If you want a lock that's more than just a deterrent and gives you real car theft protection, Disklok is the clear choice.
Most of the steering wheel locks we researched had the same design problems: they could be defeated with a well-placed kick, a sharp hacksaw blade, or an experienced lockpicker. The Disklok was the only car steering wheel lock with a design that withstood these common auto theft techniques.
Product | Best for | Price | Construction Materials | Lock Type | Learn more | |
Best overall | $199.98 | Hardened steel | Spinning steering wheel cover | View on Amazon | Read review | |
Runner-up | $55.00 | Chromoly steel | Double hook bar | View on Amazon | Read review | |
Best for budgets | $22.99 | Chromoly steel | Steering wheel to pedal | View on Amazon | Read review | |
Best for trucks and SUVs | $62.99 | Chromoly steel | Single hook bar | View on Amazon | Read review | |
Best dual purpose | $37.95 | Hardened steel, aluminum alloy | Single hook bar | View on Amazon | Read review |
*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
When it's not on your steering wheel, the Disklok looks (and feels) kind of like a Frisbee the Hulk might use, but on your wheel it looks more like an impenetrable steering wheel lock fortress. It weighs about as much as a bowling ball (11 lb.) and it operates like a childproofing doorknob cover.
You lock it in place over the steering wheel, and if you try to turn, the Disklok spins freely, making it impossible to steer. It takes two hands to put it on, but it's easy to lock and doesn't require you to ratchet up the tension for a tight fit like club-style locks.
3 keys included
Tamperproof lock
Hardened steel construction
Unique design
3 different sizes 
Non-universal sizing
Bulky construction Its steel shell has no obvious weak points that say "Cut here!" and its lock is so resistant to picking that even Disklok owners report having to do some key wiggling to get it to unlock (which is actually an intentional safety feature). Its weight and size make it less convenient to carry with you than some of the other locks we studied, but it outperforms the competition when it comes to security.
The Disklok isn't without its weaknesses—we saw a guy with a metal grinder cut it off in about three and a half minutes. But in car theft time, that's pretty long, and using power tools would be noisy enough to draw quite a bit of attention.
Because the Disklok is different from most normal bar-style steering wheel locks, it takes longer to figure out, so it's a good deterrent. With manual tools, it would be impossible to remove. Just make sure you select a Disklok device that's the right size for your steering wheel, because if it's too snug it won't work correctly.
The Club 3000's bright yellow plastic coating makes it easy for a thief to spot, and its double hook design makes it hard for a thief to remove. It was the locking device's twin-hook design that put it in our top three, because the two hooks automatically make it twice as hard for a would-be thief to cut it off your steering wheel.
The reinforced housing around the lock helps protect against drilling, but someone with lockpicking skills can easily pick the wafer lock and remove the device. The lock can also be defeated by sheer force—a hard hit or kick can bend the chromoly steel tubing enough to remove it.
Twin hook design
Bright yellow color
Universal fit
Reinforced lock housing
$500 guarantee
Wafer lock
Fallible materials Fortunately, The Club 3000 manufacturers offer a guarantee of $500 toward your insurance deductible if the device fails, but you have to get through quite a bit of red tape before you see the money. Still, with a price tag of around $20, you can get a highly visual theft deterrent without having to spend a lot of cash.
The CL303 works a little differently than the other Club products on our list. One hook loops around your steering wheel while the other hooks onto a clutch, gas, or brake pedal. Once you get the steering wheel locked, turning the wheel or pressing the pedal just tightens the lock.
It's a unique design that might thwart a thief, but it's not as easy to attach as a steering wheel locking device, and it doesn't fit larger vehicles. If you do go with this design, make sure to attach it with your steering wheel in the lowest position. Also, keep some graphite on hand to lubricate the locking mechanism as the lock can stick and the key won't turn.
Brake and steering wheel lock
Universal fit
Tempered steel
Lightweight
Fallible materials If you drive a larger vehicle and yellow isn't your color, you may want to try the red Club 2100 on for size. Just like its Club cousins, the 2100 uses hooks on either end and a steel ratcheting system to lock on to your steering wheel. The clubbed end extends out to prevent a would-be thief from turning the wheel.
Coated steel bar
Universal fit
$1,800 guarantee
High visibility
Mail-in guarantee
Fallible materials A determined thief can hacksaw through the chrome-covered ratcheting column in the center or drill through the lock to remove it, but The Club is still a good visual deterrent. We like the universal fit this device offers and the $1,800 deductible reimbursement guarantee from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, the guarantee is good only up to a year and all the paperwork has to be done via snail mail.
We like that this VaygWay steering wheel lock is designed with a pointed end that can be used as a safety hammer to break glass in case of an emergency. The unique lock and keys on this device are another plus: the lock is difficult to saw through and the keys have a wavy pattern to them that makes them hard to duplicate.
Doubles as safety hammer
Adjustable locking fork
Doesn't fit large vehicles
Fallible materials The insides of the hooks have a foam grip to prevent the lock from sliding. Even if a car thief cut the steering wheel, it would still be hard to slide the lock off. Keep in mind that this lock isn't as large as some of the others on our list, so it may not work with trucks and SUVs.
The Disklok's all-encompassing design is unlike any other steering wheel lock on the market. And while it's not entirely foolproof, there's no way to yank it off with brute force or hand tools. Your car won't be a convenient target with Disklok.
Most cars with power steering have a device called an ignition lock cylinder that locks the steering wheel in place unless your keys are in the ignition. An experienced car thief will know how to remove the ignition lock assembly (even without a key) and unlock the steering wheel, so an additional steering wheel lock is still a good idea.
We recommend keeping the key to your lock on a different key ring than the one holding the keys to your car. That way, if your car keys get stolen, the thief might be able to turn your ignition switch, but they won't be able to unlock your steering wheel to drive away.
If possible, keep your lock in a dry place when you're not using it so it won't rust. If you want to store it under your seat or on the floor of your car, wrapping it in a small towel or keeping it in a case will protect it from moisture. If the master lock starts sticking, use graphite rather than a liquid lubricant, since liquid oil-based lubricants can attract dirt and debris and gum up the lock even more over time.
To find the best steering wheel locks on the market, we looked for steel construction and tamper-resistant locks. We also considered universal fit and insurance guarantees.
We also read online reviews from real users to find out how these locks stood up against real car thieves.
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