With many dog owners committed to sharing as much of their lives as possible with their pooches, it logically follows that our dogs spend a lot of time riding in cars. While human car safety is governed by numerous traffic laws and crash-tested seat belts, airbags, and vehicles, much less effort goes into ensuring our dogs stay safe on the road. Dogs roaming loose in a car are a source of distraction for drivers, potentially leading to accidents. In the event of an accident, an unrestrained dog could become a danger, injuring human passengers. And of course, your dog could be injured or worse.
When your dog is in the car, experts recommend they be restrained and one way to do that is with a dog car harness. To help you begin your search for a safety restraint, we’ve rounded up reviews of what we think are the top 12 dog car harnesses this year. Hopefully, they’ll help you make sense of what to look for to keep your dog as safe as possible in the car.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Crash Tested Smart Car Dog Harness
Crash-tested
Adjustable to all sizes and shapes
Comes with a seat-belt attachment
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Best Value
SlowTon Car Safety Dog Harness With Seat Belt
Lightweight
Cost-effective
Comes with a seat belt attachment
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Premium Choice
EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness
One time only adjustment
No seat belt attachment required
Crash tested in the U.S., Europe, and Australia
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Best For Puppies
Lukovee Dog Safety Vest Harness With Seatbelt
Easy to put on
Easy to adjust
Available in small sizes
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VavoPaw Dog Vehicle Safety Vest Harness
Easy to put on and adjust
Extra-comfortable harness
Seat belt attachment works in most vehicles
Check Price
The 12 Best Dog Car Harnesses
For the best overall dog car harness, our choice is the Kurgo Tru-fit Enhanced Strength Crash Tested Harness. This harness is crash-tested up to 75 pounds. Dog car harnesses need to be properly fitted for maximum safety and the Kurgo Tru-fit has 5 different adjustment points, allowing you to customize the fit for your particular dog, no matter their body type. This harness can also pull double-duty as a walking harness and comes with an included seat belt attachment compatible with all types of car safety belts.
Made of: Polyester, nylon
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: Yes
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Users report this harness can be a bit tricky to put on, especially for wiggly dogs and the weight may take some getting used to for your dog.
Pros
Crash-tested
Adjustable to all sizes and shapes
Comes with a seat-belt attachment
Cons
Heavy
Can be tricky to adjust
Our pick for the best dog car harness for the money is the SlowTon Car Safety Dog Harness With Seat Belt. Made of breathable mesh and elastic, this harness is lightweight and comfortable. It adjusts to fit your dog and comes with a seat belt attachment. Dogs can move around and lie down while still staying safe in case of an accident. Some users reported the seat belt is too long, however, and allowed their dog too much freedom.
Crash-tested
Adjustable to all sizes and shapes
Comes with a seat-belt attachment
- Crash-tested
- Adjustable to all sizes and shapes
- Comes with a seat-belt attachment
Heavy
Can be tricky to adjust
- Heavy
- Can be tricky to adjust
Made of: Mesh, elastic
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: No
Unlike our top pick, this harness hasn’t been crash-tested. While users found this harness easy to use and adjust overall, they did report that it doesn’t work as well for large dogs, who are often able to break the harness or connections.
Pros
Cost-effective
Lightweight
Comes with a seat belt attachment
Cons
Doesn’t work as well for large dogs
Seat belt attachment too long
With an emphasis on safety and ease of adjustment, the EzyDog Drive Harness will put a larger dent in your wallet than some others on our list but comes with premium crash protection peace of mind. Safety-tested in the U.S., Australia, and Europe, this harness doesn’t play around when it comes to keeping your dog secure. Made with a padded chest piece designed to mold to your dog’s shape, this harness is comfortable as well.
Cost-effective
Lightweight
Comes with a seat belt attachment
- Cost-effective
- Lightweight
- Comes with a seat belt attachment
Doesn’t work as well for large dogs
Seat belt attachment too long
- Doesn’t work as well for large dogs
- Seat belt attachment too long
Made of: Nylon
Seat belt attachment included?: No (doesn’t require one)
Crash tested?: Yes
Once adjusted, the harness closure system locks into place so you don’t have to adjust every time you put your dog in the car. This harness also doesn’t require a seat belt attachment, relying on your car’s actual seat belt to restrain your dog. Users report that the chest plate doesn’t fit well on more slender dogs and can be tough to size correctly.
Pros
One time only adjustment
Crash tested in the U.S., Europe, and Australia
No seat belt attachment required
Cons
More expensive
Chest plate hard to fit slender dogs
- Lukovee Dog Safety Vest Harness With Seatbelt — Best For Puppies
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Made of: Nylon
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: No
With the importance of fit when considering a car harness, finding the right product for a puppy or small dog can be tough. The Lukovee Dog Safety Vest Harness is one of the best options to get a safe, secure fit for our smallest canine friends. Harnesses are available in sizes down to xxx-small and the manufacturer offers detailed instructions on how to measure your dog to pick the right size. The harness is easy to put on and adjust and comfortable enough to be used as a walking harness. Small dog owners are big fans of this harness, as you might expect.
One time only adjustment
Crash tested in the U.S., Europe, and Australia
No seat belt attachment required
- One time only adjustment
- Crash tested in the U.S., Europe, and Australia
- No seat belt attachment required
More expensive
Chest plate hard to fit slender dogs
- More expensive
- Chest plate hard to fit slender dogs
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Made of: Nylon
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: No
Some larger dog owners found that it had durability issues, however. The seat belt attachment is also a little too long to keep many dogs confined to the back seat.
Pros
Available in small sizes
Easy to put on and adjust
Cons
Seat belt attachment too long
Durability issues for larger dogs
Not crash-tested
- VavoPaw Dog Vehicle Safety Vest Harness
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Made of: Polyester, Oxford fabric
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: No
For maximum comfort in a dog car harness, consider the VavoPaw Dog Vehicle Safety Vest Harness. This harness is made of durable but comfortable material and the vest is padded to be extra comfy on your dog’s body. The included seat belt attachment can either be buckled into your car’s seat belt attachment or connected with the attached carabiner, making it versatile and able to be used in most types of vehicles.
Available in small sizes
Easy to put on and adjust
- Available in small sizes
- Easy to put on and adjust
Seat belt attachment too long
Durability issues for larger dogs
Not crash-tested
- Seat belt attachment too long
- Durability issues for larger dogs
- Not crash-tested
Made of: Polyester, Oxford fabric
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: No
This harness is easy to put on and adjust, although it is not crash-tested. Large dog owners are especially happy with this harness, based on the reviews, although they do suggest sizing up because the harnesses run a little small.
Pros
Extra-comfortable harness
Seat belt attachment works in most vehicles
Easy to put on and adjust
Cons
Not crash-tested
Sizes run a little small
- PetSafe Happy Ride Car Safety Dog Harness
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Made of: Nylon
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: Yes
A cost-effective, crash-tested car harness option, the PetSafe Happy Ride Car Safety Dog Harness comes with a fully-padded, comfortable vest. The included seat belt tether can be attached at several different spots on the harness so you can allow your dog to find their most comfortable riding position while still keeping them safe. The harness also comes with a separate leash so you can easily switch to using it as a standard walking restraint.
Extra-comfortable harness
Seat belt attachment works in most vehicles
Easy to put on and adjust
- Extra-comfortable harness
- Seat belt attachment works in most vehicles
- Easy to put on and adjust
Not crash-tested
Sizes run a little small
- Not crash-tested
- Sizes run a little small
Made of: Nylon
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: Yes
Users found the harness a bit hard to put on and adjust because the instructions were either missing or unclear. Others found the design was a little loose and allowed their dog to escape.
Pros
Crash-tested
Multiple attachment points for seat belt
Cons
Hard to put on and adjust
Loose design
- SleepyPod Clickit Sport Car Harness
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Made of: Neoprene
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: Yes
Crash-tested and designed with three points of contact to keep your dog safe, the SleepyPod Clickit Sport Car Harness takes safety seriously both in and out of the car. This product can also be used as a walking harness and includes reflective strips for nighttime safety. Made of neoprene, the harness is lightweight and connects quickly and easily into your car’s seat belt system.
Crash-tested
Multiple attachment points for seat belt
- Crash-tested
- Multiple attachment points for seat belt
Hard to put on and adjust
Loose design
- Hard to put on and adjust
- Loose design
Made of: Neoprene
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: Yes
Only available in three sizes, this harness is not a good choice for smaller dogs. Some users also found it difficult to find the correct size for their larger dog and thought the harness’ design was a little confusing. This harness also has a higher price point than others on our list.
Pros
Crash-tested
Easy to attach in the car
Lightweight
Cons
Only 3 sizes are available
More expensive
- RuffWear Load Up Harness
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Made of: Nylon, metal
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: No
With a padded vest and universal seat belt attachment, the Ruffwear Load Up Harness is designed for long car trips in any kind of vehicle. Lightweight, this harness is also easy to take on and off because of its side-release buckle. While it’s not crash-tested, the metal components of this harness are strength-rated.
Crash-tested
Easy to attach in the car
Lightweight
- Crash-tested
- Easy to attach in the car
- Lightweight
Only 3 sizes are available
More expensive
- Only 3 sizes are available
- More expensive
Made of: Nylon, metal
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: No
Unlike most of the other harnesses on our list, this one isn’t designed to be used outside the car and doesn’t have a spot to attach a leash. This harness does come with an instructional video, making fit and adjustment a bit easier. The XL size may still be too tight for very large dogs.
Pros
Easy to attach in car
Quick-release harness
Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
Not crash-tested
Can’t be used outside the car
It may not fit very large dogs
- Sherpa Seat Belt Harness
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Made of: Nylon
Seat belt attachment included?: No
Crash tested?: Yes
Crash-tested similarly to child safety seats, the Sherpa Seat Belt Harness offers premium protection at a reasonable cost. With four different adjustment points, this harness can be customized to fit your dog’s unique body shape. It can also be used as a walking harness, although users caution that you need to be sure it’s correctly fit and tightened before doing so or your dog may be able to slip out. This harness is designed to be secured using your car’s seat belts but some users choose to purchase a separate tether attachment to give their dogs a bit more room to move around.
Easy to attach in car
Quick-release harness
Lightweight and comfortable
- Easy to attach in car
- Quick-release harness
- Lightweight and comfortable
Not crash-tested
Can’t be used outside the car
It may not fit very large dogs
- Not crash-tested
- Can’t be used outside the car
- It may not fit very large dogs
Made of: Nylon
Seat belt attachment included?: No
Crash tested?: Yes
The harness doesn’t fit small dogs well and you do need to check the fit periodically to make sure the straps haven’t loosened up too much.
Pros
Crash-tested
Four adjustment points for a custom fit
Cons
May loosen over time
Doesn’t fit small dogs well
- Pawaboo Dog Safety Vest
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Made of: Polyester, stainless steel
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: No
Easy to place and adjust, the Pawaboo Dog Safety Vest is a reasonably-priced, but not crash-tested dog car harness. Although it comes with a seat belt attachment, the manufacturer notes that it doesn’t work in all vehicles and helpfully provides a list of incompatible autos. There are other options to secure the safety belt, however. This harness can also easily be used for walking your dog. Highly rated by most users, the price and ease of adjustment seem to be the biggest selling point for this product.
Crash-tested
Four adjustment points for a custom fit
- Crash-tested
- Four adjustment points for a custom fit
May loosen over time
Doesn’t fit small dogs well
- May loosen over time
- Doesn’t fit small dogs well
Made of: Polyester, stainless steel
Seat belt attachment included?: Yes
Crash tested?: No
Users do note that the sizes run small and even the manufacturer states their harnesses are best suited for small and medium dogs.
Pros
Easy to put on and adjust
Reasonably priced
Can be used as a walking harness
Cons
Sizes run small
Seat belt attachment doesn’t work in many vehicles
- Mighty Paw Car Dog Harness
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Made of: Breathable fabric
Seat belt attachment included?: No
Crash tested?: No
The only harness on our list that requires you to purchase a seat belt attachment separately, the Mighty Paw Car Dog Harness is still a durable and versatile option. Padded for comfort, this harness is a good value because not only can it be used for walking, but it has a front leash attachment, allowing it to be used as a no-pull harness. This harness is made by a small, family-owned company, making it a good choice for those who like to support smaller, U.S.-based businesses.
Easy to put on and adjust
Reasonably priced
Can be used as a walking harness
- Easy to put on and adjust
- Reasonably priced
- Can be used as a walking harness
Sizes run small
Seat belt attachment doesn’t work in many vehicles
- Sizes run small
- Seat belt attachment doesn’t work in many vehicles
Made of: Breathable fabric
Seat belt attachment included?: No
Crash tested?: No
The sizing on this harness runs a little small for big dogs and large for small dogs, according to user reviews. Some users also found this harness time-consuming to adjust.
Pros
Can be used as a no-pull harness
Made by a small business
Comfortable and lightweight
Cons
Inconsistent sizing
Seat belt tether sold separately
Tricky to adjust
- Easy Rider Adjustable Car Harness
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Made of: Nylon
Seat belt attachment included?: No
Crash tested?: Yes
Crash-tested and easy to put on, the Easy Rider Adjustable Car Harness is available in five sizes, making it suitable for most breeds of dogs. Designed to be used with either a front or rear seat belt, this harness works for most vehicles. It can also be used as a walking harness although some dogs can slip out even if it’s tightened appropriately.
Can be used as a no-pull harness
Made by a small business
Comfortable and lightweight
- Can be used as a no-pull harness
- Made by a small business
- Comfortable and lightweight
Inconsistent sizing
Seat belt tether sold separately
Tricky to adjust
- Inconsistent sizing
- Seat belt tether sold separately
- Tricky to adjust
This same issue was noted while using the harness in the car as well, with users cautioning that it must be tightened securely to avoid any escape. The sizing on this harness runs a bit larger, according to users, but it gets high marks for comfort and durability.
Pros
Available in 5 sizes
Crash-tested
Comfortable and durable
Cons
Sizing runs large
Needs to be very tight to avoid escapes
Available in 5 sizes
Crash-tested
Comfortable and durable
- Available in 5 sizes
- Crash-tested
- Comfortable and durable
Sizing runs large
Needs to be very tight to avoid escapes
- Sizing runs large
- Needs to be very tight to avoid escapes
Buyer’s Guide to Picking The Best Car Harness
Now that you have an idea of the different dog car harnesses available to you, it’s time to narrow down your choices. Here are some specific points to keep in mind as you get ready to buy.
Is The Harness Crash Tested?
To keep your dog as safe as possible, ideally, you want a harness that’s been crash-tested. Double-check what the manufacturer is using for their crash test standards, as well, since dog harnesses don’t have regulations like human seat belts or car seats do. The trade-off with choosing a crash-tested harness is that many of them are more expensive and harder to put on and adjust. In addition, some harnesses are only crash-tested up to a certain size of dog.
What Size Is Your Dog?
A dog car harness must fit properly to do its job and keep your dog safe. Owners of medium-sized dogs will have their pick of harnesses but those with very small or extra-large dogs will likely have a tougher time. Large-breed puppy owners need to consider both the size their dog is currently and how big they will eventually grow. How adjustable is the harness, or will you need to buy a larger one once your puppy reaches full size?
Do You Want a Dual-Purpose Harness?
Most of the harnesses on our list can also be used as regular walking harnesses, with varying success. Some harnesses are too easy to escape or too heavy to be a good option for everyday dog walking. If your dog is a puller, most of these harnesses may not be the best choice either.
Is The Harness Easy To Put On?
Any harness will be harder to put on than a collar, but some car harnesses are more difficult than others. Owners with excitable dogs or multi-dog households may want to choose an easy-to-put-on harness to avoid frustration or spending half the day just trying to get their dogs ready to get in the car.
Conclusion
As our best overall dog car harness, the Kurgo TruFit is crash-tested for peace of mind and can be adjusted to snugly fit nearly any size dog. Our best value pick, the SlowTon Car Safety Harness is lightweight and easy to adjust. We hope our reviews of these 12 dog car harnesses have been helpful as you consider which product will keep your dog most secure. Distracted drivers are a danger to everyone, including themselves so don’t take any chances and make sure your dog is properly restrained before you hit the open road together.
