10 Best Dog Collars in 2024, Tested and Reviewed

By: Stephanie BrownUpdated:

best dog collars - 3 collars
Sara Paul

The humble dog collar. You might think it’s just a basic accessory, but dog collars serve many important purposes.

Your dog’s collar holds your dog’s ID tag, which can help get them home should they run away. You can use it to attach your dog's leash, providing a safe way to take them on their daily walks. It can even help your dog be seen better at night. Of course, it’s also a fashion statement—a way to express your and your dog’s unique personalities.

Picking the best dog collar for your individual pooch can make all the difference in your daily lives. To help you choose the best dog collar, we spoke to certified dog trainer Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, and then assembled a group of trainers and editors to carefully review 21 of Chewy’s best-selling and best-rated dog collars, putting them to the test in real-world conditions with 10 dogs.

During testing, collars were rated on the following criteria: fit, functionality, durability, ease of use, and attractiveness.

What To Look for in a Dog Collar

Fit

You don’t want a collar to be so big that your dog can slip out of it, but you don’t want it to be too tight either. To ensure the best fit, measure the circumference of your dog’s neck and then compare that measurement to the size guide provided by the collar manufacturer.

Be sure to take into account the ranges of sizes if the collar is adjustable, and follow any special instructions from the manufacturer (for example, some may suggest you add 1–2 inches to your dog’s neck size to ensure a comfortable fit).

When you put the collar on, make sure you can fit two finger widths between the collar and your dog’s neck.

Functionality

Dog collars are designed for different functions. Think how you will be using it, and choose accordingly. For example, will it be used to attach your dog’s leash, just for the ID, or both? If both, you may want two D-rings. Are there any special uses you may need to consider? For example, if you’re an earlier riser who takes pre-dawn walks, you may need a collar that lights up for better visibility in the dark.

dog tester willow paddleboarding while wearing the Red Dingo dog collar

Dog tester Willow goes paddleboarding with her family while wearing the Red Dingo dog collar. Photo courtesy of Maria Christina Schultz.

Durability

Odds are your dog will be wearing their collar every day all day, or most hours of the day. It needs to stand up to daily activity, the elements, and possibly chewing. A collar’s durability will depend on the quality of materials and its construction, both in the band itself and the hardware.

Generally speaking, leather is often favored for its durability, though synthetic materials like nylon and BioThane® are also known to be hard-wearing.

Metal hardware may be less prone to breakage than plastic hardware.

Ease of Use

At a most basic level, you should be able to easily put on and remove the collar. Collars come equipped with different types of hardware for attaching them, from traditional buckles to side-release clips. Make sure the one you pick works for you.

Also, as noted above, collars serve a variety of purposes, like holding ID tags, preventing dogs from pulling, and lighting up. Read product descriptions and make sure you are aware of how to use the collar properly. Look for features that can help make life easier, such as extra rings to hold both leash and ID tags, an extra handle for control, or light-up collars that come fully charged.

Attractiveness

Because collars come in many different materials and patterns, it’s a great opportunity to show off your and your pet’s personality. Don’t just ask yourself if you like how it looks, consider how it feels, as well, since you may need to grab it from time to time in an emergency.

How We Tested

We started with 21 of Chewy’s best-selling dog collars that came highly rated by Chewy customers—the ones dog parents like you love the most. Each one was tested for at least one week. During the trial period, the dogs and their pet parents went about their normal daily activities. The pet parents then rated the collar on the above attributes. They also took notes on their experience and filled out a questionnaire.

Testers included:

  • Paul Bujold, CPDT-KA: Bujold is a professional dog trainer with The Sophisticated Dog and is based in Ventura, California. He tested collars with his dog Gemma, a 3-year-old, smooth-coated Collie.
Gemma wearing the best martingale collar from Frisco.

Gemma testing the Frisco martingale collar. Photo courtesy of Paul Bujold.

  • Vic Gasser, CPDT-KSA: Gasser is a professional dog trainer with The Sophisticated Dog and is based in the San Fernando Valley, California. She tested collars wither her dog, Dougal a 7-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix.
Dog tester Dougal patiently poses while wearing the Halti headcollar.

Dougal patiently poses while wearing the Halti headcollar. Photo courtesy of Vic Gasser.

  • Maria Christina Schultz: Schultz is a Virginia-based professional dog trainer and certified stand-up paddleboard instructor who teaches pet parents how to SUP with their pups. She tested collars with her water-loving Australian Shepherds, Willow, 4, and Bodie, 5.
Dog tester Willow wears Red Dingo waterproof dog collar.

The Red Dingo Vivid PVC dg collar, seen here on Willow, was found to be both waterproof and stink-proof. Photo courtesy of Maria Christina Schultz.

  • Ciara LaVelle: LaVelle is a Chewy editor who has been covering pet care and lifestyle topics for five years. She tested collars with Zeno, a ChihuahuaMiniature Pinscher mix who, at 14 years old, is a sweet and spunky senior.
best small dog collar - Frisco Patterned Nylon Dog Collar

The Frisco Patterned Nylon Dog Collar fit dog tester Zeno true-to-size. Photo courtesy of Ciara LaVelle.

  • Kristine Cannon: Cannon is a Chewy editor who has covered pet hard goods and fashion trends for two years. She tested collars with Odesza, aka Dez, 3-year-old “super mutt.”
Dog tester Odesza wearing the Blueberry Pet collar, which one best dog collar overall.

The Blueberry Pet dog collar, seen here on Odesza, was selected as the best dog collar overall thanks to it fit, design, and style. Photo courtesy of Kristine Cannon.

  • Bre South: South is a Chewy editor who has written and edited pet health articles and shopping guides for three years. She tested collars with her dogs Ezra, a 13-year-old Labrador Retriever mix, and Stella is a 3.5-year-old Great Pyrenees mixed with several shepherd breeds.
Stella wearing the best light-up dog collar from Nite Ize.

Stella waits to go out for an evening walk while wearing the Nite Ize LED dog collar, which won best light-up collar. Photo courtesy of Bre South.

  • Melissa Kauffman: Kauffman is a longtime editor with more than 25 years’ experience in the pet industry. She regularly attends pet product trade shows and has tested hundreds of pet products throughout her career. She tested collars with Murphy Brown, 8-year-old Chihuahua-Miniature Pinscher mix, and Liberty Belle, a 3-year-old Cirneco dell’etna.
Dog tester Murphy Brown in the best budget collar from WAUDOG.

Dog tester Murphy Brown smiles while sporting the the best budget collar from WAUDOG. Photo courtesy of Melissa Kauffman.

Buying Guide: Understanding the Different Dog Collar Types

Standard Collars

Standard collars can be flat or rolled, like a rope, and attach via some type of buckle, including a traditional buckle like you see on belts, side-release clips, or quick-release buckles. They usually have one or two D-rings where you can attach your dog’s ID and collar.

Variety is the key word for these collars—they come in a variety of materials, including nylon, cotton, and leather (more on leather collars below), plus various colors and patterns.

Rolled collars are usually recommended for dogs with long hair, like Afghan Hounds and Shih Tzu, and more specifically, long-haired show dogs, because the rolled collars tend to be gentler on the coat, dog trainer Bloom says.

That said, you want to select whichever one—flat collar or rolled—your dog is most comfortable wearing.

The same goes for the collar’s material. Some dogs’ skin may be easily irritated by different materials, Bloom says, so you want to pick one that is comfortable for your dog.

“I’d say for 99% of dogs, it won’t make a difference, but there is that small number of dogs where it really does help for them to have a specific type of material, because their skin is really easily irritated,” Bloom says.

If you opt for a side-release clip instead of a traditional buckle, Bloom says to test it to make sure it fully and securely closes, and that you can easily snap and unsnap the clip to take the collar on and off. This is especially important for older people or pet parents with arthritis.

Leather Collars

A type of standard collar, leather collars come in both flat and rolled versions, and a variety of closures, though you’ll typically see traditional buckles. They tend to be durable and last a long time, potentially decades, Bloom says.

However, they may require periodic conditioning, don’t tend to come in as many colors or patterns as collars made of nylon or cotton, and, when wet, need to be removed and dried.

Bloom says she is a big fan of leather collars and typically uses them for her own dogs.

“A good quality leather collar will last forever,” she says. “They look great, and most dogs will find them comfortable.”

Waterproof Collars

Like the collars above, waterproof collars have a variety of closures, ranging from traditional buckles to quick-release. The main difference is they’re made from a waterproof material, like PVC or BioThane, which makes for quick drying, easy cleaning, and less odor.

These collars are best for dogs who like to swim, live in wet climates, and like a good romp in the Great Outdoors.

Light-Up Collars

Simply put, these are collars that light up so the dog can be seen when it’s dark outside. They look a lot like regular collars but are typically equipped with LED lights powered by rechargeable batteries.

Bloom likes these collars for the obvious safety reasons. They allow you and your dog to be seen by motorists while out for walks in the dark, whether early morning or at night. They also allow you to see your dog in the backyard when it’s dark out. And should your dog ever get away from you, the illumination may make it easier to see where they’ve run off to.

Martingale Collars

Martingale collars have a loop in the middle that’s attached to a ring on either side. This loop can tighten when the dog pulls on the leash.

The proper use of a martingale collar is to prevent the dog from slipping out of the collar. “That’s the only proper use of it,” Bloom says.

These are especially handy for certain breeds whose head is roughly the same size as their neck, like Greyhounds (whose heads are as slim as or slimmer than their necks) and bully breeds (whose necks are quite large, nearly the same size as their head.)

That said, Bloom says it could be worth trying on any breed who habitually slips their collar.

To make sure you get the correct size, Bloom says there should still be room for the dog to breathe when you pull the loop to its tightest point, i.e., the rings on either side are touching.

“Maybe not quite two fingers because that may allow the martingale to slip over the head,” but you don’t want it to choke the dog, she says.

“It’s like this delicate balance,” Bloom explains. “You want the martingale not to choke them when fully tightened, but you also don’t want it so loose when it’s extended that it falls off their head when they put their head forward.”

Headcollars

Headcollars have two loops: one that goes around the back of the head, behind the ears, and one that goes around the dog’s snout, or muzzle—similar to a horse halter.

They’re designed to help give pet parents more control over dogs who pull on the leash by gently steering the dog in the right direction. Bloom tends to recommend these to pet parents who are smaller than or close in size to their dog, because they may be at risk of being pulled and/or falling if their dog takes off running.

Training is a must as the dog needs to get acclimated to having a collar on their face.

Also, pet parents need to be careful not to jerk the leash, because Bloom says that will cause the dog’s head to whip around, which could potentially injure the dog.

She recommends following the manufacturer’s instructions and watching their instructional videos.

“If the dog starts to move away from you, you just hold the leash steady and the head collar will do the work,” she explains. “You do not need to do the work with your arms. That’s where you run the risk of injuring the dog.”

Since a head collar should only be worn when out on walks, Bloom still recommends putting a regular collar on the dog so you can attach the ID.

A dog harness may be a good alternative to head collars for some dogs who are strong pullers. “If I have dog who is pulling really hard, I don’t look for a collar solution, I look for a body harness,” Blooms says.

Her favorite is the Freedom no-pull harness, which has a front ring to attach the leash to during training and back ring that can be used once the dog has learned not to pull and walks normally.