The Best Padlocks to Keep Your Stuff Safe
As much as we want to believe in the inherent goodness of our fellow man, the reality is that it's a dog-eat-dog world out there, so you can never be too careful. If the only thing standing between your possessions and a thief's haul for the evening is a padlock, then you need to make sure you've got the right one at your service. Whether you're looking to lock up your motorcycle, protect your storage unit, or just keep your gate closed at night, we've done the research to figure out which padlock is right for you. Check out our favorite options below to make sure your stuff won't get picked or pocketed any time soon.
Master Lock 141D Covered Aluminum Keyed Padlock
Convenience Under Lock and Key
Most of the time, you only really need a padlock for casual daily use. So if you’re looking to quickly access your gym locker or store your tools away from your kids’ prying hands, then a simple, general security keyed padlock like this aluminum option by Master Lock is the one for you. Don’t spend precious time memorizing a combination when you can access your locker in seconds with a simple key. This particular lock comes in three different colors to help you instantly know which one belongs to you, and the keys come with matching color heads so you’ll always know which one goes where.
Pros:
- Vinyl cover and aluminum body for scratch resistance
- Four-pin cylinder against picking
- Fast to lock and unlock
- Great price
Cons:
- Smaller size is more suited for light-duty protection
Puroma 4 Digit Combination Lock (2 Pack)
Compact and Customizable Combinations
Conjuring up memories of middle school days, combination locks are still one of the most popular padlocks out there. In addition to the convenience of not having to carry a key around everywhere, combination locks are super cost-effective if you have multiple people who need access to the same place. And the savings are doubled in a two-pack of locks like this option by Puroma. This type of lock is often considered to be slightly more “crackable” than standard key locks, but because the Puroma lock requires a 4-digit combination, it’s perfect for secure use in everyday storage situations at home or at school. And you can even reset the combination every time you open it, ensuring that only you and trusted parties know the new code.
Pros:
- 5 color options to choose from
- Side window for easy combination viewing
- Compact and lightweight for easy storage and transportation
Cons:
- Dial numbers may be hard to read under some lighting
- Thin shackle could be broken with a hammer or other tool
Puroma Stainless Steel Discus Lock
Protect Your Peace of Mind
While lighter padlocks like the classic combination lock are faster and easier to use in everyday situations, sometimes we need a bit more reassurance that our stuff will stay just where we left it. For extra security and extra peace of mind, we prefer a heavy-duty lock like the Puroma Stainless Steel Discus Lock. With a shackle that goes all the way around its circumference and a special, round, shielded design, circular locks are less susceptible to bolt cutters, making them safer than your standard padlock. And the larger, hardened steel shackle on this particular lock makes cutting and prying even harder. Lock up your storage unit or warehouse and leave it be for weeks at a time knowing that your possessions will be safe and sound, all year round.
Pros:
- Stainless steel lock body and hardened steel shackle
- Corrosion-resistant for outdoor use
- Brass cylinder for extra security
Cons:
- Because of the bigger shackle diameter, you won’t be able to use this lock on standard lockers or fence latches
Kurtzy Hardware Monoblock Lock
For Shutter Doors and More
While it may seem obvious, making sure that your padlock fits where you need it to is actually harder than it looks. Sometimes the shackle diameter is slightly too large for the latch, or the design of the lock itself doesn’t fit with the latch’s location. Thankfully, the engineers at Kurtzy designed a lock with this problem in mind. Though the Hardware Monoblock fits the specific locking mechanism found in roller-shutter doors, it’s actually quite versatile in its application. And because this 1 kg lock is often used to secure shipping containers and large warehouse doors, they’re a lot more trustworthy security-wise, too. Without a spring-loaded shackle, there’s less chance of damage to the keyway barrel by means of force or drilling. Additionally, you can only remove the key from the locked position, ensuring your stuff will stay put even if your mind wanders.
Pros:
- Comes with 5 keys
- Heavy, durable steel design
- Shackle design against drilling and sawing
Cons:
- Higher cost
Brinks Weather Resistant Boron Shackle
Tamper-Proof, Element-Proof
For those of us out of school (and out of the gym), a padlock is mostly used to secure some property outside our home. But sometimes, even if we shell out more money for a high-security lock, what breaks our padlock isn’t a person but rather, the elements. That’s why we recommend securing your stuff with a weather-resistant lock like this boron shackle option by Brinks. The longer shackle increases the locking area, allowing you to use it in more places, while the boron steel prevents the exposed metal from being easily cut. Most importantly, the full-body thermoplastic jacket ensures that you really can use the lock in more places and in more weather conditions. It even has a sliding keyway cover to prevent snow, dust, etc from interfering with the mechanism.
Pros:
- Anti-spool pins in the 5 pin cylinder to resist picking
- Matte steel boron shackle
- Good 44 mm lock size
Cons:
- Sliding cover can get slightly jammed in the cold
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which padlock is the one for me?
You’ll first want to consider how often you’ll actually be using the padlock. If you need it to get into a locker several times a day, then aim for a lightweight, easy-to-use option over a heavy-duty lock. On the other hand, if you’re locking up a boat shed that only gets used every few months, then you don’t need to worry about getting in and out of it in a speedy manner. Second, consider if the lock will be used primarily inside or outside as this will determine what material it should be made of. Lastly, make sure the strength of your lock matches the value of your items. While you don’t need to dish out loads of money, we recommend spending a bit more if you’ve got more valuables on the line.
What do I do if my padlock is stuck?
Most of the time, you can avoid the bolt cutters and can simply squeeze a bit of WD-40 and machine oil into the shackle openings to get the shackle moving again. Add some Teflon or silicone-based lubricant to the keyhole if the problem is there, and then wiggle it around again until you feel some give. You can also call your handy-dandy locksmith to help fix the problem.