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Cat trees, cat condos, and other types of feline furniture are ideal for pets that spend all or most of their time indoors. "Cats love being in high places and love scratching too," says Dr. Hunter Finn, veterinarian and founder of Pet Method Animal Hospital. "Scratching is a natural behavior for them, and it allows them to stretch their digits."
Whether you want to ensure your pet gets enough exercise, are looking for a designated nap spot, or just want to keep them off your furniture, the perfect cat tower is out there. We tested over two dozen models with our own fur babies and evaluated each on setup, quality, and overall value. Our favorite was the Tucker Murphy Cat Tree because it provides many different scratch posts and nap spots for your feline friends.
These are the 11 best cat trees PEOPLE Tested.
Earning perfect scores for setup, quality, size, and value, the Siegfried Cat Tree was, by far, the best option we tried. While assembly took about 50 minutes, the directions were clear, and the process was straightforward.
This cat condo has two padded perches, two roomy nooks for curling up, a soft hammock, six sisal-wrapped scratching posts, and two detachable furball toys. We were impressed with the thoughtful design and sturdy construction. All the materials seem high-quality, but the unit is still lightweight enough to move around as needed. You can make minor adjustments, like turning the caves, so they are positioned better for your furry friend.
It took our tester's cats a couple of days to get acquainted with the structure, but once they were familiar, they used it daily. He loved that it gave them several safe places where they could look into the room and out of his nearby window. In the end, we think the price is on point for a large cat tree and would recommend it to anyone with active indoor cats.
Price at time of publish: $75.17
Dimensions: 62 x 24 x 19.5 inches | Material: Manufactured wood, polyester, sisal | Colors: Black, charcoal, gray, beige, pink
Amazon makes a great cat tree budget option. This tree has just a few parts and took only 10 minutes to put together. We are fans of the sturdy construction and soft, scratch-friendly outer materials. It has a carpet-covered base, two jute-wrapped posts, a plush hammock on top, and a ball toy for curious cats to paw at.
The jute ropes frayed pretty quickly after our tester's two cats started scratching them — this isn't really a design flaw, though, but rather the nature of the material. She said they love lounging in the hammock and sometimes fight over who gets to lay there. While this compact cat condo might be too small for some households, it's perfect for apartments.
Price at time of publish: $32.68
Dimensions: 20 x 16 x 16 inches | Material: Chipboard, jute, carpet, plush | Colors: Charcoal, beige
If aesthetics are a priority, you'll appreciate the Metropolitan Cat Condo. Constructed primarily from metal with faux fur accents, this cat tree has a minimalist-modern appeal with a hint of glam. Though the finished appearance is pretty simple, it comes with quite a few pieces, so expect to spend about 45 minutes putting it together.
The stable design boasts a 250-pound capacity, so you won't have to worry about multiple cats hopping on and off. While the Metropolitan Cat Condo stands 5 feet tall, it has a relatively small footprint, and the height makes it look more decorative (like a high-end bookshelf). This unit is undoubtedly pricey, but if you can swing it, you won't regret the investment.
Price at time of publish: $349.99
Dimensions: 62 x 31 x 15 inches | Material: Metal, manufactured wood, faux fur | Colors: White, gray, brown, gold, black
Our favorite hammock-style unit is the Trixie Baza. This compact piece of cat furniture sits just 20 inches tall and has a notably small footprint of less than 2 square feet. With just four pieces to attach and all the hardware and tools included, it took under five minutes to assemble.
The plush lining and faux fur accents are incredibly soft, making for a very inviting nap spot. There are also two sisal-wrapped scratching posts and a dangling pom toy. Cats love the design, and owners love that the materials don't shed. Our tester said the engineered wood frame is super sturdy and doesn't budge when her cat jumps on or claws at the posts.
Price at time of publish: $29.48
Dimensions: 20 x 16 x 16 inches | Material: Engineered wood, plush, faux fur, sisal | Colors: Cream
Multiple platforms and scratching posts
Considering the multi-tiered design of this cat condo, it was surprisingly easy to assemble. The only tools and hardware you need are two bolts and a wrench (both included), and the instructions are straightforward. We set it up in under five minutes, but that's not the only thing to love about this unit.
The engineered wood construction seems solid and can withstand years of daily use. With faux fur-wrapped platforms, a cozy covered nook, two scratching posts, and a dangling plush toy for good measure, your cat will be entertained and have a designated spot to curl up. The only thing to note is that a bolt is left exposed on the base, which could be an issue for wood floors. Still, we think the price is more than reasonable.
Price at time of publish: $41.03
Dimensions: 28 x 23 x 17 inches | Material: Engineered wood, faux fur, sisal | Colors: Cream
We also like this taller option from Amazon Basics. Designed specifically for satisfying the claws of curious cats, it has a whopping seven jute-wrapped scratching posts, plus four carpeted tiers that double as scratching surfaces, lookout perches, and nap spots.
This vertical cat tree stands nearly 4 feet tall and has a small footprint of just over 2 square feet. It took only 15 minutes to assemble and didn't wobble when our tester's cat hopped on. While the only available color is beige, the simple design is a welcome addition to most apartment styles.
Price at time of publish: $69.29
Dimensions: 46 x 17.5 x 17.5 inches | Material: Engineered wood, carpet, jute | Colors: Beige
Looking for something your cats can take a snooze in? Go with the Trixie Lilo Condo. The three-story stacked design has — yes — three cushioned nooks your cats can cozy up in. It's made of engineered wood, wrapped and lined with ultra-soft plush fabric, and accented with sisal for scratching.
With only five pieces to attach, it took our tester 15 minutes to assemble this cat tower. But bear in mind the unit is nearly 60 pounds, so you'll want to put it together where you plan to keep it. Still, it's decently sized and very sturdy, making it an excellent choice for multiple cats of any weight. The price is slightly steep, but since it has a modern, decorative appeal, think of it as both a cat tower and an accent piece for your home.
Price at time of publish: $129.99
Dimensions: 48.5 x 18 x 18 inches | Material: Engineered wood, plush, sisal | Colors: Brown/white
Good for climbing and napping
Not ideal for large cats
Do you have more than one cat at home? The Hey-Brother Multi-Level Cat Tree might be your best bet. Due to the large size and various components, it took about 45 minutes to assemble. But once our tester finished setting it up, her cats were all over it, and now it's their favorite napping spot.
While this unit seems sturdy and of good quality, the beds and hammock are a better fit for small- to medium-sized cats. Still, we think this pet condo is reasonably priced for such a generous size. If you have room for it, it's an excellent choice.
Price at time of publish: $89.99
Dimensions: 58.5 x 21.5 x 16 inches | Material: Engineered wood, linenette, plush, sisal | Colors: Charcoal, gray, beige
Good for scratching and napping
Apartment dwellers may want to consider something smaller, like the Feandrea Cat Tree. It's less than 3 feet tall and has a footprint of just 2 and a half square feet. But despite the compact size, it has everything cats need to nap, perch, scratch, play, and hide. This includes an upper bed that doubles as a perch, two covered nooks, a middle platform, a plush hammock, and two sisal-wrapped posts.
It took roughly 30 minutes to set up, and while the instructions were easy to follow, we recommend recruiting a buddy to help. Once assembled, our tester's cat took to the tower quickly and was particularly fond of the top bed. This unit isn't exactly budget-friendly, but it might be worth the investment to keep your cat entertained and off your nicer furniture.
Price at time of publish: $83.99
Dimensions: 33 x 23.5 x 15.5 inches | Material: Engineered wood, plush, sisal | Colors: Charcoal, gray, beige
Good for napping and scratching
Not ideal for small spaces
The Frisco Cat Tree & Condo is just the thing for large cats. It stands 6 feet tall and has a considerable footprint, so make sure you have the space for it. And while setup wasn't hard per se, it took an hour and 15 minutes to assemble. Still, this is a durable, well-made product with a reasonable price tag. More to the point, cats love it.
This tower has seven tiers, including two covered nooks and three perches, plus several sisal-wrapped scratching posts, two ramps, and a few dangling toys. It's ideal for homes with multiple large cats because they will always have a place to lounge, play, and exercise indoors.
Price at time of publish: $99.99
Dimensions: 72 x 23 x 21.5 inches | Material: Engineered wood, faux fur, sisal | Colors: Black, brown, gray, blue, cream, cheetah
When buying a cat tree, think about what you envision your cat using it for, whether it's napping, climbing, scratching, or a little of everything. According to Dr. Finn, a multifaceted unit is ideal. "Cat furniture should include multiple levels for climbing and perching, as well as hiding places," he says, adding that most cats appreciate scratching posts, too. "Focus on what will work best in your space, and give your cats what they need." The Amazon Basics Cat Tree has multiple levels and is one of the more affordable units we tested.
You'll also want to make sure the cat tree fits in your home. Apartment dwellers may want to look for a compact unit like the Feandra Cat Tree, whereas those with large living rooms might consider something more substantial. And vertical towers often sit tall with a small footprint, which can help save space.
According to Dr. Finn, a taller design is ideal. "A basic scratching post should be at least 3 feet high, so your cat can stretch out his/her whole body," he says. "It's good exercise, and it just feels good."
Having put together over two dozen cat trees ourselves, we can tell you assembly times vary greatly. Some can be set up in under five minutes, while others take over an hour. Make sure you're up for the time commitment and have all the necessary tools and hardware — and think about recruiting a buddy for an extra pair of hands.
Taller towers may need to be installed or mounted with an anti-tip kit to prevent them from toppling over. "I recommend using appropriate wall anchors to secure freestanding furniture, such as cat trees, to the wall," says Dr. Finn.
After researching today's best cat trees, our editors selected 26 to test in a real-life setting. Our testers brought the units home, unboxed them, read through the instructions, and timed how long it took to put them together. Next, they placed them in an area their cats frequent and allowed their pets to explore the new furniture.
Over a two-week period, our testers observed their cats on the trees, noting which components they seemed to like best and use the most. Each tower received a score for ease of setup, quality, size, and value. Those with the highest average ratings are featured in this roundup.
Carpeted cat trees are often preferred, as the material is soft enough to curl up on but also good for scratching. But many feature a combination of materials to cover all the bases. For instance, a cat condo might have a carpet-covered base and upper perch, rope-wrapped scratching posts, and a plush-lined hammock.
The sturdiest cat tree is likely one made of solid wood or metal. The Refined Feline Metropolitan Cat Condo is a metal unit that boasts an impressive 250-pound weight capacity. Other than that, shorter and more compact designs are typically pretty sturdy, though they often don't have as many features.
Cat trees can cost anywhere from $25 to $400 or more. Budget-friendly units are generally smaller with fewer features, whereas pricier ones often have various tiers, posts, perches, and nooks.
"To extend your investment, look for cat furniture with replaceable parts, like scratchers, pads, etc.," says Dr. Finn. "This way, you can just swap out worn parts without needing to dispose of the entire piece."
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