SmartDoor vs Magnador: Which Pet Door Fits Your Home?
By UPCO Pet Supplies | Small Business Pet Shop in St. Joseph MO | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Comparisons
Compare the PetSafe SmartDoor Small and Magnador Medium pet doors on locking, flap durability, and sizing to pick the right fit for your cat or dog.
Quick answer
Choose the PetSafe SmartDoor Small if you want collar-tag-controlled access for a pet up to 15 lbs and extra control over which animals come inside. Choose the Magnador Medium if you need a simple, magnetic, chew-resistant flap for a larger cat or small-to-medium dog.
How the locking methods change daily use
The SmartDoor Small unlocks only when it recognizes a Smart Key collar tag on your pet, then re-locks after they pass through. That means your pet must wear the tag, and you will need to manage tags for each pet that should have access. The Magnador Medium uses a magnetic self-closing flap and a two-way locking system you set manually, so any pet that can push through the flap can use it when it is unlocked.
Neither door is supplied with installation hardware details in the catalog, so check your door or wall thickness and framing before you buy. The SmartDoor also requires the extra Smart Keys (sold separately, item #11045) if you have more than one pet or need a replacement tag.
Sizing is the deciding factor for most homes
The Magnador Medium has an 11-inch wide by 13-inch high opening and requires a cutout of 11 1/2 by 14 5/8 inches. The SmartDoor Small is sized for pets up to 15 lbs, which generally suits cats and very small dogs. If your pet is near that weight limit or is a sturdy small breed, measure its chest and height against the Magnador opening rather than guessing from the weight rating alone.
Because the SmartDoor's opening dimensions are not supplied, do not assume it will fit a pet that is simply under 15 lbs. Measure your pet and confirm the flap size with the store before ordering.
Trade-offs to weigh before you choose
- Control vs. simplicity: The SmartDoor gives you tag-based control but depends on collar tags and electronics. The Magnador gives you a straightforward magnetic flap and manual two-way lock with no tags or batteries to manage. Decide whether excluding other animals is worth the tag routine.
- Pet size and opening: The Magnador Medium publishes an 11 x 13 inch opening and a specific cutout, so you can measure before buying. The SmartDoor Small is rated for pets up to 15 lbs but does not list opening dimensions, so confirm the flap size with the store if your pet is close to that limit. Measure your pet and your door before ordering either model.
- Installation and extra parts: Both doors require a cutout, but only the SmartDoor needs Smart Key collar tags for each pet; replacements and extras are item #11045. The Magnador needs no tags or power source. Add the cost of extra Smart Keys to your SmartDoor budget.
Product facts at a glance
- Magnador® Medium Pet Door – Magnetic Locking Dog & Cat Door: Chew-resistant flap with magnetic self-closing design and 2-way locking; opening 11 in W x 13 in H, cutout 11 1/2 in W x 14 5/8 in H. A manual magnetic lock and a chew-resistant flap suit households that want simple, non-electronic access for a larger cat or small-to-medium dog.
Magnador® Medium Pet Door – Magnetic Locking Dog & Cat Door - PetSafe® SmartDoor™ Small – Electronic Pet Door for Pets Up to 15 lbs: Electronic door recognizes a Smart Key collar tag, unlocks on approach, and re-locks after the pet passes; designed for pets up to 15 lbs. Collar-tag control helps keep out stray animals, but every pet that needs access must wear a tag, and extra keys are sold separately.
PetSafe® SmartDoor™ Small – Electronic Pet Door for Pets Up to 15 lbs
Which door fits your home?
Best for
- Homes with a cat or very small dog (up to 15 lbs) where you want to limit access to tagged pets
- Owners willing to manage collar tags and keep extra Smart Keys on hand
Not for
- Pets that refuse to wear a collar tag or homes that want a no-electronics solution
- Dogs larger than the Magnador Medium opening or pets whose size is uncertain without measuring
