Pro have a lower security grade than other Schlage locks?
The Sense Pro trades its physical keyway for pick- and bump-resistance, and its overall Grade 2 rating reflects that redesign — it's a deliberate engineering choice tied to the keyless design, not a manufacturing downgrade.
Q: Does Android support the Sense Pro's hands-free unlock?
Not at launch. UWB hands-free unlock is Apple-only when the lock ships; Android and other platforms are expected to gain support later through the Aliro digital-key standard once certification is complete.
Conclusion
Schlage's smart-lock lineup rewards buyers who know exactly what they're optimizing for. If that's raw reliability and Alexa or Google compatibility, the Encode remains the safe, well-proven choice. If it's Apple Home Key, the Encode Plus is the strongest option that isn't the newer flagship. And if local control and zero cloud dependency matter more than anything else, the Connect is still the only current Schlage that delivers that outright — the Sense Pro gets there on paper via Matter, but its non-Apple experience is still maturing.
The one universal takeaway: don't buy an Encode Plus expecting Matter, and don't assume a WiFi Schlage will ever run locally in Home Assistant the way the Connect does. For readers still deciding on protocol before brand, the Zigbee vs Z-Wave vs Matter comparison and the Home Assistant compatible smart locks guide are the right next stops. Anyone weighing Schlage against the other major brand should also read the Kwikset smart lock guide before committing, and installers unsure whether a given model fits their door should check the smart lock installation and retrofit guide first.
