The 7 Best Cat Trees of 2019

Keep your fury friends busy and active

By Camryn Rabideau

Updated 04/05/19

Portrait of yawning cat sitting on scratching post
Westend61 / Getty Images
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Go Pet Club Cat Tree at Amazon

"There are three tiers for your cats to climb up on, as well as a ladder and more."

Best High End: Vesper V-High Base at Amazon

"This product comes with removable memory foam cushions to maximize comfort."

Best for Multiple Cats: SONGMICS Large Multi-level Tower at Amazon

"It gives cats ample room to climb, romp, explore, and play."

Best Budget: TRIXIE Pet Product Baza at Amazon

"The hammock is covered soft, plush fabric that cats love to curl up on."

Best for Large Cats: Simple Sleeper Scratch Post and Bed at Amazon

"Can accommodate even the largest indoor cats."

Best Design: MidWest Feline Nuvo at Amazon

"You don’t have to sacrifice aesthetic to keep your cats entertained."

Best Floor to Ceiling: Cat Craft Three Tier at Amazon

"It's an impressive 90-inches tall and it can be used with 9-foot high ceilings."

  • 01 of 07

    Best Overall: Go Pet Club Cat Tree Furniture

    Very Good

    For a high-quality cat tree that’s reasonably priced and gets rave reviews, you should definitely opt for the Go Pet Club Cat Tree. This product has several tiers where your cats can play and lounge, as well as several scratching areas.

    The Go Pet Club Cat Tree is 38” x 27” x 62”. It’s made of compressed wood, so it’s nice and sturdy and covered in a faux fur material. There are three tiers for your cats to climb up on, as well as a ladder, hammock, hanging rope, cubby hole and more. Additionally, several of the posts are wrapped with sisal rope to encourage cats to claw. This cat tree does require assembly, but it comes with step-by-step instructions and the necessary tools.

    The vast majority of reviewers recommend this cat tree—it has over 2,000 5-star ratings! Users say it’s appropriate for both large and small cats and that their pets love to sleep on and claw it. Plus, you can beat the reasonable price.

  • 02 of 07

    Best High End: Vesper Cat Furniture V-High Base

    Very Good

    If you’re willing to spend a little more for an attractive, high-quality cat tree, the Vesper Cat Furniture V-High Base is a top-rated option. This high-end cat tree costs more than $100, but it’s made of wood and comes with memory foam cushions to keep your pets comfy.

    The Vesper V-High Base 22” x 22” x 48”. It’s sturdy design is made of medium-density fiberboard made from New Zealand pine for a chic finish, unlike many other cat trees. The tree has three tiers with rounded corners, including a cubby where your cats can hide away. The supports are wrapped in rope for your cat to scratch, and it features a cute dangling ball for them to play with. Finally, this product comes with removable memory foam cushions to maximize comfort for your furry friends.

    Reviewers write that this cat tree is sturdy, well-made and easy to put together. Several note that it’s spacious enough for larger cats and many users say they love that the product isn’t covered in ugly carpet material.

  • 03 of 07

    Best for Multiple Cats: SONGMICS Large Cat Tree Condo Multi-level Cat Tower

    Good

    If you’re the proud owner of two or more kitties, you need a spacious cat tree like the SONGMICS Large Cat Tree Condo Multi-level Cat Tower. This complex, multi-level tower is ideal for households with multiple cats, as it gives them ample room to climb, romp, explore and play.

    This is one of the bigger cat trees you’ll find, measuring in at 35” x 23” x 61”. The tree is made from CARB-certified boards and covered with a soft plush material that your cats will love. There are several platforms where kitties can perch, as well as a cubby hole, lounging tunnel and cozy bed on top. Several of the supports on this cat tree are wrapped with sisal to encourage scratching, and there’s an additional scratching pad on the top of the tree.

    Reviewers write that the SONGMICS Large Cat Tree is easy to put together and spacious enough for large cats to play on comfortably. Some even say their small dogs enjoy playing on the tree! Several note that the product is surprisingly light considering its size and most agree that their cats love it.

  • 04 of 07

    Best Budget: TRIXIE Pet Product Baza Cat Tree

    One of the downsides of cat trees is that they can be pretty expensive, often costing $100 or more for complex models. However, you can still get your cat a play area on a budget thanks to the TRIXIE Pet Product Baza Cat Tree. This top-rated product is simple, but your cats will love clawing and lounging on it.

    This cat tree is 16” x 20” x 16”. The design is simple: there are two supports that hold up a cozy hammock. The hammock is covered soft, plush fabric that cats love to curl up on, and there’s a metal rim for added support. The poles are wrapped in sisal rope to encourage clawing, and there’s a pom pom hanging from one—your cats will love batting it around! Some assembly is required, but most people agree it can be put together in a few minutes.

    Reviewers love the Baza Cat Tree, writing that it’s sturdy and their cats are happy to curl up in the hammock. Several even note that their fussy kitties use this cat tree after turning up their noses at other products.

    Continue to 5 of 7 below.
  • 05 of 07

    Best for Large Cats: Simple Sleeper Cat Scratch Post and Bed

    Some cat breeds, such as Maine Coons, are significantly bigger than others, and if you’re the proud owner of a large cat, you may be concerned that a normal cat tree won’t be spacious enough for your pet. In this case, you should look into the Simple Sleeper Cat Scratch Post and Bed, a simple cat tree that reviewers say can accommodate even the largest indoor cats.

    The Simple Sleeper Cat Scratch Post and Bed is 19” x 21” x 37” tall. The design is relatively simple compared to other products, featuring two perches where your cats can hang out. The tree is covered in a high-quality carpet material, and one of the supports is wrapped in sisal rope to encourage clawing. Another big bonus of this product is that there’s no assembly required.

    Reviewers agree that this cat tree works well for large cats, as it’s spacious and sturdy. One happy user even notes that her 20-pound cat fits on the beds and loves to claw the scratching post. If you have a large or overweight cat, this product is a must-have!

  • 06 of 07

    Best Design: MidWest Feline Nuvo Cat Furniture

    One of the most common complaints about cat trees is that they’re typically not attractive. Most are covered in boring beige fabric, and they can be an eyesore in an impeccably decorated home. However, you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetic to keep your cats entertained when you purchase the MidWest Feline Nuvo Cat Furniture, as this cat playground is actually finished in a beautiful material!

    This cat tree measures 18” x 22” x 31". It includes a “lookout lounge,” perch, sisal scratching pad, and dangling toy, all on a sturdy base. The interior of the lounge is covered in a plush, cozy fabric to keep your cats comfy, but the rest of the tree is finished in an attractive floral-patterned fabric that would look great in any room. Some assembly is required, but the necessary tools are included.

    One of the most common comments about this cat tree is that it’s much more attractive than boring beige options. Reviewers say the product is well-made and most cats enjoy climbing and hanging out on the tree.

  • 07 of 07

    Best Floor to Ceiling: Cat Craft Three Tier Floor-to-Ceiling Cat Tree

    Most cat trees simply sit on the floor, but if you want to encourage your cats to climb like they would in a real tree, you may want a floor-to-ceiling model. The Cat Craft Three Tier Floor-to-Ceiling Cat Tree is an impressive 90-inches tall and it can be used with ceilings up to 9-foot high.

    This cat tree is 17” x 10”, and it has an adjustable ceiling support that holds it in place as your pets play. The product features three staggered platforms, allowing cats to make their way up to the top of the tree, and the whole design is covered in a plain carpet material. One downside is that there are no scratching areas on this tree. However, assembly is straightforward and can be done without any tools.

    Reviewers like that the Cat Craft Three Tier Floor-to-Ceiling Cat Tree is relatively narrow and can fit in smaller spaces. Most agree that their cats love climbing up the platforms, saying it’s very durable, even for larger animals.

Products Tested by

How We Tested

We bought three top-rated cat trees and our reviewers (and their cats) tested them daily for weeks on end. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these cat trees, from their size and shape to their durability. We’ve outlined the major points here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Cat Tree

Size and shape Cat trees come in a variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from small, one-level trees to complex, sprawling jungle gyms. Depending on how big your home is and where you plan to put your tree, you may need a smaller or larger design. Keep in mind that some cat trees are more vertical while others take up more floor space.

Cat size The best cat tree for your home often depends on how many cats you have and how big they are. It goes without saying that bigger cats need a larger, sturdier tree. Plus, if you have multiple furry friends, you’ll want a design that gives them ample space to play and lounge.

Toys Many cat trees include a variety of scratching posts and toys integrated into the design. If your cats have been clawing the furniture, you should definitely find a product with a built-in scratching post. If your cats are playful, find them a model with hanging feathers or other accessories.

Test Results: Go Pet Club Cat Tree Furniture (Best Overall)

Very Good

What We Like

  • Multiple scratching posts

  • Several relaxation areas

  • Tall

What We Don't Like

  • Off-white color shows dirt easily

  • Fabric pieces not detachable

  • Large

According to one of our testers, the best parts of this cat tree were that it was tall and had “many different activity centers to keep an active cat's attention as well as plenty of spots for them to lay around on when they’re feeling lazier.” In terms of negatives, our testers felt that its off-white color and non-removable fabric pieces made it both more susceptible to dirt and tougher to clean. Also, one reviewer noted its large footprint: “If you have a small space, I wouldn’t recommend this cat tree,” he said.

Test Results: Vesper Cat Furniture V-High Base (Best High End)

Very Good

What We Like

  • Attractive design

  • Easy to set up

  • Cat enjoys using it

What We Don't Like

  • Wobbly

  • Accessories not very durable

  • Large

One draw of this cat tree was its modern design, according to one of our reviewers: “It’s much sleeker than comparable models,” she said. “It blends in with my furniture and isn't an eyesore.” Our testers also thought its illustration-heavy instructions were easy to follow. One reviewer also reported that her cat enjoyed using it, especially sleeping in the small box. On the other hand, one of our testers’ main concerns were that it was slightly wobbly and that its accessories weren’t very durable: “Within a few hours of use,” she said, “my cat managed to knock off one of the three wicker balls attached to the string dangling down from the top.” Our reviewers also cautioned that you should make sure you have space for this cat tree — it’s pretty tall.

Test Results: SONGMICS Large Cat Tree Condo Multi-level Cat Tower (Best for Multiple Cats)

Good

What We Like

  • Can fit four cats

  • Multiple scratching posts and accessories

  • Cat bed

What We Don't Like

  • Bulky

  • Unattractive design

This cat tree satisfied our testers because it had room for multiple cats — “Three or four cats can fit easily," she said. One tester also liked that it had “several toys, multiple scratch poles and pads, a nice pillow, and a cat bed.” The downsides? “It’s a pretty bulky product that takes up a lot of space,” noted one reviewer. One of our testers also thought that it wasn’t very aesthetically pleasing: “I don’t think it’s something you can have in your living room because it doesn’t look that pretty,” she said. “The materials could definitely be nicer.”