Hilka 50mm Double Ball High Security Padlock Review

They may be as old as the hills, but when information technology comes to securing your bike, gate or garden shed, a padlock remains the best choice effectually. Not all padlocks are created equal however, and any canny thief will tell you that some padlocks are far easier to interruption or pick than others.

Nosotros've put together a list of the acme padlocks on the market today and so that you can rest assured that your possessions and holding are safe and secure. These locks are tough, difficult to pause, and suitable for a range of different situations. While some models may exist pricier than others, they all offering splendid value for money in terms of what they're able to deliver. We've also included a short guide that covers the chief differences between the different varieties of padlock, so you can make a well-informed buying decision.

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How to buy the best padlock for you

What features should I await out for?

Materials and design – Every bit you may imagine, padlocks made from cheaper materials can be easily cleaved with elementary tools. Ideally, you lot're going to want to pick up a well-engineered padlock made from alloy steel or contumely, these are a lot stronger and will prove much tougher to crack. Summit-finish locks will more often than not make use of reinforced construction methods and include ball bearings inside their pattern. If you plan on using your padlock outside where it'south exposed to the elements then making sure it's designed to be weatherproof is essential - y'all don't want to discover yourself in a state of affairs where your tough lock becomes seized up through h2o ingress.

Shackle – The shackle is the hoop section at the top of the lock. While shopping for a padlock, for the most security, you'll want to selection up a model where the shackle is mostly hidden or shielded. A large, exposed shackle presents criminals with the opportunity to go at the lock with cutters. Padlocks with minimal shackle exposure, or locks that shroud part of the shackle within the body of the lock are far tougher to cutting into.

Seal of approval – For a locking up items of particular value it may exist worth looking into a lock with an endorsement from 1 of the independent testing bodies, particularly "Sold Secure" (owned by the Master Locksmiths' Association), "Kite Marking" (owned by the British Standards Institute) and the European standard, "CEN". Each testing body has its own grading arrangement. For example, CEN grading runs from ane to half-dozen (with half-dozen existence the about secure) and is based on how easy a lock is to cut through, how long it would have to option, and how strong the lock is while being pulled and twisted. Buying an independently tested lock will give you the assurance that information technology's sufficiently secure for your given application, and you may also detect that some insurance policies specify certain lock ratings in order for you to be covered.

What about padlock accessories?

Your padlock is only as secure equally the weakest component it'south attached to. In the case of gates and shed doors the accompaniment components are commonly going to exist a staple and a hasp. The staple is the metallic hoop that'south ordinarily fastened to the door frame, while the hasp is the flat, hinged strip of metal on the door itself that y'all fold over the staple before attaching the lock. Yous won't see much benefit from a acme-tier padlock if you pair information technology with a sub-par hasp or staple that can easily be cut or pried away from the frame.

Should I go for a combination lock or keys?

Traditional key designs are more conventional, but a combination lock is ideal for situations where multiple people demand admission to the same lock. It as well means there's no need to get central copies cut, and there's no danger of losing the central - do make sure to recollect the combination, however!

If you do go for a padlock with a central, look for one with four or more pins – the tumblers that proceed the lock from opening until it's turned with the right fundamental. The more pins, the harder it is for the lock to be picked or the key to be duplicated. Some high-end padlocks even come up with a restricted key, which locksmiths will pass up to indistinguishable without evidence that you're the possessor.

It'southward as well possible to find packs of padlocks that are 'keyed akin', meaning that they all open with the aforementioned key. This tin can exist bad for security – you just need one cardinal to go access to several doors, drawers or lockers – but it's a plus when information technology comes to convenience.

How much do I demand to spend?

For upkeep, the value of whatever you demand to protect is always a decent guide. For filing cabinet of documents in your home office, a £5 lock volition likely be upwardly to the task. For a shed total of power tools, or a garage containing valuable bikes you'll want to spend a piffling more for a higher quality lock. More expensive doesn't necessarily mean better, though, and so exist sure to cheque out our reviews below for the best padlocks for all situations and budgets.

The all-time padlocks you tin purchase in 2021

1. Master Lock ProSeries 6321EURD Weather Tough shrouded padlock 55mm: Best loftier-security padlock

Toll: £38 | Purchase now from Amazon

This heavy-duty padlock features a hardened iron shroud which protects the shackle from bolt-cutter attacks and a tough boron alloy shackle. An internal dual-ball locking mechanism means no amount of meddling is likely to break it and the six-pin cylinder volition prove extremely difficult to option. Designed to withstand all weather conditions, it'south suitable for anything from trailers to sheds, and volition meet you lot through years and years of usage – a promise that'southward backed up by a lifetime warranty.

Key specs – Lock type: Key; Sizes available: three; Warranty: Lifetime against mechanical failure; Suggested uses: Gates, sheds, storage units, fences, containers and bondage

2. Squire Stronghold 6-pin Closed Shackle: The toughest loftier-security padlock

Price: £53 | Purchase now from Amazon

Squire'due south Stronghold series doesn't come up cheap, but you'll be hard pushed to detect a tougher padlock. The closed shackle variants make things even tougher for thieves with a hardened boron alloy steel shackle that barely peeks outside of the dual-compound weatherproof trunk and hardened steel shell. It also has a rust-resistant electrophoretic finish and a drill-resistant 6-pin cylinder, and so it'southward virtually as secure and durable every bit padlocks come up. And, in a clever idiot-proofing feature, information technology won't release the key until the shackle is deeply locked. Need to secure something really valuable? Want a padlock that comes built to final? Don't skimp – this is a bully investment that will last yous years.

Cardinal specs – Lock type: Central; Sizes available: 5; Warranty: 10-year no quibble guarantee; Suggested uses: Vehicles, garages, gates

3. Abus Combination Padlock: Best padlock for lockers

Price: £xi | Purchase now from Amazon

This cheap yet durable, anti-pick combination padlock is designed specifically for lockers in schools and gyms. Information technology might look like every other combination padlock y'all've seen, but it's far more robust and long-lasting than you'd expect for the price. The model shown here is the three dial 30mm version, only there'south also a 40mm version with four dials which may be better for larger lockers.

Key specs – Lock type: Combination; Sizes available: 2; Warranty: None; Suggested uses: Lockers and gyms

4. Rolson Alarm Padlock: Best warning padlock

Toll: £11 | Buy at present from Amazon

Padlocks with built-in alarms are perfect for bikes, cartoon instant attention to would-be thieves and encouraging them to scarper. This ane sounds for ten seconds when triggered, with a 110dB twin tone siren (take it from united states, that's very loud), then resets after 35 seconds. Exist warned that it is quite sensitive, though that might be a good thing – and the lock itself isn't as tough as more expensive models, and so we don't advise you use it without the alarm.

Key specs – Lock type: Key; Sizes available: 1; Warranty: 1 year; Suggested uses: Bikes

5. Squire All-Weather Combination Padlock: Best heavy-duty combination lock

Price: £35 | Buy at present from Amazon

This robust and well-built padlock gives yous audio security without the need for keys. It features a 50mm alloy steel body, a hardened steel shackle and tin be locked with 1 of 10,000 different combinations. Information technology'south weatherproof and highly robust, and then it can be used outdoors without business - although it'll benefit from a spray of lubricant every now and and so during wet weather to end the dials stiffening.

Primal specs – Lock type: Combination; Sizes bachelor: 1; Warranty: None; Suggested uses: Sheds, gate barriers

6. Master Lock Heavy Duty Padlock: All-time-value weatherproof padlock

Price: £xi | Buy now from Amazon

Master Lock'southward weatherproof Heavy Duty padlock is ideal for all-weather applications. It features a laminated steel core with a weather-resistant encompass and a covered keyway, designed to see off rain, snow, mud and salt. Master Lock stand by the lock'southward weather resistance with a express lifetime warranty against rusting on the lock body. As for security, the padlock features a four-pin cylinder to trump would-exist lock-pickers as well as a Tough-Cut octagonal boron carbide shackle with double brawl bearing locking.

Central specs – Lock blazon: Cardinal; Sizes available: ane; Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty; Suggested uses: Gates, sheds, fences;

7. Abus Airtight Shackle Brass Padlock: All-time for indoor utilize

Price: £16 | Buy at present from Amazon

Abus is well known within the padlock space, making a wide range of locks for just most any application. This one's particularly good for indoor jobs, such as cellar doors, document cabinets and toolboxes. Nosotros're item fans of the enclosed hardened steel shackle which makes information technology particularly difficult to cut into. Its only limitation is that it won't withstand tough weather conditions, and then don't utilize it outside.

Fundamental specs – Lock type: Key; Sizes available: 1; Warranty: None; Suggested uses: Indoor

8. Abus outdoor key padlock: Best pocket-size and lightweight padlock

Toll: £nine | Buy now from Amazon

Don't be fooled by this lock's modest size: it'southward strong, well built and features a weatherproof coating to help it resist the ravages of the outdoors. The larger models (30mm and up) also have a protective shackle coating that makes them even more resistant to corrosion. Fabricated from an aluminium alloy called Titalium (as used for certain parts of planes, we're informed) it's bang-up for cupboards, locks, tool boxes, shed doors and anywhere where you demand a sturdy, compact padlock that won't rust up.

Key specs – Lock type: Combination; Sizes: seven; Warranty: None; Suggested uses: Cupboards, locks, toolboxes and shed doors

9. Master Lock Excell No. M175EURDLH Solid Torso Padlock: best for sheds and garages

Cost: £24 | Purchase now from Amazon

This affordable, high security, ultra-solid and compact padlock can be used both indoors and out. We recall information technology's best suited to sheds and garages, although it has been designed with trailers, moving trucks, and self-storage trucks in listen. It's on the smaller side, with a wide zinc body; the reinforced trunk bumper is scratch resistant, while the shackle seal and hinged punch encompass protects against bad conditions.

The 4-digit combination is i-directional, making it easier to use when you're in a hurry or if it's dark. There's even a roller pin locking mechanism, to protect against anyone attempting to pick the lock. Some client reviewers complain that the lock combination is on the fiddly side, while others say the line tin be slightly off-middle – which tin fox yous into thinking it's non working – simply nosotros didn't have either of these issues.

Central specs – Lock type: Combination; Sizes: ane; Warranty: Chief Lock Express Lifetime warranty; Suggested uses: Storage units, sheds, garages and workshops

ten. Abus Diskus 24lb/50: The best rust-resistant padlock

Price: £21 | Buy now from Amazon

If you live close to the bounding main or demand to lock up boats, kayaks or other seagoing vessels, then an ordinary weather-resistant padlock isn't going to cut it. With their stainless-steel parts and nickel-plated cylinder, Abus's Diskus locks are built to resist saltwater corrosion, and are incredibly robust in full general. What'southward more, the circular pattern and narrow opening make it hard to get at the shackle, either with bolt cutters or a saw. Unless your budding thief has an bending grinder handy, they're going to find it hard work getting through. Information technology's a great lock for coastal and marine use, just still a good choice for anything else.

Fundamental specs – Lock type: Key; Sizes available: three; Warranty: x-year no quibble guarantee; Suggested uses: Vehicles, gates, doors, barns, boats, boat sheds

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Source: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/home/1407479/best-padlock-secure