The Best Car Anti-Theft Devices of 2025
- Dimensions: 5.3" x 6.5" x 24.8"
- Material: Alloy steel
- Warranty: Guaranteed up to $500 against the owner's comprehensive insurance deductible (Not valid in New York State, Hawaii, Texas, or Wisconsin where it is prohibited by insurance law)
Pros
- Twin hook design is more challenging to defeat
- Keyless locking
- "Notice me!" bright yellow, plastic-dipped coating
Cons
- Double-hook design feature is not compatible with all steering wheels
- It is more of a theft deterrent than a guarantee of protection
- It will not prevent someone from towing or flat-bedding your car away
- Dimensions: 28" x 1.8" x 2.2"
- Material: High-strength braided composite steel wire
- Warranty: Amazon 30-day guarantee
Pros
- Super easy to use
- Secures your vehicle in seconds
- Small enough to stash under the seat
Cons
- Security device not immediately visible from a distance
- Dimensions: 3.3 x 2.4 x 1.4 inches
- Material: N/A
- Warranty: One-year worry-free after-sale service (free exchange or 100% refund if product was defective due to quality problems)
Pros
- Kills the battery power to your car
- Straightforward installation process
- Two remote control fobs
Cons
- Requires connecting to the battery terminal
- Size of the smart switch requires clearance around the negative battery post
- Function: GPS tracking device that plugs into a vehicle’s OBD port
- Dimensions: 2.5” x 2” x 7/8”
- Material: N/A
- Warranty: Two-year limited warranty
Pros
- Track your car’s movement and driver’s actions in near real-time
- Works with all automotive vehicles manufactured since 1996
- Helpful for managing a fleet of vehicles or monitoring a teen’s driving practices
- Track and manage vehicle status using the mobile app or the web page
Cons
- Too easy to bump the device when the vehicle’s OBD port is close to the driver’s knee
- Monthly or annual subscription fee associated with the service
Other Anti-Theft Devices We Tested
- Function: Disables power to the 12V battery
- Dimensions: 1.75 x 1.8 x 1.75 inches
- Material: N/A
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- Isolates the battery power from your car
- Straightforward installation process
- Two remote control fobs
Cons
- Requires connecting to the battery
- Easy to spot if you know the location of the car battery
- Function: Steering wheel lock with twin bars
- Dimensions: 15.3" x 4.5" x 3.9"
- Material: Alloy steel
- Warranty: Amazon 30-day return guarantee
Pros
- Universal fit with almost any car, truck, or SUV
- Solid build quality
- Quick and easy to use
- Plastic-dipped coating in bold caution yellow
Cons
- Heavy and space-consuming
- Requires a key to secure a vehicle
Anti-Theft Device Comparison Chart
Device | Price | Function | Warranty |
---|---|---|---|
The Club 3000 | $51 | Cut-resistant | Guaranteed up to $500 against the owner’s comprehensive insurance deductible |
Tevlaphee Wheel to Seatbelt Lock | $29 | Limits turning the steering wheel to a few degrees | Amazon 30-day guarantee |
IMAYCC Remote Battery Disconnect Switch | $56 | Disables power to the 12V battery | One-year worry-free after-sale service |
Carlock Tracker and Alarm System | $55 + monthly subscription | GPS car tracker and alarm system | Two-year limited warranty |
FEITON Remote Battery Disconnect Switch | $18 | Battery isolator with remote trigger | One year |
Tevlaphee Steering Wheel Lock | $36 | Twin bar steering wheel lock | Amazon 30-day return guarantee |
How We Tested Car Anti-Theft Devices
Our Expert Tester
Bench Testing
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Car Anti-Theft Device
Types of Car Anti-Theft Devices
Steering Wheel Locks
Brake Locks
Wheel Lock Clamps
Immobilizers


Understanding Why Your Car Is a Potential Target for Thieves
- Remember to always roll the windows up, lock the doors, and take the keys with you
- Purchase and install a smart car alarm
- Install a hidden kill switch
- Use a steering wheel or brake lock
- Engrave the VIN onto the windows
- Improve driveway, garage, or street security with cameras and motion sensor lights
- Prevent key hacking by using a Faraday box or pouch to store keyless ignition fobs when at home
- Always stay aware of your surroundings

Remember to Lock Car Doors at All Times
Keyless Car Theft

Avoid Parking in Isolated Areas
Constantly Keep an Eye on Your Surroundings
The Best Protection Against Car Theft

As suggested by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), if you believe that someone stole your vehicle, follow these steps:
- Contact the police right away to file a stolen vehicle report. Submit a copy of the police report or the case number to your insurance company. Be ready to submit the following information:
- License plate number
- Year, make, model, color of your vehicle, and any identifying characteristics
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of vehicle theft.
If you recover your vehicle before the authorities, report the recovery to the police and your insurance company immediately.
If your vehicle is protected with some type of anti-theft device, it has a better chance of avoiding car theft. Additionally, if somebody snatches your car, the chances of recovery are higher if the theft is reported immediately or equipped with a car tracking device.
A vehicle immobilizer is an anti-theft device that offers a high level of protection. It’s difficult to detect, doesn’t transmit radio frequency signals that are easily cloned, and operates silently. Bluetooth tracking devices, such as the Tile or Apple AirTag, are a low-cost alternative but can be detected with the right equipment because they emit a signal if a thief is sophisticated enough.
First, you’ll likely need to call a locksmith to remove the anti-theft device from your vehicle. Sometimes, car anti-theft devices come with two or three sets of keys. You can unlock your device using the spare if that’s the case.
The next option is to contact the manufacturer. More often than not, you’ll need to purchase a new anti-theft device because most do not have spare keys available for security reasons.
A kill switch stops the electrical flow from your battery or ignition system through a fuse installed in your car. Check out this guide for information on how and where to install a kill switch.
According to the list of the 10 most stolen cars in the U.S., the full-size trucks from Ford and Dodge made the list; Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Optima were the top three most stolen vehicles in 2023 due to their lack of engine immobilizers, which was revealed on social media. Fortunately, the spike in thefts has dropped dramatically since the Korean automakers released an update that improved the car’s anti-theft software.
Looking at the past decade, Japanese and Korean cars have taken a majority of the 15 spots on the list. Ford and Chevy full-size pickups have been the main target of car thieves in 32 states and rank at the top of the list for most stolen vehicles from 2019 through 2023.