The 8 Best Rock Climbing Belay devices (2023 reviews)

The black diamond rock climbing belay device is long-lasting, rigid and fits well with your regular usage like a dream. You'll never encounter that indoors, but if you've any intention of moving outdoors, it's a feature worth having. The ATC Guide is even more versatile, but in ways not of consequence for most climbers. It works quite well, and has been great for learning how to lead a climb. Unlike the standard symmetrical ATC, it has friction teeth on one side that aid in holding and lowering heavier climbers. It offers 3 times greater hold and stopping power than regular friction mode.

The Braking performance is consistent and it's very light. The opening is a little small for the rope, but still works. It works with both the 11+mm gym ropes you are likely to encounter as well as 9mm lead climbing ropes.

Why We Like This:

Works great with 9mm or 11mm rope
Simple to use, light weight, and no parts to fail
Performs its function well, no troubles yet
Very well made and fine quality belay device

Best For home: Petzl Belay Device

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Compared with other device in this category, the petzl belay device has a convenient design. It takes more energy when belaying a lead climber to get the rope out fast enough. If you would like, The Petzl Reverso is compatible with most rope diameters. It can be used with single ropes from 8.5 to 11 mm. The cam in the device automatically cinches down to arrest the rope. It's a way lighter hue.

It's the safest option and very easy to use. These are fool proof and they will save your partner's life should something happen to you while belaying.

Why We Like This:

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

Best For Mountaineering: AOKWIT Rock Climbing Belay Device

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate device. The aokwit rock climbing belay device is exactly that - it's a simple device that hits all the right notes. This is a large descender with bent ears. It is suitable for large diameter static tree rope lines. It can increase the friction and slow down the descending speed. The breaking strength of this rescue figure is 11, 000 lbf (50KN/5000kg), so it is safe enough for you while climbing. 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 or belaying, and offers superb control on the rope. It is easy to hook up and tie off on. It feels pretty hefty and the ropes will likely break before the rigging component.

Why We Like This:

Great strong belay device, well made
Nice gadget, could probably use for rigging if needed in a situation
Huge and the real climbers will laugh at you
Great for beginners who are on a budget, seems safe and does the job

Best For rappelling: Yxgood Rock Climbing Belay Device

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Best part: yxgood rock climbing belay device costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. 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.

Why We Like This:

Good brand reputation
New and hot release

Best For lead: Edelrid Rock Climbing Belay Device

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Not everyone likes to purchase device for their daily purpose, but the edelrid rock climbing belay device would be an anomoly. This is nice when your buddy is hangdogging all the way up a project. It's a great choice for double rope systems. It provides solid assisted braking and feeds smoothly in manual mode. The bigger and straighter the carabiner, the easier it feeds the rope.

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. It is particularly light and simultaneously robust and abrasion resistant. It has more functionality than those and it’s way lighter than many other assisted braking devices like a gri gri.

Why We Like This:

Easy to use in both modes
Easy to use, great for lead or sport, indoor or outdoor
Can be used in guide mode
Compact, but a bit heavy, and a design that's so-so

Best For beginner: Trango Rock Climbing Belay Device

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The trango rock climbing belay device should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. It is the world’s most ergonomic belay device. It is designed to catch a climber. The Physical and visual indicators reaffirm correct usage, while designated places for your thumb and index finger allow comfortable handling without interfering with the device’s breaking action. The Trango Vergo opens up to attach to a rope, so you dont have to run the rope through the device to engage it. It feeds flawlessly (when used properly of course) and has little to no ways of overriding the auto braking system.

The most comfortable way to use the vergo is also the safest way, so you’re never tempted to override the device, even when feeding slack. It is great for top rope.

Why We Like This:

Easy feed for lead climbing and also great for top rope
Good investment for long term

Best For search And Rescue professionals: EMEKIAN Rock Climbing 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 emekian rock climbing belay device and it's widely considered as device that has the most suitable features. EMEKIAN stands for quality, durability, and enjoyment of life. It has a high strength and lightweight design (only 120g423oz), tensile strength at break. It is allows for smooth rope action when descending or tethering, providing excellent control over the rope. The surface of the climbing protector is anodized coloring, which has a beautiful luster and high recognition for outdoor use, and works very well when downhill, making it ideal for climbers or search and rescue professionals.

The middle part of the descender is thicker than the two ends, which can effectively reduce the heat of the descender while enhancing the wear resistance of the descender, reducing the wear of the rope, thus prolonging the service life of the rope. It is durable, lightweight, strong and resistant to pressure.

Why We Like This:

Good brand reputation
New and hot release

Best versatility: Petzl Rock Climbing Belay Device

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The petzl rock climbing belay device's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. It is essentially an upgraded version of gerigri 2, with some stainless steel parts for improved durability, added safety feature (panic mode) and a switch for top rope / lead climbing belaying. 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. It is easy to use while climbing roofs.

It is a belay device with assisted braking for indoors and outdoors. It has a special mode for comfortable top-rope belay and an anti-panic handle. The switch has a sort of locking pin inside of the handle. It can be used on all single ropes (8.5 to 11 mm in diameter) and optimized for 8.9 to 10.5 mm diameters.

Why We Like This: