Garmin TT25 vs TT15 & TT15X: Everything You Need to Know

Garmin released the TT25 collar alongside the Alpha 300 series and it’s more than a cosmetic refresh. If you’re currently running a TT15 collar or TT15X collar, this guide breaks down what actually changed, what stayed the same, and which upgrade path makes sense as we head into 2026. 

In this article, we will be breaking down the TT25’s new design features, like the replaceable GPS band, expanded life battery pack, Wi-Fi software updates, colored beacon lights, and the new dynamic update rate. Along with these improvements, we will also discuss the new body design and charging clip. 

TT25 vs TT15 vs TT15X: Quick Comparison

The TT25 is the forward-looking platform (new housing, Wi-Fi updates and better ergonomics). TT15X is still a strong “keep it simple” option if you’re satisfied with the older form factor and want long battery life without moving ecosystems.

The Future is Here 

Garmin announced the new TT25 collar and Alpha 300 and, in doing so, introduced the replacement for the TT15/TT15X series. If you’re comparing Garmin TT25 vs TT15 (or TT25 vs TT15X), the headline is straightforward: the TT25 keeps the proven “track and train” core, but modernizes the parts that hunters tend to fight with in real-world use.

Garmin TT25 and Alpha 300 

The Alpha 300 handheld is an incremental improvement over the Alpha 200 family, with software and interface refinements that matter most to multi-dog users. If you’re deciding between handhelds, see our breakdown of Garmin Alpha 300 vs Alpha 200. 

The bigger leap in this generation is on the collar side. The TT25 (and the tracking-only T20) are a true redesign. It’s smaller, slimmer, and easier to live with for both dog and handler. For tracking-only users, you may also want to read about the Garmin T20 vs T5 series collars. 

Garmin TT25 improvements over the TT15 series

The TT15 and TT15X collars set the standard for a long time. The TT25 doesn’t reinvent Garmin tracking. It refines the physical and operational details that add up after long days: a redesigned body, a more secure GPS module strap, a better flex band, expanded battery options, and the ability to receive updates over Wi-Fi while charging. 

User Replaceable GPS Band 

The biggest improvement, in my opinion, with the TT25 over the TT15 series collars is the ability to replace the GPS band. What does this mean? With the TT15 and TT15x, the GPS band with the GPS module at the top, its wire was soldered onto the collar’s circuit board and was quite a lengthy replacement process that could be only done by an expert. The TT15 Mini had a slightly different design and had its GPS wire with a connector that snapped into a port on the circuit board. It was then siliconed in place to hold the connector into the socket. These collars were slightly easier to repair, but it was still time consuming, and you needed to reapply expensive silicone. With the TT25 collar, you can now replace the entire GPS band and GPS module with the simple removal of two Phillips screws. Not only is this band now replaceable, but Garmin is also introducing a replacement band, a smaller replacement band for dogs with small neck sizes, and a rugged band for those that are rough on their collars. With our trade in program, one of the number one reasons we seen for non-working TT15 series collars was that the GPS bands were ripped off. This new feature will make that a thing of the past, hopefully extending the life of your device (and monetary investment). 

Dog Device Size 

The TT15 series came in the TT15 (full size) and the TT15 Mini. The TT15 full size used the same body as the previous TT10 collars. Many of our customers left feedback that it was a large boxy design that often got hit off the ground, especially on smaller dogs like beagles. The TT15 Mini used the same housing as Garmin’s PRO Series collars like the PT5, PT6, and PT10. This shaved off several ounces of weight and made the collar fit better on smaller dogs. However, with going down to the smaller body, the TT15 Mini had to reduce battery life and GPS range. The TT25 comes in just slightly bigger than the TT15 Mini, but unlike the TT15 Mini, the TT25 does not sacrifice battery life or GPS range. In fact, the TT25 has an increased battery life, which we will cover in the next section. Additionally, it keeps the full up to 9 miles maximum GPS range of the full-size version of the TT15 series collars. 

Battery options (standard vs extended)

Battery life is where most hunters immediately notice the TT25 difference in day-to-day use. The TT15 collar is typically in the 20–40 hour range depending on handheld and settings, while the TT15X pushes that to up to about 80 hours. The TT25 brings two practical advantages: strong default battery life and the ability to expand beyond “weekend hunt” runtimes with an extended option.

• TT25 standard battery:up to about 68 hours with dynamic tracking. 
• TT25 extended option: designed to push well beyond 100 hours depending on settings and update rate. 

If you want to compare collar SKUs directly: Garmin TT25 dog collarand Garmin TT15X tracking and training collar. 

Wi-Fi updates

The TT25 can receive automatic software updates over Wi-Fi while charging—no laptop required. That’s a meaningful quality-of-life improvement for handlers who run multiple collars, particularly when Garmin pushes stability fixes or tracking refinements. (You can still update through Garmin Express if you prefer a wired workflow.) 

Compatibility and What’s Not Compatible

Compatibility is the part you should verify before you buy. In practical terms, the TT25 is positioned for the Alpha handheld family. If you’re still running older legacy handhelds, the TT15/TT15X ecosystem may be the smoother path. 

Common pairings (most requested) 

• Alpha users:TT25 is the natural upgrade path if you want the new housing and Wi-Fi updates. 
• TT15 vs TT15X users: if you like the older form factor but want better battery life, TT15X is often the cleanest step. 

If you’re building a new setup from scratch, our bundles can simplify it: Build Your Bundle. 

Beacon Lights 

The Garmin TT15 series collars had the ability to remotely turn on the collar’s white beacon lights. New to the Garmin TT25 collar is the ability to change the color of the beacon lights using a multi-color LED. Now you can set the beacon lights to a color of choice and easily know which dog is which at a distance in the dark. This will be a great feature for night hunters or those simply taking their dogs for a walk at night. Who would have thought changing two little LED diodes could be such a cool feature? 

Charging Clip 

The TT15 series had two sizes of charging clips to charge the dog collars. The full size charging clips would charge both the TT15 and TT15x collars, as well as being compatible with the older TT10 collars. The TT15 mini collars have a smaller charging clip that was also compatible with the Garmin PRO Series collars (PT5, PT6, PT10, and TB10). The TT25, because of its unique body, has a new charging clip that will be compatible with the TT25 and T20 collars. Please note that this will be for the standard battery pack. As we mentioned above, the TT25 features the ability to add an extended life battery pack to the device. With this extended life battery pack installed, another longer charging clip is needed to charge the device. 

Maximum Range 

One thing that did not change was the effective range of the TT25 over the TT15 series collars. Both the TT25 and TT15 series are advertised to have a maximum range of 9 miles. Though with the new small form factor of the TT25 collars, you should be getting better range than you would have if you were running the TT15 Mini, which got a maximum 4 miles of range while still having the small body. 

Training Features 

Another thing that did not really change is the training features, but really, what more can you add or change when it comes to training? If you do have any ideas, comment below! Both the TT15 series and the TT25 collars feature 18 levels of momentary and continuous stimulation, vibration, and tone. All these training features are controlled by your choice of compatible Garmin GPS handhelds. 

Unit Price 

With all these new features and design changes, there must be a price increase, right? Wrong. The TT25 is going to be priced at the exact same price as the TT15X collar at $349.99. This still makes it the highest priced e-collar that Garmin sells, but you get a featured packed, high-tech collar for that price. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between the TT15 and TT15X collars? 

The practical difference is battery life. The TT15X is the long-runtime version of the TT15 platform and is commonly chosen by handlers who want to stay on the legacy form factor but reduce charging frequency. 

TT25 vs TT15X: is it worth upgrading? 

Upgrade to TT25 if you want the redesigned body, improved ergonomics, Wi-Fi update capability, and a platform that aligns with the newest Alpha generation. Stick with TT15X if you’re satisfied with the legacy housing and your priority is long runtime with a familiar ecosystem. 

Does the TT25 have tone and vibration? 

Yes. The TT25 supports stimulation as well as tone and vibration with a compatible handheld similar to what most users are accustomed to on the TT15 series. 

I’m looking for a beeper function. Does TT25 replace a beeper collar?

Yes!

Garmin now offers TT25 collars with built-in beeper functionality, and they also sell beeper battery pack add-onsfor existing TT25 & T20 collars you already own. So you have two routes to get the audible tracking cue you’re looking for:

✔️ TT25 with Built-In Beeper

Garmin has released beeper-equipped TT25 collars where the beeper hardware is already integrated into the collar. These collars work like standard TT25 units for GPS tracking and training, but they also emit an audible beeper sound so you can physically locate your dog in heavy cover without relying solely on GPS.

This means the TT25 beeper version does replace a traditional beeper collar for most hunters. You get both the GPS tracking and the sound locator in one unit, no_extra hardware required.

✔️ Beeper Battery Pack Add-On

If you already own a standard TT25, Garmin now offers a beeper battery pack accessory that snaps on and gives you the same audible locator function. It essentially turns your existing TT25 into a TT25 + beeper without having to buy a whole new collar. This is great if you already have a stable of TT25s and only want the beeper function on some of them.

 shop our dedicated beeper collars. 

The Right Collar Depends on Your Handheld, Your Dogs, and Your Season

If you’re choosing between Garmin TT25 vs TT15 (or TT25 vs TT15X), start with the question that actually matters in the field: do you want the newest collar platform, or do you want to stay on a proven legacy setup you already know inside and out? 

Choose the TT25 if you want a slimmer collar profile that sits tighter on the dog, a more secure GPS module strap, optional beeper add on and Wi-Fi updates while charging. All quality-of-life upgrades that add up when you’re running dogs week after week. It’s also the best fit if you’re building around the newest Alpha generation and want to minimize “what changes next” risk going into 2026. 

Stick with the TT15X if your priority is long runtime in the familiar TT15 form factor and your current handheld setup already does what you need. For many hunters, the TT15X remains the most cost-efficient way to get extended battery life without changing the rest of the system. 

LCS E-Collar Trade-In Program 

Are you considering the purchase of a new Garmin TT25 and already have an older Garmin TT10 or TT15 series collar? With the LCS E-Collar Trade-In Program, you can send in your old equipment, working or non-working, for credit towards your new Garmin purchases. Since the Garmin TT25 uses a different charging clip, be sure to include chargers for your older devices as they will no longer be of use to your upgraded collar. Accessories included with your trade-in will factor into the overall price. For more information on our E-Collar Trade-In Program, see LCS Trade-In Program.  

If you are ready to send in your equipment, check out Simple Tips for the LCS E-Collar Trade-In Program, for information about sending in your trade-in and making the process go as smoothly and quickly as possible. 

If you have any questions about the new Garmin TT25, please leave a comment below or reach out to our customer service by calling 1-800-662-5202 or using our live chat during business hours.