Schlage Camelot Deadbolt Review

We’ve all experienced it once: We arrive at work or a friend’s house and then are struck with panic. Did we leave the front door unlocked?

Should you rush home to check, or risk leaving your home in danger? What if you could check remotely, or lock it without ever leaving your seat? The Schlage BE469NX Camelot Electronic Touchscreen Deadbolt may be exactly the exact solution you need.

It allows you to lock or unlock your door from any location with your phone, and it’s both easy to install and effortless to use. With that said, not everyone is after the same thing when it comes to smart home devices.

Some might have problems with the app, while others might find issues with the lock itself. So how can you know if this is the right smart lock for your home?

To help you make the best buying decision, let’s take a closer look at the Schlage Camelot Deadbolt. It could be the right product for you!

Schlage Camelot Deadbolt: the Details

Specs

• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 5.1 x 9.2 inches.
• Product Weight: 1.5 lbs.
• Product Type: Deadbolt.
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa? Yes.

How Does It Work

Whether you’re super handy or dread using a toolbox, the Schlage Camelot Deadbolt is easy to install. To begin, simply measure your door to ensure there is enough room for the deadbolt to fit.

Then, measure the distance between where the deadbolt will go and the door jamb. The Schlage can extend the deadbolt if necessary.

Next, have a screwdriver and hammer nearby to install the bolt. Place the keypad on the door, and then run the wire connected to it over the bolt and through the hole in the baseplate. From there, put the baseplate on the door and screw it in place.

Take the wire and connect it to your 9V battery, place the battery in its designated spot, and tuck the wires inside the door. Now you can secure the cover and attach the reinforcement plate onto the door jamb.

Next, you need only program the lock and download the app. The app will lead you through a series of prompts that will connect the app and your phone to the lock. Once that’s finished, you can control the lock from your phone.

Schlage: The Brand

Founded in 1920 by Walter Schlage in San Francisco, California, Schlage began developing unique home utilities – chief among them being a doorknob that, when opened, would turn on the lights in the house.

However, Schlage’s biggest invention would turn into the door lock we all know today.

Presently, the company develops far more than just basic locks and doorknobs. They also produce deadbolts, levers, smart locks, electronic locks, and all kinds of hardware for doors.

Schlage Camelot Deadbolt Review

The Positives

Super Easy to Install

Despite its status as a smart home device, the Schlage Camelot Deadbolt is very easy to set up and install. It shouldn’t take you more than an hour, and the accompanying directions will guide you through the process.

Once the deadbolt itself is placed in your door, the app will guide you through the final set-up process. By the end, you’ll have a front door that’s techy, safe, and manageable from anywhere. Simply use your phone to access the features and update them as necessary.

You won’t have to be a handyperson or up to date with the latest tech to get this lock installed and going. Schlage wants you to have a safe home without all the extra hassle.

Considering how complicated some standard locks can be to install, this is excellent news!

Incredibly Easy to Use

Once installed, the Schlage Camelot Deadbolt is effortless to manage. The Schlage app allows you to control the lock directly. So, whether you’re at home or at work, a glance at your mobile device will give you full access to your home’s first (and most reliable) security method.

You can lock or unlock the door for yourself, let others in (such as friends, pet sitters, or repairmen), and check the door’s status to alleviate last-minute panic. This only requires touching your smartphone’s screen and tapping a few icons.

As a bonus, the keypad provides access for those times when your phone isn’t handy or your battery is dead. Simply establish codes for yourself in lieu of a key, or set unique codes for friends and family. You can later delete these codes, ensuring you have full control over who can enter your home – and when.

This smart lock also has Amazon Alexa integrated, making controlling this lock completely hands-free. If your hands are busy prepping some snacks in the kitchen, you can simply ask Alexa to unlock the door for you. It doesn’t get easier than that!

Really Convenient

On that note, we were super pleased with the convenience of this smart lock. There’s no need to rush home and check if your door is locked, no need to fumble with keys as you leave, and you don’t have to leave your comfy bed to lock up at night.

Having this smart lock equipped in your home gives you much less to worry about. This is especially great if you’re a busybody, or have a wave of people coming in and out of your home daily.

As a plus, there’s no danger of losing keys or forgetting spares; the keypad is at your disposal. You can also monitor who has used the lock based on what lock codes have been punched in. This gives you added control over who enters your home.

When you forgot to lend your pet-sitter a spare key or are curious if your repairman showed up that day, you can manage all this and more from your smartphone. As such, this lock can also come in handy for those managing instant hotels or bed and breakfasts.

Amazing Design

This smart lock comes in array of finishes to match a variety of homes seamlessly. The style is similar to a regular lock which makes it unassuming to would-be tamperers.

As a bonus, it won’t stand out like a sore thumb! While some smart locks can throw off the look of your doorway or entryway altogether, the Schlage ensures it blends it without drawing too much attention to itself.

If you’re worried about how this technology performs in specific weather, Schlage has thought ahead. They’ve weatherproofed this smart lock to ensure it stands against the elements. If you’re prone to heatwaves or you live in a colder climate, the lock will still work.

This way, you won’t have to worry about having issues in a snowstorm or rainstorm either. Schlage aims to make your life all the easier.

The Negatives

Watch for Glitches

When it comes to technology, there might be some glitches to be expected, and the Schlage Camelot is no different. For some, the lock would cause some issues – specifically, the door locked or unlocked automatically without them sending these commands.

This is commonly chalked up to user error or a faulty model. As a rare possibility, you may encounter this issue if you live in an area with several wireless or Bluetooth connections drifting around. Sometimes those signals get crossed and a smart device, like this deadbolt, can be triggered.

A few testers also had issues with the connection between the deadbolt and their phone. They had to reconnect the devices multiple times and found it annoying to repeat this process.

While this smart lock doesn’t cause many issues uncommon to smart locks in general, it’s better to know before you’re alarmed. Hopefully, as smart locks get more common, these glitches can be avoided.

Iffy Customer Support

Some might also have issues with Schlage’s customer support. While the Schlage Deadbolt comes with a good warranty, it will be frustrating if customers find it hard to use.

When trying to contact customer service with a problem or a complaint, there’s a chance you might not get any answers. In some scenarios, customers were not provided with any answer to their questions. No one got back to them at all which can be upsetting if you’re facing a serious problem or a return.

Great customer service shows that a company cares about both their products and their customers and while it’s disappointing to report, we hope that this improves in the future.

App Compatibility Issues

Depending on the phone you have, you may experience some issues with the app included with the Schlage Deadbolt. There’s a chance it will freeze or shut down all on its own, which of course, can be super frustrating.

If this happens to you, make sure you have the most updated version of the app, as Schlage is always fixing bugs and adding new features.

Here’s a video showing what the Schlage Camelot Deadbolt looks like out of the box.

Overall Verdict

After looking over all the positives and negatives, we do recommend the Schlage Camelot Deadbolt. It can be controlled from your phone, it’s very easy to install, and it’s highly convenient to use.

Even those with no prior experience in smart home devices can have it operational in no time.

With this added layer of security, you can enjoy peace of mind that your home is safe at all times, even during forgetful moments.

While there may be a few issues with the app and the connectivity, these were uncommon for the majority of testers. If you’re in the market for a smart lock to secure your home, this model is certainly worth checking out.

Where to Buy the Schlage Camelot Deadbolt

Schlage has decades of experience under its belt in the home security department. They’re a trusted name and have continued to remain relevant by integrating smart technology into their products.

Schlage continues to be a popular brand, with its products available through retailers around the globe. As such finding items like the Schlage Camelot Deadbolt won’t be too hard to find both in-store and online.

While it’s usually best to check home department and renovation stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• The Home Depot (from $199)
• Lowes (from $199)
• Best Buy ($199)

And of course, you can also find this smart lock on Amazon.

That’s the end of our Schlage Camelot review. Would you be willing to give this smart lock a try?