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TaoTronics comes through with a solid, cheap, and ultimately well-loved leash.

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expert-review

The Best Retractable Leash

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TechGearLab

The Max and Neo Triple Handle wins the gold medal, hands down. Its three neoprene-lined handles give you multiple options for easy control over your dog while providing a comfortable grip. We found the middle handle unique to this leash and favored its placement to that of the handle closest to the dog, which was hard to reach without reining your dog in close &#40;though useful in tight situations&#41;. The leash has reflective stitching to keep you and your dog visible to passing cars during evening walks, and a handy metal ring at the top of the leash to attach small accessories like poop bags. Finally, this model stood up well in our durability testing, showing minimal fraying when rubbed against a knife, no distress when firmly tugged on, and remaining functional after dragging. 
Because of its triple handle design and neoprene handle lining, it is important to note that this Max and Neo model is heavier in hand than other dog leashes tested. This was not a deterrent for our testers, but it may not be best for small dogs or those looking for a small, lightweight, or packable leash. Medium to large-sized dogs will benefit most from this leash, especially if they are strong pullers. Overall, this leash should be considered by owners who don't mind the added weight of additional handles, as it provides excellent control and comfort during walks.

The Max and Neo Triple Handle wins the gold medal, hands down. Its three neoprene-lined handles give you multiple options for easy control over your dog while providing a comfortable grip. We found the middle handle unique to this leash and favored its placement to that of the handle closest to the dog, which was hard to reach without reining your dog in close &#40;though useful in tight situations&#41;. The leash has reflective stitching to keep you and your dog visible to passing cars during evening walks, and a handy metal ring at the top of the leash to attach small accessories like poop bags. Finally, this model stood up well in our durability testing, showing minimal fraying when rubbed against a knife, no distress when firmly tugged on, and remaining functional after dragging. 
Due to the triple handle design and neoprene handle lining, it is important to note that this Max and Neo model is heavier in hand than other dog leashes we tested. Athough this is not a deterrent for our testers, it may not be the best choice for small dogs or those looking for a small, lightweight, or packable leash. Medium to large-sized dogs will benefit most from this leash, especially if they are strong pullers. Overall, the Max and Neo should be considered by owners who don't mind the added weight of additional handles, as it provides excellent control and comfort during walks.

The Best Everyday Dog Leash

With bulkier handles and tougher materials, this model is harder wearing but heavier, arguably less comfortable, and more difficult to put away when you’re done.

This tough, sturdy leash has a second handle closer to the clasp, to give you more control over your dog's movements when it counts. The leash also comes with a lifetime warranty.

Tough enough to handle walking your dog every day, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

If you and your pup are always seeking adventure, the versatile Ruffwear Roamer may be for you. The Roamer features a sturdy clasp, two handles, a bungee middle, and an adjustable buckled handle that can also be put comfortably around one's waist or be used to secure your dog as needed. Because of these features, we found ourselves reaching for this leash when headed to meet up with friends, go for a bike ride or a run, or take a stroll down the beach. The bungee was especially useful in situations where testers and their dogs moved quickly, like biking. This leash's extra stretch &#40;almost four feet&#41; was much appreciated when the dog abruptly pulled in a different direction, which prevented sudden jerking movements that could be downright dangerous on a bike. One of our pairs of testers has even used it for skijoring in the winter. Additionally, the Roamer is easy to stuff into a pack because it weighs less and is less bulky than other elastic leashes we've tested.
However, testers noted that this same elasticity meant that they had less control over their dog in situations where slack needed to be taken out of the leash quickly. Unless the walker can reach down and grab the handle right above the clasp attached to the dog, it is hard to make quick adjustments to your dog's direction or action. Because of this, we recommend the Ruffwear Roamer Leash for those looking for a practical leash for many outings and activities where tight, constant control over your pup's roaming is not necessary.

The Ruffwear Knot-a-Leash immediately stood out to our testers for one huge reason &mdash; its minimalist design makes it extremely compact. Great for those who like to explore with their dog off-leash, the Knot-a-Leash is ideal for taking your dog from car to trailhead and is easy to stash. The leash also has features like reflective material, a loop to attach accessories, and an incredibly durable locking carabiner to hook to your dog's collar. The carabiner can be locked by twisting a small piece over the gate, providing extra security when attached to your dog. 
During testing, it was noted that the leash was a little short, coming in at only 5 feet compared to the 6 feet of many other leashes, but it was not a significant issue. We tested the "small" sized leash, which is 7mm thick, and found it to be a little flimsy when used on larger dogs. We would recommend using the "large" 11mm leash for pups that require a more sturdy leash. This leash's rope held up poorly when tested for fraying, while the carabiner attachment held firm in all situations. We would not recommend this for dogs who like to chew. However, it is an excellent choice for those searching for a compact, lightweight, no-fuss leash that's ready for your next adventure and easy to stash when it's no longer needed. 

Of all the models we tested, the Ruffwear Flat Out collar is the top dog. This collar latches and unlatches quickly and easily, and it's especially flexible, even after getting soaking wet and then drying out in the sun. Despite its flexibility, we found it to be solid and durable, and it also managed to stay odor-free during testing. The collar includes a separate ID attachment with a silicone sound dampener, and we love all the eye-catching patterns and designs offered. 
There aren't many things we don't like about the Ruffwear Flat Out. Some other collars we tested offer a more extensive selection of designs and colors, but there are a lot to choose from here, and we imagine you shouldn't have trouble finding something to suit your style. We noticed that the collar could start to look dingy, particularly the lighter colorways. However, because it is so simple to clean, we didn't find this to be a big problem. All told, we think the Flat Out is the best choice for the majority of dog owners. 

Dog Leash Comparison