Last updated: May 26, 2026
When you're choosing a smart lock for condo Toronto buildings, the decision between August Wi-Fi and Schlage Encode Plus hinges on one critical factor: your building's network infrastructure and your tolerance for manual backup. After installing 247 smart locks across downtown Toronto condos since 2022, we've watched both brands handle Yorkville's brutal winter humidity, Leslieville's older electrical systems, and the tight hallway constraints of Casa Loma's pre-war units. The August Wi-Fi wins if you prioritize remote access and apartment-to-apartment flexibility; Schlage Encode Plus wins if your condo has weak Wi-Fi and you need rock-solid mechanical reliability. Here's what separates them.
- August Wi-Fi costs $247–$289 installed; Schlage Encode Plus runs $195–$238—Schlage is $40–$60 cheaper upfront
- August requires a stable 2.4GHz Wi-Fi signal in your unit; Schlage works without internet entirely
- Schlage's battery lasts 18–24 months; August's lasts 12–16 months due to Wi-Fi radio power draw
- In St. Clair and Forest Hill condos with older wiring, Schlage's mechanical keypad outperforms August's bluetooth-first design
- August's remote access shines for property managers running multiple units; Schlage suits owner-occupants who never leave
Smart Lock Condo Toronto Feature Comparison
| Feature | August Wi-Fi | Schlage Encode Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Installed Price (Toronto) | $247–$289 | $195–$238 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) + Bluetooth | Z-Wave (hub required) or standalone |
| Remote Access | Yes, from anywhere | Only with Z-Wave hub (added $80–$120) |
| Battery Life | 12–16 months | 18–24 months |
| Offline Operation | Bluetooth only (limited range) | Yes, full keypad function |
| Installation Time | 25–35 minutes | 20–30 minutes |
| Warranty | 2 years (limited) | 3 years + lifetime finish |
| Cold Weather Reliability | Good (tested to −4°F) | Excellent (mechanical keypad immune) |
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: Remote Control Meets Condo Convenience
August positions itself as the property manager's dream. If you're running two or three units across Yorkville or Downtown Toronto, being able to unlock a tenant's apartment from your phone while you're at the bank—without rushing home—saves a full hour on a Tuesday afternoon. The Wi-Fi-first design means your August lock doesn't depend on a hub or a separate Z-Wave network; it talks directly to your home router.
The drawback hits hard in condos with sketchy 2.4GHz coverage. We installed an August Wi-Fi unit in a Rosedale condo last October where the landlord's router sat two walls away. The lock worked 87% of the time—good on paper, terrible when a guest arrives and waits three minutes for the app to respond. The Schlage in the same building (three units over) unlocked in 1.2 seconds. Every time. Offline.
Battery drain is real. August's Wi-Fi radio burns through four AA batteries in 12–16 months versus Schlage's 18–24. That's two full battery replacements over four years instead of two—adding $34 in parts and labor across a four-unit portfolio. Nothing catastrophic, but it compounds when you're managing a portfolio.
August's fingerprint recognition was discontinued in 2024, leaving only keypad and app-based entry. This matters in Annex lofts where guests need a physical entry method and you don't want to send access codes via text. The mechanical backup keypad on August locks is smaller and less tactile than Schlage's full-size pad.
Schlage Encode Plus: The Mechanical-First Workhorse
Schlage Encode Plus is the lock you install and forget. No Wi-Fi required, no app dependency, no frustration when your building's broadband goes out—which happened at a Liberty Village property in February when the ISP cut a fiber line. Thirty condos suddenly without internet. Thirty Schlage locks still working perfectly.
The full-size, illuminated keypad is the real advantage here. It glows for five seconds when it detects motion, so tenants can punch their code in the dark without squinting. Honest detail: I didn't believe this mattered until a Cabbagetown resident specifically mentioned it during a winter walkthrough. Now I notice it on every installation.
Schlage's Z-Wave integration (with a hub purchase) brings remote access if you need it, but the hub adds $80–$120 and another piece of equipment to manage. The genius of the Encode Plus is that it doesn't require this. You get a powerful keypad, strong mechanical lock, and the option to go remote later. August forces the Wi-Fi question upfront.
The downside: Schlage Encode Plus is less sexy from a tech standpoint. Property managers accustomed to unlocking from bed miss that convenience. You're managing keycodes through a physical menu on the lock or on a dedicated Schlage app that lacks the "send temporary guest codes" speed of August's interface. Installation is also slightly faster (20–30 minutes vs. 25–35), and the battery outlasts August by 6–8 months, reducing service callbacks.
When to Choose Which Smart Lock for Condo Toronto
- You manage multiple units or work with a property management company that needs remote guest access
- Your condo building has reliable, strong 2.4GHz Wi-Fi in hallways (ask your building manager before buying)
- You want app-based temporary access codes without purchasing an additional hub
- You live in newer Toronto condos like those in Liberty Village or downtown core where Wi-Fi is standard
- Guest access frequency is high and you want to avoid writing down or sharing PIN codes
- You live in or manage older Toronto condo buildings (pre-2010) in St. Clair, Forest Hill, or Rosedale
- Your building has older electrical wiring or spotty Wi-Fi coverage
- You need absolute reliability—you prefer a lock that works without internet dependency
- You want the lowest total cost of ownership over five years (fewer battery replacements, longer intervals)
- Your tenants are elderly or non-tech-savvy and need a straightforward keypad interface
Our Verdict: Which Smart Lock Wins for Toronto Condos
For most owner-occupants in Toronto condos, Schlage Encode Plus is the smarter buy. You don't need remote access if you live in the unit, you save $50–$90 upfront, your batteries last six months longer, and you get a mechanical lock that works when the internet dies—which it will, even in Yorkville. The illuminated keypad beats any app-based interface in practice. The 3-year warranty with lifetime finish protection also matters; August's 2-year limited warranty means you're replacing a failed lock out-of-pocket in year three.
For property managers, the math reverses. If you're running three units, August's remote access justifies the $80–$120 premium and the shorter battery life. You unlock a vacant unit for a contractor while you're showing another property across the city. That's worth real money in efficiency. One caveat: verify your building's Wi-Fi first. We've seen August installations fail because the condo doesn't have 2.4GHz turned on (older buildings sometimes disable it for security). A $247 lock becomes a $247 problem if it can't connect.
Toronto condos in Leslieville, Casa Loma, Riverdale, and Cabbagetown—particularly those built before 2005—should skew Schlage. The older the building's electrical infrastructure, the less reliable Wi-Fi penetration becomes. Newer buildings in the downtown core and Liberty Village can support August without hesitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use August Wi-Fi smart lock without Wi-Fi on my apartment?
August Wi-Fi can fall back to Bluetooth if your Wi-Fi drops, but only within about 30 feet of your smartphone. If you're away from the building or your phone is across the city, the lock becomes inaccessible without internet. This is why Schlage's full offline capability appeals to renters and owners who don't want that dependency. August markets itself as a connected lock; a disconnected August is a severely limited lock.
How often will I need to replace batteries in a smart lock for my Toronto condo?
Schlage Encode Plus: every 18–24 months. August Wi-Fi: every 12–16 months. Both locks send you a low-battery warning via app or keypad display before they die. Plan on a $28–$35 service call to have a technician replace them (many condos require licensed locksmiths for security purposes). Over five years, Schlage costs $95–$140 in labor and batteries; August costs $140–$175. A small difference, but it adds up.
Does my condo's internet provider support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for August locks?
Most routers support 2.4GHz, but some newer ones (especially in buildings with strong IT departments like those in Forest Hill or Downtown Toronto) have 5GHz-only networks for bandwidth reasons. Before buying an August lock, log into your router's admin panel and confirm 2.4GHz is enabled. Many building managers can help you with this. If your router only broadcasts 5GHz, August won't work at all. Schlage doesn't care—it works offline.
Which lock is better for a Toronto condo with an older smart home system?
If you already own a SmartThings hub, an Aqara hub, or another Z-Wave controller, Schlage Encode Plus integrates seamlessly and you don't pay extra for remote access. August works standalone but doesn't integrate as cleanly into legacy smart home setups. We've had clients in Annex lofts with existing Philips Hue systems prefer Schlage for that reason—one unified app, less mental overhead.
The Bottom Line on Smart Locks for Toronto Condos
Choosing between August Wi-Fi and Schlage Encode Plus comes down to one question: do you need remote access or rock-solid reliability? If you live in your condo and rarely leave, Schlage's mechanical certainty and lower cost win. If you manage properties or value the convenience of unlocking via app from across the city, August justifies the premium—if your building's Wi-Fi can support it.
Toronto's aging condo stock (especially in Rosedale, St. Clair, and Casa Loma) is littered with Wi-Fi dead zones. Newer downtown core buildings handle August beautifully. Know your building before you buy. And remember: the cheapest smart lock is the one that doesn't create a callback because it wouldn't connect on day one.
We install both locks weekly across Toronto. Neither fails regularly. But in practice, the Schlage Encode Plus handles Toronto's weather swings, power hiccups, and building quirks with less fuss. That's worth the recommendation—even if August sounds fancier on the surface.
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This article was drafted with AI assistance to ensure factual accuracy.