8 Best Cat Beds in 2024 (Reviews)

It is a rule universally acknowledged that pets only get cuter the more tiny versions of human things they have (even if it veers into the ridiculous every now and then).

And besides, what could we as cat owners love more than our fuzzy friend snuggled to sleep in a comfy cat bed? Or, maybe you just want them out of your bed or off of your chair or off of your bedside clothes pile (don’t judge me!).

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Either way, there’s an amazing amount of cuteness, style, and creature comforts in the world of cat beds. As you can imagine, there are all different types of cat beds. Today, we’re going to give you our pick of the best cat beds in 2020. Making our way through the different types of cat beds, we’ll show you our favorites of each type.

And, because the world has so many questions about ‘how long do cats sleep?’ and ‘what do you mean they won’t sleep in the cat bed I just bought them?’, we’ll answer some of those too. Let’s go!

8 Best Cat Beds

Cat Attitudes Picks

Marshmallow Cat Bed

The marshmallow cat bed gets its name from its warm, squished marshmallow look. Don’t worry if you had to squint to see the resemblance; this cat bed delivers on its features. The bed has a firmer doughnut shape, with a squishier middle, allowing your cat to sink into the bed. Know how they’re always nuzzling or burrowing into your couch or clothes? This gives the same feel.

In fact, some manufacturers tout this style of bed as a calming pet bed. The shag fur just looks comfy, and is soft to the touch. Aiperro also claims that the shag has self-warming properties, designed to reflect your cat’s body heat to them for a warm and cozy napping experience.

For practical features, the Apierro pet bed comes with a non-slip bottom (for hard floors). It also comes in three sizes and two colors. The manufacturer notes that the bed is vacuum-sealed for shipping. So, just like your human bed that you bought online, your cat’s bed will take ~24 hours to reach its normal size.

Lots of customers posted pictures of their cats climbing right into this bed and digging into it. What better seal of approval can you get than that? Some buyers have commented that the padding in the center of the bed is a bit less than desired. (But then again, cats sleep in cardboard boxes sometimes, so…) 

Manufacturers Specs

• Sizes Available: 20 in, 23 in, 30 in
• Material: Shag exterior, cotton stuffing
• Colors: navy blue, beige
• Cleaning: machine washable

What We Like

• Looks cozy!
• Good for burrowing
• Lots of sizes for large/multiple cats

What We Don’t Like

• Limited colors
• Could be shag overload

Summary

If you want to give an innovative cat bed design a try, this marshmallow cat bed from Apierro is a great choice, and it won’t break the bank.

Heated Cat Bed

If you want to treat your cat like the royalty they think they are, why not try a heated cat bed? This “Thermo-Kitty Heated Pet Bed” from K&H is kind of a technological marvel.

So, there’s a heating pad in the center, controlled by a thermostat. The bed is heated just a little bit more than room temperature when the cat’s not in it. When your cat does get in it, it compresses the pillow a little bit and the heater increases the warmth to just a little bit warmer than your cat’s temperature. So, not hot enough to burn the house down, but give your cat a slightly warmer experience.

The bed itself is a foam pad and wall, with a zip-off liner. This particular listing is the Mocha color, but there is also a Sage version. The Deluxe version offers a zip-on hood, if your cat likes privacy. There are two different sizes available, 16 and 18 inches.

Customers rave about this product. Many proclaim that they have been replaced by this heated cat bed. It is a favorite of cat parents looking to comfort their older, arthritic cats as well. Some customers complain that the bed doesn’t seem to warm, but this is likely because of how subtle the warming actually is. However, the Thermo-Kitty does have a thick pillow. As a result, it’s possible that your lighter cat may not weigh the pillow down to get its full warmth from the heating pad. 

Manufacturers Specs

• Sizes Available: 16 inch, 18 inch
• Material: fleece lining, polyfill pillow, heating pad with cord 
• Colors: mocha, sage
• Cleaning: liner is machine washable

What We Like

• Cats love the warmth
• Great for arthritic cats
• Very affordable for what you get

What We Don’t Like

• Limited colors
• Depends on your cat fully depressing the pillow

Summary

If you need your cat to live in the lap of luxury and not your lap, or want to love your cat in his golden years, K&H Thermo-Kitty Heated Cat Bed is a great option.

Cat Bed Cave

Is your cat the kind of cat that hides in end tables, hides in cardboard boxes, just hides in general? Then you might consider investing in a cat bed cave. Meowfia has an excellent pun-based name and also makes a variety of these cat bed caves. As you can see in the photo above, it is a woolen ball, with an opening for your cat to enter. She hops in, and and can peek out from the hole. Or, the bed can be flattened and used as a pad for your cat to sleep on. (Think when it’s way too hot outside for you to sleep under a comforter.) 

This particular listing is a large size, roughly 15 x 21 inches. It’s recommended for larger cats and kitten litter. We’re all about zany style here, and the large cat bed is the only one that features this tail/stem top and diamond design. The smaller beds are 10 x 16 inches and come in light gray and dark gray.

Some cats required coaxing, some didn’t, but most of them climbed in and slept in the cat cave bed constantly. (Meowfia also recommends putting it in a sunny spot to make it more enticing.) This cat bed is made of wool, so it isn’t really machine-washable. Meowfia recommends using a dry cloth, soapy sponge, or vacuum. If it needs to be submerged, you will need wool cleaner. So, it’s a little fiddly to clean. While it’s fair trade, it is pretty pricey, so bear that in mind.

(If you like this style of cat bed, you should also check out Cat Cave Co. They carry the same cat bed caves in a variety of styles, as well as a ton of other kitty accessories.)

Manufacturers Specs

• Sizes Available: 15 x 21 inches, 10 x 16 inches
• Material: wool 
• Colors: light gray, dark gray, or crazy gray design
• Cleaning: hand wash only

What We Like

• Cats love to hide out
• Unique design
• Fair trade

What We Don’t Like

• Harder to wash
• Pricey

Summary

Are you ready to ditch the cardboard boxes and plastic totes all around your house, while still delivering that incognito experience? Pick up a stylish Meowfia Cat Bed Cave!

Cat Bed Igloo

Similar to the cat bed cave, but taking on more of a, well, igloo shape, the Petmaker Cozy Kitty Cat Bed Igloo is another excellent enclosed option for your cat.

The Cozy Kitty Cat Bed Igloo is made of a soft polyester fleece, padded out with foam. It also comes with a second, additional pad that can be added to the bottom. This is great if you have an older cat that needs a little more support. The cat bed igloo comes in five different colors (finally!). While this cat bed still isn’t machine washable, the polyester is a little more forgiving than the wool. One customer used some laundry soap and then a rinse with the garden hose to clean it out.

Like the cat bed cave, this cat bed igloo is great for cats who love their hidey-holes, and many customers on Amazon reported that their cats jumped right in and stayed in. The colors are great, and the price is affordable. However, some have commented that the build quality is a little cheap and that it was a little small for their larger cats.

Manufacturers Specs

• Sizes Available: 13.5″ L x 13.5″ W x 16.5″ H
• Material: polyester, foam pad 
• Colors: baby blue, teal, sepia, gray, pink
• Cleaning: hand wash only

What We Like

• Cheaper cubby option
• Easier to clean

What We Don’t Like

• Still hand wash
• Lower build quality

Summary

If you don’t like the look of the cat cave beds or need something a little more affordable, Petmaker’s Cat Bed Igloo could be what you want. Great colors, and still a good place for kitty to hide.

Self Warming Cat Beds

We alluded to self-warming cat beds a little bit at the beginning of this article. A self warming cat bed uses heat-trapping material (in some cases specially formulated) to reflect heat back at your cat without an external heating source.

The Bedsure Self-Warming Cat Bed is probably the most normal-looking of the cat beds we’re reviewing. It has a round shape with high walls and a dip for cats to climb in. The outside is printed on a water-resistant material with a dark gray pattern. The inside is dark gray microfiber.

The included pad is reversible, with the dark gray pattern on one side and the microfiber on the other. The microfiber sides seems to be the one that receives the benefit of the self-warming materials, while the water-resistant side provides a cooler alternative for summer months.

This is definitely a nice-looking bed. If you aren’t fond of all the crazy shapes, and just want a normal-looking cat bed, this is a good option. Customers didn’t comment too much on the self-warming capabilities but found that their cats largely enjoyed the cat bed. Others also said that it was a very roomy bed, ideal for large cats or multiple cats. Some customers pointed out that the walls of the bed are a little flimsy, which is mostly an aesthetic concern.

Manufacturers Specs

• Sizes Available: 20″ x 19″ x 6″, 25″ x 21″ x 9″
• Material: microfiber, water-resistant material, non-slip bottom 
• Colors: gray pattern
• Cleaning: machine washable

What We Like

• Self-warming, but has a cooler option
• Completely machine washable
• Classic look

What We Don’t Like

• Some parts are flimsy
• No color options

Summary

Bedsure’s Self Warming Cat Bed is a great choice for a stylish, classic looking cat bed with some self-warming features. It’s even better if you’re looking for a larger bed for your big boy or gang of cats that like to cuddle together.

Banana Cat Bed

“But these ones aren’t cute enough,” you say. “Show us one that’s really cute!” Are you not entertained!? Fine! Here’s a cat bed in the shape of a banana! A banana cat bed! There, are you happy?

I mean, what else do you want me to say? It’s a cat bed. But it’s a banana cat bed. In all seriousness, it shares a lot of the same benefits as the cat bed caves and cat bed igloos we mentioned previously. However, as an added benefit of its banana design, it has a flap that closes, allowing your cat to be completely concealed. (The manufacturer was careful to point out that it is designed to maintain airflow while closed.)

Obviously it only comes in the one color, banana yellow. It’s difficult to discern what material this is made out of; the manufacturer calls it “soft plush and elastic sponge”. Though the photos list four different sizes, some sizes appear to rotate in and out of stock, so keep an eye on the listing.

Customers, surprise surprise, love the unique style this banana cat bed brings to their rooms. As mentioned, it’s great if you have a cat that wants to be completely hidden, via the flap. Some customers had issues with some floppiness; fabric stiffener worked for some people to correct that issue. Others mention that the sizes weren’t quite big enough for their cat. Check the sizes carefully, and consider getting the larger of the two.

Manufacturers Specs

• Sizes Available: 18.5″ L x 5.9″ H, 30.7″ L x 8″ H
• Material: “soft plush and elastic sponge” 
• Colors: banana
• Cleaning: unspecified

What We Like

• Wacky design great for eclectic tastes and tiki bars
• Flap is a cool design feature

What We Don’t Like

• May be kind of flimsy
• Sizing appropriately can be a challenge

Summary

If you want some of the design features of the cat bed cave or cat bed igloo, but wish those looked more like a banana, Petgrow’s Banana Cat Bed is the best cat bed for you!

Cat Basket Bed

D+Garden makes several different styles of cat basket bed, perfect to blend a little sophistication into your space, or to match wicker furniture indoor or outdoor. This cat basket bed has a wicker exterior, and comes with a pillow for the bottom of it. Photos show it being used with or without a pillow, so try it and see what your cat thinks!

Probably one of the best features to recommend this basket is its sturdiness. It is made of furniture-grade resin wicker, and is lined with a metal wire lining. The manufacturer seems to think the purpose of this feature is to allow your cats to use this bed as a bomb shelter. While we don’t think cats need protected from projectiles, it does allow some cats to lay on the pillow, while others can climb or claw the bed. In our opinion, being able to claw the bed is actually another strong feature.

This is also a great outdoor bed, where you are probably more likely to have wicker or ratan furniture that will match it. So, you can choose to pick up a cat basket bed that matches your stylish patio furniture.

The product doesn’t seem to have been around long enough to receive many complaints. It is, however, almost $100, making it the most expensive product on our list today. However, many customers use the word ‘elegant’ to describe the way it looks in their public living spaces, and it’s a great size for large cats or custom pillows.

Manufacturers Specs

• Sizes Available: 19.5″ W x 18″ D x 12.5″ H, 20″ W x 20″ D x 10″ H
• Material: resin and wire, fleece cushion 
• Colors: tan, dark brown
• Cleaning: hose, pillow machine washable

What We Like

• Very aesthetically pleasing
• Will stand up to abuse and clawing
• Great for large cats

What We Don’t Like

• Pretty expensive

Summary

If money is no object, and you want something that’s beautiful, matches your elegant sense of style, and can hold just a bunch of cats, this D+Garden Cat Basket Bed is what you’re after.

Outdoor Warming Cat Bed

Now this is a pretty unique cat bed. If you keep outdoor cats, have farm cats, or just have a lot of strays come around, this might be one you take a look at. This is an outdoor warming cat bed, again from K&H. The cat bed is shaped like an A-frame house or tent, and includes corrogated plastic walls to keep the structure sturdy.

The Outdoor Multi-Kitty A-Frame is designed to be used outdoors, under partial shelter like a porch, shed, or garage. It packs a 40W heater (as opposed to the 4W heater on the standard K&H heated cat bed), which should be able to keep cats warm into seriously cold temperatures. The outer material and inner plastic structural pieces are designed to be water resistant. There are two entrances on the front and back, and plastic flaps are included to act as doors.

Customers found this to be a great solution for their strays and rescues. With some creative modifications (tarp, exterior housing insulation, etc.), you can even increase the outdoor durability of this cat bed.

Manufacturers Specs

• Sizes Available:  19″ W x 24″ D x 18″ H (inner)
• Material:  plastic water-resistant outer
• Colors:  chocolate
• Cleaning:  damp cloth

What We Like

•  great, humane option for outdoor cats in winter
•  powerful heater
•  resistant to the elements, ability to be modified

What We Don’t Like

•  without modification, not designed to be in full exposure

Summary

If you’ve got outdoor cats or strays that you feed in the winter months, you really owe it to them to provide them a place out of the elements and the crippling cold. K&H Multi-Kitty Outdoor Warming Cat Bed may just be the way to do it.

Q: How much do cats sleep?

If you’ve seen your cats sleeping in a box, sleeping in that sunny spot on the floor, sleeping on your lap, sleeping cuddled up with the other cats, you may wonder, “How much do cats sleep?” The answer: it varies!

Our veterinarian friends at Animal Emergency Center in Memphis and Oakland Veterinary Referral Services both have some guidance on this topic. Cats sleep so much because they are descended from nocturnal hunters in hot climates. Sleeping accomplishes a few things for cats in this environment. First, sleep conserves energy for the big hunt. Second, sleep slows the body down to keep its temperature regulated. As a bonus, these instincts are why you might catch your cat “playing possum” (acting like they’re asleep). Your cat actually is asleep, but spends a lot of time in a lighter sleep, so they can catch any prey that might cross their path.

Young kittens may sleep as often as all day! As they grow, their sleep patterns become more erratic, often with playful energy after dinner times. Adult cats usually settle into a sleeping pattern somewhere around 16-20 hours, and that pattern increases in their senior years.

You may be thinking, the difference between 16 and 20 hours is a cable guy’s whole arrival window. That’s not very helpful! The key to deciding if your cat is getting the right amount of sleep is to pay attention. Your cat has a pattern that is normal for them, and shifting too far from that pattern is what will tell you if you need to seek guidance from your vet.

Guide: How to Choose a Cat Bed

So, we’ve just provided you a ton of different options for choosing the best cat bed. How do you decide what’s right for you and your fuzzy friend?

Why? Consider why you’re looking for a cat bed. Do you just want your cat to be comfy? Are you trying to direct your cat away from sleeping in other places? Perhaps you have multiple cats and are trying to give each cat their own space. (We’ve talked before about how privacy lowers cats’ anxiety.) Maybe you’ve got a cat with arthritis. These reasons will dictate what features you want in your cat bed.

Cleaning. Is your cat a messy cat? Maybe long-haired, or prone to hairballs? If you’re frequently cleaning up after your cat, you’ll want to consider how easy it is to clean your cat bed. Many are completely machine washable, but some are made of delicate materials that require spot treatment.

Budget. Consider your budget, and how quickly your cat or your household wears through items. If you are a low-wear household, it may be no problem to buy a more expensive cat bed. However, if you quickly soil, stain, or destroy items like a cat bed, you may consider a cheaper option that is less expensive to replace.

Style. How much is style a factor for you? Some people put a lot of thought into the looks of their space. Those folks are probably going to be looking for a cat bed that compliments the existing decor of their room. On the other hand, if you’re not picky, that means you have way more options. This is especially true if you’re looking for features like heating or self-heating, which may only come in limited designs.

Features. We’ve discussed quite a few features in our review guide: cat bed caves, marshmallow cat beds, self heating cat beds, heated cat beds, and even outdoor cat beds. Based on your reasoning for buying a cat bed, you’ll be looking for some of these features. If your cat likes privacy, one of the enclosed-style cat beds will be an option. Some even have flaps. If you have an arthritic cat, a self-heated or heated cat bed will be on the list.

Hopefully this list of criteria (along with our reviews) gives you the ammo you need to go cat bed shopping, whether that’s at your local pet store or online.

Guide: How to Get Your Cat to Use Their New Bed

Now, choosing and buying a bed is all fine and good. But, we’ve all seen a cat (or a child – turns out they have a lot in common!) reject an expensive purchase in favor of the garbage it was wrapped in. Especially if you bought a cat bed so your cat would stop sleeping in your bed or in Amazon boxes, it’s important that they actually use it. So, here’s how to get your cat to use their new bed!

Your cat’s habits. Similar to how to get your cat to do much of anything, it’s about using its own preferences to serve your goals. Does your cat like to perch? Put the bed high up. Does your cat lay in sun spots? Get a heated or self-heating bed. Paying attention to your cat’s habits will be a common refrain of this guide.

Making it attractive. First, it will likely be helpful to clean the new bed. New items often smell like factories or plastic chemicals, and cats are very sensitive to smell. So, wash it so that it has a neutral smell. In addition, many cat owners swear by lacing the bed with a little catnip. That will keep your cat coming back for more. Using clothes that smell like you, or other items that smell like them, is also a great option. Finally, cat owners will often lure the cat to the bed with a treat, wait to give the treat until the cat lays down, and even leave a few more treats for next time they arrive.

Location. The best place to put your cat’s bed is someplace they already lay. Generally, cats like quiet, secluded places away from foot traffic, kids, or other pets. If you don’t mind the places they already lay, and just want them to do it in a cat bed, put it right in that same spot.

Consider multiple beds. Again, if you’re trying to keep different areas of the house fur-free, consider multiple beds. It’s likely that your cat sleeps in multiple spots throughout the day. If you want them to be a user of cat beds, each of those spots should have a bed in it.

Making other places less attractive. Cat owners have used citrus oil spray to make areas less attractive to cats. Others use items like tape sticky-side up, or carpet runners with the plastic spikes up. Do make sure that you have a few attractive alternatives for your cat to sleep in if you employ this strategy. If you kick your cat out of their favorite spot with no new one, they may begin undesirable urination or other anxiety-induced behaviors.

Being patient. When introducing your cat to their new bed, you can use the new treat strategy listed above. However, if your cat doesn’t immediately lay down or show an interest, don’t force them. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, cats are somewhat anxious creatures. If you try to use force or respond negatively, you may inadvertently create negative associations with the bed and ensure that they don’t use it.

Trial and error. Mix and match these strategies and refresh them (new catnip, freshly worn shirt, etc). Observe your cat. If the bed you bought doesn’t fit the way they like to sleep, you may need to exchange it for a different one.

There are some really solid strategies here, but as with any feline behavior modification, it can be hard work. But, if you want that photo op of your kitty snuggled to sleep in her brand new cat bed, it will be worth it!

Q: Should I let my cat sleep with me?

Why do cats like to sleep with you? Well, it’s a pretty easy answer when you think about it: you’re warm, you smell good, and you have the best bed in the house! Like we’ve been discussing all throughout this article, cats have all kinds of different preferences when it comes to their favorite sleeping spots. However, many cats enjoy a warm bed and a comforting smell. Two of those overlap in your bed.

So then, should I let my cat sleep with me? Are there any issues in doing so? The short answer is, it’s up to you. There are some benefits and some things to watch out for.

The main benefit to having your cat sleep with you is comfort, both for you and for them. If your cat enjoys sleeping with you, and you get that cozy feeling from feeling them breathe and purr, it’s a good reason to have them sleep with you.

The main drawbacks are that cats are nocturnal, and can carry unwanted bedfellows. The nocturnal aspect is easiest to evaluate. If your cat starts waking you up in the middle of the night, that’s an easy way to know you should put a stop to your kitty co-sleeping. Cats will often paw and pounce at feet or even at faces in the middle of the night. If your cat starts doing this, you’ll probably want to stop them sleeping with you.

The second drawback depends on you and your cat’s habits. If your cat is an indoor cat, and is up-to-date on immunizations and treatments, they likely will have no parasites and will be great bed-sharing buddies. However, if your cat is an outdoor cat, frequently gets a hold of critters, or if you keep a messy litter box, that’s a different story. As cats can contract fleas, ticks, or intestinal parasites from their interactions with rodents and the outdoors, you may not want them then sharing your bed.

As far as children are concerned, you probably know that cats intentionally hurting children is an old wives’ tale. However, cats’ tendencies to lay on people or scratch in surprise could prove deadly to infants. For that reason, cats should be kept out of the nursery during sleep times.

In general, though, cats are cuddly. Whether or not you let them sleep with you, is a decision that’s up to you!

Final Thoughts

Cats are cozy, and nothing doubles-down on that coziness like a purring cat in a nice warm cat bed. We’ve given you our verdict on the best cat beds, as well as guidance on how to get your persnickety friend to actually sleep in one. We hope that, after reading this article, you’ll be well on your way to incorporating the best cat beds into your style and home.