So, you’ve decided to get a smart dog collar for your pup – fantastic idea! They may be more costly than a regular collar, but the advantages they offer make them absolutely worth every cent.
Whether you want to track their location or their activity, there’s a smart collar perfect for you.
Spend any time online researching smart dog collars, and you’ll spot two names repeatedly: Fi and Whistle. It’s never easy comparing two impressive pieces of technology that have the same purpose.
They both have location and activity tracking capabilities, but each has its own different unique features. Still, the key difference here is that Fi is the best GPS tracker, while Whistle is the best collar to monitor your dog’s health.
Features Comparison: Fi Dog Collar vs. Whistle
Most pet owners buy a smart dog collar to keep their dogs as safe as possible. For optimal security, you want to get the best wireless dog fence you can.
While both the Fi and Whistle collars act as an invisible dog fence, they each have their own strengths and unique features that set them apart.
Fi Dog Collar Features
The Fi collar is primarily designed to easily track and locate your dog if they decide to run off after something.
There are options to monitor their activity levels and step count too, but their focus is on GPS tracking. All the Fi collar reviews outline the prominent features that make it stand out among the crowd.
Fi Collar Series 2
The price of “Fi Smart Dog Collar” varies, so check the latest price at
Location Tracking
As an invisible dog fence, the Fi device works very well, allowing flexible geofencing to set up multiple safe zones. This is particularly useful if you like traveling with your pup and need safe zones all over the place. Just be aware that Fi’s geofencing safe zones can be fiddly to set up.
If your pup ever decides to stray outside the boundaries of their safe zone, Fi sends you rapid escape alerts to help you track them down before they get too far.
When they’re outside their safe zones, Fi kicks into Lost Dog Mode. This automatically sends live location tracking updates and activates a red LED flashing light on your dog’s collar to make sure you can spot your pup even when it starts getting dark.
The tracking requires an AT&T cell signal, as do many pet trackers. But what sets Fi apart is it uses the LTE-M network, a quick one with worldwide coverage.
This is an advanced network, using a group of three satellites for enhanced accuracy and tracking speed. In fact, under open sky, your dog’s location is accurate up to 7 feet.
General Collar Specs
The device itself comes with a pet’s collar in four different sizes. These range from small for dogs with necks under 13 inches to X-large for dogs with necks up to 34.5 inches.
You don’t need to hesitate about strapping an expensive bit of tech around your pet’s neck, though, since the Fi collar boasts a chew-proof design with its aluminum faceplate and metal armor.
It’s even waterproof with a rating of IP-68, so you don’t need to worry about your dog taking a dive and getting wet.
Another of Fi’s strengths is its long battery life which has the possibility of lasting up to 3 months. Bear in mind that this varies depending on use, but it’s unlikely that the charge will run out when you need it most.
Activity and Health Tracking
Although the collar’s priority is on GPS tracking, it also shows your dog’s activity patterns clearly on the app. It offers a clear view of your dog’s step goals on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. However, it only shows step counts and sleep activity.
On the other hand, the Fi app does include a community element. It has a rankings page that allows you to compare your dog’s activity to other Fi dogs of the same breed, others in the same state, and all other dogs with a Fi collar.
Just don’t get competitive and over-exercise your dog – especially if they’re a young puppy!
Whistle Features
While Fi prioritizes GPS tracking, Whistle is also a GPS tracker but has a focus on activity and health tracking to monitor your dogs health.
Location Tracking
The Whistle pet tracker allows you to create safe zones via geofencing on the app. The Whistle collar really excels at customizing these zones, and you can have more than one active at a time.
Do keep in mind, however, that there is a 4 to 5-minute lag when your pet exits the boundary of its geofence. This is due to the Whistle’s power saving mode when in the confines of the safe zone, but it makes up for it by notifying you via push notifications on your phone, as well as text and email to ensure you get the message.
When tracking outside the geofence, the Whistle uses an AT&T cell signal and the LTE network, allowing regular location updates every 60 seconds and recording your dog’s 24-hour location history.
It even includes a sharing feature, allowing the whole family to team up to track down and reunite with your pup!
General Collar Specs
Though the Whistle device doesn’t come with a collar itself, its small and lightweight design makes it easy to fit on most collars. And with three color options (blue, gray, and green), you’re likely to find one that suits your pup’s individual style.
Though the attachment strap is made of rubber, it’s a particularly strong, chew-proof material that’s resistant to even tough dog bites. The Whistle is even durable in water, too, with a waterproof rating of IP-67.
Although the battery life is dependent on your pet’s location and activity, you can still count on the battery lasting up to a maximum of 30 days.
Activity and Health Tracking
The activity and health tracking capability of the Whistle is where it really stands out from the Fi. A notification pops up every time your dog meets its daily step count, along with any other important reminders, such as when it’s time to give your pup their medication or a claw trim.
The Whistle monitors everyday activities like scratching, licking, drinking, eating, and even sleeping to determine a baseline for what’s normal for your dog. You can keep track of these activities, and if anything starts to look out of the ordinary, you know when to take them to the vet.
This device helps you keep your dog fit too, by showing a full insight into the distance they’ve walked, their active versus inactive time, and even the number of calories burned.
It’s like a Fitbit for dogs – the perfect fitness tracker! And it gives you peace of mind when you have to leave your pup with pet sitters or dog walkers.
Overall Fi and Whistle Comparison
Looking at their features, it’s clear that the Fi and Whistle are similar in how they both track a dog’s activity and location. But while Fi’s focus is on GPS tracking, the Whistle focuses much more on activity and health tracking features.
When it comes to location tracing, the Fi tracker is superior, as is to be expected. Although it’s a little harder to set up the geofencing than the Whistle, the escape alerts are faster.
However, Whistle can be set up to send alerts to everyone via notifications, texts, and emails to involve everyone in the search for your dog.
Both Fi and Whistle use AT&T cell signal, but Fi is still an improvement in how it makes use of the LTE-M network, having a 30% further reach and better location accuracy than Whistle’s LTE network.
On the other hand, the Fi tracker can’t match the Whistle when it comes to health and activity tracking features. While Fi only monitors the distance traveled, Whistle includes reminders and gives a lot more detail into your dog’s everyday habits, routine, and health.
Both are durable devices, however, Fi is still the best choice thanks to its aluminum metal armor being more durable than Whistle’s rubber attachment and a slightly better waterproof rating.
It also has a more advanced battery, expected to last up to 3 months, whereas the Whistle is only expected to last up to 30 days.
Performance Comparison
When it comes to performance, the Fi tracker and Whistle are both reliable devices that you can rely on when it really counts.
The Fi works very well, with its users reporting very few connectivity issues with its LTE-M network signal. Still, don’t expect an absolutely precise location of your dog, since it’s more reliable in giving you a general area.
Since it’s reliant on cell signal, it’s not recommended if you’re in an area with poor service – especially if you need to rely on Lost Dog Mode!
However, Fi’s battery is one of its highlights. Since it will spend most of its time connected to Wi-Fi when at home or Bluetooth via your phone when you’re out, you can expect it to last 3 months.
If it’s only used when out via Bluetooth, it lasts 3 weeks. And when in Lost Dog Mode, you can rely on it lasting an impressive two days – plenty of time to reunite with your pup!
The Whistle also has a good track record when it comes to performance. Similar to the Fi tracker, it uses the AT&T network and relies heavily on there being a good enough service in the area to work effectively.
While it’s battery may not be as long-lasting as the Fi tracker, it has a clever power saving mode when connected to the Wi-Fi, where it turns off and checks every few minutes to make sure it’s still in the safe zone. However, this also explains why there can be a 4 to 5 minute delay for escape alerts.
Though Whistle claims the battery can last up to 30 days, this is only if the dog spends all its time within reach of the Wi-Fi connection. Otherwise, it’s more likely to be 20 days. Just bear in mind the battery depletes quickly when in tracking mode.
Price Comparison
There’s not a huge price difference between the two devices, but it might be big enough to help you make a decision.
The Fi tracker costs around $150 and comes with a one-year warranty. You need a subscription for full use of the services. There is a 30-day trial period and the option to opt in and out of a choice of three packages:
- 1 year costs $100
- 2 years cost $186
- 3 years cost $248
Fi Collar Series 2
The price of “Fi Smart Dog Collar” varies, so check the latest price at
On the other hand, the Whistle is cheaper, coming in at about $100 with a 90-day money-back guarantee. Likewise, you also need a subscription, also with a choice of three packages:
- A monthly subscription costs $12.99 per month
- An annual subscription costs $8.25 per month
- A biannual subscription costs $7.99 per month
Pricewise, the Whistle has the edge over the Fi tracker. But considering the more advanced GPS technology within the Fi, this is only to be expected.
Pros and Cons
While both the Fi smart collar and Whistle are impressive devices that come recommended, neither are completely perfect nor will they suit everybody. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, so check them out to find out which one fits your needs best.
Fi Dog Collar
Pros
- Robust design for added durability
- Excellent battery life
- Waterproof rating of IP-68
- Ability to set several safe zones
- Rapid escape alerts
- Fun social features on app
- Advanced technology for accurate tracking ability
Cons
- Limited color options
- Requires a network subscription
- Not for dogs under 10lbs
- Not as much health and activity data as Whistle
Fi Collar Series 2
The price of “Fi Smart Dog Collar” varies, so check the latest price at
Whistle
Pros
- Lightweight
- Can attach to cats as well as dogs
- Color options to suit your dog’s style
- Good battery life
- Multiple safe zones available
- Waterproof rating of IP-67
- Lots of activity tracking options for advanced health insights
- Ideal for small dogs
Cons
- Requires a network subscription
- Slow escape alerts when out of boundary
- Not as accurate as a dog tracker with LTE-M or better technologies
- Battery not as long-lasting as Fi tracker
Overall Winner
Which one would we recommend? Honestly, we could recommend either of them, but with Fi vs. Whistle, it really comes down to what kind of advanced pet tracker you’re after.
Neither guarantee your pooch won’t run off – you need dog training for that. But if you want a pet tracker to monitor your dog’s health and activity, go for Whistle Go Explore; if you want a dog tracker to track down your dog if they escape, go for the Fi smart dog collar.
But the overall best dog collar here for us is the Fi tracker. Compared to similar smart dog collars, it’s affordable, has lots of features, and boasts particularly advanced GPS tracking technology for its price.
It’s a reliable and popular GPS tracker to reunite with your dog if they run off, with a built-in activity tracker as a bonus.
Hope we helped you make a sane and informed decision by the end of this article. If you are still skeptical, feel free to contact us!
