Top five strongest padlocks in the world
If you’re looking for a relatively cheap but effective security option, then the humble padlock is always worth considering. For locking anything from a gate to a suitcase to more high security items, padlocks have been keeping possessions safe for decades.
But there are many different sorts of padlocks on the market, for many different applications, from a wide variety of manufacturers. Some may be just to keep things safe in transit, others are designed for high security – and those at that end of the market tend to be the strongest, both in terms of how they are made and how difficult they are to crack.
A general rule with padlocks is the bigger the better – they are harder to break. Likewise, padlocks made from hardened steel are stronger than other types of metals and therefore more difficult to break with implements like bolt cutters. Some padlocks have anti-drill plates, which are plates that have been specially hardened to prevent drill bits from breaking through.
It is also worth considering the shackle – the hoop at the top of the padlock. On stronger padlocks, the shackle is mostly hidden so cutters can’t get near it, whereas with cheaper locks, where the shackle isn’t mostly shrouded, it can easily be cut through.
In terms of pricing, there is an element of you get what you pay for. Cheap padlocks are likely to be easily broken or picked, whereas more expensive ones are made from more robust materials and/or have better locking mechanisms. They are worth the investment, especially if they are helping to protect something with a high value.
It is also worth noting that there is a European standard for grading the security of padlocks known as CEN that ranges from grades 1-6 – grade 1 being low security, 6 is maximum security (the latter is quite rare). However, many manufacturers grade the locks themselves rather than independently.
Here are the five strongest types of padlock you can buy:
- If you go for a padlock with a key, more pins will always be better, as this makes it trickier to pick the lock or copy the keys. Some padlocks also come with built-in alarms, which can be great for deterring would-be thieves.
- Restricted or protected keyways are padlocks that use a key that is very difficult to copy or is unique to the lock. The keys on these sorts of locks cannot be copied and records are kept of the owners. These also have a high CEN insurance rating.
- Combination padlocks have the advantage of not requiring a key that could be lost, stolen, copied or picked. However, it requires the combination to be kept secret, or restricted to only those who are trusted. Again, it is sensible to buy one with a closed shackle, which is harder to break.
- If you are securing something outdoors, then you need a padlock that can survive the elements, so ensure it has something like a weatherproof PVC coating and a hardened steel shackle, which can withstand a lot of force and some serious bolt cutters.
- Unsurprisingly, connected technology has also entered the world of the padlock. You can now buy padlocks that are operated by Bluetooth using an app on your smartphone. Padlocks like this can also have a GPS function so you can track it. However, if you have a flat battery, it can be difficult to open yourself.
These padlocks – which are produced by a variety of manufacturers, including Yale, Abus, Ingersoll and others – can help you to keep your valuables safe.
If you want to check that your padlocks are up to scratch? Inta-lock Locksmiths in Leicestershire can offer a free survey and expert advice, including for insurance purposes. Give one of our friendly team a call and they will be happy to help with any lock-related queries you have.