As an energetic dog, I like to spend as much time as possible running around and playing outdoors. It’s where all the best stuff is!
The squirrels that need chasing, the birds that need to be barked at, and where I can periodically patrol the perimeters of the garden to make sure that nobody is trying to get in.
I also have to head outside when I need to go to the bathroom. But my owner isn’t always available to open the door for me when I do need to go and, very occasionally, I might end up having an accident indoors.
I’ve tried telling him that I’m happy to go outside by myself, all he needs to do is buy an electronic dog door. But, for some reason, he can’t seem to understand me.
So, instead, I’ve decided to write him a list of the best electronic dog doors available.
You can use this list too if you’re getting annoyed with getting up and down all the time to let your canine companion outside.
I’ve even put together a buyer’s guide that’s full of information on what you need to think about when you’re buying an electronic dog door.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Best Electronic Dog Doors
1. SureFlap Microchip Pet Door
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If you’re concerned about any neighborhood dogs or cats getting into our home through the dog door, the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door has got you covered.
It uses RFID technology to read my implanted microchip number to allow access through the door to just me.
It can learn up to 32 separate identities so any of my dog-brothers, dog-sisters, and dog-friends can freely pass through as well.
It also isn’t complicated to set up, and you can add another dog’s microchip number to the system with just the push of a button.
You can even set a curfew time to lock the door between a certain time. This means that the house will be kept safe overnight, and stops me from getting excited and running outdoors when you’re not at home.
It’s energy-efficient too, as it doesn’t need to be plugged into an electrical outlet or hardwired. Instead, all you have to do is put 4 ‘C’ batteries into it, and you’ll get up to 12 months of battery life.
It measures 7” x 7”, so it’s perfect for smaller dogs like me who want to go outside and play.
Pros:
- RFID Technology – reads my microchip and allows access to me and any other pets that have been added to the system
- Add up to 32 pets – perfect if you’ve got lots of dogs that you’d like to give unrestricted access outdoors to
- Simple to set up – you can register each pet’s microchip number with just one touch of a button
- Curfew settings – allows you to set a curfew that stops me going outside between certain times
- Energy-efficient – doesn’t need mains power or hardwiring, instead, it runs off 4 ‘C’ batteries
Cons:
- Small – this electronic dog door measures 7” x 7”, so it’s only suitable for smaller dogs
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2. SureFlap Microchip Pet Door
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This PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor is one of the easiest dog doors to install. All you have to do is measure the area, cut a hole in an exterior door, and slide it into place.
It’s that simple! I particularly like this because it means I won’t have to wait too long to start running through it freely.
You don’t need to worry about stray pets coming into our home either. This is because it uses a SmartKey to lock and unlock, all you need to do is attach this magical key to my collar and I’ll be able to come and go whenever I please.
The SmartKey is waterproof too, so you don’t need to worry about it getting damaged if I’m outside playing in the rain.
This electronic dog door needs to be fitted with 4 x D-cell batteries to work, and this is much better for the environment as it won’t need to be continuously supplied with electricity.
It’s also much better for your energy bills, meaning you’ll have more money to buy me treats!
There are two different sizes to choose from. The large dog door has an 11” x 16” flap opening, and the smaller version has a 5.5” x 8” flap opening.
You can also manually lock and unlock the door whenever you want, so I’ll be unable to pass through it when you’re not at home.
Pros:
- Easy to install – simply measure, cut a hole in your door, and slide the dog door straight in
- SmartKeys – only opens if I’m wearing my SmartKey, which means no stray pets can come in
- Battery operated – requires 4 x D-cell batteries and doesn’t need to be connected to mains power
- Manual controls – allows you manually lock and unlock the dog door so I can’t use it when you’re not at home
- Two sizes – available in a large size (11” x 16”) and a small size (5.5” x 8”)
Cons:
- Only comes with one SmartKey – while ideal for single-dog households, you’ll need to purchase more SmartKeys separately for other pets
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3. High Tech Pet Store Power Pet Electronic Pet Door
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Some electronic dog doors can be quite sensitive and will open even if I’m just walking past them. This Power Pet Electronic Pet Door from High Tech Pet Store is different, though.
It has an innovative directional sensing system that only opens the door if I’m walking directly towards it. This means I’ll be able to sleep by the door without opening it, too.
It comes with an MS-4 collar that acts as a key and only gives me access through the door, so there’s no risk of it opening for stray or wild animals.
You’re also given control over how the door opens, with a choice of “In Only”, “Out Only”, “Full Access”, and “Closed & Locked”.
This electronic dog door is really durable and is both windproof, weather-resistant, and has an airtight seal.
This means that you don’t need to worry about it getting damaged in a storm, and it also means that it won’t let any wind or rain into our home.
It features an automatic deadbolt too, which adds an extra layer of security to it and makes it virtually impossible for anybody to try and get access through.
You’ve also got a choice of two different sizes. The medium dog door measures 8” x 10” and is designed for dogs that weigh up to 30lbs. The large size measures 12” x 16” and is perfect for dogs that weigh up to 100lbs.
Pros:
- Directional sensing system – only opens when I’m heading straight towards it
- MS-4 collar – this acts as a key and the door will only open for me when I’m wearing this collar
- 4-way access control – allows you to choose how I use the door with 4 access modes
- Super durable – windproof and weather-resistant with an airtight seal that stops bad weather from getting in
- Automatic deadbolt – adds an extra layer of protection and security to our home
Cons:
- Expensive – not the best choice if you’re looking for a dog door on a smaller budget
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4. Petsafe Electronic SmartDoor Bundle
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If you like the idea of giving me a SmartKey so I can go back and forth freely, but you’d also like my other pet-friends to have one, then the Petsafe Electronic SmartDoor Bundle is a great choice.
It comes complete with two SmartKeys that you can simply attach to our collars and, more importantly, these mean that the door won’t open for anybody that isn’t wearing one.
The door is extremely durable and it comes with a cutting template that makes installing it extremely easy. It’s also perfectly sized for medium to large dogs, but it’s also suitable for smaller dogs such as myself.
It uses 4 D-cell batteries to function, so there’s no need to worry about connecting it to a power outlet or hardwiring it into your home. Depending on how often I use the door, you’ll also get up to 12 months of battery life at a time.
This electronic dog door also has programmable features, so you’ve got more control over how and when I’m allowed to use it.
There are selective entry and exit options, and you can even lock it permanently when you’re out of the house. This stops anybody from being able to get in and, if I’m home alone, means that I won’t be able to venture outdoors.
Pros:
- Two SmartKeys – comes with two SmartKeys that give me and one other dog access through the door
- Durable – constructed from high-quality plastic that won’t easily break or get weather-damaged
- Easy to install – doesn’t need to be connected to an electricity supply and comes with a cutting template
- Programmable features – you have control over entry, exit, and locking features
- Great for all dog sizes – large enough for small, medium, and large dogs to pass-through
Cons:
- Noisy – this electronic dog door makes a bit of noise when it’s activated, which can be a bit frightening to us dogs at first
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5. Endura Flap Thermo Panel Microchip Pet Door
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One of my favorite things to do is look through our sliding glass doors at the outside world, but it’s quite difficult to work out how to get through them.
If you install this Thermo Panel Microchip Pet Door from Endura Flap, I’ll be able to get through them easily and you won’t have to get up and do it for me!
It has an adjustable height range to fit different tracks and window heights, and the panel is made from dual-ane LoE glass.
This provides extra insulation and ensures that you’re not getting a restricted view through your glass doors once the dog door is installed.
The RFID technology will read my microchip when I approach the door and unlock it for me. This means that I’m the only animal that can get through it, but you can also add up to 32 more pets if you’d like to give my siblings and friends access through it as well.
It also comes with a collar key, so if we have another dog staying they’ll be able to use the door without having to enter their microchip information.
It can also be used as a manual dog door by switching through the list of access features. You can use this list to control the level of access I have as well, and you’ll be able to lock it overnight or when you’re away from home.
It even has a ‘raccoon mode’ that stops those pesky little creatures from trying to get in by keeping the door locked for 10 seconds after it has sensed them trying to get in without a microchip or access collar.
Pros:
- Designed for sliding glass doors – lets you fit a dog door into a sliding door without restricting your view
- Adjustable height – can be adjusted to better fit the height of your room and the tracks
- RFID technology – reads my microchip and only gives access to any dogs that have been registered on the system or that are wearing the included access-collar
- Manual settings – you have control over entry and exit features as well as being able to lock the door permanently
- Racoon mode – senses if a raccoon or other animal is trying to enter through the dog door and will stay locked for 10 seconds once they’ve left
Cons:
- Designed for small dogs – it only measures 7” x 7”, so it’s not a good choice for medium or large dogs
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Buyer’s Guide
You might have a ‘ruff’ idea of what to look for when you’re buying an electronic dog door.
But, there are a few things that you need to consider in order to make sure you’re getting the right one for me and our home.
Below, you’ll find a list of key points that you need to think about before you make your final decision.
Sensing System
The first thing you’ll need to decide is how you would like to give me access through the door. Would you prefer to give me a key that you can attach to my collar?
Or would you prefer to enter my microchip number into a system and let an RFID reader decide if I can get through the door?
Tags and keys, such as SmartKeys, are a good option for dogs that aren’t microchipped.
However, they do depend on batteries to function and, if I’m feeling quite energetic and boisterous, there is a chance I might accidentally lose my key! This means you’ll have to buy a replacement, which can be quite expensive.
I am microchipped, so a dog door that reads my microchip number would be better for me. You can also add multiple pets (up to 32 in some cases) to the system, so it’s a good way of giving access to visiting dogs or any other dogs that we might add to our family later.
Whichever method you choose, it’s important to make sure that only the dogs you’ve given access to are able to come into our home from the outside world.
This is why electronic dog doors are so good. A standard dog door might see us having to chase out a raccoon or, even worse, a home invader!
Access Control Features
I understand that I can’t get full access to the garden whenever I want and that sometimes I need to stay inside for my own safety. This is why I think it’s a good idea to buy an electronic dog door that has access control features.
These will allow you to control my entry and exit options and, when you’re not at home, you can lock it so that it doesn’t open even if I’m trying to get through it.
This is a great way of keeping our home secure when you’re out at work, or when we’re cuddled up in bed overnight.
Some electronic dog doors will even let you set a curfew program. This means that the door will automatically lock between the times you’ve set, so there’s no need to worry about remembering to do it.
Size
I’m a little dog, so I only need a small electronic dog door. However, some of my larger friends would find it very difficult to get through a door that is too small for them.
So, it’s very important to make sure that you get a door that is suitable for your dog’s size.
I would recommend measuring your dog before you purchase. By doing this, you’ll know that your dog will be able to fit through the door easily without getting stuck!
Likewise, it’s also a good idea to measure the door that you’ll be fitting the dog door into and making sure that it will fit well without becoming a security risk.
Ease of Installation
Some dog doors are easier to install than others. So, if you’re not a big fan of DIY, it’s worth looking into an electronic dog door that is as easy to install as possible.
Some are as simple as measuring and marking the door, cutting a hole, and sliding the dog door into place.
These are definitely the best option for anybody that isn’t too confident with the installation process.
However, if you’ve got your heart set on a dog door that seems a little more complicated to install, you’ll need to factor the cost of hiring a professional to do it for you into the overall budget.
Durability
Finally, you need to make sure that the dog door you’ve chosen for me is as durable as possible.
While one side will be on the nice, warm inside of our home, the other side will have to face all of the elements Mother Nature throws at it.
Most are quite durable and can withstand wind and rain without getting damaged.
But, it’s also worth looking to see if it has an airtight seal. This will stop the wind and rain from getting into our home or damaging the sensors and locking mechanisms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an electronic dog door work?
An electronic dog door works by using a sensor to read your dog’s microchip number, or a SmartKey placed on their collar and automatically unlocks to let them through.
This stops any stray or wild animals from being able to enter the home, while simultaneously only allowing your dog access to the outside world.
