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

Overview

I Tested the Best Cat Water Fountains—These Are Worth Buying

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.

Details

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 Petkit Ever Sweet Ultra with AI Camera Pet Water Fountain (

Petkit Ever Sweet Ultra with AI Camera Pet Water Fountain ($250)

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 August 2026: I've added the Petkit Ever Sweet Ultra with AI Camera Pet Water Fountain, Bissell Hydrate Well Automatic Water Fountain, and Cheerble Pet Fountain Elfin E1+, and removed some out-of-stock and discontinued picks. I've also updated prices and links throughout.

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Best Cat Water Fountain Overall Photograph: Molly Higgins Photograph: Molly Higgins Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Petkit Ever Sweet Ultra with AI Camera Pet Water Fountain

Ever Sweet Ultra with AI Camera Pet Water Fountain

This is the ultimate pet water fountain for techy pet parents. It has an AI enabled camera, a connected app to monitor drinking habits, and deep cleaning modes. Rather than an internal filter that needs frequent replacing, this fountain has a large, 5-liter freshwater tank and a 1.8-liter tank below, where, through an internal mechanism, fresh water flows to the 330-milliliter stainless steel basin and used water drains to the tank below. Using the outside buttons or the app, you can drain the water or run a deep-clean cycle that uses boiling water to sanitize the tray and internal system before refilling the reservoir with fresh water. You can also change flows between continuous, intermittent, and sensor-activated.

You can use the app to view cleaning reminders, monitor water and wastewater levels, communicate via two-way audio, view historical and live camera footage, and monitor pets’ usage. There's an additional Care+ premium subscription, which categorizes videos by cat and gives more detailed insights, but without it, I found it worked just as well, and I could still view the live feed, look back historically at the video feed, communicate, and get some insights into water intake. Maintenance with regular cleaning of this big machine requires more time and effort than some others on the list because of the internal spouts and motor, but I found it well worth it considering all of the other extra features you get with this model.

Best Cat Water Fountain for Most People Photograph: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Oneisall Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Oneisall Wireless Cat Water Fountain

Oneisall's 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.

★ Alternative: The Oneisall Wireless Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel for $38: I have also tested and loved this model, which is identical to the above, but has a higher price point because the outside is 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.

Oneisall Wireless Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel for $38

Poorly translated instructions and product information

Best Connected App Photograph: Molly HigginsVideo: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Petlibro Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Petlibro Dockstream 2 Smart Cordless Fountain

If you're familiar with the previous model—our former favorite—this one is pretty similar, but holds more water and supports 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.

Four layers: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, high-density sponge

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/TIREDAccordion Item Container Button Large Chevron WIREDGlass construction, which is more hygienic Water stays in basin in case of power outage TIREDLarge footprint

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

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

Best Cat Water Fountain for Monitoring Pets’ Health

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.

Four layers: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, high-density sponge

Tracks cats' specific drinking habits to monitor health

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/TIREDAccordion Item Container Button Large Chevron WIREDAll stainless steel construction Faucet-type spout TIREDWired pump No connected app

A Fountain for Cats Who Like Drinking From the Faucet

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.

Petkit Ever Sweet Ultra with AI Camera Pet Water Fountain

Petkit Ever Sweet Ultra with AI Camera Pet Water Fountain

AI enabled camera; connected app and deep cleaning mode; clean and dirty water tanks

All stainless steel; wireless pump for easier cleaning; rechargeable battery for cordless power

Poorly translated instructions and product information

Four layers: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, high-density sponge

Glass construction; water stays in basin in case of power outage

Connected app; tracks cats' specific drinking habits to monitor health; wireless pump

Four layers: non-woven fabric, activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, high-density sponge

All-stainless steel construction; faucet-type spout

Cheerble Pet Fountain Elfin E1+ for $70: This simple automatic water fountain would've been a top pick, but I'm trying to pare down my top picks to only stainless steel or glass—unless they have a feature not seen elsewhere, like the Petlibro RFID fountain—because plastic gets dirty with the potential to cause serious health problems (more on that below). But overall, I have no complaints besides the plastic with this fountain. Like other top models, it has a wireless pump for safer and easier cleaning and a hygienic stainless steel top, and it sits on a charging dock where it can be moved around the house cord-free for up to 30 days. It has intermittent flow that goes off when it senses a cat is near, and the top lights indicate things like filter replacement and battery level. Overall, it was super easy to clean this model because everything sits on one another; and it has few parts and a wireless pump. This was a reliable model, and I'd recommend it if you're OK with cleaning more frequently because of the plastic design.

Bissell Hydrate Well Automatic Water Fountain for $26: I tested this fountain and a brand-new automatic litter box (review forthcoming) from cleaning titan Bissell, whose handheld and cordless vacuums have been long-time favorites of the Reviews team. This fountain had Bissell's signature sleek aesthetic, but there were several design features that reminded me that Bissell is still used to designing cleaning tools. The biggest problem is that it was designed like a vacuum, with the cord wrapped underneath the fountain, making it difficult to unspool, clean, or move without the water spilling from the top or the cord getting wet. The top basin parts were also a bit modular; I felt like it should've twisted into itself to connect, but it sort of haphazardly sat on top. There was also a taller spout addition (not pictured), but I took it off because water kept spraying outside the bowl. I also didn't love the all-plastic design and the fact it needed to be plugged in at all times. It worked well throughout testing, but there are some design flaws (namely the bottom cord spool) that made moving and refilling a little needlessly difficult.

Bissell Hydrate Well Automatic Water Fountain for $26

Petlibro Capsule Dog Fountain for $45: Petlibro’s Capsule Dog Fountain is right at snout level for my small dogs, which I prefer for when they eat and drink to prevent choking. It holds 2.1 gallons of water in the large tank, and the water quietly flows via a whirlpool to the top tray. Plus, there's a splash guard that 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. 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 who don’t need high-tech functionality, just something consistent. —Julia Forbes

Petlibro Stainless Steel Fountain for $40: There's no connected app, and the pump isn't wireless for this solid, all-stainless steel fountain that's pretty pared down and basic. 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.

Petkit Eversweet 3 Pro for

Petlibro Capsule Fountain for $34: A solid, inexpensive choice, this fountain is made from BPA-free plastic and has a five-layer filtration system and 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.

Petkit Eversweet Max for $76: 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.

Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain for $25: Cordless and running on a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 60 days (although it can stay plugged in, too), this fountain has a wireless pump that uses magnetic induction—one of the easiest and most hassle-free pumps 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 $60: 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.

Wonder Creature Cat Fountain for $18: 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 $45: 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

Oneisall Stainless Steel Pet Fountain for $43: 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

Petcube Ceramic Pet Water Fountain for $65: I really wanted to love this fountain; although its basin is plastic, it has 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.

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.

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.

Petkit Ever Sweet Solo SE for $25: 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.

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.

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.

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 of 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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Key Takeaways

• I Tested the Best Cat Water Fountains—These Are Worth Buying

• 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

• 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)

• Petkit Ever Sweet Ultra with AI Camera Pet Water Fountain ($250)