The Best Dog Tracking Collars: Expert Reviews

It’s no secret that we love a cute and functional collar, harness, and leash ensemble. There’s also no denying, though, that sometimes, those safeguards aren’t enough to keep our pups out of harm’s way. After all, if they get off leash, off harness, or manage to sneak beyond the fence or front door, tragedy can strike if they don’t have solid recall or can’t be quickly located. To prevent such a situation, you might consider investing in a dog tracking collar. These collars are designed to work with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular,  and/or GPS to quickly and effectively locate pets—but that’s not all. Many of the best tracking collars today come with companion apps to designate safety zones, set up virtual fences, act as voice and vibration training devices, keep track of vet records, and more. Since many dog tracking collars exist today, we set out to find the best of the best. Check out our top 10 picks below. 

Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

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The top 10 Kinship reviewed dog tracking collars

• Best overall: Fi Series 3+ Smart Dog Tracker Collar

• Best battery life: Whistle Go Explore GPS Tracker

• Best tracker collar attachment: Tractive Smart Dog GPS Tracker

• Best voice recall collar: Pawfit 3 GPS Dog Tracker

• Best all-in-one collar: Halo Collar 3 

• Best subscription-free tracker: SpotOn GPS Wireless Dog Fence Collar

• Best GPS and activity tracker: Link GPS Dog Tracker + Activity Monitor 

• Best affordable: DLENP Airtag Dog Collar Holder 

• Best all-in-one AirTag collar: Furrigo Waterproof AirTag Dog Collar 

• Best AirTag tracking collar attachment: Elevation Lab Waterproof TagVault AirTag Dog Collar Mount

How to choose the dog tracking collar that is right for you

GPS Reliability: Dog tracking collars can pinpoint a dog’s location via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular, and/or the Global Positioning System (GPS). Of these, GPS is most effective, as it doesn’t rely on having a cellular or home-based signal—things that are scarce in the mountains and other rural areas where dogs may get lost. As long as the dog tracking collar can be picked up by a satellite, the owner will get an alert. 

Design: Dog tracking collars are sold in all-in-one collars and clip-on, collar-compatible designs. If you love picking seasonal collars for your pup, an attachment may be your best bet. If durability is your top consideration, an all-in-one design tends to be more secure. Regardless of design, make sure that the dog tracking collar you choose is waterproof, as you never know what your pup could get into or where they might run off to. 

Price: Dog tracking collars tend to be on the pricier side. However, it often comes down to whether or not you want to opt in to a full subscription. If you ask us, it’s worth it. After all, without the subscription, many of these dog tracking collars only offer a fraction of their benefits. That said, if you don’t want to fuss with a high-tech, dog-specific tracking collar, there’s always the option to go the AirTag route. More on that in a bit. 

Best overall

Fi Series 3+ Smart Dog Tracker Collar

$209

$159

The Fi Series 3+ Smart Dog Tracker Collar is considered to be the best dog tracking collar on the market, despite the fact that it only updates GPS location up to every five minutes. The reason it’s so highly rated is because, given its less frequent tracking, the battery lasts incredibly long, ensuring that your pet will stay safe (or at least findable) even if you forget a nightly charge. Beyond its stellar battery life, the lightweight, all-in-one, waterproof collar is sold in five sizes suitable for all breeds. Best of all, the companion app lets pet parents designate safe spaces, count steps, monitor rest, start search parties, and more. You can even store your pup’s vet records on it, so if they do get lost, vets can assist them with full knowledge of their history and needs.

$159 at Amazon

Pros

• Lightweight design 

• Battery lasts up to three months in ideal conditions

• Companion app to designate virtual fences

• Can upload vet records to the collar

• Doesn’t require a Wi-Fi connection

• Sold in five sizes

• Waterproof

Cons

• Expensive

• Only sold in four colors 

• Requires subscription (But first 12 months are free)

• GPS location updates every five minutes (every minute in lost-dog mode)

Overall review

“Excellent product. We started with version 1 and have upgraded to versions 2 and 3. The battery lasts a couple of weeks and is reliable. Over the years we have had to track our dogs about four times. It provides good tracking that can be followed very easily. We took the bases with us on vacay, set [them up] and did a safe zone—[it] worked great. [It] gives us peace of mind. I would purchase again.” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 4.1

Best battery life

Whistle Go Explore GPS Tracker

$149

The Whistle Go Explore GPS Tracker is adored by thousands of Amazon shoppers for its long-lasting battery life, frequent GPS tracking updates, activity tracking, and built-in flashlight. That said, if you have a small dog, the chunky attachment might feel a smidge bulky around their neck.

$149 at Amazon

Pros

• Clip-on, collar-compatible design

• GPS location updates every 15 seconds

• 20-day battery life

• Tracks activity, including movement, meals, and behaviors like scratching and licking

• Built-in light 

Cons

• Pricey

• Requires a Wi-Fi connection

• Requires subscription

• Only sold in three colors 

• Only water-resistant

Overall review

“​​We have tried three different ‘dog locators.’ None lasted very long. Whether it be poor battery performance or water leakage. The Whistle unit has been fantastic. You can enter so much information about your dog. All the reports you get are helpful. Alerts are frequent depending upon the situation. We are very happy with the units so far… We feel very comfortable having these units on our two dogs. Peace of mind!” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 3.7

Best tracker collar attachment

Tractive Smart Dog GPS Tracker

$69

$41

The Tractive Smart Dog GPS Tracker stands apart for its unlimited tracking distance, long-lasting battery, and comprehensive companion app. Within the app, pet parents can analyze not only their pup’s location but also their activity, steps, sleep, heart rate, respiratory rate, barking, licking, and more. FWIW: It’s often considered a head-to-head (or shall we say paw-to-paw) competition between Tractive and Fi.

$41 at Amazon

Pros

• Clip-on, collar-compatible design

• GPS location updates every two to three seconds

• Companion app to designate virtual fences

• 14-day battery life

• Tracks activity, including movement, sleep, barking, and more

• More affordable

• Waterproof

Cons

• Requires subscription

Overall review

“This collar is for my harrier hound. He is the most gentle, likable fellow. However, when his nose gets on scent, he goes deaf. He will go on a walkabout for miles. Our ranch is quite rural, so there are plenty of scents. We have tried many, many, many collars. They are slow, they do not work when signals are weak, they track poorly, battery life is short, etc. But the Tractive, with its combination of technologies ,locks on quickly, shows where he is, and the battery lasts a couple of weeks. When he travels outside my marked areas, we get an alert on both my and my wife's phone. Best tracking collar that we have found. The recurring monthly fee is stout, but it is actually cheaper because it works and I have not had to replace it.” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 4.2

Best voice recall collar

Pawfit 3 GPS Dog Tracker

$60

$48

The Pawfit 3 GPS Dog Tracker is another fan-fave, largely because it offers ample tracking perks, like a week-long battery life and frequently updated location, all for considerably less than other popular dog-tracking collars. It even features smart voice recall so you can command your dog from afar.

$48 at Amazon

Pros

• Clip-on, collar-compatible design

• GPS location updates every five seconds

• 8-day battery life

• Tracks active hours, rest hours, calories, and distance

• Features smart voice recall 

• More affordable

• Waterproof

Cons

• Requires a subscription but has flexible options

Overall review

“I recently bought the Pawfit Dog Collar for my Great Pyrenees, and I have to say, it's been a game-changer! Living on a farm, my dog spends a lot of time patrolling the property, so I needed something that would keep track of him, especially since he’s often out of sight. The Pawfit collar has exceeded all of my expectations. The real standout feature for me is the GPS tracking. I can always know where my dog is, even if he's out in the back fields or wandering near the woods. The tracking is precise and updates regularly, which is a huge peace of mind for someone who has a large working dog on a farm. The collar is built to withstand rough conditions. My Great Pyrenees is tough on gear, and this collar holds up to all the elements — rain, mud, and even scratches from brambles. It’s sturdy and comfortable for him, with no signs of wear after weeks of use. Another big win is the battery life. I can go several days without needing to recharge, which is important when you’re out in the field. It’s really convenient for days when we’re working long hours, and I don’t have to worry about the collar dying on me unexpectedly. [Lastly,] The Pawfit app is easy to set up and navigate, and I can track my dog from my phone. It’s intuitive, and setting up geofencing zones (so I can get alerts if my dog leaves certain areas) was a breeze.” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 4.1

Best all-in-one collar

Halo Collar 3

$349

$299

If you’re looking for a tracking collar to replace your pup’s regular collar, the Halo Collar 3 gets rave reviews. While a bit bulkier in design, the all-in-one waterproof collar updates GPS every single second, offering the most up-to-date location technology on the market.

$299 at Amazon

Pros

• GPS location updates every second

• Companion app to designate virtual fences

• Provides sound, vibration, and static feedback

• Waterproof

Cons

• Expensive

• Bulky design

• Must be charged daily

• Only sold in two sizes (Small, 11"-15", and Medium/Large, 15"-30.5")

Overall review

“Bought this for our dog after our in-ground sport dog fence kept failing us. This collar gives you live tracking on your dog and lets you know exactly where your dog goes out of the boundary and where they get a warning. Now with the Halo Collar, we can take our dog with us by simply turning the fence off and creating a new fence wherever we are going. I am happily surprised with how well the GPS signal works, as we live in a small rural town.” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 3.7

Best subscription-free tracker

SpotOn GPS Wireless Dog Fence Collar

$999

$799

Don’t want to shell out for a dog tracking collar and a subscription? The SpotOn GPS Wireless Dog Fence Collar doesn’t require one, however, it’s very expensive up front. Still, Amazon shoppers swear that it’s worth every single penny thanks to its location accuracy, waterproof design, and comprehensive companion app that lets users create safe zones and monitor movement. What’s more, along with unlimited fence creation, the app initiates three alert modes, each with its own unique tone. To get your dog acquainted with them, SpotOn offers free 1:1 dog training with purchase.

$799 at Amazon

Pros

• Companion app to designate virtual fences

• Doesn’t require a Wi-Fi connection

• Sold in three sizes

• Waterproof

Cons

• Very expensive

• Bulky and not aesthetic

• Battery lasts up to 40 hours—must be charged every day or two

Overall review

“I know this thing is a bit expensive. I have wasted money on cheaper GPS collars, and after too many bad experiences with a lost puppy and a failing GPS tracker, I decided I must get the best available collar for this one dog, Billie, who is not satisfied with just the 20 acres of land she has to play in. After many hours watching YouTube reviews on collars, I settled on the SpotOn. After several months using it, I am 100% satisfied. Setup wasn't too difficult… The GPS is more accurate than I've observed on other collars. The audio notifications are immediate, and the app notifications are very fast. Within a couple of seconds or less. The app also keeps track of any time the collar crossed the boundary and gives you status on the event, like time out, time back in, how far they traveled, and tracking information on a map. I love that the fence boundaries are downloaded into the collar, so even when cellular signal is out, the GPS will still correct her if she starts to wander. But, despite cell signal being spotty in my rural area, the universal cell service on the collar has not failed yet. Big plus on both over cheaper GPS collars.” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 4.1

Best GPS and activity tracker

Link GPS Dog Tracker + Activity Monitor

$149

$129

The Link GPS Dog Tracker + Activity Monitor goes a step further than most dog tracking collars to really lean into training and activity monitoring. The bulky collar attachment comes with a companion app that lets users track location, initiate training and warning vibrations and tones, and monitor steps, miles, calories, and active minutes. You can even flip on the built-in attachment flashlight from the app.

$129 at Amazon

Pros

• Clip-on, collar-compatible design

• Battery lasts up to 14 days

• Companion app to designate virtual fences

• Can upload vet records to the collar

• Features training tones 

• Doesn’t require a Wi-Fi connection

• Waterproof

• Features a built-in flashlight

Cons

• Expensive

• Only sold in four colors 

• Requires subscription (But first 12 months are free)

• GPS location updates every five minutes (every minute in lost-dog mode)

Overall review

“We love the Link device! Our Vizsla is very active, and this makes it easier to tell how much activity she gets each day. The active minutes on her Link directly correlate to how restless she is, and if she gets good sleep, it helps us to give her more productive exercise! It also has a training feature that has come in really handy, especially at the dog park when she’s distracted. The vibration snaps her to attention immediately. We love that the Link is multifunctional and does the job of a tracker and training collar!” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 3.1

Best affordable

DLENP Airtag Dog Collar Holder

$5

$4

If you love using AirTags to keep tabs on your personal items, there’s always the option to add one to your pup’s collar. Instead of a dangly attachment, the DLENP Airtag Dog Collar Holder keeps the teeny tech snug and secure against the collar in its slip-on silicone design. Just remember that AirTags require cellular or Wi-Fi to be tracked effectively, so the AirTag dog tracking collar route is best reserved for those living in highly populated areas.

$4 at Amazon

Pros

• Very affordable

• Lightweight, waterproof design

• Sold in six colors

• Compatible with all collars

Cons 

• Doesn’t come with AirTag

Overall review

“The Airtag Dog Collar Holder by DLENP is a perfect solution for keeping track of your pets. The silicone material is soft but strong, and it holds the AirTag securely in place. I don’t worry about it falling off or getting damaged, even when my dog is playing outside or rolling around. It fits well on both my dog’s and cat’s collars without sliding around. The design makes it versatile for different collar sizes, which is a big plus for multi-pet households. The silicone holder is lightweight and doesn’t bother my pets at all. They don’t seem to notice it’s there, and it doesn’t add any bulk to the collar. Overall, the DLENP AirTag Dog Collar Holder is a fantastic, reliable option for pet owners. It’s secure, durable, and comfortable for pets, making it a great way to keep track of your furry friends. Highly recommended!” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 4.5

Best all-in-one AirTag collar

Furrigo Waterproof AirTag Dog Collar

$20

$16

All-in-one AirTag collars exist, too. The Furrigo Waterproof AirTag Dog Collar will replace your dog’s typical collar while providing a space to securely store an AirTag. It’s simple, it works, and it’s best reserved for populated areas, because, again, AirTags require cellular or Wi-Fi. The bonus of this one is that it’s reflective and sold in a bunch of colors, so it’s ideal for dogs that like to join in on early-morning jogs, as well as those who often adventure in low-light situations.

$16 at Amazon

Pros

• Affordable

• Lightweight, waterproof design

• Reflective seams

• Sold in five sizes and 15 colors

Cons

• Doesn’t come with AirTag

Overall review

“This Furrigo AirTag collar is amazing. The AirTag feels secure, and I feel relief that the AirTag won’t go flying off when my dog is running around and playing. The collar is extremely soft and well-made. The reflectiveness at night is a must-have for those right before bedtime walks. Setting up the collar was very simple, and the tool kit provided with the collar was very helpful. The one thing that did happen with the collar was that the ID tag broke from my dog’s collar. Other than that, I would definitely recommend this collar for anyone who is looking for a sturdy and well-made dog collar.” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 4.5

Best AirTag tracking collar attachment

Elevation Lab Waterproof TagVault AirTag Dog Collar Mount

$20

$14

The Elevation Lab Waterproof TagVault AirTag Dog Collar Mount is perhaps the most secure AirTag collar attachment on the market, as it’s designed to be screwed into place. That said, it’s quite bulky, so is likely best reserved for medium and large dogs.

$14 at Amazon

Pros

• Affordable

• Lightweight, waterproof design

• Compatible with all collars

• Secure, screw-on design 

Cons

• Doesn’t come with AirTag

Overall review

“This design keeps the tag in place and doesn't bother my dog. She destroyed one that hung from her collar. This one is way more secure.” —Amazon Shopper

Review rating: 4.6

FAQs

What is the safest dog tracking collar?

The safest dog tracking collar is one that is designed to be waterproof, durable, and secure, not to mention locationally accurate in all situations, including those without Wi-Fi or cell service. Furthermore, dog tracking collars with long-lasting batteries are best, as they help ensure you’ll have time to find your dog before the device’s life dwindles.

How many types of dog tracking collars are there?

Dog tracking collars are sold in two primary categories: all-in-one collars and attachments. Both silhouettes are available with dog-specific tracking technology, as well as AirTags. AirTag dog tracking collars are best reserved for pups in metropolitan areas and places that are heavily populated, as they require cellular or Wi-Fi to locate. 

How much does a dog tracking collar cost?

The price of dog tracking collars varies. AirTag collars are among the most affordable, as they don’t require a subscription—you just need to add an AirTag, which costs about $30. As for dog-specific tracking collars, they typically range from $55 to $200, with a few outliers closer to $1,000. If you live in a more secluded, rural area—and if your dog is known to bolt—these pricey, GPS-powered collars are absolutely worth the investment.