Reddit mentions of Schlage Z-Wave Connect Century Touchscreen Deadbolt with Built-In Alarm, Works with Alexa via SmartThings, Wink or Iris, Satin Nickel, BE469 CEN 619

I've had no problems with the Schlage Connect. I installed it in new construction, so I made sure there were no issues with deadbolt alignment.

Schlage Connect Century Touchscreen Deadbolt with Built-In Alarm, Satin Nickel, BE469 CEN 619 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGK9KJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Lyhmxb1QJ7FQG

I purchased a custom SmartApp to control it. I think it was like 5 bucks. It really extends the functionality of the codes.

https://m.facebook.com/rboystapps

I have recently gone down the road of automating my home. Here are some of my thoughts:

1. Try not to lock yourself into an eco-system.
   
2. Google Home and Amazon Echo have similar capabilities, if you already have an Amazon, echo and if you like it go with more Alexa devices. As /u/TwiceBakedTomato already mentioned, Google Home or Amazon Alexa are only going to be voice-control part of your home automation. Also, if you already have a pixel phone, you can check out google's home skills, by using the google assistant.
   
3. Do not overlook Zwave. You can get a USB Zwave hub like this, and you won't have a bunch of bulbs and switches crowding your wifi network.
   
4. Check out Home Assistant. It is not really a works out-of-the-box solution (I can't speak for hass.io), but it is not hard to setup and has a lot of resources online. The possibilities with it are quite endless. The kind of automations you can have are only limited by the inputs/components you have configured and your imagination :)
   You can check all the components Home Assistant supports here. I have it configured with my TP-Link bulbs, switches, LIFX Bulbs, ZWave sensors, Zwave switches, Schalge Smart Lock, Roomba, NAS, Nest Cameras, Thermostat, etc...
   
5. For the doorbell, I would suggest going with the Nest Doorbell, Keep in mind there is an extra $50/yr (or $30/yr for each extra Nest cam) for Nest to save 24x7 video feed. It has however performed better than my older Ring doorbell which kept failing. Make sure your apartment doorbell is wired.
   
6. If you are getting more cameras, there are 2 options, going for a solution like Nest or Arlo, where the video feed storage, notification, etc is all handled by an external company; or getting cheaper IP/ONVIF Cameras and using your own surveillance/storage solution. I personally have a mix of both. I have a few nest cameras and a few cheaper IP cameras that record to my NAS. This gives me the peace of mind that in case someone breaks into my home and steals my NAS as well, I can still depend on Nest to have the break-in recorded and stored on their servers. I can also see the feed from all my cameras in a single place in Home Assistant.
   
   
   Miscellaneous thoughts:
   
   
7. Replacing wall switches are really easy, so don't restrict yourself to using only smart plugs. Just keep the older switches and put them back when you're moving out of your rental. (Obviously take appropriate safety precautions when working with live electric wires). They are also better when you have a multi-bulb lamp (like a chandelier), instead of getting 3-5 smart bulbs to make the chandelier smart, you can just get a single smart-switch which controls it.
   
8. Look into a smart lock, they are easy to install and are great! I currently have this one.
   
9. You can setup Home Assistant in something as small as a raspberry pi. Or if you have a older laptop lying around you can easily install Home Assistant, an MQTT server, Grafana, etc on docker containers on the same system
   
10. If you like DIY stuff, instead of getting a $35-$60 multi sensor like this, you can easily put together one with a ESP8266 and sensors which would cost about $8-$10 in total.
    
11. Make sure you set a budget. It's very easy to start buying stuff and a lot of approx. $30 stuff will add up quickly :)
    
    Hope this wall of text helps you. Happy Automating!
    
    e: spelling

Hue starter kit for lights

I got this lock and it works wonderfully with SmartThings, IFTTT, and Home (I can tell Google to lock/unlock the back door). It was around$120 on sale (check Slick Deals for sales). https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AGK9KJQ/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I recently got this Shlage deadbolt with touchpad and haven't used a key yet. I wanted an all-in one option (RC or Bluetooth fob, smartphone, + access code, but nothing exists (yet for Anroid). I'm pleased with this Shlage lock for the $.

edit* fixed link

I went with this, I think it is the most expensive but I thought it was the nicest looking.

http://www.amazon.com/Schlage-Connect-Century-Touchscreen-Deadbolt/dp/B00AGK9KJQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1458751644&sr=1-4&keywords=schlage+keyless+lock

The others all get good review though so its all about picking what you like the look of most. But FYI none of those locks you posted are Z-Wave compatible so they can't talk to Wink or any other Hub.

It is nice having the connectivity because you can lock and unlock doors from your smartphone and even set robots (automated tasks in the wink app) to for example, make sure all your doors are locked after 11pm.

The Yale seems to be the closet one I've found so far..

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGK9KJQ/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

If i were to purchase it, would i get the Z-wave or zigbee?