Looking out to your backyard and realizing your dog has escaped is an awful feeling. Using a wireless dog fence is a great way to stop this happening. These fences create an invisible boundary which your dog cannot cross, making it easy to quickly establish a safe zone to keep your dog safe.
We reviewed dozens of wireless dog fences to identify the best of the best. We looked at features including if the system was portable, or installed in the ground. We also considered if fences were designed for specific breeds, or could be used for more than one dog.
As our Top Pick, we selected the PetSafe Wireless Dog Fence. This fence covers 1/2 acre of land from the portable transmitter. As well as being quick and easy to set up, it includes boundary flags to help define the containment area. There are a huge number of positive reviews for this fence on Amazon, and PetSafe offer comprehensive help and support.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Wireless Dog Fences
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Wireless Dog Fence Overall | PetSafe Wireless Dog Fence | 3.9 |
| Best Wireless Dog Fence for Multiple Dogs | Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade Fence | 4.4 |
| Best Budget Wireless Dog Fence | Sit Boo-Boo Electric Dog Fence | 3.6 |
| Best Wireless Dog Fence for Large Dogs | PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence for Dogs | 4.0 |
| Best Underground Wireless Dog Fence | SportDOG Brand In-Ground Dog Fence | 4.3 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at time of publication and can change
Best Wireless Dog Fence Overall: PetSafe Wireless Dog Fence
The PetSafe Wireless Dog Fence takes our top spot. This fence has an indoor transmitter which is placed within your house. From here, you can create an adjustable boundary around your property. The maximum distance of the boundary is 90 feet. You can use both a warning tone and static correction to train your dog to stay within the boundary. With over 4,000 reviews on Amazon, this is a popular product, and for good reason.
This system is fully portable, meaning you can take it with you when traveling or visiting friends and family. Use the included flags to give your dog a visual signal of where the boundary lies when training them to respect their new boundary. The collar battery lasts up to 2 months before replacement is required. PetSafe also offers a ‘static re-entry’ feature, which means that if your dog accidentally strays outside the fence, they won’t receive correction as they re-enter.
PetSafe Wireless Dog Fence Key Features:
- Waterproof collar
- Covers up to 1/2 acre
- Additional collars can be added
Best Wireless Dog Fence for Multiple Dogs: Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade Fence
If you have multiple dogs, the Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade Fence is our suggestion. This uses a heavy gauge boundary wire as well as an updated control panel with 3 antennas for full coverage. Made in the USA, the manufacturers of this fence also offer top-level assistance during set-up, and while training your dog.
Unlike some wireless dog fences which use transmission collars that are merely water-resistant, this collar is fully waterproof. So if you have a large block of land with lakes, your dog can go swimming and the functionality of the collar won’t be affected at all.
Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade Fence Key Features:
- Covers up to 10 acres
- Can be expanded to cover up to 5 dogs
- 1-year warranty
Best Budget Wireless Dog Fence: Sit Boo-Boo Electric Dog Fence
Our budget pick is the Sit Boo-Boo Electric Dog Fence. Despite coming in at under $100, this wireless dog fence still offers some great features. The wall-mounted control unit makes it easy to check the boundary line is working properly.
You can install this above ground, for a fence line that’s easy to adjust. Alternatively, place the wire in-ground for an invisible boundary. The waterproof collar has 5 different settings, meaning you can customize it to suit your dog. Extra collars are available to purchase separately.
Sit Boo-Boo Electric Dog Fence Key Features:
- Includes Quick Start Training Guide
- 5 correction settings
- Covers up to 1.2 acres
Best Wireless Dog Fence for Large Dogs: PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence for Dogs
If you have a large dog, then we recommend the PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence for Dogs. This easy to install system has no wire to bury but instead provides a circular boundary in which your dog can play without correction. Additionally, unlike other fences, this will allow your dog to return back into safe play areas without feeling the static upon re-entry.
The long battery life on the waterproof collar will fit any dog over five pounds and with a neck between six and twenty-eight inches and last for up to three weeks. You’ll be able to personalize the settings to your preferences, which will make training your dog as easy as possible.
Pet Control HQ Wireless Electric Dog Fence Key Features:
- Includes 1 collar; additional collars available for purchase
- Collars use rechargeable batteries
- 3/4 acre range
Best Underground Wireless Dog Fence: SportDOG Brand In-Ground Dog Fence
As the best underground wireless dog fence, we selected the SportDOG Brand In-Ground Dog Fence. This fence includes enough underground wire to enclose 1 1/3 acres of land. This can be extended up to 100 acres by purchasing additional wire. The collar is designed to fit dogs over 10 pounds, and includes tone, vibrate, and static correction options.
If you have multiple dogs, you can simply purchase more collars to keep them all protected. Simply bury the wire around the area to want to contain, and place the 100 flags at intervals around the perimeter. This fence also features a wire break alarm which will alert you if there’s a problem with the boundary wire.
SportDOG Brand In-Ground Dog Fence Key Features:
- Includes training guide
- 2-year warranty
- US-based customer care center
Who Should Buy a Wireless Dog Fence
If you’re the proud pet parent of a dog, and yet your yard or land is not fenced, then a wireless dog fence is an excellent investment. Using a wireless dog fence means your dog can safely enjoy the outdoors, without constant monitoring. It is important to take the time to train your dog to respect the boundary line of your new fence. Setting up one of these fences can be completed in hours. Compared to the cost of installing a physical boundary fence, they’re amazing value for money too!
Some wireless dog fences are also portable. This makes them perfect for setting up a temporary boundary, for example when you’re on vacation in your RV or visiting family. If this appeals, then look for a system that’s controlled by a central transmitter with the option to set a variable boundary distance.
If you’d rather have your dog secured with a visible barrier so that you both can tell where his boundaries are, you may be interested in The Best Dog And Puppy Playpens.
Important Features to Consider
A wireless dog fence needs to have a few important features. Here’s what we suggest looking at when choosing the best type for your dog:
- Portable systems. These use a transmitter to set a defined boundary for your dog. This will be a circular shape radiating away from the centrally placed transmitter. Most of these offer the ability to change the size of the boundary, but not the shape. Portable systems are extremely quick and easy to set up and can be taken with you when traveling with your dog. Sloping yards and large metal objects can affect the boundary, making it less effective.
- In-ground systems. These are easier to customize, as you can define the shape of the boundary by where you place the wire. They’re also sometimes called hybrid systems. The wire will usually be buried, so you’ll need to spend some time installing this before use. Some systems can also be used above-ground, but you’ll need to peg the wire in place.
- Number of collars. Most wireless dog fences come with one collar, but some give the option to purchase more collars separately. If you plan on getting more dogs in the future,make sure the system you choose can accommodate them!
- Boundary area. Think about the shape and size of your boundary before buying a system. If you have a strange shaped yard or need to keep your dog out of certain areas, then an in-ground system is the better choice. For standard yards of just one area, portable systems are a quick and easy solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wireless dog fence and how does it work?
Wireless dog fences create an invisible boundary that your dog cannot cross. They do this in two different ways.
Portable wireless dog fences use a transmitter to ‘set’ a containment area. This will be a certain circumference around the transmitter. In-ground, or hybrid fences, use a wire which is placed around the boundary of the area you’re looking to contain.
With both types of fence, your dog will wear a collar with a transmitter attached. When your dog gets too close to the fence, the transmitter will warn them to move away. Most collars offer a warning tone or a correction. You need to train your dog to learn where the boundary is, and that they will be corrected if they try to cross it.
How far will a wireless dog fence work?
This depends on the type of wireless dog fence you choose. Portable systems tend to cover up to an acre of circular coverage. Wherever you place the transmitter will define the central point.
The area covered by an in-ground fence will be defined by the amount of wire included in your kit. Most come with enough wire to create a boundary around 10 acres. Some kits allow for additional wire to be added, covering up to a huge 100 acres.
How much does a wireless dog fence cost?
The price range for the wireless dog fences that we reviewed was from $100 – $500. On average, portable systems are going to be cheaper than in-ground systems. This is because they require a lot less equipment.
A portable system usually comes with a central transmitter, flags, and transmission collars. Compare this to an in-ground system, which includes boundary wire, flags, a control panel, and transmission collars.
Do wireless fences hurt dogs?
This is an important question. With good training, and using just the beep or vibrate feature of the transmission collar, your wireless fence shouldn’t hurt your dog.
All transmission collars provided with the wireless dog fences we reviewed also provide the option to use what’s called ‘static correction’. This basically gives your dog an electric shock. The level of this shock can be varied, with some collars offering 5 levels. The use of shock collars has been banned in some countries, including Germany and Switzerland.
We highly recommend avoiding using the static correction feature if at all possible. With correct training so that your dog respects the boundary, the static correction feature shouldn’t be required.
Other Wireless Dog Fences We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other wireless dog fences. Even though they didn’t make our list of the 5 best wireless dog fences, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your dog. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Wireless Dog Fences for Multiple Dogs
- Wireless Dog Fences for Large Dogs
- In-Ground Wireless Dog Fences
- Portable Wireless Dog Fences
Wireless Dog Fences for Multiple Dogs
This dog fence offers a range of options for creating an effective boundary around your property. The upgraded wire is designed to perform for at least 6 years.
Key Features:
- 1-acre coverage
- Includes 2 rechargeable collars
- Extended warranty
Cost: $160
Extreme Dog Fence and Training System
This dog fence includes a remote control which means you can also use the collars to train your dogs.
Key Features:
- Includes 5 collars
- 1-acre coverage
- 10 vibration levels, 1 beep, and 10 static correction levels
Cost: $380
This above-ground fence can cover up to 300 yards, with an adjustable boundary.
Key Features:
- Includes 2 collars
- Includes beep and static correction modes
- Boundary flags included
Cost: $165
KAROTEZH 2-in-1 Electric Dog Fence
The collars included within this fence can be set to use a beep, vibrate, or static correction, all with 6 levels of adjustment.
Key Features:
- Suitable for all dogs sizes
- Includes 2 collars
- 300-meter radius
Cost: $190
PetSafe PIFOO Dog Stay and Play Wireless Dog Fence System
This system can cover a circular area of up to 3/4 of an acre.
Key Features:
- Includes 2 collars
- Can be installed in 15 minutes
- Includes boundary flags
Wireless Dog Fences for Large Areas
This above-ground dog fence can cover an impressive 17 acres.
Key Features:
- Rechargeable collar
- Quick setup
- Additional collars can be added
Cost: $168
High Tech Pet Electronic Dog Fence
This dog fence also includes a remote control so you can also train your dog.
Key Features:
- Covers up to 30 acres with extra wire
- Adjustable static correction
- Easy to use control panel
Cost: $207
Pet Control HQ Wireless Dog Fence
The transmission collar included with this fence includes an anti-bark setting, great for urban settings.
Key Features:
- Adjustable levels of correction
- Covers up to 10 acres with extra wire
- Includes remote control
Cost: $195
PetSafe Stubborn Dog Professional Fence
This system includes a huge 300 feet of boundary wire, which allows you to create a fence to enclose up to 10 acres.
Key Features:
- Collar designed for large dogs
- US-based call center
- 5 levels of correction
Cost: $620
SportDOG 100 Acre Pet Fence System
If you have a very large area to contain, this fence can work over 100 acres, so is perfect for large farms or professionals.
Key Features:
- Extra collars available separately
- Includes warning sign
- Uses 5 levels of static correction, plus beep and vibrate options
Underground Wireless Dog Fences
Extreme Dog Fence Stubborn Dog Fence
This fence can enclose up to 1/3 acre and is designed for larger or more stubborn dogs.
Key Features:
- Includes 2 collars
- 8 correction levels
- Uses heavy gauge wire
Cost: $470
KoolKani Underground Wireless Dog Fence
This multi-purpose system includes a remote trainer that can be used to train up to 3 dogs.
Key Features:
- Covers up to 1/3 acre
- Includes 3 rechargeable collars
- Rate of correction increases as dog nears boundary
Cost: $240
The control panel of this fence includes an alarm to let you know if there’s a break in the underground wire.
Key Features:
- Includes 2 rechargeable collars
- Covers up to 5 acres
- Multiple layout possibilities
Cost: $140
PetSafe Basic In-Ground Dog Fence
The lightweight transmission collar in this kit is perfect for smaller dogs.
Key Features:
- Covers 1/3 acre
- US-based customer care
- Extra collars can be added
Cost: $135
PetSafe Elite Little Dog In-Ground Fence
If you have smaller dogs, the lightweight transmission collar included with this set is specifically designed to smaller breeds.
Key Features:
- Covers 1/3 acre
- Reflective collar strap
- Low battery indicator
Portable Wireless Dog Fences
Dog Expedition TC1 Border Patrol GPS System
This innovative system uses GPS to create a completely portable containment system.
Key Features:
- 800-yard range
- Can also be used as a remote trainer
- Suitable for hiking, camping, and vacations
Cost: $604
Garmin Delta Inbound Wireless Dog Fence
This flexible system allows you to create a wireless fence, correct your dog’s barking levels, and keep an eye on them while you’re out!
Key Features:
- Includes 2 transmission collars
- Covers 2 acres
- Works with Garmin Canine app
Cost: $700
This 2-in-1 system can be used as a wireless fence and a training system.
Key Features:
- 5 levels of correction
- Reflective collar
- Suitable for all breeds
Cost: $150
This transmission system is designed to blend into outdoor spaces, creating an invisible barrier for your dog.
Key Features:
- Covers circular area up to 16 feet
- Add unlimited number of collars
- Includes tone and static correction
Cost: $100
PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System
This wireless system is easy to set up, and a breeze to use. IF you have multiple dogs, this can accommodate unlimited collars.
Key Features:
- Includes 2 collars
- Covers up to 1/2 acre
- Boundary flags included
Cost: $390
