The 5 Best Dog GPS Trackers, Lab Tested and Reviewed

Fi Smart Dog Series 2

4.2

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If you are looking for a comprehensive GPS dog tracker, then the Fi Smart Dog Series 2 is the one for you. With the activation of the subscription—a purchase includes a 30-day trial—you'll be able to access the Fi app to see where your dog is located, their activity levels (step count and sleep duration), and if they are interacting with other dogs and humans in your community.

"It has a nice sturdy collar and is built to last," our tester said.

The waterproof tracker can withstand splashes and rain, and a built-in LED light can be activated from the Fi app. Our tester found the instructions for setup and activation to be straightforward but found the location accuracy to be less impressive. "The app gives the general location of where the product is, with a margin of error, but is unable to give consistent live tracking information," they noted.

When the battery is fully charged, it has a life of up to three months. This varies with use, but the device will connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth beacons, such as your phone or the tracker's charging base, to maximize battery life.

The tracker comes with a collar in the size of your choice and in one of four bright color options—yellow, gray, blue, or pink ombre.

Fi has also released a new version of the smart collar, called the Series 3. The GPS unit is half the size of the unit on the Series 2, plus it has better signal coverage. The collar itself is also stronger, making it even more chew-resistant than the previous model. But the main difference may be its fully subscription model. Rather than buying a collar with an optional subscription, like with the Series 2, the new Fi smart dog collar requires a $19 per month subscription (if you pre-pay for two years, that price lowers to $14 a month).

As long as you're okay with the change in payment structure, we believe that the Fi Series 3 will provide an improved experience over the Series 2. However, we have yet to test the Fi Series 3 for ourselves. This roundup will be updated once we have had an opportunity to try it out for ourselves.

Price at time of publish: $149

_{Collar included: Yes | Subscription: $99/year, 30-day free trial with purchase | Weight: 1.3 oz. | Battery life: 3 months | Range: Unlimited}

Now Available

Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar

4.2

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Best Collar Attachment

Tractive Waterproof GPS Dog Tracker

4.2

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For dogs who don't hesitate to dive in, this completely waterproof GPS tracker is designed to seamlessly integrate into their daily activities. This collar attachment tracker is designed to slide onto your dog's favorite collar, so there is less new stuff for them to get used to. "Tiny and lightweight," observed our tester. "It's easy to put on and take off and it looks aesthetically pleasing."

With the subscription, you'll be able to observe your dog's activity in real-time, access a map overview of their location history, setup virtual fences, and receive alerts if your dog leaves a designated area—very helpful if they tend to be an unwelcome visitor in your garden or your neighbor's pool. While the range for the device is unlimited, our tester did experience a few momentary losses of connectivity, but real-time updates were back within minutes.

_{Collar included: No | Subscription: Yes | Weight: 1.2 oz.| Battery life: 7 days | Range: Unlimited}

Best for Cities

Apple AirTag

4.7

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If you want a streamlined way to monitor your dog's location from your go-to Apple device, then the AirTag is the dog tracker for you. "Everything is controlled from an iPhone so there was little to no effort in setting up the AirTag," noted our tester. "It's super small, lightweight, and doesn't need to be charged."

The battery lifespan of this water-resistant tracker lasts about a year, and your connected device will notify you before a replacement is needed, so it requires less daily maintenance than other trackers on our list. Through Apple's "Find My" app, you can locate your dog's AirTag, play a sound to help you locate your dog, and receive a notification when you are home but your dog is not (or vice versa). You can also turn on Lost Mode and if someone with an Apple device finds your pup, the AirTag will send a notification to them with your preferred contact information.

Our tester recommends this tracker for people and pups that reside in populated areas where they are more likely to encounter other Apple device users. "As someone who hikes a lot, I'd want to be able to track him if he ran away from me and chances are another Apple device users won't be nearby."

A collar is not included, but there is a plethora of sleeves and collars available (some that increase the level of water resistance) that are designed to hold the Apple AirTag securely around your dog's neck. We like this collar from Albion and this slip-on holder from Etsy.

Price at time of publish: $29

_{Collar included: No | Subscription: No | Weight: 0.39 oz. | Battery life: 1 year | Range: Approximately 30 feet}

Best for Hiking

PETFON Pet GPS Tracker

4.2

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Slip this streamlined GPS tracker onto your furry best friend's collar and head out together to explore the great outdoors, hit up your local dog park, or go for an off-leash walk. "The rubber band to attach the tracker to the dog collar is very strong," observed our tester who found the compact design of the device appealing and it did not seem to bother their dog. While the device is priced higher ($220) than others on our list, it does not require a subscription plan.

From the app on your mobile device, the tracker allows you to view your dog's location in real-time, define a safe area, and get notified instantly if they wander outside of that predetermined space. You can also activate a built-in light in a variety of colors and ping the device to help you locate your dog. It's waterproof so if you get caught in a sudden downpour, you don't have to worry about the integrity of the tracker. However, the battery life is only 8-16 hours, so it's not recommended if you plan to be far away from a power source for a long duration of time.

Price at time of publish: $220

_{Collar included: No | Subscription: No | Weight: 0.97 oz. | Battery life: 8-16 hours | Range: Up to 0.65 miles in downtown/dense space and 3.5 miles in an open environment}