The 9 Best Rock Climbing ATC Belay devices (2023 reviews)

The black diamond rock climbing atc belay device is long-lasting, rigid and fits well with your daily purpose like a dream. Unlike the minimalist ATC Sport, it has a second opening for rappelling. It works with both the 11+mm gym ropes you are likely to encounter as well as 9mm lead climbing ropes. The guide does have somewhat more friction than the atc-xp and will be preferable if your partner outweighs you by a factor of 1.5 or more, or if you plan to use sub-9.5mm ropes. It offers 3 times greater hold and stopping power than regular friction mode.

It will be great for rec climbing, but rappelling or rescue/recovery work with a thicker or static rope will be difficult. The opening is a little small for the rope, but still works.

Why We Like This:

Very well made and fine quality belay device
Performs its function well, no troubles yet
Works great with 9mm or 11mm rope

Best For home: Petzl Belay Device

Buy on Amazon

Petzl is known for creating pragmatic and minimalist device for people on the go, and its line of petzl belay device definitely falls in line with that reputation. If you would like, The Petzl Reverso is compatible with most rope diameters. It allows the belayer to easily unblock the rope and lower someone. For the belayer, it is very smooth, easy to hold a fallen climber steady, and the handle makes for a very controlled descent. Most significantly, the cam on the GriGri + could accommodate a wider range of ropes and it allows for a smoother, progressive lower.

The GriGri gives a lot of peace of mind over a standard ATC. The cam in the device automatically cinches down to arrest the rope.

Why We Like This:

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

Best For Mountaineering: AOKWIT standard Figure

Buy on Amazon

Aokwit line of device come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. 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 can increase the friction and slow down the descending speed. It comes with a bent-ear, locking yourself off with both hands free will be much easier and safer.

The principle slot is large enough to double or triple your single rope to increase frictions for slow descent. It is easy to hook up and tie off on. It will work, without metal fatigue, manufacturing defects you can see under the coating etc. The ropes can easily wrap around. It's a nice light and strong belay device.

Why We Like This:

Nice gadget, could probably use for rigging if needed in a situation
Feels really solid and has a good ring to it
Is sturdy and safe and easy to hook up and tie off on

Best For Climbing wall: GM Climbing Rock Climbing ATC Belay Device

Buy on Amazon

The gm climbing rock climbing atc belay device should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. Rope-friendly every corner or edge of the belay device is round and smooth, well protecting your ropes. It is designed to be used by belayer to assure climber’s safety with minimum force. It offers effective braking to half, twin and single ropes, 811mm. It fits a bit tight in the belay device, but does it’s job well.

Whether you use belay device in belaying climbers or rappelling, the teethed channel creates more friction in braking and allow the device to work with skinnier rope. It comes with minimum force, so you can easily arrest the fall of climber promptly. It would definitely recommend this package for beginning climbers looking to start out.

Why We Like This:

Very catchy, rope doesn't slide through nice
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For home practice: AOKWIT Rock Climbing ATC Belay Device

Buy on Amazon

Next on the list, we've got yet another device that manages to win our hearts. It's the aokwit rock climbing atc belay device and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient device you can buy. 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 suitable for mountain climbing, rock climbing, ice climbing, rescue, working-at-height, technical rope rescue, climbers, cavers, family emergency reserve, kids rock climbing training and sport rappelers. It is good for stretchy thinner fabric.

It is allows for smooth rope action while descending or belaying, and offers superb control on the rope. The principle slot is large enough to double or triple your single rope to increase frictions for slow descent.

Why We Like This:

One of the new comers and featured product
Good investment for long term

Best For lead: Edelrid Rock Climbing ATC Belay Device

Buy on Amazon

Next on the list, we've got yet another device that manages to win our hearts. It's the edelrid rock climbing atc belay device and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient device you can buy. A grigri is great all around and so is any tubular style device (atc or similar) this device will get you through just about any situation. It works perfectly for guide belay, lead and rappel. It doesn't auto block as well as a grigri, but feeds out slack much easier and can be used for double rope rappels.

This device has normal tube mode ( m ) and assisted ( a), can take two ropes of a wide range, be used in guide mode atop, and used for normal or assisted rappels / abseils. The bigger and straighter the carabiner, the easier it feeds rope.

Why We Like This:

Easy to use in both modes
Best all around multi pitch belay device
Can be used in guide mode
Compact, but a bit heavy, and a design that's so-so

Best With v GROOVE: Dometool Rock Climbing ATC Belay Device

Buy on Amazon

The dometool rock climbing atc belay device's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. It is designed with 0.4cm rubber wire rope, in the use of atc, it will be more convenient. It is great with the v groove on 8-12mm rope.

Why We Like This:

Forging magnesium alloy with high strength, light weight, portable and easy to carry
Delivers what they promise

Best For rappelling: AZARXIS Rock Climbing ATC Belay Device

Buy on Amazon

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate device. The azarxis rock climbing atc belay device is exactly that - it's a simple device that hits all the right notes. Azarxis provides convenience and protection for your outdoor adventures. It is an outdoor sports brand that advocates "enjoy sports, enjoy outdoors adventures. The XP belay rappel device is widely used in rock climbing, cave rappelling, rescue, canyoning, outdoor training, engineering works, high. It is designed with a 0.4cm rubber steel cable, which can be easily operated when storing equipment.

The belay device works as a friction brake, designed to be used by a belayer to assure climber safety with minimum force. It reduces the abrasion of the rope during descent, and is not prone to entanglement of the rope. It feels sturdy enough to practice with. It is used for single or double rope. It comes with minimal force, so you can easily arrest the fall of the climber promptly.

Why We Like This:

Made of aviation aluminum, high strength, durable to use, small structure, lightweight and compact
Good investment for long term

Best versatility: Petzl Rock Climbing ATC Belay Device

Buy on Amazon

The petzl rock climbing atc belay device should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. It is used to using a more sophisticated assisted braking device. It has a special mode for comfortable top-rope belay and an anti-panic handle. It comes with plus, as you move the lever towards you, the rope is initially released with less and less braking, but if you pull the handle all the way towards you, you hear sort of a click and the device will lock again. The two settings are great for basically just if you are starting out using it for only top roping and does a fine job at gripping the rope.

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. It is useful mostly for climbing outdoors or for "bring your own belay device" gyms. The switch has a sort of locking pin inside of the handle.

Why We Like This: