Smart Locks / Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W)
$349.00
VSSchlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
$329.00
Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) 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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) is a defensible pick on its own terms. Face, fingerprint, Home Key and two spare batteries — but no published security grade.
The Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) and Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) are both closely matched smart Lock models, and the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) is $20 cheaper than the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) ($329 vs $349). On Security, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads (9.0 vs 5.0/10) — published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door. On Entry Methods, the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) leads (9.5 vs 6.5/10) — keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock. On Smart Home Support, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each. 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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W), 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 | Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) | Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 | $329.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Lock Type | Full deadbolt replacement | Full deadbolt replacement |
| ANSI/BHMA Grade | Not published by the manufacturer — Lockly advertises a 5-year mechanical warranty and lifetime support instead of an ANSI/BHMA 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 — new Lockly cylinder and keys | No — new Schlage C-keyway cylinder and keys |
| Smart Radio | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built into the lock. No Matter and no Thread | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, plus Matter certification with Thread |
| Hub or Bridge Required | No — the Wi-Fi radio is in the lock and Lockly charges no subscription for remote access | 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 — tap with iPhone or Apple Watch | Yes — tap to unlock with iPhone or Apple Watch |
| UWB Hands-Free Unlock | No — approach detection is radar, not UWB, so it recognises a face rather than a phone | No — that is the Sense Pro |
| Biometrics | 3D facial recognition (radar, not a camera) plus a 0.2s AI fingerprint sensor | None — touchscreen keypad only |
| Battery Type | 2 x 10,000mAh rechargeable packs (both included) with a USB-C backup contact | 4 x AA alkaline (included) |
| Claimed Battery Life (months) | Sources conflict: Lockly claims up to 8 months per charge, while Tom's Guide found the default settings needed roughly monthly charging | 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 | Physical key cylinder, a second charged battery pack you can hot-swap, and a USB-C 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 | Standard US single-cylinder deadbolt prep; Lockly does not publish a door-thickness or backset range on the product page | 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 5.0 — a 4.0-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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Fail-Safe Access
The Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Support
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.0 — a 2.5-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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Entry Methods
The Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 6.5 — a 3.0-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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) leads clearly here, 5.5 against 4.5 — a 1.0-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 Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — 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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.5 — a 0.5-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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) if…
- • Entry Methods matters most to you — the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) scores 9.5/10 here (keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock).
- • Fail-Safe Access matters most to you — the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) scores 8.5/10 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).
- • Battery Life matters most to you — the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) scores 5.5/10 here (real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands).
- • Your main use case is 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).
- • 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).
- • You want to spend less — it's $20 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is matter-thread.
Pros & Cons
Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W)
Pros
- +More ways in than anything else here: face, fingerprint, PIN Genie keypad, Apple Home Key, app and a physical key
- +Face unlock uses radar rather than a camera, so there is no video feed to secure and no cloud storage bill
- +Two rechargeable packs in the box means you always have a charged spare — no lock in this set handles a flat battery better
- +Wi-Fi is built in and Lockly charges nothing monthly for remote unlock, codes or history
Cons
- −No published ANSI/BHMA grade at all, at $349 — you cannot compare its physical security to the Grade 1 Schlage or Level
- −Battery claims do not survive contact with reviewers: Lockly says up to 8 months, Tom's Guide found monthly charging at default settings
- −No Matter and no Thread, so it is locked to Lockly's cloud for anything beyond Apple Home Key taps and voice assistants
- −There is no video feed despite the doorbell-like face sensor, which surprises buyers who expect a camera
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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) 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 Security, the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) 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 5.0/10) — 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 Entry Methods, the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) scores higher on Entry Methods (9.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock.
Which is better for Smart Home Support, the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) 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 6.0/10) — matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each.
Which is better for Fail-Safe Access, the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) scores higher on Fail-Safe Access (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — 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.
Is the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) worth the price difference over the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) is the cheaper option at $329 versus $349. 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 Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) is the better fit if you mainly care about fingerprint. The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) is the better fit for matter-thread.
What's the warranty on the Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) vs the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Lockly Visage Zeno Series (PGK728W) 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
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) — $329.00
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.