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Choosing among the best cat towers for your feline friend is a bit of an adventure. There are so many styles, sizes, and price points to consider. Do you want something ultra-sturdy? Or something that blends beautifully with your decor? Is your cat a climber who demands a high platform from which to survey the room, or are they happy to stop partway up the tower and take a nap in a secure bed or cave?
We checked out some great cat furniture, from basic cat trees to modern luxury towers, including the house brands at Amazon (Amazon Basics) and Chewy (Frisco). We’ve found some complex, challenging trees by top brands for you to choose from.
What to Look for in a Great Cat Tower
We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: It’s not a cat tree if your cat doesn’t enjoy using it. And it’s not the cat tree for you if it doesn’t fit in your living space. (I know whereof I speak: I ordered a cat tree for my office without measuring the space, and when it arrived, it wouldn’t fit through my office door. We had to put it in the dining room, where it now looms over the table. Sigh.)
Here are some key factors to consider before you buy:
- Space. Cat trees have wide, sturdy bases to keep them from toppling over, and those bases can vary greatly in size. Measure the area where you want the cat tree to go before buying.
- Configuration. The layout of the cat tree should match your cat. Young athletic cats can climb or leap onto just about anything but if you have arthritic senior cats (or lazy couch potatoes) look for a tree that makes it easy to hop from level to level. If your cat is a sprawler, steer clear of trees with tiny beds and narrow perches that force the cat to curl up tight.
- Materials. Cat furniture can be made out of plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), cardboard, or even whole tree limbs. And scratching surfaces may be carpet, jute, sisal, or scratchy sisal-weave mats. When choosing cat furniture, consider your cat’s surface preferences and your own aesthetics.
- Price. Cat furniture isn’t cheap, but you can find suitable units at many different price points. Have a budget in mind before you shop, and be prepared to pay a little more for premium materials and modern designs. Good sisal and quality carpet will last a few years—cheaper rope or inexpensive fabric will go a few months.
The Best Cat Towers for Adventurous Kitties
We’ve listed some real bargains and a few towers with prices as stratospheric as their fluffy penthouse perches. Whatever your tastes or your budget, take heart: The right perch is out there!
Tip for online shopping: If you see an “out-of-stock” label on a cat tower you like, try clicking on another color choice for that same tower.
Tuft and Paw Grove Cat Tower (Verified Review)
A cat perch and bed in one, this gorgeous cat tower attempts to make up for a jaw-dropping price tag ($499 for the shorter 24” model, and $599 for the 41” style) with cat-friendly form and function and a clean, design-forward look.
A fleece-lined, high-walled bed at the base is a cozy nook for cat napping kitties; another fleece-lined pad makes up a generously-sized perch at the top (for lounging, reclining, or just watching the world go by).
Overall, we liked the beautiful, design-forward look; the piece does not immediately register as “cat furniture.” As cat furniture goes, it’s above-average quality, constructed of real plywood (as opposed to cheap particle or fiber board). And it’s available in different finishes (natural or grey) and sizes depending on your tastes and needs.
We weren’t crazy that it arrives disassembled, and in a lot of styrofoam packaging. Once assembled (about 20 minutes) screw holes are visible in the bed area, detracting from the clean, flush look.
If you can overlook these details, price isn’t an issue, and you’re as finicky as a cat about the things you like, this multipurpose cat tower might just be your next Instagram post to go viral.
Shop at Tuft and PawFrisco Faux Fur Cat Tree and Condo
If your kitty is looking for an elevated place to snooze, this 61-inch tower with cozy caves is a good choice. The 24-by-19-inch base promises plenty of stability, no matter how active your cat gets. It’s available in gray and charcoal. Note that the sisal wrap on the posts may not run high enough for big cats to get a good stretch while scratching.
Shop on ChewyGo Pet Club Cat Condo
Whether you have one big cat, several average-sized cats, or one very spoiled cat, this over 5-foot-tall beauty is for you! It has classic carpeted posts, a climbing ladder, a comfy hammock, a soft sleeping bowl, and multiple levels for your feline friends to explore.
Shop on ChewyVesper Modern Cat Tower
Maybe you have two or three cats in a small apartment and are looking for a cat tower that will keep them busy without dominating the room. Be sure to check out this sleek condo from Vesper. It’s made from lacquered fiberboard and sisal rope and has memory foam cushions for napping. Reviewers give this cat tree high marks for sturdiness and ease of assembly. Choose from oak, walnut, or black finishes.
Shop on ChewyAmazon Basics Large Cat Condo Tower
With a durable carpeted base, multiple jute-wrapped posts, and a comfy sleeping perch, this mid-sized cat tower (46 inches) is a great pick if you’re looking for something simple. Reviewers love how easy it is to assemble, and it’s hard to beat the price.
Find on AmazonThe Refined Feline Lotus Tree
This elegant cat tower makes just about everyone’s list for a tree that complements any contemporary decor while pleasing most cats. With several climbing platforms and scratching pads, it offers both function and fashion. It’s definitely pricey, but reviewers praise the engineered-wood construction and durability—and love that it’s easier to keep clean than carpet-covered trees. Look for it in espresso, mahogany, and smoke.
Shop on ChewyMau Lifestyle Leone Cat Tree
If you have the room to go wide (allow 46 inches), and your cat is a leaper, you’ll be tempted by this exotic perch from Mau Lifestyle. Each 50-inch tower is handmade using real tree branches (wrapped with rope for scratching). That padded top perch is a real treasure, but if you have two cats, expect some competition!
Shop on ChewyMaine Coon Cat Tree Tower
Your kitty does not have to be a Maine Coon to appreciate this handsome traditional-style 65-inch-tall tower, however, it’s designed for large cats, with a focus on stability and spacious lounging areas. It weighs a substantial 75 pounds, has a 24-by-24-inch base and boasts quality materials including solid wood structure, household-grade carpet, and natural un-oiled sisal rope that is safe for kitties! (Note: If your cat is big on scratching, keep in mind that this tree has only one scratching post.)
Shop on WayfairFrisco Carpeted Wooden Cat Tree and Condo
If your cat is into caves (and open platforms), check out this higher-end 66-inch tower from Frisco. You get what you pay for: It’s made of solid wood and covered in durable carpet. My cats love the long post covered in sisal for stretching and scratching! Note that the climbing is pretty challenging—this is definitely for your younger, more athletic kitty.
Shop on ChewyTucker Murphy Bybee Cat Tree and Condo
The Bybee is one of the most popular cat towers from Tucker Murphy pet furniture company, and for good reason. At 58 inches tall, it’s plenty roomy, and it incorporates several sisal-wrapped scratching posts. A 24-by-18-inch base offers stability but won’t take up all your space. Reviewers love it, but some caution that it’s probably not the best choice if you have oversize kitties.
Shop on WayfairNew Cat Condos Deluxe Kitty Pad
If you’ve gotten frustrated about hauling wobbly, beat-up cat trees off to the landfill, check out the solid wood, made-in-the-U.S. cat trees from New Cat Condos. We got the three-level Deluxe Kitty Pad. Sure, the old-school carpet coverings and thick, natural sisal are far from exciting design. But this tree is holding up to heavy use by our playful cats and it’s easy to clean. That’s real value for your money.
Find on AmazonTips for Introducing Your Cat to Their New Tower
Once you have your new cat tower assembled, entice your cat to use it by sprinkling it with catnip. You can also place their favorite toys and treats in the tower for them to find.
Looking for other ways to make your kitty happy? Check out our picks for the best cat toys.
Further Reading
- Outside the Box: Sleek Cat Furniture for Apartments and Small Spaces
- Let ‘Em Rip on These Cat Scratching Posts (and Save Your Sofa)
- Give Your Senior Kitty a Paw Up With These Cat Trees for Older Cats
