The Kryptonite New-U New York Lock Standard is a reliable, burly U-lock that'll help secure your bike in high-theft areas like its namesake city. The "strong and sturdy steel shackle resists bolt cutters and leveraged attacks and allows me to feel at ease when storing my bike in public areas," says Brent Kawamura, a product sustainability manager at REI.

The New York Standard features a 16-millimeter-thick hardened steel shackle (the U-shaped bar) while its vinyl coating won't harm your bike's finish. The crossbar features a hardened steel sleeve, sliding dustcover to keep out dirt and weather and a disc cylinder lock that is pick- and drill-resistant. While a shackle this thick is already difficult to defeat with leverage, its staying power is bolstered by a double-bolt design that secures both ends within the crossbar. "The U-lock is large enough to wrap around my frame and wheel, but not too large that it's cumbersome to store or carry around," adds Kawamura.

At nearly 4 pounds, 7 ounces, it is a hefty piece of gear to carry around, but that's the trade-off for a lock that's strong and secure. And in that regard, the New York Lock Standard is hard to beat. If you're comparing it to other Kryptonite locks, it's ranked a 9 on the company's 10-point scale, and Sold Secure, an independent test house for security products, awarded it Diamond—the highest in its bicycle ratings.

Kryptonite includes three stainless-steel keys, which can be replaced (for a minimal fee) through the brand's Key Safe Program if you lose them. Just remember to register your set in advance because this lock will be as hard for you to open without keys as it will be for would-be thieves. Buy here.

Bike thieves will stop at nothing to swipe your wheels, and these days they’re not only using bolt cutters but portable angle grinders, a power tool with a rotating saw that cuts through steel. Given enough time, a thief can make quick work of any lock. However, the Hiplok DX1000 Bike Lock is built to defend against these tools and a good pick for high-value e-bikes. The independent security assessment agency Sold Secure has approved the DX1000 for e-bikes and given it the highest Diamond rating.

Just like its little brother, the D1000 Bike Lock, which has a smaller girth designed for thin-framed bikes, DX1000’s secret sauce is four-fold. First, its U-shape (or D-shape, as the brand calls it) features a chunky locking mechanism that, when sized correctly for a bike, can deter leveraging with a crowbar, while also limiting the effectiveness of hammers and chisels. (Read more about bike lock types.)

The DX1000 also uses a unique, carbon composite material and premium hardened steel core that are simply hard for any thief’s tool to chew through. Anti-rotation, double-locking tabs offer additional protection since they require someone to hack through both sides of the lock before making off with your ride, while a high-quality, anti-pick lock barrel deters just that: lock pickers.

This robust defense system earned the DX1000 a spot in one Denver-based customer-reviewer’s theft-prevention arsenal. “No lock will beat every thief. [Locks] are at best deterrents. This is the best singular … deterrent out there,” he says.

The DX1000 features a rugged, rubberized exterior designed to prevent scratches to your frame and wheel and comes with three coded keys, each of which can be registered with Hiplok and replaced for a small cost. At $350, the DX1000 carries a higher price tag than most of its competitors. On the other hand, that figure is far less than what it would cost to replace an e-bike. Buy here.

For times when he's stressed about bike theft, REI content producer and avid cyclist Dustin Kingman reaches for the Kryptonite New York 1210 Chain Lock. It combines thick, cut-resistant links with a robust lock that makes it an ideal choice for high-risk areas. At 8 pounds, 9 ounces, it's the heaviest lock in our lineup. You might not want to carry it around on a daily basis, but it's great when you're locking up somewhere you can leave it, like your home or place of work. Kingman mainly uses the New York 1210, combined with a cable lock, to secure two bikes to the back of his car.

The 12-millimeter-thick, six-sided links made from strong, 3 hardened manganese steel mean the chain is highly resistant to cutting. And at 40 inches long, it's easy to secure around stationary objects and your frame. Also, a durable nylon webbing cover keeps the hefty chain from scratching your bike.

In addition to strong, cut-resistant links, a good chain needs a good lock to provide any real security. The New York 1210 uses a miniaturized Evolution series U-lock with a thick, 14-millimeter hardened steel shackle and oval crossbar. The shackle resists bolt cutters and leverage attacks while the oval crossbar is stronger than most round crossbars. The lock also uses a double-bolting mechanism that securely holds the shackle at both ends.

As one customer-reviewer commented: "This is one heavy chain, but the cloth cover provides plenty of protection for the bike. I use this on my electric bike to discourage potential thieves. Probably not the best chain for a commuter because of its weight."

These features add up to a rating of 9 on the 10-point Kryptonite security scale, offering the kind of security you want for long or overnight stops, big cities and college campuses. Buy here.

Chain locks, which can deter hacksaws and chisels, are a trustworthy defense against theft in high-risk areas. The problem, however, is that they’re often heavy and cumbersome to carry.

Not so with the Hiplok Gold Maximum Security Wearable Chain Lock, a 12-millimeter, hardened steel, keyed shackle (three keys included) paired with a 10-millimeter hardened steel chain. This standout option with a Sold Secure Gold rating and lifetime warranty uses a speed buckle system that allows the rider to wear the lock like a belt during transit. Riders can clip it on like a seatbelt with a buckle attached to the bottom of a padlock; it’s fastened on, not locked on.

The Gold Maximum Security Wearable Chain Lock is designed to fit a wide range of riders thanks to the adjustable belt that expands to fit waists between 24 and 44 inches. While it weighs nearly 5.5 pounds and stretches 33.5 inches, users report that it doesn’t feel like lugging too much around. “It’s comfortable to wear and easy to use,” confirms one consumer reviewer, who’s taken their chain lock on multiple 50-plus-mile rides around Phoenix and even forgot it was on. “For being a wearable lock, it’s an amazing piece of gear and incredibly worth it for commuting or around-town rides.” Buy here.

While locks around $100 typically won't offer the same security as their more expensive cousins, the Kryptonite Evolution Mini 7 U-Lock with Flex Cable proves its value. It still earns a Gold rating from the independent security-product tester Sold Secure and a "high security" rating of 7 out of 10 on the Kryptonite scale.

The lock and cable combo might not provide the highest protection in major cities like New York, but it's a great, portable and lighter weight option for longer stops in other metropolitan areas or overnight in suburbs where thefts tend to be less frequent. The Mini-7 uses a tough, 13-millimeter-thick shackle (that's the U-shaped bar) made from the same hardened steel used in the brawny New York 1210 chain lock. Plus, the bent-foot, double-bolting mechanism holds the shackle on both ends while still featuring the familiar, easy-to-use angled closure of other Kryptonite U-locks. A 4-foot-long cable lets you to lock both your bike frame and the front wheel up so you don't return to find a missing wheel.

It comes with three stainless-steel keys, and, if you register your key number with the Kryptonite Key Safe Program, you can get replacements for a minimal fee. Buy here.

A bike lock only works if you carry it and use it. Chain locks can be too bulky for certain rides, while U-Locks might not fit around certain objects. Enter the Hiplok SWITCH Folding Lock—a sleek, compact alternative.

You can mount in on your bike frame, throw it into a pannier or even clip it to your back pocket (if that's your style). Initially we found it a bit tricky to lock, but after several times, locking and unlocking wasn't an issue. An added bonus: It's quiet to transport. Expert Advice editor Phuong Le didn't experience the same clanging and rattling she gets when biking with her U-Locks.

Hiplok built the lock with six hardened steel bars, linking them with steel rivets for 85 centimeters of locking length—plenty to secure your bike to most stationary objects. The entire device weighs just over 2 pounds and folds down to a 6-by-1.6-by-1-inch package (roughly the size of a burrito). And with a bronze-level rating from independent certification house Sold Secure, it's a great choice for quick stops or low-theft areas. Buy here.

Light, packable and easy to use, this 1.1-ounce Hiplok Z Lok Bike Combo cable lock basically resembles a giant zip tie with a steel core, nylon exterior and combination lock. It's no replacement for a higher-security lock like those above, so why is it here?

The Z Lok, like other superlight, pocket-size locks, is all about deterrence. When it comes to opportunistic theft, it's the easiest bike to steal that gets stolen. So think of the Z Lok as a good pick for basic theft deterrence, a sidekick to your superhero lock. Keep one in your bike bag or jersey pocket, and it'll be there if you forget your primary lock or are on a road ride and need to make a pit stop while deterring quick-striking thieves. On longer stops, use the Z Lok in conjunction with your burly U-lock to protect accessories, like your saddle or wheels.

Its nylon exterior shouldn't scratch your finish, it wraps around items big and small with a 45-centimeter adjustable strap. The Z Lok is also a good basic backup because it uses a three-digit code that you can reset; no keys to forget. This latest 2025 version comes with a bracket to carry the lock on your bike. Buy here.