Schlage is one of the most popular and trusted brands when it comes to smart locks. The Camelot and Century are two of their top-selling keyless entry locks that offer convenient keyless access along with home automation capabilities. But what exactly sets these two locks apart?
In this detailed comparison guide, we’ll examine the key differences between the Schlage Camelot and Century smart locks to help you determine which is the better choice for securing your home.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Schlage Camelot | Schlage Century |
| Design | Traditional styled bronze finish | Contemporary matte black finish |
| Connectivity | Requires Schlage Bridge module (sold separately) | Built-in WiFi connects directly |
| Smart Features | Basic features only | Advanced app integrations like geofencing |
| Battery Life | Up to 2 years | Up to 1 year |
| Security | UL Grade 2 certified | UL Grade 2 certified |
| Auto Lock | Yes | Yes |
| User Codes | Up to 30 codes | Up to 30 codes |
| Voice Control | Via Bridge module | Native support |
| Installation | Requires Bridge installed first | Direct replacement for deadbolt |
| Cost | $139 + $69 for Bridge | $169 for full functionality |
Overview Of The Schlage Camelot And Century
The Schlage Camelot and Century are both touchscreen deadbolt locks that allow you to lock and unlock your door using customizable codes instead of keys. This gives you the flexibility to provide temporary codes to visitors like dog walkers or maintenance workers without having to hand out keys.
Both locks also support integration with Ring Alarm, Alexa, Google Assistant, and other smart home platforms, allowing you to control the lock with voice commands or automate it based on certain triggers.
However, there are some notable differences between the two locks:
- Design: The Camelot has a bronze finish and more traditional styled exterior while the Century has a matte black finish and slightly more contemporary look.
- WiFi connectivity: The Century has built-in WiFi allowing for direct communication with smart home devices. The Camelot needs to connect to a Schlage Home Bridge module (sold separately).
- Smart features: The Century offers more advanced features through the Schlage Home app like geofencing to auto-lock/unlock and activity alerts.
Also Read: Comparison Between Brinks and Schlage
Now we’ll explore these differences in more depth to help determine if the Camelot or Century is better suited to your needs.
Lock Design And Appearance
While smart functionality is important, you also want your smart lock to look great on your front door. This is one area where the Camelot and Century differ.
The Schlage Camelot has a classic bronze finish and styling with an interior thumbturn knob. It looks like a traditional deadbolt lock and matches well with most standard door hardware.
The Schlage Century has a more contemporary matte black finish and exterior touchscreen. The overall look is a bit more modern and tech-focused. It offers a good balance between smart functionality and aesthetics.
Both locks are available in a few additional finishes like Satin Nickel and Aged Bronze. But the core design and appearance differs between the two models.
So if you prefer a more classic look for your exterior door hardware, the Camelot is likely the better choice. But if you want a lock with a sleeker, more modern appearance, the Century would be ideal.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
One of the biggest differences between these two Schlage locks is how they connect to your smart home system.
The Schlage Century has built-in WiFi that allows it to directly connect to your home network and communicate with smart devices like Google Home and Amazon Alexa. This makes integration much simpler without the need for any extra modules or hubs.
The Camelot, on the other hand, must be paired with the Schlage Home Bridge module (sold separately) to enable WiFi connectivity. The Bridge module basically acts like a hub, linking the Camelot to your home network via Z-Wave or Zigbee protocols.
Without the Bridge module, you won’t be able to control the Camelot lock remotely or integrate it into a smart home ecosystem. The need for the extra Bridge hardware adds to both the upfront and installation costs.
So when it comes to wireless connectivity, the Century definitely provides a much more seamless experience given its onboard WiFi capabilities. The Camelot will require the extra investment of a Bridge module if you want full smart functionality.
Smart Features And Integration
With WiFi connectivity, smart locks are able to support more advanced features through companion apps. There are some differences in capabilities between the Schlage Camelot and Century here as well.
The Schlage Century works with the Schlage Home app which allows you to:
- Get real-time lock status and notifications
- Monitor activity with an activity feed
- Create schedules and rules like auto-lock/unlock
- Utilize geofencing based on your phone location
- Add and manage users
- Check battery status
- Enable vacation mode to restrict access
The Camelot, while able to integrate with some smart home platforms using the Bridge module, won’t support the full range of features through the Schlage Home app. The app is needed to manage more advanced functions like geofencing and custom rules.
So if you want capabilities like location-based automation, remote monitoring and access management, the Century is the better option given its tighter integration with the Schlage Home ecosystem.
Both locks can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts. But the Century offers a more unified experience within the Schlage app that some users may prefer.
Also Read: Is Kwikset Tylo Better Than Juno Smart Locks?
Installation And Compatibility
Installing and setting up the Camelot Vs. Century will have some slight differences as well given the need for the Bridge module for the Camelot.
The Schlage Century can directly replace an existing deadbolt lockset with no need for additional hardware other than four AA batteries. Setup involves creating a Schlage account in the mobile app and connecting over WiFi.
The Camelot requires installing the Schlage Home Bridge first, connecting it to your router, and then pairing it to the lock. So make sure your router is nearby where the lock will be installed. More steps are involved but overall installation is straightforward.
Both locks are designed to fit standard-sized doors with 2-1⁄8” or 2-3⁄4” backset and 1⁄2” to 1” variable thickness. Make sure your current deadbolt hole and latch match up with the compatible backsets before installing your new lock.
And while the Camelot requires the Bridge for full functionality, it can be used as a traditional keypad lock without smart capabilities if desired.
Battery Life
Since these locks are powered by batteries instead of hardwired, battery life is an important consideration.
According to Schlage, the Century is designed to last around 1 year on 4 AA batteries with normal use. Infrequently used locks may last longer. And lithium batteries can extend battery life up to 2 years.
The Camelot is estimated to operate for up to 2 years on the included set of 4 AAs, likely owing to the lack of onboard WiFi. With typical use, around 1 year of operation can be expected before a battery change is needed.
Both locks use visual indicators as well as notifications in the Schlage Home app to alert you when batteries run low.
In general, both locks should provide around 12 months of use before needing fresh batteries – suitable for most homes. But those wanting maximal battery life may favor the Camelot.
Security Features
When it comes to locking capabilities and security, the Camelot and Century are comparable:
- They both feature UL Grade 2 certified security with encrypted protocols to prevent hacking of codes or WiFi communications. This level of security resistance makes them suitable for most residential exterior doors.
- Safeties like automatic re-locking ensure the door remains secured if a code isn’t entered fully.
- The auto-lock feature will re-engage the deadbolt after 30 seconds. This is optional on both locks.
- Each lock can store up to 30 unique user codes for family, guests, dog walkers etc.
- A touchscreen lockout mode disables the keypad for a period after too many incorrect code entries as a theft deterrent.
So from a pure security standpoint, neither model seems to have an edge. Both Schlage locks provide robust physical security backed by SSL encryption and other anti-theft technologies.
Cost Comparison
Let’s break down the costs between the Schlage Century and Camelot smart locks:
- The Century has an MSRP of $169 for the standalone touchscreen lock. So no extra expenses are required.
- The Camelot lock itself is priced lower at around $139. However, you’ll need to add on the Schlage Home Bridge module for $69 if you want to integrate with a smart home system.
- Additional costs for the Camelot may also include a Z-Wave or ZigBee controller if your Bridge module requires it to connect to your system.
When you factor in all required parts and accessories, the Century ends up being the more affordable option by $20-60 depending on connectivity needs.
There are ways to save on either lock, like waiting for sales or buying open-box models. But based purely on MSRP, the Schlage Century carries a lower total cost for full functionality.
Also watch the video about Schlage Camelot!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The main differences between the Camelot and Century locks are:
Design and appearance – the Camelot has a more traditional styled bronze finish while the Century is matte black and contemporary
Built-in WiFi connectivity – The Century has onboard WiFi allowing connection to smart home platforms while the Camelot requires a Bridge module
Supported features – The Century offers more advanced app integrations like geofencing through the Schlage Home app Vs. the more basic Camelot
Installation – The Century is a direct replacement for a standard deadbolt; the Camelot needs the Bridge module installed first
Cost – The Century is around $20-60 cheaper than the Camelot + Bridge
So in summary, the Century is more modern, seamlessly connects online, and is generally more full-featured and affordable. But the Camelot offers a classic look and can still provide basic smart controls through additional hardware.
Based on this comparison, the Schlage Century would likely be considered the “best” Schlage smart deadbolt for most homeowners. Reasons why include:
Built-in WiFi for simpler installation and smart home integration
More advanced features through complete Schlage Home app integration
Slightly more contemporary and tech-focused design
More affordable overall cost without need for a hub or accessories
However, the Camelot is still a very solid choice if you prefer its traditional styling and don’t mind using a Bridge module for connecting to smart platforms. It just lacks some of the convenience and capabilities of the Century.
Yes, the Schlage Camelot does support an auto re-lock or auto lock feature to engage the deadbolt after a set period of inactivity. This can be enabled using the Schlage Home app, with the lock re-locking after 30 seconds by default.
Auto re-lock ensures your door stays secured if you forget to manually lock it, adding convenience while maintaining proper security. This feature works the same way on the Schlage Century lock as well.
The Schlage Encode and Connect are two other popular Schlage smart lock models that differ in a few key ways:
The Encode has a touchscreen while the Connect uses buttons
The Encode has built-in WiFi like the Century while the Connect requires the Bridge module
The Connect only supports Alexa while the Encode works with Alexa, Google Home, and more
The Encode offers more advanced app features and integration
So in summary – the Encode is the higher-end smart lock with the touchscreen and WiFi connectivity. The Connect is a more basic budget-friendly smart lock. But both provide keyless entry and integration with Alexa.
Also Read: Comparison Between Lockly Secure Pro And Lockly Secure Plus.
Conclusion
When comparing the Schlage Camelot Vs. Century smart locks, the Century comes out as the better choice overall thanks to its onboard WiFi, tighter smart home integration, more advanced features through the Schlage Home app, and more contemporary design.
However, the Camelot is still a solid lock for basic keyless entry and smart home access if you prefer its traditional styling. You just need to factor in purchasing the Bridge module as well.
Hopefully this detailed comparison has provided insight into the key differences and which Schlage lock pairs best with your priorities and home setup. Either lock will provide convenient keyless access. But the Century offers the smoothest connectivity with your smart ecosystem.