Tim Good chose them, but he didn’t just pick them on a gut feeling. Tim’s our Technical Director, and he’s the one who makes the final call, but the “favourites” list is backed by what we’ve learnt from 16 years of specialising in padlocks.
We look at what actually holds up in real life, not what looks good on a spec sheet or what happens to be the priciest on the page. That means we pay close attention to reliability over time, common failure points, customer feedback, and what comes back with issues (and why).
We also work closely with the major padlock brands and put models through their paces before we shout about them, including stress testing and environmental testing. Some locks get a harder time than others, especially those destined for coastal and maritime use, where wind, rain and sea-salt have a habit of finding every weakness.
So these are “favourites” because they’re solid all-rounders that do the job day in, day out. And if your application is different, we’ll always steer you towards the right padlock for the job, even if it’s not the most expensive one.
We would probably say that you should try and choose a "closed shackle padlock" if it will fit. That would be our number 1 recommendation. Why? Well we have conducted many tests and always closed shackle locks tend to win over standard types. However, closed shackle locks are tightly fitting which means you have to get the dimensions just right. Look here how this discus lock is tightly fitting compared to the standard "open shackle lock" next to it!
You'd never get a saw or bolt cutters on that discus padlock which is also classified as "closed shackle". In this photo it means you'd either have to attacked the large sliding bolt or the padlock body. Neither of which is going to be an easy job for a thief! The brass "open shackle" lock however was no problem for bolt cutters.
Price often reflects materials, internal components, weather resistance, brand positioning and certification levels, not just raw strength. We’ve seen expensive locks used in the wrong application fail quickly, and more modestly priced models perform exceptionally well when properly specified.
Security is about suitability. A £20 padlock that fits tightly and is used correctly will usually outperform a £120 padlock that’s oversized, poorly fitted or exposed unnecessarily.
Choosing the right padlock matters more than simply choosing the most expensive one.
If you need recognised security levels, look for CEN ratings and Sold Secure certification.
CEN ratings (from 1–6) measure resistance to physical attack under controlled testing conditions. Sold Secure focuses on real-world attack methods and is often required by insurers for certain applications.
That said, many everyday applications don’t require formal certification. In those cases, build quality, shackle protection and correct sizing are often more important than chasing the highest rating available.
What are you securing? Where is it located? And how exposed will it be?
Outdoor and coastal environments require corrosion resistance. High-risk sites may justify closed shackle or hardened steel bodies. Shared access points might make combination or master key systems more practical.
If you’re unsure, tell us the application. We specialise in padlocks, and matching the right lock to the job is what we’ve been doing for over 16 years.