The Best Electronic Dog Doors in 2020

Pets can be disturbing if you have to be involved every time they want to enter or leave the house. However, with electronic dog doors, that becomes a thing of the past. You can enjoy a hassle-free experience as your dog leaves and enters the house without bothering you.

The item also doesn’t affect your interior temperature as it opens and closes immediately. That said, there are many electronic pet doors available for purchase, and these might highly challenge first-time buyers. There are multiple factors to consider before item purchase, all of which are extensively covered in the blog.

Besides that, these automated pet doors deploy different technologies for utmost efficacy, and these will be covered in the upcoming sections. Before that, here’s our number one recommended item for purchase.

The Benefits of Electric Pet Doors

Saying that electric doors offer only comfy passage for your pet is an understatement. The devices come with many more benefits, some of which are listed below.

• Keeps your door good as new

A pet door ensures your main entrance isn’t scratched as it is common with most dogs when they want to go outside. This will eventually save your frequent repainting money and keep your door good as new.

• You remain undeterred

You will no longer have to wake up early or leave what you are doing to open the door for your pooch. With an ideal door, they can easily leave without bothering you.

• Increased playtime for your pets

Dogs can easily go out of the house even when you are miles away. This ensures unlimited playtime, and this can also reduce dog boredom.

Comparison Chart

Automatic Dog Door Types – Features Separating the Electronic Dog Doors under Review

As stated earlier, different dog doors deploy varying technologies or working mechanisms. These differences are the only assurance of understanding the ideal electronic pet door for a non-regrettable purchase.

However, despite the tools having different working mechanisms, they all work ideally to offer your pet safe passage into and out of the house. Besides that, each model has its pros and cons, all of which are covered in the item review section. At the moment, let’s look at the principle that different auto dog doors deploy and find the one that fits your needs to perfection.

• Chip-enabled dog doors

They are the best in terms of efficiency and security. Chips are embedded in your pet, and they are ideal door triggers. They also help prevent stray dogs from entering your house. Besides that, chips can be used to track lost pets and know when they are hurt.

• Magnetic doors

These work under two different mechanisms. However, they all require an ideal dog collar to work. In the first principle, the magnet on your dog’s collar pulls the lever on the door as your dog approaches, thus releasing a mechanism to open it.

In the other mechanism, the door is triggered by the magnetic field from the collar and opens. All in all, the opening is smooth and quiet. Magnetic doors are advantageous since they don’t require any power source to work. You, therefore, have nothing to worry about when it comes to battery replacements or recharging.

• Radio Frequency Identification doors

These are highly effective and equally expensive. They are almost similar to magnetic doors in their opening mechanism, although RFID doors detect another implanted device having a particular electromagnetic field. The tags in your pet must match with the door settings for it to open, making RFID doors perfect when it comes to preventing other pets from entering. 

• Ultrasonic wave doors

These doors are triggered by high-frequency waves emanating from the fixed sensors. One advantage of ultrasonic wave doors is that pet owners can easily adjust the sensor’s sensitivity to prevent regular opening when the dog gets close to the door. Likewise, the waves can be directed so that when the door doesn’t open if the pet is heading to the door without the intention of going out.

• Radiofrequency chip doors

The doors open upon detecting close-range radio frequency signals. However, there is no specific information embedded in the device, meaning any dog with a radiofrequency chip can easily gain entry to your house.

Automated Dog Door Reviews from an Experts Point of View

Having gone through the types of electric doors accessible and the factors to consider before buying an item of your choice, now it’s time to provide detailed information concerning the products. The pieces are arranged in the order of popularity to ease your selection process.

High Tech Pet Products PX-2 Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door

Key Features

The device provides an airtight seal, making it the best automatic dog door in terms of energy efficiency. Besides that, here are the kit’s unique features.

• Automated deadlock feature
• Electric and battery-powered
• Customized access settings
• Kick-proof
• Directional sensing

This ultrasonic pet door is the best in terms of efficacy and security. It detects your pet’s ultrasonic signal from a considerable distance and opens quietly and swiftly for your dog to enter. Its kick-proof design enhances the door’s resilience and enables hesitant pets to enter with ease.

The item’s automatic deadlock feature makes it the most secure among the accessible pet doors. Besides that, there are customized access settings that give you ultimate control of the device. That said, the door is available in two sizes, but the one under review is large, measuring 41 by 16 by 2.8 inches. This makes it ideal for breeds above 100 pounds.

The device also contains a directional detecting system, meaning you can set the door to open only when the dog is approaching the door and stay closed when they wander or sleep close to the door.

This sliding pet door not only ensures the security of your home but also keeps your pet safe. It doesn’t close midway as your pooch enters, meaning there are no chances of your dog getting hurt in the process.

It is also accessible as a door and wall install. All the crucial accessories for successful mounting are conveyed upon item purchase. Additionally, a dog collar is in provision after buying the item.

Having gone through the item’s unique features, below are some of its benefits. The drawbacks are also included to ensure you get a complete review of the door.

PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor

Key Features

Below are the product’s unique features that make it a viable and ideal option as compared to others under review.

• Ideally insulated and thus energy efficient
• Easy to program
• Suitable for use by multiple pets

This RFID dog door is ideally priced and a viable option to keep stray dogs away as your pet accesses the house freely. It detects the radio frequency signal on your dog’s collar that triggers the door to open.

After the pet passes and the radio frequency signal disappears, the door flaps to close. It does so gently in a way that wouldn’t hurt your pet. The door is also unique in the way it is easy to program and can store up to 5 programmed SmartKey.

This means that the device is suitable for use by multiple pets as the sensor is easily customizable. Besides that, the item is straightforward to install on all doors irrespective of the material used in construction.

The device’s quality is equally unbeatable, and it fits in over 1.5inch thick walls. This automatic dog door extra large measures 16.23 by 23.63 inches, and it is ideal for large breeds weighing about 100 pounds. The door is insulated to ensure minimal effect on your interior temperature as your pet frequently makes entries.

Here are the door’s main pros. Besides that, the cons are included to enable you to get an ideal review of the item before settling on your dream purchase.

SureFlap Microchip Cat & Small Dog Door Connect - Collar Activated Dog Door

Key Features

This microchip and collar activated dog door is uniquely made to allow easy pet access into and out of the house. Below is a highlight if these unique features incorporated in this modern door.

• App-controlled hence easy to control
• Chip and collar activated
• Remote locking and unlocking

This electronic doggie door is microchip enabled, and it’s a viable option for cats and small dogs. It is also app-controlled, although the SureFlap Connect Pet Door Hub, ideal for app control, isn’t included in the conveyed package.

The door’s remote lock feature gives you control over the pets you don’t want to access your house. This unique feature also enables you to know if the pet has left or entered the house. The door measures 6.68 by 7 inches, and its Android and iOS operated.

Besides that, this doggie door with collar sensor can program close to 30 microchips and up to 10 dog collars for use by multiple pets. It is powered by long-lasting batteries that require replacement only twice a year. It also fits in walls about 2 to 8 inches thick.

This app-controlled door is easy to use and highly versatile. It perfectly keeps unwanted pets away and works with collars and embedded microchips.

Below are the door’s pros. Included under this section are also the item’s few cons to ensure you completely understand the product you want to purchase.

PetSafe 4-Way Locking Microchip Entry Cat Door

Key Features

Despite the few cons this item possesses, below are some features that might make you fall in love with the product. It is unique in a given way though it isn’t a highly recommended option.

• Long-lasting batteries
• Microchip and collar-activated
• Super easy installation
• Has the ability to program up to 40 pets

The item is unique in the way it is stress-free to install, and the seller includes a manual to make the process easier. It is battery-powered, and the batteries used can last for a year without the need for replacement. The door is also ideally priced to meet the needs of those under a tight spending plan.

It is versatile as it can accommodate close to 40 chips, meaning it can program close to 40 pets for access. It is magnetically sealed to ensure the interior temperature remains unaffected after your pet uses the door.

This automatic dog door opener suits installation on wood, uPVC, and PVC doors. It is suitable for cats below 17 pounds. However, here are the item’s drawbacks.

Benefits

Under this section, you will find the door’s pros and drawbacks. These should help you get a complete review of the product.

Cat Mate Microchip Cat Door

Cat Mate dog door automatic is perfectly priced, but does it offer value for money? Well, let’s look at the kit’s features and see if it will suit your needs ideally. First, the device is triggered by an embedded microchip or a unique I.D disc (separately sold).

Second, the door forms a magnetic seal, making it an ideal option as it keeps your inside temperature unaffected. It is transparent and can be easily installed on the door, walls, and glass panels.

It measures 9.75 by 8 by 4 inches, and it can work for over 30 pets. The door is made of top-quality polymer and is hence highly durable.

Benefits

Below are the door’s pros and cons. These are essential in enabling you to settle on your item of choice with ease.

Electric Doggie Doors Buyer’s Guide – Considerations When Buying an Ideal Dog Door

Under this section, you will find some factors to consider when purchasing a smart dog door. These features are the only way you are assured of making a non-regrettable purchase. So, let’s get started and ensure you get a pet door worth the investment.

• Size

You need to measure the size of your pet before buying an electric dog door. After recording the height and width, do not buy an exact fit. Ensure the door is over 2 inches tall and 2 inches wide than the recorded dog size.

This allowance enables your pet to use the entry point even after a few years of growth. Additionally, if you need a door for your puppy, ensure you consider the maximum size of adult breeds so that the item accommodates your pet for long.

• The incorporated sensor

Microchip sensor doors are the best option as they are highly secure, and they easily differentiate between pets. The doors are even a better choice if your dog already has a microchip implant.

All in all, ultrasonic and RFID doors are also highly recommended as they are cheaper. Lastly, radiofrequency and magnetic doors have a major flaw in the way they don’t contain embedded dog data; therefore, the doors are accessible by all dogs with a similar detector.

• Design

The items come in two designs; door and wall-installs. Door-installs are easy to put in place as compared to wall-installed pet doors. This is because, for thick walls, a tunnel is required, thus complicating the process. However, the location of a dog door is more of a personal choice, which can only be made by the pet owner.

• Frame

Here, you need to choose between a plastic and aluminum frame. However, plastic frame doors are cheaper and a viable option for small puppies, whereas aluminum ones are ideal for large and stubborn breeds.

• Energy efficiency

Regular opening of dog doors causes a change in your in-house thermal degrees. Therefore, you need to consider insulated doors or those with an extended tunnel so that it minimizes the amount of cold air entering as your dog leaves or accesses your house.

How to Use an Automated Pet Door

Automatic dog door openers have different working mechanisms; therefore, their process of use varies. All in all, most of these doors require you to install them on a wall, glass panel, or door and fit your dog with a microchip implant or collar that will trigger the door to open, once the pet is close enough. In some cases, the pet won’t have to push the door to open as some open when the dog approaches.

How to Install an Electric Door for Dogs

The device is advantageous as you can install it without professional help. Here is the easy and simple process to follow for ideal pet door installation.

• Ensure your tools and door are within reach.
• Use the provided cutting template to outline the pet door on the wall or door.
• Use a cutting tool to make a hole following the drawn template. If you are installing on a door, unhinge it for a precise cut.
• Check if the hole you’ve made fits your door perfectly.
• Secure the door using the conveyed screws but do not overtighten. Additionally, use caulk to make an airtight seal.

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Automatic Doggie Door Openers

Under this section, you will find some essential answers to electronic dog door questions that might be bothering you. They should enable you to understand the item better before purchasing it.

• Do pet doors compromise your house safety?

Well, traditional pet doors will pose a huge threat to your home security as they aren’t ideally made to keep intruders and other animals out. However, the item under review requires specific triggers to open, thus making it hard for strange dogs and people to enter.

• What are the power requirements of an electric door?

As seen in most items under review, these doors are battery powered, but most batteries last for 6 or 12 months, meaning that replacement is at most twice a year. Additionally, there are magnetic doors that do not require electricity or batteries to operate.

• Where can I install my electric door?

Well, there are multiple options for electric door installation, and first, it depends on the type of door you’ve purchased. An automatic dog door for sliding glass door can be used on a glass panel and such specific product fit in given settings. Additionally, door installs will not work on walls without purchasing additional wall installation accessories for the kit.

Final Thoughts

As I wind up my electronic dog door reviews, we can all agree that electric doggie doors are convenient for pets and pet owners. Purchasing an ideal item will undoubtedly make you understand the real benefits of these uniquely made devices.

That said, based on energy efficiency, resilience, and safety, High Tech Pet Products PX-2 Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door is the best item for purchase. Despite its high retailing price, the product is worth the investment, and that is why I profoundly recommend it for purchase.

Finally, keep in mind the essentials of an ideal purchase and follow the given guide as well as tips to buy a door that meets your needs to perfection. In addition, ensure you buy a perfectly-sized door for your pet and one that will help keep stray dogs away.  

Images credits: Amazon.com , Chewy.com, Photo Stocks.