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Smart pet doors compared on how they unlock (microchip or collar key), sizes, directional control, curfew settings and installation, to keep strays out and your pet free to come and go.
For cats and small dogs, the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door is best because it reads your pet's existing microchip and keeps other animals out. For medium and large dogs up to 100 lb, choose the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor, which unlocks with a collar SmartKey.
Compare side-by-side in the Compare Finder
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Short answer: for cats and small dogs, the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door is the best smart pet door. It reads your pet's existing microchip, so there is nothing to attach or lose, it keeps neighborhood cats and wildlife out, it has a curfew mode, and it can register up to 32 pets. For medium and large dogs, choose the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor. It comes in small, medium and large sizes, with the large fitting dogs up to 100 lb, unlocks with a SmartKey on the collar from up to 3 feet away, and offers four-way control: in only, out only, both ways, or locked.
Both doors only open for your pets. The main differences are how they recognize your pet and what size animal they fit.
Compare them side by side, then read our advice on sizing, installation, power and access control.
| Product | Best for | Why we picked it | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SureFlap Microchip Pet Door | Cats and small dogs | Reads existing microchips (all formats) or RFID tag, curfew mode, up to 32 pets, app with Connect hub | Check price on Amazon |
| PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor | Medium and large dogs | S/M/L sizes (large fits dogs up to 100 lb), SmartKey collar fob, 4-way control, 4× D batteries | Check price on Amazon |
Reads your pet's existing microchip — no tag needed.
Collar-key activated door with four-way entry control.
The SureFlap reads the microchip your pet already has, and it works with all common microchip standards. Nothing hangs from the collar, and nothing can be lost. If your pet is not chipped, it can also use an RFID tag. The PetSafe SmartDoor uses a SmartKey fob on your dog's collar instead. That works well for dogs, but every pet needs its own key, which is an extra purchase in a multi-pet home, and a lost collar means a locked-out pet.
Measure your pet's shoulder width and the height from the floor to the top of the shoulders. The SureFlap is aimed at cats and small dogs. The PetSafe SmartDoor comes in small, medium and large, and the large size fits dogs up to 100 lb. Choose a flap your pet can walk through without crouching hard or squeezing.
Both doors need a hole cut in a door, wall or panel. For thick walls, the SureFlap needs an optional tunnel extension, which is an extra purchase. The PetSafe's larger frame is less discreet. If you rent, check with your landlord first, or look at installing in a replacement panel you can remove later.
The SureFlap has a curfew mode that locks the door at set times, for example to keep cats in at night. App control needs the separate SureFlap Connect hub. The PetSafe SmartDoor offers four-way directional control, so you can set in only, out only, both ways or locked, which is handy for bringing a dog in for the night.
The PetSafe SmartDoor uses four D batteries, which drain faster in cold weather, and it has a low-battery indicator. Keep spare batteries on hand. Its dual flap adds insulation, which helps in cold or windy climates.
Before you buy, check four things. Is your pet microchipped, and is the chip number registered? How big is your largest pet? Where will the door go, and how thick is that door or wall? And do you want app control or simple local settings? Answering these first avoids buying a door that does not fit.
Many pets need help learning to push through a flap. Start by propping the flap open, or setting the door to unlocked, and tempt your pet through with treats or a favorite toy from the other side. Once they walk through confidently, lower the flap and repeat. Only switch on the locking mode after your pet is using the door on their own. Register your pet's microchip or fit the SmartKey before this stage, and test that the door unlocks every time as your pet approaches. A few short, positive sessions are usually enough.
Measure twice before you cut. Mark the flap height so the bottom sits roughly level with your pet's belly and the top sits above their shoulders. Follow the template supplied with the door. For glass doors and windows, a glazier can cut and fit a panel. For walls, check for pipes and wires before cutting, and seal the tunnel to keep out draughts and moisture. If in doubt, hire a handyman; a neat, square fit makes the flap seal properly and the lock work reliably.
A small pet door is not a route for people, but a large dog door can be. Use the locked setting at night or when you are away, and position large doors where they are not easy to reach from the street.
A pet door is a hole in your home's shell, so choose one that seals well. Dual flaps and good brush or magnet seals help keep heat in and draughts out. In very cold areas, check how the door behaves in freezing conditions and keep batteries fresh, since they drain faster in the cold.
The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door works with all common microchip formats (9, 10 and 15 digit). If your pet is not chipped, it can also use an RFID tag.
That is the main reason to buy one. The SureFlap only unlocks for registered microchips, and the PetSafe SmartDoor only unlocks for a SmartKey. Animals without one cannot push the flap open from outside.
The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor in the large size, which fits dogs up to 100 lb. The SureFlap is designed for cats and small dogs.
The SureFlap supports app control when you add the separate SureFlap Connect hub. Without it, you set the curfew on the door.
Yes, both can be installed in a door or wall. The SureFlap needs an optional tunnel extension for thick walls. Cutting into an exterior wall is a bigger job, so consider a professional.
It varies with use and temperature. The PetSafe SmartDoor uses four D batteries, which drain faster in cold weather, and it has a low-battery indicator. Check batteries before winter.
How we choose: we compare products using the specifications the manufacturers publish, current Amazon listings, and the owner questions we hear most. We only list products that are currently available, and we remove picks when their listings disappear. We do not show prices on this page, because Amazon prices change often and can only be shown if they were checked in the last 24 hours. Use the Check price on Amazon buttons to see today's price. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you, and that never decides which product we rank first.