The Schlage Sense Pro is the latest smart lock to support Apple Home Key via Ultra Wideband, and while it's an impressive solution, it's largely an Apple-only lock at launch.
Ultra Wideband can automatically unlock your door as you approach, with greater reliability and performance than Bluetooth smart locks. So far, only one or two UWB smart locks have reached the market.
The Schlage Sense Pro, first shown off at CES 2026, is the latest. By all accounts, it could be the best yet.
Schlage Sense Pro review: Everything included in the box
The box includes all essentials, such as installation hardware, four AA batteries to power the lock, and instructions. There are also pairing codes included both in the manual and inside the lock for Matter and Apple Home control.
It comes in both black and silver finishes, with the former being tested here.
Maybe it's because I've installed countless smart locks over the years, but it didn't take long to get the Schlage Sense Pro up and running. For moderately handy users with pre-drilled doors, it shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes to have it installed.
After removing the old deadbolt, you first insert the deadbolt into the edge of the door and secure it with the two medium-sized screws. Make sure you note which way is facing up, as denoted by the arrow.
Schlage Sense Pro review: Screw the exterior part to the interior mounting plate and route the wires through the hole.
Then, you move on to placing the exterior portion of the lock. This gets affixed to the interior mounting plate with the two long screws.
The two wires from the exterior portion plug into the back of the interior portion. After you tuck the wires away, the interior is screwed into place with the two tiny screws.
Schlage Sense Pro review: The back slides onto the mounting plate and is then screwed into place itself.
Finally, the batteries are inserted into the top, and the cap is slid on. It's stress-free, and as long as you have the holes in the door, you don't need anything more than a regular Phillips screwdriver.
The lock has a very clean, minimalist appearance. The outside is largely devoid of lights, buttons, cameras, or other distractions, sans a subtle "Schlage" logo in the middle.
Schlage Sense Pro review: Lights on top show your approach, and a keypad will also appear
Only when the lock is activated do the lights for the keypad illuminate. There are lights along the top edge, too, that indicate your proximity to the lock.
I was impressed with the overall feel of the lock, as it's mostly metal. It has a solid, strong, durable construction that helped it achieve its BHMA Grade 2 certification, which is high for a residential lock.
There's a variety of ways to unlock the Schlage Sense Pro, and one noticeable way you can't. You can use Apple Home Key via NFC or UWB, a passcode, or various apps and voice assistants such as Apple Home, SmartThings, or Amazon Alexa.
Schlage Sense Pro review: The lock supports Matter, and soon, Aliro
This gives users quite a bit of flexibility in how they access their home. Kids and guests can use codes, while primary members can use the Ultra Wideband or NFC.
In what will ultimately be a controversial move, Schlage opted to omit support for physical keys on this futuristic smart lock. There's no getting around the fact that this will be a dealbreaker for some.
For me, this isn't an issue. There's no situation where I'd see the need for a physical key.
In some ways, it's more secure because there is no way for your lock to be picked or bumped. Passcodes still give a fallback for when you don't have your phone/watch with you, or there are users without smartphones in your home.
Schlage Sense Pro review: The bottom has an emergency USB-C port for power
If the lock ever runs out of batteries, there's an emergency USB-C port hidden on the bottom of the outer portion. I always have a cable in the car parked in the driveway, so it's not a concern, and you can draw power straight from your phone.
Digging into the tech, the Schlage Sense Pro has Wi-Fi for use via the Schlage app. Alternatively, it supports Thread, though you need a Thread border router to take full advantage of it.
Schlage Sense Pro review: Adding the lock to Apple Home
Wi-Fi can provide up to six months of battery life with regular use, while Thread can extend that to nine months. For Apple Home users, HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV all act as Thread border routers.
