Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

You can carry this handy U-lock on your belt or slipped over a trouser pocket thanks to the flexible tabs on the back. The portability means it’s a lock you can always have with you – even on those short trips where you might otherwise be tempted to leave your bike leaning against a wall unprotected. The rubber-coated 15cm loop will go through your frame and wheel, around the head-tube or in a multitude of other positions. It’s Sold Secure gold rated and comes with three decent-sized keys, which are easy to handle even when wearing gloves.

Best: For portability

Rating: 8/10

Struggling to find somewhere to carry your lock? Hiplok have come up with a wearable padlock and chain combination that’s Sold Secure silver rated. The chain is wrapped in a nylon sleeve with a velcro fastener, so you can wear it and adjust the fit. For a hefty bit of kit weighing in at 1.8kg, it’s actually surprisingly comfortable to ride with it strapped to your waist. We found the 85cm chain ample for locking to posts and railings, and we loved that the sleeve is reflective on one side to aid visibility at night. It comes with three keys, and you can remove the sleeve from the chain to wash it if necessary.

Best: Smart lock

Rating: 9/10

This one’s really clever – a Bluetooth-enabled 23cm U-lock with an ear-splitting 100dB alarm. Via an associated app, it will tell you where you left your bike locked up, and you can give trusted friends clearance to unlock it without having to hand them a key. Setting it up is simply a matter of snapping a QR code with your smartphone.

You don’t even have to take your phone out of your pocket to unlock it – just slide a switch on the base of the lock and pull it apart when the tone sounds. The built-in battery should last around three months before needing recharging, which is done via a hidden USB port. Abus gives the lock its maximum 15 security rating, and it has also been awarded Sold Secure gold. It’s expensive, but it’s an amazing device for anyone who hates fumbling in the dark with keys or combination dials. Given that it is packed with electronics, it might be a good idea to use it under a covered bike shelter where, it won’t be left sitting in the rain all day.

Best: Heavyweight chain

Rating: 10/10

If you’re after a hefty chain for ultimate security, this Sold Secure gold-rated model from Kryptonite is an excellent option. Weighing in at more than 4kg, it’s not one you’ll want to lug around with you – it’s a brute that’s best suited for securing bikes in your garage or leaving at a shared storage facility. A nylon sleeve stops any damage to your paintwork, and a sliding plastic cover helps to keep the elements out of the keyhole. You get three replaceable keys, one of which has a handy light to help you out when locking up in the dark.

Best: Budget gold-rated U-lock

Rating: 8/10

This device from Trelock is a brilliant choice if you’re after a portable lock that’s easy to carry around with you. It’s Sold Secure gold rated and the 23cm shackle offers plenty of options for securing your frame and rear wheel, plus you can pair it with a cable to secure the front wheel. The lock comes with a bracket so you can mount it to your bike and it only weighs around 900g, so you’ll hardly notice you are carrying it. You get a couple of replaceable keys, and there’s a cover to protect the keyhole in bad weather.

Best: Budget lock with Bluetooth

Rating: 8/10

Another Bluetooth lock, this one is a little smaller and lighter than the Abus – 1.25kg compared with its rival’s 1.8kg. It also works through a phone app and you just press a button on the base before turning a dial to unlock it. The process isn’t quite as slick as with the Abus, but it worked for us every time. The app allows you to give access to selected people at times of your choosing. It will also give you a list of times when the lock has been opened. Charging is via a USB port hidden under a rubber cover on the base, and it is rated Sold Secure gold.

Best: For security at home

Rating: 7/10

If you store your bike in a garage or sturdy shed, a ground anchor is a sound investment. While locking your bikes to each other is better than nothing, if they are not attached to something, thieves could just bundle them into a van and cut the lock later. Fixing your bikes to an anchor in a garage will help to prevent this.

Installation involves drilling high-security bolts into a concrete floor or wall, so you will need access to a decent hammer drill. Ball bearings can be hammered into the bolts once it is in place, stopping anyone unscrewing them. You can then loop a chain or cable through it to secure your bikes to the ground.

Best: Small lock

Rating: 7/10

A folding lock is a great choice if you prefer to travel light. This one folds down to a neat little rectangle that will even fit inside a pocket. Made up of six foldable sections with a total length of 60cm, it weighs in at less than 500g. If you’re only going to be leaving your bike for a few minutes, we reckon the extra portability is worth the trade-off in security. This one comes with a couple of keys, which you can have replaced if you ever lose them.

Best: Heavyweight U-lock

Rating: 9/10

As the name suggests, with this one you can lock up your bike and “fahgettaboudit” – only a really determined, well-equipped thief will have a chance of beating it. Tipping the scales at just over 2kg, this substantial Sold Secure gold-rated U-lock has been designed to be both pick and drill resistant. It has a 15cm shackle made from hardened steel and you get a handy LED key and two spares. There’s also a sliding plastic cover to keep dust and debris out of the mechanism.