The dreaded cone of shame. It goes by several other different names as well: Buster collar, Elizabethan collar, and even a pet lampshade. It looks like you’re in the market for a new dog cone since you’re reading this. As funny as they may seem, they are important devices to help your dog heal after an injury or surgery.

If you’re not sure what kind of cone you should be looking for, read through our reviews of the 10 best dog cones on the market. For your convenience, we go over the pros and cons and all the different features. This way, you can easily point and click to select the one that is right for your pooch. We hope you’ll find the right cone that will help your dog heal quickly!

A Quick Look at Our Top Picks (2026 Update)

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		All Four Paws Comfy	Made with soft, flexible nylon Comfortable and washable Available in 6 sizes	Check Price
Best Value		SunGrow Post-Surgery	Well-priced Super comfortable Soft foam that is easy to wash	Check Price
Premium Choice		KONG Cloud Collar	Attaches to the collar Doesn’t restrict peripheral vision Washable fabric	Check Price
		Bencmate Protective Inflatable	Comes in 5 sizes and is adjustable Small and x-small should work well for puppies Scratch and bite-resistant	Check Price
		WZ Pet Adjustable Dog Cone	Available in small and medium Soft, breathable cotton material Machine washable	Check Price

The 9 Best Dog Cones

1. All Four Paws Comfy Cone E-Collar – Best Overall

The All Four Paws Comfy Cone is our pick for the best overall dog cone. It is made with a soft, flexible, and therefore more comfortable nylon, which is also washable. It comes in 6 sizes ranging from extra-small up to extra-large. Its flexibility makes it quite adaptable as you can fold it down into a kind of protective cape over the shoulders and chest. This way, the cone is comfortable for your dog for eating, sleeping, and just getting around the house, but you can adjust its rigidity.

The main flaw is that the cone tends to be a little short (although if your dog is small, there is the option of getting it in long). If your dog has a long nose, but this cone will better suit shorter-nosed dogs.

2. SunGrow Post-Surgery Soft Cone – Best Value

The best dog cone for the money is the SunGrow Post-Surgery Soft Cone. It comes in medium (it fits pets with a 9-to-10-inch neck) and is in a cute pink with white polka dot pattern in a soft foam that is easy to wash. It’s well-priced and comfortable for your dog to eat and sleep in. The cone is nice and thick, and the material is water-resistant, so it’s easy to spot clean when necessary.

However, like the previously mentioned cone, it’s not long enough for some pups, and some dogs might be able to slip it off rather easily.

3. KONG Cloud Collar – Premium Choice

The KONG Cloud Collar is an inflatable cone that attaches to your dog’s collar to keep it in place. When it’s inflated, you should only blow it up until full but not hard, so it will become a comfortable pillow for your dog in addition to protecting the wound. The design doesn’t restrict your dog’s peripheral vision in any way and is comfortable for your pup while sleeping and eating. It’s also scratch and bite resistant, and the fabric is washable.

The disadvantages are that it is a little pricey, and if you don’t get it in the right size, the dogs will reach the wound.

4. Bencmate Protective Inflatable Collar – Best for Puppies

The Bencmate Protective Inflatable Collar comes in five sizes, but the extra-small and small should work very well for puppies. Like the previous one, it attaches to the puppy’s collar and is inflatable with a scratch and bite-resistant fabric. It’s more comfortable than the stiff plastic cones, doesn’t block your puppy’s peripheral vision, and is adjustable.

Unfortunately, some puppies will still be able to reach their wound or incision, and it might deflate, particularly if your puppy is determined to get it off.

5. WZ Pet Adjustable Dog Cone

The WZ Pet Adjustable Dog Cone is available in small and medium and is another pink with white polka dotted cone made with a cotton material. It’s machine washable and is quite comfortable as it’s soft and made with breathable fabric. It’s adjustable, makes for a nice, padded surface for a pillow, and is lightweight.

Like several of the other softer cones, it doesn’t always prevent your dog from licking where they are not supposed to. Plus, some dogs might be able to get it off easily.

6. Ccypet Adjustable Recovery Collar

The Ccypet Adjustable Recovery Collar is an adorable rainbow-colored cone made with a cotton material and filled with polystyrene balls. It can be used as a comfortable pillow and can be fastened to the dog’s collar for extra stability. You use a drawstring-like feature to tighten it, and it is easy to spot clean.

However, the polystyrene balls will make a tremendous mess if it happens to tear, and it won’t work for every dog.

7. KONG EZ Soft Collar

The KONG EZ Soft Collar is shaped more like the traditional cone but in a soft, flexible material, making it more comfortable. It’s made with a flexible material they call “Flexstay,” which is designed to hold its shape, is pretty comfortable to wear, and is machine washable. It has a drawstring closure, which makes it easy to adjust in size, and the cone is less likely for your dog to get stuck and shouldn’t knock things over.

The drawbacks are that it doesn’t give your dog any peripheral vision, and it might tear if your dog scratches at it enough.

8. Supet Adjustable Dog Cone

Supet’s Adjustable Dog Cone is the only traditional dog cone on our list. It’s a semi-transparent plastic cone that is fastened around your dog’s neck with Velcro. The edges of the cone are covered in a softer fabric for your dog’s comfort, and it’s super lightweight.

The biggest problem with this cone is in the sizing. The measurements aren’t very accurate, so you might want to check the reviews in which some give some good advice on figuring out the right size for your dog. And because the Velcro is in one large and long strip, it can be very loud when separating. This might scare some dogs.

9. IEUUMLER Inflatable Recovery Dog Collar

This Dog Collar from IEUUMLER is not only made from soft, comfortable fabric, but it is also inflatable to keep your pooch comfortable while they’re recovering. The collar is easy to inflate with a standard air valve that inflates in seconds. The inflatable inner is easy to remove with a convenient zipper so you can wash the collar when needed. Lastly, the Velcro strap makes putting the collar on and taking it off a breeze.

Of course, an inflatable collar is no match for a determined dog, and the collar can be easily punctured according to customer reviews. As a recovery collar alone, it also does not work as well as standard recovery cones.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Cone

Most vets will provide you with an e-collar, but many dog owners like to buy their own as they aren’t usually very comfortable for the dog to wear. But before you decide on one, read through our buyer’s guide, as we’ll go over a few points that might help you with your purchase.

Dog Size

This is clearly one of the most important parts of buying a dog cone. Make sure you measure your dog’s neck and check the measurements on the listing. But also read the reviews. Sometimes the measurements aren’t accurate, which we’ve pointed out in a few of our reviews, and other dog owners usually share this information and give advice so you can figure out the correct size.

You should also measure the length of your dog’s head and snout, as well as the diameter of the head where it is widest. These measurements, in addition to the size of their neck, can help you find the right size.

Dog Cone Fastener

Most dog cones are fastened with Velcro, while others are attached with a drawstring or to your dog’s collar. The Velcro is probably one of the easier cones to get on and off your dog, but you know your dog best. Would they patiently sit while you pushed it over the head and then tighten with a drawstring, or would putting it on with the collar work best?

Dog Cone Comfort

You’ll want to protect your dog’s wound or incision, but they should also be able to eat and sleep comfortably with it on. It shouldn’t be too large and unwieldy either. You don’t want them getting stuck in furniture or running into walls. If you need guidance on picking a dog cone that will keep your dog’s wound safe, we suggest you speak to a vet.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your dog — all at an affordable price!

Click to Speak With a Vet

Location of the Wound/Incision

What you are buying the cone for is to stop your dog from licking, biting, or scratching at the injury or incision. This is where the measurements and sizing are also necessary. If your dog has a long snout, you’ll need to ensure the cone is long enough to prevent your dog from nibbling on the area. Use your judgment.

How We Selected These Dog Cones

This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog cones reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog cones available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.

Why Trust Dogster?

Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog cones. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.

Conclusion

The All Four Paws Comfy Cone is our pick for the best overall dog cone. It is made with a soft, flexible, and comfortable nylon, which is also washable. The SunGrow Post-Surgery Soft Cone is a great value, and it comes in a cute pink with white polka dot patterned fabric that is easy to wash. Finally, the KONG Cloud Collar is inflatable and attaches to your dog’s collar and won’t block your dog’s peripheral vision.

We hope these reviews will have helped you figure out the best cone for your dog and that they heal fast and maybe with a bit of dignity. No cones of shame here!

• See also: 7 Effective DIY Dog Cones You Can Make Today

Featured Image Credit: Kittima05, Shutterstock