10 Best Combination Locks in 2020

A combination lock can be an incredibly useful security tool for a wide range of situations, both around the home or out at your workplace. Not only do they lock up based on a hard-to-guess combination, but you can often shift around the code regularly, changing it to something new at almost any time. Even the most basic combination locks will have this functionality, but if you are looking for top-quality security, you might want to look for something a little bit more reliable and well-designed: the best combination padlock will keep out all but the most persistent thieves, especially if it is designed to counter normal methods of breaking open a lock or padlock. Still, the meaning of ‘best padlock’ changes from person to person.

Combination Lock Buyer’s Guide

Buying the ‘best’ combination lock isn’t easy since you need to focus on safety and security just as much as everything else. After all, it only takes one damaged lock or weak product to leave your possessions accessible to a thief, especially if they are well-equipped and have their desired tools on-hand to break open or pick any combination locks they come across. Make your decision carefully, and try to focus on the locks as a product rather than a security measure. Be sure to compare each lock and padlock if possible: it makes it easier to find the best product for your needs.

Looking for something more futuristic? Try a smart home lock.

Materials

One of the biggest obstacles you can place in front of a thief is a tough material. A combination lock made with plated steel will take a lot longer to break through than one made of hard plastic, and there are some materials that are almost entirely objectively better than others. For a lot of thieves, brute force is the best way to open a combination lock, especially if the said lock is too difficult for them to pick. For this reason, better materials (or even just another layer on the inside) can go a long way towards keeping your combination padlocks in one piece.

That isn’t the only reason to want more durability. Bad weather can also be a major problem for outdoor locks, especially if you are worried about water or dirt getting into the lock and making it impossible to put in the right combination. You can sometimes use a special product to clean them out, but it still takes a long time, and it can cause major damage to the lock itself. If you are planning on using a combination lock outside, the best options are the ones that can stand up to weather damage.

Alongside that is the weight. Let’s say you are taking your combination padlocks to use on briefcases while you are away. You can’t really remove them, and they might only make a small difference individually, but add five, and suddenly your combination padlocks are a significant amount of extra weight. If you need to move the combination locks often, keep them lightweight – a heavy lock is best used for stationary things, like a door.

Combination Settings

When you are dealing with padlocks, combination is key. If you have three digits on your locks, that gives you over 1,000 combinations – but a four-digit lock gives you ten times that much. If you are putting security first, the best locks are the ones that make it harder for the thief to have an easy job guessing the right combination. This is definitely true for doors – a lot of companies combine their regular combination locks with an extra combination paddle lock, plated steel bolts, or an entirely new security system.

You also need to be aware of the reset feature. If it is easy to reset the locks, they’ll generally work best as a deterrent, since any actual thieves will just be able to reset the combination. If it takes specialized tools, it might become near-impossible for somebody to bypass it, even with their best tools.

Size

The best combination lock for any situation is the one that fits, so you should always track down the best padlocks for every situation you might face. A padlock that is too small might be physically impossible of properly connecting to a chain or some briefcase handles, which leaves you with a product that you can’t really use properly. A lock that is too big might be easy to slip on, but can also come off easily, making it far from the best option.

The best materials don’t always matter here. You can find a zinc alloy padlock or combination locks the size of your fist in the same way that you can find steel locks as large as your thumb. Always treat materials separately – if you can’t find a zinc alloy combination lock in the size you need, don’t buy the next best thing, since the lock might still be too small.

Combination locks are a physical type of security, so this sort of thing really matters. Even if they aren’t the best locks on the market, a padlock that fits will always make a better lock than something that doesn’t. This is especially true for padlock products that need to be the best at their job, such as a lock designed for protecting dangerous chemicals or hazardous areas.

Expert Tip

Always check to see if padlocks combination locks have an auto-unlocking combination. Many of these are meant to be used in emergencies – if you accidentally forget the code to your lock, and all of your best equipment is trapped inside (or outside, if it is a room lock), check the instructions to find this number. If there isn’t one, you might need to call for a padlock specialist or locksmith to open it for you.

Did You Know?

A lot of businesses that need more protection simply double up on locks. One padlock is always weaker (making it easy to break) than two padlocks, so having multiple of the best combination locks you can find will essentially double your security. You’ll have to remember the codes to two combination lock dial sections, though, so be prepared to note them down.