Keytek’s Padlock Buying Guide
What is a Padlock?
Padlocks are defined as portable locks with a shackle that may be passed through an opening to prevent use, theft, vandalism, or harm. A padlock is traditionally used to secure, gates, sheds, bikes etc.
What do I need to consider when buying a Padlock?
When it comes to selecting a padlock, the first step is determining what you want to protect. Are you protecting an expensive bicycle or locking a garden shed with little valuables? Understanding the worth and importance of what you’re locking up will help you choose the best padlock for the job.
The Material and Design
As with most things in life you get what you pay for, so if you buy a cheap padlock made with cheap materials, it will be easier to break. Whereas a well-made padlock, constructed with high quality materials will provide you with more protection. If your padlock will spend most of its life outside, then consider buying a weatherproof or waterproof padlock. Its rains a lot in the UK so you don’t want your padlock to rust and therefore become ineffective and susceptible to breaking
The Type of Shackle
The silver loop at the top that clicks in to fasten the padlock is the padlock’s shackle. If possible, obtain a padlock with the shackle almost fully covered, as criminals can break padlocks by snipping the shackle with bolt cutters, but if they can’t get to the shackle, they can’t cut it. Cheaper padlocks often have the shackle entirely visible, so it comes down to what you’re attempting to secure and how much you want to spend on a padlock. The more money invested into the padlock, the greater the security level of the padlock’s shackle.
Different Types of Shackles:
- Closed shackle
The closed shackle is a common type, which increases the protection and difficulty of any attack with a saw and bolt cutters – as the name suggests, the shackle is closed to prevent being cut off. These are ideal for high security applications.
- Straight shackle
A straight shackle is a unique type of padlock with a linear shackle design, where this design is also has a reduced exposed shackle, therefore making it more resistant to cutting and prying open. This makes it ideal for securing roller shutters, gates and even shipping containers as the robustness is great for high-risk applications.
- Circular/round shackle
From its name, the circular shackle has a curved design, unlike any popular or traditional design. It is enclosed in two opposing metal cases to form the disc. Since the design is spring loaded, it prevents any force, or the lock being drilled.
- Long shackle
With a very traditional design, the long shackle is popular for making the padlock use itself very convenient and easy to secure items. However, it is important to consider that shackles are the most vulnerable part of any padlock and having a long pass-through shackle does reduce the security level of these padlocks.
Is My Padlock Reliable?
To ensure that you are purchasing a padlock that has been extensively tested and certified by an established organisation, seek for a ‘British Standard’ kite marking. When you see this mark, you know that a padlock has been tested by the British Standard Institute and met their criteria.
The British Standard Institute will test the different qualities the padlocks have, for example, how long a padlock would take to pick, or how much force it would take to get through the shackle. So, you can be sure that if a padlock has this symbol on, it will be of good quality.
Is Combination Padlocks or Key Padlocks Better?
You might be more familiar with the key designs as they are more common, but like we’ve stated before it depends on what you are using your padlock for. For example, if it is being used to secure a back gate in a family home, then a combination lock might be best, as many people will need access and there is no risk of losing the key. However, if it only one person using the padlock for say, a bike, then a key lock may be more beneficial as you don’t want the code falling into the wrong hands.
If you do decide to go for a padlock with a key then you want as many pins as possible, the more pins the harder it is to copy the key. If you are really worried about someone coping the key then you do have the option of buying a high-end padlock with a restricted key, this means that a Locksmith or key cutter will refuse to cut a new key without evidence that you are the owner.
Padlock Buying Guide
Best Padlocks
- Master Lock 189EURD Key Padlock with Shrouded Shackle
£12.97 From Amazon.
The Master Lock Padlock is a perfect fit for both indoors and outdoors, from doors to storage units, fences, and garages. The shrouded design of its shackle is mainly styled to protect the padlock from cutting. What makes the padlock unique are the double locking levers, which add to its security from hammering and prying. The stainless-steel material of the padlock is also making it very durable and weather resistant.
- TSA Approved Locks – Pack Of 2- UK Brand – New and Improved Model for 2021
£9.99 From Amazon.
The TSA padlock is a perfect use for luggage, gym bags, and lockers. What makes it unique is the 4 digit combination that is more secure than any other standard 3 digit padlock. The combination of the padlock is made of a hard zinc alloy, a high-quality material that increases your security. It is very affordable and used by many people.
- ABUS 37/80 Granit Alloy Steel Padlock
£148.52 From Amazon.
The ABUS padlock has a tensile strength of nearly 25,000 pounds, making it a difficult one to defeat! It has a reinforced steel foundation that adds to its resistance to physical strikes. As a result, the padlock is extremely resilient physically. It’s a product that comes with a lifetime warranty. The best part is that you will never misplace the key as well as featuring a substantial size and strength.
- Arrone Fingerprint Padlock
£40 From DoorControlsDirect.
If you are looking for a smart padlock, look no further! The Arrone padlock offers you convenience and easiness for anything that you use quite often and as a result, would end up with lost or stolen keys. Whether indoors or outdoors, the Arrone Padlock is water and dust resistant with a long-lasting charging battery that can last up to 200 days after a full single charge. It is very easy to use, especially when it comes to charging it as it uses a USB cable to charge.
- Yale Closed Shackle High Security Steel Padlock
Yale is one of the biggest names in the security industry, if you’ve done any research on padlocks or any locks for that matter, then you will have come across the name. The Closed Shackle Padlock is perfect for securing anything indoors, toolboxes or internal doors for example. As mentioned before any padlock with a concealed shackle is going to be very hard to tamper with. The Shackle on this Yale padlock is made of boron steel; boron is high-grade precision steel that is used in advanced automotive and heavy-duty industrial applications due to its extreme strength. It also features double ball locking, this means that even if the thief cut the shackle on both sides, it wouldn’t move. The Yale Closed Shackle High Security Steel Padlock is a robust and secure padlock, the only limitation being that it’s not built to withstand bad weather conditions, so its use is limited to inside.
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Kim Freeman
Kim is Keytek’s longest-serving security blogger, with nearly a decade of hands-on experience in the security industry. Over the past 9 years, she has built trusted relationships with locksmiths and security professionals across the UK, giving her exclusive insight into the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in home security.
From traditional burglary prevention methods to cutting-edge smart home solutions, Kim covers it all. As part of her role, she regularly reviews the newest home security gadgets on the market—including smart doorbells, security cameras, and more—bringing readers honest, practical advice on how to protect their homes.
Kim’s passion for security was sparked during her time at the University of Chester, where she learned first-hand how vulnerable student housing can be to break-ins. That early experience inspired a lifelong interest in home protection, eventually leading her to join the team at Keytek.
Today, Kim combines her deep industry knowledge with a love for writing to deliver helpful, accessible content for homeowners across the UK. You can read all of her expert advice and top security tips at Keytek.co.uk, where she shares everything from seasonal safety guides to reviews of the best security products on the market.
