Best wireless dog fences

Top pick: PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence with the replaceable-battery collar. PetSafe is the brand with the longest track record in wireless containment, the collar battery lasts about 60 days and swaps out instead of needing a recharge, and it covers roughly three-quarters of an acre — enough for most suburban yards. It's the safest bet for a first-time setup.

Who the others suit:

• PawTronic Pro Series 2 — the pick for big or oddly shaped properties: GPS boundary out to thousands of feet, six saved layouts, fully waterproof collar.
• Pawious N5-F900 — a strong second for large yards if you want a dedicated GPS unit rather than a plug-in base station.
• CICPAP GPS fence — the budget route to GPS with custom-shaped boundaries; fewer reviews, so treat it as a gamble.
• PetSafe 1/2-acre system — the simple, proven choice for a small, flat yard and one dog.
• Audessy / JDMEOPD — cheapest entry points, but low ratings and short ranges; fine only for a tiny area and a tolerant dog.

Whatever you choose, plan on a week or two of flag-and-leash training — the fence only works if the dog learns the warning zone.