Maybe your pup needs help learning leash manners, or perhaps they slip out of their leash easily. In either case, a Martingale collar can help. This type of collar tightens when your dog pulls, alerting them to back off. That might sound alarming, but many owners have found this collar safer than choke collars and equally effective.
The problem is that there are so many Martingale collars to choose from. They come in different sizes and colors, and many have additional features. So, we have compiled a reviews list of our favorite Martingale collars to help you pick the best one for your dog.
In this article
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2026)
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
|
|
PetSafe Martingale Dog Collar |
|
Check Price |
Best Value
|
|
Frisco Martingale Dog Collar With Buckle |
|
Check Price |
Premium Choice
|
|
Wolfgang Man & Beast Martingale Collar |
|
Check Price |
|
Max and Neo Standard Martingale Collar |
|
Check Price | |
|
Alcott Martingale Dog Collar |
|
Check Price |
The 9 Best Martingale Dog Collars
1. PetSafe Quick Snap Buckle Nylon Martingale Dog Collar — Best Overall
| Material: | Nylon |
| Breed Size: | Petite, Small, Medium, Large |
| Special Features: | Snap Buckle |
The PetSafe Quick Snap Buckle Nylon Martingale Dog Collar wins our vote for the best overall Martingale dog collar! It’s perfect for dogs of any size and breed for daily wear. Many owners want a quick-snap buckle on a Martingale collar, and this collar has a firm, sturdy clasp.
We like that this collar is straightforward. There are no heavy chains; it gives gentle control and has a place for dog ID tags. The material is not too thin or too thick either. The biggest con with this collar is that some owners have difficulty finding the right size for their pup. The choke section adds another 5 inches, so you might have to buy a size smaller for your dog.
Aside from the difficulty in sizing, this collar deserves two paws up in safety, appearance, and design!
- Good snap buckle
- Good for small breeds
- Place to attach ID tags
- Affordable
- Collar sizing may not match measurements
- Limited color options
2. Frisco Solid Nylon Martingale Dog Collar With Buckle — Best Value
| Material: | Nylon |
| Breed Size: | Small, Medium, Large |
| Special Features: | Side-release buckle |
The Frisco Solid Nylon Martingale Dog Collar With Buckle is the best Martingale dog collar for the money. It can fit into any budget and is a simple design with a secure side buckle for convenience. This collar has two D rings, one for the leash and the other for ID tags, so you don’t have to worry about overcrowding. The material is nylon and isn’t too thin or thick.
The downside to this collar is that it is not great for large, muscular breeds. If your dog likes to pull and is as strong as an ox, this collar is not the best fit. Some owners also find that the collar is more oversized than expected, so you might want to order a smaller size. There’s not a wide array of color options either.
Ultimately, though, this collar is an excellent option for those needing an affordable and effective Martingale collar.
- Affordable
- Made from nylon
- Separate place for ID tags
- Not great for large, strong dogs
- Not great for toy breeds
3. Wolfgang Man & Beast Premium Martingale Dog Collar — Premium Choice
| Material: | Polyester, Nylon, Alloy Steel, Leather |
| Breed Size: | Small, Medium, Large |
| Special Features: | Side-release buckle, interesting designs |
The Wolfgang Man & Beast Premium Martingale Dog Collar wins the best premium choice. It has a simple Martingale design but is made with various materials. The collar patterns stand out among most others, with featured artist designs. There are no heavy chains, and it has a side buckle for convenience.
The downside to this collar is that it’s bulky. Plus, owners with muscular dogs, particularly strong Pitties, have had the collars rip after a month. It’s also a pricey collar, so this might not be the best option for new puppies. Overall, though, it’s a great design, and many owners have no issues with sizing.
- Hot-cut edges to prevent fraying
- Cool designs
- Pricey
- Patterns may show grime
- Bulky
- Some owners with strong dogs report the collar ripping
4. Max and Neo Nylon Martingale Dog Collar
| Material: | Nylon |
| Breed Size: | Toy, Small, Medium, Large |
| Special Features: | Reflective stitching, lockable buckle |
The Max and Neo Nylon Martingale Dog Collar wins the best collar for puppies. What we like about this collar is its small width. Sometimes, dog collars are too bulky for puppies. But this one is thin and sturdy and has a straightforward design. Although the width is small, the material is nylon and connected with reflective stitching.
Puppies have difficulty standing still, so the side-release buckle makes gearing up for walks a breeze. The wonderful part about this collar is the lockable buckle. Plastic clips sometimes fail, especially with stronger dogs. Max and Neo’s collar has a lock to prevent the plastic buckle from slipping.
Additionally, Max and Neo will donate a collar to a shelter for every collar sold. The downside to this product is that it’s a little pricey for a puppy collar. There are no free returns, and some owners report unreliable plastic pieces on the collar.
- For every collar purchased, one collar is donated
- Lockable buckle
- No free returns
- Some of the plastic parts aren’t reliable
- Pricey
5. Alcott Polyester Reflective Martingale Dog Collar
| Material: | Polyester, Neoprene |
| Breed Size: | Medium, Large |
| Special Features: | Reflective stitching, padded |
The Alcott Polyester Reflective Martingale Dog Collar is pure polyester. What’s nice about this collar is that it’s also padded with neoprene, a synthetic rubber that’s durable, waterproof, chemically resistant, and thermally stable. So, you shouldn’t have to worry about fraying or sharp edges. Buyers haven’t mentioned anything about the polyester stretching either.
This slip-over collar is bound together with reflective stitching. This makes it shiny and perfect for late-night walks and adventures. This option could be nice for travelers and hikers, except that it has no release buckle.
Also, something to note about the sizing is that the small neck circumference is between 10 and 14 inches, so this wouldn’t be a good fit for toy breeds with a petite neck girth or for puppies.
- Reflective material
- Padded for comfort
- Colors don’t look exactly as pictured
- No small options
- No release buckle
- Minimal color options
6. Max and Neo Dog Gear Nylon Reflective Martingale Dog Collar With Chain
| Material: | Nylon |
| Breed Size: | Medium, Large |
| Special Features: | Stainless-steel chain, reflective stitching, lockable buckle |
Max and Neo Dog Gear Nylon Reflective Martingale Dog Collar With Chain comes with a stainless-steel chain. The fabric material is nylon and features reflective stitching. Like many Max and Neo collars, this one has a lockable buckle for peace of mind and convenience.
Max and Neo take it one step further by donating one collar to animal shelters for every collar purchased. The downside to this product is that it’s not ideal for small breeds. Unfortunately, the chain is too heavy for some small dogs and sometimes falls into the front, making the dog trip. Some owners have also reported the chain staining the fur on their pets. Still, this could be a great option if you have a medium or large dog without a white coat.
- Thick, sturdy metal
- Reflective stitching
- For every collar purchased, one collar is donated
- Lockable buckle
- Metal chain likes to fall forward
- The metal stains
- Not great for toy breeds
7. Euro-Dog Luxury Leather Martingale Dog Collar
| Material: | Leather, European Steel |
| Breed Size: | Medium, Large |
| Special Features: | American-made leather |
Euro-Dog Luxury Leather Martingale Dog Collar is a classic-style collar that looks fantastic on any breed. It’s stylish yet strong and durable. The main part of the collar is American leather, and the metal chain and clips are European steel and nickel-plated. The color options are limited, but the colors that you get are vibrant and beautiful.
This collar is slip-on only and has no special features except that the leather is American-made. Reviewers in love with this collar note that the chain isn’t too thick or heavy. You can find this collar in various sizes so your small dog won’t bear the weight of heavy steel from the chain. If you have a puppy that likes to chew, it’s best to go with a different collar on this list until you’re confident that your puppy won’t destroy the Euro-Dog collar.
- Classy style
- Chain is thin and smooth
- Limited color options
- No buckle
8. Country Brook Petz Martingale Heavy Duty Nylon Dog Collar
| Material: | Nylon |
| Breed Size: | Toy, Small, Medium, Large |
| Special Features: | One D-ring |
Country Brook Petz Martingale Heavy Duty Nylon Dog Collar has a thick 1-inch width for the large size. The small size width is around ⅜ inches. This is a standard slip-over collar with only one D-ring. The metal ring is nickel-plated, and you can choose from a wide array of color options.
The biggest con of this collar is its stiffness. Some edges are rough, which might bother your dog’s neck. However, it’s an affordable option made with sturdy nylon material, and it’s simple to use.
- Sturdy material
- Wide array of color options
- Affordable
- Loop edging starts to fray after a while
- Material may be too thick and stiff
- Rough seams
9. Dazzber Martingale Dog Collars
| Material: | Polyester |
| Breed Size: | Small, Medium, Large |
| Special Features: | One D-ring |
The Dazzber Martingale Dog Collars set has a traditional Martingale design, so there’s no buckle. There are dozens of fun designs and colors, and each collar has one D-ring for both the leash and ID tags.
The downside to this collar is that it’s bulky. You can buy this for a small dog, but the 1-inch width might bother tiny breeds. Some owners report that the material loosens over time or that the collar doesn’t stay tight. The plastic clips can also be challenging to adjust. However, most owners haven’t had any issues with sizing or the design and love this collar. The company offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the product!
- Machine washable
- Fun patterns
- 100% guarantee
- A little bulky
- Colors may fade
- Doesn’t stay tight
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Martingale Collar for Your Dog
We listed the best options for Martingale collars. Now, choosing the best collar for your pup is up to you. But how do you know which is best if you’ve never used one? You’ll want to start by measuring your dog for the right size. The following video shows you how to do so.
The Pros of Using Martingale Collars
Martingale collars are known as the humane version of choke collars. They were designed initially for sighthounds, since these dogs could easily back out of their collars due to their small heads. The way that Martingale collars function can help with various collar issues and training. Here are four benefits of using this type of collar:
- Ensures Control: The pressure applied to your dog’s neck is evenly divided with the two loops compared to a standard collar.
- Great for Training: Puppies or fully grown dogs that like to pull on their leash feel the applied pressure from the Martingale collar and know to back off until the pressure no longer exists.
- Escape Prevention: The Martingale collar tightens to the exact circumference of your dog’s neck. When the collar tightens, your dog’s chances of slipping out of a standard collar are slim to none.
- Safe and Secure: If you have to pull on your dog in a standard collar, the pressure is applied to the esophagus. Martingale collars are safe for your dog’s neck because it evenly distributes the pressure.
The Different Types of Martingale Collars
All Martingale collars have two loops, a D-ring, and size adjusters. There are two types of Martingale collars you should know about: No-Slip and Check. These collars vary to a certain degree, but both still have the essential function of a Martingale.
No-Slip Collar
A No-Slip Martingale collar, also known as the standard collar, is a slip-over style collar. The entire collar is made of the same material. It’s effective for preventing your dog from slipping out of the collar. Many dog owners buy the No-Slip for this very reason.
Check Collar
The Check collar (or half-check collar) is a variation of the No-Slip collar. This collar is half-made of fabric, and the other half is a chain. The chain makes these collars more durable. Dog trainers like this type of Martingale collar because the sound of the chain accompanies the choke action.
Special Features to Keep in Mind
Different Martingale designers like to add special features. To make the best purchase for your pup while shopping, consider these features along with the leash that you will be using.
- Release Buckle: The release buckle differs from the standard style of Martingale collars. Instead of slipping the collar over the dog’s head, you can easily remove the collar by unsnapping it with the buckle. This is a nice option for puppies.
- Lockable Release Buckle: This feature piggybacks off the release buckle with the added part of locking the clip in place. Some large, muscular dogs can pull the clip apart, defeating the purpose of a Martingale collar. The lock helps prevent this.
- Reflective Stitching: Reflective stitching helps your dog’s collar stay visible in the darkest hours. This is a nice option if you plan to take your dog hiking or go on late-night walks.
- D-rings: All Martingale collars come with at least one D-ring. If your collar only has one, you’ll have to attach your dog’s ID tags and leash to the same ring. If you think you’ll need more space, look for a collar with at least two D-rings.
- Material: The material matters with Martingale collars. Nylon is the best option because it’s synthetic and strong, but it’s not that stylish. Leather is a good material because it’s strong and reliable. Some materials may be rough on the neck, so keep that in mind too.
How We Selected These Martingale Dog Collars
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog collars 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 collars 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 collars. 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.
Final Thoughts
There are so many Martingale collars on the market, finding the best one will take a while. We want to help, so based on this reviews list, here are our top three picks.
The best Martingale collar is the PetSafe Quick Snap Buckle Nylon Martingale Dog Collar. It’s perfect for dogs of all sizes and breeds. It meets all the requirements for a reliable No-Slip collar with the convenience of a release buckle. For a more affordable option, go with the Frisco Solid Nylon Martingale Dog Collar With Buckle. It also has a side buckle with durable nylon.
Finally, our premium option is the Wolfgang Man & Beast Premium Martingale Dog Collar. It has all the same features and your dog will look fabulous!
See also: How to Measure a Dog for a Collar
Featured Image Credit: Michael Morse, Pexels
