Top Bike Lock Reviews 2025: Thorough testing and rating of various lock styles for optimal security

Top Bike Lock Reviews 2025: Thorough testing and rating of various lock styles for optimal security

The best bike locks are essential for securing your bicycle, whether you're commuting, traveling, or just keeping your prized possession safe at home. Here at our website, we've put numerous bike locks to the test, including a dozen in the last year alone. These range from heavy-duty angle grinder-resistant bike locks for home and train station use to lightweight options for bikepacking and café stops.

We thoroughly evaluate the usability, functionality, and features of each lock, using power tools only for those that claim angle grinder resistance. Sold Secure, ART, and the UK's National Cycle Federation (NCf) handle the testing in the UK and North America, respectively, while we also include their security ratings in our reviews. Scroll to the bottom for more information about a 'Sold Secure' rating and how you can ensure your bike lock is tough enough.

Our top pick for the best overall bike lock is the OnGuard RockSolid. Its angle grinder resistance, low weight, and exceptional value make it a standout choice. However, careful consideration is required when choosing a lock based on where and when you'll need to use it. For suggestions on the best bike lock for your situation, check out our "How To Choose" section at the bottom of this page.

A reliable bike lock isn't the only way to secure your bike. Consider adding one of the best GPS bike trackers, which will significantly increase your chances of recovering a stolen bike. Additionally, always insure your bike with one of the best bicycle insurance policies to cover any losses.

Quick List

Security Rating

Best Overall

Weight

1. OnGuard RockSoild 8590You won't believe how light the RockSolid 8590 is - just 1.3kg/2.8 lbs - yet it's incredibly secure! With a Sold Secure diamond rating, it outperforms angle grinder discs.

Type

Best Budget Angle Grinder-Proof

1. Litelok X1Now, one of the cheapest angle grinder-proof locks on the market, the Litelok X1 still offers formidable security.

OnGuard RockSoild 8590

Best All-Round

Sold Secure Diamond

1. Litelok X3The LiteLok X3 is separated by very little from the OnGuard RockSolid. If you need the greater flexibility of a longer shackle, there's really one way to go, and it's with the X3.

1.3kg/2.8lbs

Load 3 more top-rated u-locks

U-lock

Best Budget U-Lock

1. Onguard 8006 Pitbull MiniThe Onguard 8006 Pitbull Mini is an affordable bargain for a Sold Secure Diamond rated and just about the lowest-priced lock with this rating.

Litelok X1

Best U-Lock for Reach

Sold Secure Diamond

1. Abus Granit X Plus 540The Granit X Plus 540 from Abus does an incredible job of balancing security with reach and overall weight. It's only let down by its slightly higher cost versus its competitors.

1.7kg/3.7lbs

Best Cheap Bike Lock

U-lock

1. Zéfal K-Traz U17If you're just looking for a cheap bike lock, look no further than the Zéfal K-Traz U17. It might be cheap, but it boasts a Sold Secure Gold rating.

Best Chain Lock

Onguard 8006 Pitbull Mini

1. Kryptonite New York FahgettabouditSold Secure Diamond rated, Kryptonite's chain lock offers more flexibility in locking your bike. However, at nearly 7 kg, it's not the most practical for carrying around.

Sold Secure Diamond

Best Folding Lock

1.3kg/2.8lbs

1. Abus Bordo Granit X Plus 6500Abus's top folding lock is easier to carry and lock and has a high Sold Secure Gold rating, which is rare for locks of this style.

U-lock

Best Budget Folding Lock

1. Seatylock Foldylock CompactWith just enough length to secure the frame and front wheel at a bike rack, the Seatylock Foldylock Compact suffers from the same issue that all folding locks do: a low security rating.

Abus Bordo Granit X Plus 6500

See three more of the best bike locks

Sold Secure Gold

Best Lightweight Lock

2.4kg/2.5lbs

1. Hiplok Z Lok ComboThe Hiplok Z Lok is one of the lightest and most portable on the market. Providing enough security for quick stops when you have visibility of your bike.

Folding Lock

Best Wearable Lock

1. Squire Straplok 35/850The Squire Straplok 35/850 is incredibly light, and thanks to its belt-like design, I found it super comfortable to wear. It's certainly one of the most well-thought-out locks I've tested.

Litelok X3

Best Alarmed U-Lock

Sold Secure Diamond

1. Oxford Alarm-D ProFar from a gimmick, the Oxford alarm is an excellent extra deterrent to thieves, while still performing the fundamentals of a bike lock to a high standard.

2.2kg/4.8lbs

Best bike locks: Our pick

U-lock

Best Angle Grinder-Proof Bike Locks

Good for: Maximum security. Unless the thief has a lot of time and many grinder discs, you can rest assured that your bike is safe.

Abus Granit XPlus 540

Consider: The enhanced security makes losing your key more problematic, as removing them through other means would be quite challenging.

Sold Secure Diamond

Our website has meticulously tested every angle grinder-resistant bike lock mentioned. Whenever a manufacturer asserts a feature, we test its legitimacy using our own angle grinder. We've created a brief test that closely simulates a realistic situation where an opportunistic thief attempts to break your bike lock.

1.6kg/3.5lbs

Why not check out our full guide to the best angle grinder-resistant bike locks?

U-lock

Best Overall

1. OnGuard RockSolid 8590

Zéfal K-Traz U17

Our expert review:

Sold Secure Gold

Specifications

1.2kg/2.6lbs

Reasons to buy

U-lock

• Hardened steel construction with OnGuard's patented RockSolid finish
• Exceptional angle grinder resistance
• Weather shield cover for weather resistance
• Pick, pull, and drill-resistant "bump" lock cylinder
• Lightweight at just 1.3 kg
• Sold Secure diamond rating

Reasons to avoid

Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain 1415

• Lower shackle reach compared to other options
• Limited locking space

Sold Secure Diamond

Unsurprisingly, the OnGuard RockSolid 8590 is our top recommendation and best overall bike lock. It is light, portable, and incredibly robust. As the offspring of security giant Magnum Locks, OnGuard has applied a wealth of expertise and manufacturing know-how to create this small yet mighty Sold Secure diamond-rated bike lock.

6.9kg/15.2lbs

Made of hardened steel and coated with OnGuard's patented RockSolid finish, the 8590 lock weighs nearly a 1 kg/2.2 lbs less than its nearest competitor at 1.3 kg. However, there is a compromise. It has the shortest shackle reach at 17.5 cm/6.8 inches, which, with its 9 cm/3.5 inches internal width, results in 157 cm2/61.8 in2 of locking space volume.

Chain Lock

Promising anti-pick, pull, and drill, the key-operated lock mechanism even has a weather shield cover, which should help prevent water ingress and any corresponding lock mechanism degradation or freeze-up in sub-zero weather conditions.

The OnGuard stands out in the field because of its capability to fend off grinder assaults. On test, we went through no fewer than three grinder discs in five minutes, the most of any lock we've tested. Even then, the grinder barely scratched the surface. This impenetrability is probably why the OnGuard RockSolid 8590 also comes with the most spare keys (five in total) because, trust me, this is not a lock you'll release easily without a key.

Seatylock Foldylock Compact

Read our Full OnGuard RockSoild bike lock review

Sold Secure Silver

Best Budget Angle Grinder Proof Lock

1kg/2.2lbs

2. Litelok X1

Folding Lock

Our expert review:

Specifications

Oxford Alarm-D Pro

Reasons to buy

Sold Secure Gold

• Sold Secure diamond-rated security
• Excellent resistance to angle grinder attacks despite being one of the cheapest options available
• Lightweight at just 1.7 kg
• Rubberized silicone outer layer to protect bike frames from scratches
• Flexible design and locking circumference for easy locking in various positions
• Two keys included

1.4kg/3lbs

Reasons to avoid

Alarmed U-lock

• Lower security rating compared to some more expensive options
• Not designed for heavy-duty use or extra-long shackle lengths

The Litelok X1 has inadvertently become among the cheapest available as a growing number of angle grinder-proof locks enter the market. The lock is diamond-rated, meaning you'll be covered under most insurance schemes. It requires multiple angle grinder discs to penetrate and weighs a reasonable 1.7 kg, making it easy to carry around.

Hiplok Z Lok Combo bike lock

As I mentioned, there is a new wave of even more secure angle grinder-proof locks, such as Litelok's X3 and the OnGuard RockSolid. That should not take away from the X1's overall performance; it is still a very secure diamond-rated lock that offers pretty formidable angle grinder resistance. Our reviewer really enjoyed using the Litelok X1, especially because of its handy locking circumference, which made locking up the bike in all the various spots they needed a breeze.

Not Classified

For complete peace of mind - when your priority is your bike over the insurance provider's obligations - the X1 still stands out as a superb choice.

70g/2.4oz

Read our full Litelok X1 bike lock review

Strap Lock

Best All-Round Bike Lock

3. Litelok X3

Squire Straplok 35/850

Our expert review:

Sold Secure Silver

Specifications

1.1kg/2.4lbs

Reasons to buy

Wearable Lock

• Sold Secure diamond-rated security
• Angle grinder-resistant ceramic composite shackle
• Excellent flexibility and locking space
• Silicone outer layer to protect bike frames from scratches
• Durable build that can withstand repeated use
• Portable, lightweight design for easy carrying

Reasons to avoid

• Slightly more expensive than some options
• Additional components, such as the bike frame lock mount, can increase the overall cost

The LiteLok X3 is ideal for anyone looking for the same great Sold Secure Diamond-rated lock security as the OnGuard RockSolid 8590 but with a slightly longer shackle.

The British-designed and manufactured lock uses an exclusive material called Barronium. This super-hard ceramic composite makes the shackle virtually indestructible. During our five-minute angle grinder test, we only managed to cut halfway through the lock, an endeavor that ate through two metal-graded grinder discs.

The LiteLok measures 19.5 cm/7.6 inches tall by 10 cm/4 inches wide, the equivalent of 195 cm2/ 76.7 in2 of total locking space volume, around 20% more space than the OnGuard.

This extra size adds a little to the LiteLok's weight when directly compared to the OnGuard. However, there is a compromise. The latest X3 version weighs roughly 2.5 kg, which is approximately 1 kg more than the OnGuard RockSolid.

I really liked the LiteLok X3's silicone outer, which helped prevent my frame from being scratched. The nifty neoprene pouch was also a great storage addition for the lock. However, I wasn't so keen to find that the bespoke bike frame lock mount would be an additional £20 outlay, especially after discovering that it wouldn't fit most small frames, which is another point to consider when deciding to purchase.

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