Smart locks are becoming more and more popular. Thus, people embracing the concept of smart locks and smart homes are setting aside their keys when entering their properties. The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is one of the product names you will come across as you search for smart locks to use for your home. It offers door access via touchscreen or via smartphone, but still provides you with a backup key in case your digital access fails.
The touchscreen where you will enter your access code is already a good upgrade from the traditional keyed access to a door, but the Smart Sense Deadbolt improves this further by providing you with an alarm system for tampering or intrusion and a smartphone app to manage the smart deadbolt using your mobile gadget.
While this product seems to be great, it still has some limitations that could either convince you to look for another smart lock or just spend a few more money to make the most out of this smart lock’s features.
Read on.
Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt
Who Is It For?
Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is the smart lock you could buy if you want a smart lock that:
- will completely replace your existing deadbolt.
- can be operated using its own app as long as you are within the Bluetooth operating area.
- can be locked/unlocked by entering the code on the touchscreen.
- comes with a touchscreen that is fingerprint resistant.
- will emit alarm sounds whenever it senses tampering or forced entry.
- can be paired with Apple Homekit devices and voice controlled through Siri.
- can be accessed remotely if you will purchase and pair it with the Schlage Sense WiFi adapter.
What’s In The Box?
- Document package (Installation instructions and user guide)
- Touch screen assembly
- Hardware Package (4 Duracell AA Batteries, Backup key, Strike, Reinforcement Plate, Bolt, 4 Bolt/Strike Screws, Set Screw, 2 Support Plate Screws, 2 Reinforcement Screws and Alarm Assembly Screw)
- Alarm Assembly
What Else Do You Need?
For standard doors prepared according to current industry standards, you will need
- #2 Phillips screwdriver
- flat head screwdriver
- tape measure
Otherwise, you will also need a
- hammer
- a block of wood
- manual or electric drill, but not a power drill
How To Install?
- Download the Schlage Home App for iPhone or for Android smartphones.
- Check if the door and frame are properly aligned and the holes are properly drilled for the new smart lock. Since the Schlage Sense has a smart motorized automatic deadbolt, the door and the jamb must be in proper alignment.
- Remove current deadbolt.
- Check door and lock dimensions. This video (starting at 3:39) will walk you through determining if your door already passes these requirements and will show you which door parameters to check.
- Locate programming and access codes at the back of the user guide and back of Alarm Assembly.
- Install the bolt and the strike.
- Install the Touch screen Assembly.
- Install the Alarm Assembly.
- Install the batteries.
- Set up and test your new smart lock.
You may also use this written guide for installation.
How Do You Remotely Grant Access?
This video will show you how to add access codes to your Schlage Sense via the App.
As long as you are within the Bluetooth operating range of the lock, you may enter and save the codes through your smartphone instead of pressing the digits on the touchscreen.
You may assign a specific guest with a 4-digit (up to 8 digits) access code according to their mobile phone number’s last 4 digits so they could easily remember it. We can program up to 30 codes into one Sense smart lock.
We must perform this within a bluetooth range, after which you can send these 30 codes for use of up to 30 guests. It’s advisable not to reuse codes.
To expand the area within which you can remotely access the smart deadbolt on your door, you need to pair it with the Schlage WiFi adapter. Apparently, if your home is already equipped with Apple Homekit and if you are using Apple devices like iPhone and iPad, the Sense smart lock only needs to be set up accordingly.
Hosts will find the remote access to the smart lock via a smartphone and the app very handy because they can create the key codes for guests even without manually programming the touch screen pad. They could even send the codes to guests through the app. The schedule for each access code is also a useful feature.
How Can Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt Secure Your Home’s Safety?
The Schlage Sense has several features that can help make your home secure.
- It will completely replace your existing lock and this smart deadbolt even has ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 certification.
- It operates with an encrypted Bluetooth connection, so we can prevent unauthorized access by hackers.
- It will alert you when someone is attempting to tamper the lock or force open the door. This siren will deter intruders from continuing to enter the premises.
- With the separately sold hub, it can send you activity login of your door so you will know who enters and leaves the house.
What Users Like About It?
- If your door already meets the required dimensions (as seen from the installation video above), then installing this smart deadbolt will only take about 15 minutes.
- The touchscreen really does not make fingerprints detectable.
- The batteries last long (under normal conditions).
- The basic features for which they advertised it are satisfactory. This is a smart deadbolt whose main feature is to be locked/unlocked using the touchscreen pad or your smartphone and this has been highly valued by users of the product. As one customer said, connection to the HomeKit and to the Wi-Fi Adapter is a useful extra, but not something that cannot be lived without, at least by non-Airbnb users.
- Most Amazon reviewers noted that this product worked well with their Homekit and Apple devices; This product appears to be designed for optimal use with the Apple Homekit.
An Apple TV or HomePod with the latest iOS can be used as a smart hub so no other devices are necessary if your home already has these devices. Keep these properly powered up and connected to the internet so you can access the smart lock anywhere you are.
- It can be optimized even if you are an Android user. One reviewer said that Android users could not maximize the features of the smart lock unlike Apple users. This is probably true in the past, where the Schlage Sense only used to work with Homekit devices. Now, Android users have the option to make the most out of this smart lock by pairing it with Schlage Wifi Adapter, which has also received high ratings from users.
To make life much easier in a non-Apple household/lifestyle, it will be a wise decision to already purchase the Wifi Adapter when you order the Schlage Sense. When plugged into a nearby power outlet and connected to the Wi-Fi, it will also give you lock access via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and more.
For Airbnb:
- Guests will find the smart lock as a commendable amenity in any rental property. It will not require them to have any compatible smartphones on which the App may be downloaded and installed. They can just enter the code on the touchscreen pad and enter/exit the rented room without keys or phones whose battery has been drained after a day of enjoying their trip.
What Users Dislike About It?
- Installation on a door that is not compliant with current industry standards (as mentioned in the installation video) can be overwhelming. Yet, once they complete these steps, you would find that everything else is simple and easy.
- Setting up the lock with other smart devices can be finicky and problematic, especially for non tech-savvy users.
Conclusion
Whether the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is a good investment will now depend on how you plan to use it. As a homeowner (keyless entry needs), I think the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is a great investment. It seems to be a well-designed device, although it may require more effort for installation compared to other smart lock brands. The default app also seems to be easy to use and navigate.
For Airbnb hosts, you must up your budget to get a Schlage wifi adapter for Android remote access or Apple Homekit devices for iOs users.
Note the model number of this Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt: BE479 CAM 619. There is a similar Schlage Deadbolt with a “Z-Wave Connect” in its name, model number is BE469 CAM 619. That one doesn’t come with an App of its own (My Review Here).
Although both look and function almost the same, the main difference I see is that the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt seems to be designed for homeowners who only needs a basic Bluetooth connectivity (with the option to upgrade later on for remote access). In my opinion, the “Z-wave Connect” version is mainly designed to be integrated to your already “smart home” with an existing Z-wave device.
I highly suggest that you check out the feedback of other existing users to help you decide.
Read The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt Reviews
What do you think?
Leave your thoughts below in the comments section!
Cheers!
Leave a Reply