Quick answer: the Schlage Encode Plus is our top overall pick (native Wi-Fi, Apple Home Key, and an ANSI Grade 1 rating); the Yale Assure Lock 2 (a key-free touchscreen keypad lock at a lower price, native HomeKit but no Home Key) is the alternative worth a look.
Bottom Line
Schlage Encode Plus
A capacitive touchscreen keypad on a clean brushed exterior, built-in Wi-Fi, native HomeKit, and Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock. It carries an ANSI Grade 1 (AAA) rating and a physical key backup. If you want top-tier security with Apple Home Key, Schlage is the better choice.
See Schlage Encode Plus →Yale Assure Lock 2
Comes with a touchscreen keypad, a key-free exterior with nothing to pick or bump, and costs less than Schlage. Native HomeKit covers Apple Home, and the keypad covers any visitor who does not have an iPhone. It skips Apple Home Key, which is the main thing you give up versus the Schlage.
See Yale Assure Lock 2 →Both locks are top-tier HomeKit choices with touchscreen keypads. Schlage adds Apple Home Key and a higher ANSI Grade 1 security rating; Yale comes in cheaper with a key-free design. The right pick depends on whether Home Key and Grade 1 security are worth the premium.
Schlage Encode Plus vs Yale Assure Lock 2: Head-to-Head
| Feature | Schlage Encode Plus | Yale Assure Lock 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $$$ | $$ |
| Wi-Fi built-in | Yes | Yes |
| Keypad included | Yes (touchscreen) | Yes (touchscreen) |
| HomeKit support | Yes (native) | Yes (native) |
| Apple Home Key | Yes | No (Plus SKU only) |
| Matter support | No | No |
| Voice assistants | Alexa, Google, Siri | Alexa, Google, Siri |
| Exterior | Subtle capacitive keypad | Touchscreen keypad, key-free |
| Guest access method | Keypad code or app | Keypad code or app |
| Battery life | 6-12 months | 6-12 months |
| Security grade | Grade 1 / AAA | Grade 2 |
| Installation | Screwdriver only | Screwdriver only |
Price tiers are approximate. $ = under $50, $$ = $50 to 150, $$$ = $150 to 300, $$$$ = over $300. Tap any link for the current Amazon price.
Design and Security
Winner: Schlage on security, Yale on price.
Both locks put a touchscreen keypad on the door, so the difference is finish and rating, not keypad versus no keypad. The Schlage Encode Plus uses a capacitive keypad on a brushed exterior: the numbers stay hidden until you touch the surface, so it reads as a clean high-end deadbolt rather than an obvious smart lock. It is rated ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 and AAA, the highest residential ratings for security and durability, and it keeps a physical key as a backup.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 takes the opposite approach with an edge-to-edge touchscreen and a key-free exterior, so there is no keyway to pick, bump, or copy. It is rated ANSI/BHMA Grade 2. Both keypads let guests punch in a code without an app or smartphone, which is what matters for rental properties, Airbnb hosts, or family members who do not use Apple devices. You do not have to explain HomeKit to Grandpa with either lock; he just types a code.
So the real design trade is a higher security grade and a physical key (Schlage) against a lower price and a key-free face (Yale), not whether one of them has a keypad.
HomeKit Support: Both Are Strong, But Different
Winner: Schlage, thanks to Apple Home Key.
Both locks have native HomeKit support, and both work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. The real HomeKit difference is Apple Home Key, which only the Schlage on this page includes.
Schlage Encode Plus pairs natively with Apple Home, works with Siri voice commands, and supports Home Key tap-to-unlock with your iPhone or Apple Watch. You can set up HomeKit automations like "unlock when I arrive home" or "lock automatically when I leave." The integration is clean and direct.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi also pairs natively with Apple Home and runs the same HomeKit automations, but this model does not include Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock; that feature is reserved for the separate Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus. Voice control is a tie: both locks answer to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
So if tap-to-unlock with your phone or watch matters, the Schlage is the one to buy. If you are happy unlocking from the Home app, a keypad code, or Siri, the cheaper Yale covers the same HomeKit ground minus Home Key.
Guest Access and Keys
Winner: Tie on guest codes.
Both locks give you the same two ways to let someone in: hand them a keypad code, or send them a HomeKit invitation. The Schlage Encode Plus stores up to 100 access codes, and the Yale Assure Lock 2 keypad does the same job, so neither forces a guest to own an iPhone or set up an app.
On either lock you can create a code like "1234" and hand it to a friend, Airbnb guest, or contractor. They type the code, the door unlocks. No smartphone required, no HomeKit account, no setup. For recurring guests you can issue a dedicated code and delete it later from the app.
Where they differ is the backup if the batteries ever die. The Schlage keeps a physical key cylinder, so a traditional key always works. The Yale is key-free; if it loses power you hold a 9V battery against the contacts on the exterior to wake it, then enter your code. Neither approach leaves you locked out, but a renter who cannot change the deadbolt keyway may prefer the key-free Yale, while owners who want a familiar key backup will prefer the Schlage.
Installation & Setup
Winner: Tie.
Both locks are designed for self-installation. Both require only a screwdriver and a basic understanding of how deadbolts work. You remove the interior escutcheon, unscrew the old mechanism, install the new one, and reconnect the handle assembly. Most installers complete both locks in 15 minutes.
Both add a few minutes of software setup after the hardware is on the door: pairing Wi-Fi, joining HomeKit, and programming keypad access codes. Neither lock is hard, and this is a difference of minutes, not hours.
For backup if the batteries die, the Schlage includes a physical key. The Yale Assure Lock 2 is key-free, so you restore power by holding a 9V battery to the exterior terminals and then entering your code. Either way you are not locked out.
Battery Life & Reliability
Winner: Tie.
Both locks use four AA batteries and are rated for 6 to 12 months under normal use. Both send low-battery warnings to your phone. The Schlage falls back to a physical key if the batteries fully die, while the key-free Yale is revived with a 9V battery held to its exterior contacts.
Wi-Fi deadbolts by nature consume more power than Bluetooth-only locks because they're constantly maintaining a connection. This is why battery life is measured in months, not years. Plan on battery replacement twice a year as a maintenance habit, not a surprise. This is standard for all Wi-Fi locks, not a Schlage or Yale issue.
In reliability testing across verified reviews, both locks have nearly identical failure rates under 1%. The locks that do fail usually fail during installation (user error) or after years of heavy use (mechanical wear on the latch). Neither brand has a standout reliability advantage.
Which Ecosystem Are You Actually In?
Winner: Schlage for Apple Home Key, Yale for value.
Both locks work with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home, so neither one locks you into a single voice assistant. A mixed household with some iPhones, some Android phones, and a Google or Alexa speaker is covered either way.
The Apple-specific edge belongs to the Schlage: it adds Apple Home Key, so an iPhone or Apple Watch unlocks the door with a tap, and it carries the higher Grade 1 security rating. That is the reason an all-Apple household leans Schlage.
The Yale answers the same Alexa and Google commands and runs the same HomeKit automations; it simply skips Home Key and comes in cheaper with a key-free build. If you do not need tap-to-unlock, the Yale gives up very little.
If your household does not use any voice assistants and only cares about HomeKit, both locks are equally capable. The decision then comes down to Home Key and security grade (Schlage) versus price and a key-free design (Yale).
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Research
Smart lock specifications change frequently, and so do HomeKit support details. We cross-checked current Schlage and Yale specs against manufacturer spec sheets, verified HomeKit and voice-assistant support with direct product listings, and reviewed verified-buyer feedback on Amazon to confirm real-world battery performance, installation time, and ecosystem integration. All product details were verified on 2026-06-26 against live Amazon listings and manufacturer documentation.
We do not take payment from Schlage, Yale, or any brand mentioned here. If you spot an error, please let us know.
Prices and availability reflect Amazon listings at time of writing. Confirm on the product page before purchase.