6 Best Combination Locks 2020
Sadly, the amount of resources out there that tell you how to pick a lock greatly outnumber the amount of resources that tell you which one will keep the thieves out. With all of the tutorials showing everyone how to open a lock, how do you know which ones will do their job or at least thwart thieves who aren’t quick enough to pick them?
Since you need to know which is best combination lock and not which is the best way to break into one, our guide below will provide you an in-depth look at some of the best lock choices that will help you keep your belongings safe and secure.
Where Will You Use the Lock?
There are different places where a combination lock can come in handy, so make sure you choose the right one based on where you’ll be using it:
- Travel. Here we’re referring to the luggage locks.
These absolutely need to be TSA-approved (unless you never, ever travel in the U.S.) or you risk having TSA security members cutting it off in order to open your luggage.
Here, there’s also a risk of them ruining your zipper (we know, it’s happened to us before), so make sure a combination luggage lock is TSA approved!
- Locker. If you’re using a combination lock to protect the contents of a locker at a gym, school, at work or when you’re traveling (anyone who has ever stayed in a hostel will know what we’re talking about), then you’ll need something bulkier than a small luggage lock.
- Bicycles. When it comes to thwarting bicycle thieves, the U-lock is probably your best bet.
Since these usually open with a key rather than a combination, we had to do some digging in order to find a decent combination U-lock or cable lock, but we did manage to locate one and included it in our table below.
There are plenty of other places that a lock like this comes in handy (gates, storage units, sports bags, etc.), which is why we’ve included such a diverse range of locks in our table below.
Top 6 Combination Locks Table
| Picture | Name | Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Kidde AccessPoint 001414 KeySafe Original Slimline | Combination Key Lock Box | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 2. Cargis TSA Approved Luggage Locks. Heavy Duty | Luggage | $ | 4.6 |
 | 3. Heavy Duty Bike Lock Chain Lock with 5-Digit Resettable Number Combination | Bicycles | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 4. Sargent & Greenleaf 8077AD Combination Padlock | Doors, Gates, Cabinets, Lockers, etc. | $$$$ | 4.4 |
 | 5. Padlock - 4 Digit Combination Lock for Gym, Sports, School & Employee Locker | Lockers | $ | 4.4 |
 | 6. Master Lock 175LH Resettable Set-Your-Own Combination Lock | Gates | $$ | 4.3 |
Shackle Details
Remember to take the length of the shackle (the U-shaped bar at the top) into consideration as you choose a lock.
If you need to pass it through thick latches (on a gate, for example), then you’ll need to make sure that it can clear all of the holes with enough room to snap it closed once you’ve reached the other size.
Thickness of the shackle also matters, since anything that is too thin can be easily snipped off with heavy-duty cutters.
# of Digits
Most combination locks use 4-digit or 5-digit dials; some 3-digit dials.
The number you choose depends on the level of security you want and the amount of numbers you want to try to remember.
Amateur thieves will probably give up on 4-digit or 5-digit combination locks, but 3-digit locks are easier to remember.
If you’re simply in need of something to keep the kids or snoopy family members in your home out of a certain area or belonging, then a simple lock will do.
For more serious protection, opt for something with more digits to slow any potential thieves down.
Understand the Limitations
Even the best combination lock is still going to be fairly easy for a talented thief to break into, so it’s important that you understand the limitations when choosing this type of lock.
In most instances, a combination lock is secure enough since thieves need to have enough time to pick one, and in well-trafficked areas, it’s more likely that they’ll get caught.
If you plan to leave the lock in a more permanent location where you won’t check on it regularly, then don’t use a combination lock.
The only exception is the Sargent & Greenleaf Combination Padlock (model 8077AD): number 4 in our table.
It is quite expensive, but it is seriously one of the best combination locks out there if you don’t want to used a keyed padlock.
It features a hardened steel shackle, 125,000 combinations, 30-minute protection against export manipulation and 10-minute protection against surreptitious entry attacks.
This is the king of all combination locks!
Top 3 Best Combination Lock Reviews
1. Kidde AccessPoint 001414 KeySafe
This type of combination lock is specifically designed to store keys in: this could be used for your home (kids or guests can access the house keys if you provide them with the code) or in industrial areas (for those who need to provide occasional access to a vacant building or property – perhaps to a meter reader or city employee). It’s even great to keep kids from getting their hands on keys that lead to inappropriate areas of the home (the liquor cabinet, for example).
This is a wall-mount lock box that holds two keys, but it is also available in a 5-key box if there are numerous doors to open once inside a main building.
A very handy combination lock for homeowners!
2. Cargis TSA Approved Luggage Locks
We’ve mentioned the luggage lock already, and anyone traveling or who needs to keep a bag closed while they’re at school should invest in a lock like this.
It is a simple 3-digit lock that is TSA-approved; there is even an indicator that let’s you know when the bag has been opened by a TSA agent.
Many travelers are highly satisfied with this particular lock: it is sturdy and affordable – two very good reasons why every traveler should own one!
The deal gets even sweeter since this is a 2-pack, so you and your travel partner will each have a way to keep your luggage contents safe.
3. Heavy Duty Bike Lock Chain Lock
Finally we present the combination bike lock.
This is not our first choice as a bike lock since the keyed U-locks work much better, but if you prefer a combination lock for your bike, this is a good choice.
It has a 5-digit combination and the 6-foot cable has a 0.56-inch diameter – pretty thick for a bike cable. The lock pin is also waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about it rusting if your bike ends up out in the rain a lot.
What else can we say?
This is a great combination bike lock, but if we didn’t highlight the type of lock you needed, be sure to have a look at the other great options in our table above to find the one you were looking for!
