Best Padlocks for Storage Units 2020 – Top Reviews

We have kept the budget as the last thing to discuss because you are already protecting something valuable. Not many people would (and should not!) compromise on the quality for the price. However, there is a wide range of padlocks in the market.

They can be as low as $5 and as high as $5000. 

The expensive ones are used in military purposes and highly sensitive industries. You would not be needing them unless you are actually storing some classified chemicals, etc.

The cheaper padlocks are low in quality, will break easily and accumulate dust. So, we suggest you stay clear of them. However, there are many reasonably priced padlocks that do not require you to rob a bank.

Cylinder locks can normally be seen on doors.

There is no doubt that cylinder locks are the most difficult to break and, hence, they provide the highest security possible. However, they are the hardest to install as well and will most likely not even fit your usual storage unit door. Even if they do, you would not be able to install them partially because they are installed by the storage facility providers.

Therefore, there are high chances that, if they do have cylinder locks, they will provide the keys themselves.

That said, NEVER accept keys if they had been in use by the previous owner. Make sure the manager provides you with a new key. The last thing you want is someone walking right into the place using a duplicate key.

Not every manager out there is a lock expert or concerned about finding the best padlocks for storage units. They might cut costs by going for cheaper locks. You would definitely want to avoid these. Although such facilities’ only security measure is not the locks, you would want to stay safe in case of a break-in.

Getting a quality lock can give you a peace of mind, at the very least.

You can buy as many locks as you want, but at the end of the day, the facility itself is the biggest security you can have.

Choose a facility that has good lighting and proper fencing.

It should have an on-site manager so that you can always talk about your concerns and security measures are looked after more efficiently.

Anti-drill plates are very important because they will not let a drill bite into the metallic portion of your lock.

This way, it will only spin there and the lock will be safe. Plus, they are mostly made of materials that are stronger than an average drill bit - stopping and even breaking it at the end!

This is a critical feature you should be looking out for if you are searching for the best padlocks for your storage units.

You would not want to spend several minutes in locking and unlocking. This is just not convenient or even good for any company to manufacture such locks.

Obviously, the best padlocks for storage units should work smoothly and, hence, you will be thankful that you bought such a lock at the end.

However, we do suggest that if all other demands are being met and there is only a slight issue with the working of the lock, you do not throw that option out of the window.

Long shackles can be a lot of trouble? Why? Simply because they are easy prey for robbers. All they will need is a monster claw bar and you can say goodbye to your lock and stuff in the storage unit.. Since your storage unit is probably (if not definitely) going to be outdoors, you should avoid such padlocks.

So, now you would be thinking, “but then what?”. For starters, the best padlocks for storage units will have concealed shackle. This could either be a disk lock or a simpler one with raised shoulders. Either way, the shackle should not have enough space for burglar tools.  

It is as important to keep the key safe as it is to get a good lock. There is no point of even getting a lock if you keep losing your key.

This will eventually land you in trouble if it falls into the wrong hands. People can make duplicate keys and you may have to bear significant loses.

Therefore, we recommend that you keep the keys safe and with yourself. Only hand it over to people you really trust. Even the best of the best padlocks for storage units cannot stop this.

This one is pretty obvious, but we have seen many people make this mistake. Never buy used locks. This is just like giving someone else a key to your place and asking they rob you.

Now, this may not be very common, but there are instances where people were scammed by others into buying faulty locks.

This, of course, puts you at a very high risk. Therefore, always buy from a trusted hardware store. If you like to order online, use trusted sources, like Amazon, and sellers.

Always look at the reviews of other people to know what you are getting yourself into. It is better to be careful today then be sorry tomorrow.

Losing a key is very common. The dangerous thing about doing so is that someone might be on the lookout and replicate your key.

So, we recommend that you get locks which come with rotating pins and angle cuts. This way, your lock can only be unlocked with foreign keys.

The hasp of the locker is where the shackle of the padlock goes. Since it is ideal to keep the space between the shackle and the metal body as little as possible, the hasp should be designed to accommodate it. This would discourage the burglar from using his tools.

How awful would it be to buy the best padlocks for your storage units and find out that the structures are not strong enough to support them. It means that it should not be too feeble so as to get pulled out with the padlock. You would only be losing money over something so silly.

Indoor storage units provide greater security, but also come at a more expensive price. You will be needing a lower security level padlock and you can also compromise a little on the strength and durability. You most certainly would not have to worry about rusting. With the decrease in these properties, you are looking at a much cheaper padlock.

However, if you choose to have an outdoor storage unit, the stakes are going to be higher. Not only would you need the best padlocks for your storage units, but also need it to be very resistant to corrosion and withstand weather changes. The cost for the storage will be decreased, but the price for padlock will go up. That said, we do believe that spending more here would be wiser. You will be saving yourself from bigger loses.