The Best Dog Collars of 2024

The Ruffwear Crag™ Reflective Dog Collar ($23) checks all the boxes for a reliable, everyday-use dog collar, with few drawbacks. Tested on a rambunctious adolescent pit bull mix, the Crag held up to rough play, long walks, lots of back-scratching in the grass, and more than a few unauthorized dips in the pond.

Ruffwear’s proprietary Tubelock® jacquard webbing prevents fraying and unraveling and ensures prints and designs, which are woven into the collar, not printed on, do not fade. After three months of hard use, this collar is still as vibrant and colorful as it was on day one.

For nighttime or low-light jaunts, reflective threads are woven into the webbing, not sewn onto the exterior of the collar. The integrated reflective material catches the light but is a subtle glimmer instead of a bright shine. The Crag is not for you if good reflective capabilities are on your must-have list.

The density of the weave makes the collar a little stiff, but it breaks in nicely. The aluminum leash connection point provides a strong, secure attachment point that not even the biggest puller can break. The Crag collar also has a second attachment point for ID tags, but it is made of plastic and sewn onto the collar, which makes it more fragile and likelier to break than the leash connection ring.

The Ruffwear Crag Reflective Dog Collar is ideal for daily walks and low-intensity hikes or for couch potatoes who only travel to the food bowl. As the best overall collar on our list, it meets the needs of all but the most specialized niche collars without breaking the bank.

It doesn’t get much better for those on a budget than the Wolfgang Man & Beast Overland Dog Collar ($18 – 20). Ideal for large breeds, this collar has been pull-tested to over 800 pounds. It has the strength and material durability to withstand even the most excitable pullers, and as a bonus, it’s gorgeous.

Our tester used this collar on her boxer and the larger of her two German Sheperd mixes. She found it up to the challenges posed by both dogs. The polyester webbing is strong and durable but still comfortable enough for everyday wear. It did not chafe or irritate either dog, most notably the boxer, who tends to be more sensitive.

The pattern is beautiful and has shown zero fading. The collar cleans up easily with soap and warm water, and the colors are still vibrant. Aside from the brand label, the collar has no seams or stitching and is the softest of all the woven collars we tested. The unique curved buckle fit both dogs’ necks comfortably, and despite there being no stitching or serging in its construction, there was zero evidence of fraying.

Our tester did notice that the collar loosened and slipped off over her boxer’s head, but only after being pulled on by her adolescent pit bull. The buckle plastic feels fragile, and there is some concern that it could break, but it has held firm so far.

This Wolfgang Man & Beast Overland Dog Collar is best for those on a budget. But honestly, with such high quality and cool design features, even those willing to spend a bundle on a collar will love it.

The Ruffwear Web Reaction Martingale Dog Collar with Buckle ($20) is the perfect collar for dogs needing training or those who tend to back out of their collars. Breeds whose necks are wider than their heads, like greyhounds and some brachycephalic breeds, can easily slip out of traditional non-cinch collars. However, conventional choke chains are uncomfortable and can harm dogs if not used appropriately. The Martingale-style collar solves this problem by integrating a cinch function with a comfortable webbing to reduce the risk of injury and provide the control you need.

A gentle tug on the collar provides correction for mild pulling and prevents dogs from backing out of their collar and running free. Like the Crag collar, the Ruffwear Martingale collar uses a jacquard weave for durability and long life without fading. Reflective threads are woven into the collar instead of sewn to the exterior and provide a subtle glint in low-light situations but are not as reflective as a high-visibility collar. Unlike other Martingale collars that slip on over the head, the Ruffwear Martingale uses a side buckle closure, eliminating the need to slide the collar over the dog’s head.

Our tester used this collar on her boxer, who has a history of slipping out of collars and making a break for freedom, and found that it lives up to its promise. The collar cinched down quickly and comfortably and kept her dog secure without choking or causing any discomfort.

Sizing the collar for her dog took a bit of time, but it was secure after a bit of tweaking. The collar was stiff upon first use, but after a few days of regular wear, it became malleable and comfortable. Though our tester did not experience this problem, some dog owners found that the cinch did not loosen on its own and had to be done manually.

The Ruffwear Web Reaction Martingale Dog Collar with Buckle is best for low-key leash training and other mild corrections, as well as sighthounds and brachycephalic breeds.

If your dog spends much time outside in the early morning or evening, the Orvis Personalized Reflective Collar will help you track him. And, if he goes on a solo adventure, the embroidered ID info will help you get them back. Made of heavy-duty nylon webbing coated in reflective material, this collar catches even the faintest light, making your dog visible in low-light conditions.

Our tester tried this collar with her German Sheperd mix, Ruby, and was able to keep track of her in the rural darkness across a dark field. The embroidery stands out well against the silver of the reflective material, making it easy for Good Samaritans to give you a ring if your pup takes off on their own.

The nylon webbing is sturdy, and the steel D-ring provides a secure leash attachment point, although this collar is not recommended for use in a tie-out. Consider doubling this collar with a more heavy-duty brand or a harness for large dogs that pull.

Though our tester did not have an issue, some reviewers said the reflective material wears off after several months of use. The plastic buckle felt flimsy but held up to all Ruby’s shenanigans. The collar is available in eight colors, but the embroidery is only available in black.

This Orvis Personalized Reflective Collar is best for nighttime walks and hikes, nighttime potty breaks, or hunters who run dogs in dark or low-light conditions (though we’d recommend a stronger collar or harness paired with this one for particularly rambunctious coon dogs).

If you’re looking for a comfy collar that transitions from the sofa to the lake and back again, the Herzog Silicone Collar ($42) is the one for you. Recycled silicone and ripstop mean it’s comfortable enough for daily use and won’t irritate your dog’s skin. It is also (mostly) waterproof and can withstand the rigors of multiple dunkings in a pool, lake, or river.

This collar is easy to clean and stain-resistant for those mud-loving pups and won’t fade or lose color, even after use in a chlorine pool. The solid aluminum D-ring provides a secure leash attachment point that won’t bend or break, and there is a separate attachment point for ID tags.

The ripstop fabric used in this collar is recycled. The entire thing is stain- and scratch-resistant and PVC-free.

Our tester tried out the Herzog Silicone Collar in Sage and was struck by its low-key design. It is simple and understated but looks great. The soft, malleable silicone makes for a mostly comfortable collar, though the ripstop and thread attaching the ripstop to the silicone are quite stiff at first.

Her boxer scratched at his neck fairly consistently, but her longer-haired German Sheperd mix was not bothered and barely seemed to notice she was wearing a collar. This collar is relatively expensive compared to other collars on our list, but the durability, ease of care, and relative comfort (on the right pup) make it our favorite for daily use.

Some reviewers noted that the ripstop can begin to smell after repeated sessions in the lake or pond, so the manufacturer recommends rinsing and spot cleaning after swimming and allowing the collar to dry completely before putting it back on.

This Herzog Silicone Collar is best suited for everyday wear, walks around town, and dogs with longer coats who won’t notice the rigidity of the ripstop and stitching.

If you can’t get your dog out of the pool or lake, the Wild One Waterproof Dog Collar ($38) is the collar you’ve been waiting for. It is the most waterproof collar we tested, made of strong nylon webbing and coated in flex-poly. There is no cloth, fabric, or ripstop in its construction, so there’s nothing to absorb water or hold dampness against your dog’s skin.

The poly-flex coating is velvety soft and easy to clean. It will not hold on to odors or stains, and the zinc alloy buckle and powder-coated steel D-ring are rust—and corrosion-resistant.

Our tester used this collar with her water-loving pit bull and it stood up to multiple plunges in the pond, a good bit of mud-rolling, and countless trips through a dew-covered hay field and still looked (and smelled) like it did fresh out of the box.

Instead of stitches, the collar is closed with metal rivets. Though they stayed secure during testing, there is some concern that they could pop with a large dog that pulls on the leash. One note of caution: measure your dog accurately before ordering. The sizes are not based on the same measurements as most other collars and the large size is much smaller than the large collars sold by other brands. Do not order a large one, assuming it will fit a lab or golden retriever, as it is more suitable for a medium-sized dog.

The Wild One Waterproof Dog Collar is best for water-loving dogs of all stripes, whether they’re hard-working retrievers, suburban pool swimmers, or active dogs who love nothing more than a dip in the river or lake.

Ideal for dogs who are always on the go or who have the tendency to do a runner, the GoTags Personalized Dog Collar ($19) will ensure they get home safely. Made of durable nylon webbing with ID info embroidered into the body of the collar, there’s no need to worry about tags falling off or corroding so that info isn’t visible.

Available in five colors and 15 thread options, owners can customize embroidery to include personal information up to 25 characters — perfect for your dog’s name and your phone number.

The materials are fade-resistant, and the collar is soft and comfy—there is no worry about chafing or irritation. Our tester had her phone number and dog’s name embroidered in turquoise on a black collar, and the combination is both aesthetically pleasing and highly visible against her dog’s black coat.

When sized appropriately, the adjustment slider covers a few characters of the information, which could mean the dog needs to be touched to see it in an emergency. Our tester also had concerns about the buckle’s durability and recommends pairing this ID collar with a second, more durable collar for dogs that pull.

The GoTags Personalized Dog Collar is best for traveling or dogs that escape from home, but anyone can benefit from a personalized ID collar in the event of an emergency.