Best Angle Grinder Resistant Bike Locks 2026: Five Sold Secure Diamond Locks Compared

Introduction

Angle grinder attacks are one of the hardest threats a bike lock has to answer, and a small group of locks now claims to be built specifically for it. The five models here are all currently available, all carry a Sold Secure Diamond rating, and all were put through the same cutting test to see how much punishment they could absorb.

They have plenty in common on paper. Where they differ is in how far a cutting disc actually travels through them, and in the practical details that matter once the lock is on your bike: weight, locking reach, mounting, weather protection, and how easy the whole thing is to live with day to day.

None of the five failed the grinding test. That makes the ranking a question of degrees rather than of basic safety, and it means the right choice often comes down to which trade-offs suit your bike and your riding.

How These Locks Were Tested

Each lock was tested over a period of five minutes of cutting time using a high powered battery operated angle grinder, the kind a well equipped thief might realistically use. The objective was to get as far into each lock as possible within that window rather than to remove it completely.

Some of the locks destroyed multiple cutting discs during the attempt. In those cases the clock was stopped while a fresh disc was fitted, and then cutting continued. That approach keeps the comparison fair across locks that wear discs down faster than others.

Alongside the cutting results, each lock was assessed on weight, locking area, shackle and body play, key barrel design, key count, coating, and the quality of its mounting or storage arrangement. Those practical details are what separate a lock you enjoy using from one that stays in a cupboard.

Every lock in this group is Sold Secure Diamond rated, so the baseline level of security is high across the board. Prices range from the cheapest option on test up to a premium model that sits well above the rest, and the extra spend does not always buy extra cutting resistance.

LiteLok X3

The LiteLok X3 is an angle grinder resistant lock rated Sold Secure Diamond for bicycles and e-bikes. LiteLok pioneered this category with the original X1, a design direction that brands including OnGuard, Abus and Hiplok later followed.

The X3 is claimed to be 20 times more resistant than a standard U lock. It is built from LiteLok’s proprietary binium material, described as a fusion of hardened steel and composite materials intended to improve abrasion, impact, bending and twisting resistance. It weighs 2.2 kg with a locking area of 195 square centimetres, placing it third best on test on both measures.

In the hand it feels genuinely sturdy, with very little play between the locking mechanism and the shackle. The soft touch Eco rubber coating protects frame paintwork and gives the lock a pleasant tactile feel, while a silicone plug over the keyhole keeps water, dirt and grime out of the mechanism. That plug does make the keyhole slightly harder to locate in the dark. The barrel itself is an Abloy unit, chosen for long term key availability, and three keys are included together with a silicone cover and a neoprene sleeve for storage.

A mount is available separately and costs around £20 rather than coming in the box. It is not ideal on small frames, though it should fit larger bikes without trouble.

During the five minute cutting test, the disc only travelled a small way into the X3. Two discs were burned through and the cut reached roughly a third of the way in. The lock was abrasive enough to wear the discs down while the grinder kept cutting, which differs from other locks where the grinder tends to kick back once a certain depth is reached.

Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500

The Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500 is another Sold Secure Diamond rated, angle grinder resistant lock. It is heavy and large, and Abus emphasises portability over ease of transport, so this is not a lock that is intended to ride in a backpack or carrier.

Its shackle uses wolf carbide, which is tungsten carbide, the second hardest substance after diamond, for added durability. The shackle is a 27 mm square parabolic design with a locking area of 220 square centimetres. At 2.1 kg it is the second lightest lock on test, 100 g lighter than the LiteLok X3. The lock barrel is described as highly resistant to picking and manipulation.

Two keys are supplied, the fewest of any lock tested here, though replacements are straightforward to obtain if you keep the code card. In use the lock feels solid and secure with no play between shackle and body, and it produces a satisfying click when engaged. Its sheer bulk makes it a strong visual deterrent, and the extra locking reach is genuinely useful on a bike with a thicker down tube, such as an e-bike.

The coating is a harder plastic than some rivals use, so it is likely to be less kind to bike paintwork. The mount is well designed and holds the lock firmly without rattling, though fitting it can be fiddly and it suits a pannier rack best, with the option of fitting it between the chain stay and seat stay.

In the cutting test the Granit Super Extreme 2500 performed well but lost ground to the rest of the group. Only one disc was used and the cut passed just over halfway through the lock. Extrapolating that result, removing it would likely need two cuts, two to four discs and roughly 20 minutes. The lock is clearly resistant to angle grinders, but in a group where every lock offers decent resistance, it ranks behind the competition when a determined and well equipped thief is part of the threat model.

The quality of the Granit Super Extreme 2500 itself is not in question, and riders who prefer to carry the weight on the bike rather than on their back will find little to fault in the hardware. It is the comparative cutting performance, not the build, that pushes it down the ranking here.

Hiplok DX1000

Hiplok is known for blending style with security, and the DX1000 is its answer to angle grinder resistance. Like the others it carries a Sold Secure Diamond rating, and it is designed for bicycles with thicker tubes such as e-bikes, as well as for motorbikes.

The lock uses a square profile and a graphene reinforced hardened steel shackle with an anti angle grinder security system. Its locking area of 225 square centimetres is larger than either the LiteLok or the Abus, but at 2.7 kg it is the heaviest lock on test. It also has a high rubber to metal ratio, so from the outside it is hard to tell where the coating ends and the metal begins.

The internal locking mechanism is reported to have resisted picking entirely since it debuted in 2021, which is a notable reputation if it holds. Pricing is high: around £300 in the UK and $350 in the United States. In hand the DX1000 feels slightly underwhelming because of noticeable play between the shackle and the lock, although Hiplok has confirmed that this does not affect security.

Its weight makes it cumbersome to transport without a proper mounting system, and it needs to live in a pannier or backpack, where it takes up considerable space. The rubber flap covering the locking system is simpler than rival designs and offers better visibility, which makes key engagement easier, particularly when you are bent over a bike in the dark.

During the cutting test the DX1000 stepped up and performed seriously well. It heavily resisted the attack, and the cutting disc suffered instead, wearing quickly. Holding the grinder steady was difficult when trying to reach the centre of the lock, and each attempt to reposition the cutting wheel produced kickback from the case material. Two discs were burned through in the five minute window, and no further progress through the lock was possible because of the kickback.

OnGuard RockSolid 8580

OnGuard may be a less familiar name, but it is a subsidiary of Magnum Locks, which specialises in security products. The RockSolid 8580 again carries a Sold Secure Diamond rating and is designed to resist angle grinders.

It uses a 15 mm hardened steel shackle with a patented RockSolid finish. At 1.3 kg it is the lightest in its class, though that comes with a smaller locking reach. The locking hardware is an X4P Quattro four point locking system paired with a Z cylinder lock barrel that is resistant to picking, pulling and drilling.

Five keys are included, the highest count of any angle grinder resistant lock tested. An automatic key cover and rubberised coating give it good durability and weather protection. The lock has a high quality feel thanks to the soft rubberised coating and minimal shackle play, and while aligning it when engaging or removing takes a little care, slowing down and taking your time gets it there. Key operation is smooth and consistent once engaged, though the weather guard can be slightly tricky to work. The shorter locking reach may be awkward in crowded areas such as transport hubs, but it should not be a problem in quieter locations.

The cutting test is where the RockSolid 8580 separated itself from the field. It happened to be the last lock cut, and its resilience surprised everyone involved. Over the five minute window it barely showed a scratch. The patented RockSolid coating on the 15 mm hardened steel shackle effectively sanded down the cutting disc, throwing up plumes of abrasive dust. Three grinder discs were burned through, more than any other lock on test, with each disc lasting roughly 30 to 40 seconds before it evaporated. Ignoring the hole left in the rubber coating, there would be nothing to stop the lock being used again, and the shackle itself barely took a mark.

That performance makes the RockSolid 8580 the standout result of the test rather than simply a strong performer. It also happens to be the cheapest lock here, which makes the outcome harder to argue with.

Squire Stronghold D16 Max

The Squire Stronghold D16 Max is a UK made bike lock with a Sold Secure Diamond rating, priced at £289.99. Its design, however, brings notable drawbacks that affect usability and undercut its appeal.

The plastic cover feels flimsy, which diminishes trust in the product’s durability. The lock body and shackle show no noticeable play, though that does not affect security either way. Despite a generous 209 square centimetre locking area, the thick rubberised coating makes securing a bike fairly cumbersome, and at 2.7 kg it is one of the heaviest locks on test.

At its price point the Stronghold D16 Max faces stiff competition. Superior options exist at a similar weight, including the Hiplok DX1000, which offers better reach and security for around £10 more.

Overall Buying Advice

Ranking these five locks means ranking good locks against each other, because none of them failed the angle grinder test. The differences come down to how far a disc travels, how many discs are destroyed, and what the lock is like to use and carry.

The OnGuard RockSolid 8580 takes the top spot. It offers a remarkable level of resistance for the money, and at £200 or $250 it is the cheapest lock on test, £50 or $50 less than the next cheapest, the LiteLok X3, and a substantial £100 or $100 cheaper than the Hiplok DX1000. Alongside security it is also the most user friendly of the group and the lightest in its class.

The LiteLok X3 runs it close, and without the OnGuard’s exceptional cutting performance it would have taken first place. The £50 or $50 price gap narrows once you add the Tactical Mount, which brings it closer to the Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500, though its cutting performance and overall quality still surpass both the Abus and the Hiplok.

The Hiplok DX1000 takes third. Its angle grinder performance was impressive, and if the claims about its unpickable lock cylinder hold up, it delivers a very high level of security. Its extra weight and its £100 premium over the winner make it look like weaker value at £300 or $350, which is also the most expensive lock tested here.

The Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500 finishes fourth. At £260 or $320 it is the third most expensive on test, though it includes a superb mount that the LiteLok X3 requires you to buy separately, which improves its value case. Abus is a well known quantity and the quality of the Granit SE is second to none, so riders who like to travel light and keep the weight on the bike have no reason to overlook it.

The Squire Stronghold D16 Max is the hardest of the five to recommend at £289.99, given the flimsy feeling cover, the cumbersome locking action caused by the thick rubberised coating, and strong competition at the same weight from the Hiplok DX1000.

Practical notes matter as much as the cutting numbers. If you have a smaller frame, mounts and locking reach become more important than a few grams. If you ride an e-bike with a thick down tube, the longer reach of the Abus or the Hiplok is a real advantage. If you want the lightest option with the most keys, the OnGuard points the way. And if your priority is outright cutting resistance, the RockSolid 8580 makes the decision simple.

Conclusion

All five of these locks are Sold Secure Diamond rated and all of them resisted a five minute angle grinder attack, so any of them represents a serious step up from a standard U lock. The ranking comes down to how convincingly each one held out and how pleasant it is to carry and use.

The OnGuard RockSolid 8580 wins on cutting resistance, weight, key count and price. The LiteLok X3 is a close second with clever material engineering and a strong everyday feel. The Hiplok DX1000 and Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500 both bring genuine strengths, particularly the Abus mount and the Hiplok’s stopping power, but each asks for a premium that the winner does not. The Squire Stronghold D16 Max is the one to think hardest about before buying.