The Best Storage Unit Locks for Your Storage Solution

Close-up of a storage unit lock on a storage unit door

Finding the right lock for your storage solution is critical. You want to make it easy for you to get into your storage building but difficult for anyone else to break in. Whether you’re using one of Neighbor’s great connections to find storage near you or storing your possessions in another location, we’ve done the research to find the best storage unit locks to choose from to secure your storage unit.

The Importance of Having a Lock for Storage

A good lock could be the difference between a thief breaking into your storage space and storage that remains untouched over time. A strong storage lock acts as a powerful deterrent. Most thieves do not want to invest the time and energy necessary to break or pick the lock. The time needed to break the lock will increase the risk that they will get caught. An inexpensive lock, on the other hand, will do little to prevent thieves from breaking into your storage unit. 

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Qualities of a Good Storage Lock

When choosing a lock for your storage unit, there are several factors that can make a huge difference. Keep in mind that a high-quality lock may prove more expensive than a lower-quality lock — but it will also provide better, more reliable protection. 

When choosing a storage lock, you should look for:

  • Multiple pins. The locking mechanism of a lock is the series of pins that hold the shackle, or the part that fits through the latch of the storage door, in place. Ideally, your storage lock should have at least five pins to make it harder to pick. This will extend the time a thief might need to get inside your unit. 
  • A secure, all-metal lock body
  • A shackle that is as thick as possible while still fitting through the latch, or hasp, of the door. The thicker the shackle, the harder it should be to cut through your lock. 

 

Pro Tip: 

If you want to increase the security of your lock, consider looking for a boron carbide lock. This robust ceramic is used in bulletproof vests and tank armor. It is incredibly hard to cut, even with bolt cutters. For many storage renters, these storage unit locks can serve as one of the best ways to protect possessions deter thieves. However, they can prove much more expensive than the average lock. 

The 6 Best Storage Unit Locks

Storage unit locks on indoor storage units

Ready to choose a lock for your storage unit? Here are some of the top storage unit locks to secure and protect your belongings.

1. The Ingersoll 10

The Ingersoll 10 is a powerful lock that offers a high degree of security. It doesn’t appear ostentatious, which may help prevent it from drawing attention, but it does pack a security punch. The chrome-plated steel shackle is designed to be tough to break open, even with bolt cutters. It also includes a shroud that makes it harder to get to the shackle, even for thieves who may have bolt cutters on hand. The core is incredibly difficult to pick open. This makes it the ideal storage lock solution for anyone who simply does not want to have to worry about thieves. 

Potential Downsides: While the Ingersoll 10 offers a number of advantages, it carries a hefty price tag that may make it less desirable for some users. If you lose your keys, you will have to special order a master key. Also, you’ll have a hard time getting into your unit for any reason in the meantime.

Average Price: Around $300

2. ABUS 20/70 Diskus Padlock

The ABUS 20/70 Diskus padlock, like most disk locks, has only a small opening in the shackle. This makes them much more difficult to tamper with than other padlocks. ABUS storage unit locks are incredibly sturdy. They are very thick and require a great deal of time and effort to cut through — and a lot of noise, which will typically deter a thief. Since ABUS locks are made of stainless steel, they won’t rust over time. ABUS Diskus padlocks also come in a variety of sizes. So you can choose the shackle that works best for your storage needs. In addition, they use a disk detainer in place of pin tumblers, which makes it much more difficult to pick the lock.

Potential Downsides: The main downside to an ABUS Diskus lock is that it’s very difficult to find replacement keys since they have to be shipped from Germany. If you misplace your keys, you may spend a long time trying to get through these storage locks. 

Average Price: Around $50

3. ABUS 37/80 Granit Alloy Steel Padlock

The ABUS 37/80 Granit Alloy Steel Padlock is made from hardened alloy steel. Like the Diskus above, it’s made with a disc cylinder that makes it more difficult to pick. The anti-corrosion coating and hardened steel protection are designed to help this lock stand up to a variety of outdoor challenges. They protect the lock against rust and corrosion over time. With a tensile resistance of over 6 tons, this ABUS lock is an excellent solution for helping to keep thieves away from your storage unit. 

Potential Downsides: The ABUS 37/80 Granite Alloy Steel Padlock does carry a heftier price tag than some of the other ABUS models. It also has a shackle that is 14mm thick, which may be too large for some standard storage units. 

Average Price: Around $125

4. Stanley Hardware S828 Shrouded Padlock

The Stanley Hardware S828 Shrouded Padlock is designed with sturdiness and reliability in mind. It has a six-pin cylinder and anti-pick pins that generally prevent the lock from being opened with anything other than a key. The storage lock also has a sturdy steel construction that has 360-degree defensive mechanisms. It can stand up to both electric and manual saws. Also, the design protects it against prying efforts. 

Potential Downsides: Like many other storage unit locks on the list, Stanley Hardware makes it relatively difficult to get your hands on replacement keys. 

Average Price: Less than $40.

5. Master Lock 930D

The Master Lock 930D steel padlock is one of the strongest padlocks in the Master Lock arsenal. It’s a relatively simple, less expensive lock option that looks unassuming but packs a punch. It has a 5-pin removable cylinder that makes it very difficult to pick. But it does allow you to rekey the lock if needed for your own purposes. Reviewers on Amazon note that the lock is very difficult to pick even when they try. It’s a heavy lock for its size, with a boron alloy that helps provide additional protection. 

Potential Downsides: The 11 mm shackle may be too large for some storage solutions, so it’s important to take a look at the size of your latch before purchasing the lock. It may be easier to force open than other types of locks due to its design. 

Average Price: Less than $25. 

6. Mul-T-lock MT5 + TR 100 “Hockey Puck”

If you’re looking for a storage lock that can help protect against a weak hasp, the “Hockey Puck” is the lock of your dreams. The shackle is a shutter-style piece that sits in a recess made of the construction of the lock, obscuring the shackle and the hasp of the storage unit. This makes it incredibly difficult to cut through. It is a heavy, solid lock with a complex design that is very hard to pick, making it a fantastic solution for many storage units. 

Potential Downsides: While this lock offers a great deal of protection against picking, it is vulnerable to drilling toward the lock core, which could force the lock open. It may also not be suitable for every type of storage unit, particularly smaller units, because of its unique shape. 

Average Price: $140

Finding the right lock for your storage solution is critical. With these storage unit locks, however, you’ll find the security and protection you want for the items you have stored away. 

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