Even the best steering wheel locks cannot totally prevent a motivated thief from taking an unattended vehicle. However, a good steering wheel lock can deter some theft and make it more difficult for anyone to make off with your car.
We tested and destroyed many steering wheel locks to evaluate their ability to protect your ride. Read about our experience as well as tips for further protecting your vehicle against theft.
In this article:
- 5 Best Steering Wheel Locks
- #1 Best Steering Wheel Lock: Kaycentop Heavy Duty Steering Wheel Lock
- #2 Runner-Up: Tevlaphee Steering Wheel Brake Lock
- #3 Also Consider: Winner International The Club 3000
- #4 Turnart Steering Wheel Lock
- #5 Vechkom Steering Wheel Lock
- Buyers Guide: Best Steering Wheel Locks
- Our Review Standards
- Frequently Asked Questions
5 Best Steering Wheel Locks
A steering wheel lock does not offer a perfect defense against auto theft. A determined thief will usually be able to get through just about anything you put in their way. However, the best car steering wheel lock may deter crimes of opportunity and make your vehicle a less attractive target. Our top steering wheel locks are easy to install and difficult to break without power tools.
#1 Best Steering Wheel Lock: Kaycentop Heavy Duty Steering Wheel Lock
What makes the Kaycentop steering wheel lock different is also what makes it the best means for protecting your car from thieves: Rather than a key lock, it has a combination lock. While most steering wheel locks feature bars of solid steel, the lock cylinder (keyhole) is a weak point, easily destroyed by a power drill in less than a minute. Because of its unique design, the Kaycentop has no such vulnerability.
Key Features
- Cost: ~$60
- Alloy steel construction
- Combination lock
- Universal fit
Our Experience
Attaching the Kaycentop is simple, and it easily fit our test steering wheel. There are many lock positions that make this lock compatible with most car steering wheels. It’s a simple matter to change the code to your preferred number, and the Kaycentop comes with tags to record your combination so you don’t forget it.
And make sure to not forget the combination – otherwise, you’re in for a considerable headache. It took us well over an hour to remove the Kaycentop using a cordless drill and bolt cutters. All the while we couldn’t help but press into the car’s horn. It was a noisy affair noticeable by any passersby.
It’s unlikely that a would-be thief could remove the Kaycentop quickly and without attracting attention.
| Overall Rating | 4.7 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Difficulty of Destruction | 5 out of 5 |
| Value | 4.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Around 100 ratings on Amazon give the Kaycentop steering wheel lock an average score of 4.6 out of 5. A total of 91 percent of reviews rate this lock 4 or more stars.
Users like the heavy, secure feeling of the Kaycentop. It’s a high-quality, easy-to-install device. Many appreciate that they don’t need to keep track, favoring the combination system over other lock designs.
There is a single negative review from someone who could not open the lock because the default combination, “0-0-0-0-0,” did not work. This is not a commonly-reported issue but would necessitate returning the lock for a refund.
#2 Runner-Up: Tevlaphee Steering Wheel Brake Lock
The Tevlaphee steering wheel lock works a little differently than most other locks. Rather than attaching only to the steering wheel, this lock extends to the floorboards and hooks around the brake, clutch, or gas pedal.
This design makes the Tevlaphee more difficult to set up, but also slightly more secure than typical steering wheel locks. This is because the weak spot (the key lock) is harder to access once the Tevlaphee is installed.
Key Features
- Cost: ~$45
- Aluminum and alloy steel construction
- Key lock
- Attaches to brake pedal, clutch pedal, or gas pedal
Our Experience
While more of a hassle to install than other wheel locks, this device is still relatively simple to set up. There are enough notches to allow for a precise, snug fit that prevents anyone from using the pedal until the lock is disengaged.
We were able to break this lock in one minute and five seconds using a cordless drill. Besides the Kaycentop, this was the longest it took us to disable a steering wheel lock, mostly because it is more difficult to access the Tevlaphee’s keyhole with a drill.
| Overall Rating | 3.3 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4 out of 5 |
| Difficulty of Destruction | 2.5 out of 5 |
| Value | 3.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
With over 2,000 ratings on Amazon, the Tevlaphee steering wheel brake lock has an average score of 4.6. A total of 90 percent of reviewers rate this steering wheel lock 4 or more stars.
Most say this car lock is easy to put on and remove. It can be used as a brake lock, or placed over just the steering wheel. Many feel their vehicle is safer with this lock’s thick steel construction.
Depending on how you orient the Tevlaphee, it can be difficult to remove when the time comes. If the key slot is positioned such that the key can’t be inserted, you may find yourself thoroughly inconvenienced, as happened to one reviewer.
#3 Also Consider: Winner International The Club 3000
The Club is perhaps one of the best-known steering wheel locks and the standard by which many are measured. The bright yellow appearance acts as a visual deterrent. We found it easy to use though also as easily disabled with a cordless drill. The Club can bring you some peace of mind but hardly slows a thief with power tools.
Key Features
- Cost: ~$50
- Twin hook design
- Universal fit
- Self-locking mechanism
- Alloy steel construction
Our Experience
The Club is the easiest to install of any of the steering wheel locks we used. The self-locking feature makes it a simple matter to firmly attach this steering wheel lock.
Using a cordless drill, we were able to disable The Club in 40 seconds. Like all of the steering wheel locks on this list with the exception of the Kaycentop, The Club is better as a theft deterrent than a guarantee of protection.
| Overall Rating | 3.5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 5 out of 5 |
| Difficulty of Destruction | 2 out of 5 |
| Value | 3.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
The Club 3000 has an average Amazon score of 4.6 based on more than 6,000 ratings. A total of 91 percent of reviews give The Club 4 or more stars.
What seems most appreciated about The Club is that it is easy to use and is highly visible. Most satisfied reviewers admit that this alone will not prevent all carjackings. However, it can make your car more difficult to steal, and deter some thieves.
Several customers posted pictures of bent Clubs, complaining that this device did not work to protect their cars. Keep in mind that no steering wheel lock is a perfect solution.
#4 Turnart Steering Wheel Lock
The Turnart steering wheel lock features a single-hook design. It is simple to attach and compatible with most steering wheel sizes. The foam padding is available in three colors. One unique feature about this steering wheel lock is the escape hammer tip, which can be used to break your own window should an emergency situation necessitate such a maneuver.
Key Features
- Cost: ~$40
- Alloy steel construction
- Includes three keys
- 12-month warranty
- Several colors available
- Escape hammer tip
Our Experience
The Turnart attaches quickly and has more lock positions than The Club, making it effective for most steering wheel sizes. It comes with three spare keys, whereas most steering wheel locks include two. Importantly, each Turnart comes with a unique set of keys that cannot be duplicated.
Using a cordless drill, we were able to disable this steering wheel lock in 35 seconds. This lock exhibits the same weakness as every steering wheel lock that uses a key lock.
| Overall Rating | 3.5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 5 out of 5 |
| Difficulty of Destruction | 2 out of 5 |
| Value | 3.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
More than 800 reviews give the Turnart steering wheel lock an average Amazon rating of 4.7 stars. A total of 92 percent of reviews give the Turnart 4 or more stars.
Reviewers praise the heft and sturdiness of the Turnart. Other features that are appreciated are the foam handle and window-shattering tip (also included is a cap for this end so that you don’t smash your glass by mistake). This lock is easy to use, while also serving as a useful visual deterrent.
A few complain that the metal components damaged their steering wheel. One reviewer with an especially small steering wheel said the lock did not fit their car.
#5 Vechkom Steering Wheel Lock
The Vechkom steering wheel lock features a slightly different design than other steering wheel locks. It can clamp to the top of your wheel and extend over the dash. This lock also has a built-in alarm (requires 3 AAA batteries) that sounds if anyone should tamper with this device.
Key Features
- Cost: ~$70
- 135.0-dB alarm
- Solid steel bar
- T-lock design
Our Experience
The Vechkom is as easy to install as any other car steering wheel lock, though there is the extra step of removing the battery cover and installing the three AAA batteries required for the alarm feature. The alarm is touchy and just installing the lock caused it to go off.
Though it is advertised as sounding at 135.0 dB, the alarm is not especially loud and does not sound for very long. When we attempted to disable the device, we were able to remove it in 18 seconds, making it the least effective of the steering wheel locks we tested.
That said, no lock is perfect, and the added alarm component may serve as an additional deterrent to thieves, especially since the appearance of the device and a blinking red light indicate that it is equipped with an alarm feature.
| Overall Rating | 3 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4 out of 5 |
| Difficulty of Destruction | 2 out of 5 |
| Value | 3 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
This steering wheel lock is rated 4.1 stars based on more than 120 ratings. A total of 77 percent of reviewers rate the Vechkom 4 or more stars. It is not quite as well-reviewed as other steering wheel locks on Amazon.
Those that like the Vechkom say its appearance makes for a good deterrent. It is secure, simple to install, and it makes some feel their car is more secure.
A few report difficulty installing the Vechkom and several have noted (like us) that the alarm isn’t particularly loud. It may startle and discourage a thief, but is unlikely to alert anyone in the surrounding area, especially if the car door is closed when the alarm activates.
Buyers Guide: Best Steering Wheel Locks
A steering wheel lock is not a guarantee of deterring car theft. Even the strongest lock we tested is not unbreakable. When selecting a steering wheel lock, consider the conditions where you typically park your car. A steering wheel lock may prevent a theft of opportunity, but it can be disabled with a power drill or bolt cutters.
What a steering wheel lock can do is deter theft by making your car more difficult to steal, increasing the time it takes to break into your vehicle. If you’re buying a steering wheel lock, look for something that is easy to use. You don’t want to spend an hour securing your car every time you park. Find locks that take more time to disable and that are highly visible.
Kill Switch
Almost no solution will fully protect your car. All windows can be smashed, and a savvy car thief will almost certainly know how to disable the most popular car security systems. If you want to secure your car as well as possible, consider installing a kill switch.
A kill switch is a hidden switch that blocks the flow of fuel into your engine, effectively disabling your vehicle unless the switch is deactivated. One (or two) well-hidden kill switch(es) can slow down thieves more than any steering wheel lock. However, these require advanced mechanical knowledge to install yourself, though there are mechanics who can do this for you.
Our Review Standards
The steering wheel locks in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon for top products, looking at factors like Prime shipping eligibility, customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and prices.
The five steering wheel locks that best met these standards were ordered by our team for testing. A team member attached each lock, taking note of ease of installation and difficulty of destruction. Each steering wheel was given a rating out of 5 stars based on this criteria.
Steering Wheel Lock Testing Process
To test each steering wheel lock, we installed it according to the package directions (if included). Our reviewer noted how easy and quick it is to attach and detach the steering wheel lock using the key or combination.
To test for difficulty of destruction, we attempted to disable each lock without using the key or combination. The tools we used for this were a cordless drill and a pair of bolt cutters. We timed how long it took from entering the car to remove the steering wheel lock using one or both of these tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective steering wheel lock?
Based on our testing, the Kaycentop Heavy Duty Steering Wheel Lock is the most effective steering wheel lock. While we were able to remove most locks in under a minute, the Kaycentop took us over an hour to disable. This is because it does not have the same weak point (the keyhole) as other types of steering wheel locks.
Are steering wheel locks effective?
Steering wheel locks are effective at deterring thieves who don’t have a power drill. Given that any determined thief is likely to carry such a tool, a steering wheel lock is not a perfect anti-theft device. While sawing through the steel bar would take a long time, drilling a hole into the keyhole can disable most steering wheel locks in less than a minute.
How do you protect your steering wheel from theft?
You can protect your steering wheel from theft by locking your car and parking it in a safe location such as a parking garage. Of course, there is no way to prevent all theft, and a dedicated car thief can almost always find a way into a vehicle.
Can you steal a car with a steering wheel lock?
You can steal a car with a steering wheel lock by removing the lock. Most steering wheel locks can be disabled in under a minute by drilling a hole through the keyhole. The best way to secure your vehicle is to park it in a safe place like a parking garage. A steering wheel lock can act as a deterrent, and installing a kill switch or two will also make your car harder to steal.
How do I make my car harder to break into?
Apart from covering your vehicle with a titanium dome, it is nearly impossible to protect your car from every thief. However, car owners can make their vehicles harder to break into by parking in heavily trafficked areas, where a would-be thief is more likely to attract attention when smashing a window.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
