If you’re serious about building back strength and size, using a lat pulldown machine, functional trainer, or other cable system is one of the best ways.
However, to maximize results and target specific areas of the upper body, you need a quality lat pulldown bar to attach to the machine.
We’ve tested virtually every type of pulldown bar from some of the biggest brands in the industry. We used wide bars, narrow bars, and multi-grip bars on lat pulls and low rows. Here are some of the things we considered when making our list (more below):
- Shape: Is the bar straight or angled? How long is it? What part of the back does it target?
- Grip: Is the bar knurled? Are their multiple or adjustable handles? What is the diameter?
- Versatility: Can you use the bar for more than just pulldowns?
In this article, I’ll share our top picks for the best lat pulldown bars for different price points, training goals, and more. Whether you’re looking for a basic lat bar or one with unique features, we’ve got you covered.
What’s the Best Lat Pulldown Bar?
We found the REP 48″ Solid Lat Bar to have the best blend of performance and value. We love the traditional length and angled handles. The knurling feels great, and the 26mm diameter is comfortable for most lifters. We were also impressed with the smooth rotation, and the price is hard to beat, especially with free shipping.
In This Article: Our Picks | Comparison Chart | Types of Lat Pulldown Bars | How to Pick | Honorable Mentions | Frequently Asked Questions
Our Top Picks
Best Lat Pulldown Bar Overall: REP 48″ Solid Lat Bar
Best Premium Lat Pulldown Bar: Rogue Stainless Lat Bar
Best Budget Lat Pulldown Bar: Bells of Steel Lat Pulldown Bar
Most Versatile Lat Pulldown Bar: Prime Fitness 4N1 Handles
Best Lat Pulldown Bar Set: Marsafit Lat Bar Set
Best Close-Grip Lat Pulldown Bar: Rogue Grip Triangle
Best Pro-Style Lat Pulldown Bar: Synergee Pro-Style Lat Bar
Best Multi-Grip Lat Pulldown Bar: Titan Multi-Grip Pulldown Attachment
Most Durable Lat Pulldown Bar: REP Cambered Swiss Bar
REP 48″ Solid Lat Bar Attachment: Best Lat Pulldown Bar Overall
The REP Solid Lat Bar is a great pulldown attachment that offers a 48-inch length, grippy knurling, and ergonomic angles.
Key Specs
- Weight: 11.6 lbs
- Length: 48″
- Diameter: 26mm
- Finish: Hard Chrome
- Warranty: Lifetime
Summary
The REP 48″ Solid Lat Bar is my top pick for most people. I’ve owned this attachment since 2022 and feel it offers the best bang for the buck.
My favorite feature of this bar is the knurling. It has a medium texture and provides a good blend of comfort and grip. The 26mm feels good in the hand and is accessible for most hand sizes. I also like how REP sectioned off the knurling to better visualize hand placement.
At 48″ long, this is an ideal bar for lat pulldowns. The angled ends help reduce wrist strain and allow for better lat engagement than a straight bar. REP also sells a Pro Series Lat Bar for those looking for steeper angles.
This bar has a single attachment point with a fluid rotation. However, a dual-pivot bar (pictured above) is included if you purchase the REP Ares.
One downside is REP doesn’t provide a carabiner with the bar. If your cable machine doesn’t include one, I recommend a set of stainless carabiners for attaching the bar.
This attachment is finished in hard chrome, which feels good in the hand and does a nice job of fighting rust. Mine looks the same as the day I got it. Overall, this bar offers a lot of value for less than $60 shipped.
Rogue Stainless Steel Lat Bar: Best Premium Lat Pulldown Bar
The Rogue Stainless Steel Lat Bar is a premium attachment with full knurl coverage, a barbell-like diameter, and great overall performance.
Key Specs
- Weight: 15.75 lbs
- Length: 48″
- Diameter: 28.5mm
- Finish: Stainless Steel
- Warranty: Lifetime
Summary
The Rogue Stainless Lat Bar is arguably the best traditional pulldown attachment on the market, but be prepared to pay more.
The biggest benefit of this bar is that it’s made of stainless steel. Unlike applied coatings (e.g., hard chrome), stainless provides a raw texture for the best grip. It’s also the best at fighting rust, making it a great option for garage gyms.
I love that this bar is fully knurled with a medium texture. While I appreciate the knurled sections on the REP bar, having full coverage opens up more hand placements. I also like the 28.5mm diameter, which feels like an Olympic barbell. However, those with smaller hands may prefer a thinner shaft.
This bar is also heavier than most at nearly 16 lbs. One on hand, that’s a testament to the quality. However, make sure you have one hand on it when changing weight to avoid it crashing down.
With nice angles, full knurling, and a stainless finish, this is the best choice for someone who wants a high-quality, USA-made pulldown bar.
Bells of Steel Lat Bar: Best Budget Lat Pulldown Bar
The Bells of Steel Lat Pulldown Bar is a budget-friendly option with a 25mm diameter, stainless steel finish, and free shipping.
Key Specs
- Weight: 11.7″
- Length: 47.6″
- Diameter: 25mm
- Finish: Stainless Steel
- Warranty: 1 Year
Summary
The Bells of Steel Lat Pulldown Bar is a budget-friendly choice with premium features. Its best quality is that it’s made of stainless steel, which is typically reserved for more expensive options. It’s held up nicely in my South Carolina garage with no signs of oxidation.
The bar is fully knurled except for 1.5″ on each end. The knurling isn’t as refined as the REP or Rogue bars, but its moderate profile provides a good overall texture. Bells of Steel also offers a version with rubber grips, but it’s more expensive, and I prefer knurled steel for performance.
The bar is just under 48″ long and has a 25mm diameter, which is consistent with other budget options.
While there are less expensive attachments, none of them have stainless steel, making this a unique, value-packed bar. It also has a 1-year warranty, which is more than most.
Prime 4N1 Handles: Most Versatile Lat Pulldown Bar
The Prime Fitness 4N1 Handle is a versatile attachment with rotating paddle grips for comfort and performance on pulldowns and low rows.
Key Specs
- Weight: 7.1 lbs
- Length: 20″
- Diameter: N/A (Paddle Grips)
- Finish: Green or Black Powder Coat
- Warranty: Lifetime
Summary
In my experience, Prime Fitness makes the most versatile and ergonomic lat pulldown attachments. I’ve owned all of their RO-T8 attachments since 2019, and they’re the ones I use the most often.
I especially love and recommend the 4N1 Handle. This attachment gets its name by offering four grip positions in one handle: Full Pronation, Semi-Pronation, Neutral, and Semi-Supination.
You can easily adjust the handles with a screw top, making for a fast and secure attachment. By having multiple handle angles, you can target certain portions of the muscles better while reducing shoulder, wrist, and elbow strain.
Another huge benefit of the attachment is the paddle grip. These unique handles fit into the palm of your hand and greatly reduce grip fatigue, a common limiting factor on lat pulldowns. They also allow you to tuck your elbows tighter for better lat engagement.
At 20″ wide, it’s narrower than most traditional lat bars. Even still, I’ve had great results on lat pulldowns. This is also one of my favorite attachments for low rows.
This attachment is more expensive than most, but considering it’s essentially several attachments in one, it has solid value. You can also choose between Prime green and black.
Marsafit Lat Bar Set: Best Lat Pulldown Attachment Set
The MarsaFit Set offers five unique attachments for lat pulldowns and low rows with paddle grips for reducing grip fatigue and shoulder discomfort.
Key Specs
- Weight: Varies
- Length: 8″ – 28″
- Diameter: N/A (Paddle Grips)
- Finish: Plastic-Dipped Steel
- Warranty: N/A
Summary
The Marsafit Lat Pulldown Attachments are affordable and designed with ergonomics in mind. They’re modeled after the Maximum Advantage Grips but are significantly less expensive, making them a great choice for home gym owners.
The biggest benefit of these attachments is the paddle grip handles. Like the Prime Fitness handles, these work to reduce grip fatigue, limit wrist strain, and improve elbow positioning. The rubber coating is textured and provides good overall grip.
Bought as a set, the Marsafit package comes with one wide bar (28″), two medium bars (19″ and 22″), and two narrow bars (8″ and 9″). The medium/wide attachments have neutral orientations, while the narrow ones have supinated and pronated positions.
Between the handles and the v-shape design, these attachments are excellent for back engagement. You can also purchase them individually if you prefer a certain length.
Rogue Grip Triangle: Best Close Grip Lat Pulldown Set
The Rogue Grip Triangle is a compact, heavy-duty V-bar with thick knurled handles for pulldowns and low rows.
Key Specs
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Length: 7″
- Diameter: 33mm
- Finish: Powder Coat
- Warranty: Lifetime
Summary
The Rogue Grip Triangle is an overbuilt close-grip V-bar that works the mid-back well. This attachment is one of the most compact at 7″ long and 7.3″ wide. It takes up minimal space in a home gym, and you can easily throw it in a gym bag.
The handles measure 1.31″ (33.2mm) in diameter, which is thicker than most pulldown bars. Lifters with smaller hands may prefer thinner options, but the benefits of thicker handles are improved grip strength and more muscle recruitment.
I like the end-to-end knurling, and the 6″ handle spread is ideal for a V-bar, in my experience. I use them most for low rows, but they’re also great for close-grip pulldowns. Lifters with narrower frames will likely appreciate the size, and the neutral handles will appeal to anyone with shoulder issues.
If you’re looking for a quality, USA-made V-bar attachment, the Rogue Grip Triangle is hard to beat. They also sell a Monster version with 2″ grips if you want to take it up another notch.
Pros
- Heavy-duty construction
- 33mm handles for enhanced grip training
- Fully knurled with medium texture
- Neutral grips reduces shoulder strain
- 6″ spread for more mid-back activation
- Made in the USA with lifetime warranty
Cons
- Some may prefer thinner handles
- More expensive than some V-bars
Synergee Pro-Style Lat Attachment: Best Pro-Style Lat Pulldown Bar
The Synergee Pro-Style Lat Bar comes in three sizes and offers fixed neutral handles on the ends for performance and comfort on lat pulldowns.
Key Specs
- Weight: 11.5 lbs
- Length: 38″
- Diameter: 25mm
- Finish: Chrome
- Warranty: 1 Year
Summary
The Synergee Pro-Style Lat Bar has a classic neutral-grip design with fixed handles on the ends. It comes in 4 variations, including a 38″ angled bar and 24″, 34″, and 38″ straight bars.
I recommend the angled bar for the same reason I do a traditional angled bar: it promotes better lat engagement and alleviates wrist strain. However, lifters with shoulder limitations will experience more relief because of the handle orientation.
What I like about the Synergee attachments is that they’re fully steel with no rubber coatings. The knurled handles have a medium texture consistent with other bars. Synergee also included a second knurled area on the straight portion for close-grip training.
While I like the Pro-Style design for lat pulldowns, I’ve noticed the best results on low rows since it allows me to retract the shoulders better.
Each bar has a hard chrome finish, comes with a 1-year warranty, and ships for free.
Pros
- Available in straight or angled shape
- Neutral handles reduce shoulder stress
- Hard chrome finish with medium knurling
- Smooth rotation
- Affordable with free shipping
Cons
- Angled option only comes in 1 length
- Less expensive, but not as versatile as multi-grip attachments
Titan Fitness Multi-Grip Lat Attachment: Best Multi-Grip Lat Pulldown Bar
The Titan Multi-Grip Lat Attachment is a heavy-duty bar with four neutral handle widths for targeting different areas of the back on pulldowns and low rows.
Key Specs
- Weight: 23 lbs
- Length: 48.5″
- Diameter: 30mm
- Finish: Powder Coat
- Warranty: 1 Year
Summary
The Titan Multi-Grip Lat Attachment is a versatile bar with four neutral grip handle positions. Lifters with mobility issues will appreciate this design, but anyone looking for a solid all-in-one option can benefit from it.
My favorite thing about this design is that it creates a tapered camber where the handles gradually get lower. This helps reduce elbow flare more than a traditional bar, especially in combination with the neutral handles.
Each handle is spaced 4.75″ apart and is fully knurled for extra grip. Considering this bar is fully powder-coated, adding knurling is a great decision. I also like the 30mm diameter.
The biggest downside to this bar is its size. While the length is fairly standard, having several neutral handles makes it deep. Not only does it take up more space, but at 23 lbs, it’s more cumbersome to work with. When you change the weight of your machine, put a hand under it or remove it entirely to avoid it crashing down.
REP Cambered Swiss Bar: Most Durable Lat Bar Attachment
The REP Cambered Swiss Bar is a multi-grip barbell with removable sleeves and a rotating attachment point for cable exercises.
Key Specs
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Length: 37.4″ (without sleeves) or 80.7″ (with sleeves)
- Diameter: 35mm
- Finish: Powder Coat
- Warranty: 5 Years
Summary
The REP Cambered Swiss Bar is the most unique pulldown attachment on the list. This is actually a full-blown cambered barbell for performing bench presses, bent-over rows, etc.
However, REP smartly built in a center hole with a thread eye-bolt attachment. With removable sleeves, you can convert this barbell into a multi-grip lat pulldown attachment. And it works really well.
Offering three handle widths, this bar has solid versatility. The narrowest handle has a steep angle, the middle handle has a shallow angle, and the outer handle is neutral. You can use the angled handles in supinated or pronated positions by simply flipping the bar around.
The cambered middle allows for excellent range of motion on lat pulldowns and low rows. I also like the knurled handles, but the 35mm diameter may be too thick for some on pulling movements.
The biggest downside to this bar is similar to the Titan Multi-Grip Attachment. It’s larger and heavier, making it more difficult to work with. It’s also more expensive since it’s an actual barbell, but it comes with a strong warranty.
Pros
- Works as a barbell or a cable attachment
- 3 grip widths
- 3 handle orientations
- Knurling provides good texture
- Excellent range of motion
- Free shipping and strong warranty
Cons
- Larger and heavier than others
- Extra versatility comes with a higher price
Compare our Top Picks
Compare our selection of the best lat pulldown bars below based on key specs. Scroll right to see more.
REP 48″ Solid Lat Bar See More | Rogue Stainless Lat Bar See More | Bells of Steel Lat Bar See More | Prime Fitness 4N1 See More | Marsafit Lat Bar Set See More | Rogue Grip Triangle See More | Synergee Pro-Style Bar See More | Titan Multi-Grip Bar See More | REP Swiss Bar See More |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Best Overall | Best Premium | Best Budget | Most Versatile | Best Set | Best Close-Grip | Best Pro-Style | Best Multi-Grip | Most Durable |
| Weight | 11.6 lbs | 15.75 lbs | 11.7 lbs | 7.1 lbs | Varies | 5 lbs | 11.5 lbs | 23 lbs | 45 lbs |
| Length | 48″ | 48″ | 47.6″ | 20″ | 8″ – 28″ | 7″ | 38″ | 48.5″ | 37.4″ OR 80.7″ |
| Diameter | 26mm | 28.5mm | 25mm | N/A | N/A | 33mm | 25mm | 30mm | 35mm |
| Finish | Hard Chrome | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Powder Coat | Plastic-Dipped Steel | Powder Coat | Chrome | Powder Coat | Powder Coat |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | 1 Year | Lifetime | N/A | Lifetime | 1 Year | 1 Year | 5 Years |
Types of Lat Pulldown Bars
Angled
The most common type of lat pulldown attachment is the angled bar. These are generally 36″-48″ long with ~45-degree downward bends toward the ends. This ergonomic shape alleviates wrist stress and allows you to draw the elbows inward for enhanced lat engagement.
Angled lat bars are usually between 25-30mm in diameter and have a knurled surface for grip. However, some attachments have rubber coatings in certain areas. You’ll mostly find that these bars are stainless steel or finished in hard chrome or powder coat.
Straight
Straight bars are another popular cable attachment but are better for low rows and other accessory movements, like cable curls, triceps pushdowns, etc.
These bars aren’t as long and may be thinner than traditional lat bars, making them less effective for conventional lat pulldown movements. They should include a properly knurled surface or rubber coatings for grip control.
Multi-Grip
Multi-grip lat pulldown attachments have become more popular because of their versatility, comfort, and performance. These bars can be fixed with several permanent hand positions or adjustable with rotating grips.
The biggest benefit of this style is it allows for different handle angles: neutral, supinated, pronated, or a combination. This can alleviate shoulder discomfort for some users and also lead to better results for advanced lifters.
A downside to some multi-grip lat bars is their size. In addition to being longer than more traditional bars, they’re considerably deeper to accommodate the hand positions. This can limit range of motion or become unwieldy for some users.
You’ll mostly find these bars finished with powder coat, but some are coated in hard chrome. I recommend buying bars with knurled handles or paddle grips.
V-Bar
The v-bar, or narrow-grip bar, is another popular cable attachment. It’s commonly used on low rows and lat pulldowns to target the mid-back.
These bars are space-friendly and usually offer true neutral grips. However, some may provide supinated or pronated handles for comfort and managing grip fatigue.
I recommend knurled handles or paddle grips over rubber-coated for performance and durability.
How to Pick the Best Lat Pulldown Bar
With dozens of lat pulldown attachments claiming to be the best, how do you choose the right one? At Garage Gym Lab, I’ve made it our quest to highlight products that are truly worth your money through in-depth reviews, comprehensive equipment spec sheets, and a network of trusted equipment experts.
Here are the key factors I considered when selecting the best pulldown bars in 2024:
Bar Length
Lat pulldown bars can range from as little as a few inches wide to up to 48″+. Wide bars are better for hitting the outer latissimus dorsi muscle, helping to build a broader back. However, you can still narrow your grip on these bars, giving you excellent versatility.
Shorter bars are better for targeting the inner back muscles, including the lats, lower trapezius, and rhomboids. They’re also effective at engaging the biceps for a juicy arm pump.
Bar length can also impact shoulder comfort. Generally, narrower bars put less stress on the shoulders, making them better for lifters with mobility limitations, especially when paired with different handle positions (see below).
Consider your shoulder anatomy and wing span to determine the most optimal length for your body. For instance, a lifter with very narrow shoulders may find a traditional 48″ lat bar wide and uncomfortable.
Bar Shape
A lat bar’s shape, in conjunction with the length, can further influence muscle engagement and comfort. An angled lat bar puts the wrist in a better position and allows you to tuck your elbows into the body.
This can help reduce wrist, elbow, and shoulder discomfort while improving overall lat engagement. While some bars angle towards the ends, others may gradually taper to create an arch.
Straight bars are generally better for accessory movements, and other more nuanced attachments like v-bars, EZ-curl bars, and D-handles offer even more variety.
Grip
Quality lat pulldown bars are made of steel, but the grip can vary based on knurling, diameter, and any rubber coating. I recommend buying attachments with medium knurling to provide a solid grip.
Most lat bars range from 25-30mm, although you may find thicker options for specialized grip training. Smaller-handed lifters may find thinner options more comfortable and easier to grip.
I don’t recommend bars with rubber coatings. While marketed as helping to prevent slippage, sweat can actually cause it, and the rubber may interfere with your grip when using lifting straps. Even worse, these rubber sections often become detached from the steel, causing them to spin during use.
Handle Position
Hand positioning is critical for two reasons: performance and comfort. Varying your grip influences the muscles and the portions of the muscles that are engaged. A multi-grip bar is a prime example since it offers multiple hand positions for targeting inner and outer back muscles.
Another big benefit of different hand positions is that they can help reduce upper extremity discomfort. A neutral grip puts the shoulders in a natural position that most users find comfortable. However, slightly supinated or pronated positions also help alleviate shoulder stress.
Bar Finish
Stainless steel bars offer excellent rust protection and provide the best texture since there’s no coating to fill in the knurling. Hard chrome, zinc, and powder coat are the other most common finishes. They offer a good balance of rust resistance and grip.
With powder coating specifically, look for textured or knurled handles since smooth powder coat provides poor grip. Avoid decorative chrome, which is mostly seen on inexpensive options. This is a slippery coating that’s prone to rusting.
Price
Lat pulldown bars range in price based on various factors, including bar type, size, materials, and brand. High-quality traditional lat bars can range from $40-$150+. I rarely recommend buying attachments in the lower third of their respective price range. The difference in performance and durability is noticeable, and the price increase to nicer options typically isn’t much.
Honorable Mentions
- CAP Lat Pulldown Bar – The CAP Lat Pulldown Bar is a solid budget option. This 48″ bar has knurling throughout and a black chrome finish. It didn’t make our main list because the Bells of Steel bar is similar in price and has a stainless steel finish. This bar also has a 30-day warranty compared to 1 year on the Bells of Steel version.
- Ivanko Bent Lat Bar – Ivanko is one of the prominent names in fitness equipment, and their cable attachments are some of the best. This bar has a 48″ length and optimal angles, but it didn’t make our list because of the higher price and non-stainless finish.
- Body-Solid Pro-Style Pulldown Bar – The Body-Solid Pro-Style Pulldown Bar is a nice option for those looking for wide, fixed handles. It didn’t make our list because it’s priced higher than the Synergee Bar and has rubber coatings on the handles instead of knurled steel.
- Yes4All Double D Row Handle – The Yes4All Double D Row Handle is a basic V-Bar at a great price. It’s lightly knurled and has a solid reputation, but it’s not as high quality as the Rogue handle that made our list. Still, if you’re looking for an ultra-affordable option, this one is hard to beat.
FAQs About Lat Pulldown Attachments
What Exercises Can I Do With a Lat Pulldown Bar?
Depending on the type of bar, you can perform dozens of cable movements with a lat pulldown attachment. In addition to traditional pulldowns, they’re good for low rows, triceps pushdowns, biceps curls, face pulls, upright rows, straight arm pulldowns, and more.
How Long Should My Lat Pulldown Bar Be?
The length of the lat pulldown bar you choose often depends on your shoulder width and the exercises you plan to perform. Typically, bars range from 24 to 48 inches. A wider bar targets the outer lats more, while a narrower grip focuses on the middle back and biceps.
What Type of Lat Pulldown Attachment Should I Buy?
First, ask yourself what type of movements you plan to perform. For example, if you’re just performing lat pulldowns, a traditional angled bar is best. Next, determine if you have any mobility limitations or grip preferences. If so, focus on a bar with different handle positions. Finally, narrow down the list based on your budget and pick based on remaining features, such as bar finish, knurling, etc.