Kwikset Kevo vs. Schlage Connect

Only one of the locks come with a built-in alarm and Grade 1 (the best residential grade) deadbolt to keep your home safe and secure. However, when comparing Kwikset Kevo vs. Schlage Connect a few other differences are important to mention. Feel free to navigate this article to learn more about Kwikset and Schlage smart locks.

About Kwikset and Schlage Locks

The Kwikset and Schlage companies have years of experience when it comes to producing quality deadbolts. The companies have been always improving, which has led to great product lines of smart locks.

Kwikset offers three smart locks: Premis, Kevo, and Kevo Convert. All three locks offer via app control at your fingertips. We’ll talk about the Kwikset Kevo in this comparison. However, if you want to learn more about other Kwikset smart locks, make sure to check our comparison Kwikset Premis vs. Kevo Lock vs. Kevo Convert.

Schlage has a way bigger product line of smart locks than Kwikset. Though, let us highlight the three Schlage locks that raise above others: Schlage Sense, Schlage Connect, and Connected Keypad. The three smart locks feature a keypad for simple access sharing. You can learn more about Schlage smart locks from our comparison Schlage Connect vs. Sense vs. Connected Keypad.


Kwikset Kevo vs. Schlage Connect — Things in Common

Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock on a door close up

Both the Kwikset Kevo and Schlage Connect offer you smart control over your front door. The smart locks replace both the interior and exterior parts of your standard lock. And even though the installation is quite simple, it’s important to get it right, otherwise it might cause the smart lock to malfunction. You can always order Deadbolt Installation Service from Amazon for quick and simple setup of your new smart lock.

The Kwikset Kevo and Schlage Connect come with a keyhole for a standard key, however it’s more of a backup option. You can easily share access with your family and friends through an app, create schedules for shared access, and revoke the access right from your smartphone. Plus, you can also check the lock’s status to see if you’ve locked the door after leaving your home.

And now that we’ve gone over what the two locks have in common, let’s outline the differences to help you choose the better lock for your home.


Kwikset Kevo vs. Schlage Connect — Differences

  • Difference #1: Technology – The Kwikset Kevo smart lock features Bluetooth technology to offer smooth control via the Kevo app. Once you install the Kevo smart lock, you can control it via the Kevo app within the lock’s Bluetooth range, which is around 30ft. So, right out of the box the Kevo smart lock offers smart control over your front door.

    The Schlage Connect utilizes Z-Wave technology, which means you’ll get to control it via your smartphone only after you hook it up with a Z-Wave hub, like Wink or SmartThings. Otherwise, it’ll just work as a standard lock with a keypad. You’ll still be able to create unique PIN codes and share them with your family and friends, but you won’t have access to all the cool features, like checking the lock’s history (who was coming/leaving and when) based on the use of PINs.

    The absence of Bluetooth technology in the Schlage Connect is one of the reasons why the lock doesn’t have its own app like most of the other smart locks. Since the lock can work with different Z-Wave hubs, you’ll be using the hub’s app to control it. Which is actually a good thing — having total control of all your smart devices gathered in one app is a major benefit of having a truly connected home. So, if you want to enjoy smart control over the Schlage Connect, make sure to have a Z-Wave hub.

    To sum it up, the Kwikset Kevo utilizes the Bluetooth technology while the Schlage Connect uses Z-Wave.

  • Difference #2: Lock/Unlock Options – With smart locks you can forget about fumbling for keys. The Kwikset Kevo offers a few options to lock/unlock your front door. One of them is a Touch-to-Open feature that allows you to lock/unlock the door with just a single tap on the exterior part of the lock. The Kevo lock reads location of your smartphone to offer you smooth, one-tap control.

    The lock is smart enough to know if your smartphone is inside or outside your home. This way, if your smartphone is inside your home, the Touch-to-Open feature will not operate. But the moment you leave with your smartphone, one tap on the lock will be enough to lock the door. Or, you can set the Auto-Lock by turning on dip switch number 4 on the Kevo Gen 2 smart lock. With the Auto-Lock on, the Kevo smart lock will lock a door automatically thirty seconds after the door is closed.

    You can also use the Kevo app to lock and unlock the door. The Kevo smart lock connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth to offer you within-the-Bluetooth-range control via the Kevo app.

    The Schlage Connect also offers a few lock and unlock options. You can use your unique PIN code to unlock the door. It’s more than just one tap, compared to Kevo lock, however the advantage is that you don’t need to rely on either your smartphone or a standard key. As long as you know your access PIN code, you’re good to go.

    And if you want to lock the door with the Schlage Connect smart lock, just tap the Schlage logo on a keypad — it’ll trigger the Schlage Connect to lock the door.

    In case the Schlage Connect is paired with your Z-Wave hub, then you can use the Z-Wave hub’s app to lock/unlock the door. Plus, you can set the Auto-lock feature: the Schlage Connect will lock the door within a specified time frame. That’s a smart feature to have if you want to keep your home safe and secure. And if you ever get locked out, just use your PIN to get back in.

    So, the recap is that you can lock/unlock the Kwikset Kevo with its Touch-to-Open feature, whereas with the Schlage Connect you can use PIN codes. Plus, you can lock/unlock either of the locks via an app or with a standard key. And as to lock options, both locks offer an Auto-Lock feature. However, with the Schlage Connect it’s easier to get back inside in case of a lockout due to its built-in keypad.

  • Difference #3: Built-in Keypad – The Schlage Connect comes with a built-in keypad, which is great for visitors without smartphones. Some smart locks offer smart keypads separately as an accessory (like August Smart Lock Pro + August Smart Keypad), however, the Kwikset Kevo is not one of those locks. The Kevo smart lock has no keypad to offer.

  • Difference #4: Shared Access – With the Kwikset Kevo, you can create and share up to 25 eKeys. There are five types of eKeys: owner, admin, anytime, scheduled, and guest. The names are pretty self-explanatory, however you can read more about each type on this Kwikset support forum.

    The Schlage Connect comes with an access code memory capacity of 30 PIN codes. Plus, depending on the Z-Wave hub you use, you’ll be able to create different types of PIN codes, like one-time entry, scheduled, etc.

  • Difference #5: Security – The Kwikset Kevo smart lock uses multiple levels of military-grade encryption and dual factor authentication to ensure the highest level of security for your home.

    However, behind all these great buzzwords, it’s just a Grade 2 lock — the second best residential security rating lock. The grade is determined based on the quality and durability of locksets through a series of operational and security tests with Grade 1 being the best and Grade 3 being… well… acceptable.

    Guess which smart lock is Grade 1 certified? The Schlage Connect.

    The Schlage Connect is one of the most secure locks on the market. Besides the ANSI Grade 1 rating (the highest level of residential security), the Schlage Connect comes with a built-in alarm.

    The built-in 90 Db audible alarm sensor alerts you to brute force activity and tamper/forced entry to communicate potential security threats. Plus, the Schlage Connect features fingerprint-resistant touchscreen to ensure wear patterns remain undetectable.

    Overall, the Schlage Connect is a way more secure smart lock than the Kwikset Kevo smart lock.

  • Difference #6: Remote Control – The Kwikset Kevo offers within-Bluetooth-range control, also called in-home control. However, the out-of-home remote control is also available, albeit at additional cost.

    With remote control, you can issue eKeys remotely, check the locks status, and get instant alerts whenever the lock is used. You can have it all by ordering the Kevo Plus — a combination of a service and a gateway. The gateway connects the Kevo smart lock with your home’s Wifi Network to provide you total remote control of the lock. Just make sure you have an Internet connection on your smartphone for this remote control feature.

    With the Schlage Connect smart lock, you can use a Z-Wave hub for its remote control. So, this is really good news for people who already have a Z-Wave hub, because you’ll get instant remote control at no additional cost. And if you don’t have a Z-Wave hub yet, you’ll probably end up getting one sooner or later if you plan on building out your smart home.

    A Z-Wave hub is like the heart of your smart home. It connects all compatible smart products in one app making them work together and creating a truly connected home at your fingertips. So, if you’re still looking for a hub, check out our take on Wink vs. SmartThings to find the perfect one for your home.

Sale Kwikset - Kevo 99250-202 Kevo 2nd Gen Bluetooth Touch-to-Open Smart Keyless Entry Electronic Deadbolt Door Lock Featuring SmartKey Security, Satin Nickel

Kwikset Kevo vs. Schlage Connect — Comparison Chart

Kevo Lock Schlage Connect
Technology Bluetooth Z-wave
Remote Control via Kevo Plus via Z-Wave Hub
Installation Exterior + interior Exterior + interior
Built-in Alarm No Yes
“SmartKey” Deadbolt Yes No
Shared Access 25 eKeys max. 30 codes max.
Lock Grade Grade 2 Grade 1
Keypad No Yes
Keypad Type N/A Touchscreen

Kwikset and Schlage Locks Accessories

Kevo Key Fob for Kevo Smart Lock

Kwikset offers a few accessories to extend the Kevo Smart Lock’s features. Besides the Kevo Plus which offers remote control, you can get the Kevo Key Fobs for easy access sharing options — sort of. The key fobs are designed specifically for Kevo smart locks to let people without a smartphone to have Touch-to-Open. Just tap the Kevo lock with the Kevo fob to lock/unlock the door.

When compared to the Schlage Connect, the Kevo Key Fobs are an alternative option to the Schlage’s built-in keypad: they also provide keyless access for people without smartphones. The downfall is that you need to buy the fobs separately and physically share them with people you want to grant access.

The Schlage Connect doesn’t really need accessories to extend its smart features. However, Schlage does offer matching handsets for the Schlage Connect lock. You can get them as part of the Schlage Connect Kit.


Kwikset Kevo vs. Schlage Connect — Our Thoughts

Schlage Connect

If you’re choosing between the Kwikset Kevo vs. Schlage Connect, we’d recommend getting the Schlage Connect.

The Schlage Connect is a Grade 1 smart lock with a built-in alarm and a fingerprint-resistant keypad. The lock ensures security and safety of your home while offering smart access sharing options along with complete remote control when paired with a Z-Wave hub.

The Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock is a Grade 2 lock with sharing options maxed at 25 eKeys. When compared to the Schlage Connect, it’s a less secure lock. Plus, you’ll need to buy accessories separately at additional cost if you want to enjoy remote control or share access with people who don’t have smartphones.

Also, the Kwikset Kevo smart lock doesn’t have a keypad, so its Touch-to-Open feature must be reliable enough to work; however, with all the criticism on Amazon, it just doesn’t seem to work that well, making the Schlage Connect a far better choice between the two smart locks.


Last update on 2024-04-19 at 22:02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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