Looking for the top GPS pet tracker to keep tabs on your furry friend? We compare Jiobit and Whistle head-to-head across 10 key factors.
Finding your beloved pet after they’ve gone missing is every owner’s worst nightmare. That’s why GPS pet trackers have become so popular for providing peace of mind.
But with so many models on the market, it can be tricky to decide which one is right for your needs.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll compare two of the top contenders – Jiobit and Whistle GO.
We break down how they stack up on:
- Accuracy
- Battery life
- Features
- Design
- App experience
- Value
- and more
By the end, you’ll know which GPS tracker suits your budget and priorities for keeping tabs on your pet’s location and safety.
Jiobit vs Whistle Overview
| Jiobit | Whistle GO | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Cats, small dogs | Medium & large dogs |
| Device Cost | $129.99 | $99.95 |
| Monthly Fee | $8.99-$14.99 | $8.00-$10.95 |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 days | Up to 20 days |
| Water Rating | IPX7 – 1m depth x 30 min | IP67 – 1m depth x 30 min |
| Cellular Network | AT&T | AT&T |
| Tracking Frequency | Live view every 8-10 sec | Live view every 60 sec |
Tracking Accuracy
The first concern for any pet tracker is reliably pinpointing your pet’s location in real-time. Both Jiobit and Whistle leverage a combination of GPS, cellular data, WiFi, and Bluetooth to achieve accuracy within a few feet.
Jiobit uses updated GPS coordinates every 8-10 seconds when in live view mode for precise tracking. Independent tests found average accuracy between 1-50 feet depending on environment.
Whistle GO updates every 60 seconds and cites 10-15 feet of median accuracy. Both perform well, but Jiobit’s more frequent location pings give it the edge for tracking precision (see Whistle vs Tractive comparison).
For indoor tracking when GPS is unreliable, Jiobit switches to Bluetooth tethering while Whistle uses WiFi positioning based on your home network.
Mapping and Location History
The Jiobit and Whistle apps provide intuitive map interfaces to view your pet’s current location or replay past routes.
Jiobit stores location history for the past 24 hours. You can playback a timeline of your pet’s exact path and stops. But there is no long-term data storage.
Whistle keeps tracking history for the past 90 days, allowing you to look back months to recall past walks, outings, and escapes. However, the replay shows an estimated path instead of actual GPS coordinates.
So while Whistle stores more history, Jiobit delivers more precision for recent journeys.
Smart Alerts and Safe Zones
Both pet trackers let you define custom safe zones around your home, yard, or anywhere you want to get notified if your pet leaves.
The Jiobit app sends an alert when your pet breaches the zone within 1-3 minutes on average. Response times are fairly quick but can vary slightly based on connection.
Whistle GO claims to detect exits within 2-3 minutes as well. However, some users report occasional lag times up to 10 minutes for alerts.
In terms of zone flexibility, Jiobit uses circular geofences while Whistle enables you to draw any custom polygon shape. This gives you more options for tailoring zones to your property’s boundaries.
For the most part, both deliver timely alerts when your sneaky pet makes a break for it. Whistle offers a slight edge with more customizable zones.
Pet Health and Activity Monitoring
Want deeper insight into your pet’s daily habits and wellness? Whistle GO pulls ahead for activity and health tracking.
It automatically tracks your dog’s:
- Steps
- Distance traveled
- Active time
- Resting time
- Calories burned
- And more
The Whistle Health feature even monitors licking, scratching, sleep and other behaviors to provide an overall wellness score.
The Jiobit focuses solely on location. It lacks Whistle’s robust activity and health metrics. However, Jiobit does use machine learning to detect location anomalies based on your pet’s routines.
Battery Life
Nothing’s worse than losing tracking due to a dead battery. Both devices deliver solid battery life, but the Whistle GO maintains the edge:
- Jiobit: Up to 10 days depending on use
- Whistle GO: Up to 20 days depending on conditions
In practice, expect around 5-7 days for Whistle and 7-10 days for Jiobit under typical usage.
Both charge to full in about 2 hours. Whistle’s longer maximum lifespan gives it a slight advantage for longevity.
Water and Durability
GPS trackers take a beating when attached to active pets outdoors. Jiobit and Whistle are built to withstand the elements.
- Jiobit sports an IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
- Whistle GO achieves an IP67 rating, allowing immersion in 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Both handle splashes, rain, and brief dunks without issue. For swimming or retrieving water dogs, the Whistle is likely the safer choice.
In terms of durability, both trackers live up to their claims of withstanding drops, bumps, dirt, and more during normal wear. Both come out evenly matched.
Tracking Plans and Pricing
A GPS tracker isn’t much use without cellular data connectivity. Unfortunately, both Jiobit and Whistle require paid subscription plans:
| Jiobit | Whistle GO | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Cost | $129.99 | $99.95 |
| Month-to-Month | $14.99/mo | $9.95/mo |
| 1 Year Plan | $12.99/mo | $8.00/mo |
| 2 Year Plan | $8.99/mo | $7.00/mo |
| Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Whistle GO has a lower upfront cost at $99.95 compared to the $129.99 Jiobit. However, Jiobit offers better savings for long-term users at $8.99/month with a 2-year contract.
Both utilize the reliable AT&T cellular network for coast-to-coast US coverage. Overall costs end up comparable between the two.
Size and Design
When it comes to the tracker itself, the Jiobit has a noticeably sleeker, lightweight profile:
- Jiobit: 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.5 inches, 0.6 ounces
- Whistle: 2.0 x 1.3 x 0.6 inches, 0.95 ounces
The Jiobit’s diminutive size makes it the better match for cats or smaller breed dogs (top GPS cat collars). The collar attachment is also more adaptable for both thin and thick collars.
Whistle GO works well for medium to large dogs. The tracker itself is fairly lightweight but bulkier than the Jiobit. It attaches directly to 1 inch wide collars.
So Jiobit takes the win for versatility across pet sizes. But large, active breeds are likely better served by Whistle’s slightly heartier build.
App Experience
Both the Whistle and Jiobit apps earn top marks for user-friendliness. They make monitoring your pet’s safety as easy as glancing at your phone.
The apps share many features like live mapping, custom alerts, activity tracking, and multi-pet support.
However, Whistle stands out for more extensive care team options. You can invite family, friends, pet sitters and walkers to view real-time data and alerts, which is useful when others are caring for your pet.
The Jiobit allows sharing location via text or email but lacks Whistle’s robust caretaker features.
Jiobit vs Whistle: Which is Better for Cats?
Due to its lightweight, compact design, the Jiobit is the superior choice for cat tracking (also vs Tile trackers).
The small tracker discreetly attaches to a cat’s collar without being burdensome. And Jiobit’s rapid location updates help monitor indoor-outdoor cats who are prone to roaming and exploration.
Whistle GO works well for large, durable cats who can handle the bulkier device. But Jiobit is built from the ground up with versatile sizing for feline wearability.
Our Pick
So which GPS pet tracker comes out on top in this head-to-head comparison?
For cats and small dog breeds, the Jiobit takes the prize. Its diminutive size, rapid tracking, and 24-hour history perfectly suit indoor cats who sneak out or tiny dogs in need of monitoring (see how it compares to AirTag).
For medium to large dogs, the Whistle GO is the winner. It provides unmatched activity insights and the battery life to keep up with energetic pups. Whistle GO gives you the whole picture of your dog’s health and whereabouts.
While both deliver excellent tracking and peace of mind, we recommend choosing the tracker purpose-built for your pet’s size and habits.
Key Takeaways: Jiobit vs Whistle
- Jiobit excels at real-time precision tracking with location updates every 8-10 seconds.
- Whistle GO edges out Jiobit for battery life, typically lasting 5-7 days between charges.
- Whistle GO provides more robust activity and health tracking compared to location-only Jiobit.
- Jiobit offers more compact, lightweight construction ideal for cats and small dogs (also vs Fi collar).
- Both utilize AT&T cellular connectivity and custom safe zones with smart alerts.
- Jiobit shines for cat owners thanks to its diminutive, adaptable design.
- Whistle GO is built for medium to large active dog breeds who need hearty tracking.
- Overall costs are similar, but Whistle GO has lower upfront hardware cost.
- Both deliver excellent app experiences, but Whistle enables more powerful multi-user caretaker features.
FAQ: Jiobit and Whistle Pet Trackers
Do Jiobit or Whistle work for dogs?
Yes, both Jiobit and Whistle are suitable for tracking dogs. The Jiobit works best for small breeds under 30 pounds, while the Whistle GO suits medium to large dogs thanks to its larger size and attachment.
Can Jiobit and Whistle be used to track cats?
The Jiobit is the recommended pick for cat tracking. Its tiny, lightweight profile makes it ideal for attaching unobtrusively to a cat collar. The Whistle GO can also work for larger cat breeds if sized appropriately.
Do the trackers work without a subscription?
Unfortunately both Jiobit and Whistle require an ongoing paid subscription plan to access cellular data for real-time GPS tracking. Without an active plan, the devices cannot provide live location updates.
What happens if my pet goes somewhere without cell signal?
Both trackers will cache location data internally whenever they lose cellular connectivity. The tracked locations get synced to the app once they re-establish a cell connection. However, you won’t receive real-time alerts until service resumes.
How long does Jiobit and Whistle battery last?
Jiobit batteries last around 7-10 days on average before needing a recharge. The Whistle GO claims up to 20 days maximum, with most users getting 5-7 days typically. Battery life depends on usage conditions.
Can these trackers be used outside the US?
Unfortunately Jiobit and Whistle only provide cellular connectivity in the United States currently. Their tracking services do not work for international travel at this time.
Are Jiobit and Whistle waterproof?
Both advertise waterproof designs. The Jiobit has an IPX7 rating (1 meter depth for 30 minutes) while the Whistle GO is IP67 rated (also 1 meter for 30 minutes). This makes them able to withstand splashes, rain, and snow without issue.
How accurate is the GPS tracking?
Jiobit cites accuracy between 1-50 feet depending on environment. Whistle claims an average of 10-15 feet precision. In practice, both deliver excellent accuracy and reliability for pinpointing your pet’s location.
Can Jiobit and Whistle track indoors?
Indoors, the trackers rely on WiFi and Bluetooth instead of GPS due to signal blockage. Indoor positioning is generally less precise, but you will get an approximate location of your pet in the app.
The Final Verdict
Pet owners want the confidence of knowing their furry family member’s location and wellbeing at all times. Jiobit and Whistle GPS trackers give you that peace of mind.
For felines and smaller breeds, Jiobit takes the prize for its compact form factor tailored for comfort and wearability. Never wonder where your indoor-outdoor cat slipped off to again.
If you need a hardy companion for bigger outdoor excursions with medium to large dogs, choose the Whistle GO. Its activity tracking and long-lasting battery keep up with even the most active pups.
While both deliver excellent tracking, we recommend picking the pet GPS designed specifically with your furry friend in mind. Let technology give you the off-leash freedom to adventure together while keeping your pet safe.
If you’re still undecided, I recommend heading over to check out the latest Jiobit reviews and Whistle GO reviews from real pet owners to get insights from their first-hand experiences.
