Coin Return vs. Coin Retain Guide

Compare coin return and coin retain locks to find the best fit for your lockers.

Coin Return Locks

Coin return locks work on a simple deposit system. The user inserts a coin or token to lock the door, then gets it back once they reopen the locker. It encourages users to return their key and empty the locker after use, reducing abandoned or locked-out compartments. These are ideal for gyms, leisure centres, and staff changing rooms where free, short-term use is needed.

Coin Retain Locks

Coin retain locks operate almost the same way — except the coin isn’t returned. Instead, it’s collected inside a coin box, allowing facilities to generate revenue from every use. They’re a popular choice in public swimming pools, theme parks, or leisure venues where lockers are hired out for short periods and the coin acts as a small usage fee. These funds can offset maintenance costs or other facility expenses.

Feature Coin Return Coin Retain
User Incentive to Return Key/Clear Locker

✅ High incentive. Users want their coin back, so they’re more likely to return the key and leave the locker empty — ideal for gyms, schools, and shared facilities.

❌ Lower incentive. Since the coin is kept by the facility, users have less reason to return the key quickly.
Revenue Generation

❌ Low revenue. No income from locker use, as users get their coin back.

✅ High revenue potential. The facility retains coins, creating a small but consistent income stream — perfect for leisure centres or public venues.
User Experience & Fairness

✅ Seen as fair and user-friendly. Customers appreciate that they get their deposit back.

❌ Can be viewed as a fee to use the locker, which may discourage repeat users in some settings.
Best Suited Environments

✅ Ideal for high-turnover environments like gyms, fitness clubs, and schools where lockers are reused frequently.

✅ Suitable for paid or public use areas such as water parks, tourist attractions, or transport hubs where lockers are used less frequently.
Management & Maintenance

✅ Lower admin effort. No need to empty coin boxes or handle collected coins.

❌ More management required. Coins must be collected and counted regularly; additional maintenance may be needed.
Use in Wet or Humid Areas

💧 Available in wet-area versions (e.g. for swimming pools or spas). Ensure locks are corrosion-resistant and suitable for humid conditions.

💧 Same applies — select a wet-area version if the lockers are near pools, showers, or changing areas.

Which Locker Type Suits Gyms, Leisure Centres & Public Changing Areas Best?

For gyms and leisure centres, coin return locker locks are the preferred choice. These environments have high user turnover and require lockers to be freed up quickly. Because users get their coin back, they’re encouraged to remove their belongings and return keys promptly. This keeps lockers available, reduces staff intervention, and improves overall customer satisfaction. Coin return locks are ideal for facilities that prioritise convenience, fast access, and a positive user experience.

For public changing areas, swimming pools, and tourist venues, coin retain locker locks can be more effective. These systems keep the coin after each use, creating a small but consistent revenue stream for the facility. They’re suitable where visitors expect to pay a small fee or where the aim is to offset maintenance and key replacement costs.

If your facility includes wet areas, make sure to choose wet-area rated coin locks to prevent corrosion and ensure long-term reliability. In short — choose coin return for member-focused gyms that value smooth turnover, and coin retain for public spaces or leisure venues where generating income from locker use makes sense.

Our Recommendations

For most gyms and leisure centres, coin return locks are the best choice. They’re user-friendly, encourage members to return keys promptly, and help keep lockers free for the next person. Because users get their coin back, it feels fair and convenient — ideal for busy facilities focused on smooth operation and customer satisfaction.

If your goal is to generate income or control locker use more strictly, coin retain locks are worth considering. They collect the coin as a small usage fee, which can help offset maintenance costs or support running expenses — perfect for public pools, tourist spots, or venues offering short-term locker hire.

Overall, for a typical UK gym or leisure centre, coin return wins for its simplicity, user satisfaction, and ease of management.