Best Electronic Dog Doors – Our 2018 Reviews & Top Picks
PETE DECKER / NOVEMBER 28, 2018 / DOGS
Are unsightly scratches decorating your doors?
Do you always plan your schedule around your furry friend’s nature calls?
If this is your story, then it is time to invest in the best electronic dog door to give your dog its independence and yourself some guilt-free peace of mind.
After all, you do love your pet and don’t want it to wait for you every time nature calls!
- Save effort to letting in & out
- Never clean up another “potty” mishap
- Trains your pet to stop barking & whining at the door
Here are 7 of the best electronic dog doors that have been reviewed for quality and functionality by actual dog owners.
- Table of Contents
- Comparison Table
- #1: Top Pick - PetSafe Electronic Smart door
- #2: Budget Conscious Pick: PetSafe Extreme Weather Energy Efficient Pet Door
- #3: High Tech PetPower Pet Electronic Pet Door
- #4: SureFlap Microchip Pet Door
- #5: Solo Pet Door Automatic Electronic Dog and Cat Door
- #6: Plexidor Large Wall Mount PDE Electronic Pet Door in White
- #7: High Tech Pet Fully Automatic-E Sliding Glass Dog Door
- Electronic Dog Doors Buyer’s Guide
- How Do Electronic Doors Work?
- Types Of Sensors
- Types Of Mounting
- Advantages Of An Electronic Dog Door
- What To Look Out For?
- You Need To Measure Your Pet
- Conclusion
Top Pick - PetSafe Electronic Smart door
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON ＞Petite in size but mighty in functionality, this is by far the most favorite of all pet owners in the electronic dog door section. Packed full with tons of smart features, this electronic door gives the owners the control they need to keep their pet safe and yet free.
The PetSafe electronic door works on the radio frequency identification system. Simply attach the smart key on your dog’s collar and the automated flap will open when your pet is nearby. Without the smart key, the door will never unlock. This prevents stray animals such as racoons from entering your house.
It is reasonably priced and is available in two sizes.
There are three modes of operation: locked, unlocked and automatic.
Since it is the flap type model, it is relatively easy to alternate between the modes. The only issue that we found is that the door tends to open every time your dog is near it and not just when it wants to go out. Therefore, the safest method is to rely on the locked mode for the most time.
Key Features
- Can program up to 5 smart keys
- Useful for multiple pets
- Energy efficient
- Easy to install
What do we like about it?
If you have multiple pets, there can be no better alternative than the PetSmart for all their outdoor needs. One reason for its popularity is its simplicity and smart flap system which can be controlled by the pet owner. The price, ease of installation and smart features make the PetSafe Electronic Smart Door our top pick.
Budget Conscious Pick: PetSafe Extreme Weather Energy Efficient Pet Door
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON ＞When you need a door for all seasons, the PetSafe Extreme Weather model comes to mind because it has been designed exclusively for that reason. To ensure maximum energy efficiency, the door comes with a unique 3 flap system.
Manufactured from a combination of plastic and nylon, this door has a thick frame of 3 and ½ inches.
The frame is made of highly durable plastic that can be painted to match your existing door color. It is available in small, medium and large sizes. There is a snap on the panel should you wish to restrict your pet’s movement.
Key Features
- 3½ times energy efficiency
- Can be painted over
- Easy to install
- 3 flap system
What do we like about it?
Every time your pet enters and leaves, it effects the room temperature. Especially during the winters, this can result in the lost of heat in your house.
But with the revolutionary 3-flap system, this keeps the temperature within the house constant. As a result? You save 3½ times more energy and that makes this model the most economical in the list. The durable plastic material and the ease to install are additional bonuses.
High Tech PetPower Pet Electronic Pet Door
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON ＞This model is meant for wall installation and comes with the much-acclaimed direction sensing system. With such a sensing system, this ensures that only when your pet is ready to go out will the door open. Otherwise it will stay locked even if it stands near the door, unlike other electronic dog doors which open every time your pooch passes by.
You have greater control on the access in this system as you can operate any of the 4 different modes of full access. These are "In Only, Out Only, In & Out, Closed & Locked".
This is not the usual flap system but a motor driven sliding door that opens and closes automatically. For additional security, you have the option of dead bolting the door too.
Key Features
- The motor-driven sliding door system
- Direction sensing system
- 4-way access
- Deadbolt for extra security
What do we like about it?
Well constructed with high-quality sensing technology, this model is the most expensive option among them all. For pet owners with a budget constrain, we wouldn’t recommend this option. But if money is not an issue, the High Tech Pet Power Pet Electronic Pet Door ranks highest for both safety and utility.
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SureFlap Microchip Pet Door
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON ＞When you are looking for more security over everything else, the Sureflap is our choice. In this model, you have to insert a microchip into your pet and that will coordinate with the door system to give it entry and exit.
The system can store up to 32 pets, which is the greatest number of pets that any electronic dog door can accommodate in the market currently.
If microchipping your dog is not an option, you can opt to use a collar with RFID instead.
With a programmable feature, you can program the door to allow your dog entry only during certain times of the day.
Key Features
- Works with your dog’s existing chip
- Stores up to 32 pets
- Programmable
- Long lasting (1 year with 4C batteries)
What do we like about it?
A modern design compatible with both the chip system and the RFID tag, the SureFlap door is ideal for those with multiple pets.
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Solo Pet Door Automatic Electronic Dog and Cat Door
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON ＞The Solo Electronic Dog Door relies on slow gravity mechanism for greater control on the opening and closing of the door. It comes in 10 different sizes, which should comfortably fit any breed of dogs.
The set includes a dog sensor that is both waterproof and magnetic in nature. You can program the door by adjusting the distance at which the dog must be present for the door to open. This will ensure that the door doesn’t open every time your dog passes by.
It makes use of a motor system to lift the door up and down (instead of the more common flap system).
Key Features
- Can be installed indoors and on walls
- Programmable
- 10 different sizes (Up to 36" by 14")
What do we like about it?
The Solo Pet Door is gentle and smooth in movement. This results in a safe entry/exit for your pet because it will never close with pressure on them. Apart from that, you can program the opening and closing time of the door too.
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Plexidor Large Wall Mount PDE Electronic Pet Door in White
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON ＞If you want a premium product look no further. The Plexidor electronic door is exactly what you are looking for. Using the RFID technology, this electronic door opens up only for those animals that have a matching RFID tag.
The sensors are waterproof to prevent any accidental damage. The set comes with a 5-year warranty which is a testament to the quality.
Suitable for all sizes even really large canines, the system is safe even when you have babies around. It has a safety mechanism that prevents it from closing when there’s obstruction.
Key Features
- RFID technology
- 5-year warranty
- Waterproof collar key provided
What do we like about it?
If you can overlook the price tag, then the model is really a good choice. It is wired directly into your electrical system which makes it more durable than the conventional battery-operated doors.
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High Tech Pet Fully Automatic-E Sliding Glass Dog Door
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON ＞Using the latest and most promising directional sensing system, this automatic sliding pet door can become an important part of your pet’s life. The aluminum framed door has the right thickness and the required track to fit into any existing door track without significant alternation works.
It is motor driven and can be activated by the ultrasonic chip in the pet’s collar. You can program how the door opens and closes. As an added precaution, you can add in an additional latch for safety.
The directional sensing system ensures that the door opens only when the dog is facing it and not every time it passes by.
Key Features
- Can fit into your sliding door track
- Programmable
- Energy efficient
- Directional sensing system
What do we like about it?
You can convert your sliding door into your pet dog door without affecting the overall aesthetics. The model has the required thickness to fit into any sliding door track without any major works.
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Electronic Dog Doors Buyer’s Guide
An electronic dog door will ensure that your pooch has the ability to get in and out of your house while you remain undisturbed.
A normal flap door will mean that you have to deal with unwelcome guests like raccoons and others besides your own pet. But with an electronic door, you have the power to decide who steps into your home and when.
How Do Electronic Doors Work?
The electronic dog door systems work via sensors.
The door system senses the related signal emitted by a sensor embedded in your pet’s collar or from a microchip inserted in the skin and opens the door automatically. Some models come with a remote control device that the owner can use to open the door. As a result of this feature, rest assured that your electronic dog door will not open for any animal it does not recognize.
This keeps the pesky stray animals from entering your home.
Types Of Sensors
Electronic doors use microchips that can be inserted by a vet under the pet’s skin. This is convenient as the chip won’t get lost and will never need battery replacements. Sometimes, magnetic sensors are fitted in the dog’s collar but they are not the most efficient. Ultrasonic waves to are used in some models.
But the most popular technology is the RFID or the radio frequency identification device. It is safe, secure and only identifies pets whose information is registered in the system. As an owner, you have exact control of who can enter and leave your home.
Types Of Mounting
There are different types of mounting that will suit different types of doors. The common mounting styles are:
- Wall mounting
- Door mounting
- Patio door mounting
- Window mounting.
Advantages Of An Electronic Dog Door
- Makes your dog independent: Gives your dog the freedom to go out and snoop when it is getting bored indoors. Your pooch will be able to relieve itself instead of waiting for you to take it out.
- Frees up your time: It is not practical to leave work midway each time to take your dog out. But with an electronic dog door, you can be sure that the pet finds a way out and you can continue with your work.
- Saves money: Dogs are prone to scratching the doors when they need to get outside. Repainting is a costly affair and leaving unsightly scratch marks on your doors lowers the aesthetic value of your home. When the electronic door opens for the dog on its own, it will stop scratching and this will save your doors.
What To Look Out For?
Check out the following pointers before you make a purchase.
- Size: There is no standard size. Each dog is unique and has its own measurements. Hence, measure your dog before deciding on the door panel size. You must ensure that your dog is able to move in and out easily. If you are getting for a puppy, you must factor in additional allowances for growth too.
- Access control: This feature will help you determine how the door opens and how your dog uses the door. For example, you can prevent entry from outside when the dog is inside the house.
- Ease of installation: If the installation is a simple process, it is more advantageous than spending an extra buck on a handyman to do the job. Check on the difficulty in installing the electronic smart door.
- Directional sensing system: Without a well-refined directional sensing system, it will unlock every time the dog is near it. It’s highly recommended to get an electronic dog door with an accurate sensing system. This will prevent the door from accidentally opening when your dog walks past.
- Material: Look for a long-lasting material such as steel which has an additional aesthetic value also.
- Energy efficiency: Every time the door opens and closes, you lose a little of your thermal energy. Add them all up over the months and your heating bills will increase significantly. Your door must be energy efficient. It must have the proper sealings to ensure minimal heat loss.
You Need To Measure Your Pet
For the height of your pet, you must measure the distance from the ground to the shoulders. For the width, measure the distance between the shoulders as it is the widest part of a canine. Another important measure is the rising height which is the distance between the foundation and the dog’s lower chest. Make sure that there is minimum 2 inches allowance for future growth in height and width.
Conclusion
All pet owners will agree that the electronic dog doors have made life easier for them and their pets. Based on price, functionality, ease of installation, energy efficiency and most importantly feedbacks of satisfied pet owners, we think that the PetSafe Electronic Dog Door is the best out there in the market. Though small in size, it delivers massively on value.
We have you have been able to make the right decision for your home and pet. The time is ripe to pass the baton to other pet owners and friends – share this article with your friends if you found that this was helpful!
The Review
Best Electronic Dog Doors
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