So, you’re standing in the aisle at Home Depot or staring at an Amazon tab, wondering if you should pull the trigger on the Schlage Encode or fork over the extra cash for the Encode Plus. It’s a classic dilemma. On the surface, they look identical. They both have that beefy, Grade 1 deadbolt feel that Schlage is famous for, and they both let you ditch your keys for a touchpad. But underneath the matte black or satin nickel housing, these two locks are playing completely different games.
Honestly, the "Plus" in the name is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
If you’re an Android user who just wants to lock the door from your couch using Alexa, the standard Encode is basically the gold standard. It’s reliable. It’s tough. But if you’ve got an iPhone in your pocket or an Apple Watch on your wrist, the Encode Plus isn’t just an "upgrade"—it’s a different experience entirely.
Schlage Encode vs Encode Plus: Why the Plus is Winning the Hype War
The biggest reason anyone talks about the Schlage Encode Plus is a little thing called Apple Home Key. This is the feature that makes you feel like you’re living in 2026. With Home Key, you don't even have to wake up your phone or type in a code. You just tap the top of your iPhone or your Apple Watch against the lock, and click—you’re in.
It’s exactly like using Apple Pay at a grocery store.
👉 See also: Why Does Wiki Need Money: What Most People Get Wrong
The standard Schlage Encode cannot do this. It simply doesn't have the NFC (Near Field Communication) hardware inside to talk to your Apple devices that way. If you buy the standard version, you’re stuck with the keypad or opening the app. That might sound like a small thing, but when you’re carrying three bags of groceries and it’s raining, that "tap-to-unlock" feels like a gift from the heavens.
The Hidden Magic of Thread
Another huge differentiator is how these locks talk to your internet. The original Schlage Encode is a Wi-Fi-only lock. It connects directly to your router. That's great for simplicity because you don't need a hub, but Wi-Fi is a notorious battery hog.
The Encode Plus, however, supports Thread.
If you have a HomePod Mini or an Apple TV 4K (the newer ones), the Encode Plus uses Thread to communicate. It’s a low-power mesh network that is way faster than Wi-Fi and uses a fraction of the energy. Real-world testers like the folks over at Safe and Sound Security have noted that while both locks claim 6-12 months of battery life, the Plus on a Thread network consistently hits the higher end of that range, whereas the Wi-Fi-only Encode often starts chirping for new AAs around month five or six.
Breaking Down the Feature Gap
| Feature | Schlage Encode | Schlage Encode Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread |
| Apple Home Key | No | Yes (NFC Tap-to-Unlock) |
| Voice Assistants | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google, Siri (HomeKit) |
| Security Grade | ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 | ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 |
| Price (Approx) | $249 | $329 |
Let’s be real for a second. If you don't use Apple HomeKit, the Encode Plus is mostly a waste of money. You are paying a $50 to $80 premium for a radio (Thread) and an NFC chip (Home Key) that you will literally never use. The standard Schlage Encode still gives you the built-in alarm, the 100-code capacity, and the same physical security rating.
But there’s a catch.
Even if you aren't an Apple person now, the Encode Plus is "future-proofed" in a way the original isn't. While Schlage has been a bit quiet on the Matter 1.0 update for these specific older models, having the Thread radio inside the Plus makes it much more likely to play nice with future smart home standards than a lock that only speaks Wi-Fi.
✨ Don't miss: Why What is Time and Date Still Confuses Almost Everyone
Battery Life and the "Dead Battery" Nightmare
One thing that people often overlook when comparing Schlage Encode vs Encode Plus is the "What if it dies?" scenario. Both of these use four AA batteries.
The standard Encode is a bit of a gambler. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak at the front door, the lock has to "scream" louder to maintain the connection, which nukes your battery life in weeks, not months. I’ve seen some users on Reddit complaining that they were changing batteries every 45 days because their router was in the back of the house.
The Encode Plus has a trick up its sleeve. It has a low-power reserve mode.
If the batteries get critically low, the Plus can actually prioritize the Home Key functionality, meaning you might still be able to tap-to-unlock even if the keypad is too dead to light up. Plus, let's talk about the capacitive touchscreen on the Plus model—it’s just a bit more responsive. It wakes up faster when you touch it, which sounds minor until you're trying to get inside during a blizzard.
Does the mechanical side matter?
No. Honestly, they are identical here. Both use the same Schlage C keyway. Both have the "Snap 'n Stay" design which makes installation a 10-minute job with just a screwdriver. If you can change a doorknob, you can install either of these. Don't let a "pro installation" fee be part of your budget calculation; you really don't need it.
The Verdict: Which One Should You Actually Buy?
It basically comes down to your phone.
Buy the Schlage Encode Plus if:
🔗 Read more: Apple The Gardens Mall: Why This Palm Beach Spot Hits Different
- You have an iPhone or Apple Watch. The Home Key feature is a game-changer.
- You already have a HomePod or Apple TV. The Thread connectivity is faster and saves battery.
- You want the latest tech and don't mind the "Apple Tax" price jump.
Stick with the standard Schlage Encode if:
- You are an Android household. You literally cannot use the "Plus" features.
- You use Ring. The original Encode has deep, native integration with Ring Alarms that is incredibly stable.
- You’re on a budget. Saving $80 is $80, and the security is exactly the same.
One final tip for the savvy buyer: Keep an eye on the "Encode Smart WiFi Lever." If you have a side door or a garage door that doesn't have a deadbolt (just a handle), that's the version you want. It brings the same Wi-Fi tech to a standard handle lock.
Your Next Steps
If you've decided on the Plus, check your router first. Make sure you have a 2.4GHz band enabled, as these locks (even the Plus) don't like 5GHz-only setups. If you're going for the standard model, grab a pack of high-quality lithium AA batteries. They handle the Wi-Fi drain much better than the cheap alkaline ones that come in the box.
Actionable Insight: Before you buy, open your Apple Home app (if you're on iPhone) and see if you have a "Home Hub" connected. If you don't see a HomePod or Apple TV listed as a hub, the Encode Plus will default back to Wi-Fi, and you'll lose the battery-saving benefits of Thread. Invest in the hub first!