Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. The devoted pet parents on the Wag! team conduct independent research to curate products our own pets would pawsitively love! All prices are current at the time of writing.

Every time you let your pet outside, there's a chance they could get lost, picked up, or injured. But that doesn't mean you have to take away your pet's freedom. 

In this tech-savvy age, there are gadgets to help you keep tabs on your fur-baby day or night! Microchips can help identify your pet should they get lost, but they won't offer location info since they don't have GPS capabilities. 

GPS pet trackers give pet parents the peace of mind of knowing where their pet is at all times — but no 2 trackers are created the same. So what's the best GPS tracker for pets? We'll review our top 5 favorite affordable GPS trackers to help you keep your pet safe without breaking the bank.   

Price: $149.95 + $99/year for cellular service

Type: Wi-Fi / Cellular (AT&T's 4G LTE-M network)

Why we like it:

The Whistle Go Explore Dog GPS Tracker is our top pick for the best affordable GPS tracker — paws down. This tracker is one of the more expensive on the list, coming in at $149.95, but trust us (and the hundreds of 5-star reviews) when we say between the features and the specs, it's worth every penny!

This tracker has no range limit, and the app will give you pinpoint accurate GPS information anywhere in North America (as long as the area has AT&T coverage). This tracker offers pet parents real-time tracking information that refreshes every 15 seconds and can alert them to potential health or behavioral concerns, like excessive scratching and changes in activity levels.

This tracker even functions as a doggy fitness tracker, keeping up with your pet's calorie expenditure and letting you set goals tailored to their exercise needs.     

If your pet is a water baby, have no fear. The Whistle tracker is totally waterproof in up to 6 feet of water too, so it's pawfect for hikes or camping trips! All these features and more earned the Whistle tracker 4 paws up!

Price: $49.99 + $12 per month subscription  

Type: Cellular (AT&T, Verizon, T-mobile, and Viaero networks)

Why we like it:

The Tractive GPS dog tracker is arguably the most popular pet tracking product on the market, and rightfully so. It's user friendly, relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and has impressive battery life — but our favorite feature is its virtually unlimited range. This tracker can be used in 175 countries (and counting!).

Download the Tractive app to keep tabs on your pet's live location, activity, and location history. The coolest part is the app will even alert you if your pet escapes your home or backyard. What's more, you don't have to worry if your pet goes for a swim in their Tractive gear since it's waterproof too!

Tractive has thousands of glowing 5-star reviews, both on independent retailer websites and Trustpilot. With the affordable price point, impressive specs, and raving reviews, we'd say the Tractive is one of the safest options available!

Price: $129 / $14.99 per month subscription fee / or $19 monthly payments with $0 down for the device

Type: Bluetooth / Wi-Fi / Cellular (LTE 5G network)

Why we like it:

On the fence about whether you should let your cat outside? If you'd like to let your cat enjoy some outdoor time, but you're concerned about injuries and other pawtential dangers, a cat GPS tracker can put your mind at ease!

Jiobit Smart Tag is a GPS pet tracker made by Life360, a data-sharing app designed to allow families to keep track of each other's whereabouts. Jiobit Smart Tag works by combining cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth technology to ensure the most accurate location data for your pet.

Plus, since the tracker utilizes all these technologies, you never have to worry about your pet going out of range. This tracker comes with a collar clip, is water-resistant, and has an impressive battery life that lasts between a week and 10 days on average. 

Jiobit Smart Tag and its corresponding app differ from similar trackers in a few ways. First, Jiobit offers military-grade data security. Secondly, Jiobit doesn't cap your pet's data, so you don't have to worry about not being able to track your pet's location because of data usage. 

Reviewers seem to really like this model, but say it's not without its limitations. Some reviews say the device and app are quite accurate but warn that constant live tracking can run the battery down. All in all, the Jiobit Smart Tag is a furrific option for pet parents who want a reliable, lightweight tracking device that doesn't cost an arm and a leg out of pocket. 

Price: $4 + subscription fees 

Type: Bluetooth / Cellular (LTE network)

Why we like it:

Found LTE byPebblebee is a tracker designed to help people keep tabs on their most valuable possessions, like their vehicles, luggage, and — of course — their fur-babies. And according to the reviews, pet parents love this model for keeping tabs on their precious pets. The Pebblebee Found can be attached to almost any collar using the included clip and removed easily for recharging.

This tracker uses LTE-M cellular towers, which offer a wider range of coverage than other common networks. Tracking your pooch (or kitty!) is a breeze with the easy-to-use Pebblebee app, which is available for both Apple and Android devices. 

Plus, it's rated IPX7 water-resistant, so you don't have to worry about your pet going off the grid if they decide to take a dip in the creek.

Price: $149 + $99 per year for the cellular data plan

Type: WiFi / Cellular (LTE-M network)

Why we like it:

If you have a super chewer, the Fi Series 3 GPS collar might be the tracker for you. This fairly inconspicuous-looking collar is one tough cookie. It's waterproof in up to a meter of water, is resistant to up to 300 pounds of pulling force, and is nearly impossible to destroy, even for heavy chewers. 

Fi GPS technology relies on LTE-M towers and multiple satellite constellations to locate your woofer within a few feet on clear days! You can access your pet's real-time location, sleep patterns, and activity level directly from the Fi app. What's more, the Fi comes in 5 different sizes from XS to XL and 4 colors to suit a range of pets.

The reviews for this model are a mixed bag, with some people raving about its usefulness and accuracy and others pointing out some perceived design flaws. All in all, if you're looking for a durable mid-priced tracker, the Fi Series 3 is a solid option. Plus, it has a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects, so if your device stops working and the support team can't fix it, they will replace the item free of charge!

To find the pawfect GPS tracker for your pet, here are a few things to consider when shopping around: