6/27/20 update: still no major issues to date. The lock ‘just works’. We don’t think anything special about it day to day and that’s probably as it should be. Only complaint long term is only way to light the panel at night is to touch a button. Best so far is to memorize wheee the lock button is and press that as it won’t register as a number entry. Batteries don’t last quite as long as they claim (no surprise) but it’s not been particularly hungry either using amazon’s batteries.
8/17/19 update: still going strong. Schlage has released several firmware updates but I haven’t been able to tell any difference. So that part has been seamless.
I use the Schlage app and not Amazon Key and have had zero problems to date. The lock can not be in both modes at the same time. It’s either an Amazon Key or using Schlage. Without a camera for Amazon to open your front door I’m not sure of the use of letting Amazon manage your lock. The lock in Schlage mode works fine with Alexa.
A few hiccups with the app early on where it would act like it forgot or couldn’t find the lock. But that hasn’t happened now for quite a bit. That may have been part of the firmware updates.
Anyhow I’d buy it again. Only complaint is that they are expensive and you have to have a locksmith to rekey them if you have more than one and want the keys to match.
Original review: Bought this to replace an old Kwikset that had the finish worn off from years in the Florida sun. We will see how well this finish lasts (I replaced the door handle with a matching set as well).
Installation was pretty straight forward, though I did have to do a little work on the door jam to install the deeper double plate that comes with Schlage locks (this is important BTW, as it's what gives these locks a better break in resistance rating over their competitors. Without that plate and extra long screws your lock installation isn't as secure as it otherwise would be). This unit is much quieter than the lock is replaced, and it's also more compact. I can still hear it, but it's not that loud. I also had to go and find some door paint to touch up the areas the old lock covered that this one doesn't.
The app gets bad reviews, but I think that's because of some of the other locks and not so much the app itself. With this lock, I had zero problems installing it and setting it up. It took a few minutes to join my network and probably 3-5 minutes to do the firmware update. The Alexa skill was also quick and mostly painless.
I also setup an account for my wife and shared the lock permissions with her, so she can do everything from her phone as well except delete the lock from her account. Getting this part to work is a little tricky, since it's not well documented. I only figured out because a Shlage rep had posted on here in reply to one of the other negative reviews about what you needed to do. You have to give them a virtual key but to do that the app wants, on an iPhone anyhow, to automatically share something but it doesn't tell you what. After some fumbling around I figured out it wanted to send the text of an e-mail with a onetime use password. The app should just do this automatically instead of opening the iOS share menu, as things like AirDrop don't work (or better yet MAKE AirDrop work for this so I can do the exchange that way!). Likewise, on my wife's phone the link from this e-mail opened the app store and then took me to the app page which allowed me to launch the app and then it asked me for that code. Seems like the link should just ask if you want to open the app and do that (like Facebook does).
Lastly, the app doesn't know your type of lock in advance, so it gives you the option to use HomeKit right from the first screen, but this lock doesn't support HomeKit. So that might cause people some grief as well.
Overall, I'd say 5 stars for the lock and 3.5 stars for the app, but mostly because of the lack of directions for the shared setup I noted above. I applaud Schlage for participating in reviews and hopefully they will take the feedback to heart. Let's also hope they spent more than a few minutes thinking about the security of this thing and employed some smart people in the use of good crypto, nonces, etc. so it's really secure and not hackable. No excuses for that in this day and age when there are many competent security professionals they can pay to design these things.
| Brand | SCHLAGE |
|---|---|
| Lock Type | Keypad |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 0.89 x 3 x 5 inches |
| Material | Chrome |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Security |
| Style | Deadbolt |
| Color | Bright Chrome |
| Number of Pieces | 2 |
| Finish Type | Bright Chrome |
| Included Components | Lockset, Hardware, Installation Instructions |
| Controller Type | Vera, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Control Method | Voice |
| Connectivity Protocol | Wi-Fi |
| Manufacturer | Schlage |
| Part Number | BE489WB CEN 625 |
| Item Weight | 3.58 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 0.89 x 3 x 5 inches |
| Item model number | BE489WB CEN 625 |
| Size | Lock Only |
| Finish | Bright Chrome |
| Pattern | Century |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Alkaline |
| Warranty Description | 3-Year Electronics Warranty and Limited Lifetime Mechanical and Finish Warranty |
