Best Neck Harness [2023] – Tried & Tested

Neck training may often be neglected among the general fitness population, but combat and non-combat athletes know its importance. A strong and mobile neck reduces the chance of injuries, removes the pencil neck look, and is even more crucial for BJJ practitioners whose neck is constantly pulled, tugged, and squeezed.

One of the tried and tested old-school equipment used for developing a thick neck is the neck harness. A simple tool that allows you to hang a weight and lift it with your neck. Many harnesses are available on the market, some awful and others excellent.

I am here to help you choose and pick the best neck harness for your needs and budget.

Best Neck Harness

Iron Neck Alpha Plus Harness

Iron Neck has created the best neck training device of the same name, but the price tag only fits some people's budget. But they also offer a couple of neck harnesses, which are, in my opinion, the best on the market.

Their latest and top-of-the-line offering is the Iron Neck Alpha Harness Plus. After a few upgrades, the harness has resolved any issues on previous iterations, and the Alpha Plus has no functional or quality downsides.

The Alpha Plus harness is made with super thick and durable nylon, and all the stitching is embedded, so the chances of unraveling are nonexistent.

On the inside parts, you get a soft honeycomb neoprene, which makes the harness as comfortable as such a device can get.

This Iron Neck harness does not suffer from the common problem with many other models, which are not adjustable.

Here, you have two adjustment straps- one for the circumference and one for the depth making the harness suitable for any shape and head size.

One of the big selling points of the Alpha Plus harness is the variability of exercises it allows, thanks to the 4 D-rings.

They open up the possibility to strap resistance bands and do isometrics and rotational exercises in addition to the typical flexion and extension.

One last detail completing the picture is the nylon tether instead of the traditional chain.

Where the weights often fall between chain links, with the nylon tether, the weight always stays dead center and perfectly balanced. 

You can read my full in-depth Iron Neck Alpha Plus Neck Harness review here.

Runner Up Best Neck Harness

Iron Neck Alpha Harness

Iron Neck also offers a budget version of their harness called the Alpha Harness, which was the brand's original model and is still a great option.

The only significant difference between the Plus and the regular Alpha model is the added top adjustment strap regulating the depth.

The thickness of the nylon on the Alpha is also thinner than in the Plus, but it's still thicker and more durable than what most other brands use.

There is still nice soft neoprene on the inside, so you will surely appreciate it if you have sensitive or injured ears.

The Alpha harness has one adjustment strap on the back, which adjusts the circumference.

However, the lack of a top head strap can be a problem for people with small heads, and the harness may be too deep. But for most people, the harness fits great.

The D-rings, which allow for 4-way isometric and partial rotational exercises, are also present here, making the harness a versatile training tool.

If you don’t want to pay for the top head strap of the Plus model, the Alpha Harness by Iron Neck is an excellent option for a durable, comfortable, and versatile neck training harness.

Best Budget Neck Harness

Spud Inc. Neck Harness

If you want just a sturdy neck harness to do heavy extensions, the Spud Inc Neck Harness is a solid choice, well-proven with time.

It's simple and less versatile and comfortable than the Iron Neck harnesses or other brands, but it will do its job for years without fail.

The harness is made from Spud Inc.'s signature nylon webbing used in all their products.

The material is relatively soft and flexible, and it's not unpleasant on the skin while at the same time being durable and robust.

I've used a Spud Inc. harness for over 10 years, and it still has no fraying or unraveled stitches.

There is a circumference strap to adjust the harness's size, but it lacks a top strap. If you have a larger head, the harness may sit slightly shallow. The weights are hung on the standard chain you would expect from a neck harness.

Despite it's deceptively simple look, the Spud Inc. harness is comfortable and durable.

It can be loaded heavy and will take up decades of beating, so if you are looking at a budget but reliable harness, you can't go wrong with Spud Inc.

Other Notable Options

RDX Neck Harness

RDX has a way of cramming many features in their products and still maintaining a competitive price, which is evident in their neck harness.

This harness has an impressive level of adjustability thanks to three adjustable straps, which allow for a perfect fit on every size of head.

RDX has also ensured the harness is comfortable by putting 4 mm. neoprene on all the inside surfaces, which is impressive.

The RDX harness almost matches the versatility of the Iron Neck harnesses thanks to the 2 D-rings, which can be used with resistance bands but still misses the front and back rings.

The RDX product uses the standard chain, unlike the Alpha harness, which is inferior to the nylon tether.

For the price of $24, the RDX neck harness is truly impressive. It has the features of a high-end model with the price of a low-tier harness.

Of course, the quality of the materials is nowhere near that of Iron Neck or Spud Inc., but you get great adjustability and comfort on a budget.

DMoose Neck Harness

One of the most popular neck harnesses on Amazon comes from DMoose. With nearly 6 thousand reviews, this product is well-tried and tested and is a solid harness at an affordable price.

With the DMoose harness, you can adjust the chin and head strap, which is enough for most people.

The only thing missing is a top strap for the depth. The thick neoprene on the inside takes care of the comfort and prevents irritation and pain in the ears especially.

The weights are hung on a heavy-duty chain, so you can go heavy without worrying. This model will be good enough if you need a harness only for flexion and extension.

However, remember that the sizing only fits some, and some customers complain the harness is too big and deep.

How To Choose A Neck Harness

I've given you three great options for a neck harness, which I believe cover most people's needs, but there are many other options on Amazon and the market in general. Knowing what to look for is useful if you are considering different models.

Adjustability

We all have different head shapes and sizes, and adjustment is essential in a harness. All decent models have a circumference strap that adjusts how tight the harness will be.

More expensive models like the Iron Neck Alpha Plus also have a top strap for the depth. This is not necessary for most people, but it makes the fit ideal, and for some heads, it's a must. 

Comfort

A neck harness looks like a torture device and is used to hang weights on your head, so it will never be comfortable in the conventional sense of the word.

But some features drastically improve the feeling. Softer and more flexible materials feel better on the head than regular industrial nylon, but models with neoprene on the inside, like the Iron Neck harnesses, are even better.

Price

As with all products, the price mainly indicates the quality and features. While there is some "brand value" in price making, usually, the more expensive a harness is, the better it is.

There is no need to get the most expensive one, but also avoid the trap of buying the cheapest harness because it may do more harm than good.

The Spud Inc. harness is far from the cheapest on the market, but it's better to buy once than to buy crappy products multiple times.

Versatility

The primary function of a neck harness is to perform heavy-loaded neck extensions with it.

But this is not enough to develop a completely strong and mobile neck for which you need to train in multiple planes.

Harnesses with D-rings allow the use of resistance bands for 4-way isometric holds and rotational exercises.

So, if you want to use your harness for more than extensions, look for models with D-rings like the Iron Neck harnesses.

Summary

The Iron Neck Alpha Plus neck harness is the best option because it combines excellent materials, full adjustability, exercise versatility, and comfort not typical for a neck harness.

Of course, the price for the all-in-one package is higher than usual, and if you need a slightly cheaper model that is almost as good, you can pick the regular Alpha Harness.

And if you want a budget offer that still offers excellent quality and comparably good comfort, the Spud Inc. harness has proven itself as the most reliable neck harness in the mid-price range.