PETLIBRO Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel Tray, Wireless Pump Cat Fountain, Ultra Quiet Pet Water Fountain, 2.5L Automatic Water Dispenser for Cats, Dual Flow Cat Water Dispenser Easy to Clean

Why it's worth it

The pump runs under 23 decibels and sits outside the water entirely, so there's no cord threading through the reservoir when you clean it. The stainless tray wipes down in seconds, the reservoir holds 2.5 liters, and there are two flow modes for fussy drinkers.

The wireless pump is the whole argument for this one. On most fountains a submersible pump sits under the water with a cord running out of the basin, and biofilm builds up inside the housing where you can't see it or reach it. Here the pump is a self-contained unit you pull out and rinse. PETLIBRO's own engineering documentation makes the same case: keeping electronics out of the water cuts down the gunk that collects around wired pump housings.

Noise is what quietly kills fountains. Past a certain volume, shy cats stop approaching, and that's usually the point the whole thing gets put away. The specification sheet puts this one below 23 decibels, which is quieter than a whispered conversation. If your cat's water lives in a bedroom or a small apartment, you'll forget it's running at all.

From our review of 7 cat water fountains, by James Bennett, Associate Editor

What we like

• +The wireless pump is the whole argument for this one
• +Noise is what quietly kills fountains
• +The tray is stainless, which matters if you've noticed bumpy black specks on your cat's chin
• +Two and a half liters is the sweet spot for one or two cats

What to know

• –The battery pump needs recharging, which is a chore a plug-in fountain never asks of you
• –Only the tray is stainless