13 Best Wireless & Invisible Dog Fences [Updated in 2024]

Last Updated on October, 2024

Physical fences are a thing of the past; more and more pet owners are moving into the invisible fencing ecosystem, and why not?

These excellent devices are far better than the bricks or wood you’d otherwise install. Being much less expensive and packed with awesome tech, you need to consider these before making a decision.

What type of tech? 

If that’s your question, here’s a brief answer.

Invisible dog fences allow you to track and get updates on your dog’s location 24/7, even if you’re away from them.

Plus, most of them are supremely portable; all you have to do is, take them with you and create the amount of fences you need from right where you’re standing. 

This is just a sneak peek of the brilliance these devices have in store. 

That said, invisible dog fences are something that you absolutely should have to keep your dog safe. 

Below we have picked 13 out of the 25 invisible dog fences we reviewed based on a lot of factors (mentioned below). 

Keep reading and pick the one that’ll suit your needs the most.

Best Invisible Fences in a Nutshell

Our Top 13 Picks for the Best Invisible Dog Fence

Below are all of the best invisible dog fences we recommend. All of these we picked based on hours of personnel testing and tons of research.

Factors such as coverage, battery life, durability, containment shapes, and techniques were all taken into account to provide you with the best possible option on the market. 

All you have to do is read through and pick the one that suits you the most! 

1. SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence (Editor’s Choice)

The materials used to put together SpotOn are excellent. That mixture of rubber and plastic texture provides comfort and sits perfectly on the dog. It doesn’t look that bulky too, which is a plus considering all the features crammed into it. 

Durability is what you can expect from a high-end collar like this. With IP67 water and dust rating, along with high-quality build materials, SpotOn holds up well.

Now that those are out of the way let’s move on to the important part—The Fencing Capabilities.

This is the main reason why SpotOn has topped this list. When it comes to keeping your dog contained, no one does it better. 

First of all, unlike most other electric dog fences, SpotOn provides you the versatility of being able to create fences of any shape based on your need, be it an oval, rectangle, or triangle, you name it. 

That’s one reason why SpotOn excels. 

The other one is the number of fences you’re able to create; SpotOn invisible dog fence lets you create up to 20 fences wherever you go. This ensures maximum safety. 

Creating fences is a piece of cake in SpotOn. All you have to do is download the free mobile app, set up the collar, and draw the fences in the app itself. 

There are no wires to bury or transmitters to set up; everything is so straightforward that it takes just minutes to get everything ready.

As for the coverage, these virtual fences can be as large as you’d like them to be. However, the minimum fence size should be at least 80 feet wide at its narrowest point just to give your dog enough room to roam. 

Also, you’re able to create quick circular fences, which can come in handy while traveling.

Prevention methods include an alert tone when your dog is 10 feet of their boundary and a warning tone that sounds when they come within 5 feet. If your dog crosses the boundary, it’ll either receive a vibration or optional static correction (based on what you’ve selected). 

On top of that, you receive an instant notification on your mobile phone right after the dog breaks from the fence. That allows you to take quick action.

Training is vital before you get started, though. Keep that in mind!

The problem with the majority of these devices is that when your dog is returning inside the boundary after heading out, most tend to use corrections. But with SpotOn and all the other devices on this list, that does not happen. 

SpotOn and a few other Invisible fences have location tracking. This allows you to monitor your dog’s real-time location on your smartphone, so if your dog tends to leave the safe area, you’re able to track them down easily.

That said, SpotOn provides the best location accuracy and updates out of all, thanks to its own in-house patented True Location™ tech. 

All these features speak for themselves; you’re not getting these anywhere else, and that’s the reason why the SpotOn GPS Fence is our number one pick. It has no room for disappointment.

You can read more about SpotOn Virtual Smart Dog Fence Here.

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2. Halo 2+ (#2nd Best Choice)

If your dog falls into any of those numbers, let’s move forward. 

Comfort of the collar is something that’s not to be overlooked, as it is your dog who will wear it for hours. With that in mind, the Halo 2+ has the most comfortable collar in all of the invisible dog fences I’ve laid my hands on.

You can feel it as soon as you touch it, and it sits exceptionally well on all the dogs we’ve tested it on.

Durability is another area where this invisible dog fence excels; the materials here are chew-proof and are able to handle harsh conditions. Top that with IP67 rating against water and dust; you’re looking at a highly durable system here.

But a concern many owners had was the contact tips on the collar. Even though our unit had zero issues, many reported that they break easily; that is something to keep and eye on.

When it comes to building fences, Halo and SpotOn go toe-to-toe with almost the same features. And creating one is the exact same, download the app, set the collar up, and start drawing, and you’ll be good to go. 

That said, you can create up to 20 fences at a time; they can be of any shape, and coverage is unlimited though you have to have a property which allows to create a fence that’s at least 30 feet by 30 feet if you’re to build a Halo fence.

The prevention setup to keep your dog contained is top-notch. Even if your dog slips past the system, it’ll work to bring the dog back home. That’s what makes Halo 2+ an excellent system.

Halo calls the prevention system the prevention feedback, and it consists of three layers: Warning Feedback, Boundary Feedback, and Emergency Feedback.

Here’s how the prevention feedback in this invisible fence system works: if your pooch tries to cross and in range(7-10ft) of the boundary you’ve created, the Halo collar will use warning feedback that consists of prompts such as sounds, vibrations, or static pulses. 

Prevention feedback is completely customizable; you can set the feedback that works for your dog. From our testing, the vibration feedback got the job done most of the time. 

With that, you’ll also receive alerts on your smartphone if your dog starts getting prevention feedback, allowing you to act quickly. 

If your dog neglects the warning feedback and is still moving towards the boundary, boundary feedback comes into play along with warning feedback.

For example, if you set the warning feedback’s prompt to “tone” and boundary feedback to “vibration,” both will work simultaneously. 

Emergency feedback will be triggered if your dog sneaks past the boundary. The dog will continue to receive corrections until it turns its head toward the safe zone.

Once that happens, Encouragement Feedback will begin, and the wireless fence collar will get your dog back inside the safe zone.

Encouragement feedback is a Return Whistle that comes out of the collar. You will need to train your dog to understand all these before putting the collar to work.

Anyways, the cherry on top of the Halo invisible dog fence is its GPS-enabled location tracking. Even though not as accurate as SpotOn’s system, it’s still something you can rely on without any doubts. 

So, that is the Halo 2+, largely similar to SpotOn, it just works and you can’t go wrong.

Here’s the full review of Halo 2+ Smart Dog Collar if you want to learn more about this device.

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3. Dogtra PATHFINDER 2 (#3rd Best Choice)

Features like instant alerts and feedback when nearing the boundary are all present. 

Moreover, just like SpotOn and Halo, this too is fully operated via your smartphone. Download the app, connect the collar, and that’s it; you’ll be good to go. 

Setting up fences, choosing corrections, and adjusting fences are taken care of by the app. Speaking of setting up fences, a fence can be as big as 2000 yards, and the shape of each fence can be according to your liking. 

The way the fence works is great too, ensuring maximum security for your dog. For starters, you’ll be notified on three different occasions.

The first alert triggers when your dog is getting near the boundary, The second is when your dog crosses the boundary, and The third and final notification will be once your dog gets back inside the boundary.

Not just alerts, the collar will do its job by sending different corrections to your dog at the same time you receive the notifications (Your Dog Will Not Be Corrected When Heading Back To The Boundary). 

All work together seamlessly, and the chances of PATHFINDER allowing your dog to escape are pretty much nil. 

That said, even if your dog slips past the boundary, you can take advantage of the built-in real-time location tracking system powered by GPS. You can keep track of every step your dog takes. I wouldn’t say it’s as fast as Halo and SpotOn, but for its price, It’s still pretty decent and gives you enough time to take proper action. 

About the corrections, the PATHFINDER 2 has tone, vibration, and static stimulation, just like the majority of the other devices. 

On the other hand, all of the corrections are highly adjustable. like for example, static stimulation has 100 intensity levels; you can pick one based on the temperament of your dog. 

A wireless fence, along with GPS location tracking, is something only premium devices have had for quite a while; now, thanks to Dogtra, dog owners get to enjoy all of it for much less. 

All that out of the way; you can also use the Dogtra PATHFINDER 2 as a dog training collar; if you have an untrained dog, this can be a great tool.

Looking at the build quality and durability, it’s top-notch. Since the PATHFINDER 2 is made to track hunting dogs, the materials can take whatever your dog throws at it. The collar is even IPX7 waterproof rated, enhancing its durability even more. 

That is everything Dogtra PATHFINDER 2 brings to the table. As a wireless dog fence, GPS tracking, and dog training collar, you can’t ask for more, an excellent device overall. 

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4. eXtreme Dog Fence System – Max Grade

However, they get the job done, and the eXtreme dog fence system is one of them.

The eXtreme dog fence gets everything right except for the collar it comes with; there are better-looking ones on the market. If looks matter to you, this is not going to change your mind. 

It comes with a waterproof collar, though, and that’s a saving grace.

Apart from that, there’s nothing bad. So let’s move on to the good things now.

Wires are the most crucial aspect when it comes to wired invisible dog fences, and eXtreme does the job like no other. Out of all I’ve tested, their 14-gauge dog fence wire is the most durable, with up to 25 years of longevity. 

The Max Grade we reviewed comes with it.

We went with the 500 ft wire version, and it’s capable of covering 1/3 acre of land. There are other options though, the maximum is 2000 ft which is able to cover 4 acres. 

As with all the wired invisible dog fences, the eXtreme dog fence also comes with a transmitter, and it is what literally carries out everything, basically the brain. Before you start anything, you need to set it up. 

Once you set up the transmitter, it should be linked with the collar before it goes into the dog’s neck. The transmitter uses a radio signal to communicate with the collar, and if your dog gets near the buried wire, which is the fence, a correction consisting of static or tone is sent.

It’s instant and works really well. However, unlike other GPS-based wireless fence, you won’t get any alerts. 

And that’s where the training comes in; it’s really important that you get training on point with this fence. Only then you are able to see positive results. 

The eXtreme fence comes with everything you need to set up and use the collar, including 50 training flags and a surge protector to protect the transmitter against voltage “spikes” called transients. 

With all that said, eXtreme is one of the best, if not the best underground dog fences you can get. 

Plus, if you consider the amount of money you need for a physical fence, this is way less.

Read more about Extreme Dog Fence Here.

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5. PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Fence

It does not look flashy, or it doesn’t look like what I’d say bad; it’s just basic. And most might be okay with that. 

Durability is fine, too; the receiver is rugged and covered with the collar material in the front. With that, it’s waterproof, and all that makes it an excellent choice if your pupper is a stubborn chap. 

Moving on, unlike the other wireless dog fences mentioned above, the Stay and Play do not operate via an app. It comes with its own transmitter. 

That is where you’ll be creating your fence and controlling the collar. 

Stay, and Play is not the most advanced invisible fence when compared against the competition, but it does its job so well, and that’s the reason it earned its place in the list.

Here, you can create circular boundaries that can cover a 3/4 acre of land. Since there are not many options, it’s straightforward for most. 

Corrections are typical with the Stay and Play. You getthe tone and five levels of static corrections. It worked great for us; the corrections were instant, and the dogs responded well. 

They’re trained, by the way, so make sure you train yours too. 

Something that’s great about the Stay and Play is its multi dogs system. If you’ve got more than one dog, you must get that extra collar. That’s it; no need to purchase the complete fence kit. 

The multi dogs system also allows you to set different corrections for each dog too. And the amount of dogs that can be added is unlimited. All you need is an additional collar. 

Petsafe has been in the fence industry for so long that it’s hard to find one that has too many flaws. The same goes for the Stay and Play. It’s a great all-round fence with little to no downsides to it.

Go through this Petsafe Wireless Dog Fence Review to learn more about this device.

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6. SportDOG Brand in-Ground Dog Fence

SportDOG in that department does a great job. The all-black look of the collar looks like it was made for my dog; it’s pretty neat.

There isn’t much to talk about how the invisible fence works though; it’s all pretty much the same at this point. 

SportDOG’s In-Ground Dog Fence can cover a maximum of 100 acres; additional wires should be purchased for that. It can contain any number of dogs when multiple dog collars are purchased. 

What you get right out of the box is different. That can cover 1 to 1/3 acres and can contain one dog, which is not bad.

Like all underground fences, the SportDOG In-Ground Dog Fence is also completely controlled by a transmitter, not an app. Everything, including range, is adjusted through here. 

Corrections are just what you get with all other in-ground fences or wireless fences, for that matter. You get tone, vibration, and 7 levels of traditional static stimulation. I put it to the test with a well-trained dog, and it just worked flawlessly.

No problem there. But make sure you properly train your dog though, otherwise it just won’t work.

I’ve used SportDOG collars for a good amount of hunting trips, and they’ve always exceeded my expectations. I would say the same for their underground dog fence. It just works.

Learn more about SportDog Invisible Fence here.

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7. PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System

There’s not much difference to talk about here. Compared to the Stay and Play invisible dog fence, this one has a shorter coverage which comes in at 1/2 acre. Even though not much, it still is enough for most.

Just like the Stay and Play, this one, too, is controlled via a transmitter and not an app. Being a wireless invisible dog fence, an app would’ve been great. Anyways, it is what it is. 

Corrections are essentially the same, and no difference there too. Tone and 5 different levels of static simulations are what’s present. 

Battery side has a disadvantage here; it’s not rechargeable, and once every two months, you’ll have to replace it. 

Other than that, there’s no significant difference; this invisible fence is a great cheap alternative to the Stay and Play wireless system. It works the same as it does too.

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8. Luxipaws Wireless Dog Fence and Training Collar

As you might’ve already guessed, Luxipaws is fully wireless, which is excellent. However, it is controlled via a transmitter, which can be a bummer for some. 

Moving on, the range is considerably low when compared to other electric dog fences in this list. With a maximum coverage of just 1000 feet, it’s not the best one out there. For the price, though, I’d say it’s reasonable. 

There are no changes to the corrections; they’re still the same as the most expensive ones. Tone, vibration, and static stimulation are all present here, and they do a great job of containing the dog. 

The thing that makes Luxipaws stand apart from its competitors is its training feature. You can train your dog with this system with the use of the corrections. That’s great if you still need to train your dog.

Other than that, you can contain up to three dogs with the purchase of additional collars. I’m still surprised that the system provides all this for such a low price. 

Luxipaws might be one of the cheapest wireless dog fences available; pretty sure about that.

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9. PetSafe YardMax Rechargeable in-Ground Fence

Coverage is not an issue with an in-ground dog fence; why?

As long as you get additional wires, you can keep extending it. The YardMax provides you with two coverage options before purchasing. A 500 ft wire can cover ⅓ acre, and a 1000 ft wire can cover 1 acre.

Pick the one that fits you. If the numbers are lower than your yard, additional ones can be purchased. However, the maximum is 10 acres.

Wire thickness matters when it comes to an in-ground fence; it’s not something to worry about in the YardMax as it’s a 20-gauge solid copper wire. It’s durable enough for most dogs unless you have a highly aggressive pal. 

Just like its counterparts, the YardMax too allows for unlimited dogs with the purchase of additional collars. 

Speaking of dog’s collar, how can we miss the corrections it provides?

The YardMax is precisely the same as the ones we looked at above regarding corrections. Here you get tone and 5 levels of static stimulation, and that’s all.

YardMax, when it comes to providing corrections, does things a little differently; even though not something drastic, it’s worth mentioning.

Most wired, and wireless dog fences emit the selected corrections if they detect your dog is nearing the fence boundary. However, YardMax only sends the corrections once the dog approaches the boundary. 

There are no changes to how the system works. During our testing, there were no differences, and the dogs responded well even though the approach was different.

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10. Pet Control HQ Electric Pet Containment System

It’s an in-ground dog fence system if I haven’t mentioned it already.

20AWG (American Wire Gauge) is the type that comes with the Pet Control HQ’s system, the material the wire’s made up of is Single Core Copper. This is a place where this pet containment system misses its mark.

I won’t say that it’s one of the most durable wires available. Make sure you bury it deep enough and that too properly. 

Coverage is similar to what most in-ground fence systems offerin the box. Pet Control HQ’s system comes with a 150-meter wire in the box, and that’s able to cover 1/3 Acre. But you can extend it up to 10 acres with extra wires.

Vibration is present with tone and static stimulation, which is excellent as most of the wired electric fences come with just tone and shock. 

Corrections work fast and are great for distracting the dog. That’s thanks to the way the static corrections are optimized. 

I already mentioned that it’s a 2-in-1 system.

Pet Control HQ Electric Fence System also comes with a training remote in the box. It’s great for training; I personally did not use it as my dogs were already trained. I did test it though, and the operations were excellent. 

With all this, the Pet Control HQ Electric Fence System is an impressive device that works really well. The price is reasonable too.

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11. FOCUSER Electric Wireless Invisible Dog Fence System

Range is another area where the collar shows why it’s cheap. Make sure you have a small yard before getting one, as it can only cover 300 meters.

Wireless invisible dog fences typically come with all three correction settings, and this one does not miss out on that. You’ll get tone, vibration, and shock with the FOCUSER wireless fence. 

The system takes advantage of Radio signal technology when it comes to the communication between the collar and the transmitter, and that was reliable during the testing without any delays. 

If you have a small fence and want a serviceable electric fence to keep your dog safe, this is a great option, and for the price, it’s something worth considering.

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12. PetSafe Stubborn Dog Underground Dog Fence

Wire thickness is the same as YardMax; in the box comes a 20-gauge wire, and that’s, as already mentioned, is more than enough, and PetSafe’s wires are generally one of the best available.

Overall, this wired electric fence from PetSafe does everything that a typical invisible fence does, but in a better way plus, it’s largely similar to the YardMax, which is another excellent system from the same company.

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13. Havahart Wireless Dog Fence System

From what I’ve seen, it was somewhat more reliable than, for example, FOCUSER. That’s good news, as the corrections will be sent much faster only when needed. 

However, unlike the majority of the electric dog fence systems, this system only has tone and five different static correction levels. As for their effectiveness, it’s the same as other collars.

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Things to Know Before Getting an Invisible Fence for Dogs

Picking a wireless dog fence is easier said than done. Getting the wrong one can lead to all sorts of troubles not only for you but for your dog too. Below are some factors that you need to consider before getting your electric dog fence. 

Coverage

This is the most crucial part. 

Invisible dog fences come in literally all shapes and sizes, and getting the one that’ll not fit your yard properly can pose troubles, and your dog will be the victim. Unwanted corrections and constant static simulations are some of the problems you’ll encounter. 

Generally, an invisible fence system that covers ⅓ land is enough for most. Go for a larger one if you need to provide more play area for your pet. 

Durability (For Wired Electric Dog Fence) 

If you’re getting a wired dog fence, make sure the wire it comes with is durable enough and is able to withstand when buried in tough terrains. A 20-gauge wire will be ideal for most.

However, if the land you’re about to bury the wire is plagued with rocks and other rough materials, going for a 16 or 14 gauge wire is essential. 

Correction Levels

Getting an electric dog fence with at least 2 correction settings is essential if you want the collar to work best. Bonus if there are three. 

Surge Protector (If Going for a Wired Electric Dog Fence) 

Underground invisible fences are prone to get struck by lightning, even from miles away. A surge protector can redirect unexpected voltage increases away from your transmitter. 

That said, getting a wired electric dog fence without a surge protector is nowhere worth what you’re paying. 

Even if it’s a little too much, spend that and get one with a surge protector. It’ll increase the longevity of the system BIG TIME. 

Do Wired and Wireless Dog Fences Work?

Generally, all types of fences work if the dog is adequately trained. It’s difficult to find bad invisible dog fences that don’t work.

Hard to believe?

80% out of 1,025 dog owners stated that their dog’s behavior was improved with the use of these systems. That too, in 90 days.

So if you train your dog correctly, you can expect them to work as intended. 

Want to know the difference between wired and wireless dog fence? Checkout our Guide.

Why Do Dog Owners Use Invisible Fences?

How Do Invisible Dog Fences Work?

The way these systems work is pretty straightforward. 

As you may already know, invisible dog fences come with a collar that communicates with either boundary wire (if you have a wired dog fence) or a wireless signal (if you have a wireless dog fence).

Wearing the collar, if your dog reaches near the boundary you’ve created, it’ll be corrected with a tone. If the dog does not retreat after the tone and continues marching toward the boundary, the collar will emit vibration and or static stimulation. 

Here’s our complete guide on “How Does a Dog Invisible Fences Work?“

How to Set Up an Invisible Fence System?

Setting up both the wired and wireless fence systems is much easier than setting up a physical fence. They typically take less than a day and are much cheaper to put together.

This is the way to install most of the wired dog fences; most will come with instructions on how to set them up, so there are no worries. 

As for wireless fences, check out this article on how to set them up.

Training a Dog for an Invisible Fence

Training is the only area that’s complicated when it comes to an invisible fence; it’s so important to get it right as everything relies on it. 

Checkout our complete guide on Training a Dog for a Wireless Fence to make the training easier.

Types of Invisible Dog Fences

Invisible dog fences are available in two types, wired and wireless. Both are essentially the same, with differences only in the way they work. 

Wired Fence

These types of invisible fences come with wires that need to be buried underground or just laid on the ground. The system also includes a transmitter, where the wires are connected from the ground.

The primary purpose of the transmitter is to communicate with the collar and send information on the boundary. 

Wireless Fence

Wireless invisible dog fences use GPS and mostly radio signals when it comes to creating virtual fences and communicating with the collars. These systems are easier to install as there are no wires, and are much more advanced compared to wired dog fences.

FAQs

Conclusion

Invisible dog fences are becoming one of the essentials. It’s very important to keep your dog safe while outdoors, and this is one of the best ways to do that. 

We’ve looked at 13 of the best ones available on the market, but you can’t buy all of them, so pick the one that feels right for you and go with it. You’ll not regret it. 

If you still have no idea which one to go with, I’d recommend you either get the SpotOn fence or the Halo 2+. Both are stacked with features that are all useful; take GPS location tracking, for example.

It’ll update the location of your dog 24/7 and lets you keep an eye on the dog, even when you’re away from him.

Anyways, that’s all from me. Hope this was helpful. If you have any more doubts about these fences, let me know in the comments below.

The following links are particularly useful if you’re looking for the best in a specific category:

• Best Invisible Fences for Small Dogs
• Best Invisible Fences for Large Dogs
• Best Portable Dog Fences for Camping
• Best No Dig Fences for Dogs
• Best Wireless Dog Fences For 2 Dogs
• Best Wireless Dog Fences for 2 Acres
• Best Invisible Fences for Cats
• Best Dog Fence Wire