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Best Cat Trees

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Go Pet Club Cat Tree
Go Pet Club
Cat Tree
Most Comprehensive

A highly versatile, quality-made cat castle that is well worth the extra investment. The best on the market.

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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

A highly versatile, quality-made cat castle that is well worth the extra investment. The best on the market.

Pros

Multi-level with detachable ladders. Suitable for aging cats, multiple cats, and heavier cats. Cloth materials withstand continuous scratching.

Cons

The highest levels are secured with plastic clips that may break.

Best Bang for the Buck
TRIXIE Pet Products Baza
TRIXIE Pet Products
Baza
Customer Favorite

A budget-priced alternative to a bulky tree that your cat is sure to enjoy.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A budget-priced alternative to a bulky tree that your cat is sure to enjoy.

Pros

A budget-priced tree that earns consistently high ratings. Compact design doesn't take up a lot of space.

Cons

Columns and base are made of "flimsy" corkboard. The hammock is difficult to replace once it wears out. Limited space.

Armarkat Cat Tree Furniture Condo
Armarkat
Cat Tree Furniture Condo
Simple Yet Solid

An impressively sturdy and entertaining cat tree at a reasonable price point considering its numerous features.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

An impressively sturdy and entertaining cat tree at a reasonable price point considering its numerous features.

Pros

Easy to clean. The durable faux fleece covering is soft and perfect for lounging. Multiple-level design. Comes at a reasonable price point.

Cons

Some consider shelving material to be on the "flimsy" side.

FEANDREA Small Cat Tree
FEANDREA
Small Cat Tree
Nice for Small Spaces

Although petite, you'll get all of the components cats love with this model, including multiple levels and lounging spots.

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Nice for Small Spaces
Bottom Line

Although petite, you'll get all of the components cats love with this model, including multiple levels and lounging spots.

Pros

A fairly compact design makes this cat tree a good choice for small homes and apartments. Durable construction. A basket lounger provides a cozy space for cat naps.

Cons

Not the best pick for large cats and active climbers due to its minimal size.

rabbitgoo Multi-Level Cat Tree and Condo
rabbitgoo
Multi-Level Cat Tree and Condo
Mid-priced Option

A feature-packed cat tree with a cat-friendly design and an affordable price for pet parents who are watching their budgets.

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Mid-priced Option
Bottom Line

A feature-packed cat tree with a cat-friendly design and an affordable price for pet parents who are watching their budgets.

Pros

Ample areas to play, climb, hide, and nap. Includes a hammock, lounging basket, and multiple perches. The tall design is great for cats that like to perch on high spots.

Cons

The fabric covering is on the thin side. The build is somewhat wobbly compared to pricier models.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
October 30, 2021
56
Models
considered
22
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for best cat trees

Lauren Corona
Written by Lauren Corona

Updated June 2023

All good cat parents want their feline friends to have healthy, happy lives, and a cat tree can help with both mental and physical stimulation.

With the pet product business booming, you can find hundreds of cat trees on the market, so finding the best one can become overwhelming. But never fear – we at BestReviews are here to help you cut through the jargon and find quality products that offer good value for your money.

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A cat tree can provide a refuge for your feline friend when she wants to relax away from children or dogs in the house.

Why buy a cat tree?

Cat trees aren't a gimmick designed to part animal lovers from their hard-earned cash; they really are great for cats.

Here are some of the reasons why:

  • Cats are avid climbers and like to have “vertical” territory as well as horizontal space.

  • If your cat routinely scratches your furniture, a cat tree with built-in scratching posts may deter her (though we're not promising anything).

  • Cats often feel safer and more secure when in an elevated position. A cat tree can help minimize stress and give your kitty a haven in which to lounge and relax.

  • A cat tree can help keep your cat active. After all, it’s basically like a feline jungle gym.

  • If you have more than one cat, a cat tree may help solve territorial disputes over the best lookout spots. Your cats might have trouble sharing a window ledge peaceably, but most will share a large cat tree, as each kitty can perch on a different platform.

Types of cat trees

Below, we will examine some of the main varieties of cat trees, including the pros and cons of each.

Tall cat trees

Tall cat trees have multiple levels and platforms. Some even reach from floor to ceiling.

  • Pros

Plenty of space for multiple cats, promotes exercise, usually combines beds/platforms, may have cubby holes/scratching posts/toys for maximum enrichment.

  • Con

Takes up a lot of space.

  • Price

About $50 to $150, depending on size.

Small cat trees

Small cat trees tend to only have one or two levels, with a scratching post and possibly a dangling toy.

  • Pros

Compact, good for felines who shouldn't or can’t climb too high.

  • Cons

Not as enriching as taller cat trees.

  • Price

Roughly $20 to $50.

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Did you know?
If your cat destroys the sisal rope on her cat tree, it's possible to replace it yourself.
STAFF
BestReviews

Modern cat trees

Modern cat trees have a more stylish look than traditional carpet or faux fur cat trees. Often, these cat trees are made of bare wood.

  • Pros

More aesthetically pleasing than traditional cat trees, more appealing to some cats, durable.

  • Cons

Cost more than traditional cat trees, no carpet (which some cats don’t like).

  • Price

$50 to $60 for small models and $100 to $300 for large models.

Considerations for selecting a cat tree

Lounging areas

Cat trees should have a range of lounging areas on which your feline friend can do some serious catnapping or surveyal of his surroundings.

These may take the form of flat platforms, beds with raised edges, cubby holes, or hammocks.

Some cat trees have a stylistic range of lounging areas that are perfect for a picky kitty.

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Did you know?
Covered or enclosed lounging areas on a cat tree are sometimes referred to as "cat condos."
STAFF
BestReviews

Height

Check the product specifications of your chosen cat tree to find its height in inches. If you choose an especially tall cat tree and your home has low ceilings, measure your room from floor to ceiling to ensure the cat tree will fit. Of course, cat trees are designed to fit an average home, so this shouldn't be a problem if your ceilings are of a normal height.

Scratching posts

A good cat tree should have several scratching posts. These posts should (hopefully) satisfy your cat's natural urge to sink her claws into things. On modern cat trees, you may find "scratching areas" – squares lined with sisal rope – rather than traditional scratching posts.

Toys

Some cat trees have toys, such as fabric mice or plastic balls, hanging by strings. Only you know whether your cat goes wild for toys on strings or generally remains disinterested, so choose accordingly.

Appearance

You probably have an idea in your head of what a cat tree looks like. Perhaps you picture a series of boxes and platforms covered in carpet or faux fur and attached to one another with a series of scratching post tubes. But this isn't the only style of cat tree out there. Some modern cat trees could be mistaken for shelving units if it weren’t for the cats sitting on them. This type of cat tree may suit people who are more particular about their décor.

"Some cat trees are designed to save space in tight quarters. For example, there is a type of cat tree that fits in a doorway using a spring-loaded mechanism."
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips

  • Is your cat uninterested in his new cat tree? Playing with him while he is on or near the tree can help pique his interest.

  • If you need to clean a carpeted or faux fur-covered cat tree, we recommend doing so with cat shampoo. Harsh cleaning solutions could be toxic, but a soap specifically designed for use on your kitty is a safer bet.

  • Make sure the openings in your chosen cat tree fit your fur baby. For example, if you choose a cat tree with a condo or cubby hole, it should be large enough for your cat to comfortably climb in and out.

  • Most cat trees require some assembly. Find out what tools you'll need to put the tree together, and gather them before you begin work.

  • Some cat tree manufacturers offer replacement parts in case a part of the tree – a toy or scratching post, for instance – gets worn out.

  • Consider the base dimensions of your chosen cat tree, as well as the height, to make sure you have enough room for it.

  • Stability matters. Make sure your chosen cat tree doesn't wobble. A tall cat tree should have a wide base so there's no chance of it tipping over.

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To avoid fights over prime real estate, make sure your cat tree has more beds/lounge areas than you have cats. However, we can't promise that they won't all want to sleep in the same spot, anyway!

FAQ

Q. Where should I place my cat tree?

A. Situate your cat tree in a spot that your cat will find appealing. Otherwise, he'll be unlikely to use it. It should be in a room where he usually likes to spend time. If your cat likes to look out the window, consider placing his cat tree in a spot where he'll get a good view of the outside world. Likewise, if your cat is a fiend for warmth, he'd probably appreciate a cat tree placed near a radiator.

Q. What are cat trees made from?

A. Traditional cat trees are made from plywood and/or strong corrugated cardboard covered in either faux fur or sisal rope, which is wrapped around the scratching posts. Modern cat trees are normally made from solid wood, but they usually have areas with sisal rope to encourage scratching.

Q. Are there any cat trees designed with the older cat in mind?

A. While they're much rarer, you can find the odd cat tree designed for elderly felines. They tend to have just one or two levels, since some geriatric cats aren't as spry as they once were and could hurt themselves falling off the top of a tall cat tree. They also have ramps leading up to the platforms, as a senior cat may not be able to jump up unaided.

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