Best Barbell Collars: Types, Top Picks & How to Choose the Right Collars for Safe Barbell Training

Ever had plates slowly creep mid-deadlift? Yeah… not fun.
Short answer: the best barbell collars keep plates locked, balanced, and safe.
Keep reading to learn which types work best for your training style, avoid cheap failures, and pair them perfectly with our best-selling fixed barbells.

What Are Barbell Collars & Why They Matter

Quick definition — what are barbell collars?

Barbell collars are the small clamps that lock weight plates onto the bar.
They might not look important, but they control stability, balance, and safety on every lift.

If you’ve ever felt plates slide mid-set, you already know why collars matter.

Why you should use barbell collars on every set

Skipping collars feels harmless.
Until a plate shifts during a deadlift or tilts during a bench press.

Collars keep plates tight, evenly loaded, and predictable.
That means better control and fewer surprises.

Why barbell collars matter for barbell exercises & barbell workouts

Fast lifts, heavy lifts, and high-rep barbell workouts all create movement.
Without collars, that movement transfers straight into your joints.

Even slow lifts benefit from collars because the bar stays balanced from rep one to rep ten.

Best barbell collars for Olympic barbells vs standard bars

Olympic barbells use 2-inch sleeves.
That means you need Olympic barbell collars designed for that diameter.

Standard bars use 1-inch collars.
Mixing them up leads to slipping, rattling, or cracked collars.

Why buying from authorized sellers like Dumbbells Direct matters

Cheap collars fail quietly.
Springs weaken. Locks loosen. Plastic cracks.

Dumbbells Direct is a legit authorized seller, so the collars actually do what they’re supposed to do — hold weight securely, set after set.

Types of Barbell Collars (Complete Breakdown)

Spring-Style Collars

Pros, cons & best uses

These are the classic gym collars everyone recognizes.
They’re cheap, light, and fast.

The downside?
They don’t hold well under heavy or fast lifts.

Best for light training and basic home gyms.

Clamp Collars (Quick-Release Collars)

Why they’re the most popular option

These snap on fast and lock tight.
That’s why CrossFit gyms love them.

They balance speed, grip strength, and durability better than almost any other style.

Lock-Style Collars (Screw-Lock)

Heavy lifting advantages

These take longer to secure, but once locked, they don’t move.
Perfect for heavy deadlifts or slow, controlled strength work.

Magnet Collars

Niche uses & specialty training

Magnetic collars attach easily and stay centered.
They’re more of a specialty option than a daily training tool.

Chain Collars

For advanced overload training

Used for accommodating resistance.
Best suited for experienced lifters and specialty programs.

Velcro Collars

Light training and convenience

Great for warm-ups and quick sessions.
Not designed for heavy barbell work.

Competition Collars

IWF / IPF standard features

Heavy. Precise. Extremely secure.
Built for lifters who train exactly how they compete.

Best Barbell Collars (By Category)

Best Overall Barbell Collars

Quick-release aluminum clamp collars.

Best Olympic Barbell Collars

Competition-grade locking collars.

Best Budget Barbell Collars

Spring-style collars.

Best Quick-Release Barbell Collars

High-quality polymer clamps.

Best Heavy-Duty Locking Collars

Aluminum screw-lock collars.

Best Collars for Home Gyms

Lightweight clamp collars.

Best Collars for CrossFit & high-rep workouts

Fast-locking clamp collars.

Best Collars for Powerlifting

Heavy screw-lock or competition collars.

What Are the Benefits of Using Barbell Collars?

Safety and plate stability

Collars stop plates from sliding and tipping.
That alone prevents a lot of injuries.

Improved barbell balance

A balanced bar feels smoother.
Your technique improves automatically.

Faster setup during barbell workouts

Quick-release collars save time and energy, especially in fast-paced sessions.

Disadvantages of Using Barbell Collars

Slight added weight

Most collars add very little weight.
Only competition collars noticeably affect load.

Slower plate changes with some designs

Screw-lock collars take more time.

Compatibility issues with certain barbells

Wrong size collars won’t grip properly.

Who Needs Barbell Collars?

Beginners learning barbell control

Stability builds confidence.

Strength lifters using heavy loads

Heavy weight demands secure plates.

CrossFit athletes doing fast cycling

Loose plates kill efficiency.

Home gym lifters needing safety

Especially when training alone.

Anyone using fixed barbells or Olympic barbells

If plates are involved, collars matter.

How to Choose the Best Barbell Collars

Check barbell diameter (standard vs Olympic bars)

2-inch sleeves need Olympic collars.
1-inch sleeves need standard collars.

Choose material — plastic, nylon, aluminum, steel

Plastic is cheap.
Aluminum and steel last longer.

Locking mechanism — quick-release, screw-lock, spring

Quick-release is fastest.
Screw-lock is strongest.

Grip strength needed based on exercise type

Heavier lifts need stronger locks.

Training frequency & barbell type considerations

More training means more wear.

Plate loading speed preferences

Faster workouts need faster collars.

How Much Do Barbell Collars Weigh?

Standard weights (per style)

Spring collars: ~0.25 lb
Clamp collars: ~0.5 lb
Aluminum collars: ~1 lb
Competition collars: 5.5 lb each

How collar weight affects total load

Only relevant for competition lifting.

Competition collar weight rules

IWF and IPF require calibrated collars.

Are Barbell Collars Worth It?

Safety benefits vs cost

They’re cheap insurance.

Why cheap collars fail over time

Weak springs and cracked plastic.

When upgrading to premium collars makes sense

If you train often, upgrade once and forget about it.

Best Barbells to Pair With Your Collars (Authorized Seller Picks)

Fixed straight barbells (20 lb–115 lb)

Simple. Durable. Consistent.

Fixed EZ curl barbells

Easier on wrists and elbows.

Olympic barbells from Troy, Body Solid, TKO, TAG, York

All available from Dumbbells Direct, an authorized supplier.

Barbell with collars — why compatibility matters

The right fit keeps everything locked in place.

Weight Plate Compatibility With Collars

Olympic grip plates

Secure and easy to load.

Bumper plates

Great for fast lifts.

Urethane plates

Durable and quiet.

Cast iron Olympic plates

Classic and reliable.

Best-selling plate range: 2.5–100 lb

Covers all progression needs.

Final Takeaway — Choosing the Best Barbell Collars for Your Training

Barbell collars aren’t exciting.
But they’re essential.

They keep plates secure, lifts balanced, and training safe — especially when using fixed barbells or Olympic barbells.

Choose quality once, train confidently every session.
Pair them with our best-selling fixed barbells & Olympic plates and lift without distractions.