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The best and worst cat toys ranked
I’ve been on a serious cat toy testing kick lately and at this point it’s basically become a part time job. Jade, my tortie cat, has opinions about everything and I’ve been working my way through the top selling cat toys on Amazon documenting what she actually likes versus what she tolerates. As a result, you don’t have to waste your money finding out the hard way. Here’s everything I tested ranked from least to most impressive.
10. Andiker Spring Cat Toy — 3/5 stars
The concept is simple, bright colorful springs that bounce and roll unpredictably. And I actually think that’s their strongest quality. They come in a 12 pack so you’ve got plenty to lose under the couch and still have some left over. Jade sniffed them and walked away which, no catnip, no laser, no real reason for a senior cat to engage. For a kitten though I think these would be a genuinely good time. Low risk at $5.99 on Amazon and a solid starting point if you have a younger more playful cat.
9. Catstages Tower of Tracks — 3/5 stars
This one is currently ranked #1 on Amazon in it’s category. But it’s #9 in my heart. The tower features three layers of tracks with balls that slide around so your cat can bat at them without sending balls rolling under every piece of furniture in your house, which is a genuinely clever design. Jade watched it for a minute, sniffed it, and left. The problem for her is there’s nothing infused into it, no catnip, no scent, just movement, and that’s not enough to motivate a senior cat. I’ll be honest I found myself spinning the balls around while filming and it was kind of satisfying so maybe I’m the target audience. For younger cats who love chasing things this would be a different story. Available on Amazon for $8.79.
8. Potaroma Flapping Bird — 3.5/5 stars
This one has real potential. It chirps, it flaps its wings, it’s motion activated so it goes quiet and then startles back to life when something moves near it. It also charges via USB so no batteries. Jade approached it cautiously, sniffed it, watched it from across the room for a while, and walked away. But here’s the thing, right when I was about to write it off she wandered back over and started sniffing it again so I think it might genuinely be a slow burn situation. For a younger cat who chases birds through the window, I think this would be an immediate hit. Currently $14.98 on Amazon.
7. Tempcore Cat Tunnel — 4/5 stars
It’s a three pronged tunnel that gives your cat multiple entry points to run through instead of just a straight shot, plus an opening in the center for agile cats to pop in and out from the top. Folds down pretty compact for storage which I appreciated. Jade needed a lot of convincing, the included batting toy helped a little, the wand helped more, but what actually worked was shining a laser light inside the tunnel which I did not see coming. Once she got in there she seemed to like it. For a kitten this would probably be an immediate obsession. On Amazon for $9.98, laser pointer sold separately but honestly just grab one.
6. MeoHui Retractable Cat Wand — 4/5 stars
Comes in a two pack with what feels like an unreasonable number of attachments, feathers, bells, fluffy things, all clipping onto the wand via a little hook system that makes swapping them out really easy. You can even stack multiple attachments at once. The retractable design is genuinely useful for smaller spaces. Jade actually engaged with this one and I think it’s because it requires me to be involved. There’s something about the wand format that makes it feel more like bonding time than a toy she’s expected to entertain herself with. For any cat regardless of age this is worth having. On Amazon for $9.78.
5. Giociv Interactive Cat Ball — 4/5 stars
A lot going on for something that is essentially just a ball. Ribbed texture, detachable cat tail with a replacement included, lights up in different colors depending on the speed mode, makes chirping sounds, and the random movement is genuinely unpredictable in a way that keeps cats engaged longer than something that just circles. Goes into standby after five minutes and reactivates once an hour. So it’s not constantly running or overstimulating your cat. Jade took a while to warm up but kept coming back to check on it which for her is a real endorsement. For a younger cat this would be a much more intense experience. On Amazon for $13.95.
4. YVE LIFE Automatic Laser Toy — 4.5/5 stars
The automatic version of a laser toy is a different experience than a handheld one because the movement is genuinely random and Jade couldn’t predict where it was going next which kept her locked in way longer than usual. Futuristic looking, low noise, USB rechargeable, three speed settings, motion activated so it kicks on when your cat is nearby. A couple things to know: keep it between 8 and 35 inches off the ground, keep it away from kids, and the motion sensor only reactivates about once every two hours so it’s not going to overstimulate your cat. Even my senior cat went for this one. Available on Amazon in silver or white for $19.99.
3. TBTeek Laser Pointer — 4.5/5 stars
Two pack in a cute metal tin carrying case, USB rechargeable, available in silver or rose gold with either red or green light so four combinations total. The scroll wheel cycles through seven laser patterns, actual shapes like a star, smiley face, and butterfly, not just a dot, plus a flashlight and UV mode. Jade was immediately obsessed and the different patterns kept her more engaged than a plain dot would have because she couldn’t quite figure out what was coming next. Solid buy for the price. On Amazon for $12.99.
2. Potaroma Saury Fish — 5/5 stars
Similar concept to the catnip pillows but fish shaped, which matters because the longer shape is perfect for the bunny kick where a cat grabs something with her front paws and goes at it with her back legs. Crinkle texture inside, catnip infused, comes in a three pack with different colors. Jade kept coming back to these on her own which is always the real test because she’ll play with something once if I wave it in front of her and then never look at it again. For a younger more playful cat these would probably be absolute chaos in the best way. On Amazon for $9.98.
1. Potaroma Catnip Pillows — 5/5 stars
Still the winner after everything I’ve tested. Genuinely soft in a way that surprised me, crinkle texture inside, catnip infused, and Jade was into them almost immediately, sniffing, rubbing her face on them, doing the bunny kick, going back to them on her own repeatedly. She’s relocated at least one to somewhere that I still haven’t found. The softness combined with the crinkle and the catnip is just the right combination for her and I think for most cats. Three pack, comes in a few color options. On Amazon for $9.98 and absolutely worth it.
