Schlage Encode Plus vs Yale Assure Lock 2 (2026)
Schlage Encode Plus wins on Grade 1 hardware and keypad-plus-Home-Key-plus-keyway redundancy. Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch wins on 0.4-second fingerprint entry and price.
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Featured in this Guide
Schlage
Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Matte Black)
- •Only Grade 1 hardware here; keypad
- •Apple Home Key
- •and physical keyway in one unit
Yale
Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede)
- •0.4-second fingerprint beats every other entry method and keeps a keyway fallback
- •with 250 codes
Apple
Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys and Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel)
- •Home Key tap-to-open at $189.98
- •roughly $115 less than the Encode Plus
Yale
Assure Lock 2 Touch Key-Free with Wi-Fi (Black Suede)
- •Fingerprint plus a clean keyless exterior; plan around the 9V-terminal dead-battery fallback
Yale
Assure Lock 2 Keypad with Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel)
- •Codes plus remote access plus a keyway for $143.20
- •with no biometrics to pay for
The Short Answer
Buy the Schlage Encode Plus when security is the priority: it is the only Grade 1 deadbolt here, uniquely combining keypad authentication, Apple Home Key, and a physical keyway. Buy the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch for quickest authentication, since its 0.4-second fingerprint preserves keyway redundancy affordably.
You have already narrowed the decision to Schlage Encode Plus versus Yale Assure Lock 2. The sharper question is which exact variant most reliably gets you inside across every failure scenario — dead battery, dead Wi-Fi, forgotten phone, hands full of groceries. In this guide we rank six SKUs on one weighted composite, the SHE Entry Resilience Score, combining method breadth, lockout fallback, battery endurance, entry speed, hardware grade, and ecosystem fit. The Encode Plus carries the only Grade 1 deadbolt, and its Apple Home Key authentication runs near 1 second per tap. Yale's biometric reader clears recognition in 0.4 seconds — TechHive measured that 0.4 seconds independently — while slower keypad codes consume 3-5 seconds. Resilience scoring rewards the redundancy that delivers reliability across a multi-year ownership window. One reviewer logged 94% battery capacity after sustained operation. Tom's Guide anchors the certification specifics and confirms the Wi-Fi connectivity.
Schlage vs Yale, Head-to-Head
Security
Chart
Smarthomeexplorer.com
Best Overall (Security + Apple): Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Matte Black)
Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Matte Black)
(Current price, subject to change)
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Matte Black) earns the top composite of 83.5 on the SHE Entry Resilience Score, the weighted formula rewarding entry across every failure mode. What that number means for you is concrete: it is the only lock here that maximizes both hardware grade and lockout fallback. Reviewed called it the best smart lock for Apple HomeKit, and Tom's Guide confirms you tap an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock. Its A156.40 AAA certification is the highest residential tier.
No alternative pairs Grade 1 hardware with keypad, Home Key, and a physical keyway in one unit, and that redundancy is exactly what the formula weights highest. The Home Key tap clears authentication near 1 second, while keypad codes consume 3-5 seconds, and the built-in alarm produces a forced-entry deterrent no Yale variant carries. Battery life is the honest trade: Tom's Guide and long-term owners report roughly 6-month Wi-Fi endurance, with one reviewer logging 94% capacity after sustained Thread operation. Snap 'n Stay installation completes in under 30 min.
Compared to the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede), the Encode Plus gives up fingerprint speed and 150 codes but adds a full hardware-grade tier and a built-in alarm.
What We Love
- Only ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 (AAA) lock in this comparison
- Keypad, Apple Home Key, and a physical keyway in one unit
- Built-in siren alarm for forced-entry and tamper events
- Wi-Fi plus Thread means Apple, Alexa, and Google in one SKU
What Could Be Better
- At $319.00 it is the most expensive lock here
- ~6 months on Wi-Fi trails Yale's ~9-month advertised rating
- 100 access codes is well under Yale's 250-code ceiling
The Verdict
If you're a security-first homeowner who also wants Apple Home Key, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Matte Black) fits the brief without compromise. The 83.5 reflects what matters at your door: the only Grade 1 unit here, with a keypad, an iPhone tap, and a physical key as three ways in. Yale is cheaper, but no SKU pairs top hardware with that much redundancy. This is the path of least friction.
Best Overall — Satin Nickel Finish: Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Satin Nickel)
Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Satin Nickel)
(Current price, subject to change)
The Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Satin Nickel) earns the same composite of 83.5 on the SHE Entry Resilience Score as its Matte Black twin, because the resilience formula scores hardware, not paint. For your door that means every functional advantage carries over: the ANSI/BHMA AAA Grade 1 deadbolt, the built-in alarm, and the keypad-plus-Home-Key-plus-keyway redundancy that no Yale variant here matches. Reviewed's HomeKit endorsement and Tom's Guide's tap-to-unlock confirmation apply equally to this finish.
The only differences are cosmetic and a small price gap. At $301.99 it lists about $17 under the Matte Black unit, and Satin Nickel reads warmer against brass or nickel door hardware. Battery life holds at roughly 6 months on Wi-Fi per Tom's Guide, longer on Thread, and the Snap 'n Stay install still mounts in under 30 min.
Compared to the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys and Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel), this Schlage adds a full hardware-grade tier and a keyway fallback the key-free Yale Plus gives up for its 9V terminal.
What We Love
- Same Grade 1 (AAA) hardware as the Matte Black unit
- Satin Nickel suits warm-metal door hardware better
- Lists at $301.99 — about $17 under the Matte Black SKU
- Keypad, Home Key, and keyway redundancy, unchanged
What Could Be Better
- Still the priciest hardware here at $301.99
- ~6 months on Wi-Fi, same as the other finish
- 100 codes, identical to the Matte Black unit
The Verdict
If your door hardware leans warm-metal, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Satin Nickel) lines up with what you actually need — the exact same Grade 1 lock in Satin Nickel. The 83.5 matches the Matte Black SKU because the hardware is identical; this is purely a finish call. At $301.99 it runs about $17 cheaper, so no need to overthink it once the finish is settled.
Best Everyday Entry: Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede)
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede)
(Current price, subject to change)
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede) earns a composite of 81.25 on the SHE Entry Resilience Score, the second-highest mark and the everyday-entry standout. For your household, the biometric authentication delivers the quickest entry available: TechHive measured fingerprint recognition at 0.4 seconds, comfortably under Yale's sub-half-second specification. Consumer Reports independently lab-reviewed the Assure Lock 2 line, and the 250-code capacity within the Yale Access application substantially exceeds the Encode Plus 100-code limitation for sitters and cleaners.
Because this is the keyed configuration, it retains a physical keyway alongside offline codes, which produces full marks on lockout-fallback resilience. TechHive reports the 4-AA sled achieves approximately 9-month endurance under normal operation, contracting toward 5-month longevity under heavy auto-unlock and Wi-Fi consumption. The honest limitation is certification: ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 positioning, one tier beneath Schlage. Apple Home integration necessitates the supplementary Matter module.
Compared to the Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Matte Black), the Touch trades a hardware-grade tier and the built-in alarm for the fastest entry method and 150 more codes.
What We Love
- Fingerprint unlock measured at 0.4 seconds by TechHive
- Up to 250 entry codes — 150 more than the Encode Plus
- Keeps a physical keyway for dead-battery entry
- ~9-month advertised battery life on 4 AA
What Could Be Better
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 hardware, a tier under Schlage's AAA
- Apple Home needs Yale's $79.99 Matter module
- $269.99 is the priciest Yale variant here
The Verdict
If you're a family buyer juggling kids, groceries, and gloves, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede) checks the boxes that matter for hands-full entry. The 81.25 lands within 2.2 points of the Encode Plus at $50 less: the 0.4-second fingerprint is the fastest method here, and a keyway still backs it up. You trade a hardware tier for speed and 250 codes — the path of least friction.
Best Apple Home Key Value: Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys and Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel)
Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys and Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel)
(Current price, subject to change)
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys and Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel) earns a composite of 76.25 on the SHE Entry Resilience Score, and it is the cheapest path to Apple Home Key in this comparison. For an Apple household, the NFC authentication delivers tap-to-open with an iPhone or Apple Watch near 1 second. Tom's Guide notes this is the same convenience the Encode Plus achieves for roughly $115 more. The 250-code capacity and Yale Access scheduling carry over from the rest of the family.
Where it gives up ground is the lockout fallback, and the formula scores that honestly. As a key-free variant it has no keyway: TechHive documents that dead-battery entry means holding a 9V battery to exterior terminals. Hardware is ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 with no built-in alarm, and some owners report intermittent Apple Watch unlocks. Battery life is the family's ~9-month advertised rating on 4 AA.
Compared to the Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Satin Nickel), the Yale Plus saves about $115 but trades a hardware-grade tier and the keyway for its 9V-terminal fallback.
What We Love
- Apple Home Key tap-to-open at $189.98
- Roughly $115 cheaper than the Encode Plus for Home Key
- Up to 250 entry codes in the Yale Access app
- ~9-month advertised 4 AA battery life
What Could Be Better
- Key-free design: 9V-terminal-only dead-battery fallback
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 hardware, no built-in alarm
- Some owners report flaky Apple Watch unlocks
The Verdict
If you want tap-to-unlock without Encode Plus money, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys and Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel) is a sensible pick for that setup. The 76.25 reflects Home Key NFC at $189.98 — roughly $115 under the Schlage — with 250 codes behind it. The catch is honest: it's key-free, so a dead battery means a 9V at the terminals, not a key. For Apple-first buyers, no need to overthink it.
Best Key-Free Minimalist: Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch Key-Free with Wi-Fi (Black Suede)
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch Key-Free with Wi-Fi (Black Suede)
(Current price, subject to change)
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch Key-Free with Wi-Fi (Black Suede) earns a composite of 75.25 on the SHE Entry Resilience Score, positioned just behind the Yale Plus. For your door, that delivers the quickest everyday authentication in a minimalist configuration. It incorporates the identical fingerprint reader TechHive measured at 0.4 seconds, with no keyway interrupting the exterior plate. The 250-code capacity and Yale Access scheduling match the rest of the line, and Consumer Reports independently reviewed the family's overall reliability.
The trade is the same one the Yale Plus makes, and the formula treats it equally. Without a keyway, TechHive documents that the only dead-battery path is holding a 9V battery to the exterior terminals. Hardware is ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 with no built-in alarm, and Apple Home requires the $79.99 Matter module. The ~9-month advertised battery rating on 4 AA holds across normal use.
Compared to the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede), the key-free Touch saves about $54 and looks cleaner but gives up the keyway for the 9V terminal.
What We Love
- Same 0.4-second fingerprint as the keyed Touch
- Clean keyless exterior with no visible keyway
- Up to 250 entry codes in the Yale Access app
- $215.59 undercuts the keyed Touch by ~$54
What Could Be Better
- Key-free: 9V-terminal-only dead-battery fallback
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 hardware, no built-in alarm
- Apple Home needs the $79.99 Matter module
The Verdict
If you want fingerprint entry behind a clean keyless face, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch Key-Free with Wi-Fi (Black Suede) lines up with what you actually need. The 75.25 reflects the same 0.4-second fingerprint as the keyed Touch, in a minimalist exterior at $215.59. Plan for one thing: it's key-free, so a dead battery means a 9V at the terminals, not a key. If you can accept that, this is the easy pick.
Best Budget Keypad: Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad with Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel)
Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad with Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel)
(Current price, subject to change)
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad with Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel) earns a composite of 69.0 on the SHE Entry Resilience Score, the budget anchor here. For your door, the affordable configuration delivers the essentials competently: keypad authentication, remote lock and unlock via the Yale Access application, and a physical-keyway fallback. Keypad-plus-Wi-Fi deadbolts are genuinely sufficient when biometrics and NFC are not priorities, and the 250-code capacity still applies for sitters and cleaners.
The limitation is method breadth and speed, which the formula scores honestly. With keypad authentication exclusively, the fastest unlock requires roughly 3-5 seconds — no fingerprint, no Home Key tap. Certification is ANSI/BHMA Grade 2, and Apple Home integration necessitates the Matter module. As the keyed configuration it retains complete lockout-fallback redundancy, and its advertised endurance approaches a 9-month duty cycle that yields dependable longevity.
Compared to the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede), the Keypad saves real money but gives up the 0.4-second fingerprint that makes the Touch the everyday-entry pick.
What We Love
- Codes plus remote access plus a keyway for $143.20
- Cheapest credible smart deadbolt in this comparison
- Up to 250 entry codes despite the budget price
- Keeps a physical keyway for dead-battery entry
What Could Be Better
- No fingerprint or Apple Home Key — codes only
- Keypad entry is the slowest method here, ~3-5 seconds
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2; Apple Home needs the Matter module
The Verdict
If you just want codes and remote access under $150, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad with Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel) is a sensible pick for that setup. The 69.0 reflects an honest trade: at $143.20 you get keypad codes, app control, and a keyway fallback, but no fingerprint or NFC tap. For a side door or a first smart lock, that's plenty — no need to overthink it.
How We Score: SHE Entry Resilience Score
SHE Entry Resilience Score
Score Formula
(Auth-Method Breadth × 0.25) + (Lockout Fallback × 0.20) + (Battery Endurance × 0.15) + (Entry Speed × 0.15) + (Hardware Grade × 0.15) + (Ecosystem Fit × 0.10)Score Factors
- Auth-Method Breadth (25%)Count of independent everyday electronic entry methods out of four — keypad code, fingerprint, Apple Home Key/NFC tap, and app/remote unlock — scored as count divided by four. Physical key is scored under Lockout Fallback to avoid double-counting. The Encode Plus, Yale Touch, and Yale Plus each carry three of four; the keypad-only Yale carries two.
- Lockout Fallback (20%)Dead-battery and network-down entry paths. A physical keyway plus offline keypad codes scores highest; a 9V emergency battery terminal plus offline codes (no keyway) scores a tier lower; app-only fallback lowest. The Encode Plus and keyed Yale variants keep a keyway; key-free Yale variants rely on the 9V terminal documented by TechHive.
- Battery Endurance (15%)Advertised months of normal use on 4 AA batteries with the included Wi-Fi radio, scaled against a 12-month ceiling. Yale advertises roughly 9 months across the Assure Lock 2 family per TechHive; the Encode Plus runs about 6 months on Wi-Fi, with Thread extending it. Wi-Fi is the like-for-like comparison mode.
- Entry Speed (15%)Speed tier of the fastest everyday method on that variant. Fingerprint, measured at 0.4 seconds by TechHive, tops the scale; Apple Home Key NFC tap near 1 second sits next; keypad code entry at roughly 3-5 seconds trails. Yale Touch variants lead on speed; the keypad-only Yale trails.
- Hardware Grade (15%)ANSI/BHMA residential certification of the physical deadbolt. Grade 1 / AAA (A156.40 best-in-class security, durability, and finish) tops the scale; Grade 2 sits a tier below; Grade 3 lower still. The Encode Plus is the only AAA / Grade 1 lock here; every Yale Assure Lock 2 variant is Grade 2.
- Ecosystem Fit (10%)Smart-home platform support out of the box on the exact SKU. Apple Home with Home Key and Thread, plus Alexa and Google in one unit, tops the scale. Apple Home Key plus Alexa and Google via the included Wi-Fi module sits next. Alexa, Google, and SmartThings without Apple Home (requiring Yale's $79.99 Matter module) scores lower.
SHE Entry Resilience Score — Ranked
Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Matte Black)
8.4/10$319.00 — only Grade 1 (AAA) lock; keypad, Home Key, and keyway redundancy plus a built-in alarm
Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Satin Nickel)
8.4/10$301.99 — identical Grade 1 hardware in Satin Nickel; finish choice only, same resilience
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede)
8.1/10$269.99 — 0.4-second fingerprint, keyway fallback, 250 codes; Grade 2 hardware
Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys and Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel)
7.6/10$189.98 — cheapest Apple Home Key here; key-free 9V fallback, Grade 2 hardware
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch Key-Free with Wi-Fi (Black Suede)
7.5/10$215.59 — 0.4-second fingerprint behind a clean keyless face; 9V-terminal fallback only
Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad with Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel)
6.9/10$143.20 — budget keypad with codes, remote access, and a keyway; no biometrics or NFC
Entry Methods, Fallbacks, and Ecosystem Fit
The single most useful thing to understand before buying is that these locks separate on how you get in, not just how they look. Everyday entry comes in three speeds. Fingerprint, which TechHive measured at 0.4 seconds on the Yale Touch variants, is the fastest and the one a family with full hands notices most. Apple Home Key NFC tap, on the Encode Plus and the Yale Plus, lands near a 1-second wake-and-tap with an iPhone or Apple Watch. Keypad code entry, the only method on the budget Yale, runs roughly 3 to 5 seconds. Method breadth carries the heaviest weight in the resilience formula because a second independent method is what keeps you out of a lockout when the first fails.
The dead-battery scenario is where the keyed and key-free architectures genuinely diverge, and it warrants resolution before purchase. The Encode Plus and the keyed Yale configurations retain a physical keyway, so a depleted battery still opens with a conventional key in roughly 3-5 seconds. The key-free variants eliminate the keyway entirely for a minimalist exterior aesthetic. TechHive documents their exclusive dead-battery procedure, which involves holding a 9V battery against exterior terminals beneath the plate. That redundancy constitutes a legitimate emergency fallback rather than a deficiency, but it fundamentally reconfigures what "locked out" signifies for your household. You require a readily-available spare 9V rather than a conventional pocketed key. Consumer Reports independently lab-reviewed the Yale line across these resilience axes.
Ecosystem fit decides which house each SKU joins on day one. The Encode Plus is the broadest: Wi-Fi handles Alexa and Google, while Thread handles Apple Home with Home Key in one unit. Reviewed called it the best smart lock for Apple HomeKit. The Yale Plus does Apple Home Key plus Alexa and Google through its included Wi-Fi module. The other Yale Wi-Fi SKUs cover Alexa, Google, and SmartThings out of the box but need Yale's $79.99 Matter module to join Apple Home. That modularity is a future-proofing strength — you can swap in Z-Wave or Matter later — but it is à la carte rather than built in. Match the SKU to the platform you already run, and the lock disappears into the routines you already use.
| Product | Apple Home Key | Fingerprint | Physical Keyway | Alexa | Google Home | Grade 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| schlage-encode-plus-matte-black | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| yale-assure-lock-2-touch-wifi | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| yale-assure-lock-2-plus-home-keys-wifi | ✓ | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| yale-assure-lock-2-touch-key-free-wifi | – | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| yale-assure-lock-2-keypad-wifi | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – |
When NOT to Buy
Neither premium deadbolt is automatically the correct decision. Say you rent and cannot replace the deadbolt. A retrofit mechanism that mounts over your existing cylinder — documented in our Best Smart Door Locks 2026: Schlage vs August vs Yale Compared hub — preserves the keyway and your landlord's approval without a complete replacement. And if you only require remote authentication for a rarely-used secondary door, the budget Yale Keypad delivers sufficient functionality. Allocating premium spend toward fingerprint or Home Key capability there yields negligible everyday benefit. Match the configuration to the entry it guards, and skip the Grade 1 premium whenever a secondary doorway does not genuinely necessitate that resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schlage Encode Plus or Yale Assure Lock 2 for Apple Home Key?
Both support Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock, so the decision is about everything around it. The Encode Plus adds ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 hardware, a physical keyway, and a built-in alarm, but lists at $319.00. The Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus brings Home Key to $189.98 — roughly $115 less — but it is key-free with a 9V dead-battery fallback and Grade 2 hardware. Choose the Encode Plus for security and a keyway; choose the Yale Plus to save the most.
Is the Yale Assure Lock 2 fingerprint actually fast?
Yes. TechHive measured the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch fingerprint unlock at 0.4 seconds, faster than Yale's own sub-half-second claim. That is the fastest everyday entry method in this comparison — quicker than a keypad code (roughly 3-5 seconds) or an Apple Home Key tap (near 1 second). It is the reason the Touch variants are the everyday-entry picks for busy households that often have full hands at the door.
What happens when the battery dies on these locks?
It depends on whether the variant is keyed or key-free. The Schlage Encode Plus and the keyed Yale variants (the Touch with Wi-Fi and the budget Keypad) keep a physical keyway, so a flat battery still opens with a key. The key-free Yale variants (the Plus and the key-free Touch) have no keyway. TechHive documents that you hold a 9V battery to exterior terminals under the plate to power the lock and enter. Keep a spare 9V if you choose a key-free model.
Which lock lasts longer on batteries?
Yale advertises roughly 9 months of normal use on 4 AA across the Assure Lock 2 family, per TechHive, dropping to about 5 months under heavy auto-unlock with Wi-Fi. The Schlage Encode Plus runs about 6 months on Wi-Fi according to Tom's Guide and long-term owners, with Thread connectivity extending it further. Wi-Fi is the like-for-like comparison mode, so on that basis Yale advertises the longer endurance.
Does the Yale Assure Lock 2 work with Matter and Apple Home?
The Wi-Fi SKUs here work with Alexa, Google, and SmartThings out of the box. For Apple Home, you have two paths. Buy the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus, which has Apple Home Keys built in, or add Yale's $79.99 Matter smart module to a non-Plus Wi-Fi variant. The modular design lets you swap in Z-Wave or Matter later, but Apple Home support on the Touch and Keypad SKUs is an à la carte add-on, not built in.
Is ANSI Grade 1 vs Grade 2 a real difference?
Yes. ANSI/BHMA grades certify durability and forced-entry resistance through standardized cycle and strike testing. The Schlage Encode Plus is the only Grade 1 lock in this comparison, AAA-certified under A156.40 — the highest residential tier. Every Yale Assure Lock 2 variant is Grade 2. Grade 2 is still a solid deadbolt; Grade 1 is the upgrade you pay for when the lock guards your primary entry and security is the priority.
How many access codes can each lock hold?
The Schlage Encode Plus holds up to 100 access codes. The Yale Assure Lock 2 family holds up to 250 entry codes in the Yale Access app — 150 more. Both brands support scheduled and temporary codes plus remote lock and unlock from the app. If you cycle through a lot of sitters, cleaners, dog-walkers, or guests, Yale's 250-code ceiling is the more comfortable headroom.
Bottom Line
Get the Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Matte Black) if security comes first and you want Grade 1 hardware, a built-in alarm, and a keypad-Home-Key-keyway combo in one unit.
Get the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede) if you want the fastest everyday entry, a 0.4-second fingerprint with a keyway fallback, and 250 codes.
Get the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys and Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel) if you want Apple Home Key at the lowest price and can accept a 9V dead-battery fallback.
Get the Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad with Wi-Fi (Satin Nickel) if you want codes plus remote access plus a keyway under $150 and don't need biometrics.
Get the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch Key-Free with Wi-Fi (Black Suede) if you want fingerprint entry behind a clean keyless exterior and have planned for the 9V fallback.
The right call for security-first buyers is the Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Matte Black) — the only Grade 1 lock here with keypad, Home Key, and a keyway. For the fastest daily entry, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi (Black Suede) lands within 2.2 points at $50 less. Skip both if you rent and cannot swap the deadbolt — a retrofit lock from our hub keeps your keyway and your landlord happy.
Sources & Methodology
Methodology: SHE Entry Resilience Score — Formula: (Auth-Method Breadth × 0.25) + (Lockout Fallback × 0.20) + (Battery Endurance × 0.15) + (Entry Speed × 0.15) + (Hardware Grade × 0.15) + (Ecosystem Fit × 0.10). Factors: Auth-Method Breadth (25%): Count of independent everyday electronic entry methods out of four — keypad code, fingerprint, Apple Home Key/NFC tap, and app/remote unlock — scored as count divided by four. Physical key is scored under Lockout Fallback to avoid double-counting. The Encode Plus, Yale Touch, and Yale Plus each carry three of four; the keypad-only Yale carries two. | Lockout Fallback (20%): Dead-battery and network-down entry paths. A physical keyway plus offline keypad codes scores highest; a 9V emergency battery terminal plus offline codes (no keyway) scores a tier lower; app-only fallback lowest. The Encode Plus and keyed Yale variants keep a keyway; key-free Yale variants rely on the 9V terminal documented by TechHive. | Battery Endurance (15%): Advertised months of normal use on 4 AA batteries with the included Wi-Fi radio, scaled against a 12-month ceiling. Yale advertises roughly 9 months across the Assure Lock 2 family per TechHive; the Encode Plus runs about 6 months on Wi-Fi, with Thread extending it. Wi-Fi is the like-for-like comparison mode. | Entry Speed (15%): Speed tier of the fastest everyday method on that variant. Fingerprint, measured at 0.4 seconds by TechHive, tops the scale; Apple Home Key NFC tap near 1 second sits next; keypad code entry at roughly 3-5 seconds trails. Yale Touch variants lead on speed; the keypad-only Yale trails. | Hardware Grade (15%): ANSI/BHMA residential certification of the physical deadbolt. Grade 1 / AAA (A156.40 best-in-class security, durability, and finish) tops the scale; Grade 2 sits a tier below; Grade 3 lower still. The Encode Plus is the only AAA / Grade 1 lock here; every Yale Assure Lock 2 variant is Grade 2. | Ecosystem Fit (10%): Smart-home platform support out of the box on the exact SKU. Apple Home with Home Key and Thread, plus Alexa and Google in one unit, tops the scale. Apple Home Key plus Alexa and Google via the included Wi-Fi module sits next. Alexa, Google, and SmartThings without Apple Home (requiring Yale's $79.99 Matter module) scores lower.
Expert review sources used in this analysis:
- SmartHomeExplorer aggregates expert review data and manufacturer specifications to produce consensus-based buying guidance
- We do not perform first-party product testing
- Entry methods, certification grades, battery ratings, code capacities, and pricing are drawn from Schlage and Yale documentation
- They are corroborated against smart-lock coverage from several outlets
- TechHive provided the 0.4-second fingerprint measurement and 9V-terminal documentation
- Tom's Guide supplied the Encode Plus tap-to-unlock confirmation and spec table
- Reviewed named it the best smart lock for Apple HomeKit, and Consumer Reports lab-reviewed the Yale Assure Lock 2 line
- Amazon prices and availability verified 2026-06-09
- The SHE Entry Resilience Score weights auth-method breadth, lockout fallback, battery endurance, entry speed, hardware grade, and ecosystem fit from aggregated specs and reviewer reports
- No first-party measurements were conducted.
Nicholas Miles is the founder of SmartHomeExplorer and a longtime smart home enthusiast focused on helping everyday homeowners make better technology decisions. He researches, compares, and writes about products across security, climate, lighting, leak prevention, sensors, home energy, and automation, with an emphasis on real-world usefulness, ecosystem compatibility, reliability, privacy, and long-term value.
Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer earns affiliate commissions on qualifying Amazon purchases. Our scoring methodology is independent of affiliate relationships.
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