The best dog collars allow you to control and restrain, command and correct, and keep your pup safe and sound and near at hand. Our testers, Meghan LaHatte, Kristi Pahr, Chris Kassar, and a pack of over six dogs, put a variety of collars through the ringer to determine which stand out from the rest.
Whether you’re looking for a solid and adventure-ready collar like the Ruffwear Crag Reflective Dog Collar or a wallet-friendly option like the Wolfgang Man & Beast Overland Dog Collar, we’ve evaluated a wide variety of pooch accessories.
Scroll through our recommendations below and take a quick peek at our comparison chart to see which of our top collars checks your boxes. Also, comb through our buyer’s guide and price & value section so you’ll know how to choose the best collar for your pup.
Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on October 11, 2024, by adding new sections to our buyer’s guide along with 4 new products, including our most durable pick, the Atlas Lifetime Lite Collar, and our favorite waterproof dog collar, the Fable Signature Collar.
The Best Dog Collars of 2025
- Best Overall Dog Collar: Ruffwear Crag Reflective Collar
- Best Budget Dog Collar: Wolfgang Man & Beast Overland Dog Collar
- Most Durable Dog Collar: Atlas Lifetime Lite Collar
- Best Dog Collar for Training: Ruffwear Web Reaction Martingale Dog Collar with Buckle
- Best Dog Collar for Visibility: Orvis Personalized Reflective Collar
- Best Waterproof Dog Collar: Fable Signature Collar
- Materials: Polyester jacquard webbing
- Sizes: 11-26 in.
- Best For: Daily walks, everyday use
Pros
- Molded aluminum leash connection point
- Separate ID tag attachment point
- Durable weave, won't fray or snap
- Reflective thread woven into collar
Cons
- Fragile ID tag attachment point
- Stiff until broken in
- Materials: Polyester, steel
- Sizes: S-L
- Best For: Large dogs, pullers
Pros
- Pull tested to 800 lbs.
- Covered by a three-year warranty
- Welded seam on D-ring
- Curved buckle
Cons
- Buckle plastic could be higher quality
- Can loosen after pulling
- Materials: 1" nylon webbing, rust-free aluminum hardware, magnetic buckle
- Sizes: S-L
- Best For: Outdoor use and accessibility needs
Pros
- Magnetic buckle can be taken off with one hand
- Durable material and design
- Soft fabric requires no break-in time
Cons
- Lacks brighter colors for high visibility use
- Pricey
- Materials: Polyester jacquard webbing
- Sizes: 11-26 in.
- Best For: Training, dogs who back out of their collars
Pros
- Cinches tight without choking
- Molded aluminum leash connection point
- Separate ID tag attachment point
- Durable weave, won't fray or snap
- Reflective thread woven into collar
Cons
- Fit may be challenging on dogs with large necks
- May not loosen without help
- Stiff until broken in
- Materials: Nylon webbing, steel
- Sizes: S-L
- Best For: Nighttime walks, hunting, low-light conditions
Pros
- Highly reflective
- Embroidered ID info
- Multiple color options
Cons
- Reflective material may wear away
- Embroidery is only available in black
- Materials: Coated webbing, Matte black aluminum hardware
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Best For: Swimmers
Pros
- Waterproof material is easy to maintain
- Wide hardware can accommodate larger leash clips
- Simple adjustment system
Cons
- Lacks high visibility colors or elements
- Expensive
- Runs a little small
- Materials: Woven nylon, steel D-ring, YKK plastic buckle
- Sizes: XXS-XXL
- Best For: Multiple dogs that need unique designs, non-pullers, growing pups
Pros
- Several unique color and pattern options
- Machine washable
- Optional custom embroidery
Cons
- Materials are less robust than others
- Not waterproof or water resistant
- Materials: 100% polyester Tubelok webbing, anodized 6061-T6 aluminum V-ring, ITW Nexus Mach 1 Side-Release (bluesign approved)
- Sizes: 11-26 in.
- Best For: Hiking and other outdoor adventures
Pros
- Affordable
- Separate tag attacher leaves the D-ring free
- Ample colorways and size options
Cons
- Material is thinner than other collars
- Lacks water resistance
- Materials: Silicone, recycled ripstop, aluminum
- Sizes: S-L
- Best For: Dogs who spend time in water, have sensitive skin, or just love getting dirty
Pros
- Comfortable
- Water- and stink-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Eco-friendly
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited color palette available
- Stiff ripstop and threads
- Materials: Poly-flex coated nylon webbing, zinc alloy, carbon steel
- Sizes: S-L
- Best For: Water dogs
Pros
- Waterproof
- Rust resistant hardware
- Easy to clean
- 19 color and pattern options
Cons
- Rivet attachment is questionably secure
- Sizes are smaller than other brands, so measure carefully
- Materials: Nylon webbing, stainless steel
- Sizes: XS-L
- Best For: Travel, escape artists
Pros
- Identification that won't fall off or get lost
- Highly customizable
- Comfortable
- Fade-resistant
Cons
- Buckle can obscure some ID info
- Not recommended for pullers
Dog Collar Comparison Chart
Dog Collar | Price | Best For | Materials |
---|---|---|---|
Ruffwear Crag Reflective Dog Collar | $30 | Daily walks, everyday use | Polyester jacquard webbing |
Wolfgang Man & Beast Overland Dog Collar | $18-20 | Large dogs, pullers | Polyester, steel |
Atlas Lifetime Lite Collar | $50 | Outdoor use and accessibility needs | 1″ nylon webbing, rust-free aluminum hardware, magnetic buckle |
Ruffwear Web Reaction Martingale Dog Collar With Buckle | $20 | Training, dogs who back out of their collars | Polyester jacquard webbing |
Orvis Personalized Reflective Collar | $40 | Nighttime walks, hunting, low-light conditions | Nylon webbing, steel |
Fable Signature Collar | $45 | Swimmers | Coated webbing, Matte black aluminum hardware |
Lupine Original Designs Collar | $15 | Multiple dogs that need unique designs, non-pullers, growing pups | Woven nylon, steel D-ring, YKK plastic buckle |
Ruffwear Front Range Dog Collar | $15 | Hiking and other outdoor adventures | 100% polyester Tubelok webbing, anodized 6061-T6 aluminum V-ring, ITW Nexus Mach 1 Side-Release (bluesign approved) |
Herzog Silicone Collar | $42 | Dogs who spend time in water, have sensitive skin, or just love getting dirty | Silicone, recycled ripstop, aluminum |
Wild One Waterproof Dog Collar | $38 | Poly-flex coated nylon webbing, zinc allow, carbon steel | Water dogs |
GoTags Personalized Dog Collar | $19 | Travel, escape artists | Nylon webbing, stainless steel |

How We Tested Dog Collars
Our Expert Testers
Our Testing Grounds & Process

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Collar

Measure for the Right Fit

How Will You Use It?

Materials

Hardware


Security

Visibility
Accessibility

Price & Value
Budget
Mid-Tier

Premium

Frequently Asked Questions
While it may be tempting to treat pulling with a training collar, the only real remedy is good training. Martingale collars can be used to give slight corrections. But, they aren’t necessarily a deterrent, and collars that are deterrents — choke, shock, and prong collars — can be harmful and cause damage to your dog’s throat or neck if not used with the utmost care and diligence.
A dog that proves difficult to leash train on a collar could benefit from a no-pull chest or head harness instead.
Most dog collars can be cleaned with warm, soapy water and a gentle scrub for stains. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before chucking your collar in the washing machine, though — many advise against it and recommend hand washing instead.
For folks wanting a rare machine washable collar, try out the Lupine Pet Original Designs Dog Collar. We recommend using a tiny amount of detergent and washing this one on the gentle cycle in cold water so the intricate design doesn’t fade.
Collars should be snug around the neck but not tight. To check fit, slide two fingers perpendicularly into the space between the collar and your dog’s neck. If they don’t fit, loosen the collar. If they fit but there’s a gap, tighten it up a little until it’s snug. For dogs with fluffy coats or dense undercoats, tighten the collar based on the neck circumference and not just around the coat.

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