Best GPS Dog Collars of 2025
The best GPS dog collars based on accuracy, reliability, usability, features, and more
Photo by Jae Thomas
Published April 2nd, 2025
Home > Gear Reviews > Dog Gear
Whether you have a dog who is a talented escape artist or a pup who tags along on mountain adventures like skiing or snowshoeing, the best dog GPS trackers can help you keep tabs on your four-legged friend.
I always keep GPS trackers on my two dogs. Not only are they often off-leash on hikes, walks, and during camping and overlanding trips, they also are always in the car traveling with me. Between mountain west camping trips, dog shows, and dog sport events, my pups are usually out and about away from home.
The last thing any dog owner wants is for their dog to get lost in the wilderness or while traveling in an unfamiliar area, and a GPS tracker gives you a little extra peace of mind. I’ve used Fi GPS trackers on my dogs for the last two years, and have had some glitches with them (and they flat out don’t work in areas where there’s no cell service), so I was interested to see what else was out there.
My two dogs, Miso and Dashi, and their Australian Shepherd friend Sansa, helped me thoroughly test the top seven dog GPS trackers to find the best picks for daily use, and options for backcountry dogs, too.
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Comparison table
| GPS COLLAR | TREELINE AWARD | BATTERY LIFE | COVERAGE TYPE | WATERPROOF RATING | WEIGHT | BEST USE | DEVICE MSRP | SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tractive GPS & Health Tracker | Best overall Read why |
14 days | Multiple-carrier LTE | IPX7 | 1.2 oz | Outdoor adventures | $69 | Yes |
| Apple AirTag | Best affordable Read why |
365 days | Bluetooth to Apple devices | Splash-resistant, but not waterproof | 0.4 oz | Urban activities | $29 + collar attachment | No |
| Garmin Alpha T 20 | Best rural Read why |
2.8 days | Iridium satellite network | 1 ATM | 8.4 ounces with transmitter, antenna, and collar | Backcountry, hunting | $300 + GPS | No |
| Whistle Go Explore 2.0 | Best advanced tracking Read why |
17 days | AT&T LTE-M | IPX8 | 1.2 oz | Health monitoring | $129 | Yes |
The winners
Best overall GPS dog collar: Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs
Device cost: $69
Subscription plans:
Basic plan: $144 every 2 years, or $108 billed annually
Premium plan: $120 billed annually, $168 billed every 2 years, $300 billed every 5 years
Battery life: Up to 14 days, but lasted 25 days during testing
Water resistant: Yes, IPX7
Weight: 1.2 ounces
What we liked: Long battery life; accurate tracking; fast boundary alerts, easy to put on multiple types of collars; uses multiple cellular carriers for broad range of coverage
What we didn’t like: Doesn’t immediately track walks unless you “start a walk”; doesn’t differentiate between drives and walks; a little bulky for extra small breeds
The Tractive GPS device has the best location accuracy, the fastest connection time, and the longest battery life of the cellular-based dog GPS trackers I tested.
The Tractive GPS dog tracker stood out from the rest of the pack with its amazing battery life. Though the suggested battery life is up to 14 days, my device lasted nearly 30 days on a single charge with daily use. My dog wasn’t in my house the whole time, either. This battery life included three to four daily walks, one to two weekly hikes, and numerous daily drives where my dog was away from the house. Not having to charge the device for nearly a month is impressive, and will ensure you use it often, since you won’t have to remember to charge it frequently.
Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs
The Tractive device attaches to pretty much any collar, but it’s a little bulky for very small dogs. Photo by Jae Thomas
Location accuracy was a standout feature using the Tractive, and connection speeds were super fast, even when the cellular service on my phone was poor. Tractive uses a GPS and LTE tech to connect to cellular networks, and it’s able to connect to whichever network has the most optimal signal based on your location. During my testing, I found that the location data of the Tractive stayed pretty accurate regardless of my phone service quality. Since it can tap into a variety of different cellular networks, it’s safe to say that, with the exception of the Garmin model I tested, the Tractive has the most reliable connection and location data for general use and travel.
Connecting to my tracker was always smooth and quick, and it was able to kick into live tracking within a few seconds of hitting the button on the app. The live tracking feature is pretty accurate, and I only found it to be off by a couple yards a few times that I tried it. This tracker would definitely help pinpoint your dog if they were really lost. During live tracking, the collar updates info every two to three seconds, while in normal mode, it updates your dog’s location every two to 60 minutes, depending on your dog’s activity.
The device itself is pretty easy to put on different collar types, and though I found it to be a bit bulky, it isn’t that heavy. Small and extra small breeds might find it cumbersome, though. Tractive also offers an XL version of this tracker for dogs over 50 pounds, and an extra strong adventure version for large dogs who are rough on their gear.
The Tractive app tracked walks and hikes accurately, even when cell service wasn’t great. Right: The Tractive device was really detailed at tracking where my dog went while on a hike.
Though it’s our top pick and strikes a nice balance between affordability and functionality, the Tractive isn’t without flaws. My main issue with this collar is that it doesn’t automatically start a walk when you leave your safe zone. You need to go into the app to manually start a walk if you want the activity tracking to work, which can be hard to remember to do.
The Tractive also doesn’t differentiate between drives and walks, and the historical map makes it look like your dog has walked everywhere you’ve driven to. None of the collars have this feature down 100% (The Fi collar attempts to differentiate between walks and drives using your phone’s location data, but it isn’t always accurate). Though it’s not a dealbreaker, it would make the historical map on the Tractive app easier to read if there was a difference between walks and drives.
The price of the Tractive collar and the attached subscription felt more reasonable than some of the other options on this list. The device costs $69, though is often on sale for under $50, and there are multiple options for subscriptions, ranging in price from $60 to $120 per year. The Premium Plan unlocks international coverage, family sharing, and a few other features, but it’s definitely not necessary to have a good experience using the tracker.
The Tractive Dog GPS is the best pick for dog parents who primarily care about their dog’s location and fast tracking speeds–if you’re willing to manually start walks to use the activity tracking features. If you travel with your pup a lot, this is a great option for reliable coverage and live tracking that actually works as it’s supposed to.
Best affordable GPS dog collar: Apple AirTag
Device cost: $29
Subscription plan: N/A
Battery life: Up to a year
Water resistant: Splash-resistant, but not waterproof
Weight: 0.39 ounces without collar attachment
What we liked: Low price point; lightweight; year long battery life; very accurate location when near an iPhone; doesn’t require a subscription
What we didn’t like: No real activity tracking; only truly compatible with iPhones; only works when in range of an iPhone; needs a collar attachment (sold separately); not fully waterproof
The Apple AirTag isn’t exactly a dog GPS tracker, but plenty of people use them to keep track of their dogs. Using an AirTag as a dog GPS requires buying a separate third party attachment to be able to secure it to your dog’s existing collar. There are tons of options out there, but we recommend buying a waterproof one, since the AirTag itself isn’t fully waterproof.
Apple AirTag
The Apple AirTag needs a separate collar attachment. Photo by Jae Thomas
The AirTag is unfortunately only for iPhone users, so if you have an Android phone, opt for a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 or a Tile Mate.
Apple AirTags work by connecting via a secure Bluetooth signal to compatible Apple devices, then transmitting your tracker’s location to iCloud. The main downside to this tracking option is that your dog would need to be within Bluetooth range (30 feet) of an Apple device for you to see their location. That means if your pup gets lost while on a hike or in a rural area, you’re unlikely to be able to track them using an AirTag. However, if you live in a big city or are in a densely populated environment (say, camping near other people), the AirTag is a good, cheap option for checking on your dog’s location.
The AirTag doesn’t have any advanced activity tracking features like the other options on this list, but the location accuracy is near-perfect when there’s an Apple device nearby. However, as soon as my dog got further than 30 feet away from me on a hike, the accuracy plummeted.
You can see where your AirTag is in the FindMy app, and though it’s not super accurate, it sends a push notification when it can tell you’ve left it behind.
With a low upfront price, no monthly subscription fees, and hundreds of AirTag collar attachments to choose from, this is a decent option to track your dog’s location if you’re on a budget, don’t need activity tracking features, and live in an urban or suburban area. It’s also a good pick for very small dogs (and even cats) who need a lightweight tracker option.
Best GPS dog collar for rural areas: Garmin Alpha T 20 Dog Tracking Collar
Device cost: $300 for collar, $400+ for handheld depending on model
Subscription plan: N/A
Battery life: Up to 68 hours with standard battery pack
Water resistant: Yes, 1ATM (1 atmosphere of pressure at sea level, or roughly up to 10m of water)
Weight: 8.4 ounces with transmitter, antenna, and collar
What we liked: Only collar I tested that works without any cell service; can see dog’s location via the handheld or the app; tells you how many yards away your dog is; hunting dog features
What we didn’t like: Big, bulky collar; collar is expensive; separate handheld device is required and is also expensive; more accurate at further distances
The Garmin Alpha T 20 is the only collar on this list that works using satellite tech, meaning that you don’t have to be in range of cell service for it to work. This is the best option for backcountry camping and backpacking with your dog in areas where there’s no cell service, and it’s one of the only options on this list that doesn’t require a separate monthly subscription fee.
Garmin Alpha T 20 Dog Tracking Collar
The Garmin Alpha T 20 was a bit bulky and awkward with the long attached antenna. Photo by Jae Thomas
The Garmin Alpha T 20 is meant for hunting dogs, and the design shows. It has tracking alerts for pointing and treeing if you’re actually using it to hunt. It works best at farther distances, for dogs that have big range (i.e., need to run large distances). If you have any of the spaniel breeds, or any of the pointing breeds, this collar is a good way to keep tabs on them in the backcountry while also allowing them to run big.
The collar requires a separate handheld to work properly, and I tested the collar with the Alpha 10 handheld. The two devices need to be outside to connect to satellite properly (they can’t be connected indoors). I had to do the pairing process twice before it started working, but using them was pretty straightforward after that.
The handheld does a good job telling you the direction your dog is moving in and is pretty accurate at longer distances. At shorter distances though, like if your dog is right next to you, it often says your dog is farther away than they actually are. If my dog, Miso, was standing right next to me, the handheld often said she was five yards away. However, if she was actually five to eight yards away, the handheld was pretty accurate in the distance.
The handheld was most accurate at distances over 10 yards. Photo by Jae Thomas
The collar and handheld also connect to a mobile app you can use if the handheld you chose doesn’t have a map feature. The map interface is great—it gives you eyes on the locations of both the tracker and the collar, and it has trail maps on it.
The connection speed on the Garmin Alpha T 20 was the fastest of the dog GPS collars I tested. The collar uses a dynamic update rate as the default setting, which uses a 30-second location refresh when the dog is not moving, and a 2.5-second location refresh when the dog is in motion.
Left: The Alpha T 20 tracked drives in the car the same way it tracked walks. Right: The app was helpful in seeing how long my dog’s hikes were.
The dynamic update rate saves battery life, but you can also set the update rate to 2.5 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 2 minute intervals. Using the dynamic update rate, the collar lasts about 2.5 days, but setting the update rate to 2 minutes will increase the battery life to about three and a half days. Garmin also offers an extended battery pack if you do a lot of overlanding or backpacking with your dog and need extra battery life.
In terms of downsides, the Alpha T 20 is pretty bulky. Though the product description says the collar is meant to fit small and large dogs, it feels too big and bulky for dogs under 30–40 pounds. It also has a range of nine miles, which is definitely enough for hiking and adventuring in the backcountry, but if your dog gets lost and ends up further than nine miles from the handheld, you won’t be able to track them.
This collar is probably overkill for dogs and people who tend to stick within city limits, but if you do a lot of off-grid living or backcountry activities with your dog, it’d be a great addition to your gear list.
Best GPS collar with advanced activity tracking: Whistle Go Explore 2.0
Device cost: $129
Subscription plan: $99 per year
Battery life: Lasted 17 days during testing
Water resistant: Yes, IPX8
Weight: 1.23 ounces
What we liked: Accurate location; second-fastest connection speed after Tractive; comes with multiple collar attachments; typically registers who’s walking the dog if your phone is with you; automatically tracks walks (most of the time); extra health and activity tracking features
What we didn’t like: Slightly more expensive upfront and yearly than Tractive; doesn’t give a full map of your dog’s walks; sometimes doesn’t register walks to activity minutes; only uses AT&T cellular service, so performance depends on the AT&T service in your area
The Whistle Go Explore 2.0 was very close in scoring to both the Tractive and the Fi GPS collars, and a few things made it stand out from the pack (though I had a few minor issues with it as well). Namely, I liked the advanced activity tracking and extra health features, and the app is well-designed and easy to use.
Whistle Go Explore 2.0
The Whistle Go Explore 2.0 comes with two different collar attachments, and fits on basically any collar. Photo by Jae Thomas
I had an easier time setting up the Go Explore 2.0 than the Whistle Switch. The Switch took multiple tries (and swapping out the battery) to connect to my phone, while the Go Explore 2.0 worked on the first try. I had some minor glitches while trying to add a safe zone with the Go Explore 2.0, but after restarting the app and trying again, I was able to add a safe zone successfully.
The companion app is intuitive and easy to use, and all the most important features are easy to find on the first screen when you open the app. You can see your dog’s wellness score, their daily activity (distance walked, broken up per walk), their location via Google Maps, health alerts, a weekly journal, and more.
I like that the device itself comes with multiple collar attachment options, so you can use the one that best suits the style of your dog’s existing collar or harness. The size of the tracker may be a little bit bulky for extra small breeds, though.
The Whistle Go Explore 2.0 device may be a bit bulky for small breeds. Photo by Jae Thomas
Whistle only uses AT&T cellular service, and I found this tracker to be quite accurate, despite the notoriously bad AT&T service in my neighborhood. Oddly, the Go Explore 2.0 was much more accurate than the Whistle Switch during my testing, even though they were both utilizing the same cell service and the same subscription. Depending on the service in your area, the issues I had with the Switch could possibly occur with the Go Explore 2.0, so check AT&T’s reliability in your area before purchasing.
Left: The Whistle app is intuitive to use and has lots of advanced activity tracking features. Right: The live tracking feature is helpful if your dog ever gets lost.
The safe zone alerts for this collar were really accurate, and rivaled the Tractive alerts. Sometimes the Whistle was faster at sending an alert to my phone when my dogs had re-entered the safe zone. I also like that the collar can tell when you’re with your dog vs. when you’re not. If I had my phone on me, the push alert when my dog and I left the safe zone said “Enjoy your walk with Dashi” and immediately started tracking my walk. This is a huge plus in my opinion compared to the Tractive, which requires you to start a walk if you want it to be tracked as activity minutes.
The live tracking on the Whistle was similar to the live tracking on the Tractive, but it was a bit slower to boot up initially. I wish that the historical activity map showed more than dots along the route your dog walked in, and I also wish this collar differentiated in the map between walks and drives.
The Go Explore 2 has a solid battery life, and lasted about 17 days during testing with regular use. This battery life included 3–4 walks per day, at least one drive per day, and a few hikes a week. The battery drains slower if your dog is close to your house all the time, so I feel this battery life is a good snapshot of a normal, active dog who leaves their general area a few times per week. If your dog usually stays on your property, the battery would last even longer.
The Whistle Go Explore 2.0 is basically like a Fitbit for your dog, and aside from location and activity tracking, it has a slew of extra health features. You can track your dog’s licking, scratching, sleeping, eating, and drinking, and the app even has a handy “Ask a Vet” feature for members.
The main downside to this collar is the high upfront price. It costs $129 for the device itself, then $99 per year for the subscription (and you can’t use the device without the subscription). However, if you’re looking for thorough location, activity, and health tracking in a user-friendly package, this is the best option.
Other GPS dog collars we tested
Fi Series 3
Device cost: Free with subscription
Subscription plan:
Six months: $99 semi-annually
One year: $189 annually
Two years: $339 biennially
Monthly: $19/month
Battery life: Up to three months, but lasted about 3 weeks in testing
Water resistant: Yes, IP68
Weight: 1.3 ounces without the collar
What we liked: Slim footprint; long battery life; good app interface; included base saves battery; base acts as a wireless charger
What we didn’t like: Expensive; less accurate location data than Tractive; app has to constantly be running in the background
The Fi collar was a close runner-up to the Tractive, and is a worthy pick if the Tractive is unavailable or if your dog is very small and needs a smaller, lower-profile GPS collar.
I’ve used the Fi on my dogs for about a year now, and though it works pretty well the majority of the time, I have some qualms with it. Namely: the app has to be constantly running in the background if you want to conserve battery and be notified when your dog is away from you. When the app isn’t running in the background (like if you accidentally forget to open it), the location data is very inaccurate. I found that when my app wasn’t running on my phone in the background that I rarely got notifications when my dog left or entered my virtual boundaries.
Fi Series 3
The Fi collar is low-profile and lightweight, but the collar that it comes with isn’t the greatest. Photo by Jae Thomas
The Fi collar has slightly more activity tracking features than the Tractive (like steps, a rest tracker, and a strain score), and I like that it tracks walks automatically without having to start a walk in the app. However, it’s more expensive than the Tractive and I found the location data to be slightly less accurate. The connection speed to the collar is also slightly slower than with the Tractive.
Left: The Fi app is detailed in its walk tracking and tracks automatically, but I regularly noticed some missing parts of our hike on the map afterwards. Right: The Fi does a good job at differentiating between walks and drives.
The collar the device comes with is adequate, though it doesn’t stay adjusted very well if you need to tighten it. I opted to buy the Atlas Pet Co Fi Snap adapter so I could put my Fi on a different collar. There are plenty of dog collar brands that sell Fi-compatible collars now, so there are plenty of options, but it adds an extra cost.
Device cost: $40
Subscription plan:
Basic plan: $120 for 2 years, $84 for 1 year, $12 monthly
Premium plan: $300 for 5 years, $144 for 2 years, $96 yearly
Battery life: Up to 30 days in power save mode, lasted 12 days in testing
Water resistant: Yes, IP67
Weight: 1.02 ounces
What we liked: Lowest price of subscription-based trackers
What we didn’t like: Hard to put on buckle collars; app interface isn’t the best; doesn’t usually send push notification when leaving virtual boundaries; inaccurate walk location data
The Petcube dog GPS tracker, though the cheapest of the bunch, was also the most inaccurate location-wise. On a hike, it marked some points along the route, but some in totally random locations far from where we were hiking as well. It also didn’t offer a line going through the dots to show the exact route we walked. These random dots tended to happen when the cell service wasn’t very strong. The collar also didn’t register hikes and walks as active minutes if you don’t click “start a walk,” which can be frustrating for anyone wanting a collar to also track their dog’s activity.
Petcube GPS Tracker
Left and middle: Petcube only tracked part of our hike, and dropped some sporadic dots along the way.Right: The topmost dot on the map was nowhere near where we were hiking.
In terms of setup, the Petcube tracker’s interface could use some work. Some helpful features (like starting a walk) don’t show up on the first screen of the app when you open it, and navigating the app feels a little circuitous. You have to tap the map, swipe up on the bottom toolbar, then you can start a walk, turn the collar’s attached light on or off, and start live tracking. It’s also a bit hard to get the silicone case the device sits in on a normal buckle collar, as the attachment straps need to be stretched over the buckle.
The petcube attachment is a bit hard to get on flat buckle collars, and it slides off too easily on belt buckle-style collars. Photo by Jae Thomas
For folks on a tight budget, this tracker is slightly better than using an AirTag as a GPS dog collar, especially if you want to be able to track your dog’s activity. However, we think that paying a bit more (either upfront or monthly) for a different collar is worth it to get more location accuracy and faster connection times.
Device cost: $149
Subscription plan: $99 per year
Battery life: Up to 15 days per battery, but lasted 7 in testing
Water resistant: IPX8
Weight: 2.86 ounces for S/M size
What we liked: Good for small dogs; two batteries included
What we didn’t like: Had worse location accuracy and connection time than the Go Explore 2.0, even though they’re on the same subscription; connected to a collar, so you can’t use your own collar; one of the batteries didn’t work during setup
Oddly, the Whistle Switch was much less reliable than the Whistle Go Explore 2.0 that I tested, even though they both run on the same service and same subscription. The Whistle devices only use AT&T cellular service, unlike Tractive which taps into multiple cellular networks. Essentially, how well the Whistle devices work depends specifically on how good the AT&T service is in your area.
Whistle Switch
The AT&T service in my area is notoriously unreliable, so I was surprised the Go Explore 2.0 worked as well as it did. The Whistle Switch, in comparison, was less reliable. Even when taking my dogs out at the same time with one of them wearing each Whistle device, the Switch rarely sent boundary alerts and was usually a bit off in location data. If the AT&T service is good in your area, you may not have these issues.
The Whistle Switch is smaller and lighter than the Go Explore 2.0. Photo by Jae Thomas
Why your dog needs a GPS collar
There are a number of reasons you might want a GPS collar for your dog. The first, of course, is safety. Some dogs (and breeds) are prone to wide ranges while hiking. Dogs bred for hunting, like German Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas, and Brittanys, need ample exercise and time to run off leash at high speed. When off-leash hiking, this means that you may not always be able to see your dog as they explore. A GPS collar can keep an eye on your bird dog’s adventures, even if they’re not directly visible to you.
Even if your dog doesn’t have a wide range, GPS collars can offer owners the peace of mind of knowing where your dog is 100% of the time. If you have a dog walker come by to walk your dog while you’re away at work, you can see when your dog leaves the house, where they go, and when they return. In the event your dog ever escapes the house/yard or gets lost, a GPS collar can also make finding them easier, with features like live tracking, collar lights and sounds, and more.
GPS collars can help you track your dog’s activity, and will help you if they ever get lost. Photo by Jae Thomas
Lastly, GPS collars often act as fitness and health trackers for dogs. It’s fun to know how many steps your dog takes per day, but a GPS collar is also helpful if your dog needs to lose or gain weight, or if they’re recovering from an injury and are on activity restrictions. Data from GPS collars can be shared with your vet to keep track of your dog’s health. Some GPS collars also have additional features like tracking licking and scratching, which can be early symptoms of health issues, though I feel like many of these features are superfluous.
I don’t think dogs need to wear GPS collars all day, every day. In fact, I don’t think dogs should even wear collars all day every day. If your dog wears a collar 24/7, it can cause a number of issues. On long-haired dogs, collars can cause matting or hair breakage. Collars—especially those with extra attachments on them like tags or GPS devices—can also be a hazard for dogs who are left alone, since they can get stuck on things and cause strangulation or other injuries.
I have a friend who had two of her dogs together (both wearing collars with GPS trackers on them) while she was away from the house. The two dogs were playing, and one dog’s canine tooth got stuck on the other dog’s collar. The canine tooth got pulled clean out.
If you’re going to use a GPS collar, use it strategically, and don’t leave it on your dog all day. If you’re buying a GPS collar because your dog often escapes the house or yard, try implementing better management like crating your dog or not leaving them unattended if possible. The best use of a GPS collar is while traveling, while out for walks or hikes, and or exploring the outdoors. A GPS collar can help you find your dog in case your dog gets spooked and takes off, but it shouldn’t be used in place of proper training and management.
What to look for in dog GPS collars
Battery life
Typical battery life spans from a few days up to a few months on most dog GPS collars. Many collars claim to last up to three months, but that’s usually only if your dog stays within range of your home’s WiFi.
Most of the trackers we tested lasted about two weeks on a single charge, give or take a few days, and this is a good battery life benchmark to look for. The Garmin Alpha T 20 only lasted about three days on a single charge when in continuous use since the satellite communication drains the battery faster, and the Apple AirTag didn’t die during testing, since the battery is expected to last about a year.
Tracking range
For most GPS dog collars, there isn’t a limited range since many of them work off of cellular service. As long as there is cellular service in the area, many dog GPS collars will be able to track your dog, regardless of how far you are or how far your home WiFi is. There are a few exceptions though—the “sound” and “find” features on the AirTag only work within Bluetooth range, and the Garmin Alpha T 20 has a range of nine miles, since it works on satellite instead of cellular service.
The Garmin Alpha T 20 uses satellite GPS, so it works without cell service. Photo by Jae Thomas
GPS accuracy
Probably the most important feature of a dog GPS collar is how accurate the tracking capabilities are. If buying a device that works based off a cellular provider’s LTE network, check that provider’s service in your area. For example, the Fi and Whistle devices work using AT&T’s LTE-M cellular network, but AT&T’s service is notoriously bad in the area I live in.
Trackers that use GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and Galileo GPS services and can connect to multiple carriers’ networks (like Tractive) will be more reliable, since they can switch between carriers based on which has the best service. Satellite devices will be the most reliable, especially in rural or backcountry areas since they don’t require cellular LTE service to work.
The Tractive was the most accurate cellular dog tracker I tested. Photo by Jae Thomas
Subscription requirements and costs
Many GPS collars require a separate subscription because they act as a separate device with its own LTE service. It’s like buying a smartwatch and paying your phone provider a monthly fee to add cellular service to it, so you can use it without your phone being nearby. Again, consider the cell coverage in your area before committing to a dog GPS collar that requires a subscription. If the AT&T service is bad in your area, opting for a collar that uses a different cellular provider will be more worth the money.
Dog GPS collar subscriptions range from $60 to $200 per year, and often have options for monthly, yearly, or multi-yearly plans. Satellite collars like the Garmin Alpha T 20 and Bluetooth trackers like the Apple AirTag don’t require monthly subscriptions.
Durability and weather resistance
If you want your dog to be able to swim in their GPS collar, opt for a pick with a IP68, IPX8, IP67, or 1ATM waterproof rating. IP68 collars are dust and water-resistant and can be submerged up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. IPX8-rated collars have similar water-resistant qualities as IP68 devices, but lack the dust resistance. GPS devices rated IP67 can be submerged up to one meter for up to 30 minutes, and 1ATM devices can be submerged up to 10 meters.
Size and fit for different breeds
Some GPS collars use bulky devices that would be too big for toy breeds. Opt for a low-profile device like the Fi Collar, the Whistle Switch, or an AirTag if you have an extra small breed.
Note that GPS collars that come with a collar attached can’t be customized as much. Some devices can be attached to different collars, but some only work on flat buckle collars. If you need a specific type of collar, like a rolled collar for long-haired breeds, opt for a dog GPS that can be attached to any kind of collar, like the Tractive or the Whistle Go Explore 2.0. The Fi collar can also be used on different collars than the one it comes with, but you’ll need to purchase a Fi-compatible collar or a separate Fi attachment, like the Atlas Pet Company Fi Snap.
The best dog GPS collar for you will depend on your dog’s size and the cellular service in the areas you frequent most. Photo by Jae Thomas
Geofencing and boundary alerts
Apps that let you set “safe zones” will notify you when your dog leaves the boundary. This is helpful for dogs who like to escape their yards, or for checking in on your dogs’ location if you have a dog walker who comes while you’re away. The devices that have boundary alerts (Fi, Tractive, Whistle, and Petcube) offer alerts when your dog exits and enters your boundaries, but some work better than others. I found the Whistle and the Tractive devices to be most consistent in the geofencing department.
Real-time tracking capabilities
Real-time tracking is the one feature on a dog GPS collar that you hope you never have to use, but is wildly helpful to have if your pet ever gets lost. Most trackers will update your dog’s location every few minutes up to every hour depending on the tracker. This slower data refresh is fine if you’re with your dog, but if your dog gets lost, you’ll need faster location info. Trackers with live tracking functions do just that: they’ll refresh your pet’s location every few seconds so you can get a real-time look at where your dog is. This function usually drains the battery of the trackers quicker, but it gives extremely accurate location data.
Multi-pet tracking support
Most of the options we tested support multi-pet tracking, although you’ll sometimes have to toggle between two different pet profiles. Some apps, like Whistle, offer a map where you can see both of your pets’ locations at once.
Activity and health monitoring features
Activity and health monitoring are extras, but if your dog is on a weight loss journey or if they are on vet-recommended exercise restriction, activity tracking can be helpful. Health features like sleep tracking and scratch alerts require your dog to wear their collar pretty much 24/7, which can be a safety hazard.
How to set up and use a GPS dog collar
Charge your collar before setup: Many collars require a full charge before activation, so make sure to plug in your device before trying to use it.
Plan for about 30 minutes of setup time: If you’re using a dog GPS collar for the first time, plan on about 30 minutes to set it up before using it. Don’t plan on quickly setting it up right before you’re about to leave the house with your dog. I found that at least a few of the GPS collars I tested had some minor glitches with the setup process that made it take longer than expected.
Download the companion app, if applicable: Most of the collars I tested have a companion app, so you’ll need to download it onto your phone to get full access to all of the collar’s features.
Pair your collar: After you’ve downloaded and booted up the companion apps, you’ll need to sync the device to your phone via Bluetooth.
Input your dog’s info: Most apps will require you to make a profile for your dog with their name, age, weight, and photo.
Sign up for a subscription: Most of the GPS collars on this list (except the AirTag and the Garmin model) require subscriptions since they act as standalone cellular devices. You’ll need to sign up for a subscription before you can track your dog, and most brands offer yearly and monthly subscription options, and some also offer premium and standard tiers of their subscriptions.
Set virtual boundaries: Once you’ve signed up for a subscription, you can set your dog’s safe zones. Setting these boundaries will push an alert to your phone when your dog exits or enters the zone, so you’ll know if your dog is out for a walk with their dog walker or if they’ve escaped your yard.
Start tracking: Put the collar on your dog, or if it’s an attachment, add the attachment to your dog’s existing collar. Start a walk or just head out with your dog to start tracking their location and activity.
The exceptions to these steps are the Apple AirTag and the Garmin Alpha T 20. The AirTag can simply be paired to your iPhone through the FindMy app, while the Garmin Alpha T 20 requires a longer setup process since it needs to be paired via satellite to a separate handheld.
Setting up your dog’s GPS collar and making sure it’s charged will ensure it works properly on your outdoor adventures. Photo by Jae Thomas
Care and maintenance of GPS dog collars
While dog GPS collars haven’t been around long enough to deem any one future-proofed, there are a few ways you can keep your dog’s device in tip top shape for years to come:
Keep it clean: Periodically wipe down your dog GPS device to get rid of any mud, dust, or debris.
Keep it dry: If your dog is out in the mud or rain or goes for a swim, make sure to let your GPS collar dry before plugging it in to charge. Charging it while wet can damage the battery.
Keep it updated: Make sure you have the latest version of your collar’s companion app, and that you stay on top of software updates. Brands sometimes push new features in their software updates, so in addition to bug fixes, you’ll have the latest tech by updating your device regularly.
Keep it charged: You won’t be able to find your dog using a GPS collar if it isn’t charged, so make sure your dog always goes out with a good amount of battery life on their collar. Most collars will give you the exact battery percentage they’re at in their companion apps.
How we researched and tested
I did in-depth research on top rated dog GPS collars by looking at other review sites along with Amazon and other retailer reviews. I tested seven of the most popular dog GPS collar options, and evaluated them against the following criteria:
Ease of use: I evaluated how easy each collar was to set up, how intuitive the companion apps are (if applicable), and how the day-to-day use was.
Location accuracy: I took my dogs on walks in my neighborhood, on local trails, and in areas with little to no cell service to determine how accurate the GPS location on each collar was. I also took my dogs on drives while they were wearing the collars to see how the location held up over longer distances.
Connection speed: I checked how long each collar took to connect to the respective app in different locations, both via normal tracking and live tracking, if offered.
Battery life: I charged each device and used it daily until it died. Some collars lost battery much quicker than advertised, while some stood out with extra long battery life between charges.
Activity tracking: Some collars offered additional activity tracking beyond justyour dog’s location. For the collars that offered this, I noted whether they showed distances for each walk, or just gave an overall activity score. I also tracked some of these walks myself via my phone, and checked how accurate the collars were in comparison to my phone’s GPS and distance data. I preferred the collars that created an accurate map of where your dog went on a walk, as opposed to the ones that just dropped location points along the route.
Escape alerts: For the collars that offered it, I set up geofence safe zones, making sure the zone was roughly the same across devices. I practiced taking my dogs out of the zones and bringing them back into them, with and without my phone on me. I noted which collars pushed a notification the fastest, whether my dogs were leaving or entering the safe zone.
Live tracking: I used the live tracking feature on the collars that offered it in multiple locations, and checked how accurate it was by comparing it to the location on other collars (my dogs wore multiple GPS collars at a time for most of this testing). I also noted that using live tracking seemed to kill the battery life faster of every collar I tested.
Build quality and design: I evaluated how durable the devices (and collars, if applicable) were by letting my dogs wear them during mountain hikes and park play sessions. I noted devices that were overly bulky, heavy, or uncomfortable for the dogs.
Waterproofness: I ranked the manufacturer’s waterproof ratings, and subjected each GPS device to light splashes to make sure they could hold up to wear in wet conditions. Nearly every collar had a different water-resistance rating. IPX7 devices are rated for submersion up to one meter for up to 30 minutes. IP67 is the same, but adds on a dust resistance. IPX8 devices can be submerged over a depth of one meter but the exact depth is up to the manufacturer. IP68 devices are the same as IPX8 devices, but they tack on dust proofing. 1ATM devices can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 10 meters. If your dog regularly goes swimming, you’d be best off with a collar rated IPX8 or IP68.
Subscription: I evaluated all tiers of each GPS collar subscription service to determine which ones were the most cost effective and which ones felt most worth the money.
Extra features: I noted collars that had additional features like health tracking, radar to find a misplaced collar, and multi-owner sharing.
Price: I weighed the price of the device itself and the quality of the subscription (if applicable) together to find the dog GPS trackers that were most worth their respective cost.
I tested all of the collars on my two dogs and their group of dog friends. I tested the collars on neighborhood walks, park outings, drives, on local trails, and in more remote hiking areas with poor cell service to get a well-rounded idea of how well each device works.
For part of the testing, I put multiple devices on the same dog to compare how well the location and activity tracking worked in the same area, on the same dog, at the same time. This allowed me to create a controlled test, although my dogs looked a bit odd wearing three to four different collars each on hikes.
If you’re interested in taking your pups on hikes, check out our Hiking with Dogs 101 gear list.
About the author / Why you should trust us
I’ve written and edited numerous pet and lifestyle product reviews for sites like CNN Underscored, Whole Dog Journal, and more. I was formerly the shopping editor at Mashable, covering tech and lifestyle products before leaving to pursue my incredibly niche passion of dog product testing. I have a journalism degree from NYU, and have been involved in commerce writing since I graduated in 2020.
I’m also a dog trainer, dog show exhibitor, dog sport competitor, and I’ve worked as kennel help and as a dog show assistant in the past. I teach both behavioral lessons and sport classes, and I compete in AKC conformation, rally, agility, barn hunt, and herding with my two dogs. I basically spend all of my waking hours with either my own dogs or my client dogs.
I’m also an avid hiker, overlander, and camper, and where I go, my dogs go. From boondocking in Moab to enjoying the extensive trail system in Boulder where I live, my two dogs are always with me, and they’re usually off leash. Though they’re both well-trained, being off leash inherently poses some risks. I’m a bit of an anxious dog parent, and I’ve used GPS trackers on both of my dogs for years now on all our travels, just in case one of them ever gets lost.
