Best RV Pet Temperature Monitor (Hint: NOT Waggle)

One of the primary reasons I chose vanlife was to travel with my dog (he’s too big for planes). However, it’s unavoidable that occasionally I have to leave my pet unattended for a short time while I get groceries, stop at a laundromat, find a place to shower, etc.

Having a reliable pet temperature monitor is non-negotiable for keeping my dog safe while I’m away. After testing several, there’s a clear winner.

In this article I’ll tell you which RV pet monitors are worth it, and which ones are a waste of money.

Originally, I had a Waggle RV Pet Temperature Monitor. I would not buy Waggle again. The battery life is awful and the cell connection (for alerts) wasn’t reliable, which meant life saving alerts weren’t reliable — an immediate deal breaker for me. Not to mention, it’s one of the pricier options.

Ultimately, I settled on a better RV temperature monitor that’s less expensive and more reliable at sending me warning alerts. Now, I use MarCELL RV pet monitor and highly recommend it to anyone traveling with pets.

In this article:

• My recommendation for the best RV pet temperature monitor
• Easy comparison chart of the top options
• Waggle alternatives – MarCELL, Necto & SimpliSafe
• Discount codes

Disclaimer: This article features some affiliate links. I only endorse things I’ve personally used or that come highly recommended by trusted peers. If you purchase anything I mention using my referral links from Amazon, REI or other retailers I may receive a small commission. However, there is never extra cost to you. You can read more here. Thank you for your support.

Compare The Best RV Pet Monitors

Pets aren’t allowed everywhere, so the reality of RV travel is that you’ll occasionally have to leave them unattended for a short time.

It’s important to have an RV temperature monitor for your camper which can alert you to temperature changes that become too hot or too cold for your pets.

While Waggle pet monitor is one of the most well-known options, in my opinion, it isn’t the best RV temperature monitor for pets (they just have a really big marketing budget).

There are several alternative RV pet temperature monitors to consider:

RV Pet Temperature Monitor Reviews

There are several options when it comes to the best RV temperature monitor – the best one for you will depend on how you plan to use it.

For general use, I recommend MarCELL. However, if you’re looking for a more robust system with additional features beyond pet temperature monitoring, SimpliSafe is a great option.

#1 MarCELL Pet Monitor For RVs

The MarCELL RV pet monitor will send real-time alerts for temperature, humidity and power loss directly to your phone (and 8 other devices, too, if you need.)

I’ve been using RV pet monitors for many years, and one thing I find particularly refreshing about MarCELL is that their device cost and subscription fees have not increased. Pretty much all the other competitors have had significant price hikes.

One of the reasons MarCELL can remain affordable is because they’re a US-based and manufactured company, so they aren’t impacted by tariffs.

If you’re a seasonal traveler, month-to-month subscriptions are $15/mo, or $11.95/mo with a minimum of 4 months. However, if you need an annual plan they offer a discounted rate of $8.25/mp (billed annually at $99.)

One nice feature of the MarCELL RV temperature monitor is that you can choose whether to connect to Verizon or AT&T cellular networks, depending on which device you buy.

For US travel, I find that AT&T has better connection in remote areas. The AT&T model will also work in Canada and Mexico. Unfortunately, the Verizon model will not.

NOTE: Your RV pet monitor does NOT need to use the same cell network as your phone.

MarCELL pet monitor also offers a unique option Necto and Waggle do not. They call it SPuck, and it’s a water leak monitor. It’s perfect for plumbing cabinets you rarely access and can alert you to a leak before it becomes a bigger problem.

🔥🔥 DEAL: Save $10 with MarCELL discount code EWC10

➜ Buy MarCELL pet monitor here

Verizon model also available on Amazon

#2 Necto Temperature Monitor For RVs

I switched to Necto after ditching Waggle. I found it far more reliable, especially since the integrated SIM can toggle between multiple cell networks based on which has a stronger signal.

I wrote a detailed Waggle Vs Necto comparison here.

At the time, Necto temperature monitors cost around $120 and included a 2-year subscription. It was a great deal! Unfortunately, the same device now retails for $220.

While $220 is a bit steep for weekend RVers, Necto is still a great option if you’re traveling full-time. The annual cost (subscription included) is equivalent to $110/year for the first two years, then just $84 annually to maintain annual subscription renewals.

Necto updates data in the app every 10 minutes. However, if the temperature hits an unsafe range you’ll get an alert immediately (you don’t have to wait the full 10-minutes.)

➜ Buy Necto temperature monitor here

Also available on Amazon

Laws regarding unattended pets in vehicles varies by state. Grab my printable state-by-state guide for easy reference while traveling!

#3 SimpliSafe RV Pet Monitor With Camera

Originally, I planned to use SimpliSafe as my van security system, but I quickly realized it’s potential as a pet temperature monitor, too.

By adding their temperature sensor to your setup, you’ll get real-time temperature readings on their mobile app. Additionally, their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will also send you real-time alerts — something no other RV pet monitor offers and a huge benefit for RV travelers.

There is a catch, however. SimpliSafe temperature monitor only updates once per hour. That means the temperature can be out of range for a while before the system sends you an alert.

If you open the app and refresh, you can get real-time updates as frequently as you’d like — but you have to remember to check it.

I’m neurotic about checking the temperature in my camper when I’m away, so this was fine for me, but if you’re easily distracted this won’t be the right RV pet monitor system for you.

Additionally, you can add as many cameras (indoor and outdoor) to your system as you’d like. Unlike Waggle, these additional cameras do not come with additional subscription fees. Absolutely everything in your SimpliSafe system is included in the same monthly fee.

NOTE: Cameras require a wifi connection in order to be accessed remotely.

An additional perk is that for around $30 you can also add water alarms to your system. I loved this option and kept an alarm under my sink, and in my water heater cabinet — places I rarely look at and could develop a small leak that got out of hand before I’d ever notice.

SimpliSafe will send alerts whenever:

TIP: SimpliSafe uses a Verizon connection by default, but you can request an AT&T connection when you buy your system. I recommend getting AT&T because it works better in more remote areas.

Out of the box, SimpliSafe runs on 110v household electricity. That means you either need to power up your inverter daily to charge the backup battery (lasts for 1 day), or make an easy 15-minute, $10 modification (I show how to, with photos, here).

➜ Get 50% off SimpliSafe here

#4 Waggle Pet Monitor For RV & Campers

Waggle pet monitor is the first RV pet monitor I tried. It gets the job done, but I didn’t like how unreliable alerts were, and when I started researching I found that there are better (and cheaper) Waggle alternatives.

Like the other temperature monitors in this review, Waggle tracks temperature, humidity and power loss.

Alerts are sent to your phone in real-time when one of these risk events happens. You can add up to 5 devices to receive alerts.

Another thing I really disliked is that Waggle subscriptions are set to auto renew. If you forget to cancel within 7 days of your renewal charge, Waggle will not offer prorated refunds.

NOTE: While it’s advertised that Waggle pet monitors work in Canada, you must buy the specific Canadian version. US models will not work in Canada or Mexico.

Waggle also offers an RV pet monitor with camera. Unfortunately, Waggle cameras require an additional subscription fee and cannot be combined with the temperature sensor subscription.

There are two models. The Waggle RV Mini Camera requires a WiFi connection. While this should be free (because you’re already paying for WiFi), Waggle gates camera feed access behind a $5/mo subscription. In my opinion, this is an unnecessary money grab (and something you can get for free with SimpliSafe.)

The second model, Waggle 4G LTE Cellular Security Camera, operates over cellular networks and therefore requires an additional subscription of $30/month.

To use both the Waggle RV pet monitor and Waggle RV pet camera will cost $60/month for the subscriptions.

TIP: Waggle prices fluctuate a lot. Like over $100 and they seem to run some kind of promotion frequently. If you opt for Waggle, please do not pay full price! Within a few days they’ll be on sale for a steep discount.

➜ Buy Waggle pet monitor here

Best Mexican & Canadian RV Pet Temperature Monitor

For international travelers, there are a few options for RV pet temperature monitors that work in Canada or Mexico.

MarCELL will automatically connect to Mexican and Canadian cell towers if you’ve purchased the AT&T model.

Necto RV pet monitor works in Canada, but is not currently supported in Mexico.

Tips For Choosing An RV Pet Monitor

There are a few key ways in which these popular RV pet temperature monitors differ. It’s important to know which features they have, because depending on your use case some of these will work better than others.

Cell Network

This is where I see the majority of confusion when buying an RV pet monitor. You do not need to buy an RV temperature monitor that works on the same network as your current phone or internet plan. They are unrelated.

All of these RV temperature monitors come with an internal SIM card that connects to a specific cellular network (this is the reason for the monthly subscription fee – it’s just like activating a new phone plan.)

Cell networks are not equal. Each network is licensed to run on specific cellular bands. That means the bands Verizon uses are not the same as the bands AT&T uses, as an example. This is why sometimes you have coverage in an area where others on a different network don’t.

Verizon service works best in cities and populated areas. They have powerful bands, but not good long-distance bands, so signal drops when you get farther away from cell towers.

TMobile and AT&T are known for their long-distance bands and tend to work best in more remote areas.

TIP: If you plan to camp in remote areas, pick an RV pet monitor that operates on TMobile or AT&T. In my experience, MarCELL is the best option for off-grid use.

Backup Battery Life

If the power in your camper goes out, each of these RV temperature monitors is equipped with backup batteries which ensure safety alerts are still sent to your phone.

Battery life ranges from one to three days across these temperature monitors, but actual use will vary depending on a few factors – like low signal, which eats up battery life faster.

TIP: Read reviews to find out what the *actual* battery life is. I’ve found that sometimes advertised battery life is drastically higher than the real battery life I see. For example, Waggle pet monitors claim a battery life up to 5 days, but in my experience it didn’t last more than 2 days.

Best RV Temperature Monitor For Pets

If you plan to travel with your pets, an RV temperature monitor is essential. You only need to be alerted about a risk event once to see the value in having the best RV pet temperature monitor device.

If you need a portable, affordable, easy to install pet monitor for seasonal use:
Go with MarCELL – it’s the cheapest RV pet monitor by a mile, and has affordable no-contract monthly fees.

🔥🔥 DEAL: Get $10 off with MarCELL discount code EWC10

However, if you are a full-time traveler, I would buy Necto. While it’s more expensive upfront, over time it’s more affordable for continuous use.

If you already have a wifi network in your camper:
I highly recommend using the SimpliSafe security system with an add-on temperature sensor device.

Even without wifi, SimpliSafe is still a great option but you’ll need to pay $10 a month to activate the cellular SIM so you can get alerts without wifi.

With SimpliSafe, you get all the same great features included with a Waggle pet monitor subscription – but without the $30 monthly fee.

🔥🔥 DEAL: Save 50% of your SimpliSafe system here