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Cat trees are purpose-built cat activity centers with built-in features like cat caves, staggered platforms, scratching posts, and lounging spaces. They are great for giving your cat their own personal space to relax and help fulfill their natural instincts to climb, scratch, play, and seek privacy.
We tested 34 cat trees to help you pick the best cat tree for your house and your cats.
BEST OVERALL – Go Pet Club 72-in Cat Tree Kitty Tower
We tested this tree in a multi-cat household with four cats, ages two, five, and seven. Our tester reported that all four cats were huge fans of the tree, and could even safely and securely play or lay on the tree at the same time. After a solo 45-minute assembly requiring an included hand tool, the tree was standing tall and sturdy at six feet tall. Our tester did note that the two ramps appeared to be loose, but it didn’t impede on the cats’ experience of the tree.
This tree has six levels, including two boxy cat houses with multiple entry points, small platform perches, and three rimmed circular platforms at the top. The posts are wrapped in durable, extra-thick sisal and the rest of the tree is covered in plush faux fur.
Most cats love being as high up as possible in order to survey their kingdom and keep an eye out for threats, so we’re big fans of the 72-inch height this tree provides while still being very sturdy, even with four cats on the top. Plus, it’s a great pick for cats of all ages and abilities thanks to the two ramps and plentiful places to scratch, jump, rest, and lounge. Our tester placed this tree in front of a window and found it gave each of their cats a spot to watch the action outdoors from their preferred space on the tree—no fighting for the best view required.
Some downsides our tester noted were that the platforms and perches seemed a little narrow and small for their longer-bodied cats, and they’re not sure this would be the best tree for someone with very large cats. They also mentioned that the included hanging mouse toy, unfortunately, was “murdered” after just three days of playtime between their four cats (RIP). The rest of the tree appeared to be extremely well-built and durable enough to last a decent amount of time, making this a great bang-for-your-buck tree, especially if you have a very active kitty or multiple cats.
BEST FOR LARGER CATS – Mau Cat Tree
Mau offers a modern take on the traditional cat tree with design-forward cat trees for contemporary spaces. I was originally drawn to the Mau line of trees because of their stylish, nature-meets-minimalist aesthetic, but it won me over because of how accommodating it is for Bo, my large, particularly long cat that weighs about 17 pounds.
At about 18 months old, Bo quickly outgrew his traditional, mid-height multi-level cat tree and could no longer fit in the hammock bed or cat cave, and the top platform wasn’t big enough for him to lie down. The Centro’s 17-inch-wide baskets are wide enough for him to nap and stretch out in, while the sides are high enough to give him a comfy cradle yet shallow enough for him to hop into.
Each tree is handmade with a frame made of sustainably-sourced wood branches, so essentially one-of-a-kind. The Centro has three levels: a base level with a plush fur-lined cat cave and two levels with a single, shallow, woven rattan basket with removable faux fur cushion. The posts are wrapped in sections of natural sisal. The tree is sturdy, though sometimes it seems to shake, and it is a breeze to drag across my hard floor when I move it from the window to the corner. He’s also a medium-haired cat with a double coat, so I appreciate that I’m able to toss the plush circular pads into the wash, no problem. I have the white version, which is very smooth and soft, but it’s worth noting that the gray and brown versions look like they are a different plush material.
A word of warning, however, these trees can be a painstaking process to put together, and I wish the roomy cat cave (which is fully lined on all sides, inside and out) had padding or a removable pad.
BEST FOR SMALL SPACES – Feandrea Cat Tree
The marquee feature of the Feandrea Cat Tree for Large Cats is its massive, cushioned top perch, which is 22 by 16 inches—plenty of space for big cats. But what we also love about this Feandrea cat tree is that it crams a lot of useful features into an approximately 24-inch by 16-inch footprint, making it an excellent pick for small apartments or spaces, particularly those with multiple cats.
The Feandrea Cat Tree for Large Cats boasts two “condo playhouses”—which provide enclosed spaces for your cats to hide, play, and nap—in addition to the perch on top. The higher of the two condos includes two exits/entrances, so that your cat can zoom through on their way to a different platform, or simply have a place to hide where they don’t feel cornered. Between the two condos, the base, and the top perch, there are four different elevation levels available on a cat tree that’s only 33 inches high.
In our testing, we found the Feandrea cat tree to be sturdy enough to hold up to a cat jumping in and out of the condo doorways, with a usefully compact size comparable to a small accent cabinet.
The only real downside is the scratching posts. Though beefy, with a 3.4-inch diameter, the sisal rope is only wrapped around the middle portion of each post; the rest is carpeted. This provides less opportunity for your cat to stretch out fully when scratching. Still, our tester cat didn’t seem to mind, and eagerly used the scratching posts.
BEST CAT CONDOS – Trixie Lilo Three-Story Cat Condos
Each of the three cat condos in this stackable tower arrives pre-assembled and includes a removable cushion, plus carpeted and sisal surfaces. The bottom and top condo boxes have one opening, while the middle cat condo has an entrance on each side, allowing cats to pass through.
Totaling 4 feet in height, the Trixie Lilo Cat Condos uses a combination of Velcro and a bolted surface to hold the three units together. They can be arranged with staggered entrances—providing more surfaces for your cat to find their footing and climb—or with the boxes squared off, requiring them to jump to higher condos. This also makes it a good option to place against a wall or even in a corner.
At 60 pounds, the Trixie Lilo isn’t easy to move around once assembled, but it is extra sturdy. The interiors are plush too, making these cat condos a place your cats will seek out, and will be able to rely on for years. We do wish it came in a few more color options, though.
Best Budget Pick: HOOBRO Small Cat Tree
The HOOBRO small cat tree is a huge hit with my smaller cats, and even one of my larger cats has curled up in the hammock. It’s a great budget option for small cats and kittens.
It’s a simple cat tree with scratching posts, a bed, hammock, and house. Some reviewers complained about the cat tree falling over when cats jumped onto the top bed, but I noticed this only when my larger cats tried to do so. The bed is off-center, which causes the tree to fall to one side. Since the listing is clear about the 9-pound weight limit, I don’t consider this a great flaw. However, having a wall anchor included would be useful.