The 7 Best Rope lowering devices (2023 reviews)

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

Our review process: Show/Hide

Our Top Picks:

Best overall: Buy: Petzl Rope lowering device READ REVIEW

Best For Tree climber: Buy: AOKWIT Rope lowering device READ REVIEW

Best For Safety: Buy: Fusion climb Rope lowering device READ REVIEW

Best With SPUR: Buy: Newdoar Rope lowering device READ REVIEW

Best For thinner ropes: Buy: Black Diamond Rope lowering device READ REVIEW

Best For Top Rope: Buy: Trango Rope lowering device READ REVIEW

Best For lead Climbing: Buy: Wild Country Rope lowering device READ REVIEW

Best overall: Petzl Rope lowering device

Buy on Amazon

Best part: petzl rope lowering device costs reasonable and it is available to ship in 24 hours. The GriGri gives a lot of peace of mind over a standard ATC. It comes with assisted braking, for a broad range of single rope diameters (8.5 to 11 mm), designed for the experienced belayer. Most significantly, the cam on the GriGri + can accommodate a wider range of ropes and it allows for a smoother, progressive lower. It's a lighter hue.

Compared to the Grigri 2, it's easier to manage lead belays as it feeds smoother, it works with smaller ropes, and is much smoother lowering than the. It is used for mostly sport climbing on some 5.10s, but this thing is pretty pog. It's the safest option and very easy to use.

The GriGri is an assisted braking device, so with the correct rope size, it automatically adds friction to the belay to the point of completely stopping the rope.

• 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 Tree climber: AOKWIT Rope lowering device

Buy on Amazon

The aokwit rope lowering device's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This Belay Descender has CMA certification and passed the ATC laboratory test. It is suitable for large diameter static tree rope lines. 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. It is easy to hook up and tie off on.

This thing works, is really sturdy, but it is gigantic. It is used to descend in the same way as the standard figure. Lots of friction, the wings make it safer because the rope can’t slip up into a hitch.

• Huge and the real climbers will laugh at you
• Solid device for routine or emergency belays
• Is sturdy and safe and easy to hook up and tie off on
• Feels really solid and has a good ring to it

Best For Safety: Fusion climb Rope lowering device

Buy on Amazon

Compared with other device in this category, the fusion climb rope lowering device has a convenient design. They have the same characteristics as safety ropes. This rope grab is made of high quality material. It is stainless steel with gold plating for the color. It works with 1/2" standard single braid nylon tree rope. It comes with two rows of teeth on each plate set to ensure that there is no chance of that rope slipping through with each bite without fail each time. It does not open so you will need to make sure you can slide it in from the other end of your safety rope.

This product is a little heavy, but works well. It is designed for fall arrest equipment. It is easy to use and move along the safety rope in both directions while climbing and descending.

• Grabs the rope very well and feels secure
• Easily adjustable along length of rope
• Good quality grab to lock exercise rope in place

Best With SPUR: Newdoar Rope lowering device

Buy on Amazon

The newdoar rope lowering device's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. It’s nothing fancy but along with a small pulley it works well for dangling and pulling myself up. It can combine a foot ascender with them. It protects the climber's hand additionally it is made of stainless steel, rustproof and anticorrosion, which can handle most situations and service for long. It saves your hands over the course of a day.

It is designed for climbing, although sailing rope is also capable. The handedness is for your thumb positioned next to latch control. It is easy to attach and disattach from the line.

• Hand holds are comfortable and grips rope sceurely
• Teeth are very aggressive and look well built
• Easy to use, lock in well

Best For thinner ropes: Black Diamond Rope lowering device

Buy on Amazon

Compared with other device in this category, the black diamond rope lowering device has a convenient design. 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 typical black diamond quality, very good. It is ideal for thinner ropes.

This product works great and is very durable. It is a simple and ingenious device that keeps your attention where it needs to be. It is durable in all conditions.

• Good for beginners and long-time climbers alike
• Perfect for gym climbing, teaching, and learning
• New and hot release

Best For Top Rope: Trango Rope lowering 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 trango rope lowering device is exactly that - it's a simple device that hits all the right notes. It is the world’s most ergonomic belay device. It feeds flawlessly (when used properly of course) and has little to no ways of overriding the auto braking system. 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 is great for top rope.

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. It's a bit snug with a 10.2mm rope but that's to be expected with a thicker rope. This device is extremely easy to use, even for beginners like myself.

• Easy feed for lead climbing and also great for top rope
• One of the new comers and featured product

Best For lead Climbing: Wild Country Rope lowering device

Buy on Amazon

The wild country rope lowering device should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. It feels like a really smooth tubular belay device. It has no method of over-riding the locking mechanism, during belaying, or when lowering a climber. It works in both directions to minimize accidents that occur from incorrectly loaded belay devices and doesn't require any deviation from the standard belaying technique. It has an intuitive belaying method, which requires no changes to the standard belaying technique.

It comes with the revo, it gives rope so easily, it’s very easy to pull up any extra rope you need. There is no cam lever to worry about on the Revo.

• Takes a bit of practice to lower heavy people
• Incredibly smooth paying out slack for lead climbing
• You throw rope as fast as you need to with no resistance
• You can catch falls and lower using your normal good brake hand movements