Are you looking for the ultimate protection for your prized bicycle against theft? In a world of increasingly sophisticated bike thieves, a standard lock just won't cut it. This review delves into the top 5 angle grinder-resistant bike locks of 2025, each boasting Sold Secure Diamond ratings and innovative designs to thwart even the most determined thieves. We rigorously tested these locks against the ultimate test: an angle grinder, evaluating their resistance, weight, usability, and overall value.This comprehensive review examines the Lightlock X3, Abus Granite Super Extreme, Hiplok DX1000, Ongard Rock Solid 8580, and Squire Stronghold D16 Max. We'll break down the strengths and weaknesses of each lock, considering factors like locking area, weight, key mechanisms, and material composition, to help you make an informed decision and choose the best bike lock to safeguard your investment. Discover which lock emerged as the champion in our rigorous testing and find the perfect balance of security, usability, and price.
Pros And Cons
- Sold Secure Diamond rated
- Designed for thicker-tubed bikes (e-bikes, motorbikes)
- Large locking area (225 sq cm)
- Graphene-reinforced hardened steel shackle
- Reportedly pick-proof locking mechanism
- Rubber-to-metal ratio offers good protection
- Simpler rubber flap covers locking system for better visibility and key engagement
- Noticeable play between shackle and lock
- Expensive (£300 / $350)
- Heavy (2.7 kg)
- Cumbersome to transport without mounting system
- Requires storage in pannier or backpack
- Sold Secure Diamond rated
- Uses Wolf Carbide (tungsten carbide)
- Second lightest (2.1 kg) on test
- High resistance lock barrel to picking and manipulation
- Very solid and secure with no play between shackle and lock
- Satisfying click when engaged
- Large size acts as visual deterrent
- Well-designed mount holds the lock securely and prevents rattling
- Harder plastic coating may not be as bike paintwork friendly
- Mount can be fiddly to fit
- Best suited for pannier rack
- Underperformed in angle grinder test compared to others
- Claimed 20 times more resistant than a standard U-lock
- Made with proprietary Binium material (hardened steel and composite)
- Enhanced abrasion, impact, bending, and twisting resistance
- Third-best locking area (195 sq cm) on test
- Third-best weight (2.2 kg) on test
- Uses Abloy lock barrel for long-term key availability
- Comes with three keys
- Silicon lock cover and neoprene sleeve for storage
- Very sturdy with minimal play between locking mechanism and shackle
- Soft touch Eco rubber coating for frame protection
- Silicon protection for keyhole
- Silicon keyhole cover can make finding the keyhole trickier
- Mount sold separately and costs extra (£20)
- Not ideal for small frames
- Sold Secure Diamond rated
- Lightest (1.3 kg) on test
- Patented Rock Solid finish
- X4P Quattro 4-point locking system
- Z-cylinder lock barrel resistant to picking, pulling, and drilling
- Comes with five keys
- Automatic key cover and rubberized coating for durability and weather protection
- Good quality feel with minimal shackle play
- Exceptional performance in angle grinder test
- Can be slightly difficult to align lock when engaging or removing
- Smaller locking reach may be difficult in crowded areas
Read more: Top 5 Folding Bike Locks for Ultimate Security
Lightlock X3: Premium Angle Grinder Resistance
The Lightlock X3 boasts impressive angle grinder resistance, earning a Sold Secure Diamond rating. Lightlock's pioneering work in this area is evident in the X3's 20x claimed improvement over standard U-locks. Its proprietary Binium material, a hardened steel and composite fusion, enhances abrasion, impact, bending, and twisting resistance.
Weighing 2.2 kg, it offers a 195 sq cm locking area – placing it third in our tests. The Abloy lock barrel ensures long-term key availability, and the included silicon lock cover and neoprene sleeve provide protection and convenient storage.
During testing, the X3 proved exceptionally sturdy with minimal play between components. The soft-touch rubber coating protects bike frames and provides a pleasant tactile experience. However, the silicone keyhole cover may slightly impede key insertion, especially in low-light conditions.
Abus Granite Super Extreme: Solid Security, but Not Top Performer
The Abus Granite Super Extreme, also a Sold Secure Diamond lock, is exceptionally heavy and large, not ideal for backpack carrying. It utilizes Wolf carbide (tungsten carbide), second only to diamonds in hardness, for extreme durability.
Weighing 2.1 kg, it has a 2220 sq cm locking area (second lightest and second-largest). The lock barrel resists picking and manipulation; however, only two keys are included. Despite its heft, it serves as an excellent visual deterrent.
Testing revealed a solid, secure lock with no shackle play. The hard plastic coating might not be as kind to bike paintwork as others. Its larger locking reach makes it well-suited to bikes with larger down tubes like ebikes.
Hiplok DX1000: Premium Price, Premium Resistance
The Hiplok DX1000 blends style and security. It's a Sold Secure Diamond lock designed for thicker-tubed bikes and even motorbikes. It features a square profile, graphene-reinforced hardened steel shackle, and an anti-angle grinder system.
With a massive 225 sq cm locking area, it’s the largest, but also the heaviest at 2.7 kg. The high rubber-to-metal ratio makes it difficult to identify the metal components. The lock's internal mechanism is claimed to be pick-proof since its 2021 debut.
While expensive (£300/ $350), noticeable shackle play was observed despite assurances from Hiplok it doesn't affect security. Its weight makes transport without a mounting system cumbersome. Despite the play, angle grinder testing showed superior resistance, with the cutting disc wearing down significantly.
Ongard Rock Solid 8580: Budget-Friendly Best-in-Test
The Ongard Rock Solid 8580, from Magnum Locks, is a Sold Secure Diamond rated lock designed for angle grinder resistance. It features a 15 mm hardened steel shackle with a patented Rock Solid finish and weighs only 1.3 kg, the lightest tested.
It includes five keys and an automatic key cover, offering good durability and weather protection. The rubberized coating and minimal shackle play contribute to a high-quality feel.
The angle grinder test was where this lock excelled, showing exceptional resistance. Three cutting discs were worn down in under 5 minutes due to the Rock Solid coating. This lock significantly outperformed the others in terms of angle grinder resistance.
Squire Stronghold D16 Max: Expensive but Flawed
The Squire Stronghold D16 Max, a UK-made Sold Secure Diamond lock, is expensive (£289.99). However, its design has drawbacks affecting usability. The plastic cover feels flimsy, and while there's no shackle play, it lacks a robust feel.
The thick rubber coating makes securing a bike cumbersome, further hampered by its 2.7 kg weight (one of the heaviest). The large locking area is a positive, but the high price point and design issues present a significant challenge.
It is ultimately outperformed by competitors offering better value and functionality. While not a complete failure, its flaws outweigh its positives considering its significant price.
Overall Verdict and Conclusions
The Ongard Rock Solid 8580 emerged as the best overall lock due to its exceptional angle grinder resistance, budget-friendly price (£200/$250), and user-friendly design. It significantly outperformed competitors in the angle grinder test.
The Lightlock X3 and Abus Granite Super Extreme also performed well, offering high levels of security but at a slightly higher price point. The Hiplok DX1000, despite impressive resistance, is overpriced considering its weight and design.
All locks tested offered decent angle grinder resistance, but the Ongard Rock Solid's combination of performance, price, and ease of use made it the standout choice. Consider your budget, security needs, and preferences when making your decision.
