Best Padlocks: Not All Locks Are Created Equal
Best high security padlocks comparison table
There are some features of padlocks that are more important than others, so keep the following 5 items (lock size, material, key size, anti-drill plate, and shoulder shroud) in mind while looking at this table.
Already know what kinds of locks you’re looking for?
What you should consider
Before choosing a padlock, there are some elements you’ll want to consider:
- Lock size: The bigger the better
- Material: Alloy steel and carbide are best
- Key size: Check the number of pins the key has (more pins means more security)
- Anti-drill plate: A hardened plate can deflect a drill bit from breaking through
- Shoulder shroud: Thicker and larger means more protection
Best lock for under $50: Stanley Hardware CD8820 padlock review
For under $50, this Stanley CD8820 is one of the best padlocks you can get. The shrouded shackle keeps it protected from bolt cutters. The 6 pins and anti-pick pins make it difficult to pick the lock. If you have an area where you need to grant access to some people but keep others out, you can remove the cylinder and replace it with a new one. Overall this is a great padlock.
Pricing
- Between $35 and $45
Pros and cons
- Shrouded shackle
- Removable core
- Anti-pick pins
- 6 pins
- Made of molybdenum alloy steel
- Anti-drill plate
- None found
Best lock for under $30: Stanley Hardware CD8823 padlock review
If you’re searching for something under $30, this Stanley CD8823 has everything the CD8820 has except a different body. Instead of a hardened steel body it has a laminated steel body with hardened steel end caps and recessed rivets. With 6 pins and anti-pick pins, this lock is 15% more difficult to pick than a lock with 5 pins. The removable core gives you the option to rekey the padlock so that it uses the same key as your other padlocks (to reduce the number of keys you carry).
Pricing
- Between $25 and $35
Pros and cons
- Removable core
- Anti-pick pins
- 6 pins
- Made of molybdenum alloy steel
- Shackle shroud
- Anti-drill plate
- None found
Best group of locks: American Lock A1106KAMK review
This style of American Locks can be color coded and keyed to have one master key with individual lock keys, so if you have a large farm and your employees need access to certain areas but not to others, you can hand out keys to those people and then you can keep the master key to unlock them all. The downside is there is no shackle shroud or anti-drill plate. However, it is made of boron alloy, so using bolt cutters would be rather difficult for this one.
Pricing
- Around $10
Pros and cons
- 5 pins
- Removable core
- Made of boron alloy
- Ability to purchase with one master key to a set of these locks
- No shackle shroud
- No anti-drill plate
- No anti-pick pins
ABUS 80TI/50 padlock review
This ABUS 80TI/50 padlock is difficult for burglars to pick due to the 6 security pins. However, without an anti-drill plate and shackle shroud and with a shackle made of hardened steel, this padlock isn’t the most secure. A burglar could use bolt cutters or a drill to get past this padlock.
Pricing
- Around $15
Pros and cons
- 6 pins
- No anti-drill plate
- No shrouded shackle
- No removable core
- Shackle is made of hardened steel with NANO PROTECT coating
Master Lock M40XD padlock review
Master Lock is a big name in the padlock business, but if we’re being honest, they could use some improvements on their locks. We had difficulties finding a lock that met the requirements we felt necessary to be one of the best padlocks. This lock has a small opening, which makes it difficult for it to be cut with bolt cutters, and it does well outside. However, there are only 4 pins, making it easier to pick, and there is no anti-drill plate. Determined burglars would be able to get past this padlock rather easily.
Pricing
- Around $15
Pros and cons
- Made of boron carbide
- Shrouded shackle
- Only 4 pins
- No anti-drill plate
- No anti-pick pins
- No removable core
What are you locking up?
Keep in mind that you may not need these types of locks for everything. For example, if you need a lock for your school locker, locks like these aren’t necessary and most likely won’t fit. However, if you’re a farmer and have a shed or trailer you need locked up, a heavier duty lock is in your best interest. Be sure to look at the size of lock you need and think about what’s necessary.
Make sure you know the proper size you need and try to have all of the features we discussed above (shackle shroud, anti-drill plate, 6 pins, anti-pick pins, etc.).
Best high security padlocks recap
- Stanley Hardware CD8820 Padlock
- Stanley Hardware CD8823 Padlock
- American Lock A1106KAMK
- ABUS 80TI/50 Padlock
- Master Lock M40XD Padlock
Not sure which lock is best for you? Tell us what you need to lock up and we’ll help you find the best padlock for your needs.