Petcube’s compact fountain gets so many things right in a field where product design often struggles to deliver good results. The fountain is portable, quiet, easy to clean and has a sturdy tray made of either ceramic or stainless steel. (Your choice, as some cats don’t like the reflective stainless steel at all.)

Inside, the fountain runs with a four-layer filtration system in its 1.7-liter capacity tank, which is a little small but ideal for one cat. You can also control the fountain through its app and get key updates, like when you should change filters.

The only issue I had with this fountain was that its proximity sensor proved hit or miss, but it’s not a necessary feature if you don’t want to use it.

If you don’t mind paying top price, this pet fountain can do everything, and I mean everything. It has a large capacity, 5-liter tank with a drainage tank below the tray so water doesn’t recirculate. The unit uses one small filter to keep bacteria away, and all major components are dishwasher safe when it’s ready for a full clean.

The many modes include options to adjust the fill of the tray, do a quick refresh, set a cleaning function and even adjust the water to an exact temperature for your cat’s comfort. The water tray flow is completely silent during regular motion, but you can change it to only turn on occasionally or based on proximity, among other automations.

But this fountain also has a 140-degree smart camera. It angles low enough to the floor that it won’t be accidentally spying on anyone, but it can watch over the water try and alert you when your cat approaches, when it takes a drink and more. If you want to pay for a subscription plan, you can store videos in the cloud, too, although I don’t think that’s especially important for a pet camera.

The only downside to this complete package is the two-way audio function in the back of the fountain, which tends to be fuzzy and partially blocked in most setups.

Petlibro’s portable fountain impressed me with its handy charging base and tray that clamps down on the 2.5-liter tank, making it particularly easy to pick up and move to a different location when it’s charged. That’s good news for cats who have one very specific spot they like to drink at and don’t want any disruptions.

The app also has a lot of value, helping you estimate when your cat drinks and how much, as well as setting hydration goals if drinking water has been a problem in the past.

Petlibro’s filtration system is one of the most complicated on my list, so cleaning and changing it will take extra effort, and Petlibro recommends you exchange the filters around every two weeks, which could get expensive over time.

If you’re looking for a budget model, this large, 3.2-liter fountain is available for well under $30 and offers multiple streams of water that may be palatable for multicat homes where different pets can approach at different angles.

The fountain uses an optional LED light that acts as both a nightlight and a way to keep track of water levels, although there are few other bells and whistles here. The material is mostly 304-grade stainless steel and dishwasher-ready.

However, with four streams of water, keep in mind the chances of splashing and trickling noises will be higher than the typical fountain, especially when water levels decrease.

PetSafe’s fountain is simple, elegant and doesn’t bother with any additional apps, high-tech controls or sensors. It just provides a bubbling flow of around 1.8 liters of water into a stainless steel basin. The fountain uses a foam and carbon filter combination to keep things clean.

One thing you may want to be wary of is that the fountain is very shiny stainless steel throughout, which means you may need to clean it often and it may startle cats who aren’t used to such a bright water bowl. Otherwise, this is an excellent starter model for anyone who doesn’t want to mess around with apps or Wi-Fi.

In general, yes. However, if you have any questions or worries, you should consult your vet before you buy. Pets can’t really hurt themselves on fountains, and there’s no worry of electrocution unless they start gnawing on power cables. However, some pets may react poorly to a new piece of technology in their zone, especially at first.

It depends on the cat. Mine does (occasionally) and likes some better than others. Picky cats may not be interested at all, while others may love it. Overall, switching to moving water devices like these has been beneficial for many cats, especially since cats don’t always drink enough water from traditional bowls.

Of course. But most of these fountains are pretty small, so it’s best to keep them limited to cats and small dogs. There are smart fountains made for larger dogs, but that’s not really the focus of this list. I focused on cats because it’s often more challenging to get those fuzzy drama queens to drink enough water.

It can vary, but plan on cleaning it and replacing the water every week or so. Plan on deep cleaning and replacing the filter every few weeks or as directed.

They can, but that doesn’t mean they will. Cats don’t always like to share water. Some fountains are designed with multiple access points to make it easier.

Generally, the best spot for a cat’s water is well away from their food and their litter box, otherwise their instincts may tell them the water could be contaminated. You may also want to put the fountain where their previous water was, so cats don’t have to deal with too many new things at once.