The Best Pet Trackers and GPS Dog Collars We’ve Tested for 2026

The Fi Smart Dog Collar makes it easy to track your dog’s location, activity, and sleep from your phone. Its small, light tracking module can accommodate tiny dogs, featuring a durable build that withstands over 400 pounds of resistance for chewers and leash pullers, as well as IP68-rated waterproofing. We reviewed the third-generation version and praised its easy setup, long battery life, and frequent location updates in the crucial Lost Dog Mode, even though escape alerts arrived a bit slowly. Although we haven’t yet tested it, the updated Fi Series 3+ introduces AI-based behavior monitoring and Apple Watch integration.

Most dog owners: The Fi Series 3+ is the best GPS tracker for most dogs thanks to its durable build, long battery life, and reliable Lost Dog Mode. The extra-small size (for necks measuring 9.5 to 11 inches in circumference) is suitable for breeds like miniature dachshunds, maltese, pomeranians, toy poodles, and Yorkshire terriers, while the extra-large option (for necks between 20 and 30.5 inches in circumference) should suit breeds like great danes, bloodhounds, and mastiffs.

The PetPace 3.0 is equipped with sensors to track nearly every aspect of your dog’s wellness, including activity, sleep, pulse, respiration, and temperature. Its companion app makes it easy to see whether your pup’s health metrics are in the normal range or if anything looks off. This collar is useful for managing a range of canine conditions like allergies, cancer, heart disease, infections, respiratory issues, and urological problems. We reviewed its predecessor, the PetPace 2.0, and found all this health data helpful for caring for your dog, though its location tracking lagged behind that of other pet trackers. The newest version introduces AI-powered pain monitoring, a beta-seizure detection feature, and 24/7 access to veterinarian telehealth services.

Health-focused dog owners: The PetPace 3.0 is ideal for those who are health-conscious or have a dog diagnosed with a serious condition.

Breeders and vets: Breeders may be interested in the collar’s premium pregnancy-monitoring features, while PetPace offers a subscription option for veterinarians and pet hospitals to loan multiple collars for remote outpatient monitoring.

At $69 with a $10 monthly subscription (billed annually, $7 per month if billed biannually), the Tractive Dog 6 is one of the least expensive dedicated GPS dog trackers you can get. It features GPS location tracking with escape alerts, as well as health and activity monitoring to keep an eye on your dog’s well-being, even when they’re out of sight. While we haven’t tested the latest version, we reviewed the previous generation and found it to be very fast at sending escape alerts.

Budget-minded dog owners shopping for a GPS tracker: The Tractive Dog 6 is a good, inexpensive option for tracking your pooch’s location. Meant for dogs weighing more than nine pounds, it’s worth considering if you aren’t interested in the AI-powered behavior and health-monitoring features offered by the pricier pet trackers.

Low-maintenance pet parents: The Tractive Dog 6 battery can last up to two weeks between charges when Power Saving Zones are enabled.

The Halo Collar 4 uses sound, vibration, and optional static feedback to keep dogs within the invisible boundaries you set. It supports Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi technology and works with a user-friendly companion app that makes it easy to set up virtual fences. The collar also tracks basic activity statistics when your dog is wearing it, including walks and rest periods.

Owners of trained, or trainable, dogs: If you’re a patient and involved dog owner and want your pup to be able to roam safely within a certain area, a virtual fence like the Halo Collar 4 is a great way to bring yourself some peace of mind. Just keep in mind that training is an absolute necessity, and the complete Halo training program takes 21 days. Your success with the product (or lack thereof) will depend on your dog’s temperament and your effort to train them. It isn’t the best option for real-time tracking or escape alerts, though.

The SpotOn collar offers several feedback options to keep your dog within the virtual GPS boundary you create, including sounds, vibration, and optional static (shock). It comes at a hefty up-front cost, but it offers excellent GPS fencing and doesn’t require a subscription unless you need to actively track your dog’s location. Just remember that any virtual GPS fence requires extensive training; without it, pups won’t truly benefit from the protection the collar provides. 

Owners of large properties: This is an excellent option if you want to give your dog the freedom to safely roam a wide-open space. It doesn’t require a subscription, and lets you set up unlimited virtual fences at no additional cost. Moreover, with the SpotOn system, your boundaries can overlap, allowing you to create keep-out zones within safe areas. It’s meant for dogs weighing 15 pounds or more, and like the Halo system, it may require weeks of training.

Apple’s AirTag tells your other Apple devices exactly where to find your lost objects (or pets), even if they’re miles away. To locate the AirTag via your iPhone or iPad, you can instruct it to emit a short beep or play a game of hot-and-cold based on distance. If AirTags are more than 30 feet from your phone, they leverage Bluetooth connections with strangers’ iPhones to determine their location. That said, Apple doesn’t recommend using it for pets.

Apple users in urban areas: The AirTag is compatible with any iPhone or iPad running iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later. It’s essential to note the limitations of the AirTag: It’s not a true GPS tracker, as it relies on being within 30 feet of someone’s iPhone to transmit its location to the network. This works well in densely populated cities with a high concentration of iPhone users, but it’s much less useful in rural areas.

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 easily clips to your pet’s collar via a larger, metal-reinforced cutout and uses Bluetooth Low Energy and ultra-wideband tech to help you locate them. Its durable IP67 rating (an improvement from the original SmartTag’s IP53) makes it a good fit as a pet tracker.

Samsung users: This tracker is designed exclusively for Samsung users, as it is compatible only with Galaxy devices and Samsung’s SmartThings Find network. If you’re in that camp, the SmartTag 2 is a solid, affordable option for tracking your pet.

The Tile Pro has a 500-foot Bluetooth range, the longest of any Tile tracker, and beyond that, it taps into the Tile Network to provide updates on your pet’s location. It features a durable steel frame and an IP68 rating, ensuring it is both dustproof and waterproof. We also appreciate its user-replaceable battery and easy-to-use app. Moreover, it’s easy to attach to your pet’s collar, with a cutout in one corner large enough to accommodate keychains or lanyards.

Android and cross-platform device users: This is a top Bluetooth pet tracker for those outside the Apple and Samsung Galaxy ecosystems. Its cross-platform versatility makes it a good option for those who own a mix of Apple and Android devices. That said, you may prefer an Apple or Samsung tracker if you have a compatible phone, as these devices offer ultra-wideband support, which makes it easier to locate things from a distance.