What you can’t see from the outside is the Grade 1 ANSI/BHMA certified lock core that’s surrounded by an anti-pick housing. The keypad is large, with backlit numbers, and the fingerprint-resistant touchscreen works both when wet and while we were wearing gloves. It comes in two styles, the modern looking Century (pictured) and the more retro Camelot. Features and designįrom the exterior, the Connect has a refined and efficient look. Adding the lock to our Wink Hub took no time at all, and from there we had quick access to the user and security features packed into the Schlage Connect. Obviously, the preferred way to take advantage of the lock’s smart features is to enroll it on your Z-Wave home automation network. Case in point, this flowchart from the instruction booklet: If you’re using the Schlage Connect as a standalone unit, the process is a bit clunky. Once you’ve got it on your door, it’s time to get down to programming in some user codes. However, there are a number of cases where it won’t be as simple, and it could require a bit of locksmith and woodworking skills. Our application was the best-case scenario – replacing a fairly new lock and keeping the existing strike plate. On the hardware side, it’s a simple deadbolt lock replacement and for us it was a short 30 minutes of work using nothing more than a Phillips screwdriver. The occasional do-it-yourselfer who is proficient with a screwdriver should have little problem installing the Schlage Connect. Schlage has been in the lock business since 1920, so it’s no surprise that the Schlage Connect Touchscreen Deadbolt with Alarm places an emphasis on security, while delivering smart features that make you the ultimate gatekeeper. A lock is there to keep the bad guys out, and a smart lock is supposed to make managing that as easy as possible. Ultimately, the decision on which lock is right for you comes down to one thing: security. Z-Wave, ZigBee, HomeKit, NFC, Bluetooth… Not to mention some devices smart-ify your current lock, while others replace it entirely.

However, the variety of ways this is being accomplished and the ever-growing number of options on the market can leave your head spinning. Start with a deadbolt, add a small motor, some circuitry, battery, and antenna. Smartening up something as simple as a door lock shouldn’t be very complicated.

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