Top 6 Dog Collars & Tags With Built-In Tracking Devices Better Than AirTag
AirTags have been the go-to for pet owners worldwide who want to know where their dogs and cats are at all times. But is the AirTag the best way to track your dog’s location, or are better options available?
As it turns out, AirTags might not be safe for your dog to wear on their collar or harness, and while they’re great for finding keys and missing bags, they aren’t so good for finding dogs that can run for miles. Thankfully, there are a myriad of durable, reliable, and affordable GPS dog trackers on the market, specifically designed to give you peace of mind and an accurate location of your pup at all times.
Here, I’m counting down the top 6 GPS dog trackers, and I’m including AirTag so you can see the difference between devices designed for dogs and a device that is not.
Is Using An Apple AirTag To Track Your Dog a Good Idea?
Buy AirTag On Amazon | $24.00
Buy Dog Collar AirTag Holder On Amazon | $9.98
Basic Info:
- Range: 30 feet
- Battery Life: 1+ year
- Water Resistant: Yes (IP67 rating)
- Price: $24+
When AirTag was first released, these Apple devices were the most accessible dog-tracking accessory on the market. Today, we have tons of better options that mimic AirTag dog collars but are safer, have a larger range, and are built to resist things like shaking, chewing, and roughhousing.
To safely set up an AirTag collar for dogs the Air Tag needs to be inaccessible. In other words, the dog shouldn’t be able to accidentally knock the AirTag loose, chew it out of the case, or otherwise detach it from the dog AirTag collar. One of the biggest downsides of using an AirTag attached to a collar or harness is that they are easy to swallow and AirTags contain lithium batteries that could cause serious or even fatal health complications.
The AirTag dog collar holder I’ve included above is highly rated, but like most options on the market, it would be relatively easy for a large dog or even a determined small dog to chew through. Even if you create the best AirTag dog collar setup, this device doesn’t have enough tracking power because it isn’t a GPS device. Plus, if you don’t own Apple products like an iPhone or iPad, you won’t be able to use AirTags to track your dog. AirTags require the Find My app, which is only available on iOS, not Android.
The final straw that officially takes AirTag out of the running for the best GPS dog collar is that Apple discourages anyone from AirTags for their pets.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easily accessible
- Almost any collar can be transformed into an Apple AirTag dog collar
- Small enough for a cat collar
- Customize your AirTag dog collar (waterproofed, reflective, quick release, etc.)
Cons:
- Dangerous if swallowed
- Not safe for dogs to chew
- Small range, within 30 feet
- Can only be used with Apple devices
- Not recommended by Apple
6. Whistle Switch GPS Dog Activity Tracker & Health Monitor
Buy On Amazon | $149.98
Basic Info:
- Range: Anywhere in the US
- Battery Life: 15 days
- Water Resistant: Yes (IPX8 rating)
- Price: $149.98 + Membership ($40–$99/year)
Whistle’s Switch GPS Dog Activity and Health Tracker smart collar offers 24/7 GPS monitoring of your dog’s location with escape alerts to let you know if your dog leaves your home and a 24-hour timeline that shows you everything your dog did during the day from playing and walking to resting and napping.
The Switch Dog Collar also has built-in health tracking features that can send you alerts when your dog does things like scratch themselves excessively. Set exercise and activity goals and use the collar to ensure your dog gets enough exercise. You can also use the data to alert you to changes in their behavior and energy levels. In the app, you can even do things like track calories and food intake, scan poop for abnormalities, and more.
While the Switch GPS Dog Activity tracker has all the right features—and more—this collar is slightly lower rated by users than the others on this list. Users mostly complain about short battery life and inaccurate alerts, but luckily each smart collar comes with two interchangeable rechargeable batteries.
Pros:
- Unlimited range
- Waterproof
- Compatible with iOS and Android
- Health monitoring
- Lightweight design
Cons:
- Expensive
- Users complain about battery life
- Membership costs
5. Garmin Astro 900 Dog Tracking Bundle
Buy On Amazon | $569.00–$649.99
Basic Info:
- Range: 5 miles
- Battery Life: 20 hours
- Water Resistant: Yes (IPX7 rating)
- Price: $569.00–$649.99
Garmen’s Astro 900 dog tracking system is the best option for working, hunting, and farm dogs. Intended for use in rural areas without reliable cell phone coverage, the Astro 800 system includes a handheld tracking device that updates your dog’s location every 2.5 seconds. Each device includes preloaded topographical maps of the US and Canada and can track your dog up to five miles away.
A tracking collar like this one is best for dogs with strong recall training and experience. For hunters, this device also collects key data to analyze your dog’s behavior to improve future trips. Because this collar is so specialized, it’s not ideal for tracking lost dogs, but works wonderfully for dogs who are intentionally off-leash and working separately from their human.
Pros:
- No cell phone required
- Built for use in rural areas
- Water-resistant
- Collects metrics for working/hunting dog owners
- No app, membership, or subscription fee
Cons:
- Relatively short range
- Cannot be used with cellphone
- Not recommended for everyday family pets
- Short battery life
- Expensive
4. Halo Collar 3 GPS Dog Fence
Buy On Amazon | $599.00
Basic Info:
- Range: Anywhere in the US
- Battery Life: 24 hours
- Water Resistant: Yes (IP67 rating)
- Price: $599.00 + Membership ($9.99–$19.99/month)
Beyond just a simple GPS tracker, the Halo Collar 3 acts like a portable dog fence, allowing you to set invisible boundaries for your dog wherever you go. Using the Halo app, dog owners can easily set invisible parameters for their pets. When they reach the edge or go over the line, Halo Collar delivers a customizable signal to let your dog know they need to return. Of course, using the collar this way requires extensive training beforehand, but I also recommend the Halo Collar if you are working on training your dog to recall reliably.
Waterproof, bite-proof, and usable with all cell carriers at no extra cost, Halo Collar comes in two sizes and fits dogs 20 pounds or more with necks up to 30.5 inches around. Unfortunately, Halo Collar won’t fit small or extra small dogs but works well for medium and large pups.
The real-time tracking and automatic updates whenever your dog crosses a boundary line help to keep you updated on their location 24/7. A good training tool, this collar could work for a sporting or working dog but is best for pets who don’t need to be tracked in remote locations.
Pros:
- Unlimited range
- Waterproof
- Bite-proof
- Set invisible fences
- Recall settings
Cons:
- Expensive
- Membership costs
- Limited sizing
- Short battery life
3. Link Smart Pet Wearable GPS Dog Tracker
Buy On Amazon | $99.00
Basic Info:
- Range: Anywhere in the US
- Battery Life: 14 days
- Water Resistant: Yes (IPX8 rating)
- Price: $99 + Membership ($9.99/month)
The Link Smart Pet Wearable GPS dog tracker is packed with features including built-in GPS tracking that alerts you the moment your dog leaves a designated area. Durably built and waterproof, the Link is a little more bulky than other options but attaches securely to most collars, and can withstand a decent amount of wear and tear.
Some of the more impressive features of the Link Smart Pet Wearable include training features (like vibration and controlled tones) to reinforce your dog’s behaviors, a flashlight for nighttime walks, and even a temperature analysis tool that alerts you if your dog’s temperature is too high or too low.
Link also has symptom assessment tools intended to give you important data on your dog’s health, but I caution you to take the date too seriously. Regular vet visits and monitoring your pet day-to-day are more reliable methods of assessing your dog’s health. Link also tracks data like steps, activity types (e.g. walking or running), calories burned, and more.
Pros:
- Unlimited range
- Decent battery life
- Waterproof
- Training features
- Health tracking features
- Relatively affordable
- Compatible with iOS and Android
Cons:
- Bulky
- Not built into a collar
- Membership costs
2. Fi Series 3
Buy On Amazon | $212.00
Basic Info:
- Range: Anywhere in the US
- Battery Life: 3 months
- Water Resistant: Yes (IP68 and IP66k rating)
- Price: $212 + Membership ($19/month)
The Series 3 GPS dog collar from Fi is the most recent product in their line of dog tracking hardware. Powered by GPS with LTE coverage, Fi can find your dog anywhere in the United States and pinpoint their location within a six-foot radius. Immensely powerful, Fi does more than just track your dog’s location—you can also see data like how many steps they’ve taken, sleep tracking, and Instant Escape Alerts that warn you the second your dog leaves a designated area.
You’ll need a subscription to Fi’s mobile app to use this collar, but you’ll receive a one-year membership free with your purchase. After the first year, you’ll be charged $19 per month. Fi also offers prepaid subscriptions to save you money, which is a great option if you know you’ll use your Fi collar for at least a year.
I recommend this option for dogs who are very active or like to roughhouse, since the Fi Series 3 can withstand up to 400 pounds of resistance, making it perfect for big dogs, chewers, and pullers.
Pros:
- Unlimited range
- 3-month battery life
- Water-resistant
- 400 lbs resistance
- Lightweight design
Cons:
- Membership/subscription costs
- Relatively
1. Tractive GPS Tracker For Dogs
Buy On Amazon | $34.99
Basic Info:
- Range: Unlimited, worldwide
- Battery Life: 10 days
- Water Resistant: Yes (IPX7 rating)
- Price: $34.99 + Membership ($13/month)
See your dog’s location anywhere in the world in real-time using the Tractive GPS Tracker for dogs. Compatible with almost any collar, this GPS tracker is lightweight and easy to wear for dogs of all sizes but still built for durability so your dog can wear this on everyday walks and wilderness hikes.
Tractive also collects sleep and rest data and can alert you when your dog’s sleep changes, which can be an indicator of health issues and stress. You can also track your dog’s activity to ensure they get enough exercise without overdoing it.
In addition to 24/7 location monitoring, Tractive can alert you when your dog leaves a custom set area and works in almost any country so you can safely travel abroad with your pet. Overall, this is my top pick and does everything an AirTag can do for a similar price.
Pros:
- Unlimited range, worldwide tracking
- Very affordable
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Decent battery life
- Health tracking
Cons:
- Membership cost
GPS Collars for Dogs FAQ
Before you go, I have a few more things to clear up! Here are some common questions about using AirTags and GPS devices to track your dog, and answers to help you keep your furry friend safe and sound.
Are Apple AirTags waterproof?
Yes. While Apple calls their AirTags water resistant, they have received a rating of IP67, which technically makes these devices waterproof. However, even the best waterproof AirTag dog collar can’t match up to the durability of the other options on this list—AirTags and AirTag cases aren’t designed to keep up with a dog who likes to swim, roll in mud, or play in puddles.
Should all dogs wear tracking collars?
No. Not all dogs need to wear collars equipped with GPS tracking devices. If you have a dog that is an escape artist, live in a rural area, have a working, hunting, or herding dog, or travel with your pet, a tracker can help keep your dog safe.
Is Tile or AirTag better for tracking your dog?
Neither. Tile and AirTag devices are designed for finding inanimate objects that stay within a small radius of your home network, they are not GPS trackers and won’t be able to track your dog beyond your yard.
