8 Best Dog Collars Tested in Real-World Conditions

Dog collars serve many purposes to keep pets safe and trackable. Depending on the situation, you might need a collar with special features, like a glow in the dark design for nighttime walks, one compatible with a hands-free leash, or a personalized collar indicating your dog’s need for space.

“I use different collars for different activities to prepare my dogs for what’s coming,” says Melissa “MJ” Viera, CPDT-KA, founder of MJ’s Pet Training Academy. “For walks or runs, I prefer a GPS tracker collar, but for training, I use a simple flat collar.”

We also consulted dog fosters and rescue workers about their collar preferences. Based on expert advice, we tested 34 top rated dog collars in real world conditions. Our top pick, the Lupine Original Designs Dog Collar, offers a perfect fit and durability, backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Best Overall

Lupine Original Designs Dog Collar

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Available in a variety of sizes, widths, colors, and patterns A lifetime guarantee from Lupine covers chewing Adjustable to fit a lot of dogs	Matching leash sold separately

The Lupine Original Designs Dog Collar is durable, soft, and comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. Made from woven nylon, it’s flexible enough to avoid rubbing or chafing your dog’s neck. The collar is nearly indestructible, featuring a quick release YKK buckle and a rust proof steel D ring for ID tags and leash attachment. Our tester found it simple, affordable, and reliable, saying it was “totally worth the price” and didn’t fall apart.

With over 80 colors and patterns to choose from including reflective, holiday designs, solid colors, and exclusive “MicroBatch” editions our tester loved the variety and planned to buy more for variety.

The collar is highly customizable, available in three widths and nine adjustable sizes to fit dogs of all sizes. Lupine also offers matching leashes and harnesses. All Lupine products are backed by a lifetime guarantee, even if your pup chews through it.

Sizes: Nine sizes, fits neck from 6-31 inches︱Colors: Dozens of patterns, eight solid colors︱Materials: Nylon

Best for Puppies

Max and Neo The NEO Dog Collar

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Sturdy, yet flexible Many colors and sizes Reflective, locking Separate ID tag loop	Matching leash sold separately

The NEO Dog Collar is a durable yet flexible collar designed for puppies and adult dogs alike. Made from soft nylon webbing, it’s available in four sizes to fit necks from 8.5 to 25 inches, with the extra small size offering a half-inch width and thinner nylon for added flexibility.

This collar includes several unique features. Along with a metal D-ring for a leash, it has an additional “easy loop” for ID tags, and a sliding tab “lock” on the clasp to prevent accidental unbuckling (not included on the extra small size). Our tester, using it on Cali, an 18-pound Mini-Goldendoodle, found the buckle easy to use and loved the sliding tab lock as a thoughtful added feature.

The collar comes in widths ranging from 1/2 to 1 inch, depending on size, and all models feature reflective stitching for better visibility at night. There is also a martingale version, which tightens the collar when your dog pulls on the leash.

With seven color options, the NEO Dog Collar is not only practical but also supports a good cause—Max and Neo donates an additional product to an animal rescue with every purchase.

Sizes: Extra small (8.5-11 inches), small (11-15 inches), medium (14.5-19.5 inches), large (17- 25 inches)︱Colors: Black, blue, red, pink, orange, teal, and purple︱Materials: Nylon

Best for Small Dogs

Blueberry Pet Spring Scent Floral Dog Collar

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
So many designs and colors Lightweight Matching leashes and harnesses available Robust personalizing options	Major retailers have trouble keeping some sizes in stock

The Blueberry Pet Spring Scent Dog Collar features vibrant floral designs and lively colors, adding a cheerful touch to your dog’s wardrobe. Made from high-density polyester webbing and a durable chromed steel D-ring, this collar is built to last. It’s easy to put on and take off with a snap buckle, also available in bright colors. Additionally, the collar can be customized with your dog’s name and an optional phone number stitched on it.

We tested the collar on Mac, an 18-month-old ShihPoo weighing 15 pounds, and found the material to be high-quality and sturdy, with no signs of wear after several weeks of use. Our tester appreciated the quiet design, noting the separate area for the dog tag, which prevents noise from the leash clip.

Lightweight and comfortable, the collar is perfect for small dogs, and Blueberry Pet also offers matching leashes, harnesses, and accessories. The Spring Scent collar is available in four sizes, with Mac wearing the size small.

Sizes: 7.5 to 10-inch neck, 3/8-inch wide (extra-small)︱Colors: Dozens of patterns and colors︱Materials: Polyester webbing

Best Personalized

GoTags Nylon Personalized Dog Collar

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Embroidered personalization included in price 15 embroidery colors to choose from Soft, durable nylon	No reflective accents

The GoTags Personalized Dog Collar offers a convenient solution by allowing you to directly embroider your dog’s name and phone number on the collar, eliminating the need for a dangling ID tag. This lightweight, adjustable collar is made from soft, durable nylon webbing, and showed no signs of wear during our testing.

We tested this collar with a 7-year-old Chihuahua mix weighing 22 pounds. Our tester found it easy to put on, even with one hand, and noted the high-quality material that held up well throughout the trial. The collar comes in four sizes and five colors (pink, orange, blue, red, and black) and allows you to personalize it with up to 15 characters, as well as choose from 15 embroidery thread colors for a custom look.

Although affordable and perfect for daily use, the GoTags collar does not include reflective accents, so it may not be the best option for low-light visibility.

Sizes: X-small (8-12 inches), small (11-16 inches), medium (14-20 inches), and large (18-26 inches)︱Colors: Pink, blue, orange, red, black︱Materials: Nylon

Best Leather

Soft Touch Collars Leather Padded Dog Collar

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Comfortable and lightweight Substantial and well-made Quick drying	Difficult to fasten until fully broken in Too large for very small dogs

The Leather Padded Dog Collar from Soft Touch Collars is a durable, two-tone leather collar that improves with age. Made from full-grain leather and lined with soft sheepskin, it provides comfort while withstanding outdoor activities.

Tested on a 90-pound mix breed, the collar held up through walks, hikes, car rides, and swimming. Initially, the buckle was tricky, but it softened over time for easier use. The collar is lightweight, dries quickly, and features rust-resistant hardware. Available in four sizes and nine color combinations, it may be too large for very small dogs.

Sizes: Small (11-13.5 inches), medium (14.5- 17.5 inches), large (18-21 inches), x-large (22- 25 inches) | Colors: Black, brown, brown/light pink, tan/teal, tan/turquoise, turquoise/beige, tan/coral, black/pink, gray/blue | Materials: Full-grain leather, sheepskin leather, solid brass hardware

Best for Hiking

Ruffwear Front Range Dog Collar

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Colorfast nylon webbing Aluminum V-ring for leash attachment Designated loop for tags with silicone tag silencer Resilient and durable construction	No reflective accents

The Front Range Dog Collar from Ruffwear is perfect for adventurous dogs like a 60-pound Airedale Terrier, enduring swimming, roughhousing, and hiking. The collar is lightweight, adjustable, and made with durable, colorfast webbing and aluminum hardware.

It features a V-ring leash attachment, a separate loop for tags, and a silicone tab to reduce jingling. The plastic side-release buckle makes it easy to put on and take off. Available in three sizes and ten colors, it’s a versatile and practical choice for active dogs.

Sizes: Small (11-14 inches), medium (14-20 inches), large (20-26 inches)︱Colors: Twilight gray, huckleberry blue, tumalo teal, red sumac, hibiscus pink, campfire orange, aurora teal, blue moon, purple sage, red clay︱Materials: Nylon, aluminum

Best Reflective

ORVIS Personalized Reflective Collar

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Personalization available at no additional charge Visible in low light Embroidered contact information won’t fade Lightweight and smooth construction	Embroidery thread only available in black

The Personalized Collar from Orvis offers both style and functionality with its reflective band, enhancing visibility in low light. You can personalize the collar by having your dog’s name and phone number (up to 28 characters) embroidered for no extra cost.

The collar features an adjustable fit, a strong side-release buckle, and a steel D-ring for leash attachment. Made from heavy-duty nylon, it comes in four sizes (small, medium, large, and x-large) for necks measuring 9 to 26 inches. The collar showed no signs of wear after two weeks of testing with a 75-pound mix breed. For maintenance, hand washing and air drying are recommended.

Sizes: Small (9-14 inches), medium (13-18 inches), large (17-22 inches), and x-large (21-26 inches)︱Colors: Red, blue, asphalt, citron, dusty olive, wasabi, orchid, blaze orange︱Materials: Nylon

Best Buckle

Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Lite Collar

What We Like	What We Don’t Like
Magnetic quick release buckle Rust-resistant hardware Adjustable length Manufacturer offers lifetime guarantee that even protects against chewing	Not recommended for dogs that pull Too big for very small dogs

The Lifetime Lite Collar from Atlas Pet Company features a strong magnetic buckle, making it easy to remove even from a wiggly dog, while staying securely in place during walks and playtime. The collar’s lightweight design was well-suited for Jet, a 52-pound Pit Bull mix, who wore it comfortably during daily walks and naps.

Made from durable nylon with rust-resistant aluminum hardware, the collar showed minimal wear after exposure to rain and mud. Atlas Pet Company offers a lifetime guarantee, covering even damage from chewing.

Sizes: Small (12-16 inches), medium (15-22 inches), large (20-30 inches)︱Colors: Black, forest, maroon, navy, violet︱Materials: Nylon, aluminum

How We Tested Dog Collars

We selected 34 of the latest dog collars available and sent each one to a real home with a real dog for real-world testing.

Each of our canine test subjects was observed as they walked, ran, chilled, and played while wearing their assigned collar. Their human companions gather insights about the canine behavior they witnessed over the course of two weeks, and then shared their feedback within the following categories: Ease of Use, Quality, Durability, Ease of Cleaning, and Value.

Equipped with this first-hand information, we ranked and categorized our top picks to simplify your search for the ideal dog collar to suit your dog’s needs, habits, and preferences.

What to Look for in a Dog Collar

Fit

The most important feature of a dog collar is a good fit—one that doesn’t slip off but isn’t uncomfortably tight or too heavy. When shopping, pay attention to the collar’s material—if it stretches, for example—as well as if it’s adjustable and by how much. A common test uses your fingers.

Design

Dog collars are designed with different purposes in mind, so it’s helpful to know what you need before you start shopping. You may want a basic collar that can hold dog tags and attach to a leash, or you may want one that can help keep your eager dog from slipping away or provide a bit more support if your dog is particularly active.

Style

Collars come in a variety of materials, colors, and patterns and because it’s the one accessory your pet is likely to wear every day, you might put a lot of effort into choosing the one that looks and feels just right. You might want something that glows in the dark for nighttime use or something with a matching leash if fashion is really important.

FAQ

What is the best material for dog collars?

You can find collars made from all sorts of materials ranging from nylon to leather to recycled plastic. There’s no perfect material for every dog in every situation.“The material depends on the activity,” Melissa “MJ” Viera, founder of MJ’s Pet Training Academy. “It’s always a good idea to look for a well-made collar, no matter the material. The collar should feel supportive, and the buckles and clips solid. Any collar can break, but it’s less likely to happen with a good quality collar.”

How do I measure my dog for dog collar fit?

Use a flexible measuring tape if you have one to measure snugly around your dog’s neck. If you don’t have a tape, use a piece of string or ribbon, then measure that with a ruler. Check to see if the collar has specific instructions about sizing up or down if you’re between sizes “Measuring might be slightly different between brands and styles, but it’s essential to have a properly fitted collar on your dog” says Viera. “Test that your dog cannot slip out of the collar. Most collars should be snug with enough room to easily put your finger through the collar. Ask your trainer to fit your dog’s collar for you.”