Best padlocks for sheds, gates and bikes UK (2026)
A padlock is the lock most of us buy without thinking, and it guards some of the easiest things to lose: the shed full of tools, the side gate, the bike in the yard, the allotment box. This page compares keyed, combination, closed-shackle and weatherproof padlocks sold in the UK on what actually separates them: whether a security rating comes from a register or from the maker's own scale, how thick and how exposed the shackle is, and how the lock copes with rain. We have not tested any of them ourselves; every figure is credited to the maker, a register or a UK retailer's listing.
By Tom Calder · Updated 21 October 2026 · 8 products, all price-tracked
Our picks by type
Photo: AmazonABUS 83WP/63
Gates, sheds and outbuildings that sit in the weather all year.
as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Photo: AmazonABUS 190/60
Shared sheds, allotments and site boxes where handing out keys is a nuisance.
as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.All 8 compared
| Padlock | Security rating | Shackle | Lock | Outdoor use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABUS level 9 (maker's own scale) · 11.5 mm diameter, open · Keyed, rekeyable cylinder · Fully plastic-coated, drainage channels Gates, sheds and outbuildings that sit in the weather all year. | ABUS level 9 (maker's own scale) | 11.5 mm diameter, open | Keyed, rekeyable cylinder | Fully plastic-coated, drainage channels | £50.80 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched ABUS rates this at level 9 on its own home security scale, with a thick shackle and a coated body that is built to shed water. It is heavy, so it suits a fixed gate or door better than a bag or toolbox. Against the other padlocks on this page it is the most substantial keyed option, and the cylinder can be swapped so one key can serve several locks. Best for Gates, sheds and outbuildings that sit in the weather all year. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You need something small or light, or the hasp it hangs on is thin: a padlock is only as strong as the hasp, and a bolt-on staple can be the weak point. | |||||
ABUS level 8 (maker's own scale) · 11.5 mm diameter, closed shackle · 4-digit resettable combination Shared sheds, allotments and site boxes where handing out keys is a nuisance. | ABUS level 8 (maker's own scale) | 11.5 mm diameter, closed shackle | 4-digit resettable combination | — | £70.74 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A heavy combination lock with a closed shackle that leaves little to grip with bolt cutters. ABUS rates it level 8 on its own scale, which is high for a code lock. The trade-off is that anyone told the code can open it, so it suits a small, trusted group of users. Best for Shared sheds, allotments and site boxes where handing out keys is a nuisance. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want a lock with an independent third-party rating; none is stated here. Also skip it if many people will know the code. | |||||
CEN grade 3 (Yale) · 9.5 mm hardened steel, open · 5-pin keyed, 3 keys · 120 h corrosion test (Yale) A sensible default for a garden shed or gate at a reasonable weight. | CEN grade 3 (Yale) | 9.5 mm hardened steel, open | 5-pin keyed, 3 keys | 120 h corrosion test (Yale) | £13 at Yale Store Checked 21 OctIn stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Yale rates this laminated-steel lock at CEN grade 3 and says it was put through the EN 12320:2012 attack tests. It has a 9.5 mm hardened shackle and a double-locking five-pin cylinder, which puts it above the plain brass Yale on this page. It is a good middle choice, below the ABUS Extreme in shackle thickness. Best for A sensible default for a garden shed or gate at a reasonable weight. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want a dedicated weatherproof cover for an exposed coastal site; consider the Yale weatherproof model or the ABUS Extreme. | |||||
 Boron carbide, shrouded · 4-digit set-your-own combination · Weather resistant, coated A key-free lock for a gate or shed where a shrouded shackle matters. | — | Boron carbide, shrouded | 4-digit set-your-own combination | Weather resistant, coated | £14 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A round 70 mm stainless steel disc lock with the shackle tucked inside the body, which keeps cutters and pry bars away from it. Master Lock lists it as weather resistant and coated, with a limited lifetime warranty. It carries no independent security rating on the maker's page, so choose it for convenience and weather resistance rather than for a rated target. Best for A key-free lock for a gate or shed where a shrouded shackle matters. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You need an independently rated lock for insurance, or a very thin hasp is the only anchor. | |||||
CEN grade 2 (Yale) · 9 mm hardened steel, open · 5-pin keyed, 3 keys · Covers on body, shackle, keyhole An exposed gate or shed lock where rust is the main concern. | CEN grade 2 (Yale) | 9 mm hardened steel, open | 5-pin keyed, 3 keys | Covers on body, shackle, keyhole | £13 at Yale Store Checked 21 OctIn stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Yale builds this with protective covers over the body and shackle and a keyhole cover, and says it passed 120 hours of corrosion testing. Yale lists it at CEN grade 2, one step below the laminated Y125B, so it is a weather-first choice rather than a security-first one. Best for An exposed gate or shed lock where rust is the main concern. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: The lock guards tools or a bike worth a lot; choose a higher grade or a thicker-shackle lock. | |||||
 ABUS level 6 (maker's own scale) · 8 mm diameter, open · Keyed A light, mid-range lock for a shed door, gate latch or toolbox in a sheltered spot. | ABUS level 6 (maker's own scale) | 8 mm diameter, open | Keyed | — | £9.60 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched This is ABUS's lighter-weight aluminium-alloy option, at about 160 g. ABUS positions it for goods of lesser value, and its level 6 sits well below the Extreme and 190 models on this page. It makes sense where weight matters, such as a bag, trailer or garden box, and less sense as the only lock on a shed full of tools. Best for A light, mid-range lock for a shed door, gate latch or toolbox in a sheltered spot. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You are protecting a bike, a motorbike or a shed with expensive tools; step up to a thicker-shackle, higher-level lock. | |||||
8 mm steel, open · 4-dial resettable combination · Slide cover, 96 h corrosion test Shared gates and boxes where a code is easier than keys. | — | 8 mm steel, open | 4-dial resettable combination | Slide cover, 96 h corrosion test | £22 at Yale Store Checked 21 OctIn stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Yale says this 4-dial lock was tested to EN12320:2012 and has a cover that slides over the dials to keep the weather out, with a two-year guarantee. Yale's page states no CEN grade for it. It is convenient rather than strong, and sits below the ABUS 190/60 as a code lock. Best for Shared gates and boxes where a code is easier than keys. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: The lock guards anything valuable; a keyed or closed-shackle lock is a better fit. | |||||
CEN grade 2 (Yale) · 8 mm hardened steel, open · 5-pin keyed, 3 keys · 96 h corrosion test (Yale) Indoor items such as a locker, toolbox, cupboard or bag. | CEN grade 2 (Yale) | 8 mm hardened steel, open | 5-pin keyed, 3 keys | 96 h corrosion test (Yale) | £10 at Yale Store Checked 21 OctIn stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A plain brass lock with a hardened shackle and a double-locking five-pin cylinder, listed by Yale at CEN grade 2. Yale positions it for lockers, toolboxes and other indoor items, which suits low-value things kept under cover. It is not the right lock to trust a shed of tools or a bike to. Best for Indoor items such as a locker, toolbox, cupboard or bag. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You are protecting expensive tools or anything that insurance will ask about; step up to the laminated Yale or an ABUS model. | |||||
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Before you buy
Start with what the rating is.
Two systems appear on UK padlocks. CEN grades come from the European padlock standard EN 12320 and run from 1 to 6, with 6 the toughest; Yale states grade 3 for its laminated steel lock and grade 2 for its brass and weatherproof models. Sold Secure, the testing house owned by the Master Locksmiths Association, grades products Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond and lists every approved product in a free search on its website. ABUS uses its own numbered security-level scale, handy for comparing ABUS locks but not an independent certificate. High security with no grade behind it is marketing.
Then look at the hasp, because that is where most sheds give way.
Secured by Design’s garden security advice is a strong hasp and staple held with coach bolts or non-return screws, so the fixings cannot be undone from outside. A closed-shackle lock, where the body shrouds the loop, leaves little for bolt cutters or a bar to grip; the ABUS 190 and the Master Lock disc lock here are built that way. Check the shackle fits the staple before you buy: closed-shackle and disc locks need a hasp designed for them, and an 11.5 mm shackle will not pass through a small staple.
Keys or a code is a question of who needs access, not strength.
A keyed lock suits one household: Yale supplies three keys, and the ABUS Extreme’s cylinder can be exchanged so one key serves several locks. A combination lock suits an allotment, a shared gate or a site box where handing out keys is a nuisance, but anyone told the code can open it, so change it when people move on. A four-digit lock has 10,000 possible codes, so avoid years, 1234 and door numbers. Yale states no CEN grade for its 4-dial combination lock, and ABUS rates its 190 series on its own scale only.
Match the lock to its weather.
Yale says its weatherproof model has covers over the body, shackle and keyhole and passed 120 hours of corrosion testing, against 96 hours for its brass lock, which Yale positions for lockers and indoor items. ABUS fully coats its Extreme series, with drainage channels and a keyhole cap. Weather sealing and security are separate claims: Yale’s weatherproof lock sits at grade 2, below its grade 3 laminated model. A seized or frozen keyhole can lock you out of your own shed, so a keyhole cover and the lock lubricant the maker recommends earn their keep outdoors.
Finally, think about weight and where it goes.
The heaviest locks here are around 550 to 700 g, fine on a fixed gate or shed door and a nuisance on a bag or a bike. For bikes, a padlock is the backup rather than the main lock: insurers and bike-theft advice point to a Sold Secure rated bike lock through the frame to an anchor, and a padlock only needs that standard if it is doing the same job. Record the model and key number, keep spare keys somewhere other than the shed, and remember UKCA and CE marks cover product safety rules, not security.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its UK price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labelled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
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Common questions
What do Sold Secure Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond mean?
They are the four grades Sold Secure, the testing house owned by the Master Locksmiths Association, gives products that pass its attack tests, with Bronze the lowest and Diamond the highest. Each grade reflects the tools and time an attacker was given in the test, not a guarantee. You can check any padlock on the free approved-product search at soldsecure.com. None of the padlocks on this page has a register entry we could confirm, so their ratings are the makers' own statements.
What is a CEN grade on a padlock?
CEN grades come from the European padlock standard EN 12320 and run from 1 to 6, with 6 the most resistant to cutting, pulling and twisting attacks. On this page Yale states grade 3 for its laminated steel padlock and grade 2 for its brass and weatherproof models, and says they were tested to EN 12320:2012. Those figures appear on Yale's own product pages rather than an independent register, so keep that page with your paperwork if an insurer asks.
Which padlock is best for a shed?
The hasp first, then the lock. Secured by Design's garden advice is a strong hasp and staple fixed with coach bolts or non-return screws, so a thief cannot unscrew it. Then choose a lock whose shackle is thick or shrouded: a closed-shackle lock such as the ABUS 190 series leaves little for bolt cutters, and the ABUS Extreme has an 11.5 mm shackle and a coated body for the weather. Our pick cards above show the top-rated lock of each type; thin brass locks are for lockers, not sheds.
Are combination padlocks as secure as keyed ones?
It depends on the model, not the type. The ABUS 190/60 combination lock sits at level 8 on ABUS's own scale with a closed shackle, while Yale's 4-dial slide-cover lock has an 8 mm shackle and no CEN grade stated. The real weakness of a code is people: anyone who learns it can open the lock, so change it when a shared user leaves. A four-digit lock has 10,000 codes; avoid years and door numbers, and turn the dials away from the code after locking.
Will a padlock satisfy my home or bike insurance?
Check the policy wording. Home policies often cover sheds and outbuildings only when they were locked, and some specify a padlock to a named standard; bike policies commonly ask for a Sold Secure rated lock of a set grade, with the bike locked to an immovable object. Only a lock that appears on the Sold Secure register or carries a certificate meets a demand like that; a maker's own level scale will not. Tell your insurer what you have fitted and keep the register or certificate page with your documents.
Can I use the same key for several padlocks?
Yes, two ways. Many makers sell keyed-alike sets, where every lock in the pack opens with the same key, so look for that wording when buying several at once. The ABUS Extreme 83WP has an exchangeable cylinder, which ABUS says can be swapped so it matches other keys on the property. Yale's keyed padlocks here each come with three keys of their own. Keep the spare keys indoors, never inside the shed the lock protects.
