Letting your pet come and go on their own is a real convenience, but an open flap also lets in strays, foxes and the neighbour’s cat. A smart pet door solves that by recognising your pet before it unlocks.
We have compared five pet doors currently available on Amazon UK, covering microchip doors, key-fob electronic doors and simple manual flaps.
Quick Comparison Table
Product | Best For | Price Range | Rating |
SureFlap Microchip Pet Door | Microchip recognition | £110-120 | 4.4/5 |
PetSafe SmartDoor Electronic (Large) | Key fob control | £195-205 | 3.9/5 |
Ideal Pet Products Telescoping Pet Door | Budget-conscious owners | £12-16 | 4.6/5 |
PetSafe Wall Entry Telescoping Tunnel Door | Thick walls and doors | £115-125 | 4.7/5 |
Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Flap | Cats and small pets | £75-85 | 3.7/5 |
Our Top Picks
SureFlap Microchip Pet Door
Best for: cats and small dogs with an existing microchip
The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door reads your pet’s existing microchip, so there is no collar tag to lose and no other animal can wander in. It has a curfew timer, and the wider opening makes it suitable for cats and small dogs.
It is the best-known name in microchip pet doors, with a 4.4 out of 5 average across almost 7,000 ratings, and currently costs around £116.
What we like:
- Reads the microchip your pet already has
- Built-in curfew timer
- Very large base of owner reviews
Worth knowing:
- Suits cats and small dogs rather than large breeds
- Needs a compatible door or wall cut-out and batteries
Specifications:
- Type: microchip pet door
- Suits: cats and small dogs
- Feature: curfew timer
- Power: batteries
PetSafe SmartDoor Electronic Pet Door (Large)
Best for: dog owners who want key fob control
The PetSafe SmartDoor opens only for a pet wearing the SmartKey collar sensor, and locks again behind them. That gives large-dog households a secure, electronic door that keeps strays and wildlife out.
This is the Large size, currently around £200. It has a 3.9 out of 5 average from just over 300 ratings, so read the size guide carefully before ordering.
What we like:
- Key-based access keeps unwanted animals out
- Large size for bigger dogs
- Automatic locking behind your pet
Worth knowing:
- Pet must wear the collar key
- Reviews are more mixed than for microchip doors
Specifications:
- Type: electronic door with SmartKey
- Size: Large
- Access: SmartKey collar sensor
- Weatherproof frame
Ideal Pet Products Designer Series Telescoping Pet Door
Best for: budget-conscious owners who want a simple flap
If you do not need to filter which animals come through, a manual flap is the simplest option. The Ideal Pet Products door is a plastic frame with a telescoping section that adapts to different door thicknesses.
It costs around £14, has a 4.6 out of 5 average across nearly 4,000 ratings, and needs no batteries. There is no lock or microchip control, so anything can use it.
What we like:
- Very low price
- No batteries or electronics
- Telescoping frame adapts to door thickness
Worth knowing:
- No microchip or key control
- Medium size only suits smaller pets
Specifications:
- Type: manual flap
- Size: Medium
- Frame: telescoping plastic
- Power: none
PetSafe Wall Entry Pet Door with Telescoping Tunnel
Best for: thick walls and doors, medium to large pets
A wall or thick door needs a longer tunnel than a standard flap. The PetSafe Wall Entry door uses a telescoping tunnel to fit through thicker walls, with a flap that closes securely behind your pet.
It is priced around £120, and a 4.7 out of 5 average across roughly 4,500 ratings makes it one of the best-reviewed pet doors here. It is a manual door, so it does not identify individual animals.
What we like:
- Telescoping tunnel for thick walls or doors
- Excellent reviews
- Durable weather-resistant build
Worth knowing:
- Manual door with no microchip control
- Higher price than a basic flap
Specifications:
- Type: wall-entry manual door
- Size: Medium
- Tunnel: telescoping
- Power: none
Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Flap
Best for: cat owners who want microchip control with a timer
The Cat Mate Elite is a microchip cat flap with an adjustable timer, so you can set curfew hours to keep your cat in overnight. It suits small to medium cats.
It costs around £80 and holds a 3.7 out of 5 average from more than 1,600 ratings. It is a solid choice if you want a timer and you are not looking for an app-connected model.
What we like:
- Built-in timer control
- Microchip-activated entry
- Suits small to medium cats
Worth knowing:
- Reviews are more mixed than for SureFlap
- Needs batteries and a compatible door cut-out
Specifications:
- Type: microchip cat flap
- Suits: small to medium cats
- Feature: timer control
- Colour: white
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Smart Pet Door
What to look for
Decide first whether you need to control who comes in. If so, a microchip or key-fob door is the only reliable option. If not, a manual flap is simpler and cheaper.
Check the opening size against your pet, the thickness of your door or wall, and how the door is powered.
Types of smart pet door explained
Microchip doors read the chip your pet already has. Electronic key-fob doors need a collar sensor. Manual push-through doors have no electronics. WiFi-enabled models connect to an app but cost more.
Size guide: finding the right fit
Measure your pet’s shoulder height and widest point, then choose an opening that leaves a little room to spare. Cat-sized microchip doors suit cats and small dogs; larger dogs need a dog-sized door.
How much should you spend?
Around £15 buys a manual flap. Between £80 and £150 buys a microchip door. Large electronic doors for bigger dogs cost £200 or more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fit a smart pet door into any door?
Most fit standard wooden, uPVC and composite doors, and some fit walls, but glass and thick doors may need a special adaptor or tunnel. Check the manufacturer’s fitting guidance first.
Will my pet use it?
Most pets learn quickly with a little encouragement. Prop the flap open at first and reward them for going through.
How do I prevent unwanted animals from entering?
Choose a microchip or key-fob door that only opens for your pet, rather than a manual flap.
Are smart pet doors energy efficient?
Doors with a good seal and a flap that closes fully help limit draughts, but a pet door is never as airtight as a solid door.
Conclusion
The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door is our top pick for cats and small dogs, thanks to its microchip recognition and huge base of owner reviews.
For larger dogs, the PetSafe SmartDoor gives key-based control, while the Ideal Pet Products flap and PetSafe wall-entry door suit owners who do not need access control.
This roundup is part of our Pet Technology Guide.
