Dog doors come in handy in many situations. For example, most dog owners are at work during the day, and their pets must be left inside the house. Also, many owners often wake up to the sound of a whining dog needing to go potty. Considering these situations, electronic dog doors are extremely valuable. You won’t have to call a friend or neighbor to help your pet if you’re running late getting home, and you won’t have to get up in the middle of the night to let the dog out, as the electronic door will let them out for you.

Electronic dog doors come in different sizes, but they all work similarly to each other, typically by using radio frequency identification devices (RFID)¹ that are lightweight and attach to your dog’s collar. Are you intrigued? If so, keep reading, as we selected the best electronic dog doors available based on consumer reviews. Pull up a chair and check them out!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		High Tech Pet Products PX-1 Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door	Door opens vertically rather than outward Four-way programming options Quiet and smooth door	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor	Program up to five keys Door flap is insulated with UV protection Flap automatically locks back into place	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		PlexiDor Electronic Dog Door	Requires no batteries Hardwired or plugged in Stainless-steel deadbolt	CHECK PRICE
		SureFlap Microchip Small Dog Door	Program up to 32 pets in the system Perfect for small dogs or large cats Curfew mode	CHECK PRICE
		Power Pet Large Electronic Pet Door PX-2	Wind- and weatherproof Quiet operation Easy-to-operate ontrol panel	CHECK PRICE

The 5 Best Electronic Dog Doors

1. High Tech Pet Products PX-1 Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door — Best Overall

The High Tech Pet Products PX-1 Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door automatically opens upward rather than outward, meaning your dog doesn’t have to push it open to enter or exit the home. It has an automatic deadbolt locking feature to keep the home safe from intruders and stray animals, and the door only opens when your pet is approaching. Made from bulletproof resin, the door is airtight, weatherproof, and windproof and cannot be kicked in for extra security.

This dog door comes with a pet transmitter MS-4 collar with a sensor, which will open when your dog approaches. The door quietly and quickly opens, and you can adjust your pet’s level of accessibility by way of a four-way control. Your options are in-only, out-only, full-access, or closed and locked. This door is compatible with plug-in power or battery, and it comes with an AC adaptor and all required hardware to install and assemble. You can also add more collars if needed.

The door may break down after 1 year, and the company will send you replacement parts rather than a new door. This product is suitable for dogs up to 30 pounds, but the PX-2 is available for medium to large dogs. For the price point, level of security, and sensor capabilities, this door is the best overall electronic dog door.

2. PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor — Best Value

The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor comes in a small or large size to accommodate any size of breed. This door works via a Smartkey attached to your dog’s collar that triggers the battery-powered driven flap to unlock. When the Smartkey is no longer picked up, the flap automatically locks back into place.

You can program up to five Smartkeys with a touch of a button, and it operates in two modes: fully locked or unlocked. While in locked mode, no pet can enter or exit. While in unlocked mode, entry and exit are available for all pets. This dog door fits openings 1.5 to 2 inches thick, and the flap is insulated with UV sun protection.

The flap is made of plastic and may not hold up well, and it requires four D batteries. However, this dog door is a more affordable option, making it the best electronic dog door for the money.

3. PlexiDor Electronic Dog Door — Premium Choice

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For a premium choice, the PlexiDor Electronic Dog Door acts as a mini-garage door for your pet. It comes with a waterproof collar key that is lightweight for your pet and requires no batteries to operate. It works via a sensor that automatically opens and closes the door. You can also change and set the code with one-touch programming. The vertical door can be programmed to control how long the door remains open after your pet has entered or exited. While not in use, the door stays locked with a stainless-steel deadbolt, and the large door is suitable for dogs up to 125 pounds.

This state-of-the-art dog door can be hardwired into your existing electrical system or plugged in. You can purchase additional collar keys through the manufacturer for multiple pets, and the kit comes with two collar keys. Another nice feature is that the door will automatically stop if it’s obstructed, and you can place it on a wall or a door.

This electronic dog door is expensive, but it is not unsightly like some dog doors. It also may be a little more involved in installing.

4. SureFlap Microchip Small Dog Door

For dog owners with small dogs, the SureFlap Microchip Small Dog Door might be what you need. It’s compatible with a microchip or an RFID collar tag for pets without a microchip. It uses the unique signature to read only your pet’s collar, which keeps out stray animals.

You can program up to 32 different pets, and it’s perfect for small dogs and large cats. You can set a curfew mode, which automatically locks and unlocks the door at a specific time, and you can install it in a door, window, or wall.

It does require four C batteries but has an indicator to let you know when to replace the batteries so the door doesn’t suddenly lose its function. This product has a 3-year warranty, and it comes with all the parts and hardware that you need to install. The sensitivity of the door may be too long for some people, as it can take 2 to 3 seconds to unlock.

5. Power Pet Large Electronic Pet Door PX-2

The Power Pet Large Electronic Pet Door PX-2 uses a motor-driven vertical door activated by an MS-4 ultrasonic collar. The door doesn’t open until your pet is in the direct path of the door, not just near the door or on the sides, to keep unwanted pests or strays at bay. This door can accommodate pets up to 100 pounds, and it’s wind- and weatherproof. You’ll have four-way access control: in-only, out-only, full access, or closed and locked.

The door operation is quiet and locks with a secure deadbolt for added safety. The control panel enables you to customize the collar’s range control, and it comes with an AC adaptor, or you can purchase an optional rechargeable battery separately. It’s also easy to install in a door or wall and comes in a medium or large size.

After a while, the door may malfunction and need costly repairs, which is disappointing considering the price.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Electronic Dog Door

Trying to choose the right electronic dog door for your needs may seem overwhelming at first. So, to ease the process, this buyer’s guide will help you understand what to look for before committing, taking into account the installation process, price, and your specific needs.

Size

Knowing what size you need is an important factor. Your dog should be able to come and go through the door without any trouble or worse, getting stuck. You’ll need to measure your dog from the ground to the top of their shoulders and then add 2 to 3 inches (your dog’s shoulders should not touch the top of the dog door).

If you have more than one dog, measure your largest dog and go by that measurement. It’s fine if your dog has to crouch a tiny bit or lower their head to get through the door, but you don’t want your dog crouching to the point that their stomach hits the frame.

Sensor System

Most electronic dog doors work via a sensor system that is programmed to your dog’s microchip or ultrasonic collar (which is typically included with the dog door). It’s best to find one that senses a directional path, meaning the door only opens when your dog walks toward the door rather than just near it. Otherwise, the door can open and close when not needed.

It’s also wise to look for a dog door that automatically stops if there is an obstruction, to keep your dog from getting injured.

Security

A quality feature of electronic dog doors is that most have a security feature, complete with a deadbolt lock, while not in use. This feature keeps intruders and stray animals away, and the door will only open for your dog or other dogs that the system is programmed to. Ensure that the door is durable and made with quality material, not something that someone can break easily.

Compatibility

Some systems enable you to program the door to your dog’s microchip, and others work with Smartkey collars or an RFID that goes onto your dog’s collar. These are needed if your pet has no microchip.

Installation

Installation can be tricky but all the products come with instructions. Something to remember here is that you’ll need to cut into your wall or door for installation, which makes choosing the correct size vital. You can also opt for a wall tunnel that enables you to install the dog door on an exterior wall.  If you’re not sure you’re comfortable installing the dog door yourself, enlist a friend or someone with the knowledge of how to do it correctly.

Seals

You’ll want a dog door with an airtight seal to keep inclement weather outside where it belongs. You certainly don’t want a draft through the door, which can drive up your energy costs.

Vertical or Swing Door

You can choose a dog door that opens vertically or swings open with a flap. If you opt for a vertical door, ensure that the mechanism that opens the door is quiet. Vertical doors are easier for your dog because they don’t need to push the flap open. They are also excellent options for senior dogs or those with mobility issues. However, flaps work just fine too.

Programming Options

Some electronic dog doors can be programmed and customized with options like in-only, out-only, full access, or closed and locked. This way, you determine when your dog can have access to the door and when they can’t.

For example, the in-only feature enables your dog to come inside but not go back outside. The out-only enables your dog to go out but not come back in. This is a good option if you have visitors and don’t want your dog around at the time. However, you can choose full access or closed and locked, which is an excellent feature at nighttime when you don’t want your dog to go outside.

Conclusion

We hope that these reviews of the best electronic dog doors help you make the best decision possible for your needs. As the best overall electronic dog door, the High Tech Pet Products PX-1 Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door has an airtight seal, vertical door, and deadbolt. As the best value product, the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor has an insulated flap that seals when closing and the capability to program up to five collars, and it’s reasonably priced.

Featured Image Credit: Inked Pixels, Shutterstock