IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of August 2023, Wagz is no more. According to their website (which is now just a single page), Wagz formally notified all current and prospective customers that, “due to our financial status we are unable to continue to support the Wagz product and services at this time.” They also noticed that the services would be deactivated within 24-48 hours. So, if you currently have a Wagz collar, it’s likely no longer working by this point. In other words, you CANNOT rely on the collar any longer, so DO NOT use it to track your dogs.
As sad as this is (Wagz really was a great budget-friendly tracking collar), SpotOn is stepping in (and stepping up) to help fill the void left in your life by Wagz going under. Right now, they’re offering a Special $200 off savings for former Wagz users! But it expires August 31st, so hurry up and use it!
I won’t lie, SpotOn costs quite a bit more than Wagz. But that higher price point comes with A LOT more features overall. It’s been a steady “Top 3” pick here at Technobark ever since it first launched (if you’d like to see our other top picks, check out our post on the best GPS dog trackers). INC magazine must agree because it included SpotOn in the esteemed INC 5000 Class of 2023.
“This recognition showcases SpotOn’s exceptional growth, unwavering commitment to revolutionizing the dog fence industry, and dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions for dog owners. Launching the first-ever GPS Fence in 2019, SpotOn has become a trailblazer in dog containment, offering state-of-the-art systems that set new standards for pet owners, ensuring unprecedented accuracy and peace of mind in containing their beloved pets,” SpotOn explains.
SpotOn has a “TRY IT. LOVE IT. OR RETURN IT. 90 days or your money back” policy. So grab the collar now while you can still snag that $200 off! If you don’t love it, you don’t have to keep it. But I really do think you will!
Check out our full SpotOn GPS Dog Collar Review to learn more. I’ll leave the original Wagz review below for you. That way, you can open both posts in different tabs and compare the features.
Original Wagz Review
Another smart dog collar that I have included in this review is the Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar. This smart dog collar has been one of the trending topics in dog owners’ forums so I went ahead and tried it for my dogs.
Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar is a smart pet accessory that has real-time GPS tracking similar to other smart collars so you can keep track of your dog’s location.
This device comes with an accompanying app called Wagz App, which allows you to geofence your yard while also putting “off-limit” locations within and beyond the perimeters to keep your dog safe and away from things areas like a garden or pool. Instead of an electric shock, the gadget employs auditory and ultrasonic sounds and vibration to inform the dog if it breaches its boundaries.
In this post, I will be discussing its key features and some of our experiences while using this device. If you’re thinking about getting this dog collar, this article will help you determine if you should get one for your fur babies.
Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar Key Features
Geofences and Tracking
With Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar, you can train your pup with shock-free geofence containment and use it as an invisible fence for your dog. You can create and save multiple, customizable geofences which you can map anywhere. There is no need for wires or installations to do this. You simply need to set the fences on your app and attach the collar to your dog. Once he or she crosses a no-go zone, he or she will be corrected through audible, ultrasonic & vibration corrections.
I find the GPS fence technology to be inaccurate and inconsistent. On our first trial, the device is working well within our home vicinity. However, on our second day of trial, my dog ran over the geofence I created which is supposedly our fence in the garden, and it seems that he did not receive a “correction” for crossing over the boundaries I set up. So, I would not use Wagz as a GPS collar for my dogs.
We tried it again on our third and fourth days. I instructed my dog as well to train him but I was disappointed again. The connection is lagging so it interferes with the functions of the device. I checked our internet connection but it is definitely working and our connectivity is also stable during that time.
The Bluetooth on the device is also not working well so I just gave up on using it on the fifth day. Compared to Halo 2 and SpotOn GPS fence, the tracking capabilities of Wagz are upsetting.
Activity and Health Tracking
Wagz Smart Collar also has an activity and health tracking feature to monitor your pup’s wellness. It includes monitoring of step count, sleep time, exercise time, and other health-related data.
You can also see your dog’s health & fitness updates and record their overall Fit Units and Health & Happiness Score.
The collar is made to be waterproof so you can track your dogs whether it is raining outside. It also has ambient temperature alerts which allow you to know if your pooch requires a break from the heat or cold.
Battery Life
The battery life of Wagz Smart Dog Collar varies based on activity level and network connectivity but in our experience of usage, the device didn’t even last 8 hours.
Compared to Halo 2 and SpotOn Collar, the battery life of Wagz is quite disappointing. Although there is a spare rechargeable battery which you can bring in case you plan on using the collar for the whole day which is a plus.
Wagz App
Wagz App is a free app that allows you to remotely set up the collar and monitor your dog’s activities and whereabouts. It organizes pertinent information such as notifications, alerts, and reminders. The app’s interface is user-friendly and I was able to navigate and set it up easily.
Wagz is designed to operate seamlessly with iPhone and Android devices, and it relies on 4G LTE cellular, Bluetooth, and WiFi for connectivity and accuracy.
Conclusion
Screenshot from Amazon
Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar is a middle-range smart dog collar. The features that it offers are promising however, I was disappointed after trying it out. The product reviews on Amazon are also not that great so better think twice before making your purchase.
I hope Wagz can address all the issues and innovate a better version of this smart dog collar. I would be willing to buy another one and try it out if that’s the case.
