If you have a feline friend, then you'll want to invest in one of the best cat trees. They give your cat the opportunity to play, climb, and relax – three things that are essential for their health, happiness, and wellbeing.
Some cat tree designs have a built-in scratching post, which is great for keeping their claws in tip-top condition – and your furniture! They can also double up as the best cat bed or best cat hammock, giving your fur baby a safe place to rest and retreat. If your cat loves to play, keep your eye out for a model that has a teaser toy or feather attached.
Vet Dr. Hannah Godfrey says: "Cats love to be high up where they can survey for threats, and a cat tree provides a great vantage point. Cat trees are both mentally and physically stimulating for cats, helping to fight boredom and keep cats in good shape. This is particularly important for indoor cats with no access to ‘the real thing’ outside and will help to redirect any scratching or chewing to prevent damage to your furniture or home."
We've rounded up the best cat trees based on size, design, affordability, and function – keep on reading to browse our top picks.
The best cat trees 2024
Best overall cat tree
This cat tree features multiple scratching posts, beds and toys, making it the clear winner in this guide. Whether they want to relax on the hammock or play with the rope, this design has everything they need.
Best budget cat tree
For under $30, you'll get a cat tree, hammock, and scratching post all in one - that's excellent value for money if you ask us. It's available in grey and beige and features a dangling pompom toy.
Best large furniture-style cat tree
This furniture-style cat tree will blend seamlessly in your home, thanks to the modern wood grain style. It features a private cave, scratching posts, and a enticing rope to play with.
Best cat tree with a cute design
An adorable cat tree that comes in three animal-style designs: cow, pig or bunny rabbit. It has two scratching posts, and a detachable bed that is made from soft Sherpa.
Best small furniture-style cat tree
This compact cat tree is great for small spaces, and has a stylish wood design that will look great in your home. Your cat will love digging their claws into the scratching post, and resting on the soft fluffy perch.
Best medium-sized cat tree
Your cat will sleep safe and sound in this multi-level condo. They can retreat to the basket, cave or perch when they want to relax, or scratch up the ramp when they want to play. You'll be happy that it doesn't take up too much room either.
Best overall cat tree
There are lots of reasons why we've crowned this as the best overall cat tree. It features everything your cat needs, from a scratching post and toy, to multiple perches and beds. It's the ultimate place for your cat to rest, play and scratch.
If you've got multiple cats, we highly recommend this tree as it has five different places to sit and is tall enough to give them some personal space. It's 30in high, providing your cats lots of opportunities to climb up high and observe the world below them. This is especially great for indoor cats who might not get to experience this otherwise.
The scratching post is made from sisal, a durable material that's ideal for keeping claws in good shape. There's also a pompom for them to swipe at, and a dangling rope to grab onto which is perfect for playtime.
If you need something smaller, however, check out the best small furniture-style cat tree.
This product is currently with our tester, we'll be adding our full review soon.
Best budget cat tree
This budget-friendly cat tree is excellent value money, costing under $30. The legs double up as scratching posts for your kitty's claws and are made from natural jute fiber. Not only will this keep their nails in good condition, but it will also help to prevent damage to your furniture and home.
The tree has a comfortable hammock where your cat can relax up high, and it's made from a soft, fluffy material. It also features a hanging ball which they can play with to keep them entertained. It doesn't take up too much room and measures 15.75"L x 15.75"W x 19.7"H, making it a great choice for smaller spaces.
PetsRadar's Editor Georgia tested this out on her kitten Annie and was super impressed with the price and size.
She says: "I like that it’s small and just tucks next to my sofa because I don’t have room for an enormous cat tree. And even though it’s small, she still uses the scratch posts. If I haven’t seen or heard from Annie for a while, I usually find her in the hammock having a snooze – it’s become her favorite nap spot. The hanging ball toy did come off after a while, but I’d still recommend it even without the toy."
Best large furniture style cat tree
If you want something that's a little sleeker, this modern cat tree is a great choice. In comparison to traditional models that are made from fluffy or carpeted materials, this wood grain design might fit better in your home. It's available in a gray and a natural color to suit your preference and measures 23.2" L x 18.8"W x 47.5"H. If you have a smaller space, you might prefer the best small furniture-style cat tree in this guide.
It doesn't just win brownie points for décor; it ticks all of our practical boxes too, featuring scratching posts, perches, a cave, and a hanging toy. The scratching areas are made from sisal, a non-toxic and durable material that's perfect for claws.
The cave and perch are made from soft, faux fur fabric to make things comfortable, and this can be removed and cleaned in the washing machine after use. You won't need to worry about the tree moving around, because it comes with optional non-skid pads to secure it in place.
Our tester Diana says: "The quality is good, it was super easy to assemble, and all the pieces feel sturdy enough to hold the structure and not sway (too much) if a cat jumps on or off. The bedding is super soft. My cats very much enjoy sitting on the tree, testing the different levels but they have not scratched any of the pieces once."
Best cat tree with a cute design
This cow-print cat tree is just the cutest, and is available in two other animal-styles (pink pig and beige bunny). The bed component is made from an "incredibly soft" Sherpa material and is the perfect place for your cat to rest and observe the world. When you want to clean it, you can detach the bed from the posts and put it in the washing machine.
Our tester Diana says it was easy to assemble and had clear instructions for her to follow. Whilst her cat Laszlo is unsure about it, her other fur friend August is "obsessed" and enjoys rolling on the bottom, biting the legs, and having a good old scratch on the posts.
She says: "August has laid claim and showed interest from the minute it was pulled from the box. It's practical for smaller spaces. Laszlo and August like to parkour off things and it felt steady enough for them to use as a launching pad without me worrying about it tilting over.
"I have two fully grown cats and it was a little awkward for the smaller one to get a proper scratch as the top surface seemed to get in the way a little. However, the only solution would be to make them taller, which may go against the practicality of being in a smaller space."
Best small furniture-style cat tree
You won't need to compromise on space or style with this cat tree. Measuring just 14.17 x 15.75 x 17in, the compact shape will sit neatly in the corner of any sized room, and has a fashionable wood design to match your décor. It's available in three different colors (brown, light brown, and dark brown), and is stable to sit on.
The tree has a scratching post for your cat to dig their claws in, plus a soft and comfortable perch where they can relax. The cushion is detachable and machine-washable, making cleaning time a lot easier.
Since it's rather small, it might not be the best choice if you have multiple cats, so you might be better off trying the best large furniture-style cat tree in this guide.
This product is currently with our tester, we'll be adding our full review soon.
Best medium-sized cat tree
If you love the best overall cat tree, but don't have the space, then this condo is great alternative at a more manageable size. It measures 18.9 x 18.9 x 37.8in, which is big enough for your cat to climb, but small enough to not take up the whole room.
The tree offers three comfortable places for your cat to rest: a basket, a perch and a cave which is lined in soft plush material.
When your kitty wants to play, they can get their claws into the scratching posts and ramp, or swipe after the dangling toy. The tree also comes with a spare pompom incase your fur friend gets carried away and pulls it off.
If you're lucky enough to have multiple cats, then this tree could be a great option as it can support up to three cats. It's secured with an anti-tip kit to give you peace of mind that your cats are safe.
This product is currently with our tester, we'll be adding our full review soon.
How we tested the best cat trees
To find you the best cat trees, we spent hours researching the different types of models on the market and scoured through hundreds of reviews. We selected them based on:
Suitability
Whether you're a multi-cat household or just have one, we've included a range of shapes and sizes to suit every need. When it came to testing, we ensured that our cats wanted to use them and that they were fit for purpose. We also highlighted any extras, like scratching posts or toys, that are worth noting.
Value for money
All of these cat trees are under $100, so you don't need to worry about being ripped off or overcharged. You'll find a variety of price points in this guide to suit your budget, starting at just $30. When we tested them out, we assessed whether they were worth the money based on their quality.
Style
Cat trees can take up a lot of room in your home, so we've included a range of designs to match your style. From cute cow prints to sleek wood, you're sure to find something to your taste.
This page has more information about how we test.
How to choose the best cat tree
Cat tree location
Cat trees come in all sizes, from small compact low-level trees to large multi-level towers. So, the first thing you need to consider is where you are going to place your cat tree. How much space do you have? Do you need a cat tree that fits neatly into a corner? Does it need to be a certain height? Make sure that you measure the space you have available before you buy a cat tree.
Size
You also need to think about your fur friend. How big is your cat? Will they comfortably fit on the platforms? Are the napping areas big enough to accommodate your cat?
Do the cat pods fit small cats, big cats or multiple cats? Do you have more than one cat? If you do, you will need to think about a bigger cat tree. How old is your cat? If your cat has mobility issues you might want to think about a tree or with just one or two levels that are easy to access.
Strong and sturdy
The taller a cat tree is, the more likely it is to topple over if not designed the right way. A large base and a well balanced layout are your best choice. Do the platforms have scratching posts or pods to help support them? Are the sleeping platforms on a long single post. If they are, will they take the weight of a big cat?
Most are made to deal with this issue, but many are only suitable for kittens and smaller cats. Make a judgement call by simply taking a good look at all angles of the design of the cat tree.
How many cat trees should you have per cat?
Cat trees are a fantastic addition to any feline home, but it can be difficult to know how many of these kitty playgrounds do you need for your pets, especially if you have multiple cats in your home.
Dr. Godfrey says: “Cats don’t just use cat trees and scratch posts to keep their nails in good condition, but they also use them to stretch, play, and scent-mark. Therefore, even a single cat would benefit from multiple types of scratch posts, mats, and trees to keep them fit and mentally stimulated and allow them to demonstrate their natural cat behavior."
That doesn’t mean that you need to double the number of posts with each additional kitty though. “Many cats will share scratch posts and cat trees, depending on their relationship and the dynamic between them,” says Dr. Godfrey. So, as long as your cats get along, they should be happy to share.
Still, our expert vet says it’s probably best to have one cat tree, scratching post, or scratching mat per cat, and then an extra one just to give them options and to take away the pressure of sharing all their toys. You might want to read our guide on the best cat scratching posts.
Are cat trees worth it?
Are cat trees worth it? The answer is yes!
Dr. Godfrey says: "Cat trees allow cats the opportunity to display natural feline behaviors like climbing, jumping, and hiding. The diverse setups usually have areas where cats will feel safe and secure while resting, scratching post sections to keep their nails in good condition, and toys on strings to encourage them to pounce and play."
Megan is Staff Writer at PetsRadar and is a proud mom of two tabby cats. She’s particularly interested in pet happiness, so finding the best accessories and toys is super important to her. That's why she's spent hours researching and testing products for this guide to help you. She graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in Journalism and has written/researched for other publications, such as Harrods and Cosmopolitan.
Dr Hannah Godfrey is a small animal vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. Initially, she treated all species, but focussed on small animals from 2014. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas.
