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The Best Carabiners

Last updated on August 17, 2023

We looked at the top 10 Carabiners and dug through the reviews from 14 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Carabiners.

Our Review Process

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Carabiners are one of the most versatile items on the market. Whenever you need to attach something to something else, a carabiner can do the job. Some people choose to use them as a keychain, while others attach them to a keyring to hook their keys to an item like a tote bag or backpack.

There are many different types of carabiners, so it’s important to know the design elements before you choose one. Most of the body of a carabiner is its spine, which serves as a support. The opening is called the gate, and it opens and closes, forming a solid seal with the nose. The nose has a small notch in it that helps to distribute the weight evenly among the entire body.

Carabiners have strength ratings, ranging from the type that can be used to attach your keyring to your bag to carabiners that can support hundreds of pounds. Some even use carabiners to attach extremely heavy items like punching bags, and carabiners are even used in rock climbing. But before you choose a carabiner for heavy-duty use, make sure you understand the strength ratings.

Climbing carabiners are strength rated by one or both climbing manufacturers. CE certification is mandatory, while UIAA certification is optional. You’ll see the certification on each carabiner. The strength ratings are as follows:

  • Minor axis: This is the lowest rating because this type of carabiner can rotate during use, shifting the load. A minor axis carabiner has a fully closed symbol on it, along with vertical arrows above and below the symbol.
  • Open gate: This type of carabiner runs the risk of the gate opening, potentially putting loads in danger. It is symbolized on the carabiner with the image of an open gate and horizontal arrows on both the left and right of the symbol.
  • Major axis: This type of carabiner is certified as the strongest and is symbolized by a fully closed symbol and horizontal arrows on the left and right. Climbers look for this type of certification before choosing a carabiner, so this type can be trusted up to the weight capacity listed on it.

Our Picks For The Top Carabiners

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

sprookber Snap-Hook 264-Pound Carrying Capacity Carabiner, 6-Piece

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sprookber

Snap-Hook 264-Pound Carrying Capacity Carabiner, 6-Piece

In this set, you’ll get six carabiners, ideal for attaching items to your keyring, backpack, purse, gym bag or any other item you need. It has a 264-pound capacity, with a spring-loaded gate that makes it easy to use. Each carabiner is 2.25 inches and made from 304 stainless steel.

Overall Take

Durable BuildMade from 304 stainless steel and a premium spring snap hook, this carabiner is built to last.

Pros
" It is rated at 264 pounds of force and designed to be used in tandem with rigging and anchoring hardware for mountain climbing."
 Runner Up

RHINO Produxs Locking 2697-Pound Carrying Capacity Carabiners, 2-Piece

RHINO

Produxs Locking 2697-Pound Carrying Capacity Carabiners, 2-Piece

Available in a variety of colors, this set of two carabiners will look great no matter how you use it. It’s made from top-grade aerospace aluminum to resist rust and hold up over many uses. The smooth screw action makes it easy to clip the carabiner onto your items.

Overall Take

Attractive DesignThe sporty design of this carabiner makes it stand out from traditional silver carabiners.

 We Also Like

ZEINZE Keychain Spring-Loaded Carabiners, 8-Piece

ZEINZE

Keychain Spring-Loaded Carabiners, 8-Piece

You’ll always have a carabiner on hand with this set of eight. The material is durable lightweight aircraft aluminum alloy, combining both reliability and convenience. This is a great option for everyday items, but not built to support a person’s weight for activities like climbing or hammocks.

Overall Take

Lightweight but SturdyWeighing only 0.52 ounces, this carabiner packs plenty of power into its slim frame.

Pros
" Durable aluminum alloy"
 Strong Contender

Lotsun M4 Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Carabiners, 10-Piece

Lotsun

M4 Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Carabiners, 10-Piece

Top-quality stainless steel gives this set of 10 carabiners a rust-resistant, corrosion-resistant design that lasts. The quick-lock design makes opening and closing the lock easy. The spring snap has a smooth surface to keep your fingers and belongings safe while you’re using it.

Overall Take

Easy to UseThis carabiner features a spring design that allows you to open and close it with just one hand.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the carabiners available to purchase.
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Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Gear Inside, BestReviews, The Drive, WOW Travel, AmaPerfect.

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We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 10 Carabiners and also dug through the reviews from 14 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Carabiners.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Lotsun M4 Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Carabiners, 10-Piece

User Summarized Score

9.2
2,164 user reviews

Our Take

Top-quality stainless steel gives this set of 10 carabiners a rust-resistant, corrosion-resistant design that lasts. The quick-lock design makes opening and closing the lock easy. The spring snap has a smooth surface to keep your fingers and belongings safe while you’re using it.

What to Look For

  • Carabiners are typically sold in sets, which can come in handy for your entire household. You’ll each have matching carabiners as you’re out and about.
  • In addition to looking at the carabiner itself for the certified strength rating, also pay attention to the weight capacity on the packaging itself. Some carabiners can only support items like keys and flashlights, while others can hold hundreds of pounds, even supporting your full body weight.
  • A carabiner’s gate can vary in ease of use. Look for one with a solid, spring-loaded design if you need a carabiner you can operate with one hand.
  • With some carabiners, the gate can have slightly sharp edges that scrape your skin as you use it. Although it’s a small detail, having one with smooth, rounded edges can improve the operating experience substantially.
  • The length of each carabiner can vary. Check those measurements before you buy a set to make sure you’re getting one that meets your needs.
  • For durability, you can’t go wrong with stainless steel, especially if your carabiner will be exposed to the elements. Stainless steel will resist corrosion and rust to hold up over many years of use.
  • Although the appearance of your carabiner might not seem like a big deal at first, it can make carrying it around a little more fun. Carabiners tend to have a standard metal look, but you can find some with a sportier appearance and coating and ridging that really make them stand out.
  • Carabiners come in a variety of colors, even if you’re choosing one that’s steel. This will allow you to match your carabiner to the bag you’ll be carrying it with.
  • Some carabiners come with keyrings. This isn’t necessary, no doubt, since you can buy keyrings with spare change, but it can be a nice extra touch, especially if you’re gifting a carabiner set.

More to Explore

Carabiners may be popular for climbing today, but they actually got their start as the very thing that still makes them universally useful. In the 1600s, soldiers needed a way to be able to carry their rifles into battle. The soldiers went by the name carabineers, and the lightweight rifles they carried were called carbines, which translates in French to carabine.

To do the job, the soldiers were armed with a strap that attached by hooks. This type of hook became known as a carabineer’s hook, and eventually evolved into mountaineering keychains. In the early 1900s, the carabiner evolved to all-metal construction with a spring-hinged safety gate, which is how we know the carabiner today.

More to explore