Not all collars are created equal, and it can be overwhelming to choose the right collar for your furry best friend.
You can choose a flat collar, a choker chain, a headcollar or head halter, a halter, or a Martingale. We highly suggest the Martingale.
But, what is a Martingale? A Martingale is a cross between a flat collar and a slip-on collar that slightly tightens when the dog pulls.
What’s best about this option is that tightening is limited and it encourages your dog to stop pulling on the leash. It’s a great training and walking tool.
We put the best martingale dog collars to the test to see which were the best. Let’s dive right in.
Our Top Picks
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: NICKYLAB Martingale Dog Collar Set | NICKLYLAB Martingale collar is at the top of our list. It’s durable, sturdy, and doesn’t come with a chain. It’s reflective and comes with a matching leash. | Check Price |
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Best Budget: Hyhug Martingale Collar | This is a lightweight and durable nylon Martingale that comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. It has a matching leash, though the collar and leash are both a little narrow for large dogs. | Check Price |
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Best For Small Dogs: Blueberry Pet Martingale Dog Collar | Blueberry has one of the prettiest collars on the list and is made for the beautiful dog in your life. It’s durable, comfortable, and available in 3 sizes to fit most dogs. | Check Price |
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Best For Strong Dogs: Max And Neo Stainless Steel Collar | Max and Neo deliver a collar made for strong dogs. It has a steel chain Martingale loop to give it that extra corrective hint that should bring even stubborn dogs to good behavior. | Check Price |
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Best Collar And Leash Combo: Country Brook Collar and 2 Handle Leash | This is a great budget-friendly Martingale and leash combo. The included leash has 2 handles so you can quickly shorten it to have extra control over the dog. | Check Price |
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Best For Overnight Use: Max And Neo Martingale Collar | A great collar for overnight use. Comfortable nylon with a slim design and plastic buckle, this is a great option for all-day wear. | Check Price |
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Best For Nighttime Walks:Blueberry Reflective Martingale Dog Collar | This stylish collar is made for nighttime walks. Made with 3D reflective material for safety, it’s durable, functional, and comfortable to wear. | Check Price |
How We Narrowed Down the Best Martingale Dog Collars
While searching for the best Martingale dog collars, we considered top brands known for making premium dog products. We also wanted to find Martingale dog collars that look great.
We started by looking at collars that vets and trainers recommend. We made sure we understood what qualities are important in a safe and effective Martingale dog collar.
We also considered durable dog collars suitable for all types of dogs, including strong and small dogs. With this in mind, we made sure that collars were safe to wear.
Finally, we searched the internet for top-rated Martingale dog collars that owners love for both form and function.
We looked at top collars from online retailers like Amazon and Chewy.
We finally chose 11 of the best Martingale dog collars and put them to the test. We loved 7 of them enough to recommend and included 3 as honorable mentions.
We’ll get right down to business and tell you which Martingale dog collars we loved and why.
Best Martingale Dog Collar Reviews
1. Best Overall: NICKYLAB Martingale Dog Collar Set
Product Ratings
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Lock Feature | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 5/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 10.35 x 2.83 x 1.38 inches | Weight: 10.23 ounces | Material: Nylon | Closure Type: Buckle
What We Liked
- For every customer return, the company donates a dollar to a rescue dog
- Offers a collar for an extra-large dog without using a chain
- Comes with an adjustable leash so that you can use it for training or a service dog
What We Didn’t Like
- There are times that the collar needs to be tightened
- An especially strong dog could break the buckle
First on our list of the best Martingale dog collars is the Nickylab Martingale dog collar set.
This beautiful color has an easy snap buckle so that you can get it on and off of your dog without a fuss.
It comes with a two-handled leash so that you can either walk or train your dog. The shorter handle on the leash is great for a service dog or walking in high-traffic areas.
This dog collar comes in a large and an extra-large size with red or black for colors.
It also comes with a D-ring on the handle so that you can easily carry dog poop bags or a water bowl which makes it easy for any walk.
We also loved the pretty packaging. This is a perfect gift for the dog lover on your list. If you’re not satisfied and return it, the company donates a dollar to a rescue pet in need.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON2. Best Budget: Hyhug Martingale Collar
Product Ratings
| Comfort | 4/5 |
| Lock Feature | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 4.72×1.97×1.77 inches | Weight: .63 ounces | Material: Nylon | Closure Type: Slip-on and adjust
What We Liked
- This collar has no closures so that it cannot easily snap off of your dog
- Very lightweight collar
- The collar comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
What We Didn’t Like
- The colors can bleed
- Hyhug leashes are sold separately which makes it more costly
- It’s not made for larger dogs
The Hyhug Pets Premium Martingale dog collar is made to be comfy and safe.
We loved that it’s an anti–escape collar made for professional training and your daily walk. This is also the most affordable option on the list!
This collar does have a matching leash, but it’s sold separately.
We were amazed at all the available colors including black, bright blue, classic blue, dark green, hot pink, yellow, white and green, military green, red, rose red, gray, and purple.
Hyhug gives you many options at such a great price that you can choose the color that suits your dog best.
This is a great-fitting and comfortable collar. It’s easy to slip over your dog’s head and tighten.
It comes in small, medium, and large to suit most dog breeds.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON3. Best for Small Dogs: Blueberry Pet Martingale Dog Collar
Product Ratings
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Lock Feature | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 6.38×2.91x.87 inches | Weight: .71 ounces | Material: Polyester | Closure Type: Slip-on and adjust
What We Liked
- This color comes in a beautiful colors and floral patterns
- It’s easy to put on and take off
- It comes with a matching leash that you can buy separately
What We Didn’t Like
- The Martingale loop is very small, so it limits correction
- Some pet owners found that the collar was scratchy and rough
- The colors can wear off
We love this collar best for our petite dogs because it suits them so well. There’s a matching leash available which is sold separately.
The Martingale loop on this collar is very small, so it provides minimal correction while walking. This is perfect for well-trained and small dogs.
Patterns include Irish blue floral, ivory floral, rose baby pink floral, turquoise floral, and a pastel blue floral.
We loved how pretty these colors were and how nice they looked on our dogs. This is a great option for the little fashionista in your life.
There’s no buckle on a regular Martingale collar, and this is no exception. Slip the collar over the dog’s head and use the slider to adjust the fit.
What could be better for training your little pampered pup?
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON4. Best for Strong Dogs: Max And Neo Stainless Steel Collar
Product Ratings
| Comfort | 4/5 |
| Lock Feature | 5/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
Dimensions: 7.01×3.11x.98 inches | Weight: 3.84 ounces |Material: Nylon | Closure Type: Locking buckle
What We Liked
- For every collar sold, they donate a collar to a rescue dog
- This collar comes in extra-small, small, medium, medium-large, and large to fit most dogs
- This color comes in several beautiful colors
- Reflective stitching for nighttime safety
What We Didn’t Like
- The metal part of the collar can pinch your dog’s fur
- The sizing of this product can be tricky
- There have been reports of sharp edges on the metal part of the collar
Max and Neo Put their money where their mouth is with this wonderful nylon collar.
For every collar bought, Max and Neo donate a collar to a rescue dog in the United States. They work from a list and each location receives a donation.
We love the fact that there was a chain on this with an O-ring to clip the leash.
What makes it an ideal option for a strong dog is that it has a lockable tab so it won’t accidentally release causing your dog to run off.
It also comes in a range of colors including black, blue, orange, pink, purple, red, and teal.
The Martingale loop on this collar is large and made from a steel chain for extra durability and correction.
We only recommend this collar for very energetic and strong dogs. Most dogs don’t need this level of Martingale correction to learn to walk nicely.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWY5. Best Collar and Leash Combo: Country Brook Collar and 2 Handle Leash
Product Ratings
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Lock Feature | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: Varies | Weight: 9.44 ounces | Material: Nylon | Closure Type: Slip-on and adjust
What We Liked
- This collar comes in 17 colors
- Comes with a leash which makes it super affordable
- It doesn’t come with a buckle so that it doesn’t automatically snap off
What We Didn’t Like
- The collar has a tendency to fray over time
- There have been reported issues with the collar coming undone
- The leash is thick and can be difficult for seniors and people with smaller hands
The Country Brook collar is a great option if you’re looking for a collar and a leash combination.
This “made in the USA” option comes with free shipping and an extra handle perfect for training or walks in the city.
The leash is 6 ft long and perfect for long walks in the country.
The collar is made of nylon so it’s durable and sturdy enough for even the hardiest of dogs.
We like the size of the Martingale loop on this collar, and find it’s appropriate for training and walking most dogs.
The Country Brook comes in a variety of colors including black, brown, burgundy, green, lime green, orange, pink, lavender, mango, blue, hot orange, hot pink, purple, red, royal blue, silver, and teal.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON6. Best for Overnight Use: Max And Neo Martingale Collar
Product Ratings
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Lock Feature | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 10.2×1.81x.79 inches | Weight: 1.59 ounces | Material: Nylon | Closure Type: Locking buckle
What We Liked
- We loved that Max and Neo donates a collar for every collar sold
- Customers like the fit of this collar
- It comes in a range of pretty colors
What We Didn’t Like
- It’s not a sturdy option for dogs over 50 lb
- There have been reported issues with the clasp breaking
- The edges of the collar seem to fray quickly
Here’s another entry from Max and Neo. Once again we love this line because they give back to the dog community.
This is a more petite nylon Martingale collar that comes in a variety of colors such as black, blue, orange, pink, purple, red, and teal.
It also comes in a range of sizes including small, extra small, medium, medium-large, large, and extra-large.
We like this collar for nearly every breed and size of dog.
It’s great for overnight use because of how comfortable this collar is.
This color comes in a thinner width and has only nylon material so that it’s more comfortable for your dog to sleep in.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON7. Best for Nighttime Walks: Blueberry Reflective Martingale Dog Collar
Product Ratings
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Lock Feature | 4/5 |
| Sturdiness | 5/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
Dimensions: 5.98×3.39x.94 inches | Weight: 1.41 ounces | Material: Polyester | Closure Type: Slip-on and adjust
What We Liked
- The Blueberry comes in several pretty striped combinations
- It doesn’t have a buckle which makes it ideal for dogs that pull
- It’s reflective which makes it great for night-time walks
What We Didn’t Like
- The leash and harness are sold separately
- This is one of the pricier models on the list
- There have been reported issues with the dog sliding out of the collar
Here’s another entry from Blueberry. This company offers such pretty designs that you just won’t be able to resist.
What we really liked about this is that it’s reflective from up to 3 meters so you can safely take your pup on nighttime walks.
This collar is adorable.
It comes in a striped pattern with various color combinations like dark green and pink, blue and gray, orange and black, pink emerald and orchid, violet and celeste, and yellow and green.
We love that this collar comes in small, medium, and large.
What’s really nice is that you have the option to purchase leashes and harnesses that coordinate with this look. This is a great way to style your dog and keep it safe.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWYComparison Chart
| Ratings | Overall Rating | Comfort | Lock Feature | Sturdiness | Durability |
| Best Overall | 4.8 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Best Budget | 4.5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Best for Small Dogs | 4.6 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Best for Strong Dogs | 4.6 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Best Collar/Leash Combo | 4.7 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Best for Nighttime Use | 4.7 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Best for Overnight Use | 4.6 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
The Winner
The winner is definitely the NICKYLAB Martingale dog collar. It’s not only a beautiful color, but it’s functional, too.
It has a nice buckle, comes in a pretty design, and a leash is included.
How to Choose the Best Martingale Dog Collar
Martingale collars come in many names including limited-slip collars and no-slip collars.
These are most often used to train dogs to walk alongside you without pulling or jumping. It’s also an optimal tool for training therapy dogs.
Originally developed for use with greyhounds and sighthounds, these collars offer you more control over your dog without the choking effect a slip collar brings when your dog pulls on the leash.
Why Are Martingale Collars Better?
The Martingale collar is a great option because it’s safe and comfortable.
These collars are made with a pair of loops. You slip the larger loop over your dog’s neck and then clip a leash to the small loop.
This small loop is typically made of nylon or stainless steel.
The tension caused by pulling or jumping causes the small loop to tighten, preventing your dog from slipping his leash reliably and humanely.
A Martingale loop never chokes your dog, but teaches them not to pull or jump when on a leash.
Can You Leave a Martingale Collar on All the Time?
As a general rule, you should always supervise your dog when he’s wearing one of these collars. The issue with these collars is the way they tighten.
If your dog is left to his own devices, he could get snarled up with the Martingale loop becoming a choking hazard rather than a training aid.
Since it’s a smart move to keep ID tags attached to your dog at all times, you could consider using a tag collar or a narrower collar with a buckle when you’re at work and your pup is home alone.
If you’re not sure what kind of collar is right for your dog, check out this guide to how to choose the right dog collar.
Honorable Mentions
1. Country Brook Petz
This heavy-duty collar is only 1 inch wide making it comfortable for long-wearing sessions.
This model comes in a range of colors including black, brown, green, lime green, hot orange, purple, lavender, blue, orange, pink, purple, red, royal blue, burgundy, charcoal, copper-gold, ice blue, mango, silver, teal, and lilac.
This collar isn’t colorfast and there have been some issues with customer service regarding this issue.
If you’re looking for a great budget option, we recommend looking at the Hyhug Martingale Collar instead.
2. PetSafe Martingale Collar
Here’s one from brand reliable PetSafe. This is a pull-on style with a limited color range of black, blue, purple, and red.
This is a great collar for the escape artist because of its construction.
Some concerns were the loop can get caught on or snag things like vegetation, and there are also issues with the collar staying adjusted.
If you’re looking for a more robust option, try the NICKYLAB Martingale Dog Collar Set.
3. SGang Handmade Martingale Collar
This is one of the prettiest collars on the list. SGang has made it pretty to look at and functional.
The hardware is durable because it’s welded, making it safer than some of the other best martingale dog collars.
It’s a 2-inch wide collar so it works well with larger breeds.
The SGang isn’t made for small dogs and the sizing starts at medium and goes through to an extra-large.
This is a pricier collar and there are more affordable options on the list that are also pretty like the Blueberry Reflective Martingale Dog Collar.
