Smart Locks · owner-verdict comparison

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: 75% of 130 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 37 for the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen).

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

35%of 37 owners recommend
35% recommend · 16% neutral · 49% don't
Owners praise
  • Rock-solid, flawless day-to-day performance for a large share of owners, some going years without a single hiccup
  • Smooth setup and integration with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home, including running through Z-Wave and HomeKit/Alexa simultaneously
  • Battery life becomes a non-issue once paired with the August Connect bridge, with some owners going years without a battery change
Owners complain about
  • Buggy, unreliable companion app and firmware, from confirmations that never load to owners calling the software an outright mess
  • Poor battery life, with batteries draining unusually fast or going completely flat within a couple of months for some owners
  • Wi-Fi connectivity is shaky, with frequent disconnects and setup struggles that some owners feel the Wi-Fi version never fully solved
Full owner report →

Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt

75%of 130 owners recommend
75% recommend · 7% neutral · 18% don't
Owners praise
  • Rock-solid and reliable, it just works
  • Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock with iPhone or Apple Watch
  • Long battery life, often many months between changes
Owners complain about
  • Goes offline or shows no response, can't control it remotely
  • Works best only with a strong Thread network or Apple hub nearby
  • Drops sometimes need a router restart, factory reset, or re-pairing
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) if
  • ✓Homeowners wanting deep HomeKit/Alexa/Google Home integration with minimal setup hassle
  • ✓Users who add the Connect/Bridge, which owners say fixes battery drain and reliability
  • ✓Buyers upgrading from earlier August generations who've had a smooth multi-year run
  • ✓Households on standard deadbolts wanting z-wave plus app control simultaneously
Skip it if
  • Anyone relying on auto-unlock, which many owners call inconsistent or broken
  • Buyers who can't tolerate flaky software, frequent Wi-Fi disconnects, or app freezes
Get the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt if
  • ✓Apple users wanting HomeKey tap-to-unlock
  • ✓Homes with existing Thread or smart-home infrastructure
  • ✓Buyers wanting reliability with a physical-key backup
  • ✓Those replacing less-dependable smart locks
Skip it if
  • Buyers without Thread devices for good coverage
  • Shoppers unwilling to pay a premium price

What August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) owners say

“One thing i love is i have it running thru z wave to my alarm panel AND HomeKit/alexa simultaneously.”
— tgoz13 on Reddit
“Setting up notifications was a breeze. Alexa setup was a breeze. HomeKit works great. I have had zero issues and have been very impressed.”
— blampen on Reddit
“It hasn’t been as reliable as my old August Pro + Connect. It’s been disconnecting from Wi-Fi frequently and the original batteries had gone completely flat in less than 2 months.”
— d3rw1n on community.home-assistant.io

What Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt owners say

“I have the Schlage Encode Plus HomeKey lock. HomeKey fucking rocks. I love having my house key in wallet. It is so unbelievably slick.”
— seaessbee on Reddit
“Replaced our August Smart Lock Pro with a Schlage Encode Plus. It’s been rock solid for about 6 months now. Works quickly. Supports Homekey.”
— smorrison0 on Reddit
“This is crap you all need to record the WiFi setup”
— @dnldnl4880 on YouTube

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: frequently asked questions

Is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt better?

Real owners lean toward the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: 75% of 130 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 37 for the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen).

Who should get the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)?

Owners point the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) at homeowners wanting deep HomeKit/Alexa/Google Home integration with minimal setup hassle, and users who add the Connect/Bridge, which owners say fixes battery drain and reliability.

Who should get the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt?

Owners point the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt at apple users wanting HomeKey tap-to-unlock, and homes with existing Thread or smart-home infrastructure.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) is buggy, unreliable companion app and firmware, from confirmations that never load to owners calling the software an outright mess. For the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt, it's goes offline or shows no response, can't control it remotely.