
We also checked a while later to see if they still worked. Locks were chucked from the second-floor fire escape of our building to see how easily they would break or if they would open on impact. Next, we had some fun with a few destructive tests. It’s one of the more expensive locks of on our list, but it’s the strongest and a good fit for locking away anything from would-be thieves.Ĭredit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar / Jeremy Stamas That it requires you to lock it before the key will release provides an extra level of protection for forgetful people. On top of this, its six-pin cylinder makes it very difficult for even experienced lockpickers to open without a key.ĭespite its large size, the lock was easy to open and its shackle fit easily through every chain we attempted to put it on. Its hardened steel shackle and anti-drill plates make it difficult to break and made it capable of surviving all of our destructive tests without any issues. Keyed, high-security padlocks, such as the Stanley Hardened Steel, are the easiest to use: There’s no memorizing passwords or fumbling with numbers on a keypad-just don’t lose the key! This Stanley was the largest and heaviest padlock we tested, which led me to believe it’s also rust-resistant and nearly indestructible with its hardened steel body.


Stanley Shrouded Hardened Steel Padlock.These are the best padlocks we tested ranked, in order: In some instances, the sight of a sturdy padlock can be enough to make a crook look elsewhere for easier pickings.Īfter investing in a significant amount of time in research and testing 10 different padlocks for durability and ease of use on a variety of different gauges of steel chain, we've determined that the best outdoor padlock you can buy right now is the Stanley Hardened Steel ( available at Amazon). While it might not stop a determined criminal dead in their tracks, an outdoor padlock, when used with a heavy chain to secure a bicycle or grill in your backyard or to lock down the latch on a garden shed, can be an effective, affordable way to provide additional security to your home or valuables.
