The Best Car Anti-Theft Devices of 2024

Imagine walking to where you last parked your vehicle and discovering it’s gone missing. That empty space soon gets replaced with a sickening feeling in your gut as reality sets in that someone boosted your car. Even worse, you don’t know where to begin searching or how to recover an invaluable mode of transportation that you take for granted every day.

To avoid that loss and ensure your peace of mind, we did some serious homework and found the best car anti-theft devices to deter criminals before they attempt to steal your car. These security devices will help protect your vehicle whenever it is parked in the open — whether in a public parking garage, on the street, or on the driveway in front of your house.

While no anti-theft device is entirely foolproof, the right one can be a powerful deterrent, making even the most determined thief think twice and move on. By investing in a reliable car anti-theft device, you not only protect your vehicle but also save yourself from the nightmare of losing your ride.

We’ve tested and reviewed some of the top car anti-theft devices on the market — each one easy to install and proven to provide that extra layer of security to keep your vehicle safe. 

The Best Car Anti-Theft Devices of 2024

Other Anti-Theft Devices We Tested

Anti-Theft Device Comparison Chart

How We Tested Car Anti-Theft Devices

Our Expert Tester

GearJunkie tester and Buyer’s Guide author Derek Mau headed up the product selection and testing for this guide. The typical work day for Mau involves testing almost anything with four tires and a steering wheel. He thoroughly researches the best automotive gadgets and accessories and is always on the hunt for a good deal. Of course, he shares his findings through detailed and informative writing and reviews of all things automotive for GearJunkie.

Bench Testing

Derek is based in Idaho, which isn’t a hotbed for car theft. But he does have a good imagination, an analytical mind, and each device in hand to install on his vehicle and inspect for vulnerabilities. He directly compares the devices that use the same anti-theft mechanisms and discovers the advantages and disadvantages of the different deterrent methods. He installed each of the remote battery kill switches on his vehicle, taking careful notes on the ease of installation and overall user interface.

If you want to be even more road-ready, check out some GearJunkie’s other guides, including reviews of the best portable tire inflators, the best car covers, and the best battery jumpstarters.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Car Anti-Theft Device

Types of Car Anti-Theft Devices

Steering Wheel Locks

Steering wheel locks are designed to prevent the steering wheel from turning more than a few degrees. Their primary purpose is to act as a visible obstruction, as it hinders a would-be felon from steering the vehicle. Heavy-duty construction of alloy steel and a high-security lock are features to look for in a steering wheel lock.

Additionally, a fundamental consideration when choosing one is how quickly somebody can put it in place. Anything that is a nuisance to lock up will likely discourage someone from using it. The Club 3000 and Tevlaphee locks check all the boxes and effectively dissuade bad actors looking for an easy score.

Brake Locks

Another popular anti-theft device is a brake lock. One end hooks the brake pedal, making it unmovable, while the other locks onto the steering wheel. Looking at the specs and measuring the distance between the brake pedal and steering wheel is critical to ensure the device will extend far enough. Since they have a low attachment point, a crook might only see it once they get inside the car.

Wheel Lock Clamps

A wheel lock clamp is a highly conspicuous preventive measure that effectively immobilizes a vehicle and installs in seconds. It’s a low-cost anti-theft device that attaches to most wheel and tire combinations for peace of mind protection applicable to cars, vans, trucks, and motorcycles.

Immobilizers

A vehicle immobilizer is basically a security device that disables the engine, thereby preventing someone from committing grand theft auto. Its objective is to prohibit a car from getting boosted by someone who doesn’t have the ignition key. Most modern vehicles include an integrated immobilizer from the factory, which generally stops car thieves from hot-wiring a vehicle.

An immobilizer turns off one of the systems required to start a car’s engine — typically disabling the gas supply or the ignition. This is done by radio frequency identification between an ignition key transponder and a radio frequency reader in the steering column. When you turn the key in the ignition, the transponder transmits a signal to the reader, which sends it to a receiver in the vehicle’s computer control module.

For older cars that don’t have integrated immobilizers from the factory, the IMAYCC remote kill switch or the FEITON battery isolation switch are two devices that prevent someone from hot-wiring your vehicle and driving away.

Understanding Why Your Car Is a Potential Target for Thieves

Car thieves have two primary strategies for targeting vehicles: one is based on opportunity, and the other on careful planning. Understanding these tactics can help you protect your car. Crime of opportunity happens when a thief sees a vulnerability, like an unlocked door or valuables in plain sight. Sometimes, these situations often lead to carjackings.

On the other hand, a planned theft involves more thought and is usually far from a spur-of-the-moment decision. 

But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Here are some easy and practical security tips to help safeguard your chariot and keep your peace of mind intact.

To prevent your car from getting stolen, consider the following tips:

1. Remember to always roll the windows up, lock the doors, and take the keys with you
2. Purchase and install a smart car alarm
3. Install a hidden kill switch
4. Use a steering wheel or brake lock
5. Engrave the VIN onto the windows
6. Improve driveway, garage, or street security with cameras and motion sensor lights
7. Prevent key hacking by using a Faraday box or pouch to store keyless ignition fobs when at home
8. Always stay aware of your surroundings

Remember to Lock Car Doors at All Times

Most car thieves prey on an exploitable opportunity. The most effortless act is finding an unlocked vehicle. Learning to roll up the windows and lock your car every time you walk away from it is the most basic and critical step to remember. Locking your car doors also applies when driving and the vehicle is in motion. 

Stealing an unattended parked vehicle is one way to lose your precious ride, but don’t exclude carjacking. Carjacking is the theft of an automobile by using violence or intimidation toward the driver. Keeping your car doors locked at all times is the first level of protection against thieves that would target you and your vehicle.

Keyless Car Theft

Key hacking is a high-tech technique that allows thieves to gain access to and take off with your vehicle within minutes. This type of hacking is referred to as keyless car theft or relay theft. Hackers can utilize relay boxes to relay and amplify the signal to trick your car into unlocking – all without having to enter your home.

Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to prevent your car from disappearing from your driveway and prevent key hacker theft. The preferred method is putting your keyless fob away from doors and windows in addition to putting your keys somewhere that can block the signal to your car.

A straightforward and cost-effective solution is to use a Faraday bag or box. The inexpensive bags (or boxes) have a conductive metal mesh that blocks wireless signals emitted by keyless car fobs.

Avoid Parking in Isolated Areas

Whenever possible, seek out parking areas that are well-lit and preferably where there’s always some activity. Parking in highly visible areas reduces the likelihood of a criminal successfully stealing your car. Most hoodlums don’t crave unwanted attention because it exposes them to their nefarious activity. It’s impossible to always keep a watchful eye on your vehicle, but there are several measures that make it easier to monitor your car directly or indirectly.

Constantly Keep an Eye on Your Surroundings

You may have heard, “Keep your head on a swivel at all times.” One of the best ways to practice situational awareness is to continually look around you and understand the immediate effect on your automotive safety. Assessing your surroundings will influence how you treat your car and impact the level of security you choose to leave it with. 

The Best Protection Against Car Theft

Visible and audible devices: The Club 3000 and Tevlaphee steering-wheel locks, theft-deterrent decals, flashing LEDs, and window etching create a visual warning and hindrance. Audible devices such as a horn alarm discourage theft by bringing unwanted attention to thieves attempting to steal or enter a vehicle.

Vehicle immobilizers prevent thieves from bypassing a vehicle’s ignition system and hot-wiring the car. Three components are necessary to start a car — the ignition, the starter motor, and the fuel system. Factory-integrated immobilizers will compromise at least two of these components if the correct key isn’t detected. The IMAYCC Kill Switch and FEITON Remote Battery Disconnect Switch allow you to remotely kill the battery power, which effectively disables all three components crucial for starting a vehicle.

Vehicle recovery systems use electronic transmission technology that helps law enforcement reveal the location of stolen vehicles — and possibly catch the thief in possession of a stolen car. GPS trackers, such as CarLock, will alert you in real-time if your vehicle is tampered with or moved, along with the ability to track it. 

You may find that the added peace of mind from using these devices is worth the additional step when leaving your car. If you have ever been a victim of auto theft or vandalism, you will likely agree that taking added precautions to reduce the risk of a repeat break-in or stolen vehicle is a worthwhile investment.