Smart locks: the downsides, first

Wirecutter says it has never enjoyed the Schlage app: it is slower than others and still tedious after two major updates, and settings such as adding a user can be changed only within Bluetooth range. PCWorld, by contrast, found the redesigned app cleaner.

In Wirecutter's tests Google Home showed the lock out of sync, saying it was locked when it wasn't, and unlocking from the app then failed. Amazon's summary says Wi-Fi connectivity is mixed, with some owners reporting frequent disconnections. PCWorld notes it has no Apple Home or Matter support and uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only.

Wirecutter and PCWorld note there's no door open/close sensor, so auto-lock will lock even if the door is left open. Wirecutter also notes there's no tamper or impact alarm. PCWorld says Wi-Fi shortens battery life and calls the price a bit high for the features. Amazon owners are split on battery life and value.

Without the included Yale Connect bridge it works only over Bluetooth. The bridge takes up an outlet and is larger than most smart plugs (Wirecutter, Tom's Guide). Tom's Guide says Wi-Fi would be better built into the lock, as on the August.

Wirecutter and Tom's Guide both note it doesn't support Apple Home. Tom's Guide says Matter support was promised by software update.

Tom's Guide lists a noisy motor as a reason to avoid it, in both its review and its buying guide.

PCMag says its two CR123 batteries are expected to last up to three months, so keep spares, and lists short battery life as a con. Amazon's summary says owners report replacing them about every six weeks.

Amazon's summary says feedback on auto-unlock and Wi-Fi is mixed, with some owners reporting random unlocking at night and frequent disconnections. Wirecutter warns that geofenced auto-unlock risks accidental unlocking on any lock.

Tom's Guide calls it 'quite bulky' and prefers the slimmer Yale Approach. CNET says it is still bulky and lacks full Matter support. PCMag lists it as pricey, and some Amazon owners say it isn't worth the price.

Tom's Guide says that if you set it up through HomeKit first, you can't use the Schlage app's features afterward, such as scheduled guest codes, Wi-Fi, the alarm and history. Amazon's summary says some owners report persistent Wi-Fi problems and trouble with HomeKit.

Amazon's summary says reliability and quality get mixed feedback, with some owners finding it unreliable or of poor quality. A quarter of its Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars.

Tom's Guide reviewed it at $299, and PCWorld lists it at $329. Tom's Guide notes there's no way to power it from outside if the batteries die, unlike Yale's 9V contacts. Amazon owners are split on whether it's worth the extra cost.

CNET, PCWorld and Wirecutter all call it pricey at about $349 to $350. PCWorld notes the keypad is a $79 add-on.

Wirecutter says it doesn't support remote access without an extra hub. PCWorld says you need Level Connect ($79) or a Thread-capable device such as an Apple TV, HomePod, Echo or Nest Hub. Wirecutter adds that non-Apple platforms can't use many of its best features.

Amazon's summary says some owners report touch-to-unlock and geofencing problems. PCWorld says the single CR2 battery can't lock or unlock once it is critically low, and there's no USB-C or other way to power it temporarily, so the physical key matters. Wirecutter notes that without a phone you'll need to carry a fob or card.

PCMag says Yale rates the Wi-Fi model at about three months per set of AAs. Its own unit lasted seven weeks under heavy use, and the app shows no battery level until it drops below 20%. PCMag was locked out in a downpour before the warning arrived and had to power the keypad with a 9V battery. Amazon's summary says some owners' batteries last only four weeks and some report being locked out.

Wirecutter's long-term tester says auto-unlock is a bit unreliable, sometimes unlocking only after he's inside. PCMag found that with the Wi-Fi module it sometimes failed to auto-unlock. Amazon's summary says Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are inconsistent, and that some units stopped working suddenly or broke after two months.

Even after three installs, Wirecutter struggled to get the lock flush to the door, and Yale's wireless module must go in at a specific point before the batteries. PCMag's helper took about two hours, though he took his time, and the optional DoorSense needed a 5/8-inch hole drilled.

Wirecutter says it no longer recommends Ultraloq locks, naming the U-Bolt Pro WiFi, because of ongoing technical and customer-service concerns. Amazon's summary says reliability and the fingerprint reader are mixed, with some locks stopping working and some electronics failing after about a year.

Amazon's summary calls battery life a concern, with some owners saying it eats through batteries in two to three days.

CNET lists no Apple or Siri support and says the entry-pad design isn't for everyone. Amazon owners describe connectivity as mixed.

Amazon's summary says the fingerprint reader is unreliable, the lock jams frequently and some units stop working. PCMag's reader, by contrast, never failed.

Amazon's summary says owners find battery life poor, with batteries running down every month.

PCMag and CNET note there's no HomeKit or Apple support, and PCMag adds no IFTTT. Wirecutter says that without a keypad you can't easily share access, because every visitor needs a registered fingerprint. Amazon owners report Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection trouble.