The 10 Best Climbing gear Belay devices (2023 reviews)

We consider a climbing gear belay device to be a worthy investment in the long run. We are here to help you choose the right one for your needs from all the best available products in market today.

Our review process: Show/Hide

Our Top Picks:

Best overall: Buy: Black Diamond Solid ATC READ REVIEW

Best For grigri: Buy: Petzl Belay Device READ REVIEW

Best For Mountaineering: Buy: AOKWIT standard Figure READ REVIEW

Best For climber: Buy: Petzl Climbing gear Belay Device READ REVIEW

Best For catching lead: Buy: Edelrid Climbing gear Belay Device READ REVIEW

Best For rappelling: Buy: Yxgood Climbing gear Belay Device READ REVIEW

Best For Aerial silks With A really Great mbr: Buy: Proclimb Climbing gear Belay Device READ REVIEW

Best For home practice: Buy: AOKWIT Climbing gear Belay Device READ REVIEW

Best With ATC: Buy: Ito rocky Climbing gear Belay Device READ REVIEW

Best For thinner ropes: Buy: Black Diamond Climbing gear Belay Device READ REVIEW

Best overall: Black Diamond Solid ATC

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The black diamond solid atc should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. It is good for a beginner to belay a large size climber. It offers 3 times greater hold and stopping power than regular friction mode. The Durable cable holds its shape and resists getting caught up between ropes. It works well, as far as feeding rope out quickly and providing a good/easy catch. The Versatile design accepts ropes from 7.7 to 11 mm.

• Worked well with 10mm rope for rappelling
• Would recommend for versatility and ease of use
• One of the easiest and smoothest belay devices

Best For grigri: Petzl Belay Device

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Next on the list, we've got yet another device that manages to win our hearts. It's the petzl belay device and it's widely considered as device that has the most suitable features. It can lower a climber from a top rope easily and safely. It takes more energy when belaying a lead climber to get the rope out fast enough. Most significantly, the cam on the GriGri + can accommodate a wider range of ropes and it allows for a smoother, progressive lower. It allows the belayer to easily unblock the rope and lower someone.

It is easy to keep track of when sharing. It is easy to give slack on lead belay. The GriGri gives a lot of peace of mind over a standard ATC. These are fool proof and they will save your partner's life should something happen to you while belaying.

• Will hold any human weight plus dynamic forces when lead climbing
• Works great for both lead and top rope belay
• Rope, belay device and locking carabiner with isolation feature to prevent shifting or cross-loading

Best For Mountaineering: AOKWIT standard Figure

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The aokwit standard figure's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The bent ear figure 8 has an obvious advantage that by wrapping the rope around its ear, it can help people hang in middle air to appreciate the scenery or work in high level. It is used to descend in the same way as the standard figure. It's a nice light and strong belay device. It comes with a bent-ear, locking yourself off with both hands free will be much easier and safer.

The breaking strength of this rescue figure is 11, 000 lbf (50KN/5000kg), so it is safe enough for you while climbing. The principle slot is large enough to double or triple your single rope to increase frictions for slow descent. It is difficult to break or deform unless cut with professional equipment. This belay descender has cma certification and passed the atc laboratory test.

• Great strong belay device, well made
• Huge and the real climbers will laugh at you
• Is sturdy and safe and easy to hook up and tie off on

Best For climber: Petzl Climbing gear Belay Device

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The petzl climbing gear belay device is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily usage. It is used mostly for climbing outdoors or for "bring your own belay device" gyms. It comes with an anti-panic handle that makes it particularly suited for learning, the grigri + is a cam-assisted blocking device for climbing in the gym or outside. It has a special mode for comfortable top-rope belay and an anti-panic handle. It allows the user to choose between two belay modes.

It is easy to use while climbing roofs. It is useful mostly for climbing outdoors or for "bring your own belay device" gyms. This product works great but the auto locking mechanism requires you to lower a climber at an extremely slow rate which takes some getting used too.

• Fantastic belay device when weight is behind it
• Easy to use and is very safe
• Adjustable locking force, anti-panic release, steel edge for wear

Best For catching lead: Edelrid Climbing gear Belay Device

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The edelrid climbing gear belay device has killer features for the price point. It works with one rope and it is heavy. It is used to ascend/capture progress in self-rescue systems. You can use it like a "normal" belay device, or with thumb in the molded plastic, either way you can be sure your climber is safe. The force of the rope will overpower your thumb easily on this device, and you'll be caught quickly and safely.

Rappelling in the auto-locking mode provides extra safety and lets you get away without an autoblock, but it's hard to do smoothly and the wire bends around a lot due to the force you're exerting. It's magnificently light and flat. There is a little more wear on the carabiner that you use from the device locking down on it. The auto lock feature is excellent and fast, so it may result in hard catches for some.

• Easy to use, light, excellent quality
• Very safe if you stay within a certain rope size range
• Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For rappelling: Yxgood Climbing gear Belay Device

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Next on the list, we've got yet another device that manages to win our hearts. It's the yxgood climbing gear belay device and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient device you can buy. This is a very large and well made descender. It works better than the plain figure 8, the tie is easy and quick, much more versatile. It is made of aluminum magnesium alloy by hot forging. The middle section of the 8-shaped ring is thickened, the thickness is greater than both ends, which can enhance the wear resistance and reduce the overall weight. It has the advantages of high strength, light weight and easy to carry.

• Smooth and secure for rappelling and locking off
• One of the new comers and featured product

Best For Aerial silks With A really Great mbr: Proclimb Climbing gear Belay Device

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The proclimb climbing gear belay device's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. It is great for all ropes single or double. It is designed to be safer & versatile. It is good for rigging from the ground. It is perfect for arborists, mountain climbing, rock climbing, ice climbing, rappelling and many more useful work applications.

The stainless is Aisi 304 and is rated at 50kn or 11, 200 pounds. It is made with a smooth finish, recommend. It will handle more than what you could ever put it through. It is suitable for professional use.

• Large and heavy but good for rigging from the ground
• Excellent anti-corrosion stainless steel important for use on a boat
• Nice solid stainless steel with a smooth finish

Best For home practice: AOKWIT Climbing gear Belay Device

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention aokwit climbing gear belay device for regular usage. It can be used in aerial dance, especially aerial silk to make a super safe anchor. It can increase the friction and slow down the descending speed. The principle slot is large enough to double or triple your single rope to increase frictions for slow descent. It comes with a bent-ear, locking yourself off with both hands free will be much easier and safer.

It’s small and is good for slow and decent fabric. The design is nice and it flows really well.

• Delivers what they promise
• Good investment for long term

Best With ATC: Ito rocky Climbing gear Belay Device

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Compared with other device in this category, the ito rocky climbing gear belay device has a convenient design. It’s a very high quality peace to have for your sail boat. It is suitable for ropes of diameter of 9-12mm/0.35-0.47 inch. It is used for new climbers. The Self-breaking function allows you to easily stop and hold your position on rope. It does stop completely, with no creep. This is an extra barrier of safety, recommend. It can be used as a speed control and for emergency self evacuation.

• Nice quality parts and the design is good
• Good safety item for climbing, solid and functional
• Low cost, mechanically sound, performing well thus far
• Easy to carry, attach, and safe

Best For thinner ropes: Black Diamond Climbing gear Belay Device

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The black diamond climbing gear belay device's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The ATC is an essential tool for any climber who likes to defy gravity and/or access the ground with minimal impact. It provides lightweight and durable belaying and rappelling performance anytime, anywhere. It features a large surface area that dissipates heat when lowering or rappelling, and the smooth-handling geometry accommodates rope sizes from 7.7 mm to 11 mm. It is ideal for thinner ropes.

It is typical black diamond quality, very good. It is slightly wider to accommodate 11mm climbing ropes a little better. It is durable in all conditions and costs nothing compared to the rest of the climbing gear. It’s still a simple and ingenious device that keeps your attention where it needs to be.

• Perfect for gym climbing, teaching, and learning
• Good for beginners and long-time climbers alike
• Good investment for long term