Whether you’re camping with your dog, or just want to keep them visible on late-night potty walks, a reflective dog collar is a must-have for your dog’s safety.
Reflective collars keep your dog visible to you, cars, bikes, other people, and other dogs. Dogs who wear reflective collars are easier to see both on leash and off leash, thereby reducing accidents.
Though we don’t want to think about our pups getting lost, reflective collars also make it easier to locate a lost dog, especially in low-light locations like forests, rural areas, or neighborhoods without streetlights.
Ready to get a reflective collar for your dog? Read on for how we tested and our 5 favorite reflective dog collars:
Traits We Want in a Reflective Dog Collar
Ease of use: A good dog collar should be easy to put on, take off, and adjust. It should stay securly on your dog’s neck and be easy to attach a leash and ID tags to.
Size range: The best dog collars come in a variety of sizes. Bonus points for collars that can fit everything from toy breeds like Chihuahuas to giant breeds like Great Danes.
Durability: If your dog spends a lot of time outside or if you regularly hike or camp with them, a durable collar is a must. Collars should realistically last multiple years without getting too worn down. Outdoor-focused dog brands generally make durable collars that will hold up for a long time, even with dogs who are tough on their gear.
Reflective details: The more, the better! Lots of reflective trim, webbing, or other details will make it easier to see your dog during early morning walks and late-night outings when the lighting isn’t great. However, not all reflective details are made equally—we tested each of these collars in various low-light conditions to see which ones were the most visible.
Best Reflective Dog Collars
| Whole Dog Journal Rating | Product and Maker | Price | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orvis Personalized Reflective Dog Collar | $40 | S (10"-13"), M(13"-17"), L (17"-20"), XL (20"-25") | With a huge reflective strip in the middle and the option to personalize it with your dog’s name and a phone number, this Orvis collar is sure to keep your dog visible at night. |
| Wilderdog Islander Reflective Dog Collar | $32 | S (11"-15"), M (13"-18"), L (17"-24") | For dogs who wear their collars for most of the day, this Wilderdog option is made of flexible-yet-durable rope, and I found that it was less likely to damage my dog’s coat. |
| Non-stop Dogwear Rock Collar 3.0 | $33 | 2XS (10.5”-12.5”) to 3XL (23”-25.5”) | With a wide array of sizes and a slip-on, limited slip design, this Non-stop Dogwear collar is great for dogs who need a martingale or limited slip option for safety. |
| Ruffwear Confluence Waterproof Dog Collar | $30 | 14”-20” and 20”-26” | If your dog swims a lot or if you live in a rainy climate, the Confluence collar is completely waterproof, saving you from having to dry out your dog’s collar after a wet adventure. |
 | Ruffwear Crag Reflective Dog Collar | $30 | 11”-14”, 14”-20”, and 20”-26” | Most reflective collars feature plain, simple designs, but the Ruffwear Crag collar has reflective thread in the webbing and comes in a variety of colorful designs. |
Best Reflective Dog Collar: Orvis Personalized Reflective Dog Collar
The Orvis Personalized Reflective Dog Collar is a fan favorite for a reason. The wide reflective strip in the middle made this the most visible collar during testing and it can be customized to include your dog’s name and your phone number.
If your pup ever gets lost, your phone number and their name will be visible to anyone who finds them, even if your dog’s tags break off.
This collar is exceptionally sturdy and is made of strong, thick webbing. It’s easy to adjust and comes in 4 different sizes, as small as 10 inches (ideal for most small breeds) and as large as 25 inches (big enough for large dogs like Dobermans and Malamutes).
As an added bonus, this collar is UV and moisture resistant and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Best Reflective Rope Collar: Wilderdog Islander Reflective Collar
If you’re looking for a soft-yet-sturdy reflective collar, go for the Wilderdog Islander Reflective Collar. The outdoor brand’s reflective collar comes in five different colors, three sizes, and is made of super-strong rock climbing rope. Reflective tape is woven into the collar, so it’s a part of the design while also being functional.
Though this collar isn’t as visible as our top pick, it shines in comfort for the dog. Some thick, rigid collars break dogs’ coats around their necks and don’t seem comfortable for long-term use. The Wilderdog collar is much more flexible and less rigid and I didn’t notice as much hair breakage while testing it.
Best Reflective Martingale Collar: Non-stop Dogwear Rock Collar 3.0
Some dogs need a martingale collar or a collar with a limited-slip function. Escape artist pups and breeds with long, slender heads (sighthounds, Collies, etc.) who can easily slip a normal collar come to mind. The Non-stop Dogwear Rock Collar 3.0 is a limited slip collar with a lot of performance features.
In addition to a reflective strip around it, the Rock Collar 3.0 was created with active dogs in mind. It’s made of a breathable mesh material that dries quickly when wet and is simultaneously sturdy and lightweight. It comes in a whopping 8 different sizes, so it’s suitable for toy and giant breeds alike.
The main downside of this collar is that it’s not adjustable, so measure twice and buy once. It’s easy to slip on and off your dog’s head if you purchase the correct size but know that it’s less forgiving than a traditional adjustable collar. For blocky headed breeds like boxers and bully mixes, consider measuring the widest part of their head in addition to their neck to see which size is best suited for them.
Best Waterproof Reflective Collar: Ruffwear Confluence Waterproof Dog Collar
For dogs who love swimming and for families who live in rainy or snowy climates, the Ruffwear Confluence Waterproof Dog Collar is a great option. I’ve used this collar on kayaking and paddle boarding trips with my dogs for years and it still looks brand new.
Made of a coated, rubber-like material, the Confluence collar is stink-proof and can be easily wiped down if it gets wet or muddy. The reflective screen printing covers the entire collar, but it’s not as visible as other options on this list.
The biggest downsides of this collar is that it only comes in two different sizes and that it can be a little hard to adjust. I also found that because it’s a more rigid material, it will damage the coats of longer-haired dogs if left on for extended periods of time.
Most Stylish Reflective Dog Collar: Ruffwear Crag Reflective Dog Collar
Most reflective dog collars feature simple designs, since they’re limited by the reflective material. However, the Ruffwear Crag Reflective Dog Collar has reflective thread woven into the webbing of the collar, making fun patterns possible.
The Crag collar comes in over 10 different colorways. Three of those are striped solid colors, and the rest are inspired by sunrises, sunsets, waves, and more.
The weave on this collar is a little bit thinner and less durable than that on the Orvis collar, but it still comes with a thick metal D-ring, a sturdy plastic buckle, a separate ID tag attachment point (so your leash and tags aren’t on the same ring), and a silicone tag silencer.
