Litelok X3 vs Hiplok D1000: Which one wins?

The Hiplok D1000 and the Litelok X3 are undoubtedly the two most secure bike locks you can buy at the moment. And (as you probably already know), this is down to their extreme angle grinder resistance.

But which is the most angle grinder resistant? Which is the easiest to use? And which is ultimately the best value for money?

That’s what we’re going to find out today…

Hiplok D1000 vs Litelok X3: Which is most secure?

Both locks have exactly the same ratings from Sold Secure and ART, the independent security testing organizations. So that’s a Pedal and Powered Diamond rating from Sold Secure. And 4 out of 5 stars from ART.

Indeed, along with the (slightly less secure) Litelok X1, they are the only bike locks to be awarded the Sold Secure Powered Diamond (aka Motorcycle Diamond) rating since its inception.

They both have the standard double locking shackles you’d expect from any high security u-lock. In the Litelok’s case, it’s a circular 16 mm profile shackle. In the Hiplok’s case, it’s a 20 x 15 mm square profile shackle.

This means they’re both highly resistant to leverage attacks, and neither can be cropped by manually operated bolt croppers of any size.

In fact, the only way that either can be defeated is with power tools. And these days, in the street, that means angle grinders.

So which provides the most angle grinder resistance?

I used a mains powered angle grinder to cut both locks while they were held tightly in place by tape. This is obviously not the way they would be attacked in the street, where a thief would use a battery powered angle grinder, and would find it very difficult to keep the locks from moving around.

But I was trying to find out which lock has the most inherent angle grinder resistance. So I wanted to eliminate any outside variance (different movement in the locks, different battery levels), that might skew the test.

Here are the results (with the time it took to cut the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini added for comparison to a regular lock):

In summary:

• Fahgettaboudit: I only needed 1 disc to go through both sides in a total of 32 seconds
• Hiplok D1000: it took 4:25 min to go through both sides and I used 5 discs in total
• Litelok X3: it took 5:30 min to go through both sides and I used 4 discs in total

So, the Litelok X3 took nearly 1 minute longer to cut through, but the Hiplok D1000 required more discs.

Bear in mind that these numbers don’t include the time it took to change the angle grinder discs. If they did, not only would all the total times be much longer, but the difference between the Litelok and the Hiplok would be significantly less (due to the extra disc change for the Hiplok).

To give you an idea of how much longer it might take a thief in the street, when I tested the Litelok X1, I didn’t do a very good job of anchoring the lock, so it kept moving around when I was trying to cut it, which wore out the discs much faster.

In the end, I used up all the discs I had before I cut the second side! And the X1 is much less secure than the X3 or the D1000.

But getting back to this comparison, which of the two is more secure?

From this particular test, it looks like the Litelok X3 is a little bit more angle grinder resistant than the D1000.

But if I did the test again, I wouldn’t be surprised if the result was reversed, because they were so close this time, and despite my best attempts there will always be outside variables affecting the results.

It is worth noting that the Litelok X3 features a much more secure (Abloy Sentry), lock cylinder than the bog-standard mechanism on the Hiplok D1000. But since bike thieves don’t pick locks, it’s not hugely important.

So in conclusion: they are both extremely secure bike locks, they both have extremely high levels of angle grinder resistance (far more than any other locks), and I'd say that any difference between them is probably insignificant when trying to choose between them.

What you should be thinking about instead, is usability and price…

Hiplok D1000 vs Litelok X3: Which is easiest to use?

Let’s take a look at how easy these locks are to carry around while you’re riding, and how easy they are to secure your bike with, when you get where you’re going.

Which lock is easier to carry around, Hiplok D1000 or Litelok X3?

Both of these locks are very heavy.

The Litelok X3 weighs 4.6 lb (2.1 kg), which is about the same weight as 5.5 cans of Coke. And the Hiplok D1000 weighs 4.2 lb (1.9 kg), which is just over the same weight as 5 cans of Coke.

So the Hiplok is slightly lighter.

It’s worth noting, that although heavy, they are both lighter than many regular, high security bike locks, all of which they massively outperform security wise (e.g. the Abus Granit Extreme 59 and the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini).

But still, 5 cans of coke is a lot of weight to be carrying around on your bike every day.

And neither of these bike locks comes with a frame mount. This is quite normal for, the heavier high security locks, as it’s really difficult to make a universal frame mount that reliably supports their weight.

Instead, the Litelok X3 comes with a neoprene pouch, which is actually quite handy. You can’t strap it to anything, but the chances are, most people will end up carrying the X3 in their bag, and the pouch will protect whatever is in there from the lock.

By that I mean, protected not only from any water, oil or street grime that might have accumulated on the lock, but also from getting bashed about by the lock while you’re riding around.

Litelock also sell a separate Restrap Lock Holster, which you thread onto your belt, so that you hang the X1 and X3 from your waist. I have tested it briefly, and wasn’t a huge fan.

I found it difficult to get the lock in and out (owing to it being quite a tight fit on the lock, and me having to twist my body around to access it). Plus, the lock is a lot of weight to be carrying on your belt, and it tended to drag down my jeans!

You also need to leave it on your belt all the time, or go through the hassle of taking it on and off every time you go for a ride.

It’s a nice option to have (I’m glad I don’t have to pay extra to have it shipped with the lock). But I think I’ll just stick to throwing the lock in my backpack!

For the Hiplok D1000, you can buy an extra carry pouch. This is a bit more elaborate (and expensive) than Litelok’s Restrap Lock Holster: you can strap it to your belt, or you can strap it to your bike.

I tried it on my belt and had the same issues I had with the Litelok holster: with the lock inside, there was just too much weight on one side of my waist to be comfortable. It was a bit easier to get the lock in and out, though.

If you strap it to your bike, it actually works really well. It was too long to go on my handlebars. But it was easy to get around the top tube, with an additional strap stabilizing it against the down tube.

I thought it might interfere with the brake cables, but there is enough room in the loop of the straps for the cables to run through, unaffected. There was no significant movement as I rode around (although my knee sometimes brushed it). And it was easy to get the lock in and out of the pouch.

However, the pouch is only Velcroed in place, so it will be very stealable. You can either take that risk (where I live, it would be stolen in no time). Or you can unstrap it and take it with you, every time you leave your bike.

For me, this is just too much hassle. And since I also find it a bit visually obtrusive, while it’s a nice option to have, once again, I will just stick to throwing the lock in my backpack.

However, the fact that there is an option of a frame mount with the Hiplok, definitely makes the D1000 the winner when it comes to portability!

Which lock is easier to fasten around a bike, Hiplok D1000 or Litelok X3?

It’s probably going to be easier to lock your bike with the Litelok X3, simply because it’s wider and longer.

The internal measurements of the Litelok X3 are 3.9 x 7.6" (10 x 19.5 cm), making it similar to a standard size u-lock, such as the Kryptonite Kryptolok or Evolution Standard (it’s actually the same width, but 1.4” shorter).

In contrast, the internal measurements of the Hiplok D1000 are 3.62 x 6.1” (9.2 x 15.5 cm), making it similar to a mini u-lock such as the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit New York Mini (it’s just ever so slightly wider).

This means it will generally be easier to get the Litelok round your bike and whatever you’re trying to lock it to.

I ride a skinny framed bike with slim wheels in a city where there are loads of Sheffield style bike stands. And any way I used the Litelok X3, I could also use the Hiplok D1000 too.

It might have been a bit more fiddly and a tighter fit, but I always managed...

But for those with bulky mountain bikes or sturdy ebikes, it could well be a different story. And it may even be that they can’t lock their bike how they’d like with the Hiplok D1000. There will usually be a different way to lock a bike, but that may mean some compromise.

For example, it could be that the Hiplok D1000 won’t be able to secure your wheel and your frame together, so you just use the u-lock to secure the frame, and an additional lock to secure the wheel.

Or there are other options for wheels.

It’s all going to depend on your personal set-up. But there’s no doubt that the Litelok X3 is going to be more suitable for bulkier bikes.

Litelok X3 vs Hiplok D1000: Which is the best value for money?

The Hiplok D1000 and the Litelok X3 are usually exactly the same price. To be sure, check the Hiplok D1000 price here [Amazon] and the Litelok X3 price here.

Since they both offer more or less the same level of security too (and obviously this is by far the most important aspect of any bike lock), it’s hard to say that one offers better value for money than another.

But let’s look at the distinct advantages and disadvantages of each:

Litelok X3 Advantages & Disadvantages

Hiplok D1000 Advantages & Disadvantages

The most significant difference between the two locks is probably the internal locking space. If you’ve got a bulkier bike, then you’re probably going to appreciate the extra space inside the Litelok X3.

If locking options are less of an issue, then you might appreciate the extra transport options that the Hiplok frame mount gives you (don’t forget you will have to pay extra for this though, and there are 3rd party options available that will fit the X3).

Also worth noting: there is currently a 1-month wait time to receive the Litelok X3 once you’ve paid. If you need a lock right immediately, then the Hiplok D1000 is obviously going to be the best choice in this case!

But despite the expense, if you consider the massive gulf in security between these two locks and every other bike lock on the market (except the Litelok X1, which I cover below), they are both great value for money!

Litelok X3 vs Hiplok D1000: Conclusion

The Hiplok D1000 and the Litelok X3 are by far and away the most secure bike locks you can currently buy. And if you need maximum angle grinder resistance, these are the bike locks for you!

But if you’re trying to choose between them, then you need to look beyond security level, because they’re both more or less equal in that respect.

Instead, think about whether you prioritize ease of locking or ease of transport.

The Litelok X3 is longer and wider, so it’s going to be easier to lock your bike with. However, that extra size, means it’s bulkier and slightly heavier, which makes it more difficult to carry around. And there is no frame mount available (unless you go for a third party option).

The Hiplok D1000 is much smaller, so you might struggle to lock your bike, especially heavy ebikes and city bikes. However, this makes it lighter and less bulky and therefore a bit easier to carry around. Plus, Hiplok sell a separate, fabric frame mount, if you want to strap it to your bike.

Of course, if neither compromise is acceptable, or you just can’t justify the price of these locks then there is an alternative…

Alternatives to the Litelok X3 and the Hiplok D1000

The Litelok X1 seems to have the all the advantages of both the Litelok X3 and the Hiplok D1000 (plus a few extra of its own), with hardly any of the disadvantages.

It has the same dimensions as the X3, so it will be easy to secure your bike in loads of different ways. But it’s lighter than both the X3 and the D1000, and comes with its own frame mount, so carrying it around on your bike is straightforward.

It has the same Pedal and Powered Diamond ratings from Sold Secure. And the same 4 stars from ART.

It’s also much cheaper than the Litelok X3 and the Hiplok D1000.

So what’s the catch?

Well, although it has the same independent security ratings as the Litelok X3 and the Hiplok D1000, it doesn’t have quite the same level of angle grinder resistance as these locks. In my tests, it took me significantly less time (and fewer discs) to cut the Litelok X1.

But it still took me far more time than any other high security bike lock. And even a thief with better angle grinder skills than me is going to have to change discs to get through it. Which is a big deal in the street.

My feeling is that for most cyclists, the Litelok X1 provides the best balance between security and practicality, which is why I made it my best bike lock for 2023 (the first time it’s not been the legendary Abus Granit X Plus 540 since I started this website).