Growing up, my dog, Duffy, learned to scratch on the front door when he wanted in and out of the house. It was a system that worked well for us, but I’m sure Duffy would have loved a doggy door to go as he pleased freely.
Today’s dog doors are similar to traditional styles in the sense that they allow your pupper to enter and exit the home when needed. But now, with the addition of electronic and smart dog doors, you have additional control over precisely who can enter through the door—and at what times.
Here are my picks for the best dog doors, from doggy doors with collar sensors to remote-controlled dog doors that work with virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Best Smart Dog Door
Contents
Are you looking for the best smart door for dogs? I’ve included various electronic and smart options, including remote control dog doors, Bluetooth dog doors (a doggie door with a collar sensor), and WiFi dog doors. When selecting the best options, I considered quality, durability, ease of installation, size options, smart capabilities, customer reviews, and more.
Winner: High Tech Pet WiFi-Enabled Power Pet Review
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High Tech Pet is a popular name in pet doors, and for good reason. The brand offers a variety of traditional and automatic pet doors in various sizes to fit dogs up to 100 pounds. The brand’s latest release is the WiFi-Enabled Power Pet Door, which offers a slew of security and smart features.
The door is completely motorized and pet-activated via the waterproof ultrasonic collar. It automatically raises when your pet approaches and closes upon entry or exit, so your pup doesn’t have to push through the door. The seal is weatherproof, saving you money on heating and cooling bills. The door is bulletproof and includes a steel deadbolt lock for ultimate security.
You can control the door manually or via the smartphone app. The app lets you open/close the door, create schedules, and view activity history. You can choose between four access controls: full in/out, in only, out only, or closed and locked.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Two sizes (medium and large) | Expensive |
| Smart app controlled, wifi dog door | Requires dog to wear a special collar |
| 4-way access control | |
| Airtight seal and deadbolt lock | |
| Installs in doors or walls | |
| AC or battery-powered |
Price
Runner-Up: Pawport Review
After a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $60,000—surpassing the company’s $50,000 goal—Pawport began the production and manufacturing process of its patented slide-on smart pet door. While not yet on the market, Pawport’s design makes it a promising competitor in the world of smart doggy doors. Thus, it earns our runner-up spot.
Pawport has all the features you would expect with a remote control dog door. The product is made from sturdy materials: solid steel and aluminum. It features an integrated weather-sealing strip to save you money on your heating/cooling bill while also preventing entry from bugs and other critters. The door comes with a waterproof Bluetooth collar tag that allows your pet to enter through the door—and keeps out unwanted guests.
With the companion app, you can lock/unlock the door remotely, enable access for different pets, set curfew times, track entry/exit usage, and control the door’s open/close speed. You can also control the LED light bar on the door, changing color and brightness.
The company created Pawport to slide onto existing pet doors, but you can also purchase a complete system, which includes a frame, tunnel, and ramp.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Slides onto existing pet door (pet door system also available) | Expensive |
| Three size options | Still in production (available for preorder only) |
| App-controlled | |
| Works with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant | |
| Adjustable sensitivity range | |
| Multiple style options |
Price
Best For Small Dogs: Sure Petcare SureFlap Connect Review
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Sure Petcare’s SureFlap takes a unique approach to the electronic pet door. Rather than requiring your pooch to wear a special collar or clip-on, the pet door uses your dog’s implanted identification microchip. Using your pet’s microchip ensures that only your pet can enter and exit your home. Don’t worry if your pet isn’t microchipped yet—the device also comes with two RFID collar tags connecting to the door.
You can control the SureFlap via its companion app. The app lets you remotely lock or unlock the pet door. You can also receive notifications when your pet enters or exits the home and monitor long-term activity.
Why isn’t Sure Petcare’s doggy door the winner? Well, for one, it’s designed for cats and small dogs. If you have a medium to large-sized dog, this product won’t work for you. The door also doesn’t offer as much control as the top two picks. For example, you can only control what pet enters the door—there’s no selective exit.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smart app controlled | Requires Sure Petcare Hub (sold separately) |
| Compatible with all common microchips | No selective exit |
| Installs in doors, glass, and walls | Only suitable for small dogs |
| Lock/unlock remotely and change curfew times | |
| Entry/exit notifications |
Price
Best Budget: PetSafe Electronic Dog Door Review
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By forgoing extra smart features, such as mobile app control, you can save money when buying an electric dog door. My pick? Consider PetSafe’s electronic pet door.
PetSafe’s doggie door with collar sensor uses radio-frequency technology to allow your pup access in and out of the home. The SmartKey worn on your pet’s collage triggers the battery-powered flap to unlock when they are near. When the door no longer senses the SmartKey, it will lock again.
The battery-powered, Bluetooth dog door is available in two sizes to cater to both small and large dogs. You can program up to five pet door keys per device.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Door placement only |
| Two sizes available | Only comes with 1 pet door key |
| Large door fits pets up to 100 lbs | |
| Three-way lock: automatic, open, and locked | |
| Insulated flap with UV sun protection |
Price
Best For Sliding Door: Wazyn Smart Dog Door Review
Instead of a sliding door insert, consider the Wayzn smart pet door. Wayzn specifically designed this product for sliding glass doors, transforming a traditional door into an automatic door for pets. It blends seamlessly into your home and provides an easy tradition for pets of all ages—no training required.
How does it work? First, you need to connect the Wayzn to your door frame using removable tape. The product is motion-activated to slide the door when your dog approaches. For further control, use the optional collar tag. You can control your pet’s comings and goings via the Wayzn app. The product also works with Alexa, allowing voice control or routines using any compatible camera.
Keep in mind that the Wayzn doesn’t work with every door. You’ll need to confirm that your door is compatible with the system before you purchase it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast, DIY installation | Expensive |
| Designed for sliding glass patio doors | Not compatible with all doors |
| Automatically calibrates to the size and weight of your door | |
| Smart app-controlled | |
| Works with Amazon Alexa | |
| Blends into home |
Price
What Factors Should I Consider In A Dog Door?
If you plan to purchase a dog door for your pet, smart features aren’t the only factor to consider. Our best dog door review covers other features to consider, including installation, materials, and location.
Keeping Your Dog Safe Outdoors
If you plan on installing a smart door for your dogs, you must ensure your pet is safe outside. If your yard isn’t fenced in, consider a wireless dog fence. Learn the pros and cons of invisible fence collars and see our top picks for the best wireless dog fences.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Tara is part of the Canine Journal team, which has over a decade of experience researching, testing, and writing about anything and everything dog-related. Most of our team members are lifelong dog owners and can provide personal insights on each topic we cover. For this article, Tara spent 4+ hours researching smart dog doors and used personal feedback from other members of the Canine Journal team.