Best Car Anti-Theft Devices: Give Your Vehicle an Extra Layer of Security
Add extra security to your car with these simple and quick-to-install anti-theft devices
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Cars are easier to steal than many folks might think, and it happens a lot. Even in newer cars with the latest software and anti-theft features—ne'er-do-wells still find a way to break in. Seriously, it's a thing.
But nothing beats a good ol' fashion piece of locked metal to impede someone from jacking your ride. If you want to deter a massive percentage of the criminal underbelly from getting away with your car, there are a few options to help lock it down. Here are some of the best car anti-theft devices we found to help defend against car thieves.
The Club 1000 Original Club Steering Wheel Lock
- Lightweight and quick to attach
- The bright red color stands out to anyone able to see through the windows
- The device can slip into the locked position accidentally, making it difficult to handle if you’re in a hurry
The Club CL606 Brake Lock Vehicle Anti-Theft Device
- It’s easy to set up: just extend the device to the brake or clutch, and it will automatically lock in place
- Small and simple to store when not in use
- You’ll want to measure the size of the car’s pedals
- It may not be able to fully extend to lock into place
Oanon Wheel Lock Clamp Boot Tire Claw
- The device is bulky and hefty, making it more difficult to remove without the keys
- It’s weather-resistant and easily noticeable
- It will not fit on tires over 14 inches, so you will want to know the diameter of your tires before purchasing
- It’s also heavy, weighing nearly 14 pounds
Summary List of Best Car Anti-Theift Devices
Our Methodology
We can’t put our own hands on every item available. In these instances, we put our collective experience in journalism, research, and prior product testing to use to make our product picks. Items that are used by our own staff may get earnest endorsements as well, but we’ll never accept fees or bonuses to sell you stuff we’re not actually excited about. Affiliate revenue is always disclosed.
The Drive aggregates reviews and research from all over the internet to figure out which products are worth buying. We also put out shopping guides to help you understand how to assess the value of these things on your own. As our editor Jonathon Klein says, “Knowledge is horsepower!”
Best Car Anti-Theft Device Reviews & Recommendations
This is one of the top-rated devices when it comes to helping prevent and deter thieves from driving away in your car. Among Winner International’s many options for car anti-theft devices, The Club 1000 Original Club Steering Wheel Lock is the one we found to be the most dependable. It’s bright red color alerts any would-be thieves and lets them know your car is better protected.Fits most vehicles!
Pros
The OG that's easy to use
Lightweight
Sturdy steel construction
Cons
Automatic locking mechanism could be a pain to wield inside the vehicle
This brake lock bar offers a lot of protection for your vehicle. It attaches to either the clutch or brake pedal, making the car nearly impossible to drive or stop. Winner International’s use of the bright red color makes it stand out to anyone looking inside your car.
Pros
Intuitive design that locks between the wheel and back of the pedals
Lightweight
Sturdy steel construction like its sibling above
Cons
Can be difficult to position and lock into place
Depending on the vehicle, it may not properly fit across your brake pedal
Yes, the name of the device is quite a mouthful, but it still keeps your car in place. This tire clamp, often used by police officers to make sure cars don’t drive off before being towed away, is great for extended stays or vehicles left outside for long periods of time. It comes in a vibrant yellow that stands out and alerts anyone hoping for a quick getaway.
Pros
Heavy-duty steel covered in a rust-preventing coating
Includes rubber clamp covers to protect your wheels
Can be locked into place without keys
Cons
Will not lock around a tire wider than 14 inches
Very heavy
Sharper bits can puncture the tire if accidentally driven with it on there
The Club CL303 connects the steering wheel to the brake or clutch pedal, which makes it impossible for someone to steer or stop the vehicle. The device is red for high visibility, made of tempered steel, and is a universal fit for most cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. It comes with two keys, has a self-locking feature, and is 22.5 to 30 inches long.
Pros
Great for manual-transmission cars
Lightweight-yet-sturdy
Easy to adjust
Cons
Can be challenging to figure out
Crafty thieves could defeat it by ever-so-slightly cutting into the steering wheel
This tire clamp wraps around a vehicle's wheel to prevent theft and towing. It works on cars, trucks, and vans, and is painted bright red and yellow for visibility. It has a PVC coating, so it won't scratch the wheel, and it comes with two keys, so you always have a backup. It’s adjustable based on the size of your tire.
Pros
Waterproof key cylinder to protect against corrosion
Adjustable and fits a wide variety of wheel widths
PVC coating prevents scratchs on wheels
Sturdy/heavy construction
Cons
Can be tricky to align and install on the wheel
Any seasoned thief can defeat it, but that takes time and creates quite a racket
This steering wheel lock comes in three sizes and fits wheels measuring 13.7 inches up to 17.3 inches. It fits on 99 percent of cars and light commercial vehicles. It works by spinning on your steering wheel instead of attaching to it, and it prevents keyless entry theft. It also protects the airbag. The Disklok is constructed of hardened steel and weighs between 8.8 and 11 pounds.
Pros
Intuitively simple design just spins around on the wheel
Very sturdy/hard to defeat
Cons
Can be awkward to install/uninstall
Hefty weight, though that's also a pro for sure
Awkward size and dimensions mean storage could be problematic in smaller vehicles
This steering wheel lock extends from 17.7 to 28.7 inches and works on a variety of makes and models. It's made of hardened steel and is designed to prevent keyless entry theft. It comes with three laser keys that cannot be copied, and they slide in and out very smoothly. The bar automatically locks into place and only requires a key to unlock it.
Pros
Inexpensive price
One of the quickest and easiest devices in this review
Lightweight yet sturdy that's easy to wield and store
Cons
Longterm reviews have pointed out that the lock can seize up over time
Finish wears away quickly
Does not fit all steering wheels
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a car anti-theft device to better protect your ride when you leave it anywhere, we recommend The Club 1000 Original Club Steering Wheel Lock, Red. It features a simple design that allows for a quick and easy set up to deter anyone looking to get away with your car.
However, if you want to save on cash and get a bit of a deal on an anti-theft device, we’d go with The Club CL606 Brake Lock Vehicle Anti-Theft Device. It’s a value-priced device that locks down your brake pedal to keep your car in one place.
FAQs
You've got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: What if I lose the key to the device?
A. You should contact the manufacturer and ask about their policy. Generally, they will ask you to order a new device.
Q: What should I expect to pay for a car anti-theft device?
A. $20-$30: These anti-theft devices are lighter and are typically simple wheel locks to hold your steering wheel in place.
$30-$40: This price range often adds another layer of protection by adding locks that are more difficult to pick and break. Pedal anti-theft devices that hold the clutch or brake in place are also common.
$50–$60: The higher price range introduces tire locks. The higher price is partially due to the heavier construction and high-quality construction materials.
Q: What are the different kinds of anti-theft devices for cars?
A. Wheel Lock: Wheel lock anti-theft devices are the most common. They easily attach to the steering wheel of the car to keep it from turning. These anti-theft tools can be extended to fit most steering wheels. They come with keys that allow them to be unlocked with ease.
Brake Lock: Brake locks attach to the brake or clutch pedal. This prevents either pedal from being depressed. These car anti-theft devices also lock in place and come with keys so you can unlock them quickly.
Tire Lock: Tire locks clamp onto the tires, preventing them from spinning. They are typically made of heavy-duty steel and are easy to fit overtires, depending on what size device you get. Tire locks are more durable and are often used for vehicles that will be in one place for long periods of time.
Q: My dear pedigree chum, what are some key features of anti-theft devices for cars?
A. Exterior Materials: Anti-theft devices are reinforced with extra-tough steel design. This material makes sure anyone looking to steal your car has a much more difficult time doing so. The steel resists sawing, prying, hammering and freezing.
Wheel Mount: The device extends to latch onto the steering wheel. Depending on the device, either one or both ends are able to grab hold of the steering wheel to prevent it from turning. This allows both the device and the wheel to lock in place and is a great visual deterrent to anyone who may be looking to steal your car.
Lock: Anti-theft deterrent devices all lock in place to make sure no one easily takes your car. These locks all come with their own set of keys; each key only fits and unlocks the specific device. This prevents anyone with a similar device from unlocking another in a different vehicle.
Q: What considerations should I keep in mind when shopping for the right car anti-theft device?
A. Tire Size: If you’re looking at getting tire locks, you will need to know the size of your tires before making a purchase. Tire locks fit most standard tires, but if you’ve got large mud tires on your truck or Jeep, the locks may not fit properly or may not fit at all.
Brake Size: Brake locks may not extend to fit over every car’s pedals. You will want to measure the width of your car’s brake and clutch pedal to make sure the device you’re looking at will fit properly.
Extra Pair of Keys: The locks all come with their own set of keys, so you’ll have an extra pair to add to your car key collection. While it may not seem like much, owning more keys means they take up more space on your key ring and add a little more time to your journey by unlocking the devices. If they get lost or misplaced, getting a new set may be difficult.
Q: If I buy multiple devices, will the keys fit the locks, or are they all different?
A. Each device is keyed differently to help prevent anyone from unlocking multiple devices.
Q: I locked The Club on my steering wheel and can’t find my keys. What should I do?
A. We recommend calling a locksmith to remove the device to avoid possibly hurting yourself or your car.
Q: Do I need an anti-theft device if I have a car alarm or security system?
A. While a car alarm or security system may be good at alerting you of a break-in, the added security of an anti-theft device may help make sure a thief looks somewhere else before breaking in.
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