Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Schlage Encode Plus
Best for Security-Conscious BuyersUltraloq Bolt Fingerprint
Most VersatilePrice
$150-$230
$100-$160
Summary
ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt — the highest residential security rating — with built-in Wi-Fi and Apple Home Key. Trusted by locksmiths for decades and works great without any hub.
More unlock methods than almost any competitor — fingerprint, keypad, app, voice, and key — with broad platform support. PCMag calls it one of the most versatile smart locks tested.
Pros
- ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt — highest residential security certification
- Built-in Wi-Fi means no hub required
- Supports Apple Home Key for tap-to-unlock
- Can be used as a regular lock even without smart features enabled
- Fingerprint reader, keypad, app, voice control, and physical key all supported
- Works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and SmartThings
- Built-in Wi-Fi for remote access without a separate hub
- Strong value for the number of features offered
Cons
- Bulkier exterior design compared to minimalist competitors
- Apple Home Key is the primary ecosystem; Android experience is less polished
- Higher price than budget options
- Brand is less established than Schlage or Yale — long-term reliability less proven
- App experience less polished than Yale or Schlage
- Fingerprint reader can be inconsistent in cold/wet conditions
Our take
When the r/Locksmith community recommends something, you listen. Schlage's hardware quality is in a different class from most smart lock brands, and the Encode Plus delivers that with modern smart features.
If you have multiple people coming and going with different preferences — some want fingerprint, some want keypad, some want app — the Ultraloq handles it all without forcing everyone into one workflow.
Buy
