best gps dog training collar
In the table below we compare key features of popular GPS dog collars so you can decide on the best GPS dog training collar for you and your pup. Please be aware there are significant differences across these 4 brands and products. We hope our summary table makes it easy for you to evaluate the differences.
Features to evaluate
Price
There is a significant range in pricing from the $149 Fi Smart Collar and Findster Duo all the way up to the $999 Halo Smart Collar
Additional Subscription Fee
The Halo Collar and Wagz Smart Collar both require subscription fees ranging between $2.70 to $29.99 per month. The Findster Duo and Fi GPS collars do NOT require these fees
Approach to Defining “Fences” and Containing Dog
Although price/fees are probably important to you, this feature is likely as important or possibly more important because it directly affects the safety and emotion, mental health of your dog.
There are 2 pieces to this:
1) How does the collar/app define a virtual fence area ? Some collars allow you to set a polygon shaped area (square, rectangle or other shape having multiple straight sides) This is convenient because you can set it to the shape of your yard or of a section of the park. Others set the fence area based on a circular area which makes it hard for you to match to your actual yard boundaries (since no one we know has a house lot or yard that is a circle)
2) What does the collar use for corrective signals to your dog ? So, as your dog approaches or crosses beyond the virtual fence, does the collar give your dog vibration warnings, sound/audible warnings or electric/static “shock” warnings ? Each of the popular GPS dog training collars use different techniques.
Battery Life
This feature also has a large range across the most popular GPS dog collars. Some require charging every 12 hours if there is heavy/constant use. Others, such as the Fi Smart Collar, have batteries that can last up to 3 months without needing recharging.
Review this table to compare features of the Halo Smart Collar to Findster Duo Tracker, Wagz Freedom Collar and Fi Smart Collar .
best gps dog training collar
| Findster Duo | Fi Smart Collar | Halo Smart Collar | Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar | |
| Price (as of date of publish) | $149.99 for 1 $199.99 for 2 |
$149 | $999 plus subscription | $199 plus subscription |
| Subscription Options | Not required Comes with free trial of Findster Care, goes to $3.99/mo after 30 days or cancel |
Not required $99/yr to be able to use GPS/tracking Can use activity monitoring w/o Subscription |
$2.70 Basic Plan $9.99 Silver Plan $29.99 Gold Plan |
Required $9.99/mo $8.33/mo for full year paid as $99.99 |
| Approach to Containing Dog in "Fenced" Area | "Loose", meaning there are NO corrective signals to your dog when he approaches or crosses over "fence line" Can define "safe areas" using GPS/map and you get notification if pet leaves that area but pet does not get any corrective signal |
"Loose", meaning there are NO corrective signals to your dog when he approaches or crosses over "fence line" Can define a "fenced area" using GPS/map but LIMITED to a circlular area (unable to define a freestyle polygon shaped area) You get notification if pet leaves that area but pet does not get any corrective signal |
Uses Geofence system. You can define polygon shaped areas anywhere (your yard, the park, the beach, a friends yard etc). This becomes a virtual fenced area and dog receives correction stimuli on approaching the fence | Uses Geofence system Define a "fence area" using GPS/map |
| Can set "Keep Out!" zones | No | No | No | Yes, able to define off-limit areas using GPS/map Dog and you receive corrective signals |
| Electric Shock or other Approach | NA - there is NO correction signal/action to the dog | NA - there is NO correction signal/action to the dog | 6 Types of preventions and encouragements including sounds, vibrations, or static. Static is NOT required, you may use sounds or vibrations. Strength of static may be set to various levels | Uses Vibration, Ultrasonic and Audible signals Does NOT use shock |
| Location Tracking | Yes, GPS | Yes, GPS With paid Subscription |
Yes, GPS | Yes, real-time GPS |
| Battery Life | Ranges from 12 hrs - 7 days based on use (all day hike vs pet mostly inside house) | One of its strong features Can last up to 3 months based on use |
10-14 hours Collar should be removed at night for charging |
24 - 48 hrs based on usage Rechargeable with USB charger |
| Attach to Existing Collar | Yes | No, comes with a collar, MANY styles available and a recent Fi Makers program allowing collar brands to design for Fi | No Is its own collar But cannot attach a leash to it Need additional collar for leash |
Yes, can attach to favorite collar |
| Activity Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Step count, sleep time, exercise time |
| Ambient Temperature Alerts | No | No | No | Yes, receive notifications when ambient temps exceed certain temps |
| Safety Light | No (has small "on" LED but not highly visible) | Yes, LED light along full width of casing | Yes | Yes, for visibility at dusk/night |
| Waterproof | Yes, to depths of 3 ft | Yes, to depths of 5 ft, also salt water resistant | Yes, also withstands salt water | Yes, protected against temporary immersion up to 3.3 ft (less than 30 mins) Splashes, rain, drool is fine |
| Smart Phone Support | iPhone 5+ / iOS 9+ Android 5.0+ |
iPhone iOS 12.0 + Android 6.0+ |
iPhone 5S+ Android avail Fall 2020 |
iPhone iOS11+ Android 6+ |
| Military Discount | Not known | Not known | Not known | Yes, 10% on Product (not on subscription) |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30-day | 30-day | Not known | 30-day |
| Useful Notes | Many Customer Reviews are happy with the customer service Compare and compete with others on Leaderboards showing activity for other pets in various categories |
"Best Dog Tracker 2020" according to WIRED magazine Uses the LTE-M cellular network to communicate GPS information. LTE-M signal reaches about 30% farther than 3G/4G/5G/LTE networks Has Smart Power Management: maximizes battery by connecting to wifi when possible Compete with others in Activity Dashboard on App |
Halo says their collar should be removed at night "to avoid irritation" and to be charged | Best for dogs larger than 15 lbs Training is NEEDED. Vibration, ultrasonic and audible signals are used for the Geofencing but pet owner must train dog to know how to behave when receive signals |
We think you may also be interested in what the Humane Society says about types of dog collars