The 11 Best Retractable Dog Leashes

• What We Like: Reflectivity, simplicity
• What We Don't Like: No clip for poop bag holder, XS size doesn’t extend as far
• Length: 10 ft. (XS), 16 ft. (S, M, L)
• Standout review: “I got this leash in 2021 and it is still my dog's only leash. Have never had any issues with it. Has not frayed, gotten stuck, broken, or had a single problem. We use a dog walking company so many, many different people have used this leash. It's held up like a dream. I would absolutely recommend!!”

The Flexi Neon Reflective Retractable Dog Leash offers up everything you want and need in a retractable dog leash. Both the nylon, ribbon-style leash and the padded handle reflect light, making nighttime walks safer. According to Chewy, Flexi is a pioneer in the world of retractable leashes and all of their models are made from high-quality materials in Germany where they are tested for durability.  

• What We Like: Reflective handle, stainless steel mechanism
• What We Don't Like: Poop bag feature may fall off
• Length: 16 ft.
• Standout review: “These are great leashes. They retract well, they lock in place well! I have two, 100 pound Rottweilers and they hold them really really great. I use them on our walks through country trails near my home, and if I encounter somebody running past me, I can reel them in really quick with commands, and I can actually lock this leash so they can’t accidentally step in front of the person.”

Large dogs require some extra oomph when it comes to a solid leash. The Mighty Paws Retractable Standard Dog Leash 2.0 works for canines up to 110 pounds. Its nylon ribbon-style leash is half an inch thick and the handle is ergonomic. There’s also a D-ring so you can clip on the poop bag holder of your choice. Some reviewers noted the nylon punctured easily, though Mighty Paw’s excellent customer service replaced their leashes immediately, as they stand by their products.  

• What We Like: Can be used as a regular leash or a no-pull leash, reflective, ergonomic
• What We Don't Like: May get tangled at no-pull configuration site, phasing out large size
• Length: 16 ft. 
• Standout review: “This was our second purchase of the ThunderLeash. We had such great success with the first one we donated it to the forever home of a dog we were fostering. When we adopted a new dog that had ‘pulling’ issues we naturally thought of the ThunderLeash and purchased another one.”

As mentioned above, ThunderLeash has an extra strap that wraps around your dog’s chest to prevent them from pulling. It clips onto your dog’s collar and then you wrap the strap around the chest and thread it through the no-pull loop. The only drawback is the company recently phased out the retractable version for large breeds. You can still buy their standard no-pull configuration leashes, though.     

• What We Like: Tangle-free 360-degree movement
• What We Don't Like: Locking mechanism can be stubborn, not great for chewers
• Length: 16 ft.
• Standout review: “This leash has a good weight and solid feel to it. My dog is medium sized but powerful and not as well disciplined on a leash as he should be. Owner's fault there. He pulls like a pack mule if he finds something worth sniffing. Anyway, I have no concern that the lead strap will break. The thumb lock and release is firm and reliable.”

The Tug 360° retractable leash does it all - and for a good price. With more than 60,000 5-star reviews on Amazon and a best seller rating, it’s a clear favorite. Choose from four sizes with various ranges and seven colors. It’s got an ergonomic grip for you and a tangle-free mechanism for your pup (though it doesn’t stand up to chew tests, so go with our best leash for chewers instead).

• What We Like: Comfortable to use, nylon ribbon, stainless steel clip
• What We Don't Like: Not as long as other options, lock mechanism can be confusing
• Length: 10 ft.
• Standout review: “Trying to walk with two leashes… two dogs, water, treats, plus my own stuff.. I never have enough hands or pockets! Lol this leash is awesome for the fact that I can just put it on my arm and still hold the other leash with the same hand.”

Picking up poop while holding your phone and the leash? Good recipe for disaster. This Smart LED leash, which comes complete with bathroom baggies, lets users slide the handle onto their wrist for hands-free dog walking. This is definitely not recommended for determined pullers; it’s ideal for dog owners with pups who patiently trot alongside them. Use your phone or hold your coffee (or both! With two hands!) with this leash.

• What We Like: Stainless steel clips that swivel 360 degrees, nylon ribbon
• What We Don't Like: Not suitable for large dogs, two different lead lengths
• Length: 16 ft.
• Standout review: “I have an Australian Herding Dog (5 years) and a French Bulldog (9 mos) that I walk together on this lead. I put the larger dog on the slightly longer lead and the smaller dog on the shorter one. It took a couple of tries for them to get used to it, but once they did dog walking was a snap.”

Hundreds of 5-star reviews, a zero-tangle feature and 16 feet of lead make this double retractable leash a must-have for multi-dog households. The handle is fabricated with anti-slip material which helps you when your pups are moving in multiple directions. Use it with dogs up to 50 pounds each (or 100 pounds total). One thing to note: One lead is slightly longer than the other to help taper where each dog walks. Some users say their dogs hate this, while others say it’s been an easy adjustment.

• What We Like: Tangle-free nylon leash, steel clips, reflectivity
• What We Don't Like: Handle is heavier than other options, slow retraction function 
• Length: 16 ft. plus 19.5 in. or 27.5 in. with added length
• Standout review: “My dog usually chews her leashes within a day. This one doesn’t even show bite marks! I recommend this to everyone!”

This leash comes with two steel, bite-resistant wire ropes that attach to the nylon strap (which can handle up to 440 pounds of weight pulling on it). This means you can walk one or two heavy chewers without worrying they’ll destroy the leash. It also has a tangle-free design and is comfy to hold. It can also be used to walk two dogs at once if both extra nylon straps are added at the same time.

• What We Like: Color, design, reflectivity
• What We Don't Like: Pricey, not for large breeds
• Length: 16 ft.
• Standout review: “Function wise, it's easy to use and very convenient for walks. Hooks to the Easy Fit Harness perfectly, doesn't get tangled like some other retractable leashes, and easy to clean. The handle is comfortable to hold, and although a tad too big for the [Maxbone] Easy Waste Bag to attach, but I just got a larger clip carabiner and it fixed the issue.”

When it comes to accessorizing with your dog gear, Maxbone is where it’s at. Designed for dogs up to 44 pounds, this peachy-colored retractable leash extends up to 16 feet and has shiny silver hardware. It has a smooth finish and nothing but 5-star reviews.

• What We Like: Ergonomic handle, fast reacting brake mechanism
• What We Don't Like: No reflectivity
• Length: 16 ft.
• Standout review: “Our second leash from this brand and in this size. We used it for 12 years for our little dog. It had seen a lot of sand on beaches and ice on mountains.”

Flexi, once again, is a top tier leash manufacturer. This version is terrific for small breeds and is compatible with Flexi’s Multi Black Box which holds poop bags, keys or whatever else you can fit in there that you may need. You can also buy the Flexi LED Lighting System if you want added safety measures for your tiny pup at nighttime.  

• What We Like: Built-in brake mechanism for dogs who dart, works for dogs up to 70 pounds
• What We Don't Like: No reflectivity, less length than other options
• Length: 15 ft.
• Standout review: “For decades, I've been frustrated with retractable leashes for the very problem that this leash solves. When I want to shorten the max length of other retractable leashes, the spring reaction stops working, of course. With this, you use a dial to set maximum length, and the spring retraction continues to work. LOVE IT.”

If you’re tired of manually activating the lock mechanism on retractable leashes, go with this heavy duty version that allows you to pre-set how far your pup can wander. You can still manually brake if you want, this model just gives you extra security if your dog makes quick moves or you’re distracted.

• What We Like: Built-in light, ergonomic handle
• What We Don't Like: Bulkier than other options
• Length: 10 ft. (small) or 16 ft. (large)
• Standout review: “Doesn't get twisted or tangled up like other leashes I had. The light is bright enough also. Good for night time walks, keeps one hand free from using a flashlight or wearing one of those headlights.”

If you need a little extra guidance at night, this retractable leash comes with a built-in LED flashlight. It requires two AAA batteries, so be sure to test it before you head outside. This model comes in two sizes, one for large breeds up to 110 pounds and one for medium-sized dogs up to 44 pounds.