📹 Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sCJTUuwX184 

What worked best in 2025

• Compact smart door locks with balanced proportions

• Locks that aligned properly with existing hardware

• Installations that avoided unnecessary door modification

Best smart door locks for Pella doors

• Smart Door Lock Slim

• Smart Door Lock XL (for doors with wider stiles and non-multipoint setup)

For a deeper look at how this was done correctly, the Tech Talk article “Upgrading Pella Doors with the Smart Door Lock Slim: The Right Fit for Multipoint Swing Configurations” remains the best starting point. It walks through real installation considerations and explains why the Smart Door Lock Slim consistently performed well on Pella multipoint doors.

This article became a key reference throughout 2025 and continues to be the most reliable guide when evaluating smart door locks for Pella doors.

Smart Door Locks for Marvin Doors

Marvin doors were one of the most discussed brands in 2025, and for good reason. Between the Elevate, Essential, and Ultimate series, you dealt with a wide range of materials, profiles, and multipoint configurations.

What became clear is that Marvin doors reward a slim, well-proportioned smart door lock. Clean alignment and minimal door modification made a noticeable difference in long-term performance.

📹Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9kNdDOmP1ts 

What worked best in 2025

• Slim-profile smart door locks for narrow and modern stiles

• Locks that integrated cleanly with multipoint hardware

• Installations that preserved the door’s original design intent
  

Best smart door locks for Marvin doors

• Smart Door Lock Slim

• Smart Door Lock Sleek
  

Several Tech Talk articles this year documented successful Marvin installations, especially on multipoint and modern residential doors. Those installs reinforced the importance of choosing a lock that fits the door, not forcing the door to fit the lock.

For a complete breakdown of how smart door locks performed across Marvin’s full lineup, the Tech Talk article “Across the Marvin Line: How Smart Door Locks Fit Ultimate, Elevate, and Essential Doors” is the most reliable place to start. It compares real installation considerations across all three series and explains why certain models consistently delivered better results.

Smart Door Locks for Andersen Doors

Andersen doors brought a different set of challenges in 2025. From hinged entries to sliding and multipoint systems, compatibility depended heavily on the door’s configuration rather than the brand name alone.

The most successful installations focused on planning first. Once measurements and hardware layouts were confirmed, the right smart door lock choice became straightforward.

📹 Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MLLB_ID_k48 

What worked best in 2025

• Locks designed for narrow stile and aluminum profiles

• Solutions that worked across both swing and sliding doors

• Smart door locks that handled frequent use without friction
  

Best smart door locks for Andersen doors

• Smart Door Lock Slim

• Sliding Door Smart Door Lock
  

For anyone evaluating smart access on Andersen sliding doors, the Tech Talk article “Smart Door Locks for Andersen Sliding Doors: A Compatibility Guide” became the most reliable reference throughout the year. It clearly explains what works, what does not, and why sliding doors require a different approach altogether.

Tech Talk coverage around Andersen doors emphasized careful evaluation before installation. When done correctly, these doors paired well with smart access without compromising operation or durability.

Smart Door Locks for Therma-Tru Doors

Therma-Tru doors stood out in 2025 for their versatility, especially when it came to French door configurations. Many of the projects this year involved double-door layouts where symmetry, alignment, and consistent access control were critical.

Across several successful installations completed by Total Relock, French-style Therma-Tru doors proved to be strong candidates for smart door lock upgrades when paired with the right model. These projects reinforced how important it is to choose a lock that not only fits the door structure but also maintains balance across both panels.

📹 Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/M4wqac0eL5M 

What worked best in 2025

• Smart door locks that aligned cleanly on French door setups

• Models that covered existing hardware cutouts without visual disruption

• Solutions that supported daily residential use while improving security
  
  

Best smart door locks for Therma-Tru French doors

• Smart Door Lock Slim

• Smart Door Lock Sleek

These Therma-Tru French door projects showed that upgrading from traditional hardware to smart access does not require compromising the door’s original look. With proper planning and professional installation, smart door locks integrated naturally and delivered a noticeable improvement in everyday convenience.

For a closer look at why certain models performed better on these doors, the Tech Talk article “The Perfect Match: How the Smart Door Lock Slim Enhances Therma-Tru Doors” became a key reference during the year. It walks through real compatibility considerations and shows how the Smart Door Lock Slim integrates naturally with Therma-Tru door profiles.

Best Smart Door Locks by Door Type

And how those choices scaled across real projects in 2025

By the end of 2025, one principle was clear. Door type determines everything. Once movement, structure, and hardware layout were understood, choosing the best smart door locks became far more predictable, whether for a single home or an entire portfolio of properties.

This approach shaped how homeowners made decisions, how property managers standardized access, and how architects, contractors, and locksmiths advised clients throughout the year.

French Doors

Balancing symmetry, access, and multipoint systems

French doors appeared repeatedly in residential and mixed-use projects. Their double-door layout required careful alignment and consistent operation, especially when paired with multipoint hardware.

📹 Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tMWDRawuZUc  

What consistently worked

• Smart door locks sized to maintain visual balance

• Models that integrated cleanly with multipoint systems

• Installations that preserved the function of both door panels
  

Best smart door locks for French doors

• Smart Door Lock Slim

• Smart Door Lock OG

These setups proved reliable not just for single residences, but also for rental properties where repeatable performance mattered.

For anyone planning a smart upgrade on French doors, the Tech Talk article “Smart Locking French Doors: What to Know About Active, Passive, and Double Door Coordination” became the go-to reference in 2025. It breaks down how French doors function, explains common coordination mistakes, and outlines what needs to be considered before choosing a smart door lock.

This article remains essential reading when evaluating the best smart door locks for French door setups, especially when long-term reliability and proper door operation matter.

Sliding Doors

Solving space and movement limitations

Sliding doors demanded purpose-built solutions. Limited clearance and unique hardware layouts ruled out many standard options.

📹 Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/w_zmQ83caWE 

What consistently worked

• Smart door locks designed specifically for sliding systems

• Low-profile hardware that did not interfere with door travel

• Clean alignment with existing handles and frames
  

Best smart door locks for sliding doors

• Sliding Door Smart Door Lock
  
• Next Gen Smart Lock

For anyone researching smart access for sliding doors, the Tech Talk article “The Best Smart Door Locks for Sliding Doors: What to Look for Before You Buy” became the primary reference throughout the year. It clearly outlines key compatibility factors, common mistakes to avoid, and why sliding doors require a dedicated solution.

This article remains the go-to read when evaluating the best smart door locks for sliding door applications, especially for homeowners and property managers planning a long-term upgrade.

Pivot Doors

Planning ahead for architectural doors

Pivot doors became more common in custom homes and modern builds. Their weight distribution and design-forward structure required early planning.

📹 Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z10v1ZWyfmA 

What consistently worked

• Smart door locks with flexible mounting options

• Compatibility checks done before installation

• Locks that respected door balance and movement
  
  

Best smart door locks for pivot doors

• Smart Door Lock Sleek

• Smart Door Lock Face Recognition Plus 

Architects and contractors leaned heavily on this door-type logic to avoid costly revisions later in the build.

For anyone new to pivot doors or planning a smart upgrade, the Tech Talk article “What Is a Pivot Door? Features, Benefits, and the Best Smart Lock Solution” became the most reliable reference throughout the year. It explains how pivot doors differ from traditional doors and outlines what to consider before selecting a smart door lock.

This article remains the go-to read when evaluating the best smart door locks for pivot door installations, especially for architects, contractors, and homeowners working with design-forward entries.

How This Door-Type Logic Scaled Across Projects

Once door type compatibility was clearly defined, it became easier to apply the same logic across different roles and environments.

For homeowners, this meant fewer compromises and cleaner upgrades.

For property managers, it allowed standardization across mixed door types without adding complexity.

For architects, contractors, and locksmiths, it created a reliable framework for advising clients with confidence.

In 2025, the best smart door locks were not chosen by feature lists alone. They were chosen because they matched the door first, performed consistently, and reduced friction over time.

This door-first mindset shaped how smart door locks were installed, recommended, and scaled throughout the year and it sets the foundation for what comes next.

The Best Smart Door Locks from The Connected Shop in 2025

Three proven performers based on real installs

Looking back at 2025, a clear top tier emerged. These smart door locks were not chosen because they were the most talked about, but because they repeatedly delivered clean installs, reliable performance, and strong compatibility across different door systems.

These three stood out based on real-world use.

Smart Door Lock Slim

The most versatile door lock of 2025

The Smart Door Lock Slim earned its place as one of the best smart door locks of the year because it consistently fit where other models could not. Narrow stiles, modern profiles, and multipoint doors were where this lock performed best.

Primary vertical

• Residential homes
  
• Architectural and modern builds
  
  

Door brands it worked best with

• Marvin
  
• Andersen
  
• Pella
• ESW and similar aluminum systems
  
  

This lock became the default recommendation whenever space was limited and design mattered.

Smart Door Lock XL

The most reliable upgrade for traditional doors

The Smart Door Lock XL proved to be one of the best smart door locks for doors with more mounting space. It handled retrofits well and was especially effective for homeowners upgrading from traditional hardware.

Primary vertical

• Residential homes
• Rental properties

Door types it worked best with

• French Door
• Traditional wooden doors
• Fiberglass doors

This model stood out for its ability to simplify upgrades without overcomplicating installation.

Sliding Door Smart Door Lock

The clear choice for sliding systems

Sliding doors require purpose-built solutions, and this lock consistently delivered. Instead of adapting swing-door hardware, this model was designed specifically for sliding configurations, which made a measurable difference.

Primary vertical

• Residential homes
• Multi-unit properties
• Short-term rentals
  

Door brands it worked best with

• Andersen
• ESW Doors
• Custom aluminum sliding systems

This lock became the go-to solution whenever sliding door access needed to be smart, secure, and dependable.

Why These Three Defined 2025

Each of these smart door locks succeeded for a different reason:

• One excelled at fitting modern and narrow profiles.

• One simplified traditional door upgrades.

• One solved sliding door access correctly.
  

Together, they shaped how the best smart door locks were recommended throughout 2025 and set a clear standard heading into 2026.

What Smart Door Locks Will Look Like in 2026

Applying what 2025 already proved

As 2025 comes to a close, the direction for smart door locks is already clear. The biggest changes ahead are not about adding more features, but about making smart access easier to specify, install, and live with.

What worked this past year will shape what matters next.

Fit-First Decision Making Becomes the Standard

In 2026, the best smart door locks will be chosen based on door compatibility first. Door type, stile width, and hardware layout will drive recommendations before features are even considered.

This shift reduces installation issues, avoids unnecessary modifications, and leads to better long-term performance across residential and professional projects.

Cleaner Designs for Architectural Doors

Modern homes and commercial spaces continue to prioritize design. Smart door locks are expected to blend in, not stand out.

Slim profiles, balanced proportions, and minimal visual disruption will define which products gain traction in 2026, especially on pivot doors, glass doors, and modern aluminum systems.

Smarter Access Without Added Complexity

More features do not always mean better experiences. In 2026, smart door locks will focus on reliability, intuitive access methods, and stable app performance.

Homeowners, property managers, and professionals alike will prioritize solutions that work consistently without frequent adjustments or troubleshooting.

Better Planning Before Installation

Compatibility checks will move earlier in the decision process. Whether it is a single residential upgrade or a multi-door project, planning will matter more than speed.

This approach saves time, reduces returns, and leads to cleaner installs across all door types.

Closing the Chapter on 2025

2025 was about proving what works.

Through real installations, documented success stories, and door-specific recommendations, the best smart door locks became easier to identify. The guesswork was replaced with clarity, and the focus shifted toward solutions that respected the door as much as the technology.

As you move into 2026, the foundation is already set. Choosing the right smart door lock is no longer about trends. It is about fit, reliability, and knowing what has already been proven in the field.

This chapter is closed. The next one is ready to be built on everything learned along the way.