Wired has updated its guide to the best cat water fountains following extensive testing, highlighting models that encourage hydration and ease pet monitoring. The review emphasizes stainless steel and glass designs for hygiene, with app-connected options for tracking consumption. Updated in October 2025, the list includes new additions like the Oneisall Wireless and Petlipo Cordless fountains.
Ensuring cats drink enough water is crucial for preventing urinary tract infections and other health issues, as stagnant bowls may deter felines who prefer moving water in the wild. Wired's 2025 review, published January 13 and updated in October, tested various automatic fountains over weeks, focusing on setup, cleaning, noise, and material hygiene. Testers prioritized wireless pumps for easier maintenance, stainless steel or glass to resist bacteria, and water-level windows, especially for non-app models.
The top pick for most users is the Petlibro Dockstream Fountain at $70, featuring a cordless pump, stainless steel bowl, and app integration that logs drinking amounts and sends alerts for low water or filter changes. It holds 84 fluid ounces and maintains 130 milliliters during outages. For cordless convenience, the Oneisall Wireless Cat Water Fountain ($40) offers a 3.5-liter stainless steel design with a 60-day battery, three flow modes, and a viewing window, though instructions are poorly translated.
Glass enthusiasts may prefer the Brook Glass Pet Fountain ($90), a 2.7-liter sculptural piece with silent wired pump and LED light; tester Kat Merck noted weekly cleaning sufficed, unlike plastic models requiring more frequent maintenance. Budget option: Pawtners Stainless Steel ($20), a 4-liter model with quiet 30-decibel pump and glowing low-water indicator.
For health monitoring, the Petlibro Dockstream RFID Smart Fountain ($72) uses collar tags to track individual cat intake via app, ideal for elderly pets or those with UTIs. Other tested models like Petkit Eversweet 3 Pro ($70) include UV sterilization but had app reliability issues. Not recommended: Petcube Ceramic ($90) for setup and durability problems; Cat Mate 3-Level ($28) for cleaning challenges.
Testers observed increased cat hydration post-switch, but advised keeping backup water sources during adjustment. Filters need monthly changes, and deep cleaning combats mineral buildup.