Smart Locks / Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR)
$259.00
VSSchlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
$329.00
Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
The rare lock that publishes its Grade 1 rating — and eats AA batteries to do it.
Wins overall by 0.3 points
Quick Verdict
This is close. The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) edges ahead by 0.3 points, but that margin is inside the noise — the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) is a defensible pick on its own terms. Wi-Fi and Thread in one lock — but choosing Matter costs you code management.
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) and Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) are both closely matched smart Lock models, and the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) is $70 cheaper than the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) ($259 vs $329). On Smart Home Support, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads (8.5 vs 6.5/10) — matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each. On Security, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads (9.0 vs 7.5/10) — 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 Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) leads (6.0 vs 4.5/10) — real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands. Overall, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) scores 7.3/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.0/10 for the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR), 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 | Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) | Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.00 | $329.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Lock Type | Full deadbolt replacement | Full deadbolt replacement |
| ANSI/BHMA Grade | BHMA Grade AAA (Kwikset's published claim), plus a UL 20-minute fire rating. Kwikset publishes the three-letter AAA grade rather than the A156.36 numeric grade | 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 | No — but the SmartKey cylinder can be re-keyed by the owner to match an existing key | No — new Schlage C-keyway cylinder and keys |
| Smart Radio | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Matter over Thread both built in, plus Bluetooth | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, plus Matter certification with Thread |
| Hub or Bridge Required | No hub for Wi-Fi mode. Matter mode needs a Thread border router | 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 | No — Apple Home Key is only on the dearer Halo Select Plus | Yes — tap to unlock with iPhone or Apple Watch |
| UWB Hands-Free Unlock | No | No — that is the Sense Pro |
| Biometrics | None — touchscreen keypad only | None — touchscreen keypad only |
| Battery Type | 4 x AA alkaline (included) | 4 x AA alkaline (included) |
| Claimed Battery Life (months) | Not published by the manufacturer | 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 | SmartKey physical cylinder, owner re-keyable; Kwikset does not publish an emergency power contact | Keyed cylinder on the Camelot and Century trims; Schlage does not publish an emergency power contact on the Encode Plus |
| Door Thickness / Backset | Doors 1-3/8 in to 1-3/4 in thick, adjustable 2-3/8 in or 2-3/4 in backset, 2-1/8 in cross bore | 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 | Satin Nickel, Matte 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 7.5 — a 1.5-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 Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Fail-Safe Access
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-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 8.0 — a 0.5-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 Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Support
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each. If that is what you are buying for, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Entry Methods
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 5.5 — a 1.0-point margin on keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock. If that is what you are buying for, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery Life
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) leads clearly here, 6.0 against 4.5 — a 1.5-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 Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) 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 Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) and Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) are level here, at 7.0/10 each. security, entry methods and connectivity relative to price, including accessories you must buy separately is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) if…
- • Battery Life matters most to you — the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) scores 6.0/10 here (real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands).
- • Fail-Safe Access matters most to you — the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) scores 7.5/10 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 $70 cheaper.
Choose the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) if…
- • Smart Home Support matters most to you — the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) scores 8.5/10 here (matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each).
- • 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).
- • Entry Methods matters most to you — the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) scores 6.5/10 here (keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock).
- • Your main use case is apple-home.
Pros & Cons
Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR)
Pros
- +Genuinely dual-radio: Wi-Fi for hub-free remote access, or Matter-over-Thread if you already run a Thread mesh
- +SmartKey lets you re-key the cylinder to your existing house key in under a minute — no locksmith, no new keyring
- +BHMA Grade AAA and a UL 20-minute fire rating, both published rather than implied
- +One of the few locks here that states its door thickness, backset and bore limits outright
Cons
- −Matter mode is not a free upgrade: Kwikset's own comparison shows access-code add/remove, code scheduling, event history and door-sensor settings are Kwikset-app-over-Wi-Fi features, not Matter ones
- −No Apple Home Key — that is a separate, dearer Halo Select Plus SKU
- −No fingerprint reader at $259 when $200 locks here have one
- −Kwikset publishes no battery-life figure, and its own product reviews are peppered with Wi-Fi pairing and 'door jammed' complaints
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 Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) or Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) 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 Smart Home Support, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) scores higher on Smart Home Support (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each.
Which is better for Security, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) 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 7.5/10) — 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 Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) scores higher on Battery Life (6.0/10 vs 4.5/10) — real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands.
Which is better for Entry Methods, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) scores higher on Entry Methods (6.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock.
Is the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) worth the price difference over the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) is the cheaper option at $259 versus $329. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Smart Home Support.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) is the better fit if you mainly care about matter-thread or rentals. The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) is the better fit for apple-home.
What's the warranty on the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) vs the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) 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
ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter — $199.99
Premium Option
Level Lock Pro (Matter) — $349.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.