Keeping track of our furry friends has never been easier, thanks to some incredible advancements in pet technology. Today’s smart dog collars are the ultimate fusion of safety, convenience, and peace of mind. These high-tech collars offer everything from wireless pet containment to health monitoring to GPS tracking so advanced that it can predict your dog’s movements ahead of time.
Below, we’re diving deep into our top picks for the best smart dog collars of 2024. We’ll go over everything you need to decide which is right for your pup. We have much to discuss, so let’s jump in, starting with a quick peek at my top 3 favorites.
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#1 Pick
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#2 Pick
# 3 Pick
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How We Chose the Best Smart Dog Collars of 2024
You may notice that this post has a slightly different format than our usual “best so and so” product roundups. We’ve done in-depth overviews of most of these collars before either in their own featured reviews or in other roundups. This time, I wanted to focus primarily on what specifically makes them “smart.”
The word “smart” is thrown around a lot in the pet tech world (and in technology in general), but what does it really mean for a dog collar? Here’s a breakdown of the key features I looked for:
- Reliable GPS Tracking: A smart dog collar shouldn’t just give you a rough idea of where your dog is…it should truly excel in location tracking. I looked for collars that offer the most accurate and reliable GPS tracking.
- Connectivity and App Integration: The best smart collars come with robust app integration, providing you with a seamless experience for monitoring and managing your dog’s activities.
- Advanced Health and Activity Monitoring: Modern smart collars go beyond just tracking location—they also monitor your dog’s health and activity levels. Not every option below does this. For those that do, though, I looked at how well they do it.
- Additional Features: Beyond the basics, many smart collars offer extra features that can be incredibly beneficial. These can include things like LED lights for visibility during nighttime walks, vibration or tone training aids, and even environmental sensors that alert you to temperature changes that could affect your dog. We considered these additional features as valuable bonuses that enhance the overall utility of the collar.
Now, let’s see which collars made the cut!
Halo Collar 3
If you’re a regular reader, you shouldn’t be surprised to see the Halo Collar 3 in the top spot. It consistently beats the competition in nearly every category, from GPS tracking to invisible fencing to training and more. Let’s check out the top features, then we’ll dig into what makes it so smart.
Features & Pros
- Expert design: Co-founded by Cesar Millan, this smart system integrates dog psychology and smart training into one easy-to-use smart collar.
- PrecisionGPS™: High-accuracy GPS with an active antenna for real-time tracking.
- Smart Connectivity: Automatically switches between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE to optimize performance, battery life, and responsiveness.
- Battery Life: 24-hour battery life for continuous monitoring.
- Global Coverage: Supports all-carrier cellular coverage worldwide. No need to pre-select a cellular carrier. Halo will auto-connect to the carrier with the best service no matter where you go.
- Virtual Fences: Instantly create and edit and store up to 20 fences in the Halo Collar app, or take advantage of Halo Collar’s latest technology, Auto Fence. Making new fences in seconds is now easier than ever with Halo Collar. You can start with an automatically generated fence based on your property lines (Auto Fence follows Halo guidelines to avoid roads, water, and cutting through buildings) and then easily fine-tune your fence to suit your needs.
- Customizable Feedback: Three levels of positive encouragement and three levels of “prevention” feedback.
- Safety Features: Return whistle feature for added safety.
- In-App Training: Positive method-based training available within the app, avoiding fear-based techniques.
- Durable Design: Waterproof collar for worry-free outdoor adventures.
- Activity Tracking: Daily tracking of your dog’s activity levels.
- Perfect Fit: Adjustable sizing for a comfortable fit.
- Charging Port: Magnetic charging port for easy and secure charging.
- Color Options: Available in four colors: Sunburst, Graphite, Ivory, and Orchid.
- Satisfaction Guarantee: 100% satisfaction guarantee for peace of mind.
What Makes it a Smart Dog Collar?
The Halo Collar 3 boasts state-of-the-art AI-driven GPS tracking technology, offering precise real-time location data for your dog. This ensures that you can always know where your dog is, which is crucial for their safety.
The geofencing feature allows you to create customizable virtual boundaries as small as 30×30 feet. It uses several methods of feedback (sound, vibration, and static) to prevent Fido from leaving those boundaries.
This collar doesn’t just keep track of your dog’s location; it also monitors their activity levels. Halo Collar 3 provides detailed insights into your dog’s daily activities to help you make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and rest, promoting their overall health and well-being.
When choosing a good tracking collar, there are two very important aspects to consider: how well the collar connects to GPS satellites and how well it relays the information from the collar to your phone. A collar that does just one or the other well is pretty much useless. It does you no good to know where Fido is down to the last millimeter if it takes so long for the info to reach the app that he’s moved on. On the other hand, instant info does you no good if it’s not accurate.
Fortunately, Halo excels in both cases. The Halo Collar 3’s GPS functionality works independently of its connection to your smartphone or tablet. This keeps your dog safe in areas with weak or no internet access. The collar also uses “ephemeris data” to accurately identify Fido’s position through GPS coordinates.The GPS in Halo Collars relies on signals from over 150 satellites to show your dog’s exact location and connects to up 35 satellites at one time As a result, you get more accurate location details with the Halo Collar 3 GPS Dog Fence than with any other GPS collar. And, it automatically connects to any cellular network in any location (If you are out of Bluetooth range and not on a WiFi network, the collar will default to an LTE/Cellular connection. If the Halo Collar is connected over LTE, it will update the data and location on the app every second).
Check out our post, “Do Wireless Fences Work,” to learn more about the smart connectivity features of Halo Collar 3.
Last, but just as important, when it comes to smart dog collars, a solid user-friendly app is just as important as the collar itself. The Halo Collar 3 app is loaded with nifty features, like the ability to create and manage virtual fences right on your phone, customize feedback types and levels, track Fido in real time, call him back using the Return Whistle, and to track his daily activity. It also has a fairly robust set of training videos that focus on positive reinforcement training.
Drawbacks and Other Things to Consider
At first glance, the biggest drawback to the Halo Collar 3 seems to be the price. At $599, it’s a lot less pricey than it was a few years ago but still a pretty good chunk of change. That said, it’s not the most expensive on this list. I’d put it in the “mid range” , but it’s important to remember that Halo Collar 3’s for a good GPS tracking + virtual fence combo collar.
no-dig GPS Wireless dog fence does triple duty, providing customers with a GPS Dog Fence, Cesar Millan’s expertly crafted in-app training program, and detailed statistics on your dog’s activities.
You could also say that the subscription requirement is another drawback, since you can’t activate the collar without one. However, that’s true of nearly every tracking collar on the market right now. The Halo Collar is one of the few that offer multiple different subscription tiers, though, allowing you to pick the right one for your budget.
If you have a teensy dog or an exceptionally large dog, though, then the Halo Collar 3 isn’t for you. It comes in just two sizes. The small fits dogs with necks ranging from 11-15 inches, which rules out most toy breeds (and definitely ALL teacup breeds). The large fits dogs with necks ranging from 15-30.5 inches. It’ll fit pretty much all except the largest mastiffs.
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.
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PetSafe Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar
The PetSafe Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar is another top contender among multi-purpose smart dog collars. Like the Halo Collar, it allows you to create virtual fences to keep Fido safely contained and track him should he escape.
Features
- Real-time tracking and precise GPS location enable you to monitor your dog’s movements on a map.
- AccuGuard™ technology integrates GPS data, real-time motion detection, and AI for unparalleled protection that other GPS fence collars can’t match.
- Create up to 20 custom wireless dog fence boundaries for home or travel, suitable for properties larger than 3/4 acre.
- The My PetSafe® app provides real-time fence and pet alerts, keeping you informed about your dog’s safety and location.
- Customize correction levels to suit your dog’s needs, with options for tone and vibration or 10 levels of static.
- Quick charging in 2 to 4 hours, with a long-lasting battery life of up to 48 hours for continuous safety.
- Easy setup of the Guardian® GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar in 1 to 2 hours (Wi-Fi needed for setup only, not for ongoing use).
- Suitable for dogs over 30 pounds with neck sizes between 15 to 28 inches.
- Includes a 2-week step-by-step training guide to help train your dog successfully.
- Requires a subscription – Save 25% on your first year with an annual plan compared to monthly rates.
What Makes it a Smart Dog Collar?
First, the geofencing capability lets you set up virtual boundaries around your yard or other safe areas. If your dog crosses these boundaries, he’ll receive a warning (tones, vibration or static depending on which you choose to enable) and you’ll receive an alert.
If Fido does get loose, the collar excels in providing super-precise GPS tracking, allowing you to monitor your dog’s movements in real-time. If that’s not enough, thanks to advanced AI technology, the collar can even predict Fido’s movements ahead of time.
Even in areas with poor internet connectivity, the collar can still pinpoint your dog’s location using GPS coordinates. Also, while you’ll need to connect to Wi-Fi for initial setup, it’s not required for ongoing use. This is super useful if you do a lot of camping or vacationing “off the grid.” You just need to be able to access Wi-Fi long enough to set your dog’s boundaries.
One of the standout features of the PetSafe Guardian collar is its seamless connectivity and app integration. The My PetSafe app is very user-friendly with its intuitive interface for managing the collar’s features. You can set up geofences and track your dog’s location in real-time right from your smartphone.
Another thing that I love about PetSafe is that you can manage all of their connected products- including all Guardian collars, the Smart Feed Automatic Pet Feeder, and the ScoopFree Smart Self-Cleaning Litter Box– in ONE app.
Drawbacks and Other Things to Consider
Again, most would consider the price and the subscription requirement as the two biggest drawbacks. The Guardian is about $100 cheaper than Halo Collar 3, but there’s a slight trade-off in terms of features (it lacks advanced activity tracking and health monitoring capabilities). As far as the subscription goes, it’s right in line with competitors.
Ignoring price and subscription fee, once again the size is the biggest drawback. The PetSafe Guardian GPS + Tracking Collar only fits dogs weighing at least 30 pounds and with neck sizes ranging from 15 to 28 inches. So it won’t work for most small breeds (or VERY large dogs).
The other potential issue is the yard-size requirement. You’ll need at least ¾ acres to use it as a virtual fence, whereas the Halo Collar 3 works with smaller yards.
Guardian® GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar | PetSafe®
The Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar by PetSafe offers advanced real-time tracking and customizable virtual boundaries to keep your dog safe and secure. With features like AccuGuard™ technology and a user-friendly app, this collar is designed for ease of use and reliability for dogs over 30 pounds.
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SpotOn GPS Dog Collar
SpotOn was once our #1 pick for GPS tracking and invisible fence collars. While it’s been knocked down a few notches by newer models, it’s still a very solid option at #3.
Features
- Customizable boundary settings
- Coverage area from ½ acre up to 100,000 acres
- True Location™ technology for precise tracking
- User-friendly interface
- Available in collar sizes ranging from 10 to 26 inches
- Designed for comfort
- Fast-charging battery
- Battery life of up to 22 hours
- Portable design
- Requires a subscription service for tracking (no subscription necessary when using as a virtual fence)
What Makes it a Smart Dog Collar?
SpotOn uses True Location™ technology, which utilizes a network of 128 satellites from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou systems. This connectivity helps the collar pinpoint your dog’s location with a high degree of accuracy, even in remote or densely wooded areas.
The collar is also equipped with a dedicated dual-feed GPS antenna designed to filter out noise from inferior GPS signals caused by trees, buildings, or the horizon. This dedicated GPS antenna is crucial for maintaining reliable boundary warnings and accurate location tracking, even in challenging conditions and remote locations.
In terms of connectivity, the SpotOn collar does not require a constant cell connection or subscription to function as a fence. However, adding a Boundary Boost Upgrade plan enhances the collar’s features, such as providing real-time escape notifications and tracking your dog’s location through the SpotOn smartphone app.
Still on the topic of connectivity, at some point in the last year SpotOn quietly upgraded their collar to work with any cell service. You used to have to choose between ATT and one or two other services. Now, though, like Halo it will just automatically connect to the closest tower.
Drawbacks and Other Things to Consider
With a retail price of $999, SpotOn is one of the most expensive smart dog collars. It’s nearly double the price of the PetSafe Guardian and several hundred dollars more than the Halo Collar.
While I love that you can use SpotOn as a virtual fence without paying extra for a subscription, you will need to fork over some cash for one if you actually want to use the tracking features. Like PetSafe, though, they have just one simple plan, with discounts if you pay upfront for a full year or two.
Once again, size is a potential issue. They do have three sizes that fit dogs with necks ranging from 10” to 26”. Like the Halo Collar 3 and the Guardian, that excludes most small dogs. However, it also excludes more large breeds than those two collars. For example, while the Halo Collar 3 and Guardian will most likely fit a Bullmastiff (which averages 26-28” in neck size), that’s just outside the range for SpotOn.
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.
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Fi Series 3
If you don’t need a true invisible fence system and just want a smart dog collar that lets you track Fido when he makes a break for it, the Fi Series 3 is a good compromise.
Features
- Advanced GPS Tracking: Utilizes GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems for precise location tracking with access to 78 satellites
- LTE-M Cellular Network: Uses low-power, long-distance LTE-M network, extending signal reach by 30% compared to conventional networks
- Real-Time Tracking and Lost Dog Mode: Provides instant live tracking with frequent updates in Lost Dog Mode to quickly locate a lost dog
- Escape Detection: Proprietary algorithms detect when a dog escapes a designated safe zone and send immediate alerts to the owner
- Durability: Built with a stainless steel body that can withstand over 400 pounds of pull force, making it resistant to chewing and rough play
- Waterproof: Rated IP68 and IP66K, ensuring the collar remains functional even in wet conditions
- Long Battery Life: Lasts up to three months on a single charge under typical conditions, reducing the need for frequent recharging
- Health and Activity Monitoring: Tracks steps, sets daily activity goals, and monitors sleep patterns to keep an eye on the dog’s physical health
- User-Friendly App: The Fi app allows for easy management of all collar features, including location tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts
- Night Light: Includes a customizable night light with seven color options for improved visibility during nighttime walks
What Makes it a Smart Dog Collar?
The Fi Series 3 uses a combination of GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems, providing access to 78 satellites for precise and quick location tracking. This helps ensure that your dog’s location is accurately tracked no matter where they are. The collar also uses the LTE-M low-power, long-distance cellular network, which extends its reach about 30% farther than conventional cellular networks. This increased signal sensitivity allows for effective tracking even in remote areas.
One of the best features of the Fi Series 3 is its real-time GPS tracking, particularly in Lost Dog Mode. This mode increases the frequency of location updates to every few seconds, helping you quickly locate and recover your Houdini.
While it doesn’t act as a true virtual fence in terms of keeping Fido contained, the collar uses proprietary algorithms to detect when your dog breaches a designated safe zone and sends immediate alerts, facilitating faster recovery and enhancing overall safety.
Beyond location tracking, the Fi Series 3 also has robust health and activity tracking features. It tracks steps, sets daily activity goals, and even monitors sleep patterns. These features help you keep an eye on your dog’s physical health and identify any potential issues early. The Fi app provides a user-friendly interface to manage all these features.
Drawbacks and Other Things to Consider
In terms of drawbacks, there are two major things to consider. First and foremost, if you want a collar that actually KEEPS your dog contained within the set boundaries, Fi isn’t for you. While it will alert YOU to escape attempts, it doesn’t have any sort of “feedback” to warn Fido that he’s about to leave his safe zones.
The other potential drawback is the fact that Fi is subscription-only, and I don’t just mean in a “you need a subscription to activate the collar” way. You CANNOT buy Fi without buying a plan. In fact, you can think of it like this: you’re paying for the plan and getting the collar with it.
As far as sizing goes, Fi Series 3 does fit a wider range of dogs. Their XS collar fits pups with necks as small as 9.5”, while their XL fits up to 31”. Of course, that still leaves out some dogs on both ends of the size spectrum. Chihuahuas, for example, can range from 8-14”, while English Mastiffs range from 28-38.”
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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Tractive Dog GPS Tracker
Tractive is another great way to go if you just want to track Fido and monitor his health. Don’t let its simple design fool you, it’s actually a lot smarter than it looks.
Features
- Real-Time GPS Tracking: Offers live tracking with updates every 2-3 seconds, ensuring you can see your dog’s exact location at any time.
- Worldwide Coverage: Works globally, allowing you to track your dog anywhere with GPS signal and cellular coverage from Tractive‘s network of partners.
- Virtual Fences: Set up safe zones and receive instant alerts if your dog leaves these designated areas.
- Location History: View past routes and favorite spots to understand your dog’s movements and behavior better.
- Activity Monitoring: Track your dog’s exercise, set activity goals, and compare with other similar dogs to ensure they stay healthy and active.
- Sleep Tracking: Monitor your dog’s rest patterns to spot any unusual changes that might indicate health issues.
- Health Alerts: Receive notifications about changes in your dog’s activity or sleep patterns, helping you detect potential health problems early.
- Long Battery Life: Depending on usage, the battery can last from 2 to 7 days, with options to extend up to a month using power-saving zones.
- Waterproof and Durable: Designed to be 100% waterproof and shock-resistant, making it suitable for dogs that love to swim and explore rugged environments.
- Compact Design: Lightweight and small, it comfortably fits on your dog’s collar without causing discomfort.
What Makes it a Smart Dog Collar?
One of the primary smart features of the Tractive collar is its real-time GPS tracking capability. It provides live tracking updates every 2-3 seconds, allowing you to see your dog’s exact location at any given moment. Even better, Tractive‘s trackers work worldwide, thanks to a network of over 500 partners.
Beyond location tracking, Tractive also does a great job of monitoring your dog’s health and activity levels. In addition to recording exercise and rest patterns, you can also set activity goals and track your dog’s performance. The system also sends health alerts if there are significant changes in your dog’s activity or sleep patterns, which could indicate underlying health issues.
Tractive’s smart collar has an exceptionally long battery life, lasting between 2 to 7 days depending on usage. It also includes power-saving zones that can extend the battery life up to a month.
The Tractive GPS app is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. It provides a comprehensive overview of your dog’s activities, location history, and health data. The app’s interface allows you to manage virtual fences, track live locations, and view historical movement patterns. Plus, it’s one of the few (if only) collars that let you access all of this info in your browser rather than just on your phone.
Drawbacks and Other Things to Consider
Like Fi, while Tractive has some fence features, but it’s not a true invisible fence system. It won’t keep your pooch from leaving the yard, but it will alert you if he moves beyond the set boundaries.
Tractive offers two subscription plans (and yes, you’ll need to choose one to use the tracker), with significant savings if you opt to pay for at least one year in full. I don’t love that they charge $5 more per month for the basic plan for those who need to pay month-to-month, and that they don’t even have a month-to-month option for the premium plan. Not everyone has an extra $100+ to drop on a subscription upfront. That said, Tractive is the most affordable tracker on this list by hundreds of dollars, so I guess it’s a fair trade-off.
Size-wise, Tractive probably fits the widest range of dogs out of all of the smart collars, mainly because it isn’t a collar itself but rather an attachment to your existing one. They have two options- the standard Tractive Dog 4 and the XL model. Between the two, Tractive works on dogs as small as 9 lbs, with no limit on the other end of the size spectrum.
GPS Tracker for Dogs – Long Battery Life | Tractive
Designed for pups over 40 lbs., the Tractive XL takes everything you love about the original Tractive GPS dog tracker and scales it up for our BIG dogs! In addition to the larger size, it also features a longer battery life (up to one month on a single charge).
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Which Smart Dog Collar is Right For You?
As always, the right collar for your dog depends…well, on your dog! If you want something built with the latest technology that acts as a fence, tracker, and activity monitor, though, the Halo Collar 3 really is your best bet. It’s loaded with pretty much every feature you need in a smart collar and then some.
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!
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
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