Head-to-head

Schlage Connect vs Encode Plus: Connect needs a compatible Z-Wave hub, Plus has built-in Wi-Fi

The short answer

Choose the Z-Wave Schlage Connect when a compatible existing home or security hub will control the lock. Choose Encode Plus for built-in WiFi through Schlage Home or Apple home key entry. Both replace the deadbolt and provide a touchscreen plus a physical key. The network protocol is the first compatibility check.

Before you choose

The reasoning and the trade-offs

An existing Z-Wave controller can settle the choice

Connect fits a compatible Z-Wave system. Encode Plus has a different native control path.

What this is based on

Z-Wave compatibility belongs to the selected Connect model and the exact hub integration.

Main trade-off

Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim

Remote access depends on a compatible Z-Wave hub.

Main trade-off

Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim

Its native control path differs from a Z-Wave lock.

Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim

Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim

Choose it for
  • Join a compatible Z-Wave home system
  • Keep control in the supported hub platform
Main trade-off
Remote access depends on a compatible Z-Wave hub.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim

Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim

Choose it for
  • Use Schlage Home through built-in WiFi
  • Unlock with an iPhone or Apple Watch home key
Main trade-off
Its native control path differs from a Z-Wave lock.
See price & reviews on Amazon

Analysis updated , Catalog updated , Amazon.com / United States

About this comparison

Compare Schlage Connect Z-Wave and Encode Plus for an existing alarm hub, Apple home keys and guest-code capacity.

Choose the Z-Wave Schlage Connect when a compatible existing home or security hub will control the lock. Choose Encode Plus for built-in WiFi through Schlage Home or Apple home key entry. Both replace the deadbolt and provide a touchscreen plus a physical key. The network protocol is the first compatibility check.

Winner by situation

Start with what you need it to do

  • Join a compatible Z-Wave alarm hub

    Connect is the selected Z-Wave model.

    Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim
    Better fit
    Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim
    Caution
  • Use Apple home key

    Encode Plus supplies the feature.

    Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim
    Not suitable
    Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim
    Better fit
  • Maintain forty unique active codes

    The published limits are 30 and 100.

    Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim
    Not suitable
    Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim
    Better fit
  • Use local touchscreen codes and a physical key

    Both lock packages supply those local access methods.

    Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim
    Good
    Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim
    Good

What matters in practice

The differences that matter

An existing Z-Wave controller can settle the choice

Connect fits a compatible Z-Wave system. Encode Plus has a different native control path.

How we reached this conclusion

Z-Wave compatibility belongs to the selected Connect model and the exact hub integration.

A roster of forty codes exceeds Connect capacity

Forty individually assigned active codes fit within Encode Plus stated 100-code limit and exceed Connect stated 30-code limit.

How we reached this conclusion

40 is greater than 30 and less than 100. This assumes one code per person and no shared codes.

Apple Watch entry requires the Plus feature set

Encode Plus supports Apple home keys, while Connect uses its touchscreen, key and supported hub controls.

How we reached this conclusion

Home key is an explicit supported access method on Encode Plus.

Choice A
Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim

Schlage, BE469ZP CAM 619

Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim

The documented door range is 1.375 to 1.75 inches thick. Entry options include keypad.

Best matched use
Join a compatible Z-Wave home system

Checked facts

  • Radio path: Z-Wave Plus
  • Hub for native remote path: Compatible Z-Wave hub required
  • Apple home key: Not supported
  • Access-code capacity: Up to 30
Choice B
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim

Schlage, BE499WB CAM 619

Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim

The documented door range is 1.375 to 1.75 inches thick. Entry options include home-key, keypad, phone.

Best matched use
Use Schlage Home through built-in WiFi

Checked facts

  • Radio path: Built-in WiFi, plus Apple Home support
  • Hub for native remote path: No extra hub for Schlage Home over WiFi
  • Apple home key: Supported
  • Access-code capacity: Up to 100

Meaningful differences

What changes the fit

Meaningful differences between Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim and Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim
What changesSchlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trimSchlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trimWhy it matters
Radio pathZ-Wave PlusBuilt-in WiFi, plus Apple Home supportThe lock must match the system expected to control it.
Hub for native remote pathCompatible Z-Wave hub requiredNo extra hub for Schlage Home over WiFiWiFi availability does not make Connect a WiFi lock.
Apple home keyNot supportedSupportedA watch tap requires the Encode Plus hardware.
Access-code capacityUp to 30Up to 100Large guest rosters can exceed the smaller documented limit.
Local entry hardwareTouchscreen and physical keyTouchscreen and physical keyRoutine local code entry is available on both.

What you give up

Every choice has a cost

If you choose Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim

  • Apple home keys are absent.

If you choose Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim

  • Apple features require compatible Apple devices and setup.

Recommendation switch

The decision flips if...

My compatible Z-Wave hub will manage the lock

Choose Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim. Connect supplies the required radio.

I need Apple home keys or forty active codes

Choose Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim. Encode Plus supports both.

I need a fingerprint reader

Choose neither. Neither compared lock supplies one.

What matters in practice

How to make the call

01

An existing Z-Wave controller can settle the choice

If an alarm or home hub already manages Z-Wave devices, check its explicit support for Schlage Connect. That can keep lock routines in the system already used by the household. Encode Plus is suitable when Schlage Home over WiFi is the desired path. A familiar brand name does not make their integrations interchangeable.

02

A roster of forty codes exceeds Connect capacity

For a household or property needing forty distinct active codes, Encode Plus provides the documented capacity. Connect would require reducing the roster or changing the access plan. Confirm how the chosen app handles scheduling and removal. The numerical capacity does not establish a complete rental-management integration.

03

Apple Watch entry requires the Plus feature set

Choose Encode Plus when tapping a compatible Apple Watch is a central daily habit. If everyone is happy entering a code and the Z-Wave system is already installed, that extra method may add little. Both retain local code entry, so a phone-free household does not automatically need the Plus model.

Check these before buying

  • Confirm the listing is the Z-Wave Connect version.
  • Check the exact hub integration and the number of simultaneous codes needed.

What this comparison cannot tell you

  • No security, radio-range or battery-life superiority is claimed.

What the facts say

What the comparison shows

Useful conclusions from the current smart locks comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.

See the checked facts and calculation notes
Compared set
2 models
Source records
5 for the products shown
Catalog updated
Facts and source records used for the products in this recommendation
ProductNeeds matchedChecked factsSource records
Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt with Camelot trim
  • Join a compatible Z-Wave home system
  • Keep control in the supported hub platform
  • Radio path: Z-Wave Plus
  • Hub for native remote path: Compatible Z-Wave hub required
  • Apple home key: Not supported
  • Access-code capacity: Up to 30
  • Local entry hardware: Touchscreen and physical key
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Camelot trim
  • Use Schlage Home through built-in WiFi
  • Unlock with an iPhone or Apple Watch home key
  • Radio path: Built-in WiFi, plus Apple Home support
  • Hub for native remote path: No extra hub for Schlage Home over WiFi
  • Apple home key: Supported
  • Access-code capacity: Up to 100
  • Local entry hardware: Touchscreen and physical key

Ready to choose?

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