Schlage vs Kwikset Smart Locks: Which Offer the Most Security?

Last Updated on October 17th, 2018 by Patrick Sinclair

When it comes to locks, smart or otherwise, two of the best-known names are Kwikset and Schlage.

Kwikset has been in the business of keeping homes safe and secure since the 1940s, while Schlage first entered the market in the 1920s.  These companies have been making each of their own marks in the home security area and has come up with a long line of products.

And now, they continue to meet head-to-head in the smart locks area.

So how does one compare with the other?

Schlage vs Kwikset Smart Locks: What to choose?

First, the Schlage Locks

Colorado Springs-based Schlage used to be a part of Ingersoll Rand and is now a unit of Allegion.  The company has two marks for its connected locks line, Schlage Sense and Schlage Connect. In general, you can get either the Schlage Sense or the Schlage Connect in one of two trim types: Camelot and Century.

The Century trim looks simple and modern, with a rectangular form and smooth edges.  The  Century trim  comes in  satin nickel, matte black, bright chrome, satin chrome, or aged bronze, although not all colors are available for all Schlage styles.

Meanwhile, the Camelot trim is more intricate and traditional looking. The elaborate form looks like the edges of a coat of arms and is designed for those who want a more classic-looking lock. It is available in satin nickel, aged bronze, bright chrome, or bright brass.

Again, color availability  is different  depending on the Schlage smart lock you are purchasing.

Schlage Sense Locks

Schlage Sense is compatible with Apple HomeKit technology.  This allows you to use Siri to unlock your door. It also works with Apple TV, allowing you to unlock or lock your door using your iOS devices from anywhere.

Note, however, that this kind of remote control needs Apple TV within 40 feet of the lock and cannot be accomplished with an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch alone.  Apart from being able to connect with Apple HomeKit, the Schlage Sense can also work with Bluetooth Smart.

Paired with the mobile app, the Schlage Sense has a very simple set up process, and programming the Sense is a breeze.  This includes being able to pair other phones with the deadbolt or assign new passcodes to your family and friends.  You can store up to 30 access codes.

Schlage Sense includes an alarm technology that would sound when somebody tries to open your door using brute force.  Aside from that, the Schlage Sense has been certified and has met the highest industry standards.

Schlage Sense is certified Commercial Grade 1, which means that it is the best when it comes to durability, finish and home security.

This also means that the Schlage Sense can withstand sledgehammer attacks, can last for around 100 years even when the lock is used ten times daily, and the material used for it can withstand wear and tear from the elements outside.

Schlage Sense with Century Trim

Schlage Sense uses 4 AA alkaline batteries and comes with a three-year limited warranty for the electronics and a lifetime warranty on the finish.  The Schlage Sense comes with an accent lever and closet lock in the same trim (Century or Camelot) as the deadbolt.

The exterior component measures 3″ x 5″ while the interior component measures 2.1″ x 3″ x 8.2″.

Schlage Sense with Camelot trim

Schlage Connect

Schlage Sense is heavily dependent on Apple HomeKit that if you do not have the latter, you might not be able to take full advantage of the connectivity of the smart lock.

This is probably the reason why the company has Schlage Connect, which allows you to connect with more home automation systems that use Z-wave technology to connect with other devices.  Additionally, the Schlage Connect works with Amazon Alexa.

Schlage Connect with Camelot Trim

Schlage Connect boasts a resistive touchscreen with matte finish so your fingerprints and smudges do not stay on the keypad.  Fingerprint smudges make it easier for outsiders to guess your code.

It also comes with an anti-pick shield that protects you from lock tampering.  When you key in your code, the motorized bolt will unlock and will then automatically lock itself after a few moments.

The Schlage Connect has an audible alarm that sounds when somebody tries to open or tampers with your lock.  The alarm technology detects any movement of the door and gives you three levels of awareness.

The activity alert notifies you when somebody opens the door, the tamper alert lets you know when somebody is tampering with your lock or when the knob is being disturbed, while the forced entry alert sounds when somebody tries to forcefully open your door.

To give you more choices, the Schlage Connect comes in Camelot or Century trims and is paired with either an accent lever or an Elan lever.  The deadbolt can also be paired with a similarly styled handle set.

Schlage Connect with Century Trim

The Schlage Connect has the same durability, security and finishes grades as the Schlage Sense.

Kwikset

Kwikset is another American lockset and lock manufacturer.  It is based in Lake Forest, California, and is owned by the Hardware and Home Improvement Group of Spectrum Brands.

Kwikset has several products that fall under the smart lock category.  There is  the  Kevo, the Premis Apple HomeKit Smart  Lock, and the SmartCode series. They also have traditional deadbolts that have been fitted with Home Connect Technology.

Kwikset Kevo Touch to Open Smart Lock

The Kwikset Kevo Touch to Open Smart Lock connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth.  When it detects your smartphone nearby, you can simply touch it to unlock the door.

You do not have to fumble for your keys  anymore as  one touch is all you need to unlock and lock your Kevo. The mobile app also  helps you  give out or revoke an eKey.

Your keys can be set to expire after 24 hours or can set to work only at certain times of the day.  The mobile app also allows you to keep track of all the users, giving you a history of who opened the lock and when they did so.

Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock

Kevo comes  in three  colors: satin nickel, polished brass, and  Venetian bronze. Kevo can connect to several other connected devices such as the  Nest Thermostat, Honeywell Thermostats, Ring Video Doorbell, and Skybell Video Doorbell.

It also supports IFTTT recipes and can be controlled using Amazon Alexa.  For more connectivity options, check out the rest of the Kevo family, including the Kevo Convert, the Kevo Plus, and the Kevo FOB.

What’s more important, though, is that the Kevo Touch to Open Smart Lock is very secure as it uses PKI encryption, which is military-grade.  It uses multi-level encryption and dual authentication.  Plus, it can also lock automatically.

And if you lose your phone, you can log into your online account to revoke all smart keys in just a matter of seconds.  The Kevo lock is BHMA Certified and has an ANSI Grade 2 grading.  It is also UL fire rated.

Kwikset Premis

Another smart lock from Kwikset is the Premis, which works with Apple HomeKit.  This allows you to control your locks using your iOS devices via the mobile app, and you can even Siri to open the door for you.  If you do not have your phone with you, you can still get in by entering your access code.

Premis allows you to check on the status of your lock to see if  it  is  locked  or  unlocked.  And  you  can  remotely  unlock  or  lock  it  if  you  have connected  it  to  Apple  TV.  Premis has a classic look and comes  in satin nickel or Venetian  bronze.

Premis is ANSI and BHMA certified and uses end-to-end encryption.  It  asks  you  to  touch  random  digits  first  before  keying  in  your  code  so  that  your fingerprints  would  not  be  used  to  guess  your  code.  Premis sounds an alarm when you key in the wrong code three times.

You can also have it lock automatically.  You can store up to 30 access codes for your Premis.

Other Kwikset Connected Locks

Other connected locks from Kwikset have the Home Connect technology, which uses either Z-wave or Zigbee to connect with other devices.  You have the SmartCode series, which include:

• 910 Contemporary SmartCode Deadbolt
• 910 SmartCode Deadbolt
• 912 SmartCode Lever
• 914 SmartCode Deadbolt
• 916 SmartCode Deadbolt

These are all Z-Wave- and Zigbee-enabled except for the 916 SmartCode, which is only available with the Z-Wave option.  All SmartCodes work with Amazon Alexa when you connect them with Wink or Samsung SmartThings and they can store up to 30 user codes as well as one master code.

These smart locks have either a 10- or 5-digit keypad, or in the case of the 916 SmartCode, a capacitive touchscreen deadbolt.  Most models have three color options: lifetime polished brass, satin nickel, and Venetian bronze.

Meanwhile, the 910 Contemporary SmartCode has an additional color option: satin chrome.

Apart from these options, you can also choose the traditional deadbolt or the contemporary deadbolt, both fitted with Home Connect.

Schlage vs Kwikset Smart Locks: What to choose?

When it comes to features and functionality, there is not much difference between the Kwikset and Schlage smart locks.  Both companies have come up with smart locks that are easy to install and with some way to remotely lock or unlock your door even when you are not home.

They also connect to different automation platforms, such as SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, and Wink.

If you have an iOS device and Apple HomeKit, then it is really a toss-up between Kwikset Premis and Schlage Sense.  If you have an Android device, it is best to stay away from these smart locks and instead narrow your selection down to Schlage Connect, Kwikset Smartcode and Kevo.

Another interesting thing to note is that out of all the smart locks made by both companies, Kwikset Kevo is probably the odd one out.  It does not make use of keypads or touchscreens; instead, it takes the form of a traditional deadbolt that you can unlock without using any key.

So when it comes to features, your choices would be narrowed down to what it is that you need, what home automation platforms you already own, and the mobile device you already have.

However, Schlage does win when it comes to price.  Kwikset’s smart locks sell for more than $220, whereas you can find stores on Amazon that sell Schlage smart locks for less than $200.

Plus, it would seem that Schlage is more secure and durable, as evidenced by the Grade 1 rating from ANSI/BHMA, as opposed to Kwikset’s Grade 2 rating.

And to make it easier for you to decide, here is a side by side comparison of the different smart locks from both Schlage and Kwikset:

	Schlage Sense	Schlage Connect	Kwikset Kevo	Kwikset Premis	Kwikset Smartcode Series
Amazon Price	check here for latest	check here for latest	check here for latest	check here for latest	check here for latest
Easy to install	√	√	√	√	√
Lit touchscreen?	√	√	x	√	x#
Control away from home	√*	√**	√	√*	√**
Number of codes in memory	30	30	Not applicable	30	30
Built-in alarm	√	√	x	√	√
Programmable with smartphone	√	√	√	√	x
Apple HomeKit	√	x	x	√	x
Amazon Alexa	x	√	√+	N	√++
ANSI/BHMA  Grade	1	1	2	2	2