Link and Whistle manufacture some of the best smart collars on the market. They are stylish, allow for you to track your pets using GPS, come with sleep tracking to see if your pet is healthy and allow you to gain access to data about your pet which allows you to optimize your diet and exercise routine for your pets. The Link AKC comes with WiFi technology, allows you to remotely turn on the light on the collar and comes with a mobile application while the Whistle 3 comes with Bluetooth technology, is waterproof and will monitor activity all day long. Which of the two smart collars offers the best performance? We will compare the two smart collars and help you make a judgment as to which smart collar is best for your pet.
Alternatively, just skip to either the Link AKC or the Whistle 3 on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table Link AKC vs. Whistle 3
| Whistle 3 | Link AKC | |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Bluetooth technology | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi technology | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular technology | Yes | Yes |
| Need a subscription? | Yes | Yes |
| Estimated battery life | Up to 7 days | Up to 3 days |
| Dimensions & Size | 1.45 x 1.82 x 0.61 in | XS, S, M, L, XL |
| Finish | Black, Green, Blue | Brown (Leather), Black (Sport) |
| Suitable for: | Dogs, cats and more | Dogs |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep monitoring | Yes | No |
| Remote turn on light and sound | No | Yes |
| Monitor Activity all day long (24/7) | Yes | Yes |
| 3D Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| GPS Location Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.92 ounces | 4.8 ounces |
| Mobile application | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Key Similarities between the Link AKC and the Whistle 3:
- GPS location tracking
- Wireless technology
- Need a subscription
- Waterproof
- All day long activity monitoring
- Mobile application
Key Differences between the Link AKC and the Whistle 3:
- Weight
- Sleep monitoring
- Battery life
- Pets that can be used with it
- Finish
- Remote turn on light and sound
A Comprehensive Comparison between the Link AKC and the Whistle 3
1. GPS Location Tracking
The introduction of the Global Positioning System was seen as a milestone in most industries in the 20th century. This system of satellites located in space allowed for you to locate the exact position of your products. This was a feature that was quite welcome as it meant that you could recover stolen goods, detect the exact position of goods at any given time and clever individuals realized that you can also use this technology to find lost pets. Both the Link AKC and the Whistle 3 come with GPS location tracking. This means that you do not need to worry about your pets getting lost as you can get their exact location.
2. Wireless Technology
Both the Link AKC and the Whistle 3 come with wireless technology. They allow for you to track your dog using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cellular technology in addition to GPS location tracking. These wireless technologies come with a host of advantages. Wi-Fi is available in virtually every town city and home in the US. It comes with a decent range. Bluetooth is a very popular technology, and it allows for you to track the dog if it is near you. The cellular technology allows for you to track the exact location of the dog, as well as give other parameters such as activity levels. It is important to note that both devices rely on AT&T cellular signals which means that you cannot use these devices outside the US.
3. Subscription
The Link AKC and the Whistle 3 provide a service that many pet owners find to be quite useful. In order for both companies to provide a reliable service, they need to make their business profitable. As a result, you need to get a subscription in able for you to gain reliable service from both companies and for you to utilize all the unique features that the smart collars have. They offer monthly, yearly and 2 year subscriptions. These options allow for you to choose which the subscription plan that best suits your unique needs. Since they are different companies, the exact prices will obviously be different.
4. Waterproof
Animals love to play in the strangest of conditions. It is quite common to see dogs playing in puddles of mud, wandering into forests soon after a thunderstorm and also chasing each other in the rain. This means that the smart dog collars need to be weather resistant. Both the Link AKC and the Whistle 3 were made to resist harsh weather conditions. They are both shock proof and water resistant.
5. All Day Long Activity Monitoring
The Link AKC and the Whistle 3 devices both allow for you to keep track of your pet’s activity throughout the day. This is a very important feature as you will be able to note when the activity of your pet is unusual and this can allow you to detect illnesses before it is too late. The Link AKC allows you to gain personalized activity recommendations based on your pet’s age, breed, behavior, an algorithm to learn how much activity your pet has had and whether it is enough and a 3 axis accelerometer that accurately measures the activity of the pet. The Whistle 3 gives the number of calories the pet has burned per day, the distance travelled, 24 hour activity records sown in the form of a graph as well as rest time as well as active time. So even though both devices give roughly the same information, the Whistle 3 is better at providing essential information in an easy to read manner than the Link AKC.
6. Weight
The Whistle 3 is lighter than the Link AKC. Pets, just like humans, are able to feel pain. Imagine having a collar around your neck for the whole day. That would be very unpleasant. Pets feel the same way – especially if the collar is heavy. The Whistle 3 comes at a weight of just 0.92 ounces unlike the Link AKC which comes at a weight of 4.8 ounces. This makes the Whistle 3 more comfortable than the Link AKC.
7. Sleep Monitoring
The sleeping patterns of your pet can help you check if there are any problems with your pets. The Whistle 3 is better at tracking your pet’s activity than the Link AKC. This is because it allows for you to track your pet’s sleeping patterns. The Link only tracks activity and does not offer sleep monitoring capabilities.
8. Battery Life
The Whistle 3 is much more efficient than the Link AKC. This can be clearly seen as it offers up to 7 days on just one charge. The Link AKC needs to be charged once every 3 days. This means you get much greater flexibility with the Whistle 3 than you would with the Link as you will not need to worry about having to charge the battery every few days.
9. Pets
The Link AKC and the Whistle 3 were designed with different pets in mind. The Whistle 3 is able to be used with more pets than the Link AKC. This is because the Link AKC is mainly designed for dogs. The Whistle 3 can be used for any animal that you can stick a collar on.
10. Additional Features
The Link AKC is more feature rich than the Whistle 3. The Link AKC allows for you to use the remote turn on light and sound feature. This allows you to turn on the light remotely for your pet to be easily seen in the dark. The sound option allows for easier training as dogs respond well to sound. In addition, the Link AKC allows for you to get notifications whenever your dog in in an environment that is either too hot or too cold.
Our Pick
We found the Whistle 3 to be quite irresistible. This is because it comes with an impressive battery life which is quite convenient, it allows for you to use it with a wide variety of pets that allow for collars to be stuck onto them and it is lighter than the Whistle 3. These features made it highly attractive to us, and we recommend that you give it a try.
Why Do You Need a Smart Collar?
GPS Tracking
The smart collars that are available on the market usually come with the GPS tracking feature. This allows for you to track the exact location of your animal at any given time. This means that you do not need to worry about your pet getting lost as you can get its exact coordinates and move towards it. Both the Link AKC and the Whistle 3 have these additional features.
Sleep Tracking
You can get a lot of valuable insights from your pet’s sleeping activity. You can see whether it is healthy or not and what you can do to improve your pet’s health. The Whistle 3 offers this feature.
Data
The smart collars on the market allow the user to gain access to a wide host of data through the use of a mobile application. The data is usually organized in a format that allows you to read it quickly and easily. The Whistle 3 comes with such an application that you will find quite useful.
Factors to Consider When Choosing between the Link AKC and the Whistle 3
1. Weight
Pets are just like humans. They get irritated just like we do, and they do not like having to carry heavy collars on their necks all day long. The heavy collars may result in the pet being quite uncomfortable. The Whistle 3 comes with a lightweight collar that your pets will find quite comfortable.
2. Battery Life
The majority of us go to work. After spending 8 hours at a desk and another 2 hours more commuting, the last thing you would want to worry about is a low smart collar battery that needs to be charged. The Whistle 3 allows you to charge it only once every 7 days. This allows you to perform this mundane task during the weekend.
3. Sleep Tracking
It is important to track the health of your pets. An easy way of doing so is tracking the sleep activity of your pets. You will gain valuable insights and will be able to identify any abnormal activity and any illnesses present.
4. Subscription Plans
The Link AKC and the Whistle 3 both come with subscription plans. These allow you to fully utilize all the features that come with the smart dog collars. As these are different companies, this means that they come with different subscription plans that are structured in a different manner and cost different. Choose the smart collar that allow you to get the best bang for your buck.
5. Remote Turn On Light and Sound
This is a feature that allows you to turn on the light present on your pet’s dog collar and also give out sound. The light feature allows for you, as well as other people to locate your dog in the event that it gets lost. It also prevents the dog from being hit by cars, trucks and other automobiles. If you like this feature, then go for the Link AKC.
6. Temperature Alerts
This is a feature that gives notifications when your pet is in an environment that is either too hot or too cold. This allows you to take action as needed to keep your dog healthy and comfortable. If you find this feature useful to you, then the Link AKC smart collar may be the best option for you.
Link AKC vs. Whistle 3 FAQs
Can I Use the Collar Outside of the US?
No you cannot. It can only be used in this country.
Do I need a Subscription?
Yes you do need a subscription to use both smart collars.
Are they Waterproof?
Yes they are.
Do they come with a Mobile App?
Yes they do!
Are they Easy to Use?
Yes they are. Just follow the simple instructions that come with the device and you are good to go.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored the similarities and differences between the Link AKC and the Whistle 3. We declared the winner to be the Whistle 3. This is because the Whistle 3 comes with a wide host of benefits. It comes with a battery that needs to be charged only once a week, it is much lighter than the Link AKC, it allows you to track the sleep of your pet and detect any anomalies present. In addition to all this, the Whistle 3 can be used with other pets that are not dogs. As long as the pet allows for a strap on collar to be used, the Whistle 3 will be a viable option.
We included a comprehensive list of features that you will need to consider when choosing between the two smart collars. This will help you to choose which device will best suit your needs for your particular application.
Check out the best smart collar, the Whistle 3 on Amazon.
