The Best Invisible Dog Fences of 2020 Reviewed (Wireless & Electric)

This post was last updated on May 1, 2020

If you’re the proud parent of a fur baby, you know how hard it is sometimes to keep your pet from happily running off from the yard. If your dog has a habit of overstepping their bounds, especially in an area where your property boundaries are quite rigidly defined, you may need some help.

This is why the concept of the invisible dog fence has come into being. It’s a humane way to give your dog a definite idea of their boundaries without having to leash them in the traditional fashion. These dog fences are completely invisible and they’ll let your dog run around in your boundaries without being tied to a leash. Let’s review some of the best wireless dog fences and find the right fit for your pup and your yard.

Best Invisible Dog Fences of 2020

After conducting extensive research and rigorous analysis we have concluded that as of 2020, the best wireless dog fence is the SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence System, while the best electric dog fence is the PetSafe YardMax. A careful comparison of the two technologies makes it clear that the best invisible dog fence of 2020 is the SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence System. Let’s break down what makes the SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence the superior product, then proceed to our reviews of the next-best options.

Best Overall: SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence

Real customer reviews from spotonfence.com!

The new SpotOn Wireless Dog Fence is, so far, the only completely wireless containment solution (1). There’s no more need to bury wires or set up base stations, it’s all controlled by GPS.

Creating custom boundaries has never been easier. Just hold the collar and walk the perimeter, then press a button to save the map when you’re done. The best part? You can name, activate, and deactivate maps directly on your smartphone with the SpotOn App – but the convenience of this system doesn’t stop there.

Enjoy peace of mind having all the data at your fingertips in real-time. Check on your pup’s location, receive instant escape notifications the moment that they occur, and automatically track your dog until they return to safety in the event that he or she does escape.

With boundary sizes up to 1,000 acres, your dog will be able to run, relax, and play to their heart’s content without ever coming near the edge of the boundary. With 20-36 hours of containment and 8 hours of tracking between charges, you won’t have to worry about battery life either. Just choose the right size collar for your dog, and you’ll be up and running in no time.

Technical Specifications

• Boundary size: Up to 1,000 acres (works best 0.5 acres an up).
• Battery life: 20-36 hours when containing (varies based on dog’s activity) / 8 hours when tracking.
• Charge time: 1 hour.
• Waterproof rating: IP67.
• Tracking accuracy: 10 feet.
• Tracking update frequency: 6 seconds.

Best Electric Dog Fence: Extreme Dog Fence®

Looking for a robust way to keep your pup in your yard where he belongs? Look no further than the Extreme Dog Fence® (View on Amazon.com). Let’s take a look at why the Extreme outperforms the competition.

A Word About Reliability in Electric Dog Fences

Some invisible fence systems require that you bury an electric wire around your yard, and others do not. Here is what you need to know about dog fences that rely on a physical wireless base station.

Several things can cause these types of wireless fences with base stations to fail. These include too many trees, sloping in your yard, a metal roof, and stucco siding. With any of these factors, it can cause your dog to experience static correction when they shouldn’t, or the signal may be lost and they are able to get out of the yard.

On the other hand, an invisible fence that requires the burial of a wire does not have any of these issues. The signal traveling through the wire is strong and consistent. If you are looking for a reliable option to contain your canine in the safe zone, the Extreme is the way to go.

Encourage Your Dog To Stay In The Yard While Keeping Them Comfortable

Your dog deserves to stay as comfortable as possible, in every situation. That is what is so great about the receiver collar that comes with the Extreme. Whether your pup is swimming or just roaming around your yard, they stay nice and comfortable. This is because the contact points on your dog’s receiver collar are covered in rubber. Also, the collar is nice and lightweight, since it only weighs 1.1 ounces. Completely waterproof, the receiver collar is submersible up to 100 feet.

Strong and Sturdy Wire

The wire that comes with this kit is extremely strong and durable. It is a 20-gauge, solid copper core wire. Why is the durability of dog fence wire important? Because no one wants to have to dig up their dog fence wire in order to find where it has broken. With the Extreme you won’t have to worry about this happening.

Manufactured in the USA

Lastly, the Extreme Dog Fence® is manufactured in the United States. Not only that but when you call them for help, you get a real US-based representative as opposed to an automated response. If you read their reviews, you will see that their customers are particularly happy with the help they receive when they call Extreme. No one should have to tackle this DIY project without any assistance. Luckily you won’t have to, as they are open 7 days a week.

Taking all of this into account it should be clear why we’ve chosen the Extreme as the best electric dog fence.

>> Visit our page dedicated to Extreme Dog Fence reviews! <<

Best Wireless Dog Fence with Base Station: PetSafe Stay & Play

If you like the sounds of a wireless system but you’re searching for a more modest price tag, then you should check out the PetSafe Stay & Play. There’s no need to bury wire, just spin the dial to set the boundary radius up to 105 feet, which comes out to about 3/4 acres of permissible area for your pooch.

With that in mind, this is one of the easier invisible dog fences to install – so much so that you can even take it with you when camping or visiting friends and family, just as long as you have an electrical outlet.

For those of us with multiple-dog households you’ll be happy to hear that the Stay & Play works with an unlimited number of pets when you purchase additional collars. The collars are waterproof and rechargeable, and they come with both short and long contacts to best suit your pet’s hair length.

Beyond what you’d typically expect in terms of multiple correction levels and a “tone only” setting, the Stay and Play features static-free reentry. This means in the event that your dog does overstep their bounds, they won’t be punished for returning within the perimeter.

Although this system has a lower effective range than some comparable dog fences, it’s an excellent choice for a dog owner on a budget. The wireless collar is very effective. If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to set boundaries in a smaller back yard, this unit comes very highly recommended.

>> See all of our favorite PetSafe wireless dog fences. <<

Best Cordless In-Ground Dog Fence: PetSafe YardMax Cordless In-Ground

The PetSafe YardMax is a convenient and reliable invisible fence system for establishing your pet’s boundaries outside. As we’ll discuss more in a minute, its cordless design makes installing your in-ground dog fence as easy as placing the wire.

You can stop worrying about your furry friend escaping, wandering too far, or – dread the thought – being hit by a car. This high-tech fencing system includes enough boundary wire to enclose yards up to 1/3 of an acre. If you have a larger yard it’s no problem – the system is expandable up to 1.4 acres with the purchase of additional wire.

What makes this in-ground invisible dog fence so great is that it’s a completely cordless system. There’s no need to drill holes in your wall or rig up haphazard shelters to house your base station outside as the power is supplied by batteries housed in the waterproof transmitter. You can keep recurring costs down by getting a set of rechargeables, and with an estimated 9 to 12 months per charge you’ll get a full season’s use without a worry.

PetSafe is an established leader in the world of invisible dog fences, and with the YardMax you’ll get all the benefits of an electric dog fence system and then some. If you’re looking for a simple and robust way to set your pet’s boundaries then the YardMax is just what you’re looking for. Try it today, and see why pet owners across the country trust in PetSafe.

Technical Specifications

• Minimum pet body weight: 5 pounds.
• Fits neck sizes 6-28 inches.
• Transmitter battery life: 9-12 months expected.
• Collar battery life: up to 3 months.
• Collar battery charge time: 2-3 hours.

Runner Up: PetSafe Wireless Invisible Dog Fence

If you are a dog owner with a small back yard, you may not need anything fancy to keep your pet from running away. In this case, the PetSafe Wireless Fence is going to be your perfect purchase. There are no frills, no unnecessary innovations, just solid, quality goods. The wireless fence comes complete with everything you need to humanely fence your dog within a 1/2 acre radius that you choose.

The PetSafe Wireless Fence package consists of the control system, a wireless boundary collar, and a full set of warning flags that can be placed around along the boundary line. The lack of complex moving parts makes this unit perfect for setting-up outside of a guest home or even an RV during a camping trip.

The collar that comes with the system is fully adjustable. It can be made to fit just about any size of a dog, without the contact points causing discomfort. Buyers should also note that the severity of the current can be adjusted to 5 different static correction levels. This way, you can give your dog a higher dose of static correction if they stray more frequently out of bounds or a lower dose once they begin to behave more obediently.

All in all, the PetSafe Wireless Fence is a hassle-free budget model that comes highly recommended for families who don’t require extra features, and that’s why we’ve ranked it so highly among our choices for the best wireless dog fences. It’s quick and easy to assemble, and once in place, it does exactly what you ask it to. For truth in advertising, this unit wins the prize.

SportDOG Brand In-Ground Dog Fence System

There are many ways to contain your dog safely within the bounds of your property without being overly cruel to them. However, not every dog owner seems to prefer a purely wireless dog fence. The SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence System is an excellent traditional style purchase for those of you who prefer a bit of physical boundary setting.

The SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence System comes complete with a full complement of features. Chief among them is the 1000 feet of 20-gauge boundary wire. This is more than enough to fence in a total of 1.3 acres of property. Also included are 100 flags to mark the boundaries of your territory and warn others where the protective zone begins.

You should note that this traditional style invisible fence system still includes plenty of features to keep deterrence as humane as possible. The system includes a wireless and fully waterproof collar. You can set this collar to send out a warning signal that alerts your dog that they are quickly reaching the boundary line that you have set.

If they don’t get the message, the collar will then dole out a warning shock at one of 4 pre-set static correction levels through the contact points that you can select in advance, based on your dog’s willingness to test these boundaries. For all of these reasons and more, the SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence System is a purchase that comes highly recommended for those who prefer the traditional style of dog boundary fences. It’s a truly humane and inexpensive bargain.

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If you’re interested in reading more, check out our extensive SportDOG invisible fence review.

Top Features of the SportDOG Brand In-Ground Electric Dog Fence

• Covers 1 and 1/3 acres, can be expanded to cover up to 100 acres
• Waterproof collar that runs on 9 volt batteries, each lasting 6-12 months
• Works with as many dogs as you want when you buy additional collars
• Four statics stimulation levels

SportDOG 100-Acre In-Ground Dog Fence

If you have spent a long time looking for the ultimate in-ground pet fence system, this model may well be the one to satisfy your personal needs. The brand new SportDOG 100-Acre In-Ground Pet Fence System comes complete with an entire network of pet control equipment. There’s enough here to cover a full acre, making it the perfect unit for a well-defined and maintained back yard.

One caveat for buyers may be that, although a standard-sized wireless collar is included with the system, there is no battery to be found when you purchase it. However, this can be easily rectified by ordering a standard 9-volt battery separately. Everything else that you need to get the system up and running is definitely here.

The system comes with a special in-ground wire that can be either conveniently buried in your yard or run fully above ground if you prefer. The wire can be secured in place with a set of included staples. The entire unit is covered with an inclusive 2-year warranty of guaranteed quality.

While other units may cover more ground or include more fancy features, this is the system to go for if you want something that’s inexpensive to purchase and easy to assemble. Maintenance is a breeze and the entire system, as noted above, is guaranteed with a full warranty of quality. If you want to keep things simple and easy, this is the unit to buy for your back yard needs.

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Features of the SportDOG 100-Acre In-Ground Electric Dog Fence

• Great for dogs weighing 10 lbs or more
• Lightning protection
• Upgradable wire to 16 guage and 14 guage
• Can be expanded for multiple dogs with the purchase of more collars

Free Spirit In-Ground Electric Dog Fence

The brand new In-Ground Fence from Free Spirit comes with a wide range of very exciting options. If you are more interested in a traditional containment collar as your main method of boundary enforcement, this is the model you should choose. It’s inexpensive, easy to assemble, and maintenance is a relative breeze.

The wireless collar system is a time tested remedy to keep your dog safely within the bounds you set for them. This means that there is no need for a conventional collar or fence in your back yard. Once activated, the wireless collar will emit a special warning tone, as well as a carefully modulated vibration, every time that your dog approaches the boundary limit.

However, there is no need to worry about the penalty for infringing the area being too extreme. If your dog should continue past the limit you have set, the collar will intervene. It will deliver the precise amount of electric shock that you have previously selected. Once your dog receives this shock, they will very likely desist from continuing. It’s a system that has been proven to work.

The Free Spirit In-Ground Fence contains everything you will need to fix safe and enforceable boundaries for your dog. The wireless collar is fully adjustable and waterproof. If you’re looking for a safe, affordable alternative to big name systems that cost a great deal of money and deliver less than you bargained for, this is the one to get.

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Features of the Free Spirit In-Ground Dog Fence

• Expandable up to 1 acre with multiple dogs – as many as you need
• Five levels of correction plus tone and vibration
• Waterproof and rechargeable collar
• Fits dogs 5 pounds and up

Sit Boo-Boo Advanced In-Ground Electric Dog Fence System

As its name suggests, the Sit Boo-Boo Advanced In-Ground Electric Dog Fence is quite the top of the line model. If you’re sick and tired of your dog overstepping their boundaries and getting lost or in trouble with your neighbors, this is a model that is well worth your time. However, it’s also fair to note that this particular model is designed to function with a single dog rather than multiple pets.

It should also be noted that this is no generic “one size fits all” model. The Sit Boo-Boo model is being heavily advertised as the “only” electric fence system that is specifically designed to auto adjust itself to the individual pet. This is achieved by using a mix of vibration, static, and electric shock.

As the pet owners and owners of the wireless dog fence, you can adjust the unit to give your dog a variety of warning sounds and punishment shocks. Pet owners can select the exact severity of the shock to correspond with just how often your dog chooses to ignore the warnings sent out by the unit.

Its range of flexibility and extra included features put this model well above other comparable units. The Sit Boo-Boo model is a rare example of a system that actually does everything that its advertiser claims it does. For this reason, we highly recommend this unit to dog owners who desire the ultimate in state of the art boundary enforcement.

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Features of Sit Boo-Boo Advanced In-Ground Electric Dog Fence Systems

• Includes 500 feet of solid copper core wire
• Expandable up to 20 acres of coverage
• 7 levels of correction
• Works in sub-zero temperatures

Wireless Combo Electric Dog Fence System with Remote Dog Training Collar by PetControlHQ

The new Wireless Combo Electric Dog Fence may be a bit pricier than most comparable models. However, its highly versatile range of features make it well worth the investment. As dog owners, our main concern is to keep our dog safely within the bounds that we set for them. This new unit achieves that purpose in a humane and highly effective fashion.

The most impressive feature of this particular model is its ability to be used to train more than one dog at a time. This wireless collar training system can give multiple dogs an effective lesson in obedience – up to 3 at a time. The receiver collar can also be adjusted to a variety of shock levels so that you won’t ever have to worry about giving too high of a shock to a pet that only occasionally breaks the rules.

The unit contains just under 500 feet of fully adjustable 13 gauge boundary wire. This is more than enough to keep your dogs contained within a large enough surface to give them freedom to move about in a healthy manner. The collar itself is waterproof. Dogs can even swim for up to 30 minutes with the collar on.

As noted above, this particular Wireless Combo Electric Dog Fence is a bit on the pricey side. But if you care enough to spring for the best, this is one unit that is going to prove quite handy for years to come.

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Features of the Wireless Combo Electric Dog Fence with Remote Dog Training Collar by PetControlHQ

• Includes 500 feet of wire and is expandable up to 10 acres with the purchase of additional wire
• 3 levels of correction for automatic static, 10 levels of correction for vibration and manual correction with remote
• Waterproof up to 3.3 feet for 30 minutes
• Fits dogs 11-154 pounds with neck sizes from 8-27 inches

PetSafe Free to Roam Wireless Electric Dog Fence

The new PetSafe Free to Roam Wireless Fence is bound to have a major appeal for dog owners who are tired of conventional boundary teaching methods. If your dog has figured out a way to disobey all of the limits you set for them, it’s time to get tough and keep them in the safe zone. It’s also time to get creative while still staying completely humane. This new wireless fence is a great way to achieve both goals at the same time.

First of all, please note that this unit is not recommended to puppies or extremely small breeds that weigh under 5 pounds. For all other breeds, this system will work perfectly. The adjustable wireless collar can fit even the largest dogs. It is completely waterproof and safe from power surges that may come from your electrical system.

PetSafe Free to Roam Wireless Fences offer 5 levels of deterrence, plus a special “training” mode that gives out only a warning sound. This allows you to adjust the level of deterrence that you want to dole out to your pet when they disobey your commands. A larger dog that has trouble obeying will naturally need a higher level, while a smaller dog can be deterred with a much lower dose.

The unit is pricier than some comparable models. However, if you are looking for an easy to use system that does its job with remarkable consistency, the new PetSafe Free to Roam Wireless Fence comes highly recommended as one of the best wireless dog fences available today.

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Features of the PetSafe Free to Roam Wireless Fence

• 1/2 acre of circular coverage
• Sets up in just a few hours
• Uses PetSafe RFA-67D-11 battery
• Fits dogs 5 lbs and up with neck sizes of 6-28 inches

JUSTPET Wireless Dog Fence

This wireless dog fence model from JUSTPET is simple to use and clocks in on the more affordable side when compared to other wireless dog fence models. It’s relatively new compared to other models, and seems to maintain a decent level of customer satisfaction, at least for the time being.

The wireless fence boundary is adjustable from a very small 10-foot radius all the way up to 900 feet, adjustable in 10-foot increments. The accompanying waterproof collar is constructed to IPX7 standards, so there shouldn’t be any issues if your dog is out and about while it is raining or wet outside. Keep in mind that this is not quite as waterproof as previous dog collars we’ve covered so far, but its performance won’t be hampered by typical inclimate weather.

The receiver can be used with multiple dog collars, but of course you’ll have to buy the additional collars separately. All in all, if you’re looking for a wireless fence on the more affordable side of things you might want to give the JUSTPET a go.

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Features of JUSTPET Wireless Dog Fence Systems

• Up to 900-foot boundary radius, adjustable in increments of 10 feet
• IPX7 rated waterproofing on the dog
• Can support multiple dogs

COVONO Electric Dog Fence

If you’re looking for an affordable electric dog fence then the CONOVO model might be just what the doctor ordered. It includes over 500 feet of boundary wire so that you can set the safe zone for your dog up to 3/4 of an acre.

The standard kits come with collars for either one or two dogs, and you can add more to the system by purchasing extra collars. The collars are waterproofed to IP66 standards, meaning they can resist water spray. That said, you shouldn’t let your dog go swimming in this collar if you want it to continue functioning properly.

Once you’ve laid the wire to indicate where your dog can run, you can adjust it to some extent by manipulating the signal strength. A stronger signal will extend the boundary out from the wire while a weaker signal will keep it more closely centered on where the wire is buried.

One final point worth noting is that CONOVO stands behind this product with a lifetime warranty, which is always a nice thing to have in case you run into trouble with your invisible fence.

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Features of the CONOVO Electric Dog Fence

• Includes 650 feet of boundary wire and encloses up to 3/4 of an acre
• Extra-thick 20 gauge wire
• Collars designed for dogs from 10-120 pounds
• Lifetime warranty

Buying Guide – How To Choose The Right One

Buying a wireless dog fence might seem like a daunting task at first glance. Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. Let’s start by taking a step back and getting an idea of what these products are.

What is a Wireless Dog Fence and Why Do You Need One?

The first thing to do is define exactly what is meant by a wireless dog fence. And why is having one a better idea than simply leaving your dog on the traditional leash?

To begin with, if you live in an area where weather patterns tend to move through extremes of hot and cold, leaving your pet outside can be a very cruel thing to do. Why leave them outside to suffer on a leash when it’s much more humane to use the electric dog fence system? It’s as simple as that.

As for what constitutes an electric dog fence, the idea is to give your dog a special collar that keeps within the bounds that you have chosen for them. They can run around freely all day, moving in and out of the house via their doggy door.

The idea here is to restrict your dogs from being able to leave a certain area that extends past the one that you have programmed into the collar itself. If they do so, they will receive a mild electric shock that encourages them to move swiftly back within bounds.

What About In-Ground Electric Dog Fences?

The concept is similar with an in-ground electric dog fence. The main difference is that the barrier is established by laying a wire down along the perimeter of your desired boundaries. In most cases, this wire is buried to keep it from getting snagged from everyday use.

The benefit of underground fence systems is that they give you more customization of the shape of the boundaries, and they are less susceptible to holes in the boundaries due to any number of interferences. There are some drawbacks though, in that they are more difficult to install and reconfigure as needed.

What are the Special Features You Should Be Looking For?

The basic idea of the electric dog fencing system has remained remarkably consistent over the years. However, a number of key features have been refined in order to bring the concept into the modern age. If you are thinking of buying this system to keep your dog safely within certain bounds, there are certain features that you need to look for.

In this buying guide, we will quickly go over some of the most important elements that you need to consider before you settle on the wireless dog fence you intend to purchase.

You’ll Need the Proper Type of Collar to Enforce the System

To make the concept of an electric dog fence work in the first place, you will need to have a collar that is safe, efficient, and easy to apply and remove. Everything hinges on your being able to choose the right sized collar for the job. The collar you buy with the system also needs to be flexible in regard to the amount of voltage it sends out for every transgression of the boundaries that you set.

For example, a smaller, more temperamental dog may require a collar with a different size and voltage level than a larger, more agreeable dog. A dog who is both large and stubborn should get a collar that is sized larger with more electrical power to administer the proper level of deterrence.

Make Sure the Collar You Choose is Easy to Program

Your next major area of consideration should be to choose one of the wireless dog fences that are the easiest to maintain. This begins with the collar you choose for your dog, as outlined above. You may wish to choose a rechargeable collar that runs on batteries. This is the type of collar that is easiest to remove and replace.

You can also choose a slightly different type of wireless collar that runs off the electrical current that is generated from your home. This type of collar won’t need to be replaced quite as often but does pose its own set of logistical issues, as will be shown below.

You’ll Need to Use a System That is Set Up to Survive Power Surges

One of the greatest dangers to any electrical or online-based system is power surges. As noted above, the majority of modern wireless dog fences run directly off the electrical current from your home. This can sometimes lead to issues, such as a power surge that causes an overload of the wireless dog fence.

Just as you don’t want the lights or the internet in your home to suddenly blink off due to such a surge, you also naturally don’t want your dog to receive an unwarranted electric shock. This is why you need to choose a wireless dog fence that has been specially designed to resist an overload of energy that can come from a sudden surge of electrical power. One alternative design that can work well in this situation are GPS dog fences.

The Invisible Fence You Choose Should Include a Failure Notification System

There are plenty of reasons why wireless dog fences can suddenly break down. A surge of power can cause all sorts of unintended side effects. If you have chosen to use a battery-powered collar, there will come a time when the batteries begin to wear out and require replacing – when that time comes make sure to check out this page.

For these and other reasons, the unit you purchase needs to come with a failure notification system that will alert you when the boundaries you have chosen for your dog break down. Whatever the cause of the breach may be, you need to know about it as soon as possible so that you can act quickly to keep your dogs in line and safely out of danger.

The System You Buy Should Be Easy to Set Up and Maintain

Your final consideration when looking through wireless dog fences should come in regard to just how easy the system you are looking at can be set up and run. This is an especially important factor to dwell on if you have never before used wireless dog fences before.

The great thing about using wireless dog fences is that there are no actual fences that needs to be dug out, installed, and maintained. However, as shown above, there are plenty of other maintenance factors that come with buying a purely wireless system.

For this reason, it pays to start simple with a wireless dog fence that includes a reasonably sized collar with plenty of latitude in the way of available voltage. You don’t want to have a high-preset collar that could not only harm your dog but also cause a serious power surge in your home. If you are new to the world of wireless fences, it will pay serious dividends to keep things simple.

That wraps up our wireless dog fence reviews. Did you find what you were looking for?

Make sure to stop by our homepage for more reviews of the best items for spoiling your pampered pup!

References:

1. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190403005151/en/Introducing-SpotOn-Virtual-Smart-Fence-%E2%80%93-Mobile

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