Best Padlocks: Not All Locks Are Created Equal

You walk to your shed and notice that something seems off. Your padlock is on the ground and the door is open. Suddenly it hits you: someone has broken into your shed. Your privacy has been violated and you feel unsafe on your own property. This isn’t your fault at all. However, we can help you find a better padlock to keep your belongings safe. Whether you’re trying to secure a shed, garage, gate, or something else, padlocks have different features to take into consideration. It’s important that you learn about the elements of padlocks so you are choosing one with the proper security measures you want. We will go over these different features below.

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 Home Security Systems
Frontpoint
Best Value
Our rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars4.5
SimpliSafe
Most Flexible
Our rating:
4.3 out of 5 stars4.3
Vivint
Best High-End System
Our rating:
4.2 out of 5 stars4.2
Ring
Best DIY
Our rating:
4.2 out of 5 stars4.2

Best lock for under $50: Stanley Hardware CD8820 padlock review

Stanley Hardware CD8820

    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

    Pros
    • Shrouded shackle
    • Removable core
    • Anti-pick pins
    • 6 pins
    • Made of molybdenum alloy steel
    • Anti-drill plate
    Cons
    • None found

    Best lock for under $30: Stanley Hardware CD8823 padlock review

    Stanley Hardware CD8823

      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

      Pros
      • Removable core
      • Anti-pick pins
      • 6 pins
      • Made of molybdenum alloy steel
      • Shackle shroud
      • Anti-drill plate
      Cons
      • None found

      Best group of locks: American Lock A1106KAMK review

      American Lock A1106KAMK

        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

        Pros
        • 5 pins
        • Removable core
        • Made of boron alloy
        • Ability to purchase with one master key to a set of these locks
        Cons
        • No shackle shroud
        • No anti-drill plate
        • No anti-pick pins

        ABUS 80TI/50 padlock review

        ABUS 80TI/50 padlock

          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

          Pros
          • 6 pins
          Cons
          • 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 M40XD

            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

            Pros
            • Made of boron carbide
            • Shrouded shackle
            Cons
            • 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

            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.