Best Dog Collars of 2026
A roundup of the best reflective, light-up, GPS, and waterproof collars for running, hiking, and everyday use
June 30th, 2026
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A dog collar is what keeps you connected to your dog. The best dog collars are not only the middle ground between your dog and your dog leash, they’re also vehicles for ID tags, dog GPS devices, and can help make your dog more visible in low light conditions to other dogs, hikers, runners, cars, and wildlife.
Our lead dog product tester, Jae Thomas, CPDT-KA (certified professional dog trainer) put nearly 30 dog collars to the test in her day-to-day life to see which ones are worth your money and which dogs they’re best suited for. We tested each collar on multiple dogs of different breeds and body types during daily neighborhood walks, hikes, and travel. Jae tested reflective and light-up options at night and in other low-light conditions, and put GPS dog collar options through their paces, evaluating live tracking, GPS accuracy, and more.
Our main criteria for each category varies greatly by collar type. What matters for a GPS collar is totally different from what matters for a flat buckle collar for everyday use. But generally, we looked for options durable enough to hold up to active dogs who spend lots of time outdoors, with fits that were both safe and secure, comfort for extended wear, picks with strong, reliable hardware, collars that were easy to put on, take off, and adjust, and value for the price.
If you already know what kind of collar you’re looking for, jump straight down to read more info on all our winners. If you need some guidance on what kind of collar to choose, the “what to look for” section at the bottom of this guide goes deeper into which types of collars are best for certain types of dogs and specific use cases.
Each of the collars on this list was chosen and evaluated by a certified professional dog trainer, and the best option for your dog may be different from the best option for other people’s dogs. If you’re unsure if a collar is ideal for your dog, consult your local dog trainer.
Top Pick: The Orvis Personalized Reflective Dog Collar earns our Best Overall award. It stood out for being customizable with your dog’s name and owner’s phone number, highly visible reflective band, and was super durable with sonic-welded seams.
If you’re ready to find an option well-suited for your dog, check out our winners below.
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Comparison table
| DOG COLLAR | TREELINE AWARD | MATERIAL | NECK RANGE | WIDTH(S) | CLOSURE | REFLECTIVE OR LIGHT | WATERPROOF | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orvis Personalized Reflective Dog Collar | Best Overall Read why |
Polyester webbing | 10-25" | 5/8, 1" | Plastic buckle | ✅ | ❌ | $43 |
| Tractive Dog 6 Smart Dog Tracker | Best GPS Tracking Read why |
Fiberglass casing | N/A | 1" | N/A | ✅ | ✅ | $79, 89 + plan |
| Wilderdog Waterproof Dog Collar | Best Waterproof Read why |
Polyester webbing | 11-25" | 3/4, 1" | Plastic buckle | ❌ | ✅ | $29 |
| Ruffwear Web Reaction Reflective Dog Collar | Best Martingale Read why |
Nyon and polyester webbing | 11-26" | 3/4, 1" | Plastic buckle | ✅ | ✅ | $30 |
| Blazin LED Dog Collar | Best Light-Up Read why |
Nylon webbing | 8-28" | 5/8, 1" | Plastic buckle | ✅ | ✅ | $30 |
The winners
Best overall dog collar and best reflective dog collar: Orvis Personalized Reflective Dog Collar
Price: $43
Sizes available: Small 10-13”, Medium 13-17”, Large 17-20”, X-Large 20-25”
Width: ⅝” for Small, 1” for all other sizes
Material: UV- and moisture-resistant webbing with reflective band, sonic-welded seams
Hardware: Plastic side-release buckle
D-ring: Steel D-ring
Waterproof: No
Reflective: Yes
Washable?: Hand wash only
ID tag attachment: D-ring
What we liked: Customizable with dog’s name and owner’s phone number; highly visible reflective band; super durable with sonic-welded seams
What we didn't like: Takes a while to dry when it gets wet wet
Want something strong, durable, reflective, and customizable? The Orvis Personalized Reflective Dog Collar checks all the boxes. This sturdy flat collar offers the option to get your pet’s name and a phone number stitched into the collar. This eliminates the need for an extra ID tag, and your dog’s name and your contact information are much more visible at a distance than info engraved onto a collar. If your dog ever escapes or gets lost, you’ll have a good chance of someone contacting you.
Orvis Personalized Reflective Dog Collar
The Orvis Personalized Dog Collar—our best overall pick for dog collars.
You can personalize the size small with up to 24 characters, and sizes medium through extra large with up to 28 characters. The personalization is large, bolded, and can be seen at night if you’re shining a light at the collar.
This collar is incredibly reflective, with about 90% of the outer collar being made up of a reflective band. Of the reflective collar options we tested, this one was most visible from the furthest away (about 100 yards). We tested the reflectivity with headlamps, phone flashlights, and car headlights.
The Orvis Personalized reflective dog collar is dirt resistant despite the light color of the reflective band, and doesn’t get dirty easily the way other nylon webbing collars do. It’s hand-wash only though, and it does take a long time to dry if submerged in water, so it’s not the best option for dogs who swim frequently. It sat in the middle of the pack for durability, though the reflective coating will wear off the collar if repeatedly rubbed against on hard surfaces. It sat near the top of the pack for hardware durability.
If you regularly walk your dog in low-light conditions, or if you travel frequently with your pup and want your contact info on them at all times just in case, go for the Orvis Personalized Dog Collar.
Best GPS dog tracking collar: Tractive Dog 6 Smart Dog Tracker
Price: $79
Subscription plans:
Basic plan: $144 every 2 years, or $108 billed annually
Premium plan: $120 billed annually, $168 billed every 2 years, $300 billed every 5 years
Sizes: One size, but Dog 6 XL available for dogs over 44 pounds
Device weight: 1.59 oz (collar not included)
Tracking technology: GPS
Real-time tracking: Yes
Tracking range: Unlimited with cell service
Battery life: Up to 14 days, but lasted 25 days during testing
Waterproof: Yes, IP68
App platform: IOS and Android
Works without cell service: No
Geofencing: Yes
What we liked: Accurate live tracking; long battery life, fast geofencing alerts; broad range of coverage
What we didn't like: Doesn’t start walks automatically; doesn’t differentiate between walks and drives
The Tractive Dog 6 is a GPS device that you attach to your dog’s existing collar, and it utilizes multiple cellular networks to give you the best shot at connection, even when your phone is low on service (1 or 2 bars). Aside from models like the Garmin Alpha T-20, the Tractive has the best coverage and connection of all the GPS dog collars we’ve tested. It won best overall in our Best Dog GPS Collars guide.
Tractive Dog 6 Smart Dog Tracker
The Tractive Dog 6—our pick for the best GPS dog tracking collar.
The Tractive Dog 6 features an advertised 14 day battery life on a single charge, but during testing, one charge lasted 25 days. This testing period included multiple daily walks, weekly hikes, and lots of drives away from my home’s WiFi network (it saves battery when connected to WiFi).
Connecting to the tracker is fast and easy, and the live tracking feature is quite accurate, getting you a location on your dog within a few yards every time. This feature is paramount if your dog ever gets lost. When using the live tracking feature, Tractive updates your dog’s location info every 2–3 seconds. In normal mode, it updates your dog’s location every 2–60 minutes, depending on your dog’s activity. The more active your dog is (and if your dog is away from your home’s WiFi network), it updates more frequently.
Earlier this year, the Tractive app also introduced new health features, allowing you to see your pet’s health stats at a glance. You’ll get a visual overview of your dog’s daily activity, and will get insight to other health monitoring features, like advanced scratch monitoring, which may help you and your vet pinpoint skin allergies, stress, and other potential health conditions.
The device itself is easy to put on different types of collars via the stretchy silicone attachment mount, but it may be a bit bulky for smaller breeds.
Best waterproof dog collar: Wilderdog Waterproof Dog Collar
Price: $29
Sizes available: Small 11-15”, Medium 13-18”, Large 16.5-25”
Width: ¾” for Small, 1 inch for Medium and Large
Material: PVC-coated polyester webbing
Hardware: Plastic side-release buckle
D-ring: Metal D-ring
Waterproof: Yes, rating not listed
Reflective: No
Washable?: Wipe clean
ID tag attachment: D-ring
What we liked: 12 different colors; easy to wipe clean; completely waterproof; lightweight
What we didn't like: Not reflective
If you have a dog who swims often or who loves getting dirty and muddy, a waterproof dog collar may be your best bet for easy cleaning. The Wilderdog Waterproof Dog Collar is a simple, lightweight, yet durable option made of coated webbing that feels like biothane and can simply be wiped down if it gets wet or dirty.
Wilderdog Waterproof Dog Collar
The Wilderdog Waterproof Collar—our pick for the best waterproof dog collar.
This collar comes in 12 different colors/patterns three sizes, and you can match it with a waterproof leash, too.
Compared to other similar biothane and coated webbing collars, the Wilderdog collar is softer and more flexible, and isn’t heavy or thick. In comparison to the Fable Pets Signature collar, this Wilderdog option was thinner, lighter, less noisy thanks to quiet plastic hardware, and more budget friendly.
The coated webbing material this collar is made of is resistant to dirt, water, mud, and even damage. Since it’s plastic-like, it didn’t receive any damage during our durability testing aside from surface level scratches that could mostly be cleaned off.
Best martingale dog collar: Ruffwear Web Reaction Reflective Dog Collar
Price: $30
Sizes available: 11-14”, 14-17”, 17-20”, 20-23”, 23-26”
Width: 0.75 inches for 11-14”, 1 inch for all other sizes
Material: polyester webbing (17% recycled) and nylon webbing
Hardware: ITW Nexus Airloc side-release buckle
D-ring: Anodized 6061-T6 aluminum V-ring
Waterproof: No
Reflective: Yes
Washable?: Hand wash only
ID tag attachment: Separate ID tag attachment point with silicone tag silencer
What we liked: Webbing with reflective threads sewn in; separate collar attachment point, silicone tag silencer; around 2.5 inches of limited cinch martingale; durable
What we didn't like: Doesn’t come in sizes small enough for extra small breeds
If you have an escape artist dog, a pup who’s still working on their leash manners, or a breed with a long, lean head, go for a martingale collar. Martingale collars have a section of webbing that tightens a set amount when a dog pulls on it or if they try to back out of it, giving you an extra level of security so they can’t get out of their collar.
Ruffwear Web Reaction Reflective Dog Collar
The Ruffwear Web Reaction—our pick for the best martingale dog collar.
The Ruffwear Web Reaction is a well-made martingale collar with an appropriately sized limited slip/cinch section. The martingale section on the 14-17” collar we tested was about 2.5” long. It allows enough tightening to ensure your dog can’t back out of their collar, but not so much that it gets too tight or is aversive to your dog.
This collar features Ruffwear’s reflective Tubelok webbing that makes your pup more visible in low light conditions. The Tubelok webbing was highly resilient in our durability testing, and we didn’t notice any wear or loose threads. However, note that this collar is a little thicker and stiffer than the other Ruffwear options on this list, so it’ll get more comfortable for your dog with regular use as it breaks in.
Best light-up dog collar: Blazin LED Dog Collar
Price: $30
Sizes: XS 8.1-10.75”, Small 9.8-14.2”, Medium 13.8-19.7”, Large 19.3-27.6”
Light type: LED bulb strip
Light modes: Solid light, slow blink, fast blink
Battery type: Rechargeable via micro-USB
Charge time: 2-3 hours
Battery life: Up to 8 hours of continuous use
Waterproof: Yes, IPX7
What we liked: Nearly 360 degrees of lights; brightest light-up collar we tested; visible from far distances;
What we didn't like: May be too bright for some people’s preferences; the nylon part of the collar isn’t waterproof and takes a while to dry if it gets wet
The Blazin LED Dog Collar was easily the brightest light-up dog collar we tested. It features a strip of ultra-bright LED lights that goes almost 360 degrees around a nylon flat buckle collar. This collar is easily seen in the dark and in low-light conditions from over 1,000 feet away, and it’s visible even on fluffy, long-haired dogs.
Blazin LED Dog Collar
The Blazin LED Dog Collar—our pick for the best light-up dog collar.
It can only be turned on by holding the power button for two seconds, which reduces the risk of accidentally turning it on and running the battery low. The battery life lasted a little over 8 hours of continuous use during testing, so it will last about 1-2 weeks on a single charge if you only turn the light on for early morning or nighttime walks. This collar is rechargeable via a micro-USB cord.
It’s also rated IPX7, so it can safely be worn in snowy and rainy weather. It can also be submerged for up to 30 minutes with the rubber charging port cover closed, so if your pup happens to jump in a lake or stream while on a hike, they won’t damage the electronics of their collar.
Best dog collar for hiking: Ruffwear Ridgeline Collar
Price: $50
Sizes available: 11-14”, 14-20”, 20-26”
Width: 3/4, 1"
Material: Reflective silicone-dipped polyester webbing
Hardware: Fidlock magnetic self-aligning buckle
D-ring: aluminum V-ring
Waterproof: Yes
Reflective: Yes
Washable?: Not listed
ID tag attachment: Separate ID tag attachment point with silicone tag silencer
What we liked: Fidlock magnetic buckle is easy to use and can be used with one hand; reflective stitching built into webbing; lightweight but strong
What we didn't like: Only comes in black
If you spend a lot of time hiking with your dog, a durable but easy-to-use collar is a must. The Ruffwear Ridgeline Collar is a solid choice. It features strong, lightweight, reflective webbing, and a nifty magnetic Fidlock buckle.
Ruffwear Ridgeline Collar
The Ruffwear Ridgeline collar—our pick for the best dog collar for hiking.
The Fidlock buckle is self-aligning, so when you bring one side near the other, it snaps into place. It also has a quick release tab, just pull it and the collar comes off. This collar is easy to put on or take off even if you’re managing other hiking or camping gear, and can even be taken off with one hand. With that being said, it’s still secure. The magnetic feature keeps it in place unless the pull tab is actively pulled away from the other side.
Like Ruffwear’s other collars, the Ridgeline features a separate ID tag connection point and a silicone tag silencer. It also has a sturdy aluminum D-ring as a leash connection point.
I like this collar because it’s as durable and well-made as the heavy-duty tactical collars that are often marketed towards outdoor adventure dogs, but it’s way lighter and less bulky, and more comfortable for the dog. The material itself is waterproof and was similarly resistant to pilling and wear in our durability tests as the Web Reaction collar, but this option is more flexible, comfortable, and moves with your dog as they adventure.
Best dog collar for running: Non-stop Dogwear Rock 3.0 Dog Collar
Price: $33
Sizes available: 2XS (sold out at time of writing) 10.6-12.6”, XS 12.2-14.2”, S 13.8-15.7”, 15.4-17.7”, L 17.3-19.7”, XL 18.9-21.7”, 2XL 20.9-23.6”, 3XL 22.8-25.6”
Width: Not explicitly listed, but as thick as 1.75 inches for the larger sizes
Material: Hexivent, hypalon reinforcement, nylon webbing, and 3M reflective piping
Hardware: No hardware
D-ring: Aluminum D-ring
Waterproof: No, but quick-drying
Reflective: Yes
Washable?: Hand wash only
ID tag attachment: D-ring
What we liked: Comes in a eight different sizes; easy on and off design; very breathable; quick drying
What we didn't like: Can’t be adjusted, but Non-stop does have an adjustable version available
For highly active dogs who run, swim, and splash on the trails, choose the Non-stop Dogwear Rock 3.0 collar. This unique option features an easy on/off design (no hardware), and is remarkably breathable and quick drying.
Non-stop Dogwear Rock 3.0 Dog Collar
The Non-stop Dogwear Rock 3.0 collar—our pick for the best dog collar for running.
It features Non-stop’s HexiVent triple mesh material, which ensures the collar is open and breathable. Because of the multiple layers of mesh, this collar ventilates really well, so it won’t add any extra heat when you’re running with your dog.
It also dries quickly if your dog likes to swim or splash around in alpine lakes on hiking adventures (or if they roll in snow). Because the Rock 3.0 is a limited slip option, it’s a good choice for dogs who slip their collars or are still working on their leash manners, but it shouldn’t be attached to a leash and used for dogs who pull out ahead of their owners while on runs. The Rock 3.0 is better suited for pups who run alongside their owners on runs or bike rides. For dogs who pull, check out our best dog harness guide to choose a well-fitting body harness.
I love how lightweight this collar is, and that it’s gentle on dogs’ coats, even for double-coated breeds with a lot of hair. Note that since this collar doesn’t have any hardware and slips over your dog’s head to put it on and take it off, it needs to be fitted correctly the first time. There’s no way to adjust it. In our durability testing, this collar was more susceptible to fabric wear since it’s made largely of mesh, but it’s still built well enough for outdoor adventures.
Like all Non-stop Dogwear gear though, this collar comes in a huge variety of sizes (eight!) so you can choose the one that’s best suited for your dog, regardless of how big or small they are.
Other dog collars we tested
Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Collar
Price: $50
Sizes available: 16”, 18”, 20”, 22”, 24”
Width: Two strands of 9 mm rope (about 0.35 inches)
Material: Dry-treated climbing rope
Hardware: No buckle closures, but features custom clamps that allow it to be repaired
D-ring: Rust-free 316 Stainless Steel O-ring
Waterproof: Water-resistant
Reflective: No
Washable?: Hand wash only
ID tag attachment: O-ring
What we liked: Easy on and off design; rolled style best for long-coated dogs; extremely durable climbing rope material; lifetime warranty; can be repaired by APC
What we didn't like: Doesn’t come in sizes for small dogs; a little bulky; not adjustable, so needs to be sized properly
This is my Collie’s day-to-day collar, and while I love it and wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one, it only serves very specific use cases. This is what I’d call a “house collar.” It slips over your dog’s head to get it on and off, and doesn’t have a buckle. It can’t be adjusted, so sizing it correctly matters, and because it slips on and off your dog’s head, it’s not a good option for walking your dog on it unless they’re reliable on and off leash.
Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Collar
However, it’s a great option for dogs who primarily wear harnesses and long-coated dogs (thanks to the rolled design that doesn’t flatten, mat, or break dogs’ coats as much as flat collars). It’s also perfect for dogs who are typically off leash and just need a vehicle for ID tags. The Lifetime Collar looks brand new even with three years of daily wear, and I love that it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Price: $44
Sizes available: XS 8-10”, S 10-14”, M 13-17”, L 17-21”, XL 21-25”
Width: ⅝ for XS and S, 1” for all other sizes
Material: Vinyl/PVC webbing (feels like BioThane)
Hardware: Aluminum auto-buckle
D-ring: Aluminum D-ring
Waterproof: Yes
Reflective: No
Washable?: Wipe clean
ID tag attachment: D-ring
What we liked: Waterproof material; minimalist design; cute color options
What we didn't like: Heavy; hardware rattles during use
This collar is stylish, minimalist, and has heavy-duty metal hardware, but the Wilderdog Waterproof Collar beat it out as the winner for best waterproof collar. The Fable Pets Signature Collar was very loud during testing—the metal buckle rattles when dogs walk and run. Because of the metal hardware, it’s also significantly heavier than the Wilderdog option.
Fable Pets Signature Dog Collar
Price: $30
Sizes available: 9-11”, 11-14”, 14-20”, 20-26”
Width: 0.75 inches for 9-11” and 11-14”, 1 inch for 14-20” and 20-26”
Material: 80% polyester/20% nylon engineered knit
Hardware: ITW Nexus Mach 1 Side-Release Buckle (bluesign approved)
D-ring: Anodized 6061-T6 aluminum D-ring
Waterproof: No
Reflective: No
Washable?: Hand wash only
ID tag attachment: Separate ID tag attachment point with silicone tag silencer
What we liked: Lightweight; soft, flexible material
What we didn't like: Not reflective; not waterproof
The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collar is a solid lightweight option for active dogs. The engineered knit material is inspired by knit athletic footwear. It was the runner-up for “best dog collar for running” but was edged out by the Non-stop Dogwear option due to that collar’s enhanced breathability and quick-drying features. This is a great pick for running with your dog if you don’t like the slip-on, no-buckle martingale style of the Non-stop Dogwear Rock 3.0 collar.
Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collar
Price: $20
Sizes available: Small 8-12”, Medium 12-18”, Large 18-26”, XL 20-30”
Width: ⅝” for S, 1” or 1.25” options for all other sizes
Material: Polyester webbing
Hardware: Plastic side-release buckle
D-ring: Powder-coated steel D-ring
Waterproof: Water-resistant
Reflective: No
Washable?: Hand wash only
ID tag attachment: D-ring
What we liked: Durable; flexible and comfortable material; outdoor-themed designs; easy to adjust; fade resistant
What we didn't like: Not reflective
I’ve had this Wolfgang collar for my dogs for about five years, and have used it on numerous road trips, camping trips, and day hikes for both of my dogs. It’s a great no-frills collar, and it’s still in good condition (aside from being dirty and one or two threads beginning to loosen up) considering all the wear it’s gotten across two dogs for multiple years.
The fabric is soft and flexible, it comes in a bunch of outdoor-themed designs, and it’s fade resistant, so it won’t lose its design if worn in the sun frequently. Really, my only qualm with this collar is that it’s not reflective and lacks some of the extra features of other picks. It’s best suited for those who want a flat buckle collar but don’t want a reflective or personalized option.
Wolfgang Dog Collar
What to look for in dog collars
Collar type
The right collar for your dog will depend on your dog’s coat type, breed, training, and your desired primary use case. A few main types of collars are flat buckle collars, martingale collars, head collars/head halters, and rolled collars. There are also GPS collars and light up collars which add on extra features.
Flat collars are generally the best option for most dogs, especially if they’re leash trained and/or off-leash trained. Martingale and slip collars are options for dogs who are flight risks, while head collars/head halters are good options for dogs who pull or are still working on their leash training. Rolled collars are ideal for long-coated dogs whose coats may get damaged from thick flat collars.
Slip collars and head halters/head collars should be used under the guidance of a professional dog trainer. These types of tools can be aversive if not fitted and conditioned properly, so ask your dog trainer if you’re interested in using one of these options.
Note that this section does not cover prong collars or e-collars, which Treeline doesn’t recommend.
Material and durability
Nylon, polyester webbing, coated webbing (biothane), and leather are all material options for dog collars. Nylon and polyester webbing are the most common materials and are budget friendly, usually fairly durable, and flexible. The main downside is that they’re not always waterproof.
Biothane or coated webbing is waterproof, but often stiffer than other options. It’s a plastic-y material that can easily be wiped down and is low-maintenance. Biothane is the best option for dogs who do a lot of swimming or adventuring where they might get dirty or muddy.
Leather dog collars also exist, but there’s a lot of variability in the quality of leather options. They can be remarkably durable and soften with use, or they can be brittle and low quality. We avoided leather options for this guide, as it’s difficult to find options that are well made and easily accessible (both in terms of price and retailer).
For eco-conscious dog owners, there are also dog collars made of partially recycled materials, like the Ruffwear Web Reaction Reflective Dog Collar.
Hardware quality
Hardware is the most common failure point in budget collars, specifically buckles and D-rings. Buying a collar with strong (preferably strength-tested) hardware is the number one way to keep your dog safe while out and about. A D-ring that bends under leash pressure or rotates to the underside of the collar is a safety and usability issue.
The main collar buckle types include plastic side release, metal side release, and traditional prong and hole metal buckle.
Fit and sizing
To measure a dog’s neck for a collar, use a flexible measuring tape (or a piece of string or a dog leash), and wrap it around the base of your dog’s neck. You should be able to slip two fingers under the measuring tape for an appropriately fitting collar that’s not too tight.
Note that sizing varies significantly across brands and neck circumference measurement is often more reliable than breed or weight recommendations.
Safety considerations
The main safety considerations for dog collars are hardware reliability and tightness/pressure on your dog’s neck.
Always get a dog collar that’s appropriate for your dog’s weight and size. A large, strong breed like an Alaskan Malamute or a Samoyed should not be walked on a thin buckle collar designed for smaller dogs, even if it technically fits around their neck. Thicker collars with thicker buckles are generally stronger and more durable than thinner options, so they’re better for large, strong dogs.
On the flip side, a collar that’s too bulky or heavy for a small breed dog may be uncomfortable for them and can de-motivate them from walking or training.
You should also pick a collar that isn’t too tight for your dog’s neck. You should be able to slip two fingers under your dog’s collar and wiggle them around. Anything tighter may affect how well they can breathe.
Tightness/pressure on your dog’s neck is another big safety consideration. Collars paired with a pulling dog can cause pressure sores, coat damage, and in serious cases, trachea damage.
Any dog who pulls should not be walked on a collar alone. A head halter or dog harness specifically designed for pulling is generally a safer option that’s unlikely to cause damage to your dog’s body, but should be used and introduced under the guidance of a professional dog trainer.
Visibility can also be a safety consideration—more on that below.
Reflectivity and visibility
Keeping your dog visible keeps them safe. If other dogs, hikers, walkers, runners, bikers, cars, and wildlife can see your dog, you’re less likely to have any unfortunate incidents. Choosing a reflective collar or a light-up collar will keep your pup visible in low-light conditions.
You may also want to check out our Best Reflective Gear for Running in the Dark guide for more visibility options.
Types of dog collars explained
Flat collar: The most basic type of collar. Flat collars either have metal or plastic side release buckles or metal prong and hole closures. They’re best used as a vehicle for collar tags or GPS devices for most dogs. You can walk a dog on a flat buckle collar if they don’t really pull. Pullers should opt for a head collar or a well-fitted dog harness.
Martingale collar: Martingale collars or limited slip collars are collars with a section that tightens a set amount when the dog pulls, or if the dog tries to back out of it. Martingale collars are good choices for dogs who are potential flight risks, like new rescue dogs or pups with a history of getting loose. Martingale collars aren’t 100% escape-proof, but they do add an extra layer of protection. They’re also good options for sighthounds and other long, lean-headed breeds, who can easily slip out of normal collars.
Rolled collar: Rolled collars are round instead of flat, and are common choices for long-coated dog breeds. Round or rolled collars often damage long coats less than flat collars, as they don’t compress/flatten dogs’ hair as much.
Head halter: Head collars or head halters go around your dog’s muzzle and often have a neck collar component or attach to a collar. Head halters are often used for very strong dogs who may pull their people over as a safety precaution. They can also be used for reactive dogs to gain control of their heads, or for dogs who are still working on their leash manners. Head halters are useful tools and can be positively conditioned, but it’s a good idea to use them under the supervision of a professional dog trainer.
GPS collar: GPS collars are best for dogs who travel a lot, hike often, or for pet parents who want to keep track of specific health stats. GPS dog collars give dog owners the peace of mind of knowing where their furry friend is at all times, and they can help you get additional insight to your dog’s habits and health.
Reflective collar: Reflective collars feature reflective material that increase your dog’s visibility in low light. They’re more visible to car headlights, flashlights, and under streetlights than non-reflective collars, which can keep your dog safe.
Light-up collar: Ideal for use on early morning or late night walks when it’s dark. Especially out on public trails, a light-up dog collar ensures that your dog is visible to other hikers, runners, bikers, dogs, and wildlife.
Personalized collar: Personalized collars are great if you don’t want to worry about tags falling off of your dog’s collar. You can typically have their name and a phone number embroidered onto personalized options.
Care and maintenance
Keep them clean. Follow the manufacturer’s respective guidelines for cleaning. Generally, nylon dog collars can be hand washed with dish soap if they get muddy or dirty, while biothane options can simply be wiped clean with a wet cloth. GPS and light up collars should be cleaned carefully (avoid submerging or using very wet rags) to avoid damaging any electronics.
Check hardware and reflective elements periodically: Ensure the buckles, closures, and D-rings on your dog’s collar are in good working condition and aren’t broken. Broken or malfunctioning hardware is a safety concern for most dogs, especially if they’re not off-leash trained. Reflective elements should also be inspected every now and then in low-light with a flashlight to ensure they’re visible.
Replace your dog’s collar when needed: If the webbing on your dog’s collar is torn or ripping, or if you notice any defects in the hardware, it’s time to buy a new collar. Many collars will last multiple years without needing to be replaced, but very active dogs, dogs who are hard on their gear, and dogs who regularly hike, camp, and adventure outdoors may need new collars more frequently.
FAQ
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The best collar for everyday use depends on your dog’s training and your most common use case. Generally, a flat buckle collar is the best option for everyday use for dogs who are leash trained or who are typically walked on a harness. Martingale collars may be the best option for dogs who are flight risks, while light-up collars are best for dogs who are most frequently walked in low-light conditions.
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A martingale collar has a section of material that tightens a set amount when a dog pulls on it or when a dog tries to back out of it. Martingale collars are particularly helpful for flight-risk dogs. Flat buckle collars do not have this limited slip section.
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Some training collars are safe for dogs. The best training collars include martingale collars, head halters, or head collars when used with the guidance of a certified dog trainer.
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No, dogs should not wear their collars all the time. When your dog is inside, whether supervised or not, it’s not recommended to leave collars on them as they can be choking hazards. Remove your dog’s collar if you’re not actively walking them.
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A GPS collar and a tracking collar are the same thing. GPS or tracking collars allow you to track your dog’s location via your phone or an external GPS device.
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Use a soft measuring tape and measure around the base of your dog’s neck. Ensure you can slip two fingers under the measuring tape for proper sizing. If your dog is still growing, consider sizing up slightly to allow room for growth.
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When used under supervision, dog collars are safe for puppies. Don’t leave a dog collar on a puppy when unsupervised, and desensitize your puppy to their collar slowly using positive reinforcement training.
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Biothane is the best collar material for a dog who swims. Biothane doesn’t absorb water and can easily be wiped off and dried after a swimming session.
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You don’t necessarily need a reflective collar if your dog already has a light-up collar. Both are methods to make your dog more visible in low-light conditions. Some dog owners may prefer reflective collars over light up options as they don’t need to be charged.
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Yes, your dog can wear a collar and a harness at the same time. If you typically walk your dog on a body harness, a collar is still a good idea to ensure they have tags or GPS devices attached. Collars and harnesses can also be connected together for escape artist flight risk dogs as a backup method if they’re able to get out of their harness or collar.
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Replace your dog’s collar when any hardware fails or if the webbing begins to fray to ensure safety.
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Thick martingale collars are best for sighthounds and other narrow-headed breeds like Collies and Poodles. The martingale section on a collar will ensure that they don’t slip out of their collar while on walks.
How we researched and tested
We put together a pool of the top dog collars across multiple categories, based on online user reviews and our staff dog trainer’s personal testing experience. We were left with 11 regular dog collars of varying types, 9 GPS collars, and 8 light-up dog collars in our testing pool. Note that only the regular collar non-winners are detailed in this guide. You can find out more about the GPS dog collar and light-up dog collar testing pools in their respective guides.
After we assembled our pool, we tested each of the dog collars on multiple dogs for the following criteria:
Ease of use: We evaluated how easy each collar was to put on, take off, adjust, and attach/detach leashes to.
Comfort: We noted flexibility of collar fabrics and whether dogs seemed uncomfortable when wearing them. Some collars (like heavy options or collars made with stiff materials) cause dogs to scratch more than usual, so we noted when this occurred.
Sizing: We compared each brand’s recommended sizing to dogs of that size to determine if the sizing recommendations were accurate, or if collars seemed to run large or small.
Durability: We checked the durability of each collar, both the hardware and the webbing. Our tester has been using many of these collars for multiple years, so we’ve been able to evaluate the build quality of each one in real-life hiking, running, camping, and walking scenarios. We also ran lab-style durability tests on the hardware and webbing to determine quality. Each collar was attached to a fixed point, and we used a luggage scale to apply 80 pounds of pressure to check hardware and fabric resilience. We also rubbed each collar on asphalt to simulate wear over time and noted any that had pilling, loose threads, or other issues.
Visibility: For collars with reflective or light-up elements, we tested visibility in low-light and pitch-black conditions, noting which ones were visible from the furthest away.
Weather resistance: We tested each of these collars under running water and in wet/rainy conditions to check water resistance.
Extra features: For GPS collars we also tested GPS accuracy, real-time tracking, battery life, activity and health monitoring features, geofencing and boundary alerts, app features, and more. For light-up dog collars we tested battery life, visibility at varying distances, light modes, and ease of controls.
Why you should trust us / About the author
July 2nd, 2026
Home > Gear Reviews > Dog Gear
Jae Thomas is an e-commerce journalist, editor, and dog trainer based in Colorado. She graduated from the New York University journalism program in 2020, and has written and edited commerce content for publications like Mashable, Apartment Therapy, Bon Appetít, Whole Dog Journal, Chewy, CNN Underscored, and more.
Jae is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed, and teaches agility, rally, and other dog sports at Canine Athletics Training Center in Boulder County. Jae uses her background in dog sports and behavior to test outdoor-focused dog gear focused on fit, comfort, safety, and functionality for dogs and their owners.
Jae shares her life with two dogs: mixed breed Miso, and Rough Collie, Dashi. Jae competes in conformation, agility, rally, herding, barn hunt, scent work, and other sports with her dogs and is a pro at traveling, camping, hiking, and adventuring with canine companions in tow.
Find more of Jae’s reviews and guides here.
