Picture: amazon.com
In simply the previous 5 years, greater than 250 million sq. toes of self-storage area has been constructed within the U.S. Suffice it to say that increasingly more individuals are turning to self-storage to carry their belongings. And whereas storage items is likely to be an excellent answer for decreasing litter within the house, they require a great lock to make sure these belongings keep safe. Although many storage unit services require tenants to make use of a cylinder lock that the corporate supplies, some depart it as much as their tenants to supply their very own lock. When you have your individual yard unit, you additionally desire a safe lock useful. Discovering the appropriate padlock for the job isn’t a straightforward activity. Right this moment’s padlocks are available the usual field form and disc shapes with uncovered shackles and safer shrouded designs. And a few use combos whereas others include keys.
All of those choices could make figuring out which of them present the appropriate stage of safety on your storage unit a problem. Forward, be taught extra about the important thing options of the perfect lock for storage unit use.
- BEST OVERALL: ABUS 20/70 Diskus Stainless Metal Padlock
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Grasp Lock 40DPF Stainless Metal Discus Padlock
- UPGRADE PICK: ABUS 37/80 Granit Alloy Metal Padlock
- BEST COMBINATION LOCK: Brinks Stainless Metal Resettable Mixture Padlock
- BEST PADLOCK: Grasp Lock ProSeries Mixture Lock
- BEST DISC LOCK: Grasp Lock Magnum M40XD Discus Padlock
- BEST OUTDOOR: Grasp Lock Heavy Obligation Outside Padlock
- BEST EASY-TO-USE: Kwikset 50 MM SmartKey Padlock
Picture: amazon.com
Forms of Locks for Storage Models
Earlier than looking for a storage unit lock, it’s necessary to grasp what kind of locks they use. Forward, be taught in regards to the three various kinds of storage unit locks.
Cylinder Locks
Cylinder locks match inside an present lock mechanism on a storage unit. When a tenant rents a storage unit, the proprietor merely replaces the lock cylinder with a brand new one. Cylinder locks are safer than padlocks or disc locks as a result of the lock mechanism is housed contained in the storage unit.
For the reason that cylinder lock for storage unit doorways should be appropriate with the lock mechanism, storage services that use this sort of lock require their tenants to purchase one straight from them once they lease the unit.
Padlocks
A padlock consists of a small square-shaped lock physique with a U-shaped shackle that’s between 5/16 of an inch and three/8 of an inch in diameter. The padlock opens with both a key or a four-pin mixture. Some mixture padlocks permit the consumer to set the mix lock for storage unit safety to a {custom} pin quantity, making it simpler to recollect. There are additionally key locks that permit the proprietor to match the padlock key to a home key for comfort.
Disc Locks
Disc locks, generally known as spherical locks, are much like padlocks, solely they’ve a disc form with a curved shackle as an alternative of a sq. form with a U-shaped shackle. Since many of the shackle is roofed by the lock physique, a disc lock for storage unit safety is harder to pry aside or minimize with bolt cutters than a padlock. As with padlocks, spherical locks for storage items are available each keyed and mixture varieties.
What to Take into account When Selecting the Finest Lock for Storage Models
Development, dimension, and design all decide simply how nicely a storage lock can stop a thief from getting access to a storage unit. Forward, be taught extra about these and different necessary options of storage unit locks.
Dimension and Materials
All locks have a shackle that matches the latch or hasp of the storage unit door. The shackle ought to match the hasp as tightly as attainable, thereby permitting little to no area for a would-be thief to suit a pry bar between the hasp and shackle. A ⅜-inch diameter shackle with a ⅞-inch opening is the perfect match for many storage unit hasps.
Along with the shackle dimension, it’s necessary to concentrate to the lock physique. A top quality lock will probably be constructed from hardened stainless-steel, which is powerful and resists corrosion. Essentially the most safe locks use boron carbide shackles, which resist reducing higher than hardened metal.
The locking mechanism for key locks makes use of a collection of 4 pins to carry the shackle contained in the physique. When the bottom line is inserted, it strikes these pins out of the way in which, permitting the lock to open. Some higher-end padlocks use 5 pins, including an additional layer of safety.
Safety Stage
When contemplating a lock for a storage unit, it’s essential to think about what stage of safety one wants primarily based on the unit’s location. A fundamental padlock is ample for storage items positioned in low-crime areas or inside a bigger construction that has a safe entrance monitored by cameras. Storage items positioned in areas with increased crime or which have doorways which might be accessible from the skin are extra prone to thieves and subsequently require a padlock or disc lock that may present a better stage of safety.
Shrouded or Uncovered Shackle
Padlocks and disc locks are available each shrouded and uncovered shackle varieties. A shrouded padlock has a physique that extends farther across the shackle than a typical padlock. This prolonged overlaying makes it harder for a thief to entry the shackle with both a pry bar or bolt cutters, so a shrouded shackle is safer than a lock with an uncovered shackle. Padlocks with shrouded designs are sometimes costlier than customary padlocks with uncovered shackles.
Sensible Options
Some padlocks assist smart-key expertise, which is beneficial for individuals who have a tough time maintaining with a separate padlock key or who need to scale back the load on their keychain. A sensible key permits the lock proprietor to vary the pins within the padlock’s cylinder to match the important thing to their house, decreasing the chances of being locked out of the storage unit. Whereas this characteristic is useful, the proprietor should have the identical lock model on each their house and padlock to make use of this characteristic.
Our High Picks
The listing beneath consists of padlocks and disc locks made by among the best-known names in locks. It consists of each high-end locks that provide most safety for storage items positioned in high-crime areas in addition to extra inexpensive locks for lower-risk areas.
Picture: amazon.com
ABUS has a status for making among the hardest padlocks to defeat, and its 20/70 Diskus padlock isn’t any exception. It might be one in all ABUS’s extra inexpensive fashions, however it has the formidable building discovered on the model’s high-end locks, together with hardened stainless-steel building. It additionally has options consumers received’t discover on most disc locks, comparable to an anti-drill plate.
With a disc cylinder design that creates a decent match across the hasp, the ⅜-inch shackle is nicely protected in opposition to pry bars. An prolonged shroud covers the majority of the hasp, so it is rather tough to entry the lock with a bolt cutter. The lock scores a 9 on ABUS’s 20-point safety scale, which is a ranking appropriate for storage items positioned in areas with a medium threat of theft and break-ins.
Product Specs
- Sort: Disc
- Bolt dimension: ⅜-inch diameter
- Lock dimensions: 2¾-inch diameter
Professionals
- Disc design resists prying
- Hardened metal bolt and stainless-steel physique
- Thick ⅜-inch bolt
Cons
- Dearer than some disc locks
Get the ABUS 20/70 padlock on Amazon and Walmart.
Picture: amazon.com
This disc padlock from Grasp Lock affords a formidable stage of safety at a really low value. The discus padlock consists of a ⅜-inch hardened metal shackle surrounded by a chrome steel physique that’s appropriate for each indoor and outside use. The lock’s ⅞-inch-diameter opening between the shackle and the lock physique is massive sufficient to suit most hasps with out leaving additional area for prybar assaults.
The keyed lock, which comes with two keys, makes use of a locking-lever mechanism that resists lockpicking. The disc-shaped design retains the majority of the shackle protected by the lock physique, so it is rather tough to defeat this lock with bolt cutters.
Product Specs
- Sort: Disc
- Bolt dimension: ⅜-inch diameter (⅞-inch opening)
- Lock dimensions: 2¾ inches by 2¾ inches
Professionals
- Massive ⅜-inch bolt
- Shrouded model resists prying and bolt cutters
- Affordably priced
Cons
- The locking cylinder makes use of solely 4 pins
Get the Grasp Lock 40DPF padlock on Amazon and Tractor Provide Co.
Picture: amazon.com
These in search of a better stage of safety who’re keen to spend significantly extra on a lock ought to contemplate the ABUS 37/80 Granit. This padlock will increase safety with a thicker shackle that measures ½-inch in diameter, a rise over the usual ⅜-inch-diameter shackle discovered on most locks.
An prolonged lock physique supplies added safety by making it harder to assault the bolt with bolt cutters. A small ⅞-inch-diameter gap helps stop pry bar assaults. These options give the Granit a rating of 10 on the ABUS scale, a rating excessive sufficient to be used in areas the place there’s a excessive threat of theft. And with its anti-corrosion coating, the Granit padlock is appropriate for outside use.
Product Specs
- Sort: Padlock
- Bolt dimension: ½-inch diameter (⅞-inch opening)
- Lock dimensions: 3 inches by 3 inches
Professionals
- Thicker ½-inch-diameter bolt
- Anti-corrosion coating for outside use
- Prolonged shroud resists prying and bolt reducing
Cons
Get the ABUS 37/80 padlock on Amazon.
Picture: amazon.com
For individuals who don’t like attempting to maintain up with keys for a padlock, this mannequin from Brinks affords the identical high-level safety as a disc lock with a four-digit mixture. In contrast to different mixture model locks, this mannequin permits the consumer to customise the mix, decreasing the chances of forgetting the mix later.
The disc form options an prolonged shroud that forestalls prying whereas making it tough to assault the bolt with cutters. Its ⅜-inch hardened metal shackle is identical dimension as these discovered on keyed disc locks. With a chrome steel physique that resists corrosion, this lock is an appropriate selection for outside use.
Product Specs
- Sort: Disc lock
- Bolt dimension: ⅜-inch diameter (⅞-inch opening)
- Lock dimensions: 3 inches by 3 inches
Professionals
- Disc lock model provides safety
- Consumer can set their very own mixture
- Weatherproof stainless-steel building
Cons
- Should exactly align the digits to open
Get the Brinks mixture padlock on Amazon and Walmart.
Picture: amazon.com
Essentially the most noticeable characteristic of this padlock from Grasp Lock is the oversize brass physique that extends up the facet of the shackle. This prolonged shroud enhances the lock’s safety on two fronts. It makes it rather more tough to entry the shackle with bolt cutters, and it tightens the hole between the shackle and the hasp, so it’s almost unattainable to suit a pry bar between the 2.
Even when a thief does handle to realize entry to the shackle with a set of cutters, its boron carbide building is harder to chop by way of than the hardened metal most padlocks use for his or her shackles. A resettable mixture that enables the consumer to set a four-digit pin they’ll truly keep in mind is a pleasant extra characteristic. The lock additionally comes outfitted with a mud cowl that forestalls water and filth from getting contained in the mechanism and inflicting corrosion.
Product Specs
- Sort: Padlock
- Bolt dimension: ⅜-inch diameter (1-1/16-inch opening)
- Lock dimensions: 4 inches by 4 inches
Professionals
- Oversize shroud prevents reducing and prying assaults
- Sturdy boron carbide shackle
- Resettable mixture
Cons
- Bigger opening might permit extra entry to shackle
Get the Grasp Lock ProSeries lock at Ace {Hardware} and Lowe’s.
Picture: amazon.com
The Magnum affords a better stage of safety than most disc lock padlocks, due to a shackle product of boron carbide, which is more durable, and subsequently harder to chop by way of, than hardened metal. The harder shackle coupled with its shrouded design makes the Magnum very efficient at resisting bolt-cutter assaults. The opening between the shackle and lock physique is simply ⅞ inch, permitting for a cosy match on most hasps for tough entry with a pry bar.
The lock’s plastic cowl has a slide that enables the proprietor to cowl the keyhole, defending it from the weather whereas stopping the lock from scratching the floor of the storage unit.
Product Specs
- Sort: Disc lock
- Bolt dimension: ⅜-inch diameter (⅞-inch opening)
- Lock dimensions: 3 inches by 3 inches
Professionals
- Boron carbide shackle resists bolt cutters
- Shrouded design prevents pry bar assaults
- Cowl for keyhole
Cons
- Should guarantee keyhole is roofed to stop corrosion
Get the Grasp Lock Magnum padlock at The House Depot and Lowe’s.
Picture: amazon.com
With its laminated metal building, this padlock’s weatherproof physique is appropriate for locks that should endure the weather. It comes with a FlexFit cowl that covers the gaps between the shackle and lock physique, stopping moisture from getting in and inflicting corrosion contained in the lock. Although the shackle is thinner than others with its 5/16-inch diameter, the boron carbide materials higher resists reducing than customary hardened metal.
This keyed lock additionally consists of 5 pins versus the 4 discovered on most padlocks, so it’s harder to defeat by lock choosing. The opening on this lock is bigger than a typical padlock at 1⅛ inch by ⅞ inch, which is a dimension appropriate for bigger hasps.
Product Specs
- Sort: Padlock
- Bolt dimension: 5/16-inch diameter (1⅛-inch by ⅞-inch opening)
- Lock dimensions: 3.6 inches by 2.2 inches
Professionals
- Weatherproof cowl protects inner lock components from moisture
- Boron alloy shackle
- 5-pin lock
Cons
- Smaller diameter shackle than most padlocks
Get the Grasp Lock heavy-duty padlock on Amazon.
Picture: amazon.com
One of many challenges of proudly owning a keyed padlock is maintaining with the darn keys. Kwikset solves this downside by permitting customers to custom-key the padlock to match any Kwikset home key. Not solely does this scale back the probabilities of shedding the padlock key, however it additionally lightens the load on one’s keychain.
Along with serving to house owners hold monitor of their storage unit key, this mannequin prevents the issue of householders locking themselves out of a unit by requiring the important thing to be inside to shut the lock. The Kwikset SmartKey consists of a molybdenum shackle that resists reducing and has a 1⅛-inch opening, which is appropriate for bigger hasps.
Product Specs
- Sort: Padlock
- Bolt dimension: ⅜-inch diameter (2-inch by ⅞-inch opening)
- Lock dimensions: 2.6 inches by 1.5 inches by 3.2 inches
Professionals
- SmartKey characteristic can match the important thing to different Kwikset keys
- Hardened metal shackle resists reducing
- Anti-lockout characteristic requires inserting the important thing to lock
Cons
- Longer shackle extra prone to prybar assaults
Get the Kwikset SmartKey padlock on Amazon or Ace {Hardware}.
Our Verdict
With safety features that embody a hardened metal shackle, an anti-drill plate, and a shrouded physique, the ABUS 20/70 padlock is a perfect selection for any storage unit. These in search of higher safety ought to contemplate the ABUS 37/80 padlock, with its beefier ½-inch shackle and hardened alloy-steel building.
How We Selected the Finest Locks for Storage Models
In deciding on locks for our listing, we thought-about each materials and the way the lock match with the hasps used on storage items. A lock ought to have the ability to face up to each prying and reducing, so we solely selected locks made with hardened metal. When attainable, we selected fashions with boron carbide shackles, that are harder to chop than hardened metal.
Most of our choices have disc locks, which characteristic shrouded designs and small lock openings that make it very tough to entry the lock shackle with both bolt cutters or a prying gadget. Since some storage items are uncovered to the weather, we additionally included fashions with designs that hold water out of the lock’s inner mechanism, stopping corrosion.
FAQs
It’s essential to first contemplate what kind of locking mechanism your storage unit makes use of earlier than buying a lock. We now have solutions to frequent questions on inserting locks on storage items.
Q. Do I want my very own lock for a storage unit?
You sometimes want your individual lock for a storage unit. Earlier than buying a lock, examine with the storage unit facility to see whether or not the items use a cylinder lock that it’s essential to buy from the power or in the event that they require you to provide your individual padlock.
Q. How do I safe my storage unit?
In case your storage unit requires you to make use of a padlock (versus a cylinder lock), examine the scale of the hasp on the unit’s locking mechanism. Buy a padlock with a shackle diameter and opening that’s simply sufficiently small to suit that hasp. The smaller the hole between the hasp and the lock shackle, the more durable it’s for a thief to entry the lock with a bolt cutter or a pry bar.
Q. What sort of lock do you placed on a storage unit?
That is dependent upon the kind of locking mechanism on the storage unit. If the storage unit makes use of a cylinder lock, you’ll possible must buy the cylinder by way of the storage facility. If the lock makes use of a hasp, you’ll have to buy both a typical padlock or a disc padlock with a shackle dimension that matches the hasp.
Q. What’s the finest lock for an outside storage unit?
One of the best lock for an outside storage unit is the Grasp Lock 911DPF padlock. A plastic piece that covers the keyhole and a laminated physique prevents water from getting contained in the lock and probably corroding the lock’s components.
Q. What does a yellow lock on a storage unit imply?
A yellow lock sometimes means a storage unit is offered for rental. Rental unit firms will place a crimson lock on a storage unit with delinquent rental charges, stopping the tenant from accessing their belongings till they pay their overdue lease.
