The Best Padlock Designs

Weight

• The heavier a padlock is, the harder it is to break with bolt cutters, a crowbar or a handsaw. If you want to protect the object you are locking from accidental scratches, use a padlock that has a thick coating made of water- and weather-proof rubber.

Shackle

• A padlock with a long shackle can offer better security than a traditional padlock with a shorter shackle. The best padlocks shackles are those that are heat treated because the bars are more difficult to break. While longer shackles are better than using a chain and shorter shackle, the shackle should not be so long that a thief could use a pry bar or another tool to twist or force the lock open.

Locking Mechanism

• The best padlocks do not have square-cut locking mechanisms. When you close a padlock, more than 5 millimeters of the end of the shackle should enter the lock barrel or the lock could be easily pulled open. If you plan to use the padlock outdoors, select one that is made from a rust-resistant metal. Otherwise, oxidation can cause the locking mechanism to seize and become difficult to open.

Keys

• Avoid padlocks with cylinder key locks. This lock style is easy to pick with the end of a ballpoint pen. The best padlocks that use keys are those that do not use universal keys, such as those that are approved by the Transportation Security Administration. Instead, use a padlock that comes with a key code because they are more difficult to pick. Moreover, if you lose the keys for the padlock, you can call the manufacturer and request a replacement set of keys using the key code, which you should record in a safe location.

Combination Locks

• Combination locks might be slightly more difficult for thieves to pick if an opening doesn't exist for a master key. A padlock with a dial on its face, like those used for lockers, is the simplest to unlock if a thief has good hearing. Locks that have numbers on separate wheels that you must turn individually can be a good option if no gaps are between the wheels and between the wheels and the main lock. The best combination padlock designs are those that have four or more wheels.