Smart Locks / Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad vs Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad
$179.99
VSSchlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)
$329.00
Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad 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 0.2 points
Quick Verdict
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) wins by 0.2 points, which is not enough to settle it. A retrofit with the Wi-Fi bridge actually included — and no Matter yet. Pick on the specs that matter to you, not the overall score.
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad and Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) are both closely matched smart Lock models, and the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad is $149 cheaper than the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) ($179.99 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 Smart Home Support, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads (8.5 vs 4.5/10) — matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each. On Battery Life, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad leads (8.5 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 7.1/10 for the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad, 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 | Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad | Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 | $329.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Lock Type | Retrofit over the existing deadbolt's interior thumbturn, plus a separate keypad | Full deadbolt replacement |
| ANSI/BHMA Grade | Not published by the manufacturer — Yale states no ANSI/BHMA grade for the Approach, and the retrofit inherits the grade of your existing deadbolt | 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 — that is the point of the product; your existing cylinder and keys stay | No — new Schlage C-keyway cylinder and keys |
| Smart Radio | Bluetooth in the lock and keypad. Wi-Fi comes from the plug-in Connect Bridge, which is included on this bundle | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, plus Matter certification with Thread |
| Hub or Bridge Required | Yes, but included — the Connect Wi-Fi Bridge is what provides remote access. The cheaper Approach SKUs omit it and Tom's Guide flags that as their main caveat | 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 | Yes — tap to unlock with iPhone or Apple Watch |
| UWB Hands-Free Unlock | No | No — that is the Sense Pro |
| Biometrics | Sources conflict: Yale's own bundle page lists the fingerprint-capable Keypad Touch, while the Amazon listing for this bundle describes a code-only Bluetooth touchscreen keypad. Confirm which keypad ships before ordering | None — touchscreen keypad only |
| Battery Type | Lock: 4 x AA alkaline (included). Keypad: 4 x AAA alkaline (included) | 4 x AA alkaline (included) |
| Claimed Battery Life (months) | 12 | 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 always works; Yale does not publish an emergency power contact on the Approach | Keyed cylinder on the Camelot and Century trims; Schlage does not publish an emergency power contact on the Encode Plus |
| Door Thickness / Backset | Most single-cylinder deadbolts; the keypad mounts within about 30 ft of the lock over Bluetooth. Lock body is 2.6 x 5.6 x 1.6 in on the inside of the door | 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 | Black Suede, Satin Nickel | 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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad does not close the gap elsewhere.
Fail-Safe Access
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad 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 7.5 — a 1.0-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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Support
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 4.5 — a 4.0-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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad does not close the gap elsewhere.
Entry Methods
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock. If that is what you are buying for, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery Life
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad leads clearly here, 8.5 against 4.5 — a 4.0-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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.5 — a 1.5-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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + 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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad if…
- • Battery Life matters most to you — the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad scores 8.5/10 here (real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands).
- • Fail-Safe Access matters most to you — the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad 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).
- • Installation & Fit matters most to you — the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad scores 9.0/10 here (DIY difficulty, retrofit versus full replacement, and door thickness, backset and bore limits).
- • You want to spend less — it's $149 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is retrofit.
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).
- • Your main use case is apple-home or matter-thread.
Pros & Cons
Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad
Pros
- +The bridge is actually in the box at this price, which is not true of the cheaper Approach listings buyers usually land on
- +12 months of claimed lock battery life is the longest AA figure in this set
- +Keeps your keyway and your keys, so nothing about the outside of your door changes
- +Backed by Yale/August's mature app, which is markedly better maintained than most budget lock apps
Cons
- −No Matter today — Yale describes it as coming by software update, which is a promise rather than a feature you can buy
- −No Apple Home Key and no HomeKit tap-to-unlock; iPhone owners are in the Yale app
- −Yale publishes no ANSI/BHMA grade, and a retrofit cannot improve the deadbolt you already have
- −Which keypad you get is genuinely unclear between Yale's own listing and the Amazon listing — fingerprint or code-only changes the value considerably
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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad 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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + 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 Smart Home Support, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad 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 4.5/10) — matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each.
Which is better for Battery Life, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad scores higher on Battery Life (8.5/10 vs 4.5/10) — real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands.
Which is better for Fail-Safe Access, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad or the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad 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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad worth the price difference over the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad is the cheaper option at $179.99 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 Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad is the better fit if you mainly care about retrofit. The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot) is the better fit for apple-home or matter-thread.
What's the warranty on the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad vs the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB, Camelot)?+
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + 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
Aqara Smart Lock U200 (with Keypad) — $169.99
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.