Last Updated on May 9, 2024
Video Reviews | What Makes a Padlock Good? | Types of Padlocks | Details on Our Favorite Padlocks | FAQ
Best Padlocks By Application
Padlocks come in different sizes, with different ways to open and with different levels of security. They can be priced from just a few dollars to several hundred dollars. But which is the best padlock for you? With over 25 years as a Phoenix locksmith business we have an opinion on the subject.
For those wanting our top picks, our recommended best padlocks are:
- Best Low-Cost, Low-End Padlock: Master Lock Commercial Padlocks (see on Amazon)
For when you just want to keep honest people honest or children from being tempted. - Best Easy-to-Use Padlock: 83/45 Series Abus Padlocks
Key this padlock to your house key. One key for your home/business and padlocks.
For Schlage Keys On Amazon.
For Kwikset Keys On Amazon - Best Combination Padlock: ABUS 190CS / 60 (see on Amazon)
Weather protection, shackle guard, and strong. - Strongest Padlock Using a Regular Key: Abus “ROCK” 83/80 (see on Amazon)
A massive 3 pound padlock. - Strongest Padlock Using a High-Security Key: (see on Amazon)
Mul-t-lock. The lock we use to secure our locksmith shop. For when you want the absolute best. - Best Lock for Storage Units: Abus 20/70 with Abus Plus Core (see on Amazon).
Video Padlock Reviews
The Best Padlocks by Level of Security
Our favorite padlocks. IMPORTANT! We no longer recommend the Master 1177 combination lock. See our Video on the ABUS 190cs/60 to learn why we’ve changed our tune.The Best Combination Padlock Available?
The ABUS 190cs/60 – Top SecurityWhat Makes a Good Padlock?
Like door locks, padlocks have a grading system. At least they do in Europe. But in the US it’s more difficult to determine what is ‘good.’
In Europe, padlocks are graded 1-6. One being the least secure and six being the highest security padlock (and quite rare).
In the US, we have a grading system but it is practically unknown so you have to look a bit harder to determine what a good padlock is.
Overall Weight
The total weight of the lock. When evaluating two locks of roughly equal sides, go with the heaviest, as it is an indication of the quality of the materials used.
Shackle Construction
The lock’s shackle can determine how difficult it is to cut off a padlock. The thicker the better, but you may be limited by the size of the gap you are securing the shackle to.
The quality of the steel used needs to also be considered.
We also like the shackles that are not round. Master Lock makes a nice combination padlock with an octagonal shackle. The idea behind it is that it is more difficult to use bolt cutters because the flat service will distribute the force of the cutters making it more difficult.
Padlock Shackle Guards
Shackle guards shield the shackle from any tool that may attack the lock.
They create another layer that needs to be gotten though before someone can cut the shackle.
However, they can’t be used in many applications because of clearance restrictions.
Different Kinds of Padlocks
Standard Padlocks
The basic u-shaped padlocks of our youth. Typically key operated.
Combination Padlocks
The main advantage of combination padlocks is that they don’t have a key to worry about, but you need to remember the combination!
There are two varieties here. The old-style locker lock with a spinning disk that opens the lock after rotating it. Because the wheel rotation is a specific sequence they can be difficult to open. In all honesty, this is my least favorite lock.
The other style has a series of wheels, usually on the bottom of the lock, that are turned to input the combination. These are easier to use, but in the past have been easily bypassed (broken into). Our new favorite has solved that issue.
Shackle-less Padlocks
For specific applications a shackle-less padlock is an ideal lock. It eliminates the main method used to get into a padlock (cutting the shackle). We use these on our service vehicles to secure the van doors. These locks require a special hasp designed for them to secure the doors.
Luggage Locks
After 9-11 special locks were introduced to the market for luggage. These TSA approved locks are combination locks that can be opened by inspectors via a universal key (should an inspector determine they need to get into your luggage to inspect it).
Others cannot access the lock (unless forcing/breaking it). Some versions indicate to the owner if the luggage padlock has been opened by an inspector.
Storage Unit Locks
Also called ‘disk locks’. These padlocks are built specifically for the standard storage shed unit. These disc locks have a very small shackle making them very difficult to cut through if trying to break in. They are fantastic for storage units but have very little use elsewhere.
Rollerball Padlock
The Master Lock 1500iD is an interesting lock. It opens by sliding the face plate in a series of Left – Right – Up – Down motions and it can be set to any number of motions in any sequence. We loved these when they first came out. I put one on my electrical box. To keep programming simple I thought about how I would enter the Master Bathroom of my home from the front door. Go in (up), turn left, go straight (up) turn right, go straight (up). So I had a sequence (up-left-up-right-up) that was easy for me to remember. The trouble was that my electrical box was exposed to the brunt of the full Arizona sun and the lock did not hold up well with the heat and dust. It failed within two years.
Biometric Padlocks
Biometric Padlocks are new to the market. We have not thoroughly tested them. They tend to have too many false positives and false negatives. Most padlocks are installed on outdoor applications, and I can’t imagine them standing up to the heat and dust of a Phoenix Arizona summer. Contact your local locksmith for their opinion on these locks in your area.
House Key Padlocks
If you are looking for our favorite ease-of-use padlock feature, it’s the house-key controlled padlock. These locks can be pinned up so that they operate from your house key or business key. Nearly everyone keeps their house key with them at all times, so the key is always there when you need it, and it doesn’t have the problems of the other two locks above.
Why We Chose Our Best Padlocks
Master Lock Commercial Padlocks – Best Inexpensive Padlock
These have been around forever and for good reason. For their price point, they are physically well built. The body is made of laminate steel providing for great strength and distribution of force. This is the “Tough under fire” lock. It has a hardened steel shackle. It’s worth the extra dollar or two to get the commercial grade version.
The commercial grade version includes a hardened steel bottom plate and an anti-drill keyway making them a bit harder to bypass. I know I’m going to get a lot of flack for recommending this padlock, but remember. This is a $10 padlock. It is not meant to protect high valuables. It should be used to remove temptation from normally honest people. Check out our video Can All Locks Be Picked.
83/45 Series Abus Padlocks – Easiest to Use Padlock
This is a well built padlock that skips the marketing gimmicks of the slide lock and biometric, ease-of-use locks.
It has excellent corrosion and dust resistance. It can be keyed to just about any residential or business key out there and it can be set up to retain the key (cannot remove the key until the lock is closed) which is an excellent feature in commercial gate applications to make sure the key is not left behind by an employee.
If you are ordering these locks, make sure you order them with the right keyway that you are trying to match to (for example, Kwikset or Schlage). Kwikset is the Abus 83/45200 and Schlage is the Abus 83/45300 version (other keyways are available). If you are matching this lock to an existing key, you will need to take it to your local locksmith so they can change the cylinder pins to match your key.
Best Combination Padlock: ABUS 190CS / 60
We’ve updated this recommendation!
Details of this new recommendation can be found in our Best Combination Padlock post. You can also watch our YouTube video on our new Favorite Combination Padlock.
Everything that has been wrong with wheel-style combination padlocks, which made them easy to bypass, has been taken care of with this new lock by ABUS. It’s a great buy.
ABUS Rock 83/50 – Strongest Padlock With Regular Key
We love this padlock and we love the Abus chain that you can buy for it.
The chain is made of hardened steel and anti-corrosive material and can be gotten over 1/2 inch thick! The shackle of the rock is an incredible 19/32″ hardened steel shackle diameter. A shackle guard version is also available.
How much steel is there in this lock? Over three pounds! Don’t need that much security. There is a smaller 83/55 version of this lock that only weighs in at 1.5 lbs.
When you REALLY want to protect what you’re locking up; use the Abus Rock and Chain
Mul-t-Lock – Strongest Padlock With High-Security Key:
Mul-t-lock is the lock we use to secure our locksmith shop to protect our property. The above link takes you to our favorite, the #10 C-Series Padlock, but all of their padlocks with shackle guards will serve you well.
The main advantage of Mul-t-lock over the Abus ROCK is in the key itself. Both are made of hardened steel and patented materials. But the Mul-t-lock product uses a double-sided, high-security flat key that cannot be duplicated by anyone other than a licensed security company. It makes use of a locking bar mechanism and two interactive ball bearings creating multiple shear lines so it cannot be picked open. This padlock is like no other.
Because of the security nature of this product, you will want to check with your local locksmith before purchasing one online to make sure you will be able to get duplicate keys locally.
Abus 20/70 with Abus Plus Core – Best Lock for Storage Units
The hasp is the most exposed and easiest part of a lock to try and destroy. But diskus padlocks, like those with shackle guards, protect the hasp. When installed on a storage unit, they are just plain hard to get to.
When buying the ABUS Disk lock for your storage unit, be sure to pick one up that has the ABUS Plus Core. This cylinder is extremely hard to bypass. It’s possible only a few people in the world that can bypass this core, making it one of the most pick resistant cores available.
FAQ
Do I Need to Buy an Expensive Padlock
It depends on what you are locking up. You don’t want to secure $10,000 of product with a $10 padlock. Our article will walk you through the best padlocks at a variety of price points. You can decide how much you want to spend to protect your property.
Which Padlocks Can't Be Cut Off?
Thickness and strength of the shackle are key here. The thicker the better. You can get padlocks with ½ inch shackles for maximum strength. Padlocks with shackle guards are also a great way to protect from bolt cutters. With enough time, any padlock can be removed, the key is to make yours the hardest one in the area to cut through so criminals look elsewhere.
Are There Any Secure Combination Padlocks?
We like combination padlocks with a shackle, as opposed to those that are connected at both ends of the combination wheels. Combination padlocks connected at both ends are easily bypassed by using a tension technique. Our recommended combination lock is a Master Lock with a shackle guard.
Disclosure: As an eBay / Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.