Looking for the best invisible dog fences for renters? Our team tested out more than 20 popular brands to find the absolute best. For this article, we looked at JUST renter-friendly options, including the best GPS fences, wireless fences, and even GPS pet trackers that double as fences. We’ll go over everything you need to know about our top picks, including the features, pros, cons, and more, to help you choose the right one for both you and your dog.
#1 Invisible Dog Fence Pick
Min/Max Fence Size:
250 square feet minimum, no maximum size. Fences can be as large as you need.
Runner Up
Min/Max Fence Size:
½ acre minimum, no maximum size. Fences can be as large as you need.
Best Budget Pick
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Our Top Picks
Best Invisible Dog Fences for Renters
Did you know that nearly 40% of renters are also dog owners? Yes, apartment-dwellers account for a good chunk of that number. But that still leaves millions of dog owners that are renting houses with yards looking for ways to keep their pets safely contained. The problem, of course, is that as a renter, you need something that won’t disrupt or damage the property and is easily transported if your living situation changes.
That’s where invisible dog fences come in! To help you choose the right one, we’ve created this list of our top five picks for renters. Starting with the Halo Collar 3 GPS Dog Fence and the SpotOn GPS Dog Collar, these options require absolutely NO digging and NO changes to the property.
1. Best Overall: Halo Collar 3 GPS Dog Fence
First, I just want to share some good news with you. As of this week (3/12/24), the Halo Collar 3 now costs $599! Plus, if you use our exclusive discount link you’ll get another $25 off, bringing it down to $574!
The Halo 3 GPS Dog Collar is marketed as the most accurate dog fence ever made. A truly revolutionary product in pet safety, it’s compatible with dogs weighing over 20 lbs. Let’s dive into exactly what makes it our top pick.
Specifications:
- Instantly create, edit and store fences in the Halo Collar app
- PrecisionGPS™ and Active GPS Antenna for Real-Time Tracking
- 24-hour battery life
- Smart roaming between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE to provide optimized performance, battery life, and responsiveness.
- Works with all cellular carriers worldwide and automatically connects to the carrier with the best service.
- Co-founded by celebrity dog trainer Cesar Millan, this smart system integrates dog psychology and smart training into one easy-to-use smart collar.
- Three levels of customizable positive encouragement feedback
- Three levels of customizable “prevention” feedback
- In-app dog training based on positive methods
- Durable waterproof collar with adjustable Perfect Fit sizing
- Daily activity tracking
- Magnetic charging port
- Four color options: Sunburst, Graphite, Ivory, and Orchid
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
What makes it special:
This collar provides complete reliability and convenience for total peace of mind. With Halo Collar 3, users can create fences of unlimited sizes and set new ones to accommodate changes and go on trips. Perfect for renters! It also provides real-time worldwide tracking with PrecisionGPS™, AI-based technology, all-carrier coverage, and 24-hour battery life to keep your dog safe anywhere in the world 24/7.
What we like:
The adjustable, waterproof collar comes in four colors; sunburst, graphite, ivory, & orchid for stylish pups, and fits necks sized 11-30.5 inches. The app is super easy to use and offers a multi-option subscription service for different lengths of time and price ranges. It has lots of cool extra features, too, like the whistle feature, which calls your dog back to you for training, walks, and dogs who like to wander.
What to consider:
It’s not suitable for small and miniature dogs and it’s not the pick for owners looking for a one-off purchase without paying for an on-going subscription service.
3/12/2024 Update: Exciting news! The Halo Collar 3 now costs $599 (down from $699)! Plus, our exclusive discount link gives you another $25 off, bringing it down to $574!
2024 Best GPS Dog Fence
Halo Collar 3 GPS Wireless Dog Fence
Marketed as the most accurate dog fence ever created, the Halo Collar 3 GPS Dog Fence allows users to create, edit and store unlimited-sized fences, starting at 30 x 30 feet, and is compatible with dogs weighing over 20 lbs. While the invisible fence features help prevent dogs from leaving the yard in the first place, the almost-pin-point accurate GPS tracking features help owners find lost dogs quickly. Last, but far from least, the Halo Collar also has amazing dog training features AND acts as an activity monitor.
Top Features:
- 24-hour battery life
- PrecisionGPS™
- Active GPS Antenna
- Real-time tracking
- All-carrier cellular coverage worldwide.
Shop through our referral link to save $25 at checkout. No coupon code needed!
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2. Runner Up: SpotOn GPS Dog Collar
The SpotOn GPS Dog Collar is the number one rated collar of its kind according to their website and our top pick for large rented homes, with a fence size ranging from half an acre to one hundred thousand acres.
Specifications:
- 10-26 inch collar sizes available
- ½ – 100,000 acre coverage
- Customizable fences
- True Location™ technology
- Easy to use
- Comfortable collar
- Quick charge battery
- Up to 22-hour battery life
- Portable
- Subscription service
- 5-Star 90-day money-back guarantee
- 1-year warranty
- 30-min consult with trainer
What makes it special:
This collar is specially designed with space in mind. As mentioned above, it can create fences up to one hundred thousand acres in size, so it’s especially good for large homes and working/outdoor dogs. The customizable feature also means you can create up to 20 unique overlapping fences at home, on the go, or if you move with ease.
What we like:
The collar is comfortable to wear and comes in three sizes ranging from 10-26 inches. The brand offers three payment plan/length options for their subscription, although the fence features work without subscription or cell service. Their patented True Location™ technology taps into a network of 128 satellites to provide extremely accurate tracking and boundaries comparable to a buried wire fence.
It’s easy to use and has a quick charge battery with up to 22 hours of battery life. It also comes with a 5-star 90-day money-back guarantee, a 1-year warranty, and even a 30-minute free consultation with a trainer.
What to consider:
The main consideration when it comes to buying this product is the cost. At almost a thousand dollars, it’s not one for the budget-conscious!
Best Overall GPS Dog Collar
SpotOn GPS Collar & Invisible Dog Fence
Create GPS dog fences of any size, any shape and almost anywhere. SpotOn GPS Fence is reliable, flexible, and easy to use thanks to our patented True Location™ technology. Experience life unleashed with the SpotOn virtual fence for dogs.
Coupon Code: Use code BARK to save $25
3. Best Budget Option: Fi Series 3 Smart Collar
Our top budget pick Fi, isn’t a traditional invisible fence. It won’t keep your dog from leaving the yard, but it does allow you to create boundaries and send you alerts should they get out, so this may be best suited to well-trained and/or older dogs.
Specifications:
- Affordable Tracking Collar
- 50% smaller than competitors
- Real-time Live GPS Tracking when your dog is lost
- 200% LTE signal
- 400lbs+ resistance for heavy chewers
- Waterproof
- Comes in 4 colors, plus a limited-edition Strava style
- Battery lasts up to 3 months on one charge
- Totally subscription-based option (see below)
What makes it special:
The Fi collar offers a comprehensive and tailored set of features including GPS tracking, virtual boundaries, and activity monitoring from a reliable and consistent brand at a super low price compared to competitors.
Fi’s subscription model is also unique to is competitors. With most brands, you purchase a collar, then sign up for a subscription to enable certain features. It’s a two-part process. With Fi, you’re actually paying for the subscription and getting the collar with it.
What we like:
The subscription-based model may not sound like something to celebrate at first glance (no one really likes paying for a subscription), but there’s actually one aspect that makes it a total “pro”- if Fi updates the collar or releases a new model, you’re eligible for an upgrade as long as you have an active subscription.
I also love the Fi Maker’s Program. If you don’t love any of the 4 regular color options, you can choose something that’s more your style from one of their Maker partners.
Fi is compatible with dogs as small as a Yorkie and as large as a Great Dane. Its user-friendly companion app is accessible for both Android and IOS users. The app allows the whole family to live to track your dog’s whereabouts and activities anywhere in the world and view their activity history.
It can even help you monitor your dog’s health with activity/sleep tracking and alert you to any significant changes, as well as setting virtual boundaries around your property to prevent them from wandering off.
What to consider:
If you’re looking for a true invisible fence that stops your dog from leaving the yard, this is not the one for you. It’s also not the product for owners looking for a one-off buy without a subscription.
Fi Smart Dog Collar Series 3
The Fi Smart Collar offers Real-time Live GPS Tracking, allowing you to find your pup quickly. The 200% LTE signal lets you track in most remote areas and on hikes. Plus, it’s 50% lighter than other GPS dog trackers!
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4. Best For Stubborn Dogs: PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence For Stubborn Dogs
The PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence For Stubborn Dogs is our top pick for stubborn dogs because of its simple but effective system, with fence creation of up to 3035 square meters. It comes with a rechargeable 8-28 inch receiver collar suitable for dogs weighing over 2.5 kgs. The system is also compatible with more than one dog for multi-pet homes.
Specifications:
- 8-28 inch collar
- Up to 3,035 square meters of coverage
- Wire-free set up
- Tailored correction
- Static-free re-entry
- Rechargeable & waterproof collar
- 1-2 hour set up
- Portable
- Works with multiple pets
- Satisfaction Guarantee
What makes it special:
This simple system gets the job done without fancy extras like GPS tracking. It’s perfect for people just looking for a fence system, without paying for an ongoing subscription service. That said, it’s very flexible in its usage with different modes and levels of corrections for different types of dogs and training. It has a tone-only mode if you prefer a sound-only correction without the use of static, and five levels of static correction for the most persistent of pups. And of course, static free reentry should your dog leave their fenced area.
What we like:
PetSafe’s Stay & Play Wireless Fence For Stubborn Dogs is simple to use and takes 1-2 hours to set up with easy portability. The collar is also rechargeable and waterproof, fitting necks of 8-28 inches.
What to consider:
Whilst it’s super effective, this fence isn’t the choice for owners looking for a piece of super-comprehensive smart tech.
PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence for Stubborn Dogs
Sets up in just a few hours; a wireless boundary allows you to create a secure barrier around your yard to protect your pets without the time or hassle of burying wires! Great for the most hard-to-train pets with a tone-only mode and 5 levels of static correction.
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5. Best For Small Homes: Focuser Wireless Dog Fence System
The Focuser Wireless Dog Fence System is perfect for smaller rented homes, with a radius coverage of up to 300 meters and compatibility with dogs ranging from 10-110 lbs in weight and 8-21 inch necks.
Specifications:
- 8-21 inch collar
- Coverage of up to 300 meters
- 16 levels of correction
- 4-stage correction system
- Rechargeable, reflective & waterproof
- Built-in safety chip
- Backup battery
- Simple setup process
What makes it special:
The collar is designed with flexibility and customizability in mind, with sixteen levels of correction for different dogs and four stages of correction to avoid static shocks unless necessary. The first stage is a warning sound, followed by a vibration, then a combination, and finally a shock. It has glowing reviews with almost no negative comments from customers.
What we like:
The collar is rechargeable, reflective & waterproof for nighttime safety and wet walks with an easy setup process. It also has a built-in safety chip to avoid overcorrection and a backup battery for extended life.
What to consider:
There are no downsides to this product, but if you’re looking for something with extra smart features like GPS and live activity tracking, it’s not the product for you.
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Buyer’s Guide: Choosing an Invisible Fence as a Renter
When you’re living in a rental property, finding a pet containment solution that meets your landlord’s approval AND keeps your furry friend safe can be challenging. The right invisible fences are the perfect solution thanks to their flexibility and minimal-to-zero impact on the property. Here’s what to consider as you shop:
Choose a Temporary and Non-Damaging Installation
Look for an invisible fence that requires no digging to avoid violating your rental agreement. Totally wireless or above-ground systems are ideal because they leave no trace once removed.
Adjustability and Portability
Your rental most likely won’t be your forever home, so choosing an adjustable and portable invisible fence is crucial. Look for systems that can easily adapt to different yard sizes and shapes. That way, when it’s time to move, your pet’s fence can come along with you.
Ease of Use and Training Requirements
Consider the ease of setting up the fence and the training involved for your pet to adapt. Some systems (like the Halo Collar 3) are more user-friendly than others, offering clear instructions and even support for the training process.
Cost-Effectiveness and Value
Invisible fences vary in price, but investing in a system that offers the best balance between cost and features is wise for renters. In other words, don’t look at the cost itself, but whether the features of the product justify the cost.
Rental Agreement Considerations
Before installing an invisible fence, review your rental agreement for any stipulations concerning pet enclosures. It’s also a good idea to have a conversation with your landlord about your plans to ensure there are no issues down the line.
Additional things to consider include:
- Size range of fencing: You want something that works with your yard size, whether that’s a few square feet or acres upon acres.
- Customizability
- Correction types and levels: This includes warning tones, vibrations, and static correction.
- Design & features such as GPS tracking, activity monitoring & boundary enforcing
- Size, material & comfort of dog collar
- Trusted brands
FAQs
Are invisible dog fences safe?
Yes, invisible fences are perfectly safe for dogs. Research has found that exposure to containment systems does not hurt the health or welfare of pets.
How do invisible dog fences work?
Invisible dog fences connect special receiver collars to wireless signaling devices, or sometimes wires that can be buried underground, which are programmed to set perimeters around the home. The collar reacts to the signals, warning or correcting the dog when they approaches or cross the perimeter to prevent them from leaving the safe zone.
Are invisible fences good for dogs?
Invisible dog fences serve as a useful tool for pet safety and training, but they are not a replacement for one-on-one training sessions or supervision.
Do invisible dog fences require professional installation?
No, invisible dog fences are designed to be easily set up by pet owners at home and come with instructions for easy, DIY installation.
Are invisible dog fences easy to move or remove?
Most invisible dog fences are designed to be easily set up and moved or removed. We have curated this list with this particular factor in mind for owners living in rented properties.
Do invisible dog fences interfere with other devices?
No, wireless dog fences are designed to operate on frequencies that don’t interfere with common household electronic devices like WiFi.
Final Thoughts
Those are our top invisible dog fences for renters! We highly recommend all of the products on our list for owners living in rented homes, especially our fave, the Halo Collar 3.
2024 Best Invisible Fence for Renters
Halo Collar 3 GPS Wireless Dog Fence
Marketed as the most accurate dog fence ever created, the Halo Collar 3 GPS Dog Fence allows users to create, edit and store unlimited-sized fences, starting at 30 x 30 feet, and is compatible with dogs weighing over 20 lbs. While the invisible fence features help prevent dogs from leaving the yard in the first place, the almost-pin-point accurate GPS tracking features help owners find lost dogs quickly. Last, but far from least, the Halo Collar also has amazing dog training features AND acts as an activity monitor.
Top Features:
- 24-hour battery life
- PrecisionGPS™
- Active GPS Antenna
- Real-time tracking
- All-carrier cellular coverage worldwide.
Shop through our referral link to save $25 at checkout. No coupon code needed!
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.