10 Best Barbell Collars in 2025 (Reviewed By Lifters)

Finding the best barbell collars might seem like a small detail when it comes to your weightlifting routine, but it’s a crucial one. Think about a seasoned chef – they wouldn’t want to use just any knife, right? It’s the same thing when it comes to weightlifters and barbell collars – you want to choose the best ones.

Remember that nothing plays a bigger part when it comes to safety and efficiency during lifts than a reliable barbell collar. If you need to spend days scouring the internet to find the best collars, think again! We have 10 excellent barbell collars to share with you, and we’re going into detail on how well they perform, how durable they are and what the price-to-quality ratio is.

Let’s lift (safer)!

Our team of experts and professional athletes has tested and compared 34 barbell collars to bring you the 10 best ones. The collars were carefully evaluated across 5 key factors, and our team spent over 400 hours in total testing them. In addition to the testing process, they have reviewed hundreds of online user reviews. We update this list all the time, so leave a comment, share your experiences with us, and let’s chat!

How We Choose Product for Testing?

To choose the best products, we have leaned into practicality and diversity. We wanted to make sure our choices covered a spectrum of designs, locking mechanisms, and price points to make sure the review was well-rounded and everybody could find something for themselves.

Our priorities were collars that received a lot of positive feedback from users and those that had innovative and useful features. We then tested these hands-on to make sure they’re as good as we expected them to be. 

5 Reasons Why You Need Barbell Collars

These small but important accessories often get overlooked, and it seems like a lot of people don’t really understand their significance, but barbell collars are an essential component of weightlifting equipment. They play a big part in keeping you safe and improving your performance during training. 

1. Safety and Stability

Their main job is to secure the weight plates in place and prevent them from sliding and shifting during lifts. This makes your entire lifting experience safer and reduces the risk of accidents or injuries that are caused by the plates slipping off the barbell. 

2. More Focus on Form

If you don’t need to worry about your plates sliding off, you can concentrate on your form and technique. Proper form is crucial for your performance and will reduce the chances of injuries that result from poor posture or imbalance. 

3. No Plate Clanking

Clanking and rattling can be very distracting and irritating, and barbell collars prevent that from happening. 

4. Less Wear and Tear

Using collars minimizes wear and tear on the barbell’s sleeves because they don’t let the plates slide, scrape, or scratch the bar’s surface. Consequently, it prolongs the lifespan of both the barbell and the weight plates. 

5. Quick Weight Changes

Some collars come with quick-release mechanisms that allow you to quickly change the weights during exercises. This feature lets you keep the momentum as you transition between the sets, and you don’t need to waste time on securing or removing plates manually. 

When You Should Use Barbell Collars?

Do you need collars in absolutely every situation? No, but it’s better to have them and not need them than vice versa. Although their most important job is to keep the plates in place, there are situations in which collars are vital for performance and safety. 

1. Heavy Lifting

Heavy lifts cause more injuries, so you want to be as safe as possible. Deadlifts, squats, and bench presses should never be done without collars. The added weight and intensity increase the risk of plates slipping, which is a considerable safety hazard. Collars will firmly secure the weights and prevent potential accidents. 

2. Olympic Weightlifting

Olympic weightlifting is all about timing, precision, and technique, so you need barbell collars to make sure the plates stay in place during complex movements like snatches or clean and jerks. They will help maintain stability throughout explosive lifts. 

3. Dynamic and Fast Movements

Functional or HIIT workouts that involve quick or dynamic movements can make the plates shift and compromise your form and balance. If you have collars, then you won’t get any interruptions, because they will provide stability.

4. Unilateral or Asymmetrical Exercises

Exercises like single-arm dumbbell presses, lunges, and generally everything that targets one side of your body can lead to imbalances if weights slide off the bar. Collars prevent this from happening, so make sure to always have them. 

5. Superset or Circuit Training

Readjusting plates can be a pain, especially in supersets or circuit training where you quickly go from one exercise to the other. With collars, weight changes are seamless, and there are a lot fewer interruptions. 

6. Beginners

Beginner lifters have less control over their movements, which often leads to plates moving accidentally. Collars add safety and confidence, which means a beginner can focus on working on their form and technique instead of being worried about the plates slipping. 

7. Anything Involving Bumper Plates

Bumper plates are thicker and more likely to move, so anything that involves them needs barbell collars to make the plates remain stable and in place.

When You Should Not Use Collars?

Generally, collars are considered to be useful, but there are situations in which they are not necessary. 

If you’re someone that’s used to performing exercises with controlled, lighter loads and you have the skill and experience to stabilize the weights throughout your movements, then there’s no reason for you to use collars. Another instance where you might choose to omit collars is if you prioritize being able to quickly adjust the weights between sets over the stability that comes from barbell collars.

This is especially the case with experienced lifters who focus on fast-paced workouts that need constant weight adjustments. They will probably choose against using collars because they want to be able to change the weights swiftly, without stopping to remove collars each time. It’s kind of like streamlining their workout flow for quicker and easier adjustments. 

Those who follow unique or less structured workouts will also probably choose to work out without collars because they want more freedom of movement. 

Overall, whether or not you use collars is going to come down to your preference and the type of exercise you’re doing.

Pro Tip:

"Choosing to work out without barbell collars can be practical if you’re experienced, but it needs a strategic approach to be safe and efficient. If you’re lifting lighter weights with controlled movements, consider the floor you’re on – a softer surface can reduce the risk of weights rolling if they slide off."

7 Types of Barbell Collars

There are different types of collars to choose from, since there needs to be enough variety to cater to different lifting needs and, of course, personal taste. Here’s a rundown of the available collars:

1. Spring Collars

The classic spring collar is one of the most common types. They’re very simple and use spring tension to grip the sleeves tightly. These collars are easy to use: just squeeze the handles to release or tighten them on the barbell.

2. Clamp Collars

Clamp collars are simple and efficient. They have a clamping system (hence the name) that allows you to tighten them by flipping a latch or a lever, which makes for quick, secure adjustments with hardly any effort. 

3. Olympic Lock Collars

Olympic bar collars are constructed specifically for Olympic weightlifting and fit Olympic bars (which are 2’’ in diameter). They are very secure and vary in design (spring, lock-jaw, screw types, etc.). 

4. Spin-Lock Collars

Used with spin-lock barbells, these collars are threaded and screwed onto the bar. The fit they provide is very secure, but they’re specific to spin-lock bars and can’t be used with standard Olympic or powerlifting bars. 

5. Chain Collars

This is a niche type that allows you to add chains to the barbell for varied resistance training. They’re usually not used for standard weightlifting but are still popular in certain strength and conditioning programs. 

6. Lock-Jaw Collars

Typically, lock-jaw collars can be installed and released with one hand. They’re more secure than spring clips and are made of plastic or metal. Lock-jaw collars are popular in both commercial and home gyms. 

7. Magnetic Collars

This is a newer type that secures the weights using magnets. They’re easy to use and provide a secure fit but tend to be pricey.

How to Choose Barbell Collars?

When choosing the barbell collars, you want them to suit your taste and the exercises you do as well as to acquire the best value for money. Barbell collar reviews are always a good source of information, but don’t rely on them completely. Here’s what to pay attention to ensure you’re making the right choice:

1. Type

The first thing to do is to think about the type. You need it to align with what your workouts require, so get familiar with the different types and their features. 

2. Diameter

The diameter of the collar needs to fit the diameter of the bar you’re using. Common bar size is 2’’, but some collars are made for specific bar sizes, so check the size before actually buying anything.

3. Materials

Construction is important if you want the collars to last a long time, so go for sturdy materials like metal, composite resin, or reinforced plastic. Quality materials will withstand wear and tear over time.

4. Durability

Collars go through a lot during training sessions, so you want them to be durable under heavy loads. Quality materials and construction are what makes collars durable. 

5. Weight

Weight is another thing you need to check before deciding which collars to get. Heavier weights are better for grip and stability, but they could add more overall weight to the barbell.

6. Certification

If you’re a competitive weightlifter, then you also need to look for certifications, like IWF or IPF. Certification means that the collars meet industry standards. 

7. Warranty

Not all collars come with a warranty, but some manufacturers are so sure of the quality of their product that they offer several years or even a lifetime warranty. Of course, the warranty doesn’t guarantee good quality, but it’s still good to have. 

8. Price

The price needs to fit your budget, but you also need to consider the quality and features the collar offers. Expensive collars might be more durable and have additional features compared to affordable options. 

9. Locking Mechanism

Look for an effective locking mechanism. This is something that goes beyond the type and impacts how quickly and easily you can secure and release the weights. Go for lock-jaw models if you need frequent weight changes, or clamps and spin-lock collars if you want a robust locking mechanism.

How to Use Barbell Collars?

Even the best and most expensive collars won’t be effective if you don’t use them correctly. Luckily, everything about using collars is relatively simple. 

1. Choosing the Right Type

This doesn’t have anything to do with actually using collars, but everything starts with making the correct choice as far as the type goes. Match the type of collar to your bar and consider the grip, compatibility, and how easy it is to use. 

2. Placement

After you’ve loaded the weight plates, slide the barbell lock onto the sleeves. It needs to be positioned snuggly against the plates, otherwise the plates will shift. 

3. Equal Weight Distribution

Before you’ve locked the collars, make sure you have distributed the weight plates evenly on both sides. Balanced weight distribution helps maintain stability and prevents imbalance. 

4. Secure Firmly

The collar’s locking mechanism should be firmly secured to prevent any movement.

5. Do Not Tighten Too Much

You want the grip to be secure, of course, but that doesn’t mean you should overtighten the collars. Overtightening can damage the barbell’s sleeves and compromise the collar’s functionality. 

6. Removing the Collars Properly

Carefully release the locking mechanism and don’t apply too much force that can cause damage or abruptly dislodge the plates.

7. Maintenance

Clean your collars on a regular basis. Remove any debris, dirt, or chalk buildup that can affect the collar’s grip or locking mechanism. 

FAQ

Is It Ok to Bench Without Clips?

Generally, you want to use clips for bench pressing to secure the weights and maintain stability or safety. They also help you focus better on your form, which is crucial for preventing injuries. Some lifters, however, will not use collars for safety reasons, in case they need to tip or tilt the barbell to quickly unload the weight during a struggle or failure while lifting. 

How Much Do Barbell Collars Weigh?

Usually, they weigh around 0.5 to 2 lbs per pair, depending on the type and the materials they’re made of. 

Are Spring Collars Safe?

If you use them correctly, spring collars are safe, but they may loosen over time, which will cause the plates to shift during intense workouts. If you want the strongest grip possible, you may want to choose clamps or lock-jaws instead of spring collars. 

Why Do People Lift Without Clips?

There are all kinds of reasons for lifting without clips, but usually it’s because people prioritize quick weight changes (for example, during HIIT or speed training) over the stability that comes from using collars. 

Conclusion

And that’s all there is to say about these little accessories! If you want to be as safe as possible during lifting, barbell collars will help you with that, and they (typically) won’t cost you too much. They’re simple, easy to use, and can be taken anywhere. 

If you want the best barbell clips on the market, go for our WBCM Barbell Collars Pro. They have everything you want and offer various color options. 

Do you use collars? If you do, which type is your favorite? If you don’t use them, why are you reluctant to give them a try? Are you excited to try any of the collars from our list?

Share your opinions, tips, recommendations… Basically, anything you can think of, we want to hear all of it!

Happy lifting!

Also read:

• Best Gifts For Personal Trainers
• Bench Press Wrist Pain
• What Is a Barbell Collar
• Do Arm Blasters Work
• How Heavy Is a Bench Press Bar

References: 

1. Ben Emminger, “Why You Should Be Using Barbell Collars,” Gear Patrol, https://www.gearpatrol.com/fitness/a43316451/barbell-collars-explained/ (accessed January 10, 2024).
2. Hashem A. Bukhary, Nwarah A. Basha, Amnah A. Dobel, Reem M. Alsufyani, Reem A. Alotaibi, Somayah H. Almadani, "Prevalence and Pattern of Injuries Across the Weight-Training Sports," Cureus 15, no. 11 (2023): e49759, doi: 10.7759/cureus.49759.
3. “Importance of Proper Weight Lifting Form,” Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine & Sports Medicine, https://www.hrosm.com/importance-of-proper-weight-lifting-form/ (accessed January 10, 2024).
4. “Prevent Injuries with Proper Form During Workouts,” National University of Singapore, https://www.nus.edu.sg/uhc/resources/articles/details/prevent-injuries-with-proper-form-during-workouts (accessed January 10, 2024).
5. Sergio Ruiz, “Why You Should Always Use Safety Clips When Doing Barbell Squats,” Medium, https://sfbodymatrix.medium.com/why-you-should-always-use-safety-clips-when-doing-barbell-squats-9dbfc490fc88 (accessed January 10, 2024).
6. All Photos made by WBCM Media Team.