Volt & Velo

Best E-Bike Locks

An e-bike is a theft magnet — heavier, pricier and more resellable than a normal bike. The locks that actually slow a thief down, ranked by security rating and weight.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we pick

An e-bike is exactly the target thieves want: valuable, resellable, and recognizable at a glance. A cable lock — the kind that comes coiled in a blister pack — is theater; a $5 pair of cutters defeats it in seconds. If you are going to leave your bike anywhere out of sight, a real lock is the single highest-return accessory you can buy, full stop.

We rank locks on the specs that decide how long they resist an attack: shackle or link diameter and material, and independent security ratings(Sold Secure Bronze/Silver/Gold, or a brand’s own scale). Weight is the honest counterweight — the most secure lock you never carry protects nothing — so we tell you what each one weighs and match it to a use case.

How this is funded:we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which product we recommend, and we’ll tell you plainly when to skip one. Full disclosure.

Quick picks

Ranked on published specs, price and buyer fit. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We have not ridden every one of these — here is exactly what we do instead.

#ProductBest forPrice
1
Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 U-Lock

Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 U-Lock

The sweet-spot e-bike lock: a 13 mm hardened-steel shackle, a double-deadbolt design and a Sold Secure Gold rating, at a weight you'll actually carry. It even ships with a flex cable for your front wheel. For most value e-bikes, this is the one to buy.

Best overall
$85.17 · View on Amazon

$109.9523% off

Price as of July 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini

Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini

Maximum security for a bike you can't afford to lose: an 18 mm hardened-steel shackle and Kryptonite's top 10-of-10 rating, rated for e-bikes and motorcycles. It's heavy and the opening is tight, but if you park in a high-theft city, this is the deterrent that works.

Best maximum security
$179.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
ABUS Bordo 6000 Folding Lock

ABUS Bordo 6000 Folding Lock

The folding lock people actually keep on the bike: six 5 mm hardened-steel bars fold flat into a frame-mounted case, so it's far more versatile than a rigid U-lock about what you can lock to. ABUS rates it 10 of 15 — strong for a folder, and the soft coating won't chew your paint.

Best folding lock
$92.92 · View on Amazon

$109.0115% off

Price as of July 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4
Foldylock Compact Folding Lock

Foldylock Compact Folding Lock

The lightweight folder: about a kilogram of hardened-steel bars that fold into a tidy frame case, Sold Secure Silver rated. It won't stop an angle grinder, but for daytime city parking where you want strong-enough security without the U-lock heft, it's a sensible value pick.

Best lightweight folder
$94.98 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

5
Kryptonite Keeper 785 Integrated Chain

Kryptonite Keeper 785 Integrated Chain

A budget chain for lower-risk parking and around-the-house security: 7 mm hardened links in an 85 cm length that reaches around posts a U-lock can't. It's a mid-tier deterrent, not a fortress — right for a cheaper bike or a quick stop, not overnight in a theft hotspot.

Best budget chain
$45.26 · View on Amazon

$51.9513% off

Price as of July 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

The picks in full

#1Best overall

Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 U-Lock

The sweet-spot e-bike lock: a 13 mm hardened-steel shackle, a double-deadbolt design and a Sold Secure Gold rating, at a weight you'll actually carry. It even ships with a flex cable for your front wheel. For most value e-bikes, this is the one to buy.

What you get

  • 13 mm hardened steel shackle, Sold Secure Gold rated
  • Double-deadbolt design resists prying and twisting
  • Includes a 4 ft flex cable for a wheel or seat

Trade-offs

  • Heavier than a cable lock (but that's the point)
  • Small internal area — plan how you'll lock to a rack
Key spec13 mm hardened steel shackle; Sold Secure Gold; ships with a 4 ft flex cable
Best forThe best all-round e-bike lock

Specs read from the manufacturer or retailer listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#2Best maximum security

Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini

Maximum security for a bike you can't afford to lose: an 18 mm hardened-steel shackle and Kryptonite's top 10-of-10 rating, rated for e-bikes and motorcycles. It's heavy and the opening is tight, but if you park in a high-theft city, this is the deterrent that works.

What you get

  • 18 mm hardened steel shackle — Kryptonite's 10/10 security
  • Sold Secure Gold, rated for e-bikes and motorcycles
  • Genuinely hard to defeat with hand tools

Trade-offs

  • Heavy at ~4.5 lb — you'll feel it in a bag
  • Tight internal opening limits what you can lock to
Key spec18 mm hardened steel shackle; 10/10 security; Sold Secure Gold
Best forHigh-theft cities and expensive bikes

Specs read from the manufacturer or retailer listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#3Best folding lock

ABUS Bordo 6000 Folding Lock

The folding lock people actually keep on the bike: six 5 mm hardened-steel bars fold flat into a frame-mounted case, so it's far more versatile than a rigid U-lock about what you can lock to. ABUS rates it 10 of 15 — strong for a folder, and the soft coating won't chew your paint.

What you get

  • Folds flat and frame-mounts — carries neatly
  • Six 5 mm hardened bars; ABUS security 10/15
  • Soft coating protects the frame finish

Trade-offs

  • A folder's joints are inherently a weaker point than a solid U-lock
  • Pricier than a basic U-lock
Key specSix 5 mm hardened-steel folding bars; 90 cm; ABUS security 10/15
Best forVersatility about what you can lock to

Specs read from the manufacturer or retailer listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#4Best lightweight folder

Foldylock Compact Folding Lock

The lightweight folder: about a kilogram of hardened-steel bars that fold into a tidy frame case, Sold Secure Silver rated. It won't stop an angle grinder, but for daytime city parking where you want strong-enough security without the U-lock heft, it's a sensible value pick.

What you get

  • Light at ~1 kg and frame-mountable
  • Six 5 mm hardened bars; Sold Secure Silver
  • Folds compact and carries without a bag

Trade-offs

  • Silver rating is a step below Gold — daytime use, not overnight
  • Folder joints are the weak point under attack
Key specSix 5 mm hardened-steel bars; 85 cm; Sold Secure Silver; ~1 kg
Best forA light everyday city lock

Specs read from the manufacturer or retailer listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#5Best budget chain

Kryptonite Keeper 785 Integrated Chain

A budget chain for lower-risk parking and around-the-house security: 7 mm hardened links in an 85 cm length that reaches around posts a U-lock can't. It's a mid-tier deterrent, not a fortress — right for a cheaper bike or a quick stop, not overnight in a theft hotspot.

What you get

  • 85 cm reach wraps around posts and racks a U-lock won't fit
  • 7 mm hardened links resist casual bolt cutters
  • Affordable and easy to live with

Trade-offs

  • Only a mid-tier security rating — not for high-theft overnight parking
  • Chain adds weight for the protection level
Key spec7 mm hardened steel chain links; 85 cm (33.5 in) length
Best forLower-risk parking and flexible reach

Specs read from the manufacturer or retailer listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

How to lock an e-bike properly

The best lock is only as good as how you use it. Lock the frame(not just a wheel) to a fixed, solid object, fill as much of the U or fold as possible so there is no room to lever it, and keep the lock off the ground where a thief can get leverage. Use a secondary cable or lock for the front wheel if it is quick-release. And park in visible, busy spots — thieves prefer privacy.

Match the lock to the risk

For a high-theft city and an expensive bike, buy the biggest shackle you will carry (our maximum-security pick). For everyday city parking where you want strong-enough security without the weight, a Sold Secure folding lock is the sweet spot. For lower-risk suburbs and around-the-house security, a mid-tier chain or the standard U-lock is plenty. No lock is un-defeatable — the goal is to be a harder target than the bike next to yours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best lock for an e-bike?

For most people, a hardened U-lock with a 13mm-or-thicker shackle and a Sold Secure Gold rating — our top pick is the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7, which hits that spec at a weight you'll actually carry. For high-theft areas, step up to an 18mm shackle like the New York Fahgettaboudit.

Are cable locks safe for e-bikes?

No. Cable locks are cut in seconds with cheap hand tools and should only ever be a secondary lock for a wheel, never the primary security for a valuable e-bike. Use a hardened U-lock, chain or Sold Secure folding lock as your main lock.

How heavy should an e-bike lock be?

There's a genuine trade-off: more security means more weight. A strong U-lock or folding lock is typically 2–4.5 lb. Buy the most secure lock you'll realistically carry every time — the perfect lock left at home protects nothing.

What do Sold Secure ratings mean?

Sold Secure is an independent UK testing body that rates locks Bronze, Silver or Gold (and now Diamond) based on how long they resist a real attack. Gold is the standard to look for on a valuable e-bike; Silver is acceptable for lower-risk, daytime parking.

Sources

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