Padlocks Price Comparison
Compare 301 padlocks from ABUS, Master Lock, Yale and more. Find the best price across top UK retailers — from basic brass to high-security hardened steel.
Padlocks price comparison UK
Padlocks are one of those purchases where the gap between a good choice and a poor one can be measured in seconds — the time it takes a bolt cutter to snap a cheap shackle. Our catalogue covers 301 products, ranging from 4 £ for basic brass locks up to 75 £ for professional-grade hardened steel units, and the spread tells a story worth paying attention to.
Brady dominates the catalogue with 139 products averaging around 20 £, largely because their range skews towards industrial and master key applications. ABUS, the German security specialist, is arguably the most trusted name for everyday use — 61 products with a sensible average price and a reputation built on rigorous EN 12320 certification. Master Lock and Yale sit at the accessible end of the market, both averaging under 9 £, making them the go-to choice for sheds, lockers and garden gates where the threat level is moderate. Draper Tools, meanwhile, offers an unusually wide range — from sub-9 £ open-shackle locks to multi-pack sets — which explains why they account for the most-listed products in our top 15.
One thing we notice consistently: buyers underestimate the importance of the shackle. A hardened steel shackle of 8mm or above resists most bolt-cutter attacks; anything below 6mm on a cheap alloy body is largely decorative. If you're securing a safe or a high-value storage unit, pairing a quality padlock with a proper hasp matters just as much as the lock itself — the weakest link in the chain is always the vulnerability. For securing bikes or gates with a cable, consider whether a cable lock might complement or replace a padlock in your setup.
Outdoor use is where budget locks fail fastest. Uncoated steel rusts within months in the British climate, jamming the keyway or seizing the shackle. Stainless steel, nickel-plated or powder-coated finishes are non-negotiable for anything exposed to rain. For workshop or commercial premises where multiple people need access, keyed-alike sets or master key systems — well represented in the Brady and ABUS ranges — eliminate the chaos of managing dozens of different keys. If you're looking to build a broader access control setup, it's worth exploring access control readers alongside your padlock choice.
How to Choose the Right Padlock
Most people buy a padlock once, fit it, and forget about it — until it fails. With prices spanning from 4 £ to 75 £ in our catalogue, the difference between a lock that deters a determined intruder and one that doesn't isn't always obvious from the outside. Here's what actually matters.
Shackle diameter and hardness
The shackle is the first thing an attacker targets. A standard bolt cutter can snap a 6mm mild steel shackle in under three seconds. For serious security, look for hardened steel shackles of 8mm or above — these resist cutting attacks that would defeat cheaper alternatives. ABUS and Brady both publish shackle hardness ratings (look for HRC 58+ for genuine cut resistance). For low-risk applications like a locker or a garden shed, 5–6mm is acceptable. For gates, garages or anything of real value, don't compromise.
Lock body construction and drill resistance
The body housing is the second line of defence. Hardened steel bodies (rated 40–50 HRC) resist drilling and hammering; softer alloy or cast zinc bodies do not. A common trap: locks that look identical externally but differ dramatically internally. If a padlock feels unusually light, that's usually a sign of a thin-walled alloy body. For insurance-approved applications, check for EN 12320 Grade 3 or above — this is the standard most UK insurers reference when specifying security requirements.
Locking mechanism: pin tumbler vs disc detainer
Most padlocks use a pin tumbler mechanism — reliable and widely understood. The weakness is susceptibility to bumping and picking attacks with basic tools. Disc detainer locks (used in higher-end ABUS and Kryptonite models) use rotating discs instead of pins, making them significantly harder to pick. For everyday use, a quality pin tumbler with anti-pick serrated pins is sufficient. If the lock is protecting something genuinely valuable or in an accessible public location, a disc detainer mechanism is worth the premium.
Weather resistance for outdoor use
Britain's climate is unforgiving on bare steel. A lock left outdoors without proper corrosion protection will seize within a season. Minimum requirement for any outdoor padlock: nickel-plated or stainless steel construction, or a powder-coated body with a stainless shackle. Marine-grade stainless steel (316 grade) is the gold standard for coastal or permanently wet environments. Check the product description carefully — 'weather resistant' is a marketing term, not a specification. Look for explicit material callouts or an IP rating where available.
Shackle clearance and application fit
Shackle clearance — the gap between the top of the lock body and the bottom of the shackle — determines whether the lock will actually fit your hasp, chain or attachment point. Standard clearances run from 16mm to 32mm; short-shackle designs (sometimes called 'close shackle') offer less exposed metal and are harder to attack with a pry bar. Measure your hasp slot before buying. A 25mm clearance lock on a hasp designed for 32mm simply won't close — a frustratingly common mistake.
Key system: standard, keyed-alike, or restricted
For a single lock, any quality key system works. For multiple locks — a workshop, a storage facility, a school — the key system becomes critical. Keyed-alike sets (one key opens all locks) simplify daily use enormously. Master key systems, well represented in the Brady range, allow a hierarchy: individual keys open specific locks, a master key opens all. Restricted keyways prevent unauthorised key duplication without a proof-of-ownership card — important anywhere key control matters. Don't buy a master key system without understanding the ongoing cost of additional keys.
- Basic and budget (From 4 £ to 9 £) : Entry-level brass and alloy padlocks from Draper Tools, Master Lock and Yale. Adequate for low-risk applications: lockers, luggage, garden sheds with nothing valuable inside. Shackles are typically mild steel, bodies are alloy. Don't rely on these outdoors long-term or for anything you'd genuinely miss.
- The practical sweet spot (From 9 £ to 13 £) : Where most buyers should be looking. ABUS, Draper Tools and BURG-WÄCHTER all have solid offerings here — hardened shackles, decent pin tumbler mechanisms, and proper weather resistance. Good for garages, gates, storage units and bikes. This is the range where EN 12320 certification starts appearing.
- Serious security (From 13 £ to 23 £) : High-security padlocks with hardened steel bodies, anti-pick mechanisms and restricted keyways. ABUS and Kryptonite dominate here. Suitable for commercial premises, high-value equipment and insurance-specified applications. Disc detainer mechanisms and close-shackle designs are common at this level.
- Professional and industrial grade (Over 23 £) : Brady's industrial and master key system locks sit firmly in this bracket. These are specified for facilities management, construction sites and access control programmes — not impulse purchases. The premium reflects restricted keyway systems, certified security ratings and the infrastructure of a managed key programme.
Top products
- Draper Tools 64165 padlock 1 pc(s) (Draper Tools) : The most-listed Draper entry and a solid mid-range option — good value for a workshop or shed, but don't expect hardened steel at this price point. Fine for moderate-risk applications.
- Draper Tools 64195 padlock 1 pc(s) (Draper Tools) : Draper's premium single-lock offering — priced well above the brand average, which suggests a more substantial build. Worth comparing against ABUS at a similar price before committing.
- Draper Tools 67659 padlock 6 pc(s) (Draper Tools) : A six-pack set that makes genuine sense for workshops, storage facilities or schools needing keyed-alike convenience. Per-unit cost is competitive; ideal if you need consistent access across multiple points.
- Draper Tools 64179 padlock 1 pc(s) (Draper Tools) : One of the cheapest locks in the entire catalogue — useful for luggage, lockers or anything low-risk. Don't use it outdoors or on anything you'd genuinely miss; it's a deterrent, not a defence.
- Draper Tools 64197 padlock 1 pc(s) (Draper Tools) : Mid-to-upper Draper range at a price that starts competing with entry-level ABUS. If you're spending this much on a Draper, it's worth checking whether an ABUS equivalent offers better certification for the same outlay.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What padlock is best for outdoor use in the UK?
For outdoor use in the UK, choose a padlock with a stainless steel or nickel-plated shackle and a hardened steel body — bare steel will rust and seize within months in wet conditions. ABUS and BURG-WÄCHTER both produce weather-rated outdoor padlocks with explicit corrosion protection. Look for a product description that specifies the shackle and body material rather than just saying 'weather resistant'. For coastal or permanently exposed locations, marine-grade stainless steel (316 grade) is the only reliable choice.
What does EN 12320 mean on a padlock?
EN 12320 is the European standard for padlock security, graded from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest). Grade 3 is the minimum most UK insurers accept for domestic security applications; Grade 4 and above is typically required for commercial premises. The grade reflects tested resistance to cutting, picking, drilling and pulling attacks. A padlock without any certification grade is not necessarily weak, but you have no independent benchmark to rely on — which is a risk worth avoiding if the lock is protecting anything of value.
Are keyed-alike padlock sets worth buying?
Yes, for anyone managing more than two or three locks, keyed-alike sets are absolutely worth it. A single key opening all your locks eliminates the frustration of a bulging keyring and reduces the risk of being locked out. Draper Tools offers multi-pack keyed-alike sets at a reasonable price point. The trade-off is that if one key is lost or copied, all locks in the set are potentially compromised — so pair them with a restricted keyway if key control matters.
Can a cheap padlock actually be cut in seconds?
Yes — a standard bolt cutter will snap a mild steel shackle under 6mm in diameter in under five seconds. Budget padlocks from 4 £ to 9 £ typically use mild steel shackles that offer almost no resistance to a determined attacker with basic tools. This doesn't mean they're useless — they deter opportunistic theft effectively — but they should not be used to secure anything genuinely valuable or in an unsupervised location. A hardened steel shackle of 8mm or above is a meaningful upgrade.
What's the difference between a close-shackle and a standard padlock?
A close-shackle padlock has a much shorter exposed shackle, leaving very little metal accessible for a bolt cutter or pry bar to grip. Close-shackle designs are significantly harder to attack physically and are recommended for high-risk locations such as external gates, roller shutters and storage containers. The trade-off is reduced clearance — they won't fit all hasps and chains, so check compatibility before buying. Standard shackle padlocks offer more flexibility in application but are easier to attack.
Is it worth paying more for an ABUS padlock over a budget brand?
For anything beyond a locker or low-risk shed, yes. ABUS padlocks consistently offer hardened steel shackles, anti-pick pin designs and EN 12320 certification that budget alternatives simply don't match. The price difference between a basic lock and a mid-range ABUS is modest — typically within the 9 £ to 13 £ bracket — but the security gap is substantial. Where ABUS isn't necessary is for genuinely low-risk, low-value applications: a luggage lock or a gym locker doesn't need a Grade 4 certified mechanism.
What mistakes should I avoid when buying a padlock?
The most common mistake is buying a high-quality padlock and fitting it to a flimsy hasp — the weakest point in the system determines your actual security level, not the lock alone. Other frequent errors: choosing insufficient shackle clearance (the lock won't fit the hasp), ignoring corrosion protection for outdoor use, and assuming identical-looking locks offer equivalent security internally. Also worth noting: a master key system sounds appealing but requires careful planning — buying into one without understanding the key hierarchy and replacement costs can create more problems than it solves.