Best Smart Pet Door (2026): 4 Microchip and App-Controlled Picks
Last updated: November 8, 2026
Reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our rankings. Learn more.
A regular pet flap lets your cat or dog come and go, but it also lets in neighborhood cats, raccoons and other uninvited visitors, and offers little control. A smart pet door only unlocks for your own pets, using their microchip or a collar key, and many let you set curfews and see who came in or out from your phone. The best smart pet door recognizes your pet reliably, keeps other animals out, seals against drafts and fits your door or wall.
We compared the most popular smart pet doors on recognition method, app features, sizes, weather sealing, power and installation. Here are our picks for 2026.
Our top picks
| Smart pet door | Recognizes pets by | Score | Buy link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SureFlap Microchip Pet DoorBest overall | Microchip or RFID tag | 9 | Check price |
| SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap ConnectBest app-connected cat flap | Microchip | 8.7 | Check price |
| PetSafe SmartDoor ConnectedBest for dogs | Collar key or microchip | 8.5 | Check price |
| High Tech Pet Power Pet Automatic Dog DoorMost secure for big dogs | Collar sensor | 8.2 | Check price |
The best smart pet doors, reviewed
SureFlap Microchip Pet Door
- RecognitionAny ID microchip or the included SureFlap RFID collar tag
- PetsStores up to 32 pets
- SizeFor large cats and small dogs
- Power4 C batteries, up to 12 months
- ModesCurfew mode, manual lock, in-only mode
- InstallDoors, glass or walls
- Warranty3 years
SureFlap’s Microchip Pet Door reads the microchip your pet already has. Only registered pets can come in, so neighborhood cats stay out. Any animal can go out, because the reader sits on the outside only.
It remembers up to 32 pets. If a pet has no chip, use the RFID collar tag that comes in the box. Four C batteries last up to 12 months.
You can set a curfew, lock it by hand, or set it to in-only. It fits doors, glass and walls. It is sized for large cats and small dogs, and SureFlap gives a 3-year warranty. This model has no app. For app control, look at the Connect version.
What we like
- Uses your pet’s existing microchip
- Keeps other animals out
- Up to 12 months on batteries
- 3-year warranty
Watch out for
- Only for cats and small dogs
- No app on this model
- Glass installs need a glazier
Best for: Cats and small dogs in multi-pet neighborhoods.
Skip it if: You have a medium or large dog.
Check price on Amazon Price range: See retailers
SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap Connect
- RecognitionYour cat’s microchip
- AppSure Petcare app, needs the Hub (sold separately)
- AlertsNotices when pets enter and leave
- ControlRemote lock, curfews, per-pet exit permissions (DualScan)
- Power4 AA batteries, up to 6 months
- SizeFor cats
The Cat Flap Connect is SureFlap’s app-controlled cat flap. It reads your cat’s microchip, so other cats stay out.
With the Hub, which is sold separately, the app tells you when your cat comes and goes. You can lock it from anywhere and set curfews.
DualScan lets you choose which pets may go out. That helps if one cat must stay indoors. Four AA batteries last up to 6 months.
What we like
- App alerts and history
- Remote lock and curfews
- Per-pet exit control
- Reads existing microchips
Watch out for
- Cats only
- Hub sold separately
- Shorter battery life than the basic pet door
Best for: Cat owners who want to know when their cat comes and goes.
Skip it if: You have a dog.
Check price on Amazon Price range: See retailers
PetSafe SmartDoor Connected
- RecognitionPet Door Key on the collar, or microchip
- SizesMedium (pets up to 25 lb) or Large (up to 100 lb)
- AppMy PetSafe app: remote lock, schedules, alerts
- Power4 C (Medium) or 4 D (Large) batteries, or power adapter
- FlapWeather-sealed with multi-point locking
- Returns45-day satisfaction guarantee
PetSafe’s SmartDoor Connected comes in two sizes. The Large fits pets up to 100 lb, so it suits big dogs. The Medium fits pets up to 25 lb.
It opens for a Pet Door Key on the collar or for a paired microchip. Note that only the Medium size works with cat microchips.
The My PetSafe app lets you lock it remotely, set a schedule for each pet and get alerts. It runs on batteries or an optional power adapter. It costs $349.99 on PetSafe’s site.
What we like
- Large size for dogs up to 100 lb
- App control and schedules
- Collar key or microchip
- Battery or adapter power
Watch out for
- Microchip reading on Medium size only
- Large size needs a collar key
- Larger opening needs a secure install
Best for: Medium and large dogs.
Skip it if: You want microchip entry for a big dog.
Check price on Amazon Price range: $349.99
High Tech Pet Power Pet Automatic Dog Door
- RecognitionUltrasonic collar worn by your pet
- DoorMotorized polycarbonate panel with automatic deadbolt
- SensingOpens only on a direct approach
- PowerAC or battery
- SizesMedium and Large; door, wall or patio installs
- Wi-FiOptional WiFi model with app timers (from $524.99)
The Power Pet door does not have a flap. A motor lifts a hard polycarbonate panel when your pet walks up wearing its collar. It opens in about a second.
The panel locks with an automatic deadbolt when it closes. High Tech Pet says the sliding seal keeps out wind and rain. The sensor is directional, so it opens only when your pet heads straight for it.
It runs on AC power or battery. The Large door model costs $474.99, and a WiFi version adds app control and up to 20 timers. It is a bigger job to install than a flap.
What we like
- Solid panel with automatic deadbolt
- Weather-sealed
- Fits large dogs
- AC or battery power
Watch out for
- Most expensive pick
- Bigger install job
- Collar sensor needed
Best for: Large dogs and owners worried about security.
Skip it if: You want an easy install.
Check price on Amazon Price range: From $474.99
Side-by-side comparison
| SureFlap Microchip Pet Door | SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap Connect | PetSafe SmartDoor Connected | High Tech Pet Power Pet Automatic Dog Door | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall | Best app-connected cat flap | Best for dogs | Most secure for big dogs |
| Recognition | Microchip or tag | Microchip | Collar key or microchip | Collar sensor |
| App control | No | Yes, with Hub | Yes | WiFi model only |
| Pet size | Cats, small dogs | Cats | Up to 100 lb | Large dogs |
| Power | Batteries | Batteries | Batteries or adapter | AC or battery |
| Price | See retailers | See retailers | $349.99 | From $474.99 |
| Our score | 9 | 8.7 | 8.5 | 8.2 |
How to choose a smart pet door
1. Measure your pet
Measure your pet’s shoulder width and height from the floor to the top of the shoulders. The opening should be slightly larger, and the bottom should sit at a height your pet can step through.
2. Choose microchip or collar key
Microchip doors use the chip your pet already has, so nothing can fall off. Collar-key doors work with any pet but need the key to stay on.
3. Decide on app features
App-connected doors let you lock remotely, set curfews and see when pets come and go.
4. Think about where it goes
Pet doors can go in a door, wall or glass panel. Glass installation usually needs a glazier.
5. Consider home security
A large opening can be a security risk. Choose a door with a lock mode and a solid closing panel, and never rely on it alone for security.
Training your pet to use a smart door
Most pets learn a smart door within a few days. A few tips help:
- Prop the flap open at first and reward your pet for walking through.
- Let your pet hear the lock click so it learns the sound means the door is opening.
- Make sure your pet’s microchip is registered and its details are up to date.
- Set a curfew to keep pets in at night, when wildlife is most active.
Frequently asked questions
Do microchip pet doors work with all microchips?
Most read the common pet microchip types, but check the maker’s compatibility list. You can also use an RFID collar tag if the chip is not compatible.
Will a smart pet door keep raccoons out?
Yes. Smart doors stay locked unless they detect your pet’s chip or key, which keeps out raccoons, strays and neighborhood cats.
Can I install a pet door in a glass door?
Yes, but glass must be cut professionally, and tempered glass usually requires a new pane. Many people choose a wall or panel installation instead.
Do smart pet doors work in a power outage?
Battery-powered doors keep working. Plug-in doors may need battery backup; check how yours behaves when power is lost.
Are dog doors a security risk?
Large openings can be, especially for a small child or intruder. Choose a door with a lock mode, use it with other security, and lock it when you are away for long periods.
Can I control who goes out and who stays in?
Many smart doors let you set some pets to come in only, which helps keep an indoor cat inside while letting another pet out.
The bottom line
For cats and small dogs, the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door is the best smart pet door. It reads your pet’s microchip and keeps other animals out. Choose the SureFlap Cat Flap Connect for app control, the PetSafe SmartDoor Connected for big dogs, or the Power Pet Automatic Dog Door for the most secure panel.
More for pet owners: see the best pet camera with a treat dispenser, the best GPS dog tracker, or browse all Pets guides.
Sources
- AVMA: microchipping of animals
- SureFlap: Microchip Pet Door
- SureFlap: Microchip Cat Flap Connect
- PetSafe: SmartDoor Connected
- High Tech Pet: Power Pet door
Featured photo: ‘RFID enabled cat flap’ by Janus Sandsgaard, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
