They’re small, fairly innocuous little things, but if you do things right, padlocks can play a vital role in the world of car and garage security. Simply put, they’re the most effective deterrents for the price and can be used in a number of protective ways.
We’re not going to recommend you recreate the door on Mr. Bean’s Mini by padlocking it (although that was more effective than a classic Mini’s factory setup). But for a lot of automotive security items and doors, padlocks are essential for ensuring a physical lock between thieves and your possessions.
Wheel clamps. Steering wheel covers. Garage doors. Anti-theft devices for your gear lever. Even things around your home as well. These are all things you can attach a padlock to, and with a quality unit, it’s an effective garage door security item that can add that extra layer of needed protection for a really low cost.
The best padlocks at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Squire SHCB65 Heavy Duty Combination Padlock – Buy from Amazon.
Best low-cost heavy-duty padlock: ABUS Diskus 24IB/50 – Buy from Amazon.
Best simple outdoors padlock: Master Lock Pro Series 6127 Padlock – Buy from Amazon.
But shopping for padlocks can lead you to a load of cheap options that can be defeated with a hairpin and patience. We’ve rounded up the best quality ones you can buy to attach to your car-related possessions and add an extra layer on top of your existing garage lock.
The best padlocks
Editor's pick
The SHCB65 is a four-digit combination lock. But for a little bit extra, you can upgrade to the SHCB75, which has a five-digit combination lock and a slightly tighter gap between the shackle and body.
Pros
- Cover and combination code adds protection layers
- Pull and lock bar is harder to cut
- Established brand
Cons
- Has a narrow gap between the body and shackle
- Combinations aren't for everyone
Best all-weather padlock
It has a CEN rating of 2, which means it's been rigorously tested outdoors at up to 96 hours of corrosion. It's also said to have been tested and resistant against shackling, cutting, twisting, or pulling. It has a five-pin closed shackle lock and is compact enough to be discreet, should you wish it to be.
Pros
- Thoroughly tested design
- Comes with a protective cover
- Easy to use
Cons
- May be too small to fit over some locks
- Not the most durable of them all
Best low-cost heavy duty padlock
It's designed to be used under severe weather conditions, and the body, shackle and inner parts are made from stainless steel, which is more resistant to corrosion.
Pros
- Great quality
- Secure design
- Good value for what it is
Cons
- Space may be tight for some
- Not to everyone's taste
Best simple combination padlock
It has an 8mm shackle, which has a better chance of fitting more locks than some of the others on this list and is also weather-resistant thanks to its hardened steel construction.
Pros
- Combination adds an extra layer of protection
- Great quality
- Made from hardened materials
Cons
- The shackle isn't as protected as the SHCB65
- Don't forget the combination
Best simple outdoors padlock
These include locking the back of trucks, industrial gates, and much more. Within the lock is a dual ball locking mechanism supported by a six-pin cylinder along with a boron shackle. This ensures a strong hold, which should act as a deterrent against break attempts, as well as sufficient all-weather protection.
Pros
- Perfect for those who want more simplicity
- More secure than most lower-end padlocks
- Great for all-weather protection
Cons
- Isn't the be-all-and-end-all of padlock security
- The shackle gap is quite tight
Things to remember about the best padlocks
Above all, you need to consider what you’ll be using a padlock to secure. Outdoor gates and tool chests are very different applications, and you have to wonder whether you’ll necessarily need all-weather protection. The shape and thickness of your locks on your chosen applications matter, too. If a padlock has a narrow shackle, it won’t be much use if where you’ll attach it to isn’t accessible. You could try and put one on your garage windows, but we reckon a dedicated window alarm will be better suited.
The second is a matter of peace of mind. Keeping your property well-lit with solar security lights is an added piece of mind, but padlocks add something a little bit extra. Certain vehicle wheel clamps for example, don’t come with an included padlock so it’ll be down to you to provide your own that’ll both fit and be secure.
Lastly, it must be remembered that even the best padlocks are not the definitive theft prevention devices. Thieves can still find ways to break them and access your possessions. However, the point is about layers of protection. If a thief ends up spending too much time on one thing, they’re more likely to bail out. Other layers of protection include smart security cameras, tracking devices, and even garage alarm systems. The more layers you have, the harder it will be to for thieves to access their targeted items.
Padlock jargon explained
Shackle: this is the ring visible on top of the padlock. i.e. the bit that comes loose. It can be measured in a number of ways, but for most everyday padlocks, they’re usually measured by how far apart the gap between each inner edge of the shackle is.
Tumblr: This is the type of padlock that you’ll most commonly come across. It consists of the body, lock springs, pins, and shear line, that when the right key is inserted, will release and turn freely.
Pins: These are the tiny little things that a key pushes back within the tumbler in order to unlock the padlock. They work in a simplified, yet similar way to a door, and the key is cut to fit the bespoke pin measurements accordingly.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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