Barbell collars keep plates from sliding, which keeps the bar balanced and your lifts safer. A good collar should go on quickly, hold tight and not scratch your bar.
In this barbell collars review we compared six popular collars sold on Amazon by type, hold, speed and buyer ratings. For our ranked lists, see the best barbell collars, best barbell collars for home gym and best barbell collars for Olympic bars.
Top 3 Barbell Collars at a Glance
- Fits 2 in./50 mm bars
- Patented oversized quick-release lever
- Durable composite
- Pair
Clout Fitness Olympic Barbell Clamps
- Fits 2 in. bars
- Quick-release lever
- Pair
- Also fits hex bars
Greententljs USA-Made Olympic Collars
- Fits 2 in. Olympic bars
- Quick-release locking lever
- Made in the USA
- Sold as a pair
Barbell Collar Comparison
| Barbell Collar | Best For | Key Specs | Amazon Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lock-Jaw OLY 2 | Best Overall | Fits 2 in./50 mm bars; Patented oversized quick-release lever; Durable composite | 4.8/5 | Check Price |
| 2. Clout Fitness Olympic Barbell Clamps | Most Popular | Fits 2 in. bars; Quick-release lever; Pair | 4.7/5 | Check Price |
| 3. Greententljs USA-Made Olympic Collars | Best Value | Fits 2 in. Olympic bars; Quick-release locking lever; Made in the USA | 4.8/5 | Check Price |
| 4. Lock-Jaw PRO 2 | Best Heavy-Duty | Fits 2 in./50 mm bars; Heavy-duty PRO build; Quick-release lever | 4.8/5 | Check Price |
| 5. Lock-Jaw Flex Magnetic | Fastest | Magnetic quick-lock design; Fits 2 in./50 mm bars; Flexible clamp | 4.6/5 | Check Price |
| 6. ProsourceFit Spring Clip Collars | Best Spring Clip | Fits 2 in. bars; Spring clip with grip handles; Steel | 4.5/5 | Check Price |
1. Lock-Jaw OLY 2 – Best Overall
- Fits 2 in./50 mm bars
- Patented oversized quick-release lever
- Durable composite
- Pair
Pros
- ✓ Holds plates tight with no rattle
- ✓ Fast lever
- ✓ 4.8 stars on 2,100+ ratings
Cons
- ✗ About $24
- ✗ Composite, not steel
- ✗ Bulkier than spring clips
Lock-Jaw OLY 2 is the collar we would buy first. The oversized quick-release lever snaps on with one hand and clamps plates tight with no rattle, and more than 2,100 buyers rate it 4.8 stars.
At about $24 it costs more than generic clips, but it holds better and lasts for years. The composite body will not scratch your bar sleeves.
Best for: Most lifters with an Olympic bar
May not fit: Standard 1 in. bars
2. Clout Fitness Olympic Barbell Clamps – Most Popular
- Fits 2 in. bars
- Quick-release lever
- Pair
- Also fits hex bars
Pros
- ✓ 28,000+ ratings, the most here
- ✓ Quick release
- ✓ About $16
Cons
- ✗ Plastic build
- ✗ 4.7 average
- ✗ Not competition collars
Clout Fitness clamps have more than 28,000 ratings, the most here. The quick-release lever works fast and fits hex bars too.
Plastic body is not as tight as Lock-Jaw.
Best for: Budget home gyms
May not fit: Heavy Olympic drops
3. Greententljs USA-Made Olympic Collars – Best Value
- Fits 2 in. Olympic bars
- Quick-release locking lever
- Made in the USA
- Sold as a pair
Pros
- ✓ 26,000+ ratings at 4.8
- ✓ Fast on/off
- ✓ About $15
Cons
- ✗ Plastic, not metal
- ✗ Can loosen slightly on worn sleeves
- ✗ Basic look
Greententljs collars are made in the USA and carry a 4.8 rating from nearly 27,000 buyers for about $15.
Can loosen slightly on worn sleeves.
Best for: Value shoppers
May not fit: Competition use
4. Lock-Jaw PRO 2 – Best Heavy-Duty
- Fits 2 in./50 mm bars
- Heavy-duty PRO build
- Quick-release lever
- Pair
Pros
- ✓ Toughest Lock-Jaw for heavy lifts
- ✓ 4.8 stars on 1,200+ ratings
- ✓ Tight grip on sleeves
Cons
- ✗ About $52
- ✗ Heavier
- ✗ Overkill for light training
Lock-Jaw PRO 2 is the toughest collar Lock-Jaw makes, built for heavy lifting and drops.
About $52.
Best for: Heavy lifters
May not fit: Casual users
5. Lock-Jaw Flex Magnetic – Fastest
- Magnetic quick-lock design
- Fits 2 in./50 mm bars
- Flexible clamp
- Pair
Pros
- ✓ Magnetic action is very fast
- ✓ Secure hold
- ✓ Lock-Jaw quality
Cons
- ✗ About $60
- ✗ Only about 320 ratings
- ✗ Pricey
Lock-Jaw Flex uses a magnetic lock that is the quickest to apply.
About $60 and fewer ratings.
Best for: Circuit and CrossFit
May not fit: Budget buyers
6. ProsourceFit Spring Clip Collars – Best Spring Clip
- Fits 2 in. bars
- Spring clip with grip handles
- Steel
- Pair
Pros
- ✓ Classic steel spring clips
- ✓ About $11
- ✓ 2,000+ ratings
Cons
- ✗ Harder to squeeze than lever collars
- ✗ Can slip on heavy drops
- ✗ 4.5 average
ProsourceFit’s steel spring clips are the classic budget option at about $11.
Harder to squeeze; can slip on drops.
Best for: Light training
May not fit: Heavy Olympic lifts
How to Choose Barbell Collars
Bar size
Olympic bars have 2 in. (50 mm) sleeves. Standard 1 in. bars need different collars. Every collar here fits 2 in. sleeves.
Lever vs spring clip
Lever collars like Lock-Jaw and Clout are fast and hold tighter. Spring clips are cheap but harder to squeeze and can slip.
Material
Composite collars protect sleeves and are light. Steel spring clips are durable but can scratch.
Use case
For Olympic lifts and drops, choose a tight lever collar. For general strength work, budget lever collars are fine.
FAQ
Do I need barbell collars?
Yes for most lifts. They stop plates shifting, which keeps the bar level and prevents plates sliding off.
Are Lock-Jaw collars worth it?
For frequent lifters, yes. They hold tighter and last longer than generic clips.
Do spring clips work?
Yes for light work, but they can slip during heavy or dynamic lifts.
Final Verdict
Lock-Jaw OLY 2 is the best barbell collar in this review for most lifters. Clout and Greententljs are excellent budget options, and Lock-Jaw PRO 2 is the heavy-duty choice.
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