PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor

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Why a PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor?

The PetSafe brand has been a trusted leader of the pet behavior, containment, and lifestyle industry since 1991. This collar-activated pet door allows you to customize your pet’s access to your home! Its size is customizable to fit your large or small pet’s needs.

Features

The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor can be programmed to selectively allow entry and exit. Also there is a safety auto locking option.

It is battery operated and can be installed in either interior or exterior doors. It can also be installed in walls with the purchase of the Wall Install Kit.

The SmartDoor comes with one waterproof SmartKey, which is worn on your pet’s collar. This feature provides peace of mind that no unwanted critters or scavengers can pass through the SmartDoor when the door is set in automatic mode. This product is also great for households with more than one pet, as it is programmable for up to five SmartKeys. Any additional SmartKeys you may need can be purchased separately from the Electronic SmartDoor. Each SmartKey can be programmed to work with an unlimited number of SmartDoors.

The MUST Know, True Facts About the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor

The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor is constructed from high-quality, molded-foam plastic. It features double vinyl flaps, all-weather air pockets for an climate, and dual, heavy magnetic flaps. It is suitable for almost any pet, and will only open for pets wearing the SmartKey collar, so it can allow your dogs to come and go as they please while keeping your indoor cats inside, where they belong. The SmartKey uses radio frequency technology to activate the Electronic SmartDoor when your pet is within range.

The SmartDoor is waterproof and has a versatile installation process, making it just as easy to install as a regular pet door. Simply measure the height of your pet’s shoulder at their full, standing height and use the template included with your SmartDoor to trace the outline of the door. Cut along this line to create a hole for the door, then place the SmartDoor frame in the hole and secure it to the door with screws.

The SmartDoor locks and unlocks with a motor that pushes the gears of the lock into place. When set to automatic mode, the SmartKey on your pet’s collar will activate the motor to unlock the door and allow your pet to pass through it. The sensitivity of the SmartKey sensor is adjustable, which will allow you to change the range at which your pet can open the door. The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor requires two D batteries to operate. Batteries are not included, so make sure you order some batteries or a 6-volt power supply to accompany your purchase of this product.

Things to Be Aware of with the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor

In order to install the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor, a larger hole is required in your door or wall than a typical pet door. This is to account for the electronic frame that surrounds the Electronic SmartDoor. However, it can make replacing your Electronic SmartDoor with a different pet door challenging, as it may be hard to find a door that fits the same-sized hole.

The SmartKey is completely waterproof and can go in and out of the water with ease. However, PetSafe recommends ensuring that the battery is tightly sealed first in order to prevent any water damage to the battery.

The battery for the SmartKey has a long life as long as it is cared for properly. The Electronic SmartDoor battery tends to drain a little quicker. You can reduce battery use and stretch the life of this battery by keeping the Electronic SmartDoor unlocked when you are home during the day and locked at night or when you are away from the house. You can see that the battery is running low by the flash of an LED light on your Electronic SmartDoor.

Benefits

The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor is a great choice for the security of your home from wildlife and other neighborhood animals while also allowing your pet independence and ease to go outside any time they need to.

You have the option of activating your SmartDoor with your cell phone by purchasing a Switchbot and/or a Switchbot Hub Plus from Amazon. These products help you control the mode of your SmartDoor with the Switchbot app on your phone. With the regular Switchbot, you can control it from anywhere within Bluetooth range. With the Switchbot Hub Plus, you can control it from anywhere when connected to WiFi.

The large-sized Electronic SmartDoor is big enough for dogs about the size of a Rottweiler or German Shephard.

The construction of the SmartDoor is sturdy enough for frequent and hard use by your cats or dogs.

The SmartDoor and SmartKey technology is easy to set up and use.

The ability keeping wildlife out and indoor cats in while allowing outdoor pets to pass through is convenient.

The Electronic SmartDoor is covered under a one-year warranty (see warranty section below) and the manufacturer can help you with troubleshooting your product if needed. You may also be offered a free or discounted replacement product if your Electronic SmartDoor malfunctions or breaks.

Things to Watch Out For

The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor only comes in a large or small size, with no option for medium dogs. You may find that this product is slightly too large for your medium-sized dog.

You also may find that the SmartKey may be a bit large for the collar of your small cat or dog, causing the collar to drag a bit.

If your Electronic SmartDoor runs out of batteries, the product does not include a closing panel to cover the door, so be sure to have replacement batteries on hand for the least hassle.

The Electronic SmartDoor is only compatible with the included PetSafe SmartKey. If your pet has a microchip, your SmartDoor will not be programmable to read and be activated by the microchip.

The Electronic SmartDoor can be a bit loud when locking and unlocking. If your pet is skittish or sensitive to sound, this may scare them and deter them from using the SmartDoor.

Dogs and cats with longer tails may be caught by the Electronic SmartDoor as it closes behind them. This can cause injury to your pet if they do not move through the door fast enough.

The large ElectronicSmartDoor is not quite big enough for very large dogs, such as a Great Dane.

The Electronic SmartDoor has been known to start malfunctioning after a few months, which may lead to a need for frequent reprogramming or troubleshooting.

The small-sized SmartDoor is very small, and it is not suitable for dogs bigger than 13 lbs.

The SmartDoor’s hinge can experience wear and tear, causing it to detach from the rest of the door. This may leave your home vulnerable if the door detaches when you are not home.

The SmartKey range can sometimes malfunction to read inconsistently, which can cause the SmartDoor to either unlock itself when the pet is far away or stay locked until the pet is very close to the door.

The switch to adjust the sensitivity of the SmartKey is very sensitive itself, which can lead to large changes in detection sensitivity in some cases.

The Electronic SmartDoor is designed to keep unwanted animals out of the house. It is not meant to keep people out who may use the door as a means to access your home. Additional security measures are recommended to prevent your Electronic SmartDoor from becoming a liability.

The Electronic SmartDoor is not for every pet. Some pets do not like using the door or have a hard time training to use it. This product is not recommended for aggressive pets. If you aren’t sure if the SmartDoor will be right for you pet, consult your pet’s vet or certified trainer before buying this product.

Does My Electronic SmartDoor Have a Warranty?

The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor with included SmartKey comes with a warranty of one year. The non-transferable, limited warranty covers defects in the material or workmanship of the product for the duration of one year from the original purchase date. If you need to make a warranty claim for any reason during the first year of owning your SmartDoor, PetSafe will cover the labor and parts needed to fix or replace your product. After the warranty expires, PetSafe will charge a service or upgrade fee at their discretion. The warranty automatically expires if you sell your SmartDoor or move it to a new property after it has been initially installed. The warranty does not cover damage done by using your SmartDoor for any purpose other than it is intended: for your pets to enter and exit your home. Be sure to properly install and use your SmartDoor only as intended, or else the warranty will not cover damage or defects in your SmartDoor. The bottom line is, if the problem you have with your SmartDoor has not originated from the manufacturer, it is not covered under the warranty.

Making a Warranty Claim

In order to obtain warranty coverage for your Electronic SmartDoor, you need to register your SmartDoor within thirty days of buying the product. You can do this on PetSafe’s website. You will also need to keep the sales receipt from your purchase in order to prove that you were the primary buyer of your SmartDoor. If you have the receipt and your SmartDoor is registered, you can make your warranty claim by calling the PetSafe Customer Care center.

Possible Alternatives

Ideal Pet Products E-Z Pass Electronic Pet Door

This product comes in a medium size, with a flap that is 7” x 9” for your cat or dog up to 25 pounds. It works similarly to the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor, with a radio-frequency FOB (included with your purchase) that attaches to your pet’s collar and activates the door as your pet approaches. This product comes with a 110v wired power transformer and there is an optional battery pack sold separately. This pet door also works for households with more than one pet, as the door can be programmed to multiple FOBs, which are sold separately on Amazon. However, in addition to having similar benefits to the Electronic SmartDoor, the E-Z Pass Electronic Pet Door seems to also have similar issues to PetSafe’s product. Its parts tend to break off rather quickly, with some inconsistency in the FOB sensor and malfunction in the motor performance.

High Tech Pet Power Pet Electronic Pet Door

This product costs slightly more than the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor, but it comes in both a medium and large size. The motor-driven door slides vertically and is activated by a small ultrasonic collar. With a vertically-sliding door, your pet does not have to push the door open themselves, and therefore if your pet is hesitant to use products with thick doors like the Electronic SmartDoor, this product might work well for you. The door will also not close on your pet or their tail, as it has a sensor that sends the door back up if it senses an obstacle. The High Tech Pet Power Electronic Pet Door is advertised as opening and closing quietly and comes with one battery included. If you have multiple dogs, reviews suggest this door may not be for you, and the sensor can get confused if too many FOBs are near it at once. In further contrast to the Electronic SmartDoor, this product and the collar FOBs that go with it are not waterproof, so they may malfunction if they get wet.

SureFlap Microchip Pet Door

This product activates using radio frequency identification that is compatible with your pet’s implanted microchip as well as the included RFID collar tag. It can be programmed for up to 32 identities, so it is ideal for multi-pet homes. Its dimensions are 178 mm wide x 170 mm high, so it is only suitable for cats and small dogs. This product offers a curfew time that can be set so your pet cannot leave the house after a certain hour. It is battery operated (batteries not included) and features a red light that will flash when the batteries are low and need to be replaced. It costs less than $100 (not including shipping), making it also more cost-effective in case the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor is a bit beyond your budget. This product can also be installed in doors, walls, or windows, providing flexibility to allow your pet to come and go through whichever port they feel most comfortable. One thing to be aware of with this product is the clicking noise made by the door when locking and unlocking may scare your pet if they are sensitive to noises or skittish. This product comes with a warranty of three years.

Conclusion

For many pet owners, the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor is a great way to provide peace of mind and convenience for your home. It is not perfect, and no electronically powered pet door can be. Know that any electronic door, regardless of brand, will likely have some issues with the sensor reading the collar or microchip accurately every time. You may also need to look for the right size door for your pet or pets. Overall, however, this product has the potential to make your life and your pet’s life easier and more secure.

Summary (TL; DR)

The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor provides ease of access for your outdoor pet while keeping indoor pets inside and strays and wild critters outside. It uses a sensor that reads the PetSafe SmartKey on your pet’s collar to unlock the door when your pet approaches when set in automatic mode. The SmartDoor is no harder to install than a regular pet door, though it is important to note that the hole required for this product is larger than other pet doors of the same size because of the frame surrounding the door flap. The SmartDoor can be programmed to up to five SmartKeys, making it convenient for homes with multiple pets. The SmartDoor itself, as well as the SmartKey, are waterproof, so they can withstand wet weather and your pet’s swimming habits. The door is sturdy and can withstand frequent and energetic use within reason. You should be aware that the software and SmartKey sensing technology are known to malfunction, but these are covered under the nontransferable limited warranty for one year after purchase. However, no electronic pet door is perfect, and any door you buy is likely to have some trouble reading your pet’s collar FOB on occasion. You should also be aware that this product is not suitable for all pets, such as those with aggressive or skittish personalities or with longer tails, as they may have trouble with the door. This can include challenges training to use the door and getting their long tail stuck if they do not move through the door quickly enough. If you are unsure if this product is right for your pet, consult your verternarian or your pet’s certified trainer.

PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor – Collar Activated Dog and Cat Door