The best dog leashes we tested
Best dog leash: Mendota Pet Snap Leash
Best hands-free dog leash: Non-Stop Dogwear Rock Adjustable Leash
I’m a dog trainer, work as a kennel and dog show assistant with a Malamute breeder and train my own two dogs for obedience and sports, so it’s safe to say I’ve spent a lot of time around both good and bad leashes. I used that expertise and got my hands on 11 hands-free leashes and 14 regular handheld leashes. After all my tests, only two stood out as the absolute best.
The best dog leash should be comfortable to hold, easy to take on and off, durable enough for everyday use and the correct length and thickness for your pet. You’re not going to want to walk your dog multiple times a day if you dread getting their harness, collar and leash on every time, and a good leash that is easy to clip and unclip will give you just a little extra motivation to get outside with your pup.
Simple and lightweight with a great clip, the Mendota Pet Snap Leash comes in two sizes that accommodate dogs of all sizes. It’s also budget-friendly and comes in various colors and patterns.
The Non-Stop Dogwear Rock Adjustable Leash is durable, easy to put on and adjust, and can be used in four different ways. Wear it hands-free over your shoulder or around your waist, or use it as a long or short handheld.
Best dog leash: Mendota Pet Snap Leash
Mendota leashes are a favorite of dog show exhibitors and dog trainers for many reasons. Most obviously, they’re budget-friendly, starting at $21 for the 3/8-inch rope meant for dogs 50 pounds and under, and going up to $24 for the 1/2-inch rope for dogs 51 to 250 pounds.
The two sizes offered in the snap leash are appropriate for a dog of any size. We tested the 3/8-inch size, and the streamlined design and simple hardware keep the leash lightweight enough to use on the collar of even an extra-small breed. We also tried it on large, powerful, 80-pound Malamutes and weren’t concerned that it wouldn’t hold them (although we recommend sizing up for large and extra-large dogs).
The Mendota snap leash is made of braided rope with leather accents and simple, high-quality hardware. This leash comes pre-broken in, meaning that it’s soft, flexible and small enough to stash in a pocket or fanny pack. The broken-in design makes this leash incredibly comfortable yet grippy to hold. We never felt like it would slip out of our hands during testing. The braided rope of this leash is also surprisingly strong for how supple it is. We only saw minimal fabric pilling after our durability test, while other rope leashes in the pool were more significantly damaged.
Of the leashes we tested, the Mendota Pet Snap Leash’s clip was the easiest to get on and off a collar or harness. We could leash exuberant and wiggly puppies quickly and easily — a must-have for a good leash. Other clip types on leashes (like carabiners) took too long to get on and off and made it harder to leash a dog that jumps or wriggles when it’s time to go for a walk, which can be a safety concern. We also like that the clip on the Mendota Snap is a swivel clip, which turns when a dog moves, reducing the likelihood of a dog tightening its collar or wrapping a leash around itself.
With dog leashes, simple is best, and you can’t go wrong with the Mendota snap leash. It’s packable and lightweight, strong, comfortable to hold, has a fantastic clip and sits in an attractive sub-$25 price range.
Best hands-free dog leash: Non-stop Dogwear Rock Adjustable Leash
The Non-stop Dogwear Rock Leash was the most versatile hands-free leash we tested. It was also easy to put on and easy to adjust. We love the durable yet comfortable-to-hold rope construction, and the climbing-inspired adjustment system was a breeze. This leash also had one of the best clips of all the hands-free leashes we tested, making it quick and easy to get on and off your dog’s collar or harness (Spoiler alert: It’s a traditional snap hook, just like our best leash winner).
The Rock Leash is a 4-in-1 leash that can be worn over the shoulder or around the waist and can also be used as a long or short handheld leash. It was comfortable to hold and wear in all configurations, and the rope was strong enough to hold even large, strong Alaskan Malamutes who love to pull. We feel this leash is worth the $50 price tag if you’re looking to buy one leash that can do it all.
To learn more about our favorite hands-free leash or our budget pick, the SparklyPets Hands-Free Dog Leash, check out our full guide to the best hands-free dog leashes.
How we tested
Like dog harnesses and dog collars, dog leashes are safety-focused gear. Leash or leash clip malfunctions could lead to your four-legged friend running away from you, so we took durability, clip and pulling testing very seriously. Here’s every test we ran on each of the leashes in our testing pool.
Usability
- Ease of use: We noted how easy it was to put on and take off each leash, as well as how difficult each leash was to clip to a collar, harness or gentle leader. Leashes with easy on/off designs and good-sized clips that were easy to open and close got bonus points.
- Sizing and adjustability: We noted if multiple thicknesses and lengths were available for different-sized dogs. We also tested each leash on the recommended dog size to see if the sizing felt appropriate, both in length and fabric thickness.
Performance
- Fabric and hardware durability: We let dogs drag each leash on the sidewalk and rubbed them on concrete and asphalt to see if the material ripped, pilled or frayed.
- Pulling test: We tested the strength and suitability for dogs who pull by walking large, powerful Alaskan Malamutes on each leash. If it’s strong enough to comfortably walk an actual sled dog, it’s strong enough to recommend.
- Testing on collars, harnesses and gentle leaders: We tested all the leashes in the pool on multiple types of collars, harnesses and gentle leaders/head halters, and we noted when a leash was difficult to clip. We also recorded when the clip seemed to weigh the dog down while attached to a collar or gentle leader.
- Testing on multiple dogs: We tested each leash on various dogs, from 5-month-old puppies to large adult dogs. We looked to see if any leashes seemed too thin (or thick) for certain-sized dogs.
Design and build quality
- Fabric and hardware quality: We examined the fabric and hardware on each leash before and after our durability tests, and we tested all the fasteners and adjusters.
- Weight and size: We weighed each leash and determined how easy or difficult it was to pack and take on the go based on its size.
- Comfort: We evaluated how comfortable each leash was to hold and noted any leashes that had sharp edges or dug into the skin.
- Extras: We gave bonus points to leashes that had reflective stitching, a traffic handle, a lifetime warranty and other extras.
Price
- We tested leashes ranging from $10 to $75 to see if the pricier picks were worth the money. We found quality leashes at almost every price point, but the leashes we recommend the most are in the $20 to $30 price range since they sit at the intersection of usability and budget-friendliness.
Everything you need to know about buying a dog leash
Before buying whatever leash is on sale at the local pet store, consider your dog’s size, activity level and your own preferences. After all, you’re the one who has to hold the leash. Do you have a strong, extra-large dog who’s prone to pulling? If so, a heavy-duty leash rated for big dogs is a must. Do you own a tiny Chihuahua who’s easily weighed down by bulky hardware? If so, get something thin and lightweight.
What features should I look for in a dog leash?
- Materials: Prioritize getting a leash that’s at the intersection of strength, durability and comfort. It should be appropriately sized for your dog’s size and weight, well made enough to last multiple years and comfortable enough that you won’t mind holding it for long walks regularly.
- Hardware: Of all the leash clips we tested, traditional snap clips were the easiest to use. Yes, carabiners may offer a bit more security since they can be locked, but they take longer to put on and take off, and can be a hassle to clip to boisterous dogs. Trendy brands often offer their own take on a leash clip, but nothing is as reliable and simple as the humble, traditional snap clip.
- Warranties: Dog leashes are more expensive than they used to be, so if you’re spending more than $30 on a single leash, ensure you’re getting one from a brand that backs the quality. Small brands like Atlas Pet Company and Wilderdog offer lifetime warranties on many of their leashes and will repair or replace them if they get damaged or aren’t living up to expectations.
What leash is best for a dog that pulls?
Almost every dog trainer will tell you that no leash is a cure-all for a dog that pulls. The best way to deter a dog from pulling is to train it not to, but if you’re at the end of your rope (leash) with a strong puller, some leashes may make walks a bit more pleasant. Leashes with bungee features absorb some of the pressure caused by a pulling dog. Of the leashes we tested, the Zee.Dog Airleash is a good option for pullers. It features unique elastic webbing tech that makes strong pulls feel smoother and less intense. It won’t stop the pulling altogether, but it does make it slightly easier to deal with.
Other leashes we tested
The Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Leash likely would have been our winner if it had been priced lower. It’s durable, comfortable to hold, has a good clip and is backed by a lifetime warranty.?
The APC Lifetime Leash tied for runner-up with the Wilderdog Quick Clip Leash. This leash is incredibly durable for a rope leash (and it should be since it’s priced at $75). Despite the high price, we did like that it comes with a lifetime guarantee from the brand: If it’s damaged in any way (even from your dog chewing on it) Atlas Pet Company will repair or replace it.
We preferred the 5-foot version of this leash; the 8-foot version felt too long and like too much leash to manage. The clip on the lifetime leash was the best of the bunch that weren’t snap clips. It’s a lobster clip, but it’s easy to open and close and opens wide enough for thick collar and harness D-rings.
If you prefer lobster clips to normal snap clips, we recommend the Wilderdog Quick Clip Leash. It’s made of flexible rope and comes in a wide array of colors, but it was slightly less durable than our winner.?
Tied for runner-up with the Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Leash, the Wilderdog Quick Clip is a mix between the Mendota Snap Leash and the APC Lifetime Leash. It has a rope construction with knots at the handle that make it easy to hold on to. The clip is a lobster or “trigger snap” similar to the APC leash, but we found it slightly more difficult to open than the APC version.
It frayed more in our durability tests than the Mendota and APC leashes, but it’s backed by Wilderdog’s lifetime warranty (as long as your dog doesn’t chew on it). If you prefer lobster clips to regular snap clips, we’d recommend this leash as an alternative to our winner, the Mendota Snap.
Like the Quick Clip Leash, the Wilderdog Small Carabiner leash was slightly less durable than our top pick. It features a carabiner instead of a snap or lobster clip, which took longer to get on and off of collars and harnesses.
Similar to the Wilderdog Quick Clip Leash, the Wilderdog Small Carabiner Leash is a comfortable-to-hold rope leash, but it features a carabiner instead of a lobster clip. Though the carabiner offers a tad more security since it can be twisted to lock and unlock, it took longer and was slightly more difficult to put on and take off leashes and harnesses than its Quick Clip counterpart.
Though comfortable to hold, thanks to a padded handle, the material on the handle of this leash began to get fuzzy and frayed after just one use.
The Ruffwear Knot-a-Leash Rope Leash was lightweight and comfortable to hold, but we noticed the fabric on the padded handle getting fuzzy and beginning to fray after one use. The rope section of the leash didn’t hold up well in our durability tests either and was easily damaged. Similar to other carabiner-style clips that we tested, the clip on this leash took a bit too long to get on and off dogs than we liked.
This lightweight option is best for folks who use Ruffwear’s collars and harnesses. The clip is slightly small, and though it clips easily to Ruffwear’s flat V-rings, it tended to be more difficult to get on and off other brands’ collars and harnesses.
The Front Range is Ruffwear’s most budget-friendly dog leash, and there’s a lot to like about it. It’s lightweight but feels sturdy enough for even large, strong dogs. It also packs down small enough to throw in a big jacket pocket or a fanny pack.
It has a padded handle that, when combined with the lightweight webbing, makes it more comfortable to hold than other flat nylon-type leashes we tested, but as previously mention, it start to show signs of wear after the first use. We also wish the clip were slightly bigger and easier to use. It clips on the easiest to Ruffwear’s flat V-rings but isn’t as easy to attach to normal rounded D-rings on collars and harnesses.
This interesting anti-pull leash seemed to make walks with strong pullers feel smoother for the handler. It doesn’t have the best clip, but it may be worth a try if you need respite from a dog who constantly pulls (opt for the 5-foot length instead of the 3.3-foot).?
The Zee.Dog Airleash features unique, shock-absorbing/anti-pull elastic tech housed in a rubbery rectangle on the leash. During testing, we felt that this leash deterred pulling or at least made the pulling seem less strong to the handler. We think the 3.3-foot length is too short for almost everyone, and the carabiner-style clip isn’t the best. However, if you’re at your wit’s end with a dog that pulls, the Airleash could ease some of the yanking.
Though meant to perform in a similar shock/pull-absorbing way as the Zee.Dog Airleash, the Ruff Leash felt more like using a standard static leash. It’s big, bulky and heavy, and the 4-foot length felt too short for most dogs.
The Zee.Dog Ruff Leash 2.0 has a slightly different built-in shock-absorbing/anti-pulling mechanism from the Airleash, and we felt that the Airleash version worked better. The zigzag section on this leash is supposed to act as an extra-strong bungee, but we felt that it was more like walking your dog on a stiff leash with no give. The 4-foot length also felt too short, especially for collar use on large breeds. When clipped to the collar of a big dog, the person holding it ends up super close to their dog if the dog walks in front. We clipped this leash to a large Malamute’s collar and tripped on the dog a few times during testing.
The Petsafe Nylon leash is an unostentatious pick. It’s the classic pet store find —?thick nylon material and a decent snap clip. It’s not the most comfortable to hold, but it is cheap at $10.?
The Petsafe Nylon leash is the budget-friendly kind of leash you’d pick up at the pet store. It’s a no-frills option, but it’s not the most comfortable to hold and is a bit bulky. Still, if you need a leash that works at a low price, this is a good budget pick. If you have a small dog, size down to the 3/4-inch thickness.
The Thunderleash claims to be an anti-pull solution, but during testing, we found that it relies mostly on collar pressure to deter pulling. Most dog owners would be better off with a normal harness and leash combo.
Though it’s supposed to offer more feedback to your dog to stop them from pulling, the Thunderleash No-Pull Dog Leash still puts most of the pressure on a dog’s collar when they pull (which you could do without a section of the leash wrapping under their belly). Though its handle is comfortable to hold, the extra hardware on this leash is clunky when not using the no-pull function, and we think most people would be better off with a more traditional harness and leash combo than this.
A good budget pick for large and extra-large dogs, the Primal Pet Gear Double-Handle Leash is heavy-duty, comes with a padded handle and has a bonus traffic handle for getting your dog closer to you on walks and hikes.
The Primal Pet Gear Double Handle Leash is a heavy-duty Nylon option best used for large and extra-large dogs, as it’s too bulky and heavy for most small and medium breeds. We liked the traffic handle and the padding on the main handle, but the stiff, thick webbing on the outside of the leash handle made it somewhat uncomfortable to hold, and it tended to dig into the back of the wrist if you looped your hand through the handle, then grabbed on to the leash.
Flexi leashes can be great options for puppies, extra-small dogs and the beginning stages of off-leash training. Generally, though, they’re bulky, somewhat annoying to carry and aren’t the best for dogs who pull.
Flexi leashes have their time and place. They’re great for puppies, extra-small dogs and dogs who walk politely on a leash. They’re not great for dogs who pull or large, strong breeds in general. We like that Flexi leashes offer different amounts of freedom for dogs since the tape is retractable, and the immediate braking/locking system is nice for setting your dog at a certain distance.
However, Flexi leashes are bulky and heavier to hold than more traditional leashes and generally shouldn’t be used on dogs who aren’t already leash trained (except very young puppies).
Though the Wild One leash comes in trendy colors and is easily wiped clean, it’s not the best pick considering the high price. We didn’t love the hardware or that when holding the leash, you generally end up holding on to a metal clip.
Though wildly popular in cute, Instagram-ready colors, we weren’t blown away by the Wild One Leash. It was the second most expensive leash of the options in our pool (behind the APC Lifetime Leash), and we felt it could be better for the price. We liked that it’s made of a waterproof, easily cleanable biothane-like material, but we didn’t feel it was comfortable enough.
When adjusted as a long leash with a short handle, you end up holding on to a snap hook, and when adjusted as a short leash, you end up holding the somewhat slippery material. This leash comes in two sizes: small and standard. The standard size has a weight limit of 80 pounds, so super-strong breeds and extra-large breeds should opt for a different leash.
Similar to the Primal Pet Gear Double Handle Leash, this Max and Neo version is good for large and extra-large dogs, but it’s too thick and bulky for most small and medium breeds.?
Do you need three handles on a leash? Probably not. We’d likely recommend the double-handled Max and Neo leash over this triple-handled one, but the leash we tested was thick and fairly durable. Like the Primal Pet Gear leash we tested, this is a heavy-duty model meant for large and extra-large dogs. Opt for something more lightweight if you have a Chihuahua or another small breed.
