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The best dog collars Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Best Dog Collars of 2024

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The best dog collars Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

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Editor's Choice Product image of Educator Quick Snap Biothane Collar
Best Overall

Educator Quick Snap Biothane Collar

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We love that this collar includes 35 holes for a true one-size-fits-all experience. Made of waterproof neoprene, the material is durable and won't mildew. Read More

Pros

  • Highly adjustable
  • Durable
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Limited designs
Editor's Choice Product image of Country Brook Petz Martingale Heavy-Duty Nylon Dog Collar
Best Martingale Collar

Country Brook Petz Martingale Heavy-Duty Nylon Dog Collar

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This martingale-style collar is sturdy and substantial with strong box stitching that helps reinforce the collar at its pressure point. Read More

Pros

  • Quality materials
  • Durable hardware
  • Offers extra control

Cons

  • Not for all dogs
  • For inside wear
Product image of Max & Neo Max Dog Collar

Max & Neo Max Dog Collar

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This collar includes a secure buckle and heavy-duty nylon making it not just a durable collar, but one that's comfortable, too. Read More

Pros

  • Padded for comfort
  • Durable hardware
  • Donates to dog rescue

Cons

  • Limited adjustability
Product image of Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar

Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar

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The leather and padding of this dog collar provide superior comfort. We also liked the secure and sturdy buckle which wasn't too heavy. Read More

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Attractive
  • Quality materials

Cons

  • Hand-wash only
Product image of Aolove Basic Classic Padded Leather Pet Collar

Aolove Basic Classic Padded Leather Pet Collar

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This stylish leather collar offers more comfort than a traditional nylon collar and includes a little bit of padding. Read More

Pros

  • Attractive
  • Comfortable
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Not as wide as other leather collars
  • Best Overall Educator Quick Snap Biothane Collar
  • Best Martingale Collar Country Brook Petz Martingale
  • Max & Neo Max Dog Collar
  • Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar
  • Aolove Basic Classic Padded Leather Pet Collar
  • If It Barks Original Stripe Martingale Collar
  • GoTags Personalized Engraved Reflective Dog Collar with Quick Release Buckle
  • Blueberry Pet Essentials Personalized Classic Solid Dog Collar
  • What to Know About Buying Dog Collars
  • How to Fit a Dog Collar
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

There’s no question, dog collars are one of the most necessary and indispensable tools in a dog owner’s arsenal. Before picking out a bed or a harness, a collar should be your first purchase for your furry friend.

Used for everything from embarking on safe and structured walks, to transmitting commands, to holding ID tags, and perhaps even making a fashion statement, there’s a lot being asked of a simple strip of fabric.

So we wanted to find the best dog collars—whether it's for large dogs or small dogs. We evaluated some of the most popular collars and after extensive research, discovered the Educator’s Biothane Collar (available at Amazon for $13.99) is the perfect collar and has everything we want. It’s flexible, comfortable, and easy to adjust for a perfect, personalized fit.But it’s not the only collar worthy of being your dog’s go-to accessory.

Educator Biothane Dog Collar
Credit: Reviewed / Sarah Zorn

With 35 holes for the perfect fit, the Educator Biothane dog collar is the best dog collar we tested.

Best Overall
Educator Quick Snap Biothane Collar

From tiny puppies to full-grown Great Danes, the Educator Biothane Collar is a true one-size-fits-all collar. That’s because it boasts a whopping 35 holes (more standard collars have five or six), and has a secure and durable metal buckle, which will keep your pup from pulling loose.

To accommodate differently proportioned necks, it comes in 3/4- or one-inch widths, and has a 29 1/2-inch strap (18- to 24-inches is more common). The great thing about the extra length is that it can be simply cut down to the desired length, without compromising the integrity whatsoever.

The Educator is crafted from practically impenetrable neoprene, a highly flexible material that won’t crack or fray. It’s also totally waterproof, so can withstand inclement weather and romps in the mud. It's also easy to clean so it won't mildew and take on that famous wet dog smell. It’s smooth (unlike nylon), so it also won’t scratch at the neck, comes in seven bright colors and is crafted in the U.S.

Pros

  • Highly adjustable

  • Durable

  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Limited designs

$13.99 from Amazon

$26.86 from Walmart
Country Brook Petz Martingale collar
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

f you're looking for a martingale collar to help train your pup, the Country Brook Petz is our favorite.

Best Martingale Collar
Country Brook Petz Martingale

To be perfectly clear—a martingale collar is designed specifically for training your dog and guards against escaping and pulling. It's not suitable for all pets, and must be fitted correctly and used appropriately in order to be effective and safe(see our “What to Know About Buying Dog Collars” below).

But if you’ve determined that a martingale is right for you and your dog, this American-made model made from heavy-duty nylon stands heads and shoulders above the others we tried.

As opposed to a skimpy tangle of scratchy straps, this one-inch wide nylon webbing is very smooth and extra thick with turned edges—a notable benefit for dogs with sensitive skin, as thin, unfinished edges stand more of a chance of cutting into or chafing the pup.

The nickel-plated steel hardware is sturdy and substantial, and box stitching helps reinforce the collar at its pressure points, for added strength. It comes in 20 colors and designs, making it as fashionable as it is functional.

Pros

  • Quality materials

  • Durable hardware

  • Offers extra control

Cons

  • Not for all dogs

  • For inside wear

Buy now at Amazon

$12.97 from Walmart
Product image of Max & Neo Max Dog Collar
Max & Neo Max Dog Collar

The top dog by far among the classic nylon collars we found, the Max and Neo is fitted with beautiful, heavy-duty gunmetal hardware, including a securely locking buckle instead of a cheap plastic clasp.

The one-inch wide nylon is forged into a double thick, four-millimeter layer, which not only improves durability, but greatly increases comfort; it won’t scratch, dig or chafe into the dog’s neck. The eyelets are also reinforced with metal (all in all, upping its chances of withstanding regular trips through the washing machine), and while traditional in design, a number of smart and thoughtful touches make this collar far from basic.

This collar has reflective stitching for night walks, and a hole in the buckle specifically for attaching tags.

We’re also sweet on Max and Neo as a company, since they donate collars to rescue organizations for each one they sell.

Pros

  • Padded for comfort

  • Durable hardware

  • Donates to dog rescue

Cons

  • Limited adjustability

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar
Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar

Our top pick amongst leather collars, Perri’s model is made in the U.S. by Amish craftsman, from soft and supple lambskin that’s lined with padding for superior comfort.

The stainless steel hardware includes a securely latching buckle, and is sturdy without being too bulky or heavy.

This leather padded collar is a bit more finicky to maintain, as it can only be hand washed. As with most leather collars, there’s a smaller range of colors to choose from (although the available two-toned options are very chic).

Pros

  • Comfortable

  • Attractive

  • Quality materials

Cons

  • Hand-wash only

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Aolove Basic Classic Padded Leather Pet Collar
Aolove Basic Classic Padded Leather Pet Collar

Leather collars can be stiff, at least on the outset, so we liked the flexibility of the Aolove. The trade-off is that it’s a bit thinner than the other leather models we tested, with less padding, although it’s still considerably more comfortable than your basic nylon collar.

The gold-plated hardware looks fashionable and feels durable, but a bit less so than the Perri’s, which is why it just got edged out. Still, this is a good budget pick if you’re looking for one made from leather.

Pros

  • Attractive

  • Comfortable

  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Not as wide as other leather collars

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of If It Barks Original Stripe Martingale Collar
If It Barks Original Stripe Martingale Collar

We like that this martingale is made in the U.S., and has reflective stitching. When sized and used appropriately, it can fit well—especially if you go for the custom option, which allows you to enter the exact size of your dog’s neck.

But even though it claims to be made to military specs for extra strength and durability, we found the nylon webbing to be way too thin and very scratchy, which is undoubtedly uncomfortable for a dog. This model is also considerably more expensive than our top martingale pick.

While this is a good pick for dogs that put their collars through heavy wear and tear, we wouldn’t describe it as a comfort collar and you could do better with others on our list.

Pros

  • Includes reflective stitching

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Thin, scratchy materials

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of GoTags Personalized Engraved Reflective Dog Collar with Quick Release Buckle
GoTags Personalized Engraved Reflective Dog Collar with Quick Release Buckle

If you want to go hog wild with customization, by adding your pet’s name and phone number, and choosing amongst colors, then this is for you.

But if you prioritize function over form, you’ll quickly identify the issues—the stiff, plastic hardware is difficult to adjust for a comfortable and secure fit. It also uses a clasp instead of a buckle, which is always a safety concern.

Pros

  • Highly customizable

Cons

  • Thin, scratchy materials

  • Plastic-clasp closure

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Blueberry Pet Essentials Personalized Classic Solid Dog Collar
Blueberry Pet Essentials Personalized Classic Solid Dog Collar

This is one of the least expensive options on our list, but we simply don’t think the price differential is enough to go with such a throwaway collar. Sure, it comes in tons of jazzy colors, but the nylon webbing is super thin with unfinished edges, making it very scratchy and prone to cutting into the neck.

Instead of a buckle, it has a flimsy plastic clasp that could easily unlatch. It’s also not built to stand up to too many passes in the washing machine, so this is the kind of collar that will invariably build up a stink before too long.

Pros

  • Available in lots of colors

Cons

  • Thin, scratchy materials

  • Plastic-clasp closure

Buy now at Amazon

What to Know About Buying Dog Collars

Fitting a martingale dog collar
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Among the different style collars, the martingale is a gentler form of a choke collar, which can help transmit commands and prevent escape.

There are several different types we evaluated for this guide:

Martingale: A gentler alternative to a choke chain collar (which we did not review), martingales are a good option for dogs that pull or tend to slip out of classic buckle or clasp collars. They consist of two loops: one that goes over the head and one that attaches to the leash. Tension on the leash causes the neck loop to constrict, which both transmits a command and prevents escape. Martingales can be dangerous if not fitted properly and used correctly, however, and are not appropriate for all dog breeds.

Nylon: The most classic material, these tend to be inexpensive, lightweight, and come in a wide range of color combinations and patterns. They are good for attaching tags and wearing around the house, but tend to be less durable and harder to clean.

Leather: Though often on the more expensive side, a leather dog collar can be attractive and comfortable. It's also long-lasting, as it's generally crafted with care and out of quality materials. However, esigns tend to be limited.

Neoprene: The material used in wet suits, neoprene is waterproof (so it dries quickly and is easy to wipe clean) and extremely durable. These may be a bit more expensive, and come in limited designs.

After settling on the style and material that are right for you, look for a collar that offers ample opportunity for adjustment —a number of holes, extra length —so you can arrive at a proper fit.

Certain materials like nylon can cause chafing, so padding is preferred. At the very least, the collar should be on the wider side, or composed of thicker materials (such as double ply nylon, as opposed to single) which can prevent it from digging in the skin.

Hardware is also important. We much prefer durable, metal buckles as opposed to flimsy plastic clasps, which can wear out over time or easily separate with a simple tug, allowing your dog to break free.

How to Fit a Dog Collar

To find the correct size, wrap a measuring tape around your pet’s neck between the ears and collarbone, then add two inches to the measurement. When fitting the collar, you should be able to snugly slip two fingers between your dog’s neck and the collar. Anything else indicates that it’s too tight or too loose.


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Meet the tester

Sarah Zorn

Sarah Zorn

Contributor

Sarah Zorn is a food writer, cookbook author, and product tester for Reviewed, Wirecutter and the Food Network. She regularly contributes to outlets such as Saveur, Esquire, and Civil Eats, and has very much passed her food obsessions down, as her beloved rescue hound, Rowdy, regularly deglazes his kibble bowl.

See all of Sarah Zorn's reviews

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