Gadgets that make life with pets easier, not just shinier.
GPS trackers, pet cameras, feeders, cat flaps, fountains, litter boxes and robot vacuums. We compare specs, read the small print on subscriptions, and tell you which ones are worth your money.
Tractive GPS Dog 6
- Tracking
- GPS + mobile network
- Live mode
- Updates every few seconds
- Alerts
- Virtual fence, escape
- Health
- Activity, sleep, vital signs
- Water
- IPX7 waterproof
Every pick gets a spec card like this one, including whether you'll be paying monthly.
Start with the job, then pick the gadget
Each guide has a quick-picks table, a spec card for every product, and the buying advice that helps you choose.
GPS Trackers
Live location, escape alerts and the real monthly cost of each plan, including one with no subscription.
Read the guide →Pet Cameras
Check in from work, talk to your pet and toss a treat. Plus which plans you can skip.
Read the guide →Automatic Feeders
Meals on time, the right portions, and no more stolen dinners in multi-pet homes.
Read the guide →Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
No more daily scooping. How the main designs compare on space, cost and odour.
Read the guide →Microchip Cat Flaps
Keep the neighbour's cat out, set a night-time curfew, and see when your cat comes home.
Read the guide →Robot Vacuums for Pet Hair
Daily hair pick-up without the daily hoovering. Which robots don't tangle.
Read the guide →Smart Dog Tags
QR ID tags that show your details when scanned, and Bluetooth tags with no monthly fee.
Read the guide →Pet Water Fountains
Encourage cats to drink more, with cordless and app-connected picks.
Read the guide →Will I be paying monthly?
Smart pet gadgets often hide a subscription. Here's where the ongoing costs sit across our top picks.
| Product | Type | Subscription | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tractive GPS Dog 6 | GPS tracker | Plan required | Needs a SIM plan, like most GPS trackers. Paying yearly costs less. |
| PitPat GPS Dog Tracker | GPS tracker | No plan needed | Pay once and PitPat covers the data. There's no escape alert. |
| Apple AirTag | Bluetooth tag | No plan needed | No fee, but it only works near Apple devices. |
| Furbo 360° Dog Camera | Pet camera | Plan optional | Live view is free. Bark alerts and clips need the plan. |
| TP-Link Tapo C210 | Home camera | Plan optional | Records to a microSD card for free. |
| PETLIBRO Granary Smart Feeder (Wi-Fi) | Feeder | No plan needed | Scheduling works with no plan. |
| Litter-Robot 4 | Litter box | No plan needed | The app works with no plan. Liners are the running cost. |
What will it really cost you?
Add up the device, the subscription and the refills over one to three years, and compare two gadgets side by side.
Clear, independent picks
Specs side by side
We compare the numbers that matter for each category, like update speed, food type and footprint, not the marketing claims.
Running costs included
Plans, liners and refills go into every recommendation. A cheap device with an expensive plan is not a bargain.
UK first
We only pick gadgets that are sold and supported in the UK, with UK plugs and UK networks.
Upfront about money
We earn a commission on some links. It never changes the price you pay, and brands can't pay for a place on our lists.