Even the best-trained dogs have been known to wiggle free from a leash or weasel their way out of a fenced yard—allowing them to wander off solo. When your dog channels the powers of Houdini to escape, one of the fastest ways to locate them is by having one of the best GPS dog trackers affixed to their collar.
The best GPS dog trackers can help you find your dog fast when he decides to go adventuring solo. Large Diameter Bridge Plugs
Some GPS dog trackers are built into a dedicated dog collar, like the Fi Series 3 (our pick for the best GPS dog tracker overall). Alternately, some tracking units are made to be attached to your canine’s existing collar. Depending on where you live and your dog’s roaming habits, you might be able to use a much less expensive Bluetooth tracker, like an Apple AirTag (though that has some significant compromises—read on to find out why). The bottom line: If you want to be able to instantly pinpoint your dog’s location virtually anywhere, a GPS tracker and the accompanying monthly fee is worth the investment.
As dog owners, we’ve done the research and testing on GPS dog trackers to make sure you’re getting the best tracker for your needs. Taking into account design, ease-of-use and more, we’ve compiled this roundup of what we believe are the best GPS dog trackers currently available.
GPS: Yes | Monthly fee: $19 | Waterproof: IP68 | Battery life: Up to 3 months
Best for: Tracking your dog using a GPS collar.
Waterproof and rugged, the Fi Series 3 comes in 5 sizes and 8 colors. What sets it apart from regular collars is the built in GPS tracking capabilities that allows for real-time tracking. However, the collar also uses AT&T LTE-M cellular connectivity to track your dog’s whereabouts using a proprietary mobile app. The battery needs to be recharged every 3 months or so.
50% smaller than its predecessor, it offers up to 400 pounds of resistance, so it can withstand dogs that both chew and pull. Track your dog’s whereabouts or be alerted if they leave a pre-defined area with app notifications, and new collar features are constantly being added, such as a sleep tracking feature. A monthly membership plans costs $19 per month; if you opt for a two-year membership plan, the monthly fee drops down to $14 per month. There's also a one-time $20 activation fee.
GPS: No (uses Bluetooth only) | Monthly fee: $0 | Waterproof: Yes | Battery life: Up to 1 year
Best for: iPhone users living is a well-populated area.
On its own, a Bluetooth tracker like the Apple AirTag can only be tracked within a 30- to 50-foot radius. The technology built into AirTags allows the user to mark a tag as “lost,” which then allows it to anonymously communicate with iPhone users anywhere. When another iPhone comes into range of your lost AirTag, your phone will receive an instant alert with its exact location.
Apple sells each AirTag for $29, and all you get is the AirTag, not the holder. To attach the tracker to your dog’s collar, you’ll need to purchase a separate, third-party accessory, such as the AirTag Dog Collar Holder ($8) from Swincho, the Caisateq Silicone AirTag Pet Collar Holder ($6), or the CityWay AirTag Dog Collar Holder ($13).
The benefits to using an AirTag to track your dog are that it’s inexpensive and the AirTag battery lasts up to a year. The drawback is that you’ll only be able to pinpoint your pooch’s location if he stays within a highly populated area with a lot of iPhone users. Thus, this is not a good option for locating your dog while hiking in remote locations or if you live in the suburbs.
GPS: Yes | Monthly fee: $8.25 | Waterproof: Yes | Battery life: Up to 20 days
Best for: Tracking your dog’s whereabouts and their health and fitness.
The Whistle Health & GPS uses cellular and GPS technology to keep tabs on your dog’s whereabouts via an app. Get regularly updated location alerts and get notified if your dog wanders off from where they’re supposed to be. And if they get lost, the Find My Pet feature provides their exact location within seconds.
Another cool feature: Using artificial intelligence and sensors, you get daily updates about your dog’s physical and emotional health. It monitors for actions like excessive licking, scratching, drinking and sleeping and points out abnormalities based on your dog’s regular behaviors. The Whistle Health & GPS relies on the AT&T 4G LTE-M network, so it only works in areas where there is cellular service. The device itself attaches to any collar, weighs less than 1 once and is designed for dogs weighing 25 pounds or more. For smaller dogs, the Whistle Health & GPS+ ($149) is available.
GPS: Yes | Monthly fee: $13 | Waterproof: Yes | Battery life: Up to 7 days
Best for: Tracking your dog’s location and wellness score for international travelers.
Designed for dogs weighing over 8.8-pounds, the Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs mounts easily onto almost any dog collar and allows pet parents to keep constant tabs on their dog’s location using a proprietary mobile app. This tracker works with AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon’s LTE cellular service and works in than 150 countries.
Create a virtual perimeter around your house in the app, and if your dog leaves that area, you’ll instantly get an alert. You can set up the app to provide regular location updates or provide live tracking if your dog goes missing. The tracker also monitors your dog’s activity and sleep patterns and will alert you if they're not getting enough sleep or exercise. As a plus, it’s also waterproof.
GPS: Yes | Monthly fee: $5 to $30 | Waterproof: Yes | Battery life: Up to 24 hours
Best for: Creating a virtual fence around your yard or any location you're visiting, and then keeping your dog within that area.
Designed for dogs weighing 20 pounds or more, the Halo 2+ is more than just a GPS tracker built into your dog’s collar. This system allows you to map out 20 different wireless dog fences and then be alerted if your dog strays from within the virtual perimeter you’ve created. The process for creating a virtual fence using the mobile app takes minutes and only needs to be done once per location. Ultimately, it allows your dog to be outside without a leash in pre-set areas. In addition to tracking location in real-time, the waterproof collar tracks your dog’s activity and resting periods.
Also incorporated into the system? A training program developed by Cesar Millan that teaches you and your dog to get the most out of this shock-free training and tracking collar. The collar relies on audible vibrations and static to provide feedback to your dog when it comes to adjusting their behavior. Instead of relying on cellular connectivity, the collar wirelessly links with GPS satellites to locate and track your furry friend, making it great for short camping trips, family outings and more.
GPS: Yes | Monthly fee: $0 | Waterproof: Yes | Battery life: Up to 80 hours
Best for: Tracking your dog in remote locations without worrying about cellular connectivity.
What’s unique about this waterproof tracking and training collar is that it has a nine mile range, but requires no cell connectivity. This makes it ideal for taking your dog on hikes in the wilderness or for people who live in remote areas. In addition to being able to track your dog’s location, the collar uses 18 levels of vibrations and tones—not shock feedback—when used as a training tool. The TT 15X device has a built in LED beacon light, making it easy to spot your dog at night. Real-time tracking requires a separate Garmin Alpha handheld receiver (sold separately or as a bundle for $750), or a Garmin smartwatch (such as any of the fēnix series watches). The collar works with GPS and GLONASS satellites for location tracking.
GPS: Yes | Monthly fee: $10 | Waterproof: Yes | Battery life: Up to 60 days
Best for: Keeping an eye on your pup’s location—and their health.
Supported by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, the FitBark attaches to your dog’s collar and relies on a cellular signal and Wi-Fi to track your dog’s location. With the app, you can create virtual fences for your dog and receive alerts if they leave the defined area. You can use it on dogs as small as 5 pounds, too.
In addition to serving as a location tracker, the FitBark (like a Fitbit for humans) continuously tracks and monitors your dog’s activity, sleep quality, distance traveled, calorie balance, anxiety level, skin condition and behaviors. While not a medical device, you’ll receive alerts of any irregularities discovered in your dog’s behavior. The FitBark also pairs with your smartwatch.
Here at Forbes Vetted, we’re not only writers and editors—we’re also pet parents. As such, making sure our dogs stay safe is one of our top priorities. The tech team spoke with product experts and industry leaders. We carefully evaluated each dog tracker’s features, connectivity, price and more. We also paid attention to what sets each tracker for dogs apart from its competition.
Additionally, we combined hands-on testing with research, taking into account real customer reviews who reported on pros and cons. All the best dog trackers on our list have at least a four-star rating so you know you’re getting the best tracker to keep tabs on your dog.
The Forbes Vetted tech team consists of accomplished tech experts who’ve (literally) written books on the subject. This story was written by Jason Rich, an accomplished writer, journalist, photographer and experienced product tester.
In addition to covering dozens of tech topics, Jason has written several of our best lists (listed below). Over his career, he has accumulated hours of in-depth product research and has conducted firsthand testing, including for the writing of this story. The tech section is overseen by deputy editor Dave Johnson, an industry veteran and Microsoft alum who’s written over two dozen books to date.
We know tech tends to become quickly outdated. To keep this piece fresh and accurate, it’s regularly updated; its current iteration was published in July 2023.
Forbes Vetted regularly covers all types of consumer electronics and then reviews and recommends the best products in specific categories. Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:
I'm a wealth reporter focusing on entertainment. I previously worked Forbes' news desk and as a features reporter at the New York Post, where I covered pop culture, and at the Boston Globe and Boston.com I graduated from Emerson College in 2017 with a degree in journalism. Follow me on Twitter @MarisaDellatto or reach out at mdellatto@forbes.com.
I'm a wealth reporter focusing on entertainment. I previously worked Forbes' news desk and as a features reporter at the New York Post, where I covered pop culture, and at the Boston Globe and Boston.com I graduated from Emerson College in 2017 with a degree in journalism. Follow me on Twitter @MarisaDellatto or reach out at mdellatto@forbes.com.
I am an accomplished author, journalist, and photographer who specializes in consumer technologies. Please visit my website at www.JasonRich.com and check out my eBook, \"iPhone 14 Pro Max Digital Photography\" (www.iPhoneBookShop.com). I am also the author of The Remote Worker's Handbook (Entrepreneur Books) that'll be published in March 2023.
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I’m the Forbes Vetted deputy editor, currently living near Detroit. After serving in the Air Force where I operated satellites and planned space launches, I have had a varied career as a tech journalist, wildlife photographer, scuba instructor and podcaster (including co-hosting the popular Battlestar Recaptica).
I am the author of nearly three dozen books about photography, mobile tech, and more; I’ve even authored a digital interactive storybook for kids. I spent eight years as a content lead at Microsoft where I helped to develop Windows Vista and Windows 7. And before joining Forbes Vetted, I contributed to many popular websites including CNET, PC World, How-To Geek and Business Insider.
I’m a freelance writer specializing in travel, tech, and the outdoors, with work appearing in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, National Geographic, WIRED, Ars Technica, and The Daily Beast, among others. After receiving an undergrad in Marketing and a Master’s in Social Psychology, I worked in branding and then community development, overseeing food equity and justice initiatives across New York City. I solo bike toured Cuba and wrote the guidebook, Cuba by Bike. I started a small travel company (EscapingNY) and still lead tours in Cuba, Mexico, and Jordan. When I’m not hiking, biking, rafting, camping, or scuba diving, I’m usually doing puzzles and playing board games. You can find me on Twitter at @escapingnewyork and Instagram @escapingny.
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I'm a lifestyle writer and freelance editor based in the NYC area and the former executive editor of The Kitchn. As a freelance writer, I currently shift between food and parenting-based stories. My work has appeared in Forbes Vetted, as well as on Simply Recipes and the Food Network. My previous roles led to bylines in the New York Daily News, Time Out New York and on the Cooking Channel, Zagat and Today.com.
When I'm not at my desk, I'm typically in the kitchen testing out baked goods and family-friendly meals or exploring a new playground with my young son.
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I'm a parent to three kids and a freelance writer. My work has appeared on Verywell Family, Better Homes & Gardens and Parents. Prior to freelance writing, I held a career as a digital marketing professional. When I'm not working, I can be found hanging with my friends and family of five, reading a great book and cooking something tasty.
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Cement Retainers I am a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, relationships, home, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women’s Health, Prevention, Health, Yahoo Life, and more. I have a master’s degree from American University, live by the beach, and hope to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.