The Best Barbell Collars Are an Important, Yet Often Overlooked Piece of Equipment

Clout Fitness Clamp Collar clicks in a lock position to secure your weights

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The Best Barbell Collars

Verywell / Danie Drankwalter

If you're thinking of buying a barbell and weight plates set for your home gym, don't forget about factoring in a set of barbell collars. These clamps are crucial for keeping removable weight plates secure on your barbell so you can perform all types of lifts safely. Without collars, you run the risk of plates shifting and unbalancing the weight in the process—which isn’t only distracting, but also potentially dangerous.

When looking for barbell collars, make sure they have a locking system that secures the weight tightly and doesn't allow your weights to slip. We researched dozens of barbell collars and evaluated them for price, materials, and locking system.

Here are the best barbell collars on the market.

Best Overall

Clout Fitness Quick Release Pair of Locking 2" Olympic Size Barbell Clamp Collar

5
Clout Fitness Quick Release Pair of Locking 2-inch Olympic Size Barbell Clamp Collar

Courtesy of Amazon

We selected the Clout Fitness Quick Release collars as our top pick because it has a thick plastic and steel pins design, which makes them durable. Additionally, they're made to support heavier plates but are still lightweight.

Designed to be dropped without being broken or damaged, they easily secure heavier loads (and also light loads) thanks to a snug fit and grippy rubber pads that keep the clamps in place. The maximum grip surface ensures that plates stay exactly where you want them to, and the quick release clamp feature makes adding or changing load easy—the lever clicks to signal locked and unlocked positions for additional safety measures.

Compatible with Olympic standard size barbells and at a medium price range, Clout’s barbell clamps are able to help anyone who wants to lift weights safely and smartly.

Price at time of publication: $20

Best Lightweight

Iron Lab Olympic Barbell Collar

Iron Lab Olympic Barbell Collar

Courtesy of Amazon

The Iron Lab Olympic Barbell Collars are made from high-quality nylon that holds plates in place without adding a lot of extra weight to the bar. The simple clasp design makes the collars easy to use (and can reportedly be secured with only one hand) which makes adding or removing weight plates less time-consuming.

The high-pressure grip pads make these collars incredibly durable and the fun, bright pink and yellow styles add some color to your gym equipment. The clamps are compatible with any Olympic bar and are ideal for lifting loads at a faster tempo, as is often done in CrossFit.

Best Design

Lock-Jaw Barbell Collars PRO 2 Barbell Collar

Lock-Jaw Barbell Collars PRO 2 Barbell Collar

Courtesy of Amazon

Suitable for all 2-inch Olympic barbells, these collars are designed to keep heavy plates safely in place. Thanks to their large levers, they're easy to snap on and off when you need to change weights during a workout.

Made with elastomer pads and resin frame, the clamps protect your bar and plates from any damage, while still holding them firmly in place. They also allow you to use bumper plates without damaging the bar. Choose between three elegant colors.

Price at time of publication: $43

Best for Standard Barbells

Dreampark Barbell Clamp

Dreampark Barbell Clamp

Courtesy of Amazon

For a secure fit on a standard barbell, you'll need barbell collars that are 1-inch in diameter, like this one from Dreampark. Compared to Olympic barbells, standard barbells are typically lighter and shorter and can be easier to maneuver for beginners, and also great for those with limited space. It's important to note, though, that standard barbells are usually less durable than their Olympic counterparts and can't handle as much weight.

These standard barbell clamps have a quick-release functionality that lets you take them on and off your bar with ease, and won't slide when they're in use. Keep in mind that they won't fit a threaded bar or 2-inch Olympic barbells.

Best Budget

CAP Barbell Olympic 2-Inch Spring Clip Collars

CAP Barbell Olympic 2-Inch Spring Clip Collars

Courtesy of Amazon

If you want to add barbell collars to your lifting equipment without spending a lot of money, spring collars are the clear winner. While spring collars do take a little more elbow grease to get on and off the bar, they are incredibly light, adding practically no additional weight to your lift.

The CAP Barbell Spring Clip Collars are made with high-quality steel that holds even heavier weights stable. The coating on the handles makes them easy to take on and off the bar without pinching, saving your hands and allowing you to make faster plate transitions. The collars will fit any 2-inch Olympic weight barbell.

Price at time of publication: $12

Best Splurge

Rogue KG Competition Collars

Rogue KG Competition Collars
Rogue

If you need collars that can perform in a competition setting, splurging on the Rogue KG Competition Collars is a must. Approved by the International Powerlifting Federation and designed with competitive weightlifters in mind, these steel collars are crafted with a ball-lever mechanism that allows for seamless load adjustments and faster plate transitions.

The collars weigh 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) each and are designed for maximum performance. Their compact width means you can load more weight plates onto your barbell without running out of space. The pair comes with a two-year warranty.

Price at time of publication: $190

Best Durable

Rogue USA Aluminum Collars

ROGUE USA ALUMINUM COLLARS

 ROGUE

Rogue’s USA-made Aluminum Collars are truly a work of art. They’re constructed with advanced, aircraft-grade 6061 Billet Aluminum—which means they’re going to last for as long as you need them to.

This durability does not mean they skimp on the other features you need, though. The collars include Rogue’s signature lock-open lever that allows for easy fastening onto the bar, as well as easy removal. With an interior rubber lining, they won't cause friction or scuffs to barbells or plates, and will prevent any damage done to themselves as well.

Although they're built to keep heavy plates in place, the barbell collars weigh less than 1 pound, making them easy to carry in a gym bag or store in small spaces. With a 1.5-inch width, they're compatible with any standard Olympic barbell and come in traditional as well as flashy colors.

Price at time of publication: $55

Best for Beginners

Valor Fitness MB-MC Muscle Clamps for Olympic Barbells

Valor

 Amazon

If you're a lifting beginner just branching out from workouts on elliptical machines, stationary bikes, or weight machines and are in need of a simple, yet safe, barbell collar, the Valor Fitness MB-MC Muscle Clamp is a perfect choice.

It locks on your bar in one single motion, allowing you to move the 10.4-ounce clamps on and off easily as you adjust plates. The sturdy design will hold weight plates tightly in place without slipping or scratching your equipment. The clamps come with a one-year warranty.

Price at time of publication: $28

Best for Heavy Lifting

Rogue HG 2.0 Collars

Rogue HG 2.0 Collars

 Rogue

When you’re lifting heavier weights, you need collars that can keep up. The Rogue HG 2.0 Collars are made of solid nylon resin with stainless steel hardware and a patented locking mechanism that can hold the heaviest weight through repeated drops.

They also have a spring function, allowing for a snap release that speeds up the time you spend taking them on and off the bar. Rogue collars are more of an investment—they all come with the promise to never scratch or damage your bar and plates, as well as a one-year warranty.

These collars are compatible with all standard Olympic weightlifting bars, as well as many specialty bars like the Axle, MG-1, and more.

Price at time of publication: $45 for one pair

What to Look for in a Barbell Collar

Hold

The main job of a barbell collar is to hold the weighted plates into place. You want to make sure the collars you’re using are strong and tight, not allowing any slip between your plates and the bar. This will help your barbell stay balanced and steady. 

Weight

Just like adding another plate to the bar, adding a barbell collar is another element that can increase the weight you’re lifting. Collars can range from a quarter of a pound (spring collars) to a couple of pounds, with competition collars weighing in at 5.5lbs per collar. You always want to know how much your collars weigh, so you can have an accurate number for the total weight you’re lifting. 

Speed of Assembly

Adding collars to your bar does add an extra step to your lifting routine. Depending on how many times you take off or add plates to your bar, you will want collars that you can attach and release easily.

Durability

If you’re looking to invest in collars that are more expensive, you want to make sure they will last. A barbell collar’s durability is affected by design and the material used to make it.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much do barbell collars weigh?

    Barbell collars vary in weight. The ones mentioned here weigh 10.4 ounces, 9.29 ounces, 1.06lbs, 0.5lbs, 10.4ounces, and 0.85lbs.

  • Are barbell collars necessary?

    Barbell collars are a standard safety requirement, meant to secure the plates and prevent injury due to them moving, rattling, or falling off.

  • How do I know what size barbell collars to purchase?

    Generally, all barbell collars are the same size. However, cheaper bars are not the same size as competition bars. Only buy competition collars if you have a competition bar.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

As a previous fitness coach, long-time wellness enthusiast, and current health editor, Lily Moe understands the importance of finding equipment that can help you reach your fitness goals. She’s seen how using the wrong equipment can cause injury, and how choosing the right tools will often be the momentum individuals need to reach success. Most importantly, Lily always looks for research and first-hand reviews when it comes to deciding on the best product.