In This Guide: Top 5 | Buyer’s Guide | Training Tips | FAQs | Why Trust This Old House
Invisible fences safeguard your pet by establishing a non-invasive but protective border around your yard. Letting your dog roam improves their quality of life because they get to exercise and explore. However, you don’t want them to venture too far. That’s why invisible fences exist as a cost-effective alternative to traditional fences.
Our team has researched the best invisible dog fences on Amazon to help pet owners choose what coverage area, installation method, control mechanism, and battery life work best for them.
Explore our top fence recommendations, comprehensive buyer’s guide, and answers to common questions below.
Top 5 Invisible Fences
- Best Invisible Fence Overall: PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System
- Best Coverage: SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence System
- Best Entry-Level Fence: PetSafe In-Ground Pet Fence
- Best Remote Control: Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System
- Best for Multiple Dogs: Extreme Dog Fence Underground Electric Dog Fence
Best Invisible Fence for Any Size Dog: PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System
Pros and Cons
✔ Doesn’t require burying the wire✔ Has a long collar battery life of up to 2 months✔ Offers five shock levels and one tone-only mode
✘ Comes with a short 1-year warranty✘ Cannot accommodate areas larger than 1⁄2 acre
What Customers Are Saying
Our team noted that dog owners who reviewed this product appreciated this invisible fence’s simple and quick installation. They included that it only took a couple of hours to set up, which was on par with their expectations. Customers also spoke highly of the manufacturer’s customer service team that assisted with troubleshooting. However, select users had issues with consistency, stating that the collar didn’t always go off when their dog ventured too close to the perimeter.
Best Coverage: SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence System
Pros and Cons
✔ The collar’s rechargeable batteries finish charging in 2 hours ✔ Offers seven levels of static correction✔ Beeps and vibrates to warn the dog before initiating shock
✘ Only compatible with dogs weighing at least 10 pounds, which excludes toy breeds✘ Must purchase more wire to achieve 100 acres of coverage
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who experienced the most success with this invisible fence made sure to familiarize themselves and their dogs with the system. Many customers also found installation to be easier than expected. Conversely, we did note that some other customers had issues with the collar, stating that the buckle design was poor and the warning beep was inconsistent.
Best Entry-Level Fence: PetSafe In-Ground Pet Fence
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes flags to stake around the perimeter of the invisible fence✔ Has a domestic customer service team✔ Has a waterproof collar in case your pet is out in the rain
✘ Offers a limited number of correction levels✘ Can’t use with pets that are younger than six months old
What Customers Are Saying
We noticed that customers liked the invisible design of this fence because it prevented their destructive dogs from tearing or ripping through physical fences. Some users struggled with the collar, though, as it was too heavy and had poor battery life.
Best Remote Control: Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System
Pros and Cons
✔ Offers 10 acres of coverage ✔ Features 10 correction levels✔ System works with or without remote
✘ Has a short battery life of 3-7 days✘ Remote only connects to three collars
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers we found highlighted the remote control and ease of installation. They also mentioned that the manufacturer’s customer service line was accessible when they needed help. Unsatisfied customers stated that the correction system delivered shocks or vibrations inconsistently. In some cases, customers claimed that the fence collar didn’t respond if their dog ran past the perimeter too quickly.
Best for Multiple Dogs: Extreme Dog Fence Underground Electric Dog Fence
Pros and Cons
✔ System handles up to five dogs✔ Safety features include frequency coding and battery check✔ Features heavy-duty wire that’s UV-resistant and burial-rated
✘ Doesn’t cover shipping and handling for the surge protector✘ Can’t get the 10-year warranty unless you register the product
What Customers Are Saying
Reliability, consistency, and effectiveness appeared in many Amazon reviews for this system. Our research showed that several users also mentioned a positive customer service experience. However, some customers struggled to add more than one collar to the fencing system, stating that it worked as designed with one collar, but syncing a second collar caused it to malfunction.
Invisible Fence Buyer’s Guide
Whether a physical fence is too expensive, a hassle to install, or against local ordinances, an invisible fence is a sensible alternative. Here are some key points we think are important to consider when shopping.
Wired vs. Wireless
Invisible fences can be wired, wireless, or a combination of the two.
If convenience is a priority, opt for a wireless dog fence system because it’s easier to install and program.
If you want to ensure that your invisible fence works correctly at all times, we recommend a wired design instead. This type of fence is also useful if you have an oddly shaped yard or certain areas of your yard that you want to keep your pets out of because you can install the buried wire in whatever pattern you desire.
Some kits come with a handheld remote control in addition to underground wiring. You can use the remote to train your dog to curtail bad habits, such as digging in the dirt or walking through the garden. It also works outside the perimeter so that you can take it on a walk or trip.
Coverage Area
The coverage area of a dog fence system is typically expressed in acres. The coverage range for smaller invisible fences begins around 1/3-1/2 acre, whereas more expansive systems will cover up to 10 acres. You can even extend the range of some models to 100 acres by installing more wire or purchasing an expansion kit.
Installation
Wireless invisible fences have a plug-and-play design, but they’re also adjustable. After plugging the transmitter into a wall outlet, you can adjust the size of the invisible dome around your house.
Installing a wired system, on the other hand, requires intense labor and careful planning. You’ll have to dig a few feet into the ground to bury the wire that communicates with the collar and transmitter.
Correction Level
Correction refers to the mild shock or vibration your dog receives when they go beyond the perimeter or close to the edge. You can also send corrections manually via remote control.
Most invisible fence systems offer between five and 10 correction levels to suit different situations. For example, you can up the intensity if your dog does not respond to lighter modes or choose a lower level if you have a small dog.
Collar
If you have more than one dog, look for an invisible fence kit that comes with multiple collars. Even if you only have one pet at the moment, it can’t hurt to get a kit that works with add-on dog collars in case you get another dog down the line or watch a friend’s or family member’s dog.
Battery Life
Another aspect to consider is the collar battery. Many of the collars available today feature rechargeable batteries, but the battery life varies greatly between models. Some collar batteries last several days on a single charge, whereas others die after several hours,
Off-Leash Training Tips
If a physical fence isn’t an option, an invisible one is the next best way to ensure your dog doesn’t run away. While an invisible dog fence keeps your dog safe outside, you can further ease your mind by using the following dog training tips to train them without a leash.
- Train your dog to understand and obey basic verbal commands. Some common ones include “come,” “heel,” “leave it,” “look,” and “stay.”
- Consistency is key. Any time you take your dog off its leash, correct inappropriate actions and reward appropriate behavior.
- If your dog is food-motivated, reward them with treats when they obey commands and display appropriate behavior. You can also show positive reinforcement through pets or words.
- Intentionally add distractions, such as other dogs, people, or food, to see how your dog reacts off of a leash.
Invisible Fence FAQ
How do invisible fences work?
After establishing a wired or wireless perimeter, you sync your dog’s collar to the wire and transmitter. Whenever your dog approaches or crosses the perimeter, the collar vibrates, beeps, buzzes, or shocks.
Are invisible fences inhumane?
No. When your dog activates their collar, the resulting shock is minimal—only enough for them to know that they’ve ventured too far. Tethering your dog is generally considered more inhumane, as this causes continuous stress.
Can a dog run through an invisible fence?
Your dog can physically run past the perimeter of your invisible fence, but it may not get far before the shock signal sends it back. However, it’s important to note that invisible fences don’t prevent people or other animals from entering the fence from the opposite side.
Is there anything that could interfere with my invisible fence?
Yes. Sloping hills, metal roofing, stucco siding, and multiple trees can affect your invisible fence’s performance. However, this typically only happens with wireless models, not wired ones. Consider a physical or wired fence if your property has any of these features.
How We Chose the Best Invisible Fences
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of invisible pet fences with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4-5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
