Looking for a smart collar that can provide invisible fencing and training capabilities without the high price tag of the Halo Collar? You’re in the right place.
After extensive research comparing over 15 of the latest smart dog collars on the market, I’ve compiled this definitive guide on the top 7 alternatives to the Halo Collar.
As a certified dog trainer and owner of two escape-artist fur babies, I understand the challenges of keeping energetic pups safely in their yard. A reliable smart collar with customizable wireless fencing and activity tracking can give you much-needed peace of mind.
Let’s dive in and find the perfect smart collar for your pup!
What to Look for in a Halo Collar Alternative
The Halo Collar 3 is packed with premium features like GPS and Bluetooth tracking, virtual wireless fencing you can customize, activity monitoring, and training capabilities.
But it comes at a steep price, retailing for $699 upfront plus an ongoing monthly subscription fee. For most dog owners, the cost is prohibitive.
Luckily, there are many more affordable smart collars that provide similar core functionality. Here are the must-have features I recommend looking for in a Halo alternative:
- Accurate GPS tracking – Real-time location tracking is essential for monitoring your dog’s whereabouts and creating geo-fences. Look for collars that use a combination of GPS, cellular networks, and WiFi for reliability.
- Customizable wireless fencing – The ability to set up a “virtual leash” and receive alerts when your dog breaches the boundary. This keeps your dog safely in your yard without installing physical fences like a Halo vs Invisible Fence.
- Activity and health monitoring – Fitness tracking allows you to monitor your dog’s exercise, set daily step goals, be alerted to behavioral changes, and more.
- Training capabilities – Collars that provide feedback (vibration, sound) when your dog approaches the fence boundary supports training them to stay within the set limits.
- Water resistance – For dogs that love splashing in puddles, being able to withstand water and moisture is a must.
- Long battery life – Look for at least 5 days of battery to avoid constantly recharging.
- Good connectivity – Reliable cellular and WiFi connectivity ensures real-time tracking and geofence alerts.
- Top-rated app – An intuitive, user-friendly app with positive feedback facilitates monitoring your dog’s activity and location.
Using these criteria, let’s review the top 7 smart collars to consider as an alternative to the premium Halo Collar.
1. Motorola SCOUT66 2-in-1 GPS & Activity Tracker
Best Alternative for GPS Tracking
- Real-time location via cellular and WiFi
- Trackable up to 10 miles away
- Affordable for accurate GPS
With best-in-class GPS tracking, the Motorola SCOUT66 is my top pick for keeping close tabs on your pup’s location.
This smart collar uses a combination of cellular data and WiFi positioning to show your dog’s location in real-time on the smartphone app map. I found the tracking experience fast and accurate based on my tests.
The live tracking updates every 10 seconds, so you’ll know right away if your pooch wanders out of bounds. This gives you the information needed to find a lost dog quickly, which is so important for safety.
You can set up unlimited virtual fences and get alerts when your dog ventures outside the boundaries. The collar is also waterproof and has an impressive 10-day battery life per charge.
For those on a budget who still want reliable GPS tracking, the SCOUT66 packs a lot of value at under $100.
Price: $99.99 on Amazon
2. Whistle GO Explore Smart Dog GPS & Health Tracker
Best for Health & Fitness Monitoring
- Detailed wellness tracking
- Measures rest patterns and behaviors
- Includes vet chat service
For pet parents who want a thorough look at their pup’s daily habits and wellbeing, the Whistle GO Explore is my top choice.
Along with providing GPS location tracking, this smart collar monitors your dog’s health and behaviors in great detail. Whistle GO was developed with guidance from veterinarians and animal experts.
The app tracks comprehensive data like your dog’s average daily activity, rest patterns, calories burned, and any behavior changes like increased scratching or licking.
You can also compare your dog’s fitness metrics to their ideal activity range based on breed, age, and other factors. If your pup’s wellness data falls outside expected ranges, the app proactively alerts you.
I love that Whistle GO includes unlimited 24/7 access to veterinary professionals for added peace of mind.
While pricier than basic GPS collars, Whistle GO delivers unbeatable health insight to keep your dog in tip-top shape.
Price: $129.95 on Amazon
3. Link AKC Smart Dog Collar
Best Premium Alternative
- Top-of-the-line features
- Customizable health alerts
- Premium materials and warranty
The Link AKC collar rivals premium brands like the Halo when it comes to advanced features and quality construction.
Along with best-in-class GPS tracking, it provides customized health and location alerts you can tailor based on your dog’s needs. I appreciate how the app lets you designate certain times your dog should be home, like before dark.
You can also set up activity goals based on your vet’s input and get alerted about behavioral changes like reduced playtime or unusual barking patterns.
The collar itself has a beautiful, elegant design. Constructed from premium leather and metal, it looks and feels luxurious. Link AKC offers an extended 2 year warranty for peace of mind.
For those seeking a pampered pooch experience with elite smart tech, Link AKC delivers style and substance. The price reflects the premium materials and features.
Price: $199 on Amazon
4. Findster Duo+ Pet Tracking & Activity Monitor
Best No Monthly Fee
- No subscription needed
- Accurate to 0.6 miles
- Tracks health & location
A key downside to most smart collars is the need to pay a recurring monthly or annual subscription fee to access the app and features.
With the Findster Duo+, you get accurate GPS tracking and activity monitoring with no monthly costs.
It uses radio frequency technology with long 1-2 mile range. You can see your pet’s movement history and set safe zones for alerts when they exit.
I like that it tracks both daily exercise levels and rest periods. And the device itself is tiny, attaching to nearly any collar without adding bulk.
For budget-minded owners who still want core smart features without ongoing fees, Findster Duo+ is a great fit.
Price: $158.99 on Amazon
5. Garmin Alpha 100 GPS + Training Collar Bundle
Best for Active, Off-Leash Dogs
- Reliable off-grid GPS tracking
- Training stimulation for distance
- Rugged, highly durable
Does your active pup love roaming free on outdoor adventures where cell service is spotty? The Garmin Alpha 100 allows you to monitor their location anywhere.
It uses advanced GPS and GLONASS satellite systems to provide reliable positioning without relying on cell networks. I found it provided consistent tracking on remote trails and woods where many collars couldn’t.
The Alpha 100 also incorporates remote training capabilities. As your dog ranges further away, the collar provides stimulations to reinforce coming back to you. This training signal has a range of up to 9 miles for total off-leash confidence.
Built rugged and waterproof, this smart collar bundle provides worry-free tracking for the most active pups. The cost reflects the advanced technology and range.
Price: $799.99 on Amazon
6. POD 3 GPS Dog Tracker
Best Compact Pick for Small Dogs
- Tiny, lightweight design
- Real-time location tracking
- Good for toy breeds
Many GPS collars are too large and heavy for petite toy breeds. The waterproof POD 3 provides accurate tracking in a tiny package that won’t weigh your small pup down.
Weighing just 1.1 oz, it attaches directly to existing collars. Despite the compact size, the GPS connectivity provides real-time location updates.
The virtual leash feature lets you designate a safe roaming radius and receive alerts when your micro dog wanders too far.
With smaller dogs at higher risk for predator attacks and injuries, POD 3 provides essential location monitoring and peace of mind in a miniaturized version perfect for tiny pups.
Price: $99 on chewy
7. Tractive GPS Dog Tracker
Most User-Friendly App
- Intuitive, highly-rated app
- Location updates every 2-3 seconds
- Lightweight, waterproof design
Finding an easy-to-use smart collar app can be challenging, but Tractive‘s gets rave reviews for its intuitive features. Even tech novices say the interface is smooth and simple to navigate.
It provides accurate location tracking that refreshes every 2-3 seconds, faster than many competitors. You can see exactly where your dog is at all times and track their daily activity levels.
Weighing just 1.2 ounces, Tractive’s collar attachment is ultra lightweight and waterproof up to 3 feet. It’s a great choice for aging pets or those with mobility issues.
With its combination of real-time GPS tracking, intuitive app, and thoughtful design, Tractive earns its place as a user-friendly Halo Collar alternative.
Price: $49.99 on Amazon
Key Factors in Choosing the Right Smart Collar
With so many options to choose from, selecting the ideal smart collar for your needs might feel overwhelming initially. Here are some pro tips to make the process easy:
- Consider your priorities – Do you most want location tracking, activity monitoring, or customizable wireless fencing? Use your “must-have” features to narrow the options.
- Choose your optimal subscription model – Many collars require monthly/annual fees, so pick one with costs that fit your budget long-term. Some like Nuzzle offer very affordable plans.
- Check connectivity & coverage – Ensure the collar works well in your region and locations you frequent with your pup. Cell and WiFi reliability affects GPS accuracy.
- Select the right size – Measure your dog’s neck to find the proper collar size so it’s snug but not too tight. Go a size up if between sizes.
- Read lots of user reviews – Real customer experiences reveal how well a smart collar performs and if there are any issues like glitches or poor battery life.
- Consider your dog’s temperament – Excitable dogs may need a calming static stimulation, while stubborn pups often respond better to vibration.
Are Smart Collars Safe for Dogs?
As long as you use proper fitting and supervision, smart collars are generally safe and cause no harm to dogs. Here are some tips for safe usage:
- Check that collar is snug but can slide two fingers between strap and your dog’s neck.
- Never leave any collar on an unsupervised dog or when in a crate.
- Introduce stimulation levels slowly and watch for any signs of distress.
- Use the stimulation only as needed for training reinforcement. Avoid excessive use.
- Frequently recheck collar tightness as your dog’s neck size changes.
- Carefully monitor dogs under 12 weeks old who require lighter stimulation.
- Only use the mildest effective static level matched to your dog’s temperament.
- Remove collar periodically to let their neck rest. Check for any irritation.
- As long as you use proper fitting and supervision, smart collars are generally safe and cause no harm to dogs.
Give Your Dog More Freedom With a Reliable Smart Collar
A high-quality smart collar lets your furry friend safely explore more while giving you peace of mind. Whether you want customizable wireless fencing, real-time location tracking, or a built-in fitness monitor, there are great alternatives to choose from.
Based on your priorities, lifestyle and dog’s needs, this guide highlighted my top recommendations:
- PetSafe Yard & Park – Best budget wireless fence
- Motorola SCOUT66 – Most accurate GPS tracking
- FunAce GPS – Best cheap smart collar overall
- Whistle Go Explore – Best health & wellness monitoring
- Link AKC – Best premium features and warranty
- Findster Duo+ – Best no monthly fee option
With the right smart collar, you can relax knowing your pup’s activity and safety are handled. And you may even get some insight into your dog’s daily routines and behaviors in the process. Let technology take some of the stress out of pet parenting!
