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Let your dog run free without the expense and trouble of putting up a fence in your yard. Wireless dog fences are an excellent alternative, especially if you don’t want the hassle of digging up your yard to bury in-ground wires.
| Wireless | GPS | In-Ground |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| PetSafe | SpotOn | SportDOG |
| Visit Website | ||
Why Get A Wireless Dog Fence?
Here are a few reasons why you might be a good candidate for a wireless dog fence:
- Strict neighborhood regulations don’t allow fences
- Don’t want the eyesore of a wooden or metal fence surrounding your yard
- Block other outdoor areas like the swimming pool or garden
- Can easily move to a new location or possibly take it with you on vacation
- Easy to set up and more affordable than traditional fencing
Many dog owners use both a wireless dog fence and a traditional fence to keep their dogs safe. For example, if you have a white picket fence around the outside of your property, but your dog loves to dig in your garden, then you can use a wireless dog fence to keep them from getting into your tomatoes.
The same goes for other things like the sandbox your kids play in. You probably don’t want your pup going potty in it! Wireless dog fences can help maintain more boundaries to keep your dog where you want him to be.
Best Wireless Dog Fence Reviews
Now that you know how they work, let’s dig right into our top three picks for the best wireless pet fence.
Winner: PetSafe Free To Roam Wireless Pet Containment System Review
A top manufacturer of quality pet products, PetSafe takes our first place spot for the best wireless dog fence. The PetSafe Free To Roam Wireless Pet Containment System wins our top choice for its reliability, durability, and affordable cost. Although yard coverage isn’t as broad as other systems, you can expand your coverage with additional transmitters.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent quality for the price | Yard coverage isn’t as large as other systems (half-acre or 180 feet in diameter) |
| The collar fits small, medium, and large dogs | Battery isn’t rechargeable |
| Return within 30 days if not satisfied | |
| Waterproof collar | |
| Portable system – for when you travel with your dog or move | |
| 1-year warranty | |
| 6-volt battery included |
Pricing
Honorable Mention: PetSafe Stay+Play Wireless Fence Review
Another top product from PetSafe, this PetSafe Stay+Play Wireless Fence, takes second place. The PetSafe Stay+Play Wireless Dog Containment Fence is an upgrade to their Wireless Pet Containment System (our number one pick). What are the major differences? The collar is smaller and more lightweight and has a rechargeable battery.
The transmitter is 67% smaller than the original and covers an extra quarter of an acre. Both units have excellent signal reliability and are easy to set up. However, this collar is more expensive and doesn’t have as many great reviews as the number one pick, so we’ve chosen it as our runner-up.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The transmitter is smaller than comparable systems to fit in more places | Coverage is limited for the price (3/4 acres from the placement of the portable indoor transmitter) |
| Built-in rechargeable battery | More expensive than our #1 pick |
| Portable | |
| Accommodates very small dog weight (minimum 5 pounds) | |
| 1-year warranty | |
| Rechargeable battery included |
Pricing
GPS: SpotOn GPS Fence Review
The SpotOn GPS Fence system differs from a traditional wireless fence in that it uses GPS rather than radio frequencies to set your dog’s boundaries. SpotOn is better suited for large yards and properties that contain vast acreage. It has 30 correction levels and allows you to create an unlimited number of overlapping fences. And you can save up to 20 fences in the app at a time.
The system uses data from 100+ satellites from 2 dedicated systems using GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou to keep your pup within your boundaries. And the rechargeable battery lasts up to 22 hours in containment mode and 14 hours in tracking mode. You also get one-on-one training sessions with one of SpotOn’s certified dog trainers. Note: The minimum property size is 1/2 acre to use this system.
Our Personal Experience With SpotOn GPS Fence
We had the opportunity to try SpotOn’s collar with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in exchange for an honest review. The collar itself was easy to set up, attach the contact points, and adjust the size. After activating the collar and creating an account, you can walk with your dog on a leash to create your virtual fence in real-time. I was impressed at how detailed the fence line was and how accurate the invisible fence lines were.
When getting close to the “edge,” it makes a loud beep. As you get closer to the boundary, there is a two-tone alert. And if you cross the boundary, the collar vibrates. There’s no subscription required for the fence feedback, but if you want GSP tracking that is an additional monthly fee. If you’re looking for a way to contain your dog without a need for wires, this training collar is worth the investment.
– Sadie C., Canine Journal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can create multiple, overlapping wireless fences over 1,000s of acres | Very expensive |
| Easy to set up | Requires a minimum of 1/2 acre |
| Real-time alerts and accurate GPS tracking | Unlikely to fit very small or very large dogs (10″-26″ neck sizes) |
| IP-67 waterproof rating | |
| Mobile apps get good reviews | |
| 1-year limited warranty | |
| 90-day return policy | |
| 10% discount on multi-collar purchases | |
| Made in the USA |
Pricing
Coupon
Use coupon code CANINE to get $100 off your SpotOn purchase via this link.
Subscription Plan
The SpotOn GPS Fence works in containment mode without a subscription but requires AT&T or Verizon cellular coverage service for its tracking feature to work. You can get a 90-day free trial of their subscription plan, but only if you sign up for the one or two-year plan.
- $9.95/month (monthly)
- $7.95/month (1-year plan)
- $5.95/month (2-year plan)
In Ground: SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence Systems
Note: This is not technically a wireless fence but is invisible and covers a much larger area than the top two picks.
SportDOG’s parent brand is INVISIBLE FENCE, so you can trust that their product comes backed with a solid reputation. Its range is massive compared to the other two fences, so this system is ideal for those who live on large plots of land or farms. It comes with 1-1/3 acres coverage out of the box but can expand to 100 acres with additional wire and flags. It comes with 100 flags and works for dogs 10 pounds and up.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge coverage area (100 acres) | Not ideal for smaller dogs or properties |
| Waterproof collar lasts 6-12 months (rechargeable version slightly more expensive) | |
| U.S.-based customer service | |
| 2-year warranty |
Pricing
Wireless Pet Fence Reviews Compared Side-By-Side
To help you easily compare each of these wireless dog fence systems’ features side-by-side, we give you our best wireless dog fence comparison table.
| Wireless: PetSafe Free To Roam | Honorable Mention: PetSafe Stay+Play | GPS: SpotOn GPS Fence | In Ground: SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence Systems | Halo Collar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.95 | Check Amazon for availability | $1,295 | Check Amazon for availability | $999 |
| Requires Monthly Fee |  | ||||
| Minimum Dog Weight | 8 lbs | 5 lbs | 15 lbs | 10 lbs | 20 lbs |
| Collar Neck Size | 6″ to 28″ | 6″ to 28″ | 10″ to 26″ | 12″ to 26″ | 11″ to 30.5″ |
| Coverage | 90 Foot Radius (1/2 Acre) | 105 Foot Radius (3/4 Acre) | 1,000s of Acres | 100 Acres | 10 Square Miles |
| Correction Levels | 5 | 5 | 30 | 7 | 15 |
| Tone-Only Mode | | | | | |
| Receiver Battery | 6 Volt | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Training Flags Provided | 50 | 50 | 100 | ||
| Waterproof Collar | | | | | |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 2 Years | 1 Year |
| Return Policy | 30 Days | 30 Days | 90 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days |
What About Halo?
Another relatively new wireless dog collar making waves is Halo. It didn’t make our top picks but is worth considering.
Halo 2+ Collar Wireless Fence System Review
The Halo Collar Wireless Fence System, backed by dog guru Cesar Millan, uses GPS satellite technology, along with cell service, to keep tabs on where your pup is in the boundaries you set up. Halo allows you to set up 20 different virtual fences and has 15 correction levels with your dog’s collar, including tone, vibration, and static modes. You can get notifications on their mobile apps on your dog’s location, and the system also includes a built-in activity tracker and Cesar Millan’s 21-day training program.
The new and improved Halo 2+ collar has some excellent upgrades to address specific customer feedback from the original Halo collar. These improvements include enhanced GPS coverage, better location accuracy, a 20-hour battery life, a much more rugged collar with a Pro-case that can withstand chewing and harsh terrain, as well as better cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth performance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large coverage area – up to 10 square miles | Expensive |
| Uses GPS/GNSS, Bluetooth, WiFi, and LTE technologies | Requires monthly subscription |
| Waterproof collar | Not for very small dogs (minimum neck size is 11″ and minimum weight is 20 lbs) |
| 20-hour battery life | |
| Apps get generally good reviews | |
| 1-year limited warranty | |
| 30-day return policy | |
| Customer service and tech support via live Zoom sessions |
Pricing
Subscription Plans
A Halo subscription plan is required to enable data storage for fences, GPS location services, activity tracking, and training from Cesar Millan. The Basic plan gives you most of what you’ll need for the system to work, including unlimited cellular data. The Silver plan’s major benefit is advanced tracking, and the Gold plan gives you premium training content.
- Basic: $4.49/month
- Silver: $9.99/month
- Gold: $29.99/month
Coupon Code
Use this link to get $50 off your Halo Collar purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering exactly how these systems work? We’ve got an explanation and infographic that helps break down the process. Plus, a video on how to install it.
How Do Wireless Dog Fences Work?
A wireless dog containment system has two parts: the transmitter and the receiver.
The transmitter plugs into an electrical outlet, and the wireless dog collar has the receiver. The transmitter sends out a radius of radio frequencies, and you can adjust the signal distance to your desired boundary space. If your dog goes beyond the perimeter you set, they will receive an electric shock. The static shock is not painful or traumatic – it’s similar to a splash of cold water in the face. Some receivers also have the option to make a noise when they cross over the set boundary.
However, shock collars can cause slight skin irritation. Owners should clean their dog’s neck and contact points regularly and not leave the shock collar on for extended periods of time. But what’s the best wireless dog containment system?
How Does A Wireless Dog Fence Work? (Infographic)
How do wireless fences work? Check out this infographic to see how it uses technology to keep your pup contained.
How To Install A Wireless Fence?
This three-minute video from Lowe’s walks you through the steps, including where to put the transmitter and other tips on easy setup (using one of our top recommended fences as an example).
On The Fence About Which Type To Choose?
Are you looking for a cheap wireless dog fence or something to cover your entire yard? A traditional fence is the safest option but also carries the largest price tag and commitment level. A less expensive option is an in-ground wired fence. These fences are typically cheaper than wireless fences, but they also take more time to install and aren’t portable.
If you have a calm, small dog, you may not need a fully fenced yard. A doggy playpen might be able to corral your dog outdoors without the commitment. But, you should never leave a dog alone in a playpen because it is portable and, thus, relatively easy to escape from if the dog is determined to do so.
And, if you did opt for a fence, a doggy door is a helpful way to give your dog more control over when it enters and exits your home into its fenced domain.
For more information, check out this article covering invisible fences for dogs. But, if you want smaller boundaries within your yard, don’t want the hassle of burying wires, or need something portable, wireless fences are an excellent option.
Tagged With: Comparison, Containment, Outdoors
