The 7 best locks for cyclists: Consumer Reports
A stolen bike often comes down to a lock that gave up too easily. Consumer Reports tested locks against grinders and saws to find sturdy picks
Josh Bean / Unsplash
A bike parked outside is only as secure as the lock holding it in place, and thieves carry bolt cutters, grinders and saws built to defeat weak ones. Choosing the wrong lock can mean the difference between a bike still there in the morning and an empty rack.
Consumer Reports tested locks against bolt cutters, grinders, hacksaws and reciprocating saws, so cyclists can find one tough enough to keep a bike where they left it.
1 / 7
Hiplok DX1000
Credit: Amazon
The Hiplok DX1000 costs $380 and topped Consumer Reports' bike lock ratings. CR found it completely defeated a reciprocating saw and held up for a full 4 minutes against a grinder before finally giving way, setting a new bar in CR's testing. The lock also earned top marks resisting bolt cutters and hacksaws, rounding out a performance CR described as strong across every test category. Its high price reflects that level of protection, positioning it as a more secure option than any other lock CR has tested to date.
2 / 7
Kryptonite New York Diamond Standard
Credit: Amazon
The Kryptonite New York Diamond Standard costs $350 and landed just behind the Hiplok DX1000 in Consumer Reports' ratings. CR found it completely defeated a reciprocating saw and required nearly 3 minutes of grinder work to break through, alongside top scores resisting bolt cutters and hacksaws. The lock ships with mounting hardware for attaching it to a bike frame during rides. CR called its performance excellent across the board, making it a strong alternative to the top-ranked Hiplok at a slightly lower price.
3 / 7
Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT Mini U-Lock
Credit: Amazon
The Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT Mini U-Lock costs $125 and previously topped Consumer Reports' ratings on the strength of a thick, highly cut-resistant U-bar in CR's first round of testing. CR found newer locks have since surpassed it, and it fell a bit short specifically against reciprocating saws, though bolt cutter and hacksaw resistance remained excellent. The lock doesn't include mounting hardware, so riders need their own solution for carrying it during transport. Even with newer competition ahead of it, CR still rates this lock highly relative to its price.
4 / 7
LITELOK X3 U Lock
Credit: Litelok
The LITELOK X3 U Lock costs $430 and uses a slightly thicker construction than the LITELOK X1 tested alongside it. Consumer Reports found it resisted brute-force attacks along with hacksaws, reciprocating saws, bolt cutters and assorted hand tools, and CR credited that broad range of resistance to its beefed-up build. The one weak point CR identified was vulnerability to a grinder, which could break the lock open despite its otherwise strong showing. That single tradeoff sits alongside a price higher than every other lock in this lineup.
5 / 7
LITELOK X1
Credit: Litelok
The LITELOK X1 costs $260 and uses a silicone coating over its U-lock shackle. Consumer Reports rated its performance very good across nearly every test, with one notable exception in the grinder test, where CR found it fared worse than the thicker LITELOK X3 despite being marketed as grinder-resistant. Outside of that specific vulnerability, the lock held up well against the other tools CR tested. Shoppers focused on protection from cutting and sawing tools instead of grinders may still find it a solid pick at a lower price than the X3.
6 / 7
Abus Granit X-Plus 540 U-Lock
Credit: Abus
The Abus Granit X $TWTR-Plus 540 U-Lock costs $122 and scored well overall in Consumer Reports' testing, though its resistance to reciprocating saws came back middling instead of exceptional. CR noted the lock lacks hardware for mounting it to a bike frame, so riders need another way to carry it. CR pointed out this lock is priced well under the other top performers in this lineup, echoing the value the Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT Mini U-Lock offers at its own lower price point. That solid performance paired with a lower price makes it a reasonable middle-ground option.
7 / 7
Sportneer Heavy Duty 5ft Security Steel Cable Lock
Credit: Amazon
The Sportneer Heavy Duty 5ft Security Steel Cable Lock costs just $27, priced far lower than every other lock Consumer Reports recommends in this lineup. CR found it held up well against brute-force attacks, hand tools and bolt cutters, and performed solidly against hacksaws too. Its performance faltered specifically against grinders and reciprocating saws, tools that defeated it more easily than the U-locks tested alongside it. For cyclists on a tight budget or those parking in lower-risk areas, CR's testing suggests it still offers meaningful protection for the price.
