Best padlock

Add a padlock to the shed and garden storage benches, outdoor chests, and more to keep your belongings safer. One of these can secure a gate or garage, too. Many of us keep valuable tools in our gardens, along with bikes, kids’ toys and games, and other garden essentials, so good security is a must. You can choose from padlocks that use keys or combinations and opt for smaller or more heavy-duty versions depending on what you want to lock away, and you’ll discover a brilliant selection in our round-up.

You can secure the toolbox inside your shed with one padlock as well as the door itself with the other if you opt for this two-pack. These are combination padlocks, so you won’t have to take a key with you when you go to get what you need, and they offer four-digit rather than three-digit combinations for greater security. There are windows for the numbers, too, so it’s simple to get the alignment right. The numbers are also large and easy to read. These are weatherproof and anti-rust designs for durability in outdoor conditions.

If you need a padlock that offers really effective security for the contents of a shed or to stop intruders from getting through the garden gate or into the garage, check out this design. It even secures shipping containers. It has a patented anti-theft cylinder to protect it from picking and drilling and the use of cloned keys, and the stainless steel from which it is made is shock resistant. Designed to be corrosion-proof, it promises to keep on working whatever the weather. You’ll get three keys along with this design.

A padlock with a long shackle can make securing tighter spots possible as the body of the padlock hangs away from the fastening, and that’s what you’ll get if you opt for this buy. You’ll actually receive two padlocks in the pack, and they’re ideal for garden storage boxes and mini sheds. They’re operated via a combination, preventing you from needing to carry a key, and they’re four-digit versions that provide better security than three-digit options. For strength, the body of each padlock is metal, and they have zinc-alloy covers to prevent weathering. 

On the lookout for a padlock that can keep kids from getting into a toolbox or stop a passerby wandering in through the garden gate? This design, which comes as a set of two, could be the answer. The pair of brass padlocks come with three keys that fit both, so you don’t need to worry about taking multiple keys around with you. This pair is the 40-millimetre version, but there are both 20 and 50-millimetre options to allow you to size to different fastenings. While the body is made from brass, the shackle is stainless steel to stand up to wet conditions.

This is another of the high-security padlocks in our selection, but this one is opened with a four-digit combination rather than a key. It is more costly than our other choices, but it could be a sound choice for a shed with valuable tools inside. It closes with a boron shackle that promises to be stronger than a steel version and has a zinc die-cast body. The wheels, meanwhile, are made from solid brass. A pull button provides additional security.

If you’re searching for a padlock that would fit the shed, or your toolbox, the garden gate, or the garage, this could be a top selection. It’s an anti-drill and anti-saw design to prevent destruction by an intruder and has a hardened steel body plus a smart chrome finish. You can issue family members with keys and keep spares safe, too, as it comes with five of them. Designed for use outdoors, it has an inner mechanism made from brass to prevent corrosion. 

Our verdict

Secure all your garden storage plus the entrance to your plot with a padlock. Our favourite is the ZHEGE combination padlock, which comes in a set of two. You don’t have to worry about keys if you opt for these, as they work via a combination of four digits to keep all your garden gear safe.

To maximise security, the Magmaus outdoor padlock could be a great choice. The design provides protection from picking and drilling, and it’s corrosion-proof, too.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for padlocks perfect for garden storage boxes to keep seat pads, outdoor cushions, and garden games safe, try the Yale brass padlock, which comes as a set of two with three keys that fit both locks. 

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At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously – testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.