The best cat beds you can buy

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The Insider Pick:

• Cats love to sleep in the weirdest places, but sometimes they just want a nice bed to curl up in. There are all kinds of cat beds out there, but the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge is our top pick with its unique dual-purpose design as a scratcher and a nice big cat bed your kitty can stretch out on.

Cats tend to sleep anywhere and everywhere they like, and they often repose in strange places like cardboard boxes or the top of bookshelves. Although your cat may be happy sleeping anywhere, doesn’t he deserve a comfortable bed to call his own? A cat bed is good for more than just giving your cat a place to sleep, however. It can also give him a sense of comfort and security. Making sure that your cat has a bed of his own may also help to keep all of that fur off your own bed!

There are many different kinds of cat beds, and cats, fickle creatures that they are, will all like different beds for special, mysterious cat reasons. 

When it comes to picking the perfect cat bed, you have many options to consider. From traditional pillow-style beds to nest-style beds, heated cat beds, luxury beds and more, the possibilities are nearly limitless. Because there are so many choices out there, it could take you quite a while to go through them all. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you.

We have taken the time to do the research and read the reviews to come up with the five best cat beds. Below, you will find our top picks for the best cat bed overall as well as the best budget cat bed, the best covered cat bed, the best heated cat bed, and the best window perch cat bed. All you have to do is pick the right one for your cat.

Although the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Aspen Pet Self-Warming Cat Bed, the Armarkat Cave Cat Bed, the K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed, the Original Kitty Cot World’s Best Cat Perch, the Twin Critters KittiKubbi Handcrafted Cat Cave, and the K&H Outdoor Kitty House.

The best cat bed overall

Why you'll love it: The PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge is a unique cat bed that doubles as a scratcher, providing your cat with a comfortable place to sleep and a nice scratching post.

The PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge isn’t your average cat bed — It is so much more than that. With a unique curved design constructed from extra-thick cardboard, this bed doubles as a scratching post and a lounge-style bed. This cat bed will satisfy your cat’s needs for scratching, helping him to relieve stress and get some extra exercise. Then, when he is done, he can curl up on top for a cat nap.

Naturally attractive to cats, the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge is an innovative cat bed that encourages your cat to stretch out and relax. With a reversible design, you get twice the use out of this cat bed and it comes with premium USA organic catnip to make it even more attractive. Simply take the product out of the box and set it on the floor or by the window — It won’t be long before your cat comes scratching and he’ll be hooked right away.

The PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, which is why we made it our top choice. Not only does this cat bed have more than 5,000 positive customer reviews on Amazon, but it was named one of the top 10 cat beds by Pet Gear Lab. This cat bed also received rave reviews from Floppy Cats and Kitty Loaf. Simply put, everyone who has tried this bed seems to love it, and we think you and your cat will, too.

Though the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge may be a little more expensive than other pet beds, you have to keep in mind that you’re getting an all-in-one product. Not only is this a comfy bed for your cat to lounge on, but it doubles as a scratching post and it will give your cat some extra exercise.

Pros: Doubles as a lounge and scratching post, reversible for 2x the use, durable construction, unique design for comfort and easy scratching, comes with organic catnip

Cons: More expensive than some models, not padded, wears out over time

Buy the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge on Amazon for $49.95

The best budget cat bed

Why you'll love it: Featuring heat-reflective technology, the Aspen Pet Self-Warming Cat Bed keeps your cat warm and cozy without the use of electricity. 

Though you can certainly find high-end and luxury cat beds, sometimes all you really need is a simple cat bed that gets the job done without any costly frills. The Aspen Pet Self-Warming Cat Bed fits this description to a tee, featuring a thickly padded base with plush bolsters and a soft, cozy material all over. This pet bed measures 19 inches in diameter and its circular shape makes it the perfect place for kittens and cats to curl up for an afternoon nap.

The Aspen Pet Self-Warming Cat Bed is thickly padded and covered in a faux lamb’s wool material, but what really sets it apart is the fact that it utilizes heat-reflecting technology to keep your cat warm and cozy. This bed is lined with an interior layer of a special material that generates warmth without electricity, simply by reflecting your cat’s own body heat. The bed also features a non-skid base so it stays where you put it, plus it is lightweight for easy transport and machine-washable for easy cleaning.

The Aspen Pet Self-Warming Cat Bed is one of Amazon’s top sellers and it has more than 1,000 customer reviews, most of which are very positive. Some users find that the materials inside the bed make a crinkling noise, or that the filling can become unevenly distributed, but just as many had no problems with the bed whatsoever. Reviews from Topper’s World and eHome Remedies speak to the versatility of the bed for cats of all ages and sizes as well as the benefits of the self-warming design.

If you are looking for a simple cat bed that provides your cat with a comfortable place to sleep without any pricey bells or whistles, we heartily recommend the Aspen Pet Self-Warming Cat Bed. Best of all, it is priced under $20.

Pros: Thickly padded base for comfort, padded bolsters for warmth, heat-reflecting technology, soft lamb’s wool cover material, non-skid bottom, easy to clean and maintain

Cons: May be too padded for some cats, some materials may cause noise, may be smaller than the advertised size, may rock or tip if the filling becomes unevenly distributed

Buy the Aspen Pet Self-Warming Cat Bed on Amazon for $15.47

The best covered cat bed

Why you'll love it: Give your cat a place to rest in privacy and security with the cave-style, covered Armarkat Cave Cat Bed. 

Cats love to sleep in places where they feel secure, and no other cat bed offers the same degree of comfort and security as the Armarkat Cave Cat Bed. This cat bed features a cave-like design with a spacious interior and a padded, non-skid base. From the moment your cat steps inside, he will be enveloped in warmth and he’ll love the privacy offered by the high sidewalls and the covered top.

Not only is the Armarkat Cave Cat Bed made from ultra-soft, pet-friendly materials, but it holds its shape better than some cave-style pet beds on the market. The cover is stain-resistant, but if it gets dirty, you can simply throw it in the washer and then hang to dry. Plus, if the cushion or cover ever wears out, you can easily order replacement parts from the manufacturer.

Reviewers from Heavy.com name this bed one of the best covered cat beds, and it's one of the site's top 10 choices for cat beds overall. With its spacious interior and cave-like design, this cat bed also makes the top 10 list for My Pet Needs That, and it was named one of the best cat beds overall by Best Consumer Reviews. You’ll also be glad to know that this cat bed has more than 1,400 reviews on Amazon, most of which are very positive.

For a covered cat bed that offers the ideal combination of comfort and affordability, we wholeheartedly recommend the Armarkat Cave Cat Bed. If this model isn’t a good fit for your cat, try one of Armarkat’s other cave-style cat beds.

Pros: Made from soft pet-friendly materials, skid-proof base, completely machine-washable and stain-resistant, filled with thick poly fill for comfort, cave-like design for security and warmth

Cons: May tip over if cat lies against the side, may wear out with frequent washing

Buy the Armarkat Cave Pet Bed on Amazon for $19.11