10 Best Barbell Collars (Review) in 2020

Greententljs created one of the best barbell collars we’ve ever tested. You see products priced this low and think, “There has to be some catch, something wrong with it.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only do Greententljs Olympic Barbell Lockjaw Collars create an ironclad grip, but they’re doubly reinforced by the steel skeleton and high-density rubber grips along the interior. While they keep the exterior crafted out of ABS plastic for customization, they will get scratched up after a few trips to the gym (which doesn’t impede upon their function). You’ll want to ensure the screws are tightened properly each time you go to use these, but with a bit of attention, you’ll have these inexpensive barbell collars for well over a decade. For more amazing fitness accessories, check out our guide to the best knee sleeves.

If you use an Olympic bar, you need a pair of these 2” collars from Clout Fitness. They are a fantastic upgrade from the grip clamps that come with most Olympic bars because they are super lightweight (so you can be more accurate with your weights), they’re easy-to-open, and they stay closed when you need them to. The rubber pads on this inside create the perfect amount of friction on the bar to stop weights from sliding off. In fact, they’re designed for exercises where the weight is dropped or the weights are taken vertically. Plus, they have stainless-steel pins that aren’t prone to wear and tear meaning that these clamps will last for years (if not decades). These clamps are used in both professional and home-gym setups around the world, so they should be perfect for your weightlifting setup. 

Lock-Jaw made a lockjaw barbell collar. Fitting, right? They took their time to ensure this was the best it could be but unfortunately fell short on a few key features. We’re big fans of the maximum surface traction thanks to the interior rubber padding. This helps prevent scuffs or scrapes to the barbell, which can be a Godsend if you’re using public equipment. However, this is a short-term investment. You’ll have these for an average of two years before the hinge rods are a bit too loose to be of use to you. On that note, they’ll need to be tightened fairly frequently to upkeep performance. You’ll get your use out of them for the price you pay, but keep in mind that Lock-Jaw OLY 2 Olympic Barbell Collar exclusively work on 2” Olympic barbells, nothing less. If you are a fitness enthusiast, be sure to check out our reviews of the best rowing machines.

This pair of Dreampark Barbell Clamps are designed to fit bars with a diameter of one-inch. As one of the most affordable pairs of clamps on the market, we were interested to see whether the construction and materials would match up to this product’s reputation. Made from ABS plastic, with stainless steel pins and rubber inserts, they do a fantastic job of keeping weights on the bar. We were seriously impressed with the quality, which makes them a fantastic alternative to the low-quality grip clamps that come with most weight bars. They’re also much easier to take on and off. Just pull the quick-release level to open and shut it down again to close. 

While plastic isn’t our first choice for quality barbell collars, we were blown away after testing Clout’s Quick Locking caps. First and foremost, these are super simple to use, partially thanks to the textured thumb grips on the release latches. These pop off and on like it’s nothing, and you have to fall in love with the ease of use. Clout did fall a bit short on the lack of an internal steel frame like most plastic-encased models have; these are straight ABS plastic, and as such, are prone to breaking far more easily. That being said, you’ll still be able to pop them on a 2” Olympic barbell with no problem. The only metal found in these are in the aluminum hinges, which help keep that tension when these caps are closed. They are perfect to always have in your gym bag.

OSO is an all-American brand, one that can be found in gyms all over. Their Premium Barbell Collars are built just the way we like: full aircraft-grade aluminum construction. OSO only falls short in a few areas. For one, the color you see isn’t the color you get. Second, when you release this spring, it’s going to bounce with a ton of force. If you’re careful, you’ll have no problem. That highly tense pull-back is a testament to how powerful these barbell collars really are. Even with their rock-solid design, OSO still includes a two-year warranty on the locking mechanism. Those of you who are really motivated to hit the gym hard will be happy to know that these are rust-resistant, so a spilled water bottle or layer of sweat on the collar won’t damage or discolor them at all.

We all know CAP, the creators of budget-friendly home gym equipment. Barbell Spring Clip Collar is one of their diamonds in the rough: a simple, no-frills collar that gets the job done. We’re not here for style points; it’s all about function, and CAP delivers. These are crafted out of full stainless steel, providing a longer use on the coil, destined to last for a decade if you let them. The only thing that isn’t going to last that long is the luster on those levers. While the grips are nice, they will show wear and tear from sweat and finger oil after a few uses. The aesthetics don’t exactly hold up when it comes to the chrome plating, either. While they’ll look weather before long, we consider them battle scars. CAP won’t leave you hanging. Our handy guide to the best weightlifting gloves features more great options like this.

Following the fairly standard hexagonal design, RitFit took to a familiar take on the classic barbell collar. They really hit the nail on the head with most problems that barbell collar manufacturers make, by increasing their overall rubber grip contact area. They fell a bit short on the locking latch design; it rests right up against the cuff and is a pain to pull off as a result. Apart from that, we’re not fans of hardened nylon resin as a base material. That being said, RitFit is still rated to last for well over five years with proper care. Just keep in mind that scuffs and sweat markings are going to show up on this in no time. Don’t forget to check out our guide to the best weightlifting shoes for more great fitness equipment.

We’re in the bottom tier options here, and Power Guidance has their fair share of issues. While you’re only going to get a tight grip on Power Guidance Weightlifting Barbell Clamps for a couple years at best, you will get a wide rubber contact surface, and one of the most simplistic operations of any barbell collar we’ve used. It’s a lockjaw style collar with a textured locking tab and a durable release lever. Popping these on and taking them off is a walk in the park. Oils and sweat from your hands will show after your first use, tarnishing the aesthetics of these collars early on. But you aren’t really here for style, are you? Durable enough to accompany you to the gym for two years, and fitted with a short-term money-back guarantee straight from the manufacturer which makes them a perfect fitness gift for any man who loves to workout.

Last but not least, we have this little gem. Few inexpensive barbell collars will have tension and pressure like these. You get a full aluminum construction, ensuring a long lifespan on these collars, while also resisting rust and standard wear and tear damage. The latch on iHeartSynergee Locking Olympic Barbell Collars is very powerful, which is both good and bad. Great tension, a rapid release that’s a bit startling. Our only major complaint with iHeartSynergee’s product is that they added unnecessary bits of aluminum all over, jacking up the cost a bit. At the end of the day, these will accompany you to and from the gym without issue. If you were to run into an issue, the manufacturer offers a money-back, product replacement guarantee. Check out our guide to the best workout clothes and make sure you feel comfortable while exercising.