The 7 Best Dog Collars of 2022, Selected by Experts

By Emily Lemon On Jul 26, 2022

Courtesy of Retailer

Like babies and high-maintenance significant others, dogs require a lot of stuff. There are dog bowls and crates and vaccinations and dog food and chew toys and—you get the picture. In all that buying, many dog owners, especially first-timers, assume that a simple collar isn’t worth spending a lot of time researching. A collar is a collar is a collar, right? Well, not quite.

A good collar is actually one of the most important buying decisions for any pup. After all, it’s the only piece of “apparel” they’ll never take off. That’s why it’s worth considering your dog’s size, energy level, on-leash behavior, and overall temperament. All of which should determine what type of collar is right for your pup. Depending on your own habits, exercise routine, and when and how often you plan to take puppers out, there are even high-tech collars that illuminate (for after-dark walks or runs) and even keep tabs on your dog with built-in GPS tracking. Confused yet? We’ve done the legwork for you to round up the best dog collars to shop in 2022

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Best Overall Dog Collar

Reflective Dog Collar

Secure buckle closure
Available in five neck sizes to fit almost any dog
A dozen available colors
Reflective material for better nighttime visibility
Great price
Matching leashes and harnesses available

Some reviewers complain of a chemical smell

Joytale’s deceptively simple Reflective Dog Collar checks all the boxes for any dog owner. The soft design is lined with padded neoprene so it won’t chafe, plus it’s flexible, durable, and dries fast. All of the twelve available colors feature a reflective sheen to increase visibility for night runs or in high-traffic areas. It’s available in five sizes, so it’s easy to find one that fits any neck between 8” to 28”. But, the best part is that it’s less than $10. All of that coupled with more than 25,000 five-star Amazon reviews makes it our pick for the best dog collar overall in 2022.

Read more: Best Dog Leashes for Running

Best Collar for Energetic Dogs

Heavy Duty Comfort Collar

Ultra-durable design for strong and high-energy dogs
Gunmetal hardware
Several colors and sizes available
High-visibility reflective stitching
Water- and odor-resistant material
Good price

Not designed for very small dogs (less than 11” neck size)

High-energy dogs demand a lot more time, attention, exercise, and patience. That’s why it’s so important to make sure they have the right gear to support their overactive lifestyle. Black Rhino’s Heavy Duty Comfort Collar is designed for all dog breeds. But the dual-layer, heavy-duty design works especially well for energetic pups. Despite its durable construction, it’s surprisingly lightweight and, with a neoprene lining, comfortable around your dog’s neck too. We also like that it’s available in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can find the right look and fit for your dog’s discerning designer tastes.

Read more: Best Outdoor Gear for Men

Most Charitable Dog Collar

NEO Nylon Buckle Reflective Dog Collar

Soft, comfortable, inch-wide design
One collar donated for every collar sold
Strong, durable buckle
Fits all but the largest breeds
Separate ID tag loop
Great price

Max and Neo’s NEO is another great dog collar that ticks all the essential boxes. The two-millimeter-thick nylon strap is a full inch wide, ensuring it’s durable and plenty comfortable for all-day wear. A strong, lockable buckle prevents accidental release and reflective stretching provides better visibility at night. Like most on this list, it’s available in a handful of colors and neck sizes up to 25 inches, so it’ll fit all but the largest dog breeds. Bonus: for every collar sold, the brand donates an identical collar to a dog rescue. So, it’s a win-win for your dog and another you’ll never meet.

Best Personalized Dog Collar

Personalized Side-Release Buckle Collar

Secure side-release buckle with easy-release
Available with matching leash
Can be personalized with dog’s name and phone number
Streamlined, tagless design
More than a dozen colors/patterns available

Pricier than most on this list

One of our favorite outdoor brands, Orvis, also makes killer dog-friendly gear too. With a heavy-duty buckle and steel D-ring, the Personalized Side-Release Buckle Collar is perfect for active owners and dogs. The design negates the need for a separate dog tag by personalizing the collar itself with your pup’s name and phone number. It’s available in more than a dozen colors and patterns (including fun options, like striped, camo, or polka dot), plus five sizes from XS to XL to fit any pup with a neck size between 10-25 inches. The $25 price tag is pricier than most on this list, but still very affordable.

Best Breakaway Dog Collar

Keep Safe Nylon Breakaway Dog Collar

Unique breakaway design prevents strangulation accidents
Works with a leash without breaking away
Durable inch-wide nylon strap
Strong metal hardware
Fits most dogs with neck sizes between 10 to 28 inches
Good price

Accidents happen, and dogs have a way of getting themselves into plenty of sticky predicaments. Fences, crates, and even other dogs are all opportunities for your dog to get caught by the neck. PetSafe’s Keep Safe Nylon Breakaway Dog Collar was purpose-built to prevent accidental strangulation. Should anything catch or get stuck on your pup’s collar, the unique design auto-releases, freeing it from your dog’s neck. Still, it’s clever enough to work with a leash without breaking away. The four available sizes fit necks between 10-28 inches. Our only minor quibble is that it’s available in just four color options.

Best Nighttime Dog Collar

USB Rechargeable LED Dog Collar

High-visibility design great for nighttime walks/runs
USB rechargeable
Several flashing modes
Cuttable, one-size-fits-all design
Charges quickly and lasts for hours on a single charge
Several colors available
Great price

Not waterproof (only water-resistant)

For owners who prefer walking or running their dog after dark (or want to relive their 90s raver kid club days), there’s HIGO’s USB Rechargeable LED Dog Collar. The ultra-bright design is available in five colors, each with three flashing modes for maximum visibility, making it a great solution for pups with darker coats. It features a versatile, one-size-fits-all plastic design that can be cut to fit your dog’s neck just right. Most reviewers report that it charges lightning-fast via any standard USB port and lasts for hours on a single charge. It’s also priced right at around $13.

Best GPS Tracker Collar

The Link Smart Pet Wearable

GPS tracking ensures your pup never goes missing
Automatic alerts if your dog leaves a specific area
Tracks other essential health and activity information
Lightweight, waterproof design
Built-in flashlight
Stores health and identification information
Unique tone/vibration patterns aid in dog training
All features controlled through a dedicated app

Pricey
Requires monthly subscription
Bulkier than most traditional dog collars

For owners who really, really love their dogs, Link’s Smart Pet Wearable is a unique, next-gen device that ensures you’ll never lose your pooch. With a combination of GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular connectivity, it allows you to keep real-time tabs on your dog via an easy-to-use smartphone app. By enabling automatic alerts, you’ll be notified if your dog leaves the house, the yard, or your local boarder. Beyond just tracking your dog, Link works like a canine-centric activity tracker (think FitBit for Fido), monitoring daily steps, miles walked, calories burned, and even their ambient temperature so you’ll know if they’re too hot or too cold. Remotely controlled vibrations and tones can also be used to reinforce good behavior for training purposes. At north of $120, it’s pricier than any “dumb” dog collar we’re aware of. But, considering the long list of features, we think it’s worth it.

What to Look for in a Dog Collar

The most important consideration when shopping for a dog collar is the available sizes. If a particular collar isn’t going to fit your dog, you’ll have to look elsewhere for one that does. Most of the above options are designed to fit a wide range of neck sizes from 8 to 25 inches. So, unless you’re shopping for a teacup poodle or a bull mastiff, that likely won’t be an issue.

Also consider the construction materials, including fabrics and hardware. Nylon is almost always best as it’s soft and pliable, ensuring that it’s comfortable enough for your pooch to wear day-in, day-out. Collar hardware—including buckles and tag loops—is typically either metal or sturdy plastic. Metal is, of course, almost always better. But, most modern plastics are almost as durable. Larger breeds and unusually energetic dogs may need a stronger, dual-layer collar. Some owners also may want to shop breakaway collars, especially for dogs who frequently “get into trouble.”

How We Selected

We thoroughly researched and compared dozens of the best-viewed and highest-rated dog collars from a handful of sources. We paid close attention to the most important features, including fabric construction, hardware durability, price, and reviewer-reported comfort, while also noting minor things like available sizing options, colors/patterns, and general aesthetics. The list above represents our seven picks for the best dog collars to shop in 2022.

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