- By: James Grear
- Last updated:
Today I’ll be reviewing the best bike lock alarms on the market. With bicycle theft on the rise, there’s never been a better time to use an alarmed bike lock.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a bike lock out there that’s uncuttable, which means you need to find other ways of increasing your bike’s security. Using one of the best bike locks with an alarm is a great place to start.
Not only will an alarmed bike lock give you added peace of mind whilst you’re away from your bike, but its alarm feature should do a great job scaring off thieves.
Update:
Since producing this article, a new version of one of the bike locks has been released. The Oxford Alarm-D Pro.
This lock offers better security than the Alarm-D Max-Duo which was originally featured and is available at a similar price so I’ve substituted it in for its predecessor below.
Overview - The Best Bike Lock With Alarm
After testing these three alarmed locks, it’s been hard to pick a winner.
However, based on its practicality, security and price the Oxford Alarm-D Pro is the best bike lock with alarm.
This lock is super easy to operate and has almost all of the features you’d expect to see from a high-end bike lock, but is sold at an affordable price.
The Alarm-D Pro offers the same Sold Secure Gold security rating as ABUS’s 770A SmartX and is considerably cheaper!
However, if you’d like a super-smart bike lock that is capable of connecting to your smartphone and alerting you of potential theft attempts, read about the 770A SmartX below!
In this article you’ll find everything there is to know about the best alarmed bike locks. Have a read!
Why You Should Use a Bike Lock With an Alarm
Most of our valuables now feature added security measures. Cars – alarms, homes – alarms, phones – tracking & passcodes, but when it comes to your bicycle there really hasn’t been a whole lot you could do to increase its security. Until now.
Bike locks with alarms are slowly making their way onto the market and this gives you an exciting and accessible opportunity to up your bike’s security and keep pesky thieves at bay.
It would be hugely beneficial for your bike’s security if you also learnt how to lock it properly, so if you haven’t already, have a read.
Most of the time using a top-quality bike lock is all that’s needed to deter thieves, as they’ll normally just look for a less secure bike. However, if your bike is valuable to you, it’s definitely a good idea to use an alarmed bike lock.
The best bike locks with alarms will give thieves and chancers a deafening surprise when they decide to fiddle with your bicycle. A loud alarm will also attract the attention of the public and will increase the chance of the thief being caught if they stupidly decide to stick around.
So, now you know how an alarmed bike lock can help you, let’s take a look at the best alarmed bike locks on the market.
Comparison Table
Below I’ve put together a simple comparison table, a much more detailed review of each lock can be found below the table.
- Loudest 120dB alarm
- Hardened steel shackle
- Sold Secure Gold Rated
- Cheapest bike lock with alarm
- More locking options
- Loud 100dB alarm
- Functional mounting bracket
- Most compact option
- High tech keyless operation
- App supports multiple users
- 3 month battery life
- Bluetooth location pinpointing
- Single bolted shackle
- Non-rechargable battery (replacable)
- Vulnerable to bolt cutters
- Quiter than Oxford Alarm D
- Mobile phone must have power
- More complex to operate
- Much more expensive
- Width: 3.89" (9.88cm)
- Length: 7.87" (20cm)
- Width: 4.6" (11.8cm)
- Length: 10.1" (25.8cm)
- Width: 4.25" (10.8cm)
- Length: 9" (23cm)
- Loudest 120dB alarm
- Hardened steel shackle
- Sold Secure Gold Rated
- Cheapest bike lock with alarm
- Single bolted shackle
- Non-rechargable battery (replacable)
- Width: 3.89" (9.88cm)
- Length: 7.87" (20cm)
- More locking options
- Loud 100dB alarm
- Functional mounting bracket
- Most compact option
- Vulnerable to bolt cutters
- Quiter than Oxford Alarm D
- Width: 4.6" (11.8cm)
- Length: 10.1" (25.8cm)
- High tech keyless operation
- App supports multiple users
- 3 month battery life
- Bluetooth location pinpointing
- Mobile phone must have power
- More complex to operate
- Much more expensive
- Width: 4.25" (10.8cm)
- Length: 9" (23cm)
Last update on 2024-09-05 at 11:20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Best Bike Locks with Alarms
Unlike other websites, I get hands-on experience with the locks that I review before recommending them to my readers.
This way you know exactly what you can expect from each lock and can be sure that your money is well spent, and your bicycle well protected.
The three locks shown in the table above are the best bike locks with alarms available today. All three of these alarmed locks offer different features, which you can read about in more detail below.
This should help you find out, which works best for you and your bike.
Oxford Alarm-D Pro
An Impressive U Lock with a Deafening 120dB Alarm
- 120dB anti-theft alarm system
- 14mm hardened steel shackle
- Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold-Rated
- Slightly heavier than average U Lock
- Non-rechargeable batteries
- Weight: 1.48kg (3.26lb)
-
Security Rating:
Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold -
Today's Best Price:
View on Amazon
The Oxford Alarm-D Pro may look like any old bike D lock, but this D lock packs a deafening 120dB alarm that will send thieves running.
Oxford have been producing top-quality locking solutions since 1973, and it’s fair to say they haven’t sat still since then!
The Alarm-D Pro is their second generation of this bike lock and has had some fairly significant upgrades.
The Oxford Alarm-D Pro offers very impressive security to its users. After its recent upgrades, this D lock was awarded the Sold Secure Gold rating, which means it offers protection against determined attacks with a wide range of tools.
This alarmed bike lock is substantially cheaper [Amazon] than the other two locks reviewed in this article, which makes it much more accessible to cyclists on a tighter budget.
When testing bike locks, Sold Secure don’t take alarms or accessories into account when determining their security rating. It’s fairly clear however, that the alarm feature this bike lock utilises, greatly increases its security.
When I took the Oxford Alarm-D Pro out of its packaging I was so eager to test the 120dB alarm feature, that I foolishly set it off inside. It’s safe to say, I won’t be doing that again. Its alarm is deafening. I couldn’t stand the alarm for more than two seconds and had to turn it off.
The video below shows just how loud the alarm feature is, I advise you to turn your volume down before watching.
Like the previous version, the Alarm-D Pro features a 14mm hardened steel shackle, which makes it bolt cutter resistant, but not quite bolt cutter proof.
It’s worth noting that this lock is single-bolted, which makes it more vulnerable to twist attacks than a double-bolted D lock. However, this is where the 120dB alarm works its magic.
That being said, if a thief attempted to clamp a pair of bolt cutters around the Max Duo’s shackle it’s warning alarm would sound and if tampering continued, the deafening alarm would sound.
The alarm of the Oxford Alarm-D range is weatherproof and can be muted if desired. The alarm feature is powered by a long-life CR2 battery, which is included with the lock when purchased.
Replacement batteries can be picked up online or most hardware stores for around $5 (£4), but you won’t need to replace this frequently.
This alarmed bike lock comes with a very basic, yet effective mounting bracket that allows users to attach the Alarm-D to almost any position on their bike’s frame. A convenient and safe way to transport this bike lock whilst you ride.
The Alarm-D is available in three sizes, the Alarm-D Pro 260 9.88cm x 20cm (3.89″ x 7.87″) and the Alarm-D Pro 320 & Duo which measure the same size at 9.88cm x 25.85cm (3.89″ x 10.17″). All of these sizes are Sold Secure Gold rated and feature the deafening 120db alarm.
The Alarm-D Pro Duo comes with a very useful extension cable that you can use to secure your wheels and other accessories with.
This is easily one of the best bike locks with an alarm. It will provide the peace of mind you need to leave your bike locks up, at a very reasonable price [Amazon] compared to other alternatives.
If you’d like to find out more about the Alarm D Pro, have a read of my in-depth review.
LINKA LEO 1
Smart Bike Lock with 110dB Alarm System
- ART Level 2 Certification
- Super-lightweight
- Keyless operation
- Smart features take longer to master than a conventional lock
- Mounting position obstructs alarm slightly
- Weight: 0.6kg (1.3lb)
-
Security Rating:
ART Level 2 Certified -
Today's Best Price:
View on Linka
If you need a bike lock that is super portable, user friendly and provides good levels of security, the LINKA is another great option.
Unlike most other locks the LINKA attaches directly to the frame of your bike and sits just underneath your bike seat (saddle).
The LINKA is designed to totally immobilise your bike. At the touch of a button, the LINKA’s 9mm hardened steel shackle will slide through your back wheel, preventing your bike from being ridden without permission.
As many cyclists aren’t familiar with frame locks, I’ve included a video below to fully illustrate how the LINKA works. Have a watch!
Some of you may be thinking that a 9mm shackle is on the thinner side for a bike lock. And you’d be right to think so.
However, the way the Linka is angled and attached to your bike makes it difficult for thieves to gain access to the shackle.
If a thief did decide to try anything funny, they’d be met by the LINKA’s 110dB alarm. During testing I was able to tell the alarm the Linka uses isn’t quite as loud as the Oxford Alarm-D Pro’s, but it definitely provides additional security feature.
A small hole on the reverse of the Linka, where the Alarm is emitted from, was slightly covered by the seatstays of my bike. This does mean the Linka wasn’t as loud as it could be, but again, the 110dB alarm still acts as an effective deterrent.
Weighing a mere 1.3lb (0.6kg) the LINKA is an extremely lightweight bike lock, also because it’s attached directly to the frame of your bike you won’t even notice the extra weight whilst cycling.
Using LINKA’s heavy-duty chain alongside the LINKA is a great way to further increase the security of your bike.
The chain is an optional extra, but it provides the ability to secure your bike to a plethora of immovable objects, which is helpful when securing your bike in busy areas where parking space is limited.
As you’ll be able to see above, the LINKA has its own smarphone app which is available on iOS and Android devices.
The app is easy to use and get used to. I found that the best way to learn how to use the LINKA was to fiddle around with the app’s settings so that I became familiar with them.
This way I properly understood the LINKA’s capabilities and features before using it to lock my bike.
Whilst the LINKA doesn’t offer a Sold Secure rating like the other best bike locks with alarms, it boasts ART level 2 certification which makes it suitable for use with bicycles and is roughly equivalent to the Sold Secure Silver.
It might not be as secure as the ABUS 770A Smartx (featured below) but it packs in a bunch of practical features into such a small lock and is very reasonably priced.
Otherwise, if you’d like to read my full review of the LINKA, read this.
ABUS 770A SmartX
A Super Smart Bike Lock with 100dB Alarm
- 100dB anti-theft alarm
- Keyless operation
- Low-profile mount
- Long battery life
- Expensive
- Not water-proof
- Weight: 1.82kg (4.01lb)
-
Security Rating:
ART Level 2 Certified -
Today's Best Price:
View on Amazon
As I mentioned before, ABUS really lead the way with their innovative engineering and the 770A SmartX D lock backs up this statement with its high tech features and Sold Secure Gold rating.
This is the only Sold Secure Gold bike lock with alarm that I know of (designed for bicycles). ABUS gave the 770A SmartX 15/15 on their in house security scale, which puts it up there with their best bike locks in their ‘Maximum Security Category’.
This also means that the 770A SmartX is the most secure alarmed bike lock featured in this article. Its Sold Secure Gold rating makes the 770A suitable for use in high-risk areas and much more suitable for securing expensive bikes.
The SmartX weighs 3.74lb (1.7kg) and is supplied with a KLICKfix mounting system. A low profile mount that is designed to fit onto all bikes. 3.7lb is heavier than most regular D locks, but this extra weight is understandable when you consider the 13mm hardened steel shackle and all of the technology that has been squeezed into the SmartX.
This lock measures 9.05” x 4.25” (23cm x 10.8cm), so provides plenty of locking space for your bike’s wheels and frame to be secured at the same time.
The 770A SmartX is controlled using the ABUS SmartX Application, which can be downloaded for free from on the Google Play Store for Android users or on the App Store for iPhone/ios users.
This is the first keyless bike lock that I’ve had hands-on experience with, and I was quite sceptical about this feature at first. However, after putting this lock through some thorough testing, I can confirm there’s nothing you need to worry about.
Unlike the other alarmed bike locks featured in this article, the 770A SmartX is rechargeable. I had originally thought the SmartX would need to be regularly charged to keep it functioning, but it was only after my first three months of using this lock that I had to re-charge it.
ABUS also say that the lock’s battery lasts up to 3 months on one charge. The battery life depends on the temperature of the country you live in, the colder, the shorter the life of the battery.
I personally suggest charging this lock every 1-2 months to be safe.
Once you’ve downloaded the SmartX app to your phone, you’ll be prompted to enter your name and scan the QR key card which can be found inside the box. Once scanned, you only need to slide the button on the bottom of your 770A SmartX and you’ll be good to go!
The SmartX’s locking mechanism operates using your mobile phones Bluetooth feature. When you’re nearby and your phones Bluetooth is active the lock will enter the open position so that you can easily pull it open.
You might be slightly scared of this feature as you could walk by and unknowingly unlock your bike. I thought the same, but the SmartX app actually allows you to alter the distance of your mobile phone required to open the lock.
I slid the unlocking distance to ‘very close’ and was only able to unlock my 770A when my phone was literally touching the D lock. Very, very impressive technology.
Once my phone was much further away than 5cm it would give me an alert within the app that I was not close enough to use the keyless setting. Instead, the app would give me the option the ‘manually open it’ with an on-screen button.
This may all sound too good to be true, and it almost is. However, there is a small downside to this incredible technology. Battery on two devices (mobile phone & 770A SmartX) is required in order for this lock to function.
You’ll need to make sure that your phone is charged in order to unlock the 770A, and you’ll also have to charge the SmartX every couple of months.
This lock is considerably more expensive than the others in this article. If you do want an alarmed, Sold Secure Gold bike lock that will keep your bike secure in high-risk areas, this is the only one currently on offer.
Apart from having to charge the lock every couple of months, I couldn’t find any other issues to pick with this very impressive D lock. The most secure and high tech alarmed bike lock available, and a fantastic choice if you have the budget to cover it.
If you want to read more about this impressively smart bike d lock, read my complete review here.
Choosing the Right Bike Lock with Alarm for You
Many manufacturers have their own in house security ratings, which does cause a lot of confusion with cyclists.
Keep an eye out for Sold Secure security ratings when purchasing a bike lock. Sold Secure is a non-profit organisation set up to test and grade the quality of different security products.
There are three different ratings that a bicycle lock can obtain, Sold Secure Bronze, Silver and Gold.
You’ll notice on BikeLockWiki that I don’t recommend anything below a silver rating. This is simply because locks with a Sold Secure Bronze rating ‘offer protection from the opportunist thief’. This level of protection simply isn’t good enough for any bike.
Sold Secure Silver bike locks offer a compromise between security and cost, which makes them suitable for less frequent use, or for use in lower risk areas such as small towns and villages. Or if you were popping down to the shops for half an hour, you’d probably be fine to leave your bike locked for an hour.
This all obviously depends on how valuable your bike is. If the reward is worth the risk for a thief it’s more likely you’ll end up with someone trying to steal your ride. So if your bike catches glances from passers by, you’ll want to use something more secure. A Sold Secure Gold lock.
Sold Secure Gold is the highest level of security for bicycles. If you value your bike, or invested a reasonable sum of money in it, you’ll want to use a Gold rated lock.
The flow chart below will help you decide which level of security works best for you.
The Best Bike Locks with Alarms – Summary
So there you have it, the three best cycle locks with alarms.
Hopefully, you’ll now understand the benefits that an alarmed bike lock provides. I enjoyed producing this article as I’ve always been interested in companies working on innovative projects and pushing the boundaries of what we’re used to.
The three locks I’ve covered in this article all offer different features and retail at very different prices. If you want the best and most secure bike lock with alarm, then it will cost you.
The Oxford Alarm-D Pro is a Sold Secure Gold alarmed bike lock, that provides a good level of security for your bike.
Its super loud 120dB alarm will easily grab the attention of passers-by or scare off most unsuspecting thieves. What’s more, all of this comes at a very reasonable price [Amazon], making the Alarm-D Pro the best bike lock with alarm.
Personally, if I had to choose one of these bike locks with alarms, I’d go for the Oxford Alarm-D Pro. I chose this lock because it’s affordably priced, Sold Secure Gold rated and easy to transport whilst mounted.
The ABUS 770A SmartX is another top-quality bike lock that pulls all the stops. The only downside is its price. If you don’t have the budget to afford the 770A, check out my articles below for some of the best, affordable Sold Secure Gold bike locks.
Remember, lock it, or lose it.
Recent Updates:
- 8th Dec 2023: Updated layout of article to improve readability and added new layout for featured products.
