The 9 Best Barbell Collars of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Clout Fitness Locking 2" Olympic Size Barbell Clamp Collar at Amazon

Designed to be dropped without being broken or damaged, they easily secure heavier loads thanks to a snug fit and grippy surface.

Best Lightweight:

Iron Lab Olympic Barbell Collar at Amazon

Made from high-quality nylon, they hold plates in place without adding a lot of extra weight to the bar.

Best Design:

Lock-Jaw Barbell Collars PRO 2 Barbell Collar at Amazon

Thanks to their large levers, they're easy to snap on and off when you need to change weights during a workout.

Best for Standard Barbells:

Dreampark Barbell Clamp at Amazon

Perfectly fit lighter, shorter standard barbells and have a quick-release functionality that lets you take them on and off easily.

Best Budget:

CAP Barbell Olympic Spring Clip Collars at Amazon

If you want to add barbell collars to your lifting equipment without spending a lot of money, spring collars are the clear winner.

Best Splurge:

Rogue KG Competition Collars at Roguefitness.com

Designed with competitive weightlifters in mind, these collars allow for seamless load adjustments and faster plate transitions.

Best Durable:

Rogue USA Aluminum Collars at Roguefitness.com

Constructed with advanced, aircraft-grade 6061 Billet Aluminum they’re going to last for as long as you need them to.

Best for Beginners:

Valor Fitness MB-MC Muscle Clamps at Amazon

It locks on your bar in one single motion, allowing you to move the 3-pound clamps on and off easily as you adjust plates.

Best for Heavy Lifting:

Rogue HG 2.0 Collars at Roguefitness.com

Made with stainless steel hardware and a patented locking mechanism that can hold the heaviest weight through repeated drops.

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 often overlooked barbell collars. These clamps are crucial for keeping removable weight plates secure on your barbell so you can perform all types of lifts safely.

You may be tempted to skip them, especially if you’re warming up with a lighter weight, but adding collars to your barbell is a simple step that can save you a lot of trouble. 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.

Here, the best barbell collars to help you perform barbell lifts safely and effectively.

When it comes to barbell collars, the best of the bunch are the Clout Fitness Quick Release collars. Their thick plastic and steel pins design make them durable and able to support heavier plates, but 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you’re a beginner who’s looking to start lifting 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 3-pound 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.

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.

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 impacted by design and the material used to make it.

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.

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