Best stainless steel outdoor locks

Top pick: ABUS Diskus 24IB/70. ABUS builds these for real weather — a stainless-steel discus body with a shielded shackle, so rain, salt air and grit have little to bite on. The disc shape also leaves almost nothing for bolt cutters or a hacksaw to grip, which is why it's the go-to for gates, sheds and storage units.

Who the others suit:

• ABUS Diskus 24IB (smaller body): same weatherproof design in a more compact size — better for lockers, toolboxes and tight hasps.
• Kawaha 21/40KD-3SK: shrouded stainless body with anti-drill and cut-resistant claims — a budget-friendly high-security option for a gate.
• Brinks 60mm discus: widely rated and easy to find locally; a solid everyday gate lock if you want a familiar brand.
• ABUS Granit 37ST/55: the premium, heavy-duty choice for a high-value gate or container where security matters more than weight.
• Multi-packs (12-pack keyed different): for a yard, marina or job site needing many locks at once.

Buying tips: look for a stainless body and shackle, a covered or shrouded shackle, and a brass or stainless cylinder. In coastal air, a shot of graphite or dry lubricant in the keyway once a season keeps any lock turning.