Most of the time, I would wager that few of us give much thought to choosing a good padlock. But we should. The best padlock brands provide security and great value.
Instead of randomly picking a padlock at the big box stores, let’s look at some of the options and variables. Below are some of the top brands with models for each one so you can secure your belongings!
Top 15 Best Padlock Brands (For Better Security)
1. Sargent & Greenleaf
A maker of world-class locks, Sargent & Greenleaf has locks such as the model 951 that are so secure that the military has few padlocks that are better. Of course, for the price of a good interchangeable lens digital camera, you would expect the lock to be super good.
Established in 1865 in New York, S&G has been a major manufacturer of security devices ever since. Since they make security solutions for major banks and even government installations, their padlocks are kind of a big deal.
How good is a S&G padlock? They are about the best we can purchase outside of a government agency. If you are protecting a very valuable asset, this lock could be an extremely good thing.
2. Ingersoll
Also a maker of superior locks, Ingersoll padlocks such as the CS 700 lock are among the best available on the market.
Ingersoll began as a watchmaker in 1890 in New York and by 1900 was also making locks in the UK. Their lock solutions are used in secure business and government locations around the world.
Extremely well made, Ingersoll locks are very expensive as well, but more in line with camera accessories than the camera price itself. If you need great padlocks, look into the various models from Ingersoll.
3. Hi-Shear
A maker of fastener pins for various industries including aerospace, Bisco Industries only makes one line of padlocks which they market under the brand name Hi-Shear.
The parent company was founded in 1973 in California. The Hi-Shear padlock is a spin-off their Hi-Lok pins used in many industries.
Used in military and other extremely high-security applications, Hi-Shear padlocks are some of the best padlocks we can purchase for personal use.
4. EVVA
The EVVA MCS lock cylinder uses a magnetic system that is virtually impossible to pick without a proper key. They make other locks, too, but this one is their top padlock.
Founded in Germany in 1919, EVVA manufactures many different very high tech security solutions. Their padlocks are hard to beat. They also make mechanical locking systems to go along with their magnetic features.
Used in areas that require the top security measures, you can put an EVVA padlock to good use yourself if you want an almost unpickable lock.
5. Abloy
A very big lock physically, the Abloy PL 362 is one of the strongest locks in terms of materials and manufacturing that we can find for a price commiserate with the competition.
Originally part of a Finnish company, Assa Abloy was established in Sweden in 1994. The companies have a long history in controlling access, including what we would call locks. Other solutions involve all sorts of high tech systems.
Their padlocks are super strong and very well made. So they mix being sophisticated with being extremely robust. If you want a lock that is very hard to break or drill, Abloy could be the best padlock brand for your needs.
6. Mul-T-Lock
One of the better padlocks from this company is the #13 C Series padlock. It has some rather unique security on top of the regular features such as anti-drill features. A thief would have to get through the added security in order to even get into a position to attempt to pick the lock.
The company was established in 1973 in Israel and is a security solutions company. They make padlocks and electronic entry security systems.
Their locks are meant to be the most difficult to pick and they are certainly right up there. The overall quality is superb. Another fantastic choice for making sure what you’re locking up stays locked up.
7. Abus
A lock with a name that indicates its security level in European insurance specifications, the Granit padlock by Abus is a very tough lock. It looks like a tank and can survive sic tons of shear pressure without budging. The price is getting closer to what many of us would have used to lock up our bike. Around the price of a decent pair of hiking boots.
Abus was formed in Germany in 1924. They provide a wide range of entry security as well as making padlocks. Lockout tag out procedures are another area where Abus makes a great line of safety and security solutions.
Very high-quality materials and extremely robust construction makes Abus locks a good decision to make when deciding on the best padlock brands.
8. Medeco
Medeco makes everything from parking meters to banking security technology. Their M3 model padlock is a very tough, hard to break or pick padlock.
Formed in 1948 in Virginia, Medeco is one of the best padlock brands for high-security use. They even make systems that protect vital security information in the medical field.
Tough and secure, Medeco padlocks are an easy choice for securing valuables that you may have behind the doors of an outdoor shed. Or maybe to lock up that really nice bike you’re riding now.
9. Best Access
Best Access Systems makes a lock with a price more down to earth than the stellar pricing we’ve been looking at so far. Their premier padlock is the 21B model. It’s a really good lock for a very reasonable price.
Founded in 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Best Lock Corporation makes door locks, systems access security, and a full line up of heavy duty padlocks for various uses. Truly one of the best padlock brands!
Very good quality, Best locks are some of the best padlocks to get for use by anyone within what many would consider a reasonable budget.
10. Stanley
Stanley Hardware S828-160 CD8820 Shrouded Hardened Steel Padlock is one of the best padlocks available at stores like the big box stores and discount department stores. It’s at a price point that many would consider to be in the range they want to and were expecting to pay for a decent padlock. So, this padlock is in the second group we mentioned at the start of this list.
Stanley has been making tools since 1843, originally established in Connecticut. They make all sorts of tools and other items for household and business use.
This is a very good quality lock. After looking at some of the locks earlier in this list, it’s easy to see the difference between a very good padlock and a truly outstanding quality lock. The better line of Stanley locks is very good, quite usable and secure for a wide variety of applications.
11. Master Lock
Master Lock makes a padlock opened and locked by Bluetooth, eliminating the need to memorize a combination or keep a set of keys. For indoor use, this is one of the coolest ideas I’ve seen in a lock. I would worry about long term exposure to the elements if placed in a humid outdoor environment.
Master Lock was formed in Wisconsin in 1928, making a wide range of door locks and padlocks. They make keyed locks as well as combination locks.
A very high-quality brand of locks, Master Lock is trusted to lock up our home, we can trust it on our gates, sheds, and bike chains.
12. Kwikset
The Kwikset SmartKey padlock is another neat idea from a lock maker. It’s a padlock that can be keyed to match your house keys. Thus, you can have everything around home opened and locked with one key. Pretty convenient actually.
Located in California since 1946, Kwikset is one of the more common brands of locks used in home construction.
A very good brand of locks, millions of people trust their homes to Kwikset, so the padlocks they make are going to be very usable.
13. ORIA
Their 4 digit combination lock is an easy to use lock for locking up things like your gym locker or your camera bag zipper.
Part of the Amazon family of companies, ORIA makes many small tools and other useful items like these padlocks.
Very good for small locks, you will get a lot of security for a little bit of money.
14. American Locks
The A5360 Shrouded Shackle Padlock is a good example of the type of locks available from American Locks.
Made in America since 1971, American Locks are made in several different types. Keyed locks, wireless locks, and combination locks.
Excellent quality, these locks will secure your stuff well.
15. Brinks
The weatherproof model 677-44811 heavy-duty padlock from Brinks should last a long time in any type of climate you might want to use an outdoor lock-in.
A trusted American security company since 1859, Brinks makes all sorts of security solutions and even does personal security.
Great locks for a reasonable budget, regardless of what type of security you are looking to provide. This is easily one of the best padlock brands!
What should you look for in a padlock? Well, obviously you want it to lock securely and not open except for when you want it to. But what goes into that?
One top consideration is the strength of the lock. You don’t want to be able to simply twist your lock off or bang it with a hammer and have it pop open. Strength can relate to corrosion resistance. If your lock needs are outdoors, that will be important.
Another factor is resistance to lock picking. A combination lock is only as secure as the numbers chosen, but a poorly made combination can be easy to figure out how the tumblers feel. A well-made combination padlock won’t be.
If it’s a key lock, the sophistication of the locking mechanism must be balanced with the durability of the materials and how well all the parts fit together. If a lock is simple, it could be robust, but perhaps easy to pick. A great padlock key mechanism needs to be both robust and sophisticated.
What this is leading up to is that the best padlock brands aren’t cheap. That padlock we got at the discount department store for the price of a happy meal is going to be lacking in strength and pick resisting. A simple bolt cutter or drill could be all that’s necessary to bypass your carefully chosen security.
What helped me to discern the difference from a good enough, for now, padlock to a really useful and secure one was a knowledge of goes into a good padlock.
PadLock Parts
- Shackle – This is the U-shaped piece of metal (usually u-shaped anyways) that goes through the stuff being locked together. It should be hard to cut or burn through. Also, latching on both ends is preferable to only on one end.
- Core – What actually controls the locking. This where you insert the key. Alternately, it can also be the part actuated by the combination mechanism, whether digital or mechanical.
- Shroud – What covers and holds everything. The outside that holds all the innards. It can have features such as an anti-drill plate and corrosion-resistant metal.
Why should care so much about, and spend so much on, our padlock? Well, consider how valuable the item is you are protecting with that padlock. If the stuff isn’t worth much, go ahead with our previous choices. If the stuff we’re securing is more valuable, then we should probably spend for the better padlock.
As we go through our list of the best padlock brands, a few of them will seem incredibly high priced, while others will be in the realm we probably think of as relatively normal priced. It might help (it did me) if we mentally separate our requirements into two levels, extreme and very good. Extreme quality brands will cost substantially more than the very good.
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