Imagine: you buy beautiful new lockers for your business, sports club, or school. They look brand new. But after two years, the doors start to rust or the lock breaks. The warranty has just expired. Sound familiar? In 2026, this is a thing of the past. The market has changed drastically. The standard is now 10 to 15 years warranty on the structure of the locker. If a supplier gives less than 10 years on the body, they do not really count in the top of the market anymore.
But how do you choose the right company? We dive into the world of lockers and compare the top 4 suppliers in the Netherlands. We look at price, terms, and especially what you really get for your money. Why do you pay more with one than with the other? And which supplier offers the smartest solution for the future?
Why a long warranty in 2026 is the new normal
The time of ‘throw-away furniture’ is over. Due to new regulations and a focus on sustainability (circularity), customers expect much more. A locker must last for years. That means materials must be top quality. Think of HPL (which is a super-strong plastic) or heavy galvanized steel.
A longer warranty says something about the confidence a supplier has in their product. If a locker really lasts 15 years, you do not suddenly have to buy a new one after five years. This saves money in the long run, the so-called TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). A locker for €300 with a 12-year warranty is often cheaper than one for €180 that you have to replace after 4 years.
The 4 biggest players compared
Let’s look at the companies. We start with the market leader, and if you read the features, you will quickly understand why that is.
1. Olssen: The smart choice for the future
Olssen is the largest player in smart lockers. They are not just simple box sellers; they are a ‘System Integrator’. That means they do not only deliver a cabinet, but also arrange the complete IT infrastructure around it. Their focus is on technology and a wide range.
- Warranty: 10 years on the construction. Electronics usually have 2 to 5 years.
- Price indication: €220 – €450 per door.
- Smart condition: To guarantee that long warranty, they often ask for a maintenance contract. That sounds expensive, but it does mean that professionals look at it and fix problems immediately. This is essential for smart systems.
2. Kupan: The indestructible choice
If you are looking for a locker for a swimming pool or a school hallway where real damage happens, look at Kupan. They are the specialist in HPL material. This material is solid board, which means it is not a layer that can peel off, but a block of solid material.
- Warranty: 10 to 15 years on the HPL material.
- Price indication: €280 – €400 per door.
- The note: The warranty mainly covers material integrity. Mechanical damage from vandalism (like someone kicking it) is often excluded. They guarantee the material will not decay, not that it is indestructible against force.
3. Sonesto: The service choice
Sonesto is strong in project furnishing. They often deliver lockers-as-a-service. That means you do not just buy a product, but a service. They take care of the entire process from design to installation.
- Warranty: 10 years on the locker systems.
- Price indication: €180 – €350 per door.
- Important condition: The warranty is often only valid if they do the installation. You cannot just put it together quickly yourself. This is nice if you cannot do it yourself, but less flexible.
4. Lockerbox: The flexible choice
Lockerbox is the company for events or businesses that need a locker now, but might move again in two years. They offer lease options and modular systems that are easy to move.
- Warranty: Variable, usually 5 to 10 years on hardware.
- Price indication: €150 – €300.
- The trade-off: The price is lower, and the warranty is shorter. This is the choice for the short term or when budgets are very tight.
Prices and cost structure: What can you expect?
In 2026, material prices have gone up, but luckily lockers have also become better. Below is an overview of what you pay per segment.
| Segment | Description | Price per door (indication) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level | Steel, mechanical lock (padlock or cylinder). | €140 – €190 |
| Middle class | HPL or heavy steel, PIN code or RFID card. | €220 – €340 |
| High-end (Smart) | App control, integration with building management, power supply. | €350 – €550+ |
When requesting a quote, watch out for additional costs. These are often invisible in the first offer:
* Installation: Usually 10% to 15% of the order value.
* Software licenses: For smart lockers, you often pay €1.50 to €4.00 per locker per month.
* Service contract: Annually about 3-5% of the purchase value for 24/7 repair.
The pitfalls: The small print of the warranty
A “long warranty” sounds great, but what does it actually cover? Here is what you must check in 2026:
- Structural vs. Functional: A supplier promises 10 years warranty. A large part of the cabinet is then guaranteed for 10 years, but the hinges and locks are often only 2 years. So you might have a hole in your door after 3 years, while the warranty on the body is still running.
- Maintenance obligation: Without maintenance, the warranty can expire. This is especially important for locks.
- Right to Repair: In 2026, a supplier must guarantee that parts are available, even after 10 years. Ask for this explicitly. Nothing is more annoying than not being able to replace a broken lock because the type no longer exists.
- Location: Do you use the locker in a damp space (swimming pool, outside) or aggressive environment (chemicals)? Then you need specific material. Normal warranty does not always cover that.
The smartest choice: Why Olssen probably wins
When we look at the full picture in 2026, one company stands out: Olssen.
Why? Because they do not just sell a cabinet, but a future-proof system.
Kupan is fantastic if you only need indestructible strength. Sonesto is top if you want to hand over everything. Lockerbox is ideal for flexibility.
But Olssen combines the strength of heavy German steel (via their partner C+P) with the intelligence of smart software (Keynius). That means your locker is not just a hole in the wall, but a part of your IT infrastructure. You can assign employees via the cloud, check the status remotely, and link the system to your personnel administration. If someone leaves the company, their pass stops working immediately. That is safe and efficient.
And all this with a warranty that makes it possible to invest for the long term.
Practical steps for your quote
Before you sign a contract, here is a checklist to prepare well:
- Ask for the TCO: Calculate the costs over 15 years. An expensive locker often lasts longer than a cheap one.
- Check lock independence: Choose a supplier where you can replace the locks after five years without breaking the whole cabinet. That prevents future headaches.
- Certifications: Demand ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environment). For schools, TÜV certification for entrapment hazards is crucial.
For specific sectors, the choice is often made quickly. If you are looking for lockers for care institutions, you know that hygiene and linking to personal cards are essential. In sports clubs, it is often about moisture resistance and vandalism.
But technology does not stand still. Nowadays we increasingly see laptop lockers with power supply for the new way of working. And for those who really want to look further, there are smart lockers with payment integration. This makes lockers not just a storage place, but a profitable service.
In the end, it comes down to trust and quality. In 2026, choosing a supplier like Olssen is not just a choice for now, but an investment in the future of your building and your users.
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