Welcome! In this article we are going to be reviewing the top 5 best cat water fountains that you can buy on Amazon. We have rounded up what we consider to be the best options that you can buy on Amazon in 2020. We will be reviewing the PetKit EverSweet, the Catit Flower Fountain, the Pioneer Pet Raindrop, the PetSafe DrinkWell Platinum, and finally the Cat Mate Water Fountain. They are all great options but have certain pros and cons that will make them appeal to different people. After testing them all with my own cats, I want to share my experience with these fountains and where I think their strengths and weaknesses lie.
#1 The PetKit EverSweet: This fountain is marketed as a smart water fountain so it has 2 different modes (smart and normal mode). When on smart mode, it will use a light to detector to detect day vs night. During night time, it will circulate the water less frequently. This allows the filter and pump to operate more efficiently and last longer. When on smart mode, they claim you will have to replace the filter 3 times less frequently which will add up to a lot of savings over time.
Another great feature is the indicator lights. One light will tell you when water levels are too low and it will automatically turn off before the pump runs dry. Another light is an indicator to replace your filter, taking away the guess work!
It has 3 different filters: First, the screen right on the top which will capture any larger debris before it can get inside. Second, the next level of filtration is a carbon filter right in the middle. Lastly, the foam filter which is on the bottom right next to the pump. Together, these filters keep the water fresher and help spare the pump. It also means that you might have a lot of debris collecting around the top that you will need to manually remove with your hands.
The filter is really easy to dissemble and clean. The plastic parts are all dishwasher safe, making it super easy to clean and there are no confusing or unwieldy parts to handle. You will notice that it is a little bit on the smaller side with a 68 ounce water capacity which means it is not great if you have a lot of cats or if you have a cat that drinks a lot. But if you just have one cat that drinks a normal amount, it will probably be a perfectly fine option and you won’t find yourself having to refill too often.
The device runs very quietly, almost imperceptibly and you won’t notice a lot of water noise or mechanical or motor noise. It is a little more expensive than the other fountains we reviewed ($39.99 from Amazon when I purchased). Although it is pricey, if you run it on smart mode, your costs over time will actually be lower as you won’t have to replace the filters as often. I think it is perfect for a cat home with lower water demands and ultimately is our top pick!
#2 is the Catit Flower Fountain. This a very popular model and makes the top spot of a lot of product round up lists. It is one of the more economical fountains on Amazon at just under $22. It is made from plastic which is generally not as durable as stainless steel or ceramic, making it feel a bit flimsy. The biggest con is that the top piece doesn’t quite sit as snug as I would like. If you have aggressive cats that are a bit more playful, they may accidentally knock of the top. Other than that, I think it is an excellent option at a great value price.
It has a basic carbon filter that sits right on the dish which is the only form of filtration. You can remove the flower cap at the top to create a more diffused stream coming from the top and that is what our cats seemed to prefer but I would recommend experimenting with the flow to see what your cat(s) like the most. This flexibility is one reason we rank it so high. This fountain has a 100-ounce capacity which is pretty generous for a fountain in that price range and shouldn’t require too many refills. All in all it is a pretty good fountain that is a good bang for your buck and a nice aesthetic look. One thing to keep in mind is that the carbon filter may get dirty pretty quickly, so you may have to replace it once a month. At that rate, a year of filters will run you around $30 a year.
Our third pick is the Pioneer Pet Raindrop Fountain. It is a great option for those really concerned with sanitation and hygiene. It is made of stainless steel which is much more hygienic than a plastic fountain. Stainless steel is great for your cat if he/she tends to have acne or allergies and you are really concerned about keeping a clean fountain. The fountain is also extremely easy to clean when it is time to do your regular maintenance. Simply take of the top and remove the pump and filtration module and pop it into the dishwasher. The pump and the filter are all built on the module that sits on the bottom of the bowl. You just have a basic filtration cartridge that pops in with the pump.
It is a very simple system with just one filter. The water funnels down from the top like a little lazy river! Your cat can drink from the stream or the main bowl. It is a simple, no fuss no frills fountain with a relatively small capacity. Although it doesn’t have many bells and whistles, it makes our list because of its sanitation and ease of use. If you have multiple cats and you really want a larger water capacity, you can upgrade to a larger 96-ounce version. Overall, it is a solid water fountain and you can’t go wrong with purchasing it.
#4 makes the list due to its ability to serve a multi cat household. This is the DrinkWell Platinum by PetSafe. Compared to the other fountains on this list, the DrinkWell Platinum is much larger and has a 168-ounce water capacity thanks to the great big reservoir attached to the back. It can hold a lot of water and last for a very long time.
Other than the large water capacity, I don’t think the fountain outperforms the other fountains on this list. It is made of plastic and feels a little flimsy and there a few too many cumbersome parts to manage when you are trying to clean. It is also the loudest fountain on the list, emitting a noticeable hum throughout the room it is in. That being said, if you want a larger filter with the ability to serve multiple cats, and you don’t mind a little extra maintenance, this fountain will be perfect for your household.
Our final water fountain is the Cat Mate water fountain. At $29.99 it is the second cheapest on the list and has a modest 70-ounce water capacity. Overall, it is another solid, great value fountain that is very easy to assemble. There is nothing too fancy about, but it makes the list for the simplicity, value, and simple aesthetic that will fit well in any room.