The Best Cat Water Fountains of 2026: Petlibro, Petkit, Oneisall

Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Featured in this article Best Cat Water Fountain for Most People Petlibro Dockstream 2 Smart Cordless Fountain Read more $80 Amazon Best Cordless Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain Oneisall Wireless Cat Water Fountain Read more $40 Amazon Best Glass Cat Water Fountain Brook Glass Pet Fountain Read more $90 Amazon Best Budget Cat Water Fountain Pawtners Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain Read more $20 Amazon As seen with the rise of automatic litter boxes , automatic feeders , pet trackers , and now cat water fountains, technology has made it so that we can take care of our pets without having to do as much of the manual labor.

These fancy fountains don't just make our lives easier. They can also help cats stay hydrated and live healthier. Ever wonder why your cat can't resist a dripping faucet but ignores its water bowl? In the wild, cats are drawn to moving water, since stagnant puddles can house bacteria. A water fountain plays into this natural instinct, encouraging cats to drink more. These techy fountains are also often connected to an app, which sends reminders and tracks drinking habits.

After prolonged testing, I now look for these three things when shopping for an automatic cat water fountain: a wireless pump for easier cleaning, stainless steel (or glass) construction so it's more hygienic, and a window to monitor water levels (especially if it's not connected to an app). I think the Petlibro Dockstream Fountain 2 ($90) is the best for most people, and the Oneisall 3.5L Cord-Free Pet Water Fountain ($40) is the best affordable option.

Check out our related guides like the best automatic feeders , best automatic litter boxes , our favorite fancy cat furniture , and our favorite cat toys . More of a dog person? We got you covered; see our best dog accessories guide.

Updated May 2026: I've added the Homerunpet Wireless Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain and the Petlibro Capsule Dog Fountain, and updated prices and links throughout.

Jump to Section AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Compare Our Top 9 Fountains More Fountains We Tested Fountains We Don't Recommend How We Tested Why a Fountain?

What To Look For in a Fountain Best Cat Water Fountain for Most People Photograph: Molly Higgins Video: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Petlibro Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Petlibro Dockstream 2 Smart Cordless Fountain $80 Amazon $90 Petlibro $80 Best Buy $80 $66 (18% off) Chewy From the makers of our favorite automatic feeder , the Petlibro Dockstream 2 is our top pick for most cat owners. If you're familiar with the previous model —our former favorite—this one is pretty similar, but holds more water and supports both both 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz Wi-Fi (the Dockstream 1 was only compatible with the former).

The Dockstream 2 has just about everything I look for in a pet fountain: a connected app, wireless pump, and an easily removable (and easier to clean) detachable basin. From the app, you can monitor your pet's water intake, water levels, and battery life, and set cleaning and filter-replacement reminders. You'll be able to compare water intake daily and over time, making it easier to track if anything is amiss with your cat's health. The only feature I don't love is the plastic basin construction, because it's less hygienic than stainless steel and requires more cleaning.

Materials Plastic basin, stainless steel tray Filtration type Four layers: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, high-density sponge Capacity 3 liters Connected to an app?

Yes Power source Rechargeable battery; USB plug-in Pump Wireless WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED Connected app Cordless option Wireless pump TIRED Plastic basin Best Cordless Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain Photograph: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Oneisall Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Oneisall Wireless Cat Water Fountain $40 Amazon This Oneisall fountain doesn't have a connected app to track your cat's water intake, but it's an otherwise strong—and relatively inexpensive— contender. It’s made of stainless steel, features a wireless pump filter for safer and easier cleaning, and includes a cordless, rechargeable battery pack (that lasts up to 60 days), allowing the fountain to be placed anywhere in the house without being tethered to an outlet. The fountain has three water modes—sensor, intermittent, and constant (when plugged in). Plus, it has a convenient window to easily monitor water levels. The only problems are the poorly translated instructions and product information, which made the initial setup a little difficult and unclear.

Materials Stainless steel Filtration type Activated carbon filters Capacity 3.5 liters Connected to an app?

No Power source Rechargeable battery; USB plug-in Pump Wireless ★ Alternative: The Oneisall Wireless Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel for $42 : I have also tested and loved this model, which is identical to the above, but has a higher price point because the outside is a black acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) with a stainless steel inside. This also has a convenient wire-free filter pump system, rechargeable attached battery, and three water flow modes.

WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED All stainless steel Wire-free pump for easier cleaning Rechargeable battery for cordless power TIRED Poorly translated instructions and product information Best Glass Cat Water Fountain Photograph: Kat Merck Courtesy of Brook Fountains Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Brook Glass Pet Fountain $90 Amazon WIRED testers are big fans of stainless steel pet fountains because steel is less likely to foster bacteria, mold, and other yucky stuff than plastic, but I have a new favorite pet fountain material—glass. This fountain from Brook is simply constructed yet looks like a sculptural art piece, anchored by a heavy, 10.25-inch straight-sided, flat-bottomed glass bowl. A suction-cup-bottomed pump can go wherever in the bowl your cats like to drink (front, back, side), and pushes water up through a glass tube to cascade over a clear glass bell. There are two different sizes of flow reducers to keep the burbling at a lower level (highly recommended, as my two cats were terrified to drink out of it without the lowest-flow reducer), and a blue LED light adds visual interest.

I was worried the open design of the 2.7-liter bowl would act as a reservoir for old bits of food, fur, and other items to fall in, but the sides are tall enough that the water stays clear. I also like that, in the event the power goes out, cats will still have access to the water. Plus, the pump is also totally silent. The only downside is that it does require a pretty large footprint, but this also makes it ideal for households with both dogs and cats. I only had to clean it about once a week, whereas the previous plastic fountain I was testing needed to be cleaned multiple times a week.

— Kat Merck Materials Glass Filtration type Particle filter and activated carbon Capacity 2.7 liters Connected to an app?

No Power source USB plug-in Pump Wired WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED Glass construction, which is more hygienic Water stays in basin in case of power outage TIRED Large footprint Best Budget Cat Water Fountain Photograph: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Amazon Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Pawtners Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain $20 Amazon This stainless steel, BPA-free fountain bubbles water through a center spigot, and the shallow, square stainless steel top has a small slit where the water recycles, passing through a four-cartridge panel filter before being stored in the basin below. The basin has marks on the inside and a circular window to monitor water levels, and the window glows red when the levels are low. I also noticed that the stainless steel tends to keep the water colder than the plastic options, and the pump is nearly silent at 30 decibels. However, the pump isn't wireless, so it makes cleaning a bit more challenging.

Materials Stainless steel Filtration type Four cartridge panel with activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, medical stone, covered in non-woven fabric Capacity 4 liters Connected to an app?

No Power source USB plug-in Pump Wired WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED Stainless-steel construction Window to monitor water levels TIRED Wired pump, which makes cleaning more difficult No connected app Best Cat Water Fountain for Monitoring Pets’ Health Photograph: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Petlibro Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Petlibro Dockstream RFID Smart Fountain $110 $90 (18% off) Amazon $100 Petlibro $100 $90 (10% off) Chewy Like the Petlibro One RFID Smart Feeder that I reviewed in the best automatic cat feeders guide, the RFID Smart Fountain uses collar tags to monitor which cat is using the device and for how long, so you can compare and track health data. The Petlibro app alerts you when your pet's consumption is down or up, and you can set hydration goals, which the app will let you know have been met or not. This fountain is nearly identical in design to Petlibro’s Dockstream Fountain, but has a small hood to better track each pet. This fountain would be especially useful for pet parents of elderly male cats or those who have had health issues or UTIs to more easily monitor and track changes, and set drinking goals. Although many on this list have a connected app, they aren't able to differentiate between pets. With this fountain, you'll get unique insights into each cat's hydration habits.

Although I don't love plastic fountains (the top is stainless steel), this is the only fountain of its kind to track and monitor water consumption this closely for multiple pets, which can help prevent more serious health issues down the line.

Materials Plastic, stainless steel Filtration type Four layers: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, high-density sponge Capacity 3 liters Connected to an app?

Yes Power source USB plug-in Pump Wired WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED Connected app Tracks cats' specific drinking habits to monitor health Wireless pump TIRED Plastic basin A Fountain for Cats Who Like Drinking From the Faucet Photograph: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Amazon Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Oneisall Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain $25 Amazon This small, all-stainless steel fountain from Oneisall has a tall spigot that's great for cats who love drinking out of faucets. It has a simple design with a compartment for the activated carbon filters that snaps shut below the steel top. The top has a reservoir, so water is always available. The fountain has a corded pump, so cleaning isn't as easy, and it's not connected to an app. I like the small window to easily monitor water levels, and cats who love to drink from the sink will love this more hygienic spout design.

Materials Stainless steel Filtration type High-density sponge; active carbon; pure resin Capacity 2 liters Connected to an app?

No Power source USB plug-in Pump Wired WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED All stainless steel construction Faucet-type spout TIRED Wired pump No connected app A Cat Water Fountain With Adjustable Spout Photograph: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Petlibro Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Petlibro Stainless Steel Fountain $40 $28 (30% off) Chewy $40 $28 (30% off) Amazon $34 $24 (29% off) Walmart (2L) $50 $40 (20% off) Petlibro This solid, all-stainless steel fountain is pretty pared down and basic—there's no connected app, and the pump isn't wireless. But the steel keeps water cold and clean, and the spout is easily adjustable to allow control of the flow based on your pet's preferences. It uses three-layer filtration and has a generously sized reservoir. I wish there were a little window to easily see water levels from the outside, and wireless pumps are a lot more convenient. But this is a solid, whisper-quiet stainless steel fountain that has worked reliably. I love the adjustable spout, and my pets seem to prefer it over some other models I've tried.

Materials Stainless steel Filtration type Three-layer filter: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, high-density sponge Capacity 3 liters Connected to an app?

No Power source USB plug-in Pump Wired WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED All stainless steel Adjustable spout TIRED Wired pump No window or app to monitor water levels A Cat Water Fountain With UV Filtration Photograph: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Petkit Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Petkit Eversweet 3 Pro $80 $63 (21% off) Chewy $80 $63 (21% off) Amazon $80 Petkit $80 $63 (21% off) Petco Like many other styles we tested, this circular automatic fountain connects to power via USB and has an app to monitor water levels and remind you when it’s time to fill or change the filter. The top part also has a small reservoir that keeps 2 ounces of water in the tray at all times, ensuring your kitty always has access to water. Although the top is made of plastic, there's a filter with three layers (replacements are three for $20 ), a pump with a foam filter, and a UV light to further sterilize water by killing potentially harmful bacteria. Like many of Petkit's products, the app is lacking. When I went out of town, the app had trouble adjusting to the time change, and didn’t send me a notification that water levels were low. When I got back home, the machine had stopped the water flow without alerting me via the app.

Materials Plastic and stainless steel Filtration type High-density fiber, coconut-shell activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, foam filter, UV light Capacity 1.6 liters Connected to an app?

Yes Power source USB plug-in Pump Wireless WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED UV filtration Connected app Wireless pump TIRED Plastic No window to easily monitor water levels A Fountain for Dogs Photograph: Julia Forbes Photograph: Julia Forbes Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Petlibro Capsule Dog Fountain $60 Petlibro $60 $42 (30% off) Chewy $50 $42 (16% off) Amazon It’s actually amazing that for how little my two dogs are, how dirty their water bowls become—and quickly, too. They also go through impressive amounts of water daily. They had been curious about a cat water fountain while visiting a friend’s house, so I took it as a sign to hard-launch a fountain at home. Petlibro’s Capsule Dog Fountain is right at snout level for them, which I prefer for when they eat and drink to prevent choking. It holds 2.1 gallons of water in the large tank, and quietly flows via a whirlpool to the top tray. Even when they’re noisily gulping down water after a long walk, a splash guard keeps droplets from flying all over the place.

It’s recommended that you replace the five-layer filter every two weeks, which can rack up the price. However, I’ve fallen into the convenient routine of “set it and forget it,” knowing they always have fresh water on hand (only the filtered, finest water will do for my fur children) without constantly refilling my Brita pitcher. Just be sure to stay on top of cleaning, as its BPA-free plastic body isn’t as impervious to bacteria as glass or stainless steel is, even with a filter in use. Despite not being as high-tech (there's no app connectivity like some of our other tested options), it’s become a reliable tool for us. I can see this working well for parents of rambunctious dogs that don’t need high-tech functionality, just something consistent. — Julia Forbes Materials Plastic Filtration type Five-layer filtration system: non-woven fabric, ion-exchange resin, activated carbon, silver ceramic balls, and sponge Capacity 8 L Connected to an app?

No Power source Corded electric Pump Wired WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED Clear plastic siding helps with monitoring tank capacity Super quiet pump Splash guard tray helps keep messes minimal TIRED Have to change the filter out every two weeks Plastic is not as hygenic as metal Compare Our Top 9 Fountains WIRED TIRED Materials Filtration type Capacity Connected to an app?

Power source Pump Petlibro Dockstream 2 Fountain Connected app; cordless option; wireless pump Plastic basin Stainless steel tray; plastic basin Four layers: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, high-density sponge 3 L Yes Rechargeable battery; USB plug-in Wireless Oneisall Wireless Cat Water Fountain All stainless steel; wireless pump for easier cleaning; rechargeable battery for cordless power Poorly translated instructions and product information Stainless steel Activated carbon filters 3.5 L No Rechargeable battery; USB plug-in Wireless Brook Glass Pet Fountain Glass construction; water stays in basin in case of power outage Large footprint Glass Particle filter and activated carbon 2.7 L No USB plug-in Wired Pawtners Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain Stainless steel construction; window to monitor water levels Wired pump which makes cleaning more difficult; no connected app Stainless steel Four cartridge panel with activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, medical stone, covered in non-woven fabric 4 L No USB plug-in Wired Petlibro Dockstream RFID Smart Fountain Connected app; tracks cats' specific drinking habits to monitor health; wireless pump Plastic basin Stainless steel top; plastic basin Four layers: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, high-density sponge 3 L Yes USB plug-in Wired Oneisall Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain All-stainless steel construction; faucet-type spout Wired pump; no connected app Stainless steel High-density sponge; active carbon; pure resin 2 L No USB plug-in Wired Petlibro Stainless Steel Fountain Stainless steel; adjustable spout Wired pump; no window or app to monitor water levels Stainless steel Three-layer filter: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, high-density sponge 3 L No USB plug-in Wired Petkit Eversweet 3 Pro UV filtration; connected app; wireless pump Plastic; no window to easily monitor water levels Plastic and stainless steel High-density fiber, coconut-shell activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, foam filter, UV light 1.6 L Yes USB plug-in Wireless Petlibro Capsule Dog Fountain Clear plastic siding helps with monitoring tank capacity; super quiet pump; splash guard tray helps keep messes minimal Have to change the filter out every two weeks; plastic is not as hygenic as metal Plastic Five-layer filtration system: non-woven fabric, ion-exchange resin, activated carbon, silver ceramic balls, and sponge 8 L No Corded electric Wired More Fountains We Tested Photograph: Molly Higgins Petlibro Capsule Fountain for $37 : This Petlibro fountain is a solid, inexpensive choice. It's made from BPA-free plastic, has a five-layer filtration system and a stainless steel top reservoir. There's a transparent water tank for easier monitoring, and it comes in a bunch of cute colors. The spout is tall and has a continuous flow, making it ideal for cats who love to drink from faucets. However, it's not connected to an app, so you'll have to monitor water levels and set manual reminders for filter replacement and cleaning. The plastic is also harder to clean, and it has a wired pump, which makes cleaning trickier (water and electricity are never an ideal combo). It works effectively but there are better options out there at this price point.

Photograph: Molly Higgins Homerunpet Wireless Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain for $36 : This simple automatic water fountain emulates the water flow from a sink that many cats like, and works either battery-powered (for up to 30 days) on a charge for cordless placement anywhere, or plugged in. It also has dual flow modes, with continuous flow while plugged in, or intermittently while unplugged, using an infrared sensor to sense when cats are nearby. It has a wireless pump for less hassle while cleaning, and a stackable design that simplifies set up, cleaning, and changing the triple-layered filter. It has a a 2.5-liter capacity that allowed me a week between refills. I'd recommend this model to anyone looking for a reliable, cheap fountain, and I liked that the design had a bump to prevent stagnation or debris from sitting at the bottom of the basin. However, I would've preferred if the whole design was stainless steel or glass, since plastic tends to get dirtier more quickly.

Photograph: Molly Higgins Petkit Eversweet Max for $90 : This techy automatic fountain is battery-powered (lasting up to 83 days on a charge), and the drinking bowl is made of stainless steel, but the reservoir is plastic. Because of the shape of the basin with the chunky battery and reservoir bowl, it’s a little awkward to clean. The app logs every time a pet drinks and compares it over time to determine whether your cat’s drinking habits have changed. The app also keeps track of when the filter needs replacing and when you last added water. However, it doesn’t monitor or show how much water is left in the basin; you have to check manually. The design also made it a bit difficult to clean and refill easily.

Photograph: Molly Higgins Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain for $50 : This automatic fountain is cordless and runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 60 days (although it can stay plugged in, too). It has a wireless pump that uses magnetic induction—this pump was one of the easiest and most hassle-free to clean of all I tested. The fountain has a stainless steel top that holds a decent amount of water even when not running. However, the tank is plastic—I’m wary of plastic because of its propensity to harbor bacteria (plus it doesn't keep water as cold). The app gives reminders of when the water’s low, the fountain needs cleaning, or the filter needs replacing, plus it automatically stops dispensing water and sends you a reminder to refill via its app. It also logs the number of times your pet drank and for how long, monitoring hydration patterns over time. A complaint I had is that this fountain wouldn’t stay on continuous stream mode, even when plugged in, instead automatically switching to the motion-sensing stream.

Homerunpet Wireless Pet Fountain for $70 : This cordless fountain can be used as a traditional fountain plugged in on its base, or can be detached and moved around the house with 30 days of battery life. I don't love that this fountain is all plastic, but it's easy to see water levels from the outside, the top and filter layers are super easy to remove, clean, and replace, and the wireless (basically silent) pump makes it a whole lot easier to clean. Plastic doesn't keep the water as cold or clean as stainless steel, so you'll have to clean it a lot more often. The fountain only begins bubbling when a cat (or human) approaches to save battery power, and there's no option to control the flow (and no connected app). I like the wireless pump, but I'm really over plastic at this point.

Photograph: Kat Merck Wonder Creature Cat Fountain for $23 : My two cats have cycled through several water fountains over the past few years, but this no-nonsense version has been a stalwart. The inside is lit by a blue LED (bright enough to glow in the dark), and a clear viewing window on the side makes it easy to monitor the water level from afar. I also like the dishwasher-safe metal bowl and the fact you can remove parts of the white-and-yellow flower to create a fountain configuration your cat likes (waterfall, low bubble-up, tall bubble-up). The only major downsides are the fact it requires very frequent cleaning and filter changes due to the plastic body, and that there is no reservoir to hold water in case of power outage or pump malfunction. When I went on vacation, I had to swap it out for an old-school gravity dispenser .

— Kat Merck Happy & Polly Gothic Cat Drinking Fountain for $66 : If you prefer gothic decor to neutral blandness, this ghostly ceramic cat fountain from Happy & Polly may tempt you to bite. The water bubbles up out of the top of the ghost and pools on the ceramic top. It’s fairly quiet at around 35 decibels, but it gets loud when the water is running low, and I worry about the motor burning out, as the 1.5-liter capacity can run dry fast. While the ceramic finish is easy to clean, it is fiddly to take apart. You will want to clean it once a week to prevent it from becoming slimy, and you must change the filter once a month.

— Simon Hill Petkit Eversweet Solo 2 for $50 : I love three key features of this fountain: The bowl sits on top of a wireless charging base, so you don’t have to fiddle with cables, it is super easy to clean, and it's very quiet at around 25 decibels. A flashing light warns you when the water is running low, and you can check when the filter needs to be changed in the app. There’s an optional smart mode that pumps intermittently and a night mode to turn the light off. Pleasingly, all three of our cats drink from this fountain, though that does mean I have to refill it often, as it only holds 2 liters.

— Simon Hill Photograph: Simon Hill Oneisall Stainless Steel Pet Fountain for $50 : This drinking fountain is about as simple as they come. As it's designed for cats or small dogs, it has a large bowl, but some cats will prefer that. I love the mostly stainless steel construction, as it's easy to keep clean and less prone to dirt and bacteria buildup. You can even stick parts into the dishwasher. This fountain can hold up to 7 liters of water, so you don’t have to refill as often. It’s fairly quiet at around 35 decibels, but it gets louder when the water is running low (a red light warns you when it needs a refill). You should clean once a week and rinse the filter. The filter packs are relatively affordable, and you need to swap them once a month.

— Simon Hill Photograph: Molly Higgins Petlipo Cordless Cat Water Fountain (with filters) for $50 : This all-plastic pet fountain sits on a dock for easier tank cleaning and is rechargeable for up to 60 days of cordless power. It has a wire-free pump, a large 2.6-liter capacity, and three customizable water flow modes (induction, timer, and continuous flow). The heavy-duty filter is encased in a plastic cage and only needs to be replaced every four to five weeks. I had no issues while using this fountain, but at nearly $50, it's egregiously expensive for being made out of cheap (and bacteria-harboring) plastic. Although it's a solid fountain, I'd spend less and grab a stainless steel model.

Fountains We Don't Recommend Photograph: Molly Higgins Petcube Ceramic Pet Water Fountain for $90 : I really wanted to love this fountain; although its basin is plastic, it had a ceramic top, which is more hygienic than plastic (plus, I had never tested a ceramic model before), and the brand makes some of my favorite pet cameras . However, setup was a bit confusing; it took a long time to get the base charged to power the fountain's water flow; and the sensor to start the water flow can only be triggered from one side, making placement awkward. After a few days, it would only run while plugged in. Soon, its stream was barely strong enough to reach the top, and after just over a week, it stopped working altogether. Also, it's overly expensive for what it is.

Photograph: Molly Higgins Cat Mate 3-Level Pet Fountain for $28 : This tall automatic Cat Mate fountain sets itself apart with three tiers for cats who like to drink at every level. Cleaning the motor requires disassembly using tools and extended soaking. Because of the long distance the water has to travel, it evaporates quickly and needs to be refilled about every other day. Plastic also harbors bacteria, and previous plastic models I’ve owned have had mold issues. The basin is quite large and sits flat. Because of this, some debris lingers in the front rather than flowing to the filter system behind. The plastic material and lack of ergonomic gravity design caused this fountain to be dirtier than others.

Photograph: Molly Higgins Whisker City Free Fall Cat Fountain for $30 : This huge fountain is better suited for dogs, with its 150-fluid-ounce bowl and waterfall design. Although the basin has a small splash pad to help offset the waterfall noise, this was one of the loudest fountains I tested. The evaporation from the waterfall-like system also caused me to refill it every other day. Because of the structure of the fountain, my cats had to bend their head at an awkward angle. They tended to avoid drinking from the basin because of that, and their heads got slightly wet from the splatter of the waterfall. The basin is also not angled, so crumbs and debris sit at the bottom of the bowl.

Photograph: Molly Higgins Petkit EverSweet Solo SE for $30 : This very simple, straightforward fountain has a square-shaped body, is translucent to easily see water levels from the outside, and has a nearly silent 25-decibel cordless pump to circulate water from the basin to the top level, where 2 ounces of water are always available for drinking, even in case of power failure. The basin sits on a base and all parts easily detach, making it easier to clean. This fountain doesn’t have multiple modes or an associated app—you’ll have to check water levels manually. I noticed this fountain didn't keep water as cold as some of the others, and because of the design of the top, debris often pooled in the dipped areas, which required more frequent cleaning.

How We Tested AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron I used each fountain for a week as my cats’ main source of water. As mentioned, I noted the ease of setup, evaluated parts and filters, and generally compared the various types of water fountains—spigot, bubbling, or waterfall. Some flows were continuous and some were intermittent (my cats didn’t prefer intermittent). Cats may also be intrigued and want to play with the machine rather than drink, so be sure to give them time and keep another water source around until they are fully adjusted to the new gadget.

Why a Fountain?

AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Cats sometimes struggle to consume enough water, which can lead to potentially lethal UTIs and blockages, especially in male cats. This is one of the reasons vets are moving toward encouraging owners to give their cat at least a partially wet-food diet, as this helps them consume more moisture, especially since cats don’t naturally drink as much as dogs. Also unlike dogs, cats are generally quite particular in their likes and dislikes, and cats can see stagnant water as potentially harmful. (If the cat was in the wild, stagnant water has more potential for harmful bacteria). Cats are more drawn to moving water in nature, and these fountains help encourage them to drink more by emulating what they’re naturally drawn to.

While automatic water fountains are better for cats' overall water consumption, they do require a bit more work and money. Rather than refilling a bowl, these take a little elbow grease—but it’s worth it for your cat’s health. Along with routine refilling and cleaning, you’ll need to disassemble the fountain to clean all parts, including using a brush for the bowl and tubes. You may also have to disassemble the motor to deep-clean mineral buildup. There are different types of filtration cartridges in specific shapes for the brand’s fountains, which require you to buy and change out filters, usually monthly but sometimes more often.

What to Look for in a Fountain AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Let’s be honest, a lot of these fountains are pretty much the same. I looked especially for the overall design—I am a fiend for stainless steel because of the potential of porous plastic harboring harmful bacteria . I also favor a wide reservoir without high sides to help reduce the chance for whisker fatigue . I prefer fountains that have a small basin reservoir of water available at all times, in case of low water levels or power failure. I took into account ease of setting up, refilling, and cleaning, as well as overall design. And of course, there were some that my cats took to straight away, and some they didn’t seem to favor as much.

After prolonged testing, I now look for these three things and encourage you to as well: a cordless pump for easier (and safer) cleaning, hygienic stainless-steel construction, and a window to monitor water levels (especially if it's not connected to an app).

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Comments Back to top Triangle Molly Higgins is WIRED's Commerce Production and Operations Coordinator. She tests mattresses , cat gadgets , pet hair vacuums , vegan meal kits , and helps oversee our coupon program . She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from UCLA and an MFA in creative nonfiction writing from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She ...

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