What is the best anti snap lock?
For over 15 years’ I've been working as a locksmith in Leeds. In my opinion the Brisant Ultion WXM is the best anti snap lock available today. At 1st Defence Locksmiths Leeds this is the lock we currently supply and fit for our customers, as our flagship anti snap lock. Over the years we’ve used many different makes and models so here’s my top three picks.
- Ultion WXM
- Avocet ABS
- Yale platinum 3 star
What are anti snap locks?
Over the last decade lock snapping has become one of the most common methods for break-ins. Intruders force the euro cylinder lock which is easily snapped in half to gain access. Anti snap locks provide a robust defence against this by using advanced strengthening methods, making it much more difficult for burglars to gain entry. However, not all anti snap locks are up to the task, some are much more secure than others. In this article, we’ll examine our three top picks. The Brisant Ultion WXM, Yale 3 Star Platinum, and the Avocet ABS. We highly recommended these locks for their strong build quality, advanced security features, and certification by industry bodies.
What To Look For
When choosing an anti snap lock, you should consider the following features:
3 Star Security Rating. Look for locks with a 3 star British Standard Kitemark rating. This is the highest star rating available for euro cylinders.
Sold Secure Diamond Standard. Sold Secure Diamond Standard is another test that is applied to euro cylinders. It uses more robust tools to attack the lock. Not all 3 star locks are also diamond standard.
Additional Security Features. Extra features like anti pick, anti drill, and anti bump all enhance a lock’s resistance to various forms of attack.
Brisant Ultion WXM
The Brisant Ultion is known for being one of, if not the most secure anti snap locks available today. Its remarkable security features such as lock down mode and high strength molybdenum components, make it a top choice.
Key Features
Lock Down Mode. When someone attempts to snap the lock, it goes into Lock-Down Mode, preventing entry even if part of the cylinder is removed. Brisant have recently bolstered this by adding two SS630 attack pins instead of just one.
11 Pin Security. The Ultion features an 11-pin system, offering 294,000 key combinations.
Solid Certifications. The Brisant Ultion has the prestigious Sold Secure Diamond and 3 star British Standard Kitemark certification, indicating its reliability against snapping, drilling, picking, and bumping.
Molybdenum components. As well as anti drill pins Ultion also uses Molybdenum in its construction to offer even more drill resistance. These components are 25% denser than iron.
£5000 Lock snapping guarantee. If a burglar snaps an Ultion lock and manages to gain entry Brisant will pay the customer £5000.
Yale Platinum 3 Star
Yale is a household name in locks and security and has been a trusted lock manufacturer for over 150 years. The Yale 3 Star Platinum cylinder lives up to this legacy by providing excellent security features at a competitive price. This lock passes the 3 star accreditation but its not sold secure diamond standard. Please be aware if you are going to attempt to fit this lock yourself, they are handed with an internal and external side. Its crucial the lock is fitted the correct way around to be effective against lock snapping.
Key Features
3 Star British Standard Kitemark Rating. This certification assures buyers of its durability and advanced anti-snap technology.
Multiple Layers of Security. The lock features anti bump, anti drill, anti snap, and anti-pick defences creating a layered security system that guards against various tampering methods.
Clever Side Bar. This lock uses an extra feature in its pin system. A wavy line can be seen on the edge of the key which interacts with some special side pins in the lock. This makes the Yale Platinum 3 star extremely pick and bump resistant.
£1000 lock snapping guarantee. The Yale Platinum 3 star also has a monetary guarantee but is much lower than the Bristant Ultion.
Avocet ABS
The Avocet ABS lock, manufactured by Avocet Hardware, is a highly secure option with an innovative active cam system that defends against snapping. As one of the earliest 3 star diamond standard locks, the Avocet ABS has been protecting homes for many years. As with the Yale Platinum 3 star, the Avocet ABS locks are handed. This means there’s an internal and an external side to the lock. Its critical that this lock is fitted the correct way around otherwise it won’t be effective against lock snapping.
Key Features
Active Cam System. This mechanism resists snapping attempts by locking the central cam.
Magnetic Pin Technology. Avocet’s ABS cylinder features a magnetic pin that makes it highly resistant to picking and bumping.
3 Star British Standard Kitemark and Sold Secure Diamond Approved. Like the Ultion, the ABS holds these top certifications, ensuring resistance against the most common attack methods.
Anti Drill, Anti Pick, Anti Bump. As with the Yale and the Ultion the Avocet ABS features anti drill pins, ant pick pins and is anti bump.
Trap Pins. The Avocet ABS uses some special pins in the side of the lock which are designed to fire if somebody manages to pick the lock. This makes it extremely resistant to lock picking.
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
All three of these locks provide robust anti snap technology and all are up to the task of keeping out burglars. In my opinion these are the three best locks available right now to combat lock snapping. Over the last 15 plus years of owning a locksmith company in Leeds I have supplied and fitted all three. For me though the winner has to be the Brisant Ultion WXM. It has the highest monetary guarantee, uses robust materials such as molybdenum and isn’t handed which eliminates mistakes when fitting the lock.
Whichever of the three locks listed you choose to purchase, you will be dramatically improving the security of your home. Anti snap locks are now an essential part of home security.