Most of today’s cars come with pretty comprehensive alarm and immobiliser systems as standard car security. Unfortunately, these are not always enough to deter someone who might like the look of your pride and joy, so aftermarket car security products will be needed. Most of us realise that if someone is determined enough to steal your car, they eventually will, no matter what you do, but by deterring all but the most determined of thieves, you could save yourself a lot of heartache and money.
Today’s car security and tracker systems are light years ahead of the unreliable key or switch-operated systems of years gone by when a falsely activated wailing car alarm became such a familiar occurrence that most people routinely ignored them.
The reliability of today’s systems is unquestionably superior, but the hi-tech approach has meant that thieves have had to get clever to continue plying their trade; keyless car theft, turbo decoder theft, transponder key cloning and on-board diagnostics (OBD) compromise are just a few of the methods practised by today’s car thieves.
The best car security products 2024 at a glance:
The best car security product: Milenco HS Steering Wheel Lock – Buy now from Amazon UK
Editor’s pick: Disklok Steering Wheel Full Cover – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best car tracker: Winnes GPS Tracker – Buy now from Amazon UK
But it’s not all bad; there are ways to deter the thief, and some are surprisingly straightforward and inexpensive to implement, like the common steering wheel lock. We’ve had a look around to see the best car security products you can take to lessen the chances of your vehicle going on that missing list.
The best car security products 2024
Best steering wheel lock for everyday use
We found you need to have the wheel at a fairly odd angle in order for it to fit best, but we feel it's a lot more practical than a few others on the market, if you use a steering wheel lock everyday. It's a substantially-built item which feels like a bar of iron, and unlocking the mechanism is pretty straightforward.
Pros
- Easy to get on and off, which makes it great for regular use
- Can withstand a lengthy attack of 300 seconds (claimed)
- Feels sturdy and made from strong metal
Cons
- Steering wheel has to be at an odd angle for it to be installed effectively
Editor's pick
We've tested it for ourselves, and we like the fact that it's a sturdy, bulky thing to lock into your vehicle and it gives a very strong aura of security. However, it is let down a little bit by the fact that it's size makes it difficult to store away, and somewhat a faff to get on and off. However, if you want the ultimate in physical theft prevention, this is a seriously good option.
The Disklok has been awarded the 'Secured by Design' accreditation by the official UK police initiative and the 'Sold Secure' Automotive Gold Rating certification. It comes in three sizes to suit different kinds of vehicles as well as an optional fabric cover that prevents damage to the steering wheel itself.
Pros
- Highly visual presence, which can deter thieves at first glance
- Tough, difficult-to-defeat materials that can prevent all sorts of attacks
- Accredited by Sold Secure and has Secured by Design award by the UK Police Initiative
Cons
- Hard to store, due to sheer size of the thing
- Isn't really worth it without the cloth wheel cover
The best in-car monitoring setup
One of the best sets we've come across lately is the Nextbase 522GW dual dash cam. Capturing footage of the interior as well as the road ahead, this clever dash cam will be able to record a break-in.
Pros
- GPS tracking, which could be useful for security purposes
- Easy to use and set up, which is encouraging to the user
- Includes lots of other great features, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and SOS feature
Cons
- Not by any means the last word in car security
The best RFID Faraday pouch
It's large enough to fit a couple of small fobs, which is handy. But it means any size key fob can comfortably fit inside, which makes it a great item for on-the-go vehicle security.
Pros
- Large enough to fit al kinds of key fobs and possibly cards as well
- Secured by Design accreditation adds strength to the pouch next to competitors
- Capable of blocking all sorts of signals from 5G, Wi-Fi to GPS
Cons
- It is quite large to carry around in your pocket
Best Faraday box
The Ironstripe Faraday box is one of our top picks. It's large enough for all manner of items that you might want to store away, including multiple fobs. It also comes with a little pouch included, but that isn't as strong as the Disklabs pouch above.
Pros
- Useful for storing multiple items inside overnight
- Large enough for several fobs and cards
- Sturdy signal blocking tech and subtle enough to store within your home
Cons
- Others do offer a larger size, which may be useful to some
Best car tracker
This magnetic tracker from Winnes is easy to fit in a discreetly hidden place in or on your vehicle. As it's hidden, the thief won't know their movements are being observed, allowing you to track their whereabouts. It has an IP58 waterproof certification, up to 90 days battery life, and gives real-time tracking and positioning to your smartphone, tablet or PC to help with vehicle recovery.
Pros
- Easy to fit, thanks to magnetic base
- Discreet and can be installed/hidden almost anywhere
- Has a long battery life of 90-days
Cons
- Doesn't prevent theft itself
- Requires a subscription plan, which detracts the value for money aspect
Best car key tracker
Rrp: $34.99
Rrp: $34.99
The Tile Pro has a battery life of up to 12 months and a Bluetooth range of up to 120 metres. It works with both Apple and Android phones, and best of all, it's water resistant (IP67).
Pros
- Keeps your keys safe and locatable if you lose them
- Super easy to use, as you can track on the go
- Compact enough to fit all sorts of car keys
Cons
- The battery needs to be replaced when it falls flat, so it isn't rechargeable
Best steering wheel lock
This Stoplock wheel lock works largely as a visual deterrent but also makes use of hardened internals and an anti-drill lock to stop any removal attempt and slow down any potential theft.
Pros
- Strong visual deterrent that's hard to break off
- Easy to fit, thanks to slim enough design
- Comes with a ten-year guarantee, which is reassuring for the long term
Cons
- Check it fits your wheel first, as it may be awkward on some
The kit also includes a storage bag, which is great if you want to take it with you. It's even accredited by Thatcham Quality Assured, which is a verification programme for all things car security products.
Pros
- Thatcham Quality Assured accreditation adds reassurance
- Strong, durable materials and hard to break
- Easy to install and take off, which adds to the usability of the clamp
Cons
- Doesn't represent quite as good value as other clamps
Best wheel clamp
This universal wheel clamp from Maypole can be used on most vehicles with 13 to 17-inch wheels to prevent thieves from making off with your pride and joy. It's highly visible and tough, and good luck to anyone trying to stealthily remove it! It's also the perfect solution for protecting vehicles that may be out of use for a period of time.
Pros
- Tough to break, thanks to durable materials and design
- Visible deterrent and versatile enough to fit many wheels
- Great value for money at around £35
Cons
- Not quite as strong as the Nemesis Ultra clamp
FAQs and steps you can take to reduce the chances of car theft:
What are the best things I can do to prevent car theft?
Lock your car: Even if you will only be leaving it for a short period of time. It may sound obvious, but an unlocked car is one of the most common ways the opportunist thief gains access to vehicles.
Secure Your Keys: Keep your keys secure and never leave them in the car or easily accessible places. We mentioned Faraday boxes and pouches earlier; it’s worth investing in these if you have keyless entry.
Don’t leave valuables in plain sight: Remove any valuable items from your car or at least keep them out of sight. Items like laptops, smartphones, bags, and other attractive, valuable items can attract thieves.
Park in well-lit and populated areas: When parking, choose well-lit areas with a good amount of pedestrian traffic. Thieves are less likely to target vehicles in visible and busy locations.
Install visible deterrents: Visible deterrents such as wheel clamps or visible alarm system decals can discourage potential thieves from targeting your vehicle.
Be vigilant: Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in unfamiliar or high-crime areas. If you notice any suspicious activity near your car, report it to the authorities.
Are physical deterrents more effective than digital ones?
In preventing theft itself, probably. Unless you have a clever immobilising setup like a Ghost or similar, a good old-fashioned steering wheel lock might be the difference between thieves giving up on your vehicle and driving away with it.
Thieves ultimately want to be in and out of your driveway as quickly as possible, and anything to delay that getaway time will hurt their motive and provide more time for the police to catch up. A security setup that provides that delay is a good one, and a strong steering wheel lock – especially the Disklok cover – provides it.
With that said however, digital solutions such as a car tracker are useful if you need to locate your vehicle, should the worst happen. This is assuming of course, that the thieves haven’t disabled it already – which is why it’s vital that when you have a vehicle tracking system, that it’s discreetly hidden.
Do Faraday pouches wear out?
Unfortunately, RFID and Faraday pouches can do overtime. The signal blocking materials degrade after time and use, but better quality pouches tend to last a lot longer than cheaply-made ones from non-reputable brands. If you feel the effectiveness of your pouch has run thin, then it may be a good time to replace it.
Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer for Parkers, specialising in power tools and pressure washers. In his spare time, he enjoys DIY, travel, gardening and music.
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