Smart Locks · owner-verdict comparison

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

Real owners lean toward the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt: 81% of 232 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 Smart WiFi Deadbolt

81%of 232 owners recommend
81% recommend · 3% neutral · 16% don't
Owners praise
  • Rock-solid, reliable operation
  • Remote code control and notifications
  • Built-in WiFi, no hub needed
Owners complain about
  • Battery drains fast on WiFi
  • Connectivity drops, occasional dead units
  • Expensive for a deadbolt
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 Smart WiFi Deadbolt if
  • ✓Airbnb and short-term rental hosts managing guest codes
  • ✓Apple households wanting HomeKey tap-to-unlock
  • ✓People who want built-in WiFi without a separate hub
  • ✓Homeowners wanting remote codes and access alerts
Skip it if
  • Buyers on a tight budget
  • Deep Home Assistant or voice-unlock power users

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 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
“Smart door lock (Schlage Encode) for my mom's place. It sends notifications for each user's access codes when the door is locked or unlocked.”
— LionSuneater on Reddit
“The Schlage encode is actually not designed to stand up to that level of humidity. I learned this after going through their customer support for each lock that stopped working.”
— Captain_hindsight126 on Reddit

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

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

Real owners lean toward the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt: 81% of 232 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 Smart WiFi Deadbolt?

Owners point the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt at airbnb and short-term rental hosts managing guest codes, and apple households wanting HomeKey tap-to-unlock.

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 Smart WiFi Deadbolt, it's battery drains fast on WiFi.