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Including "smart" fountains that track how much your cat drinks, ceramic and stainless-steel options that won't get slimy, and even one that requires *zero* cleaning. Yes, really.

If you're a cat owner, you've probably heard again and again that one of the most important things you can do for your cat's health is keep them hydrated...which is easier said than done. Cats inherently have a low thirst drive, and they prefer not to drink from still or standing water — that's why a water fountain is one of the best purchases you can make as a cat owner. 

Available at a range of price points, cat water fountains come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and there are some key considerations before buying one of your own. While some cat water fountains are plastic, others are made with stainless steel, ceramic, and even glass, which are more hygienic and easier to clean. There are even app-monitoring fountains that track your cat's drinking habits, which can be helpful for alerting your vet to any possible health changes. And yes, there are even some "aesthetic" fountains out there that won't look like an eyesore in your home. No matter what style of cat water fountain you're looking for or what budget you're working with, you'll find some solid, reviewer-approved options here.

And pro tip: Once you have your new fountain, consider setting it up in a central location in your home, away from wherever their food is. Cats perceive water that's right next to their food as unclean, so they're more likely to use their fountain if it's in another location.

A sleek Petlibro Dockstream cordless fountain that scores high marks across the board in cleanliness, convenience, and affordability. The rechargeable battery, which lasts about 30 days on a single charge, means you can place this anywhere — a huge boon if outlets are limited in your home — and the detachable water tank and wireless pump are easy to clean. It has a hygienic stainless steel tray (though the base is plastic), and it even has two water modes: one that provides a non-stop stream of water, and another that turns on when it senses your cat is nearby, providing a 42-second stream while preserving battery life.

Promising review: "This is, by far, the best cat water fountain I’ve ever owned, and I’ve owned at least six different fountains over the past 10 years. It is extremely easy to set up, easy to fill, and easy to add water. It’s also very quiet and was the first water fountain that did not scare my black scaredy cat who’s afraid of her own shadow. It’s also ridiculously easy to clean! It took me less than five minutes to disassemble and clean the well, pump, and stainless steel water tray. This fountain was designed to have no 90-degree walls or corners that are hard to clean and get any and all gunk out of. The base has a battery strength indicator, which is helpful if you keep the fountain in a spot that doesn’t have access to an electrical outlet. Otherwise, it simply indicates that the power is on and the battery is fully charged. There is also an indicator that lights up if the fountain needs more water added." —Gina M Miyamoto

Get it from Amazon for $69.90 (available in two colors).

The AquaPurr 5, a clever gadget that connects directly to a sink faucet and *never* needs cleaning because it's never recirculating water — your kitty is always getting fresh H20 directly from the tap, like humans do. If you have a cat who's picky about water (and tries to drink from the sink already), this could be a game-changer for both of you! The AquaPurr has a motion sensor, so it only dispenses water when your cat is nearby. And yes, you can still use your sink with this hooked up, since it connects via a faucet diverter valve (so water can be directed to either the sink or AquaPurr).

AquaPurr is a small business based in Castle Rock, Colorado. You can see their fountain in action on TikTok!

Promising review: "My cat was on my bathroom counter crying, and I turned on the water for him. Created a monster. At all hours, he would go in there and cry until I turned on the water, and then he would wait for it to be done so I could turn it off. I tried five different fountains, and he won't use them. I bought AquaPurr, and he caught on quickly. It was so simple to set up, and now when he wants fresh water, he can get it himself!" —Tera P.

Get it from AquaPurr for $115, plus $7.95–$19.50 for the water connection (six water connection options available). They also sell decorative options, like colored bases and flower pots (the flowers themselves aren't included).

A Pioneer Pet swan fountain if you don't want your cat anywhere *near* the sink faucet, but they can't seem to shake their fascination with it. This'll entice them into staying hydrated the way they prefer — it might not be the kitchen sink, but it's the next best thing.

Promising review: "I saw someone get this for their cats on TikTok, so I thought I would try it out. My cats don't drink enough water, and I've tried moving their food and water to different spots. When I got this fountain though...everything changed. My girl cat is OBSESSED with it. We call it her best friend, because when she isn't drinking from it (or playing with it), she is sitting there just staring at it. It only gets loud if your cat likes to play with the water, which she does. She grabs at it with her paw to drink, or puts her head under it and lets it fall into her mouth. She also drinks it like a normal animal occasionally. My boy cat, on the other hand, at first was interested, but when he got wet from the stream, he was very angry with it. He does drink from it a lot now, but he's found a way to drink without getting his head wet. Moral of the story, they love it, and they drink A LOT more water now, and it doubles as a play toy." —Peony

A Veken cat water fountain that's *entirely* stainless steel, from the top tray to the base, making it more resistant to mold and bacteria growth. It holds a generous 2.8 liters of water and plugs into the wall, if you'd rather not deal with recharging a battery-operated model — and it's also one of the most affordable fountains on this list. If you don't want any fancy features and just want something that's quiet and easy to clean, I can personally recommend this brand, which I've been using for years.

Both of my cats took to this fountain immediately — I do feel like they drink *way* more water with it around, and I love not having to stress about refilling their water bowl every single day. I did take the flower waterfall off of mine (as shown in the gif above); you may find your cat prefers that. It's super quiet with only the lightest trickling sound (which is honestly kind of relaxing), and it gets louder when the water gets low inside, signaling to you that it's time to refill. I always do a quick clean with soap and water at that point, too — it takes no more than a few minutes. Just be sure to do a deep clean of the filter every so often, too. It pops open really easily for cleaning!

Get it from Amazon for $27.98+ (available in three colors and an even larger-capacity model).

An iPettie Tritone porcelain water fountain — like stainless steel, ceramic is another great choice when it comes to cat water fountains because it's hygienic and easy to clean. It's also sturdier, if you have a cat who's prone to knocking over fountains, and has a ~fancier~ look to it if that matters to you. Reviewers describe it as "whisper quiet," so even your nervous Nellie feline won't be scared away!

Promising review: "The written instructions for assembly are thorough, but I found it easier to watch the instructions on YouTube. The fountain actually comes with three filters and an extra pump! This fountain is absolutely quiet. When I plugged it in for the first time, I braced to hear whatever noise it was going to make. But, there wasn't any. I didn't even know if it was running until I saw the water moving. This is totally worth the extra money it costs over other fountains, but the quality and extra equipment are worth it. I mean, how often are you going to purchase a cat fountain? Consider it a blessing to have something so quiet and attractive. Five paws up. ^..^ Update (two years later): Still working fine. Still completely silent. Haven't needed the extra pump." —luciellenc

A Brook glass fountain that's entirely made of heavy-duty glass, which (like stainless steel and ceramic) is non-porous, scratch-resistant, and extremely easy to keep clean without any of that gross slime buildup. It's even dishwasher safe! And the clear glass design isn't just pretty; it also means you can check the water level and clarity at a glance. 

Promising review: "This is the best waterer I've ever had! CKD (chronic kidney disease) kitty approved! My cats love drinking the cascading water. It's quiet, adjustable, easy to clean, and has somehow not broken after a year of two klutzes and a menacing robot vacuum! The clear glass makes it much easier to see if it needs a cleaning, the glass is fine in the dishwasher, it's easy to (dis)assemble, and the filters and pumps are cheap and easy to replace. 10/10 highly recommend!" —Waffles

A budget-friendly Giotohun water fountain that's a good option as far as plastic fountains go. For one, it's very sleek, with a translucent base and built-in LED light so you can tell at a glance when it's time to refill (the light can also help guide your cats to the fountain at night). It does have a stainless-steel spout, which may entice your resident faucet drinker to start sipping from this instead, and it's extremely quiet, which is always a plus.

Promising review: "My cat loves to drink out of the water tap, so I was looking for a fountain that closely resembles a normal tap. This fountain is perfect! We've been using it for about half a year now and are still super happy! The pump has been working perfectly fine, the fountain is easy to clean (I use a little pipe cleaner to clean through the tap part on the top), and the sound of the pump is super quiet. The calm, pouring sound of the water is rather relaxing than disturbing. When the water level gets very low, the pump is a bit louder, but I use this as a reminder to refill it :) And even though it's made of plastic, it looks really nice :) I would definitely buy this fountain again!" —AndiL.

Get it from Amazon for $15.97+ (available in two colors and two sizes).

A Petlibro app-monitoring water fountain — unlike the cordless model that ranks "best overall" on this list, the Dockstream 2 is a plug-in, Wi-Fi-enabled version from Petlibro that focuses more on tracking your cat's hydration data. Using an app on your phone, you can see how many times your cat has visited the fountain in a day, how much H20 they've consumed, the average length of a visit, and general trends like what time of day they drink most often *and* if they've been drinking more or less recently, which can be important info to relay to your vet. The app can also notify you when it's time to refill the water, clean the tank, or change filters, which is helpful if you struggle to stay on top of fountain maintenance when life gets busy.

Since this fountain can't distinguish between different cats that visit it, it'd be best for a single-cat home. 

Promising review: "Absolutely love this thing. It tells me when my kitten is drinking and how much. It reminds you when to clean, replace filters, and when the water level is low. I personally think their filters are too expensive so I've bought the generic brand. Otherwise, I am very pleased. I had no issue connecting to the app or setting up my Wi-Fi." —C. Gray

Get it from Amazon for $72.99 (available in two colors). 

A splurge-worthy Felaqua Connect smart water fountain from Sure Petcare that connects to your cat's unique microchip to track their drinking behavior — that means if you have several cats in your household, you'll be able to track their individual drinking habits, including how often, when, and how much water they're consuming. (BTW, it can sync with up to *32* cats, in case you're wondering.) This requires the company's Hub, which basically acts as a link between the fountain and the internet to send information to your phone app. It's definitely an investment at just under $200 for the bundle, but it helps that your cats can share the fountain (versus microchip feeders, which you'd want to buy several of), and the microchip connectivity means your cats won't have to wear RFID collars. Plus, it comes with a two-year warranty.

The fountain itself is battery-operated, so you can place it anywhere, with a shallow bowl that's at just the right height for your kitty. 

I have this company's microchip feeders, so I can vouch for the quality of their microchip tech. You can read my full Sure Petcare microchip feeders review for more deets!

Get it with the required Hub from Sure Petcare for $189.95.

A Petlibro RFID smart water fountain that's a more budget-friendly alternative to a microchip fountain, if you want to track hydration habits for two or more cats *and* they're willing to wear collars. This identifies each kitty via the RFID tag in their collar so you can get individual insights on their drinking habits. Two snap-release collar tags are included; you can buy more if needed.

Besides the health monitoring aspect, this fountain is also thoughtfully designed with a stainless steel tray, a wireless pump, and a splash shield that not only keeps your floor dry but also helps prevent several cats from drinking at once, to ensure the fountain is tracking each cat's activity accurately. Neat!

Promising review: "This water fountain is amazing! Capacity is stellar, and with four cats, it's about to go four days before it gets too low. I like that you can see how much they are drinking and the height is nice so they don't have to lean over much. Cleaning is a breeze as well, I love the stainless steel so there's no worry for kitty acne and it's very quiet. Glad it works with their existing RFID tags (we have the feeders) as well." —Amanda P.

Get it from Amazon for $84.99 or direct from Petlibro for $99.99.

A Petkit Eversweet Max cordless smart fountain that gives you the freedom to place it wherever you like while still providing those hydration insights and tracking via their app. This fountain has a motion sensor, so you can have it turn on for 60 seconds when your pet is nearby, which helps preserve battery life. You can also set it to flow continuously or set a custom intermittent flow (such as three minutes on, three minutes off), so it's versatile. It uses AAA batteries (included), which should last you up to 83 days of operation! That said, you can also plug this fountain in.

Also worth noting: This fountain is on the larger side. It holds up to 3 liters of water, and it's so sturdy, even one reviewer's mischievous Maine Coon couldn't knock it over. Plenty of people even use it as a dog water fountain.

Promising review: "I have tried so many different water fountains, but this one is definitely my favorite! The cordless feature gives me peace of mind in the event of a power outage. The fountain itself has the most simplistic setup I’ve seen so far, which makes it much easier to clean, and the noise level is super low. The large water capacity is super convenient! With three cats and four small animals, I only have to fill it up roughly once a week. They do have other sources of water, but prefer the fountain. The app was easy to set up and easy to navigate. It tracks how often pets are drinking and also sends you alerts when the water is low and it needs cleaned, etc. I also really like the alerts on the fountain itself. It was definitely worth the money!" —Chelsey

Get it from Amazon for $76.99 (also available in a dishwasher-safe version). 

A large-capacity OneisAll wireless fountain with a motion sensor and rechargeable battery, so you can place it anywhere and won't have to worry about buying new batteries down the road. It holds a whopping 3.5 liters of water that can last over two weeks (depending on how many pets you have and how much they drink), which is great if you frequently travel and want a fountain you can rely on while you're gone (that way your cat sitter doesn't even have to mess with it). Reviewers say the battery typically lasts a couple of weeks before needing a charge. 

Promising review: "I have two large cats who like their water! This fountain holds twice as much water as my last fountain, so I only have to fill it about every 10 days instead of every week! It is very quiet, and they seem to really like it! I am quite pleased with it! I can recharge the battery right where it is. I find this fountain ideal!" —Joy

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two colors).

A Petkit Eversweet 3 Pro, a stainless steel smart fountain that's been upgraded with a UVC (ultraviolet-C, aka germicidal UV light) pump that disinfects and removes up to 99.96% of bacteria — that's in addition to the multi-layer filtration system that removes hair, dust, odor, and heavy metals. Basically, what I'm saying is your cat is gonna be drinking some clean water. The Eversweet 3 Pro also provides hydration monitoring via their app. 

Promising review: "The previous bowl we had was constantly plugging up the pump with gray slime — ever after being scrubbed and cleaned, it wouldn't take more than 24 hours to become disgusting again. I was trying to find a bowl that would actually clean the water, and this bowl was the only one I could find with a UV light in the pump. THIS BOWL IS SERIOUSLY WORTH EVERY PENNY. I can't stress that enough. My old bowl would just keep recirculating the water with just a sponge in the pump that was technically supposed to 'filter' the water. It didn't do anything. The Petkit bowl actually does the opposite. I have cleaned it many times, and it's always so clean. Seriously, the UV is amazing. This bowl is one of the best things and eased my mind to know the water wasn't becoming slimy with bacteria." —Ashleigh

A Misfans embossed ceramic fountain with a pure copper spout that's antimicrobial and can help cut down on bacteria and metallic residues in your cat's water. The ceramic base has a lovely embossed pattern on the side as a stylish touch (though this fountain is also available without the embossing if you prefer).

Promising review: "Switched to this all-ceramic fountain with the copper spout about six weeks ago for my two cats, and it’s been a clear upgrade. The all-ceramic body (bowl, pump housing, everything) is smooth, non-porous, and genuinely easy to clean. I rinse it weekly and do a full vinegar soak every two weeks; no stubborn buildup or lingering odor like with plastic ones. The pure copper spout is a nice touch — water flows out in a gentle, steady stream that my cats love to drink from (they both prefer running water). It’s very quiet — I only hear a faint trickle when I’m right next to it, not the constant humming or bubbling of cheaper fountains. No leaks, no splashing outside the bowl, and the pump is strong enough to keep the flow consistent even as the level drops. The matte finish looks clean and modern on the floor — much better than the typical plastic look. Only small downside: The ceramic is heavier than plastic (obviously), so it’s not as easy to move around if you need to relocate it often. But that’s a trade-off I’m happy with for the durability and hygiene." —Meitantei

Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in five styles).

A PetSafe Drinkwell tiered fountain with dual bowls at different heights, making it a great option as a community fountain for cats (including senior cats, since they won't have to bend down to drink) and even dogs too. It has a carbon filter and circulating pump to help keep the water fresh in between cleanings. The tiered design also makes it look a bit like a garden fountain — one reviewer even dressed theirs up with fake grass and rocks to play up the zen vibe.

Promising reviews: "I got this for my dog and cat. They both love it! I have noticed they drink way more water with this than they used to with a regular water bowl." —Amazon Customer

"This is the second Drinkwell fountain I’ve owned, and I only got it because the first was very complex to clean. This one is SO much easier to clean than the previous one thankfully, but I do agree that it can get very loud if the filter gets clogged or the water gets low. I have a senior domestic shorthair cat and a slightly less senior Maine Coon mix, and I do have to stay on top of replacing water and cleaning as this design clogs much faster than the other did when the Maine Coon loses fur. It has been helpful for the oldest cat as he uses the upper tier for drinking so he doesn’t have to bend down and get water. He has arthritis and kidney disease, so having a fountain he likes to use has been extremely beneficial." —MCR

An Elfin Fountain E1+ pumpless fountain that uses a magnetically driven impeller instead of a traditional submerged pump, which keeps all electrical components completely separate from the water source. That means there are no blind spots that become breeding grounds for bacteria; everything comes apart easily for cleaning. It has a stainless steel tray and can be used wired or wirelessly!

Promising review: "Pleasantly surprised by this guy. Super quiet, didn’t even realize it was motion sensor when buying so that was a surprise bonus; plus, even though it isn’t dishwasher safe, it is super easy to clean. No more sticking your hand down in gross water to pull the pump out so you can clean it — just pick the entire thing up off the base (the base stays plugged into the wall), take it apart (6 pieces total, including the water reservoir), scrub it, put it back together, refill, put it back on the base. I clean it regularly now, and keep it filled since I can leave the base where it is and bring the entire thing to the fridge to refill it easily." —Kara R.

A Catit Pixi water fountain with an undeniably adorable aesthetic, but the design goes beyond just looks. It has three drinking options: an arching stream from a removable spout (great for faucet drinkers), a calm flow from the top of the pool if the spout is removed, or a bubbling top. Reviewers also like the clear indication of when the fountain needs refilling: The "nose" is a backlit water level window, and it flashes red when it's time to add more water. And it's quiet, too, thanks to the pump that's suspended in the water rather than vibrating against the bottom of the fountain.

Promising review: "I purchased this cat fountain after becoming annoyed with the hassle and noise that came with my previous water fountain for my cats. I won't lie — this product instantly pulled me in with the cute design, but I am happy to report that this water fountain is PHENOMENAL. The assembly process only took about two minutes, and the fountain itself is nearly silent. The product feels very high-quality and sturdy. My favorite feature is that the bowl has lights that indicate when more water is needed for the fountain. In contrast to other fountains, a simple red light notifies you that your cats need more water, as opposed to some fountains that sound like they're going to explode if you don't add water to them instantly. The design is incredibly cute, and my cats absolutely love it. With my two cats, who are fiends for water, I only have to add water about once a week. Since getting this fountain, I have bought another, and constantly get compliments from guests who note how cute and quiet the fountains are. All in all, this is by far the best fountain I've found out of the five either myself or a friend has purchased in the past few years." —Katie C.

A ThirstyCat water fountain in any of their gorgeous glazed designs, which are created entirely by hand using natural materials and a pottery wheel. They offer a variety of fountain types, including bubble-up, stream, and sculpture styles, and even add-ons like copper spouts that are compatible with certain fountains (each listing makes it clear whether a "cat tap" is compatible). Though splurge-y, these fountains are built to last, so it's definitely a worthwhile investment. You'll find reviewers talking about owning theirs for years — even up to a decade and still going strong.

ThirstyCat Fountains is a small business based in Cambridge, NY, that has been selling high-quality, handmade cat water fountains online since 2010. Check out their guide to picking the right fountain for your cat!

Promising review: "After searching for a cat fountain that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing, I was thrilled to come across this shop! I had previously tried other fountains and, while some were decent, all had limitations. My goal was to find one in a style that all the cats would use, had a food-safe finish, was easy to clean, and, preferably, looked pretty. Here it is! This piece does double duty as a cat fountain and home decor. All the cats love the style and actually use it. Plus, I find desktop fountains relaxing, so I also enjoy watching it. It is a piece of ceramic art that caters to both cats and humans. I love that the shop prioritizes food-safe materials. Also, I contacted them once regarding my order and their customer service was excellent. I already want to get more of these fountains for other parts of the house!" —ThirstyCat Fountains customer

Get one from ThirstyCat Fountains for $190+ (available in a variety of designs, including the martini with olives style and ebony style shown above). You can also commission your own custom cat fountain. 

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Jenae Sitzes is a shopping editor (and longtime cat owner) with over a decade of experience working in online media, covering everything from affordable beauty and unique home finds to genius pet products, and she's constantly saving interesting finds on TikTok (in *very* organized folders, mind you) to share with BuzzFeed readers. 

Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.