With over 15 years of experience in the locksmith industry, we've had the opportunity to test and evaluate a wide range of anti snap locks. Over the years, we've fitted anti snap locks to over a thousand homes in Leeds and West Yorkshire. In this time we've seen many innovations and improvements in lock security, but some models really stand out for their reliability, durability, and resistance to lock snapping. In this article, we’ll share our top three picks for the best anti snap locks. This is based on extensive, hands on experience and industry expertise
We’ll also take a closer look at what exactly an anti snap lock is, explaining how these advanced security features work to protect your home or business from the ever growing threat of lock snapping. Additionally, we'll cover the key industry standards you should look out for when choosing an anti snap lock for your property, ensuring you can make an informed decision.
What Is An anti snap lock?
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.
Which Industry Standards Should You 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 Kite mark rating. This is the highest star rating available for euro cylinders. Usually this can be found on the front face of the lock. Occasionally with certain brands the star rating could be stamped into the side of the lock. If the lock is already fitted to the door, you might not see the star rating if its stamped on the edge of the lock cylinder. The lock would need to be removed in order to check this.
Sold Secure Diamond Standard: Sold Secure Diamond Standard is another test that is applied to euro cylinders. Diamond standard is the highest possible industry test for an anti snap euro lock. The test is conducted by experienced locksmiths and uses more robust tools to attack the lock. If the lock can sustain a prolonged attack for the specified amount of time its awarded the SS312 diamond standard accreditation. Its important to remember that not all 3 star locks are also diamond standard.
Additional Security Features: Most 3 star and diamond standard euro locks come packed with other security features. The top additional features to look out for are: anti pick pins, anti drill pins, and anti bump pins. Although these methods of attack are nowhere near as common as lock snapping, they are still very important features to consider when choosing which lock is going to secure your property.
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.
Main 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 a massive 294,000 key combinations.
Solid Certifications: The Brisant Ultion has the prestigious Sold Secure Diamond and 3 star British Standard Kite mark certification. This shows its reliability against lock 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. The molybdenum covers and protects the most vital parts of the lock. These molybdenum components are 25% denser than iron, providing incredible strength.
£5000 Lock snapping guarantee: If a burglar snaps an Ultion lock and manages to gain entry, Brisant will pay the customer £5000. This only reinforces Brisants belief in the strength and security of the Ultion WXM anti snap lock.
Yale Platinum 3 Star
Yale is a household name in locks and security. They have 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.
Main 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. This creates a layered security system that guards against various known break in methods.
Clever Side Bar: This lock uses an extra feature in its pinning and key 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 to back up its security claims. However this is much lower than the Bristant Ultion.
Avocet ABS
The ABS lock, manufactured by Avocet Hardware, is a highly secure option. It features 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. Its amazing how many handed locks we see that are fitted the wrong way around!
Main Features
Active Cam System. This mechanism resists snapping attempts by locking the central cam in place if the lock is snapped.
Magnetic Pin Technology: Avocet’s ABS cylinder features a magnetic pin that makes it incredibly resistant to picking and bumping. For this system to work correctly there is a magnet built into the key, which interacts with a magnet inside the lock.
3 Star British Standard Kite mark and Sold Secure Diamond Approved: Like the Ultion, the ABS holds these top industry accreditation's. This ensures resistance against the most common attack methods used by burglars today.
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. This lock will withstand all modern forms of attack.
Trap Pins: The Avocet ABS uses some special pins in the side of the lock which are designed to activate in the unlikely event that somebody manages to pick the lock. This feature will seize the entire lock, preventing it from unlocking the door. This makes it extremely resistant to lock picking and bumping.
Our Final Thoughts
All three of these locks provide robust anti snap resistance in there own unique ways. All three are up to the task of preventing lock snapping and keeping out burglars. In my opinion these are the three best locks available right now to combat the lock snapping method. 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. Its always recommended to have your anti snap locks installed by a professional locksmith to ensure they are fitted correctly. Not sure who to choose? Why not read our helpful guide on how to choose a locksmith?
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