One of the ultimate forms of car and garage security out there, parking posts are a great deterrent to thieves interested in your vehicle. They’re bulky, heavy, and ultimately block in access to your cherished vehicle when parked up.
Of course, there is a fee to get the things installed, and you’ll need to figure out the logistics of where and when to place it. However, the items serve as a great way of securing your vehicle if you don’t have access to a secure garage or vehicle storage.
Like the huge field of outdoor security cameras on the market, the selection is pretty far and wide. You can get a variety of parking posts from foldable variants to more premium options that lower and raise from the ground.
The best parking posts 2024 at a glance:
The best parking post: Bison Ramco 600R with installation – buy from Amazon
Editor’s pick: Bison Ramco 100 with installation – buy from Amazon
Best budget parking post: Autolok KTP3P Telescopic Bollard – buy from eBay
Nevertheless, like garage alarms, it’s a bit of a minefield when searching for a parking post. There are loads of cheap options out there which can easily be unbolted and put to one side within seconds. We’ve done some digging and found the best parking posts that are both secure on the ground and have a good reputation.
The best parking posts 2024
The best parking post
All of this is brilliant when you're protecting your vehicle. You get three keys with each bollard, and each one is designed to be strong enough to resist ramming and lock-picking. The best bit? The purchase of this option also includes installation, which gives you a brilliant piece of mind, albeit you do have to work out and plan where the bollards will go on your driveway.
Pros
- Installation included
- Designed for the ultimate durability
- Quite tall at 60cm
Cons
- Requires a bit of planning before and upon purchase
- It's a heavy device
Editor's pick
It represents much better value at around £100 less, and installation is still included once you buy it. The purchase also includes a full site scan and survey - presumably to ensure the installers know exactly where to place it with your agreement.
Pros
- Better value than the 600R
- Installation included
- Secure, good-quality post
Cons
- You need to plan before purchase
- It won't look as nice as other examples
Best stainless steel parking post
It's a sturdy, ultra-secure post that is not easily removed without some serious ground work. What isn't included is installation like the black 600R above, so you will have to organise the fitting via a professional yourself, should you decide to go for it.
Pros
- Sturdy build quality and materials
- Reinforced into the ground and very difficult to remove
- Easy to operate (as in selecting up or down)
Cons
- Installation isn't included
- The stainless steel finish isn't quite as slick as the black 600R
Best value parking post
Coated in zinc and lacquered for all-weather protection, it's a long-lasting, durable post that's also designed to be ram-resistant and stand high at 54cm to protect your vehicle. Like the others, you get three sets of keys, and it fits neatly into the ground when installed.
Pros
- Durable, good quality bolard
- Zinc coated for all-weather protection
- Good value for money
Cons
- You'll need to source installation yourself
Best budget parking post
The shackle of the padlock is even hidden, so no cutting or picking tools can access it when the post is erected. You will need to suss out installation for yourself, but for the money, this is a great option.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Padlock shackle is hidden from view
- Durable materials and zinc-coated
Cons
- Security will depend on the padlock you use
- You have to sort the installation yourself
Best anti ram raid parking post
It's covered in zinc for all-weather protection and is primarily designed to be resistant against ram-raid attacks, hence the thickness and the fact it's made from 4mm gauge steel.
Pros
- Thick steel and designed to sustain ram raid attacks
- Padlock shackle is hidden from view
- Good value for money
Cons
- Installation has to be organised by yourself
FAQs and things to remember with parking posts
Are parking posts worth it?
It really depends on the design and landscape of your driveway and/or garage. A driveway with an open front garden with no fencing probably means it isn’t worth getting a parking post as thieves can quite easily drive around them.
Where possible, installing a parking post is more than worth it if it can block in your cherished vehicle. Some people place them in front of garages for extra security of the vehicle(s) inside, but most will opt for one to keep their driveway-kept car nice and secure.
Thieves can get around other methods if they’re skilled enough, such as keyless go or some steering wheel locks, but parking posts are nigh-on impossible to remove without some serious work and time, which puts your vehicle in a safer position than before.
Why telescopic parking posts over hinged?
The simple answer is that they’re a lot more securely installed. You can opt for a raise-and-lower post, which is held to the ground by a few bolts and locked upwards by a padlock, but these are much easier to break. A properly installed telescopic post/bollard is deeper underground than the full erected height, so any event of ram raiding is rendered blocked simply because of their durability.
Furthermore, there aren’t any bolts to undo on the base, making them impossible to remove without professionally doing so. A properly secured parking post gives you a secure feeling and one that is more physical than a wired CCTV system.
How much is the installation of a parking post?
You may have the right padlock for your parking post, but do you have the skills to properly install one? You will recall that Bison offer the option to include installation along with your purchase of the 600R and Ramco 70 and 100 models. It’s a premium of at least £300, so you might be wondering how much a separate installation of such a thing might be.
Installation of these things isn’t as simple as screwing in a security camera like a Eufy Solocam S340. It depends on a number of factors; how many posts do you want installed, where the location of them will be, and how much work is required. You will have to get a quote from a local tradesperson, but one post on a driveway shouldn’t stray much over the £150-200 mark. This will of course, vary depending on your circumstances.
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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