Quick answer: The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap is the best smart pet door for most cat homes. It reads your cat’s existing microchip, remembers up to 32 pets, and has more than eighteen thousand ratings. To also control which cats can go out, pick the SureFlap DualScan. For large dogs, the High Tech Pet Power Pet is a fully automatic door that opens for a collar sensor.
A regular pet flap lets in anything that fits, including the neighbor’s cat and raccoons. A smart pet door only unlocks for your own pets, usually by reading a microchip or a collar sensor.
I compared popular smart pet doors on Amazon by how they identify pets, access and curfew controls, flap size, power source, and owner feedback. I have not tested these pet doors myself; my picks are based on manufacturer specifications and verified owner reviews.
My Top Picks
- Best overall: SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap
- Best for keeping indoor cats in: SureFlap DualScan Microchip Cat Door
- Best app-controlled: SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect
- Best with a built-in timer: Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door with Timer Control
- Best for large dogs: High Tech Pet Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door
Top Picks at a Glance
Prime SureFlap - Sure Petcare Microchip Cat Flap, White
Prime SureFlap DualScan Microchip Cat Door
Prime SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect Without Hub
Prime Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door with Timer
Prime Genuine Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door from
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The Best Smart Pet Doors Reviewed
1. SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap: Best Overall
Prime SureFlap - Sure Petcare Microchip Cat Flap, White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap is the most-reviewed door in this guide by a wide margin, with a 4.1-star average from more than eighteen thousand ratings. It reads your cat’s implanted microchip on the way in, so stray animals stay outside.
It works with 9, 10, and 15-digit microchips. If your cat is not chipped, SureFlap sells programmable collar tags separately. A light flashes red when the batteries run low.
Key specs
- Pet ID: implanted microchip or SureFlap collar tag (sold separately)
- Pets stored: up to 32
- Flap opening: 4 3/4″ H x 5 5/8″ W
- Power: 4 AA batteries, up to 12 months
- Installation: doors, windows, or walls
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Huge number of owner reviews
- Works with most common microchips
- Long battery life with a low-battery warning
Cons
- Scans on entry only, so it cannot keep a specific cat indoors
- Flap is sized for cats, not dogs
Bottom line: A proven, simple microchip door that keeps intruder cats out.
2. SureFlap DualScan Microchip Cat Door: Best for Keeping Indoor Cats In
Prime SureFlap DualScan Microchip Cat Door
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The DualScan looks like the standard SureFlap, but it reads microchips on the way out as well as on the way in. That lets you set exit permissions for each pet, which is useful if you have an indoor-only cat and an outdoor cat sharing the same door.
It stores up to 32 pets and fits doors, windows, or walls with the right accessories.
Key specs
- Pet ID: implanted microchip
- Scanning: entry and exit (per-pet exit permissions)
- Pets stored: up to 32
- Flap opening: 4 3/4″ H x 5 5/8″ W
- Power: 4 AA batteries, up to a year
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
Pros
- Keeps specific pets inside while others roam
- Same trusted SureFlap microchip reader
- No app or hub needed
Cons
- Flap is sized for cats, not most dogs
Bottom line: The pick for mixed indoor and outdoor cat households.
3. SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect: Best App-Controlled
Prime SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect Without Hub
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The Connect version puts SureFlap’s microchip door on your phone: lock or unlock it remotely, change curfew times, and track each pet’s long-term activity.
Its door opening is larger than SureFlap’s cat flaps, at 6 11/16″ W x 7″ H. The catch: the SureFlap Hub is required and sold separately. It holds a 3.8-star average from about six hundred ratings.
Key specs
- Pet ID: implanted microchip
- Control: smartphone app (SureFlap Hub required)
- Features: remote lock and unlock, curfew times, activity history
- Door opening: 6 11/16″ W x 7″ H
- Suitable for: cats and small dogs
Pros
- Lock the door from anywhere
- Activity history for each pet
- Bigger opening than the cat flaps
Cons
- Hub sold separately
- Owner ratings are more mixed than the basic SureFlap
Bottom line: The best option if you want remote control and activity data.
4. Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door with Timer Control: Best Built-In Timer
Prime Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door with Timer
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The Cat Mate Elite gives you curfews without an app. A programmable 4-way timer locks and unlocks the door automatically at set times, for example to keep cats in overnight, and an LCD display shows the settings on the door itself.
It reads your cat’s existing microchip, stores multiple IDs, and lets all cats exit freely while only recognized cats can come in. It has a 3.6-star average from more than sixteen hundred ratings.
Key specs
- Pet ID: implanted microchip
- Access: selective entry, free exit
- Locking: 4-way, with programmable timer
- Display: LCD
- Overall size: 9 3/4″ W x 10 3/8″ H
- Cut-out size: 7 1/16″ W x 8 1/16″ H
Pros
- Automatic curfews with no phone needed
- Settings visible on the LCD screen
- Works with multiple microchipped cats
Cons
- Lower average rating than the SureFlap flaps
- Scans on entry only
Bottom line: A good fit if you want scheduled lockouts without an app.
5. High Tech Pet Power Pet: Best for Large Dogs
Prime Genuine Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door from
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
Most microchip flaps are too small for big dogs. The Power Pet from High Tech Pet is a fully automatic powered door that opens when your dog approaches wearing the included MS-5 ultrasonic collar. Directional sensing means it opens only when your dog walks straight at it, not when they nap beside it.
A control panel sets In Only, Out Only, In and Out, or Locked modes. A steel dead bolt locks after it closes, and an anti-pinch system reopens it if something is in the way. It has a 4.5-star average from more than a thousand ratings.
Key specs
- Pet ID: MS-5 ultrasonic collar (included)
- Modes: In Only, Out Only, In and Out, Locked
- Security: automatic steel dead bolt
- Size: Large, door mount
- Maximum pet weight: 100 lbs
Pros
- Built for large dogs
- Dead bolt and anti-pinch safety
- Highest average rating in this guide
Cons
- Needs the collar; it does not read microchips
- More involved installation than a cat flap
Bottom line: The strongest pick here for big dogs that come and go on their own.
Comparison Table
| Pet door | Best for | Pet ID | Opening | Exit control | Timer or curfew |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap | Overall | Microchip or tag | 4 3/4″ x 5 5/8″ | No | — |
| SureFlap DualScan | Indoor cats | Microchip | 4 3/4″ x 5 5/8″ | Yes, per pet | — |
| SureFlap Pet Door Connect | App control | Microchip | 7″ x 6 11/16″ | — | Yes, via app |
| Cat Mate Elite | Built-in timer | Microchip | — | No | Yes, 4-way timer |
| Power Pet | Large dogs | Ultrasonic collar | — | Yes, mode panel | — |
“—” means the brand does not list this spec in the Amazon product details. Check the current listing before you buy.
How to Choose a Smart Pet Door
Microchip or collar
Microchip doors use the chip your pet may already have, so there is nothing to lose. Collar-based doors work for any pet but stop working if the collar comes off.
Entry-only or dual scanning
Most doors only check pets coming in. If you need to keep one pet indoors, choose a door that also scans on exit, like the SureFlap DualScan.
Size of your pet
Measure your pet’s shoulder width and height and compare them with the flap opening. Cat flaps suit cats and some very small dogs; large dogs need a door built for them.
App or no app
An app adds remote locking and activity history, but it may need a separate hub. A built-in timer handles simple curfews without one.
To keep an eye on your pet while you are out, see my guide to the best pet cameras. For outdoor adventurers, the best GPS dog collars help you find a dog that wanders. You can also browse all pet tech guides or my gift ideas for cat owners.
Final Thoughts
The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap is my top pick for most cat homes because it is simple, reads existing microchips, and has a huge base of owner reviews. Choose the SureFlap DualScan to keep certain cats inside, the SureFlap Pet Door Connect for app control, the Cat Mate Elite for timed curfews, or the Power Pet for large dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do smart pet doors work with any microchip?
Most read the common microchip types. The SureFlap Cat Flap lists 9, 10, and 15-digit chips. If you are unsure, ask your vet for your pet’s chip number.
What if my pet is not microchipped?
Use a collar-based door, or add a compatible RFID collar tag to a microchip door that supports one, like the SureFlap Cat Flap.
Do smart pet doors keep out raccoons and other wildlife?
Selective-entry doors stay locked unless they recognize your pet, so they are designed to keep out stray animals. No door is a guarantee, so keep it in good repair.
Do smart pet doors need Wi-Fi?
No, most work on their own with batteries or power. You only need Wi-Fi and a hub for app features, such as on the SureFlap Pet Door Connect.
