Smart Locks / Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad)
$169.99
VSSchlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
$329.00
Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad)
Home Key and Thread on a retrofit — provided you already own a Thread border router.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) wins by 0.1 points, which is not enough to settle it. The rare lock that publishes its Grade 1 rating — and eats AA batteries to do it. Pick on the specs that matter to you, not the overall score.
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) and Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) are both closely matched smart Lock models, and the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) is $159 cheaper than the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) ($169.99 vs $329). On Security, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads (9.0 vs 4.5/10) — published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door. On Battery Life, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) leads (7.0 vs 4.5/10) — real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands. On Connectivity, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads (8.5 vs 6.5/10) — which radios are actually inside the lock, and whether a hub or bridge is needed and included. Overall, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) scores 7.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.3/10 for the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) | Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $329.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Lock Type | Retrofit over the existing deadbolt, plus a separate wireless keypad | Full deadbolt replacement |
| ANSI/BHMA Grade | Not published by the manufacturer — Aqara says only 'BHMA-certified' on the U-series pages without naming a grade or standard | ANSI/BHMA A156.36 Grade 1 and A156.40 Grade AAA, both named explicitly in Schlage's own security-ratings article — the clearest published grade of any lock in this set |
| Keeps Existing Keyway | Yes — the exterior cylinder and your keys stay in place | No — new Schlage C-keyway cylinder and keys |
| Smart Radio | Matter over Thread plus Bluetooth. No Wi-Fi anywhere in the product | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, plus Matter certification with Thread |
| Hub or Bridge Required | Yes — a Thread border router per ecosystem (HomePod mini, HomePod 2, Apple TV 4K, or equivalent). Without one there is no remote access and no Home Key | No for the Schlage Home app — Wi-Fi is in the lock. Home Key taps work locally, but remote Apple Home control and Matter need a home hub / Thread border router |
| Apple Home Key | Yes, over NFC at the keypad | Yes — tap to unlock with iPhone or Apple Watch |
| UWB Hands-Free Unlock | No — that is the U400 | No — that is the Sense Pro |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint, on the exterior keypad unit | None — touchscreen keypad only |
| Battery Type | Rechargeable lithium pack in the lock (USB-C); keypad takes 4 x AAA or 12-24V DC wiring | 4 x AA alkaline (included) |
| Claimed Battery Life (months) | 6 | Not published by Schlage for the Encode Plus; owners commonly report 2-6 months, and the lock's Wi-Fi radio is the reason |
| Backup Power & Key Override | Your existing exterior key still works; USB-C on the lock body accepts a power bank | Keyed cylinder on the Camelot and Century trims; Schlage does not publish an emergency power contact on the Encode Plus |
| Door Thickness / Backset | Standard US single-cylinder deadbolts via the included adapters; slim-profile US deadbolts may need replacing first, and the keypad must sit within about 6 ft (2 m) of the lock | Single-bore doors with a 2-3/8 in or 2-3/4 in backset; Schlage does not publish a thickness range on the Encode Plus product page |
| Warranty | 12 months | 36 months |
| Colors | Silver, Black | Satin Nickel, Matte Black, Bright Chrome, Aged Bronze |
Category Scores
Security
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 4.5 — a 4.5-point margin on published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door. If that is what you are buying for, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Fail-Safe Access
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on what happens when the battery dies, the Wi-Fi drops or the app is down — physical key, emergency power contact and offline codes. The spec buyers most often discover too late. If that is what you are buying for, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on which radios are actually inside the lock, and whether a hub or bridge is needed and included. If that is what you are buying for, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Support
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) and Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Entry Methods
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock. If that is what you are buying for, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery Life
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) leads clearly here, 7.0 against 4.5 — a 2.5-point margin on real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands. If that is what you are buying for, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Installation & Fit
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on DIY difficulty, retrofit versus full replacement, and door thickness, backset and bore limits. If that is what you are buying for, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on security, entry methods and connectivity relative to price, including accessories you must buy separately. If that is what you are buying for, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) if…
- • Battery Life matters most to you — the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) scores 7.0/10 here (real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands).
- • Entry Methods matters most to you — the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) scores 8.5/10 here (keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock).
- • Fail-Safe Access matters most to you — the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) scores 8.0/10 here (what happens when the battery dies, the Wi-Fi drops or the app is down — physical key, emergency power contact and offline codes. The spec buyers most often discover too late).
- • You want to spend less — it's $159 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is retrofit or fingerprint.
Choose the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) if…
- • Security matters most to you — the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) scores 9.0/10 here (published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) scores 8.5/10 here (which radios are actually inside the lock, and whether a hub or bridge is needed and included).
- • Your main use case is rentals.
Pros & Cons
Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad)
Pros
- +Apple Home Key, fingerprint and Matter over Thread on a retrofit that keeps your existing keyway — nothing else here does all four
- +Thread sips power, and the lock body recharges over USB-C rather than eating AA cells
- +Works across Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant through Matter rather than a proprietary cloud
- +Keypad is wireless, so it can be mounted away from the door frame if your deadbolt prep is awkward
Cons
- −No Thread border router means no remote control, no Home Key and no smart-home integration — the hub is not in the box and is not optional
- −Aqara says 'BHMA-certified' but publishes no grade, so you cannot compare its security to a Grade 1 Schlage or Level
- −Long-run reliability is the weak point: the Amazon listing sits at 2.7 stars across ~2,000 ratings, with owners reporting jamming and grinding after a year or so
- −Two batteries to manage — a rechargeable pack in the lock and AAAs in the keypad — with different lives
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
Pros
- +The only lock here whose maker names both the numeric ANSI grade (A156.36 Grade 1) and the letter grade (A156.40 AAA) in writing
- +Wi-Fi and Matter-over-Thread together: hub-free remote access from Schlage's app, or Thread if you prefer it
- +Apple Home Key works as advertised, including on Apple Watch, and the taps are local so they survive an internet outage
- +3-year electronics warranty against the 1-year most rivals give
Cons
- −Battery life is the weak point — Schlage publishes no figure and owners frequently report 2-3 months on AA cells because the Wi-Fi radio never sleeps for long
- −No emergency power contact: when the cells die you are using the key, which several cheaper locks here avoid with a USB-C port
- −No fingerprint reader at $329, when $80 and $200 locks here have one
- −Physically bulky and unmistakably industrial next to a Level or an Aqara
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) or Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Security, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) scores higher on Security (9.0/10 vs 4.5/10) — published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door.
Which is better for Battery Life, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) scores higher on Battery Life (7.0/10 vs 4.5/10) — real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) scores higher on Connectivity (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — which radios are actually inside the lock, and whether a hub or bridge is needed and included.
Which is better for Entry Methods, the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) scores higher on Entry Methods (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock.
Is the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) worth the price difference over the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) is the cheaper option at $169.99 versus $329. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Security.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) is the better fit if you mainly care about retrofit or fingerprint. The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) is the better fit for rentals.
What's the warranty on the Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) vs the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) ships with a 36-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) — $259.00
Premium Option
Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad — $179.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.