Buying Guide
The Best Targus Laptop Locks for a Cleaner, More Useful Desk
We looked at 5 targus laptop locks side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
8 min read5 products evaluated
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Targus's DEFCON lineup spans keyed, resettable combination, permanently serialized, and universal slot-format locks, and these are different products rather than variations on one design. We mapped the current lineup before ranking rather than treating the Targus brand name as a single compatibility guarantee.
We're comparing this as a distinct brand alternative to the Kensington-dominated picks in our other laptop-lock guides, useful specifically if you want a documented second-source option.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Overall (Resettable Combination)
Targus DEFCON T-Lock Resettable Combo Cable Lock, PA410U
Buyers wanting the most-proven Targus lock with a user-resettable code.
Our take Check price for Targus DEFCON T-Lock Resettable Combo Cable Lock, PA410U (opens in a new tab)
Best Keyed Option
Targus DEFCON T-Lock Keyed Cable Lock, ASP48USX
Buyers wanting a Targus-branded keyed lock over combination access.
Our take Check price for Targus DEFCON T-Lock Keyed Cable Lock, ASP48USX (opens in a new tab)
Best Multi-Format Coverage
Targus DEFCON Ultimate Universal Resettable Combination Lock, ASP96RGLX
Buyers wanting the broadest Targus slot-format coverage, aware this SKU is unproven.
Our take Check price for Targus DEFCON Ultimate Universal Resettable Combination Lock, ASP96RGLX (opens in a new tab)
Best for Permanent, Non-Resettable Combination
Targus DEFCON T-Lock Serialized Combo Cable Lock, PA410S-1
Buyers wanting a serialized recovery path over a user-resettable combination.
Our take Check price for Targus DEFCON T-Lock Serialized Combo Cable Lock, PA410S-1 (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Trapezoid Slot Option
Targus DEFCON Trapezoid Keyed Cable Lock, ASP65GLX
Budget buyers on a confirmed trapezoid mini-slot device, aware of the low rating.
Our take Check price for Targus DEFCON Trapezoid Keyed Cable Lock, ASP65GLX (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Overall (Resettable Combination)1 of 5
Targus DEFCON T-Lock Resettable Combo Cable Lock, PA410U on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
5-foot galvanized steel cable resists cutting, and the lock is built for Kensington T-bar slots.
Best for
- Buyers wanting the most-proven Targus lock with a user-resettable code.
Why we like it
On price, it comes in below Targus DEFCON T-Lock Keyed Cable Lock, which is worth weighing if cost is your deciding factor between the two.
On the other side, Standard T-bar slot only.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resettable 4-digit code, 10,000 combinations
- Kensington T-bar slot compatible
- Includes security base plate with adhesive and screws
Pros
- Includes a bundled anchor base plate not every pick offers
Cons
- Combination lock only, no keyed version at this exact price point
- Standard T-bar slot only
Best Keyed Option2 of 5
Targus DEFCON T-Lock Keyed Cable Lock, ASP48USX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The keyed alternative to the resettable combination lock above, using the same 6-foot galvanized steel cable and T-bar slot compatibility, with two identical backup keys shipped in the box.
Best for
- Buyers wanting a Targus-branded keyed lock over combination access.
Why we like it
Choose this over the combination version if you'd rather manage a physical key than remember or reset a code.
On the other side, Priced above the resettable combination version.
Key dimensions & specs
- 6 ft galvanized steel cable, T-bar slot
- Keyed mechanism, 2 identical backup keys included
- Also secures projectors and monitors with compatible slots
Pros
- Physical key avoids combination guessing or resetting
- Two identical backup keys included
Cons
- Priced above the resettable combination version
Best Multi-Format Coverage3 of 5
Targus DEFCON Ultimate Universal Resettable Combination Lock, ASP96RGLX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Targus markets this as compatible with most major lock slot formats, including oversized wedge slots, eliminating the need for interchangeable heads the way Kensington's universal locks require.
Best for
- Buyers wanting the broadest Targus slot-format coverage, aware this SKU is unproven.
Why we like it
The user-resettable 4-digit code offers the same 10,000-combination range as the other Targus resettable picks.
On the other side, Base plate and anchor sold separately, unlike the bundled T-Lock pick.
Key dimensions & specs
- Compatible with most major lock slot formats including oversized wedge
- User-resettable 4-digit code, 10,000 combinations
- Base plates and anchors sold separately
Pros
- Broadest claimed slot-format compatibility in this Targus comparison
- No interchangeable heads needed unlike Kensington's universal locks
Cons
- No confirmed review count for this specific listing yet
- Base plate and anchor sold separately, unlike the bundled T-Lock pick
Best for Permanent, Non-Resettable Combination4 of 5
Targus DEFCON T-Lock Serialized Combo Cable Lock, PA410S-1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Unlike the resettable T-Lock above, this ships with a permanent preset combination you cannot change, and Targus explicitly documents a secure environment to retrieve a lost combination code by serial number.
Best for
- Buyers wanting a serialized recovery path over a user-resettable combination.
Why we like it
This trades resettability for a documented recovery path if you forget the fixed code.
The real tradeoff against that pick: Cannot change the preset combination once received.
Key dimensions & specs
- Permanent, non-resettable preset combination
- Serial-number-based lost-code retrieval process
- Kensington T-bar slot, 6.5 ft cable
Pros
- Documented serial-number retrieval process if you forget the code
- Includes the same bundled base plate as the resettable T-Lock
Cons
- Cannot change the preset combination once received
Best Budget Trapezoid Slot Option5 of 5
Targus DEFCON Trapezoid Keyed Cable Lock, ASP65GLX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The lowest price of any Targus lock in this comparison, built for the trapezoid mini-slot standard on some newer 2-in-1s and tablets rather than the classic T-Bar slot.
Best for
- Budget buyers on a confirmed trapezoid mini-slot device, aware of the low rating.
Why we like it
Targus is direct about checking your hardware specification first, since this is not the same slot as the T-Lock picks above.
On the other side, Different slot standard than the other four picks here.
Key dimensions & specs
- Trapezoid mini-slot standard, not T-Bar
- 200cm vinyl-coated galvanized steel cable
- Key locking mechanism
Pros
- Lowest price of any Targus lock in this comparison
Cons
- Different slot standard than the other four picks here
How We Chose These Targus Laptop Locks
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Mapped Targus's current DEFCON lineup before ranking
- We separated keyed, resettable combination, permanently serialized, and universal-format products rather than treating the Targus brand as one interchangeable lock type.
- Checked which picks include a bundled base plate or anchor
- The T-Lock resettable and serialized picks include a PA400P base plate; the universal lock requires a separately purchased anchor. We surfaced that difference directly.
- Distinguished resettable from permanently serialized combination mechanisms
- These are different recovery workflows: one lets you change the code yourself, the other requires serial-number-based retrieval for a fixed code.
- Flagged the unconfirmed review count on the universal-format pick
- We noted explicitly where a listing had no confirmed rating data rather than presenting it as equivalent to the established T-Lock picks.
What to Look for in a Targus Laptop Lock
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Confirm your exact laptop's security slot type, since it varies by model and generation, not just brand
Laptop security slots come in a handful of different physical standards, most commonly the Kensington Standard T-Bar slot (the original, widest design), the smaller Kensington Nano slot found on select thin and light models, and the Noble Wedge slot used by some other manufacturers, and these are not interchangeable, a lock built for one slot type simply will not physically engage a different slot shape.
This is not a brand-wide constant either: a manufacturer's lineup commonly mixes slot types across different model lines and even across generations of the same model line as laptops get thinner over time, so a lock confirmed compatible with one specific model doesn't guarantee compatibility with a different model from the same brand.
Check your exact laptop's model number and generation against the lock manufacturer's own documented compatibility list, rather than trusting a generic "fits all laptops" or brand-name-only claim from a retailer listing.
Choose between combination, keyed, and keypad locking mechanisms based on your actual daily habits
A combination lock uses a resettable numeric dial, avoiding the risk of losing a physical key but requiring you to remember (or securely record) the code, a keyed lock uses a physical key that's simple and fast to use but can be lost or need duplicating for multiple users, and a keypad lock uses an electronic push-button code entry, often with additional features like code memory or tamper alerts, at a typically higher price than the other two mechanisms.
None of these is universally superior, the right choice depends on whether you're more likely to lose a small physical key or forget a numeric code, and whether multiple people need independent access (easier to manage with individually cut keys than a single shared combination).
Match the mechanism to your own habits and whether you've historically been better at keeping track of small keys or remembering codes, rather than defaulting to whichever type looks most secure in marketing photos.
Understand that a laptop lock is a deterrent, not a guarantee against a determined thief
Every cable-based laptop lock, regardless of price or brand reputation, can theoretically be defeated by a determined attacker with the right cutting tools and enough uninterrupted time, since the lock's actual security model relies on making theft slow, visible, and effortful enough to discourage casual or opportunistic theft rather than physically preventing a prepared attacker.
This matters because marketing language around "military-grade" or "unbreakable" cable locks can create a false sense of absolute security that leads to complacency, such as leaving an expensive laptop locked but unattended in a high-risk environment for extended periods.
Treat any laptop lock as one layer of a broader security approach (also including where and how long you leave a device unattended), not a standalone guarantee, and set expectations accordingly regardless of how confidently a specific product is marketed.
Check cable length and material against your actual anchor point and desk setup
A laptop lock's cable needs to physically reach from your laptop's security slot to a suitably solid anchor point, such as a desk leg or a permanently fixed structure, and cable length varies meaningfully between products, from roughly 4 feet up to 6 feet or more, a real practical constraint if your nearest solid anchor point is further from your typical laptop position than a shorter cable can reach.
Cable material and construction (braided steel versus a simpler coated cable) also affects cut resistance, a relevant factor if the lock will sit in a semi-public space like a shared office or a coffee shop rather than a private, supervised room.
Measure the actual distance from where your laptop typically sits to your nearest solid anchor point before ordering, and favor a reinforced or braided steel cable construction specifically for any semi-public use case.
Weigh review volume against star rating, especially for lesser-known brands versus established names like Kensington
Kensington effectively created and still dominates the laptop lock category, and its established products carry review counts in the hundreds or thousands built up over years, giving genuine statistical confidence, while newer or lesser-known brands selling similarly-specified locks at a lower price sometimes carry only a handful of reviews, a meaningfully thinner sample for judging real-world reliability of the locking mechanism itself over time.
This doesn't mean a lesser-known brand is automatically worse, security hardware doesn't require brand-name recognition to function correctly, but it does mean the claims on a thin-review listing carry less independently verified weight, particularly for a security product where mechanism failure has real consequences.
When comparing an established brand against a newer, less-reviewed alternative at a similar price, factor the review depth into your confidence level, not just the star rating or the price alone.
How to Choose a Targus Laptop Lock
Slot type isn't consistently confirmed across every pick in this comparison; check each listing's compatibility documentation directly against your exact laptop model.
| Targus DEFCON Trapezoid Keyed Cable Lock | |
| Targus DEFCON T-Lock Serialized Combo Cable Lock | |
| No firm budget ceiling, prioritizing documented compatibility | Targus DEFCON Ultimate Universal Resettable Combination Lock |
- A resettable dial avoids the risk of losing a physical key, at the cost of remembering or securely recording a code. In this comparison: Targus DEFCON T-Lock Resettable Combo Cable Lock, Targus DEFCON Ultimate Universal Resettable Combination Lock, Targus DEFCON T-Lock Serialized Combo Cable Lock.
- Simple and fast to use, but a lost key means real trouble unless a spare is kept safe. In this comparison: Targus DEFCON T-Lock Keyed Cable Lock, Targus DEFCON Trapezoid Keyed Cable Lock.
| Most explicit model-level compatibility documentation | Targus DEFCON T-Lock Resettable Combo Cable Lock |
|---|---|
| Targus DEFCON Trapezoid Keyed Cable Lock |
For a Specific Device Model Specifically
- The lock manufacturer's own documented compatibility list naming your exact model and generation, not just a retailer's generic "fits most laptops" claim.
- You want what Targus DEFCON Ultimate Universal Resettable Combination Lock offers: Broadest claimed slot-format compatibility in this Targus comparison. That's a real functional upgrade over the budget picks here, not just a brand markup.
- Targus DEFCON Trapezoid Keyed Cable Lock already covers the essentials: Lowest price of any Targus lock in this comparison. The main thing you'd be paying extra for elsewhere in this list is documentation depth or cable reinforcement you may not need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best overall Targus laptop lock?
Is there a keyed Targus option?
Yes, the Targus DEFCON T-Lock Keyed Cable Lock, sharing the same cable and slot compatibility as the resettable version but with a much thinner review history.
What's the difference between resettable and serialized Targus combination locks?
The resettable T-Lock lets you change the code yourself anytime. The serialized T-Lock ships with a permanent code but offers documented serial-number-based recovery if forgotten.
Is there a Targus lock for non-T-Bar slots?
The DEFCON Trapezoid Keyed Cable Lock fits the trapezoid mini-slot on some newer 2-in-1s and tablets, though it carries the lowest rating in this Targus comparison.
Are Targus locks as well-supported as Kensington locks?
Bottom Line
Best overall: Targus DEFCON T-Lock Resettable Combo Cable Lock, PA410U — best overall (resettable combination) pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all targus laptop locks on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.