13 Best Cordless & Battery-Operated Cat Water Fountains

Updated in 2023

Let’s talk about battery-operated cat water fountains, or more accurately, how near impossible it is to find one.

Do a quick “cat water fountain battery-operated” search and you’ll find results listing the top 10, top 20, top 50 even!

Now click those results and tell me how many are actually run on DC power.

Let me save you the trouble: less than 10%.

I can only imagine that all of these writers skipped the class that explained the difference between AC & DC power.

So, do they even exist; and if so, where can you find them?

Read on to find out!

Don’t have time to read the whole post? Take a look at our top picks below for the closest things to truly battery-operated fountains.

FYI, this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra charge to you. 

Battery-Operated Cat Water Fountains TOP PICKS at a Glance

• SmartCat Water Fountain – Dual-powered fountain runs on both batteries and AC power.
• PETKIT Cat Water Fountain – Stainless steel water bowl and filter tray for added durability.
• Kastty’s Cat Fountain – The unit is easy to assemble/disassemble and has a quiet pump, so the noise won’t bother your cat too much. 
• Homerunpet Cat Fountain with Wireless Pump – It features a triple-filtration system so the charcoal filter will trap all impurities, ensuring your furry friend has fresh and clean liquid to drink.
• Solar-Powered Cascading Fountain – Great for outdoor use.

Check the table below for a side-by-side comparison of our favorites!

Do Battery-Operated Cat Water Fountains Actually Exist?

The good news, yes, they do exist.

The bad? They’re not as easy to find as Google search results (or even Amazon search results) would have you believe.

Trust me, I learned this first-hand while researching not only this list but our other quiet cat fountain buying guides.

It’s super annoying. I am pretty sure that those lists really, really, really wanted to hit the keywords “cat water fountain battery operated” and didn’t care how they got there.

I went through every single result on the top pages and literally 1 out of 10 recommendations was actually powered by batteries.

So, rather than give you another frustrating list padded with results that aren’t even remotely what you’re searching for, I am giving you a shortlist of an actual battery-operated, automatic cat water fountain.

I’ll also give you a few other options for “cordless” fountains!

13 Best Cat Water Fountains That Are Battery Operated

Like I said, this is going to be a fairly short list because 99.9% of cat fountains are corded options.

Yep, even the majority of the fountains on so-called “best battery-operated pet fountains” lists!

Still, I did manage to round up a few! Check them out!

1. SmartCat Water Fountain

One of the only truly battery-operated fountains, the Smart Cat fountain is a relatively new entry onto the market.

In fact, it wasn’t available when I first sat down to research this post (for repeat readers, the original top product here is no longer available).

Even more impressive, it actually has good reviews, unlike others that I looked at!

Benefits & drawbacks of SmartCat Water Fountain

Benefits	Drawbacks
Dual-powered fountain runs on both batteries and AC power.	Battery is not included.
Smart Working Mode- change modes with the press of a button.
Integrated water pump that avoids dirt & fur buildup
Transparent design lets you keep an eye on water levels & quality.
Very affordable

Recommendation

Overall, I’m really impressed with the features of this budget-friendly cat fountain.

With a 4-star rating across over 300 reviews, it’s a solid choice.

Sure, it’s kind of basic-looking, but at least it actually runs on batteries!

I just wish it actually came with the batteries.

As long as you choose good ones, though, you shouldn’t have an issue.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: Fountain for Persian Cats

What Are Cat Parents Saying?

Most pet owners highly recommend Honeyguardian’s smart pet fountain and are very impressed with its functions, durability, and design. 

They also mention that their cats [1], dogs, and pet rabbits enjoy drinking from the fountain and that they aren’t bothered by the pump sounds. 

And as this pet owner shows in this video, it’s easy to install the carbon filter, and the infrared sensor is quite useful since it shuts off the stream after two minutes.

Don’t forget to also check out this awesome Uahpet water fountain!

Check Latest Price ZERO Smart Pet Water Fountain with Wireless Pump — $34.99 It is an all-rounder smart pet water fountain that is wireless, whisper-quiet, and with no-brainer maintenance.

2. PETKIT Cat Water Fountain

Another one that popped up since my last search, the PetKit technically runs on USB-powered electric, BUT you can also use a battery backup source.

Benefits & drawbacks of PETKIT Cat Water Fountain

Benefits	Drawbacks
Powered with a USB cable, but includes back-up battery option.	Again, batteries sold separate.
Stainless steel water bowl and filter tray for added durability.	You need REALLY good batteries to power it.
Pump shuts off on its own when water gets too low.	Some complaints about customer service.
Relatively quiet compared to other fountains (less than 30dB).
Mesh screen keeps out fur and other debris.
Activated carbon filter and ion exchange resin to purify the water.
You get five replacement filters with each unit. If you wish to purchase more, look for Petkit filter units for Eversweet 2, Eversweet 3, and Cybertial Puredrink fountain.

RECOMMENDATION

Overall, this one earned 4.3 stars across over 900 ratings, but there were a few complaints.

Some buyers said that it worked great…until it didn’t. They had a hard time getting through to customer service, too.

However, given the overwhelmingly positive feedback, I’m feeling pretty confident in recommending it. And as the reviewer says in this video, it looks pretty cool and is very low decibel. 

That said, once again, I wish it came with the darn batteries!

ALSO CHECK: Catit Water Fountain Reviews

3. Kastty’s Cat fountain

Kastty has a great battery-operated cat fountain, which is an excellent choice for cat parents who want something quiet, reliable, and well-designed.

The fountain is made from stainless steel and ABS materials for maximum durability and has a capacity of 67oz, perfect for multi-cat households. 

benefits & drawbacks of Kastty’s Cat fountain

Benefits	Drawbacks
Kastty’s fountain has a sensor mode, which turns on the water when your cat enters the sensor area and then turns it off. It also has a steady flow mode.	A bit noisy
The low-power indication shows that it’s time to change the batteries and ensures your cat won’t be left without drinking water.	Pump malfunctions
The filter replacement sensor is great for reminding you to change the filters every 21 days.
The upgraded filtration system features a food-grade activated charcoal filter to remove all impurities.
It has AC and battery-operated power, so this battery-operated cat water fountain is perfect for indoor and outdoor use.
The unit is easy to assemble/disassemble and has a quiet pump, so the noise won’t bother your cat too much.
The fountain has low energy consumption when running on AC power and won’t increase your electricity bill.
The motor turns off when the water is low to prevent damage.

Recommendation

As a whole, Kastty’s cat fountain has great customer reviews and a rating of 4.3 stars. Most reviewers are happy with the fountain’s quiet pump. 

However, many cat owners mention that the batteries didn’t last as long as they expected, and they had to change them weekly. 

Some owners also note that the fountain worked well for only a couple of months and that their cats didn’t like the flow of water [2]. 

And as you can see from this video, Kastty’s large fountain is easy to clean. 

#4 Homerunpet Cat Fountain with Wireless Pump

Homerunpet’s cat fountain isn’t cordless or battery-operated in the traditional sense of the word. However, it has a unique pump design, which is why I’ve included it in this list.

Benefits & Drawbacks of Homerunpet Cat Fountain with Wirel

Benefits	Drawbacks
The wireless ultra-quiet pump eliminates exposed electrical wires inside the unit, which guarantees your cat’s safety.	Needs to be plugged in
The large capacity of 68oz is perfect for small and large cats and can provide your cat with enough drinking water for a week.	Doesnt come with replacement filters
The unit is easy to clean and maintain because you don’t have to bother with inside wires, and there are no hard-to-reach places.
It features a triple-filtration system so the charcoal filter will trap all impurities, ensuring your furry friend has fresh and clean liquid to drink. And replacement filters are easy to find.
The unique ergonomic design stimulates the natural flow of water to ease cats’ anxiety and tempt them to drink more.

Recommendation

Most cats owners are satisfied with the performance and durability of this wireless cat fountain. The unit is easy to assemble, and cats quickly get used to it.

However, some pet parents note that they’re having issues with the LED light, and it’s not so easy to check the water levels as they expected. But most don’t have any major complaints. 

Check out this video to learn more about Homerunpet Cat Water Fountain.

#5 Automatic Pet Fountain with Smart Pump by BQYPOWER

BQYPOWER has an excellent drinking fountain for cats and dogs, which won’t disappoint you in terms of design and reliability. It has a capacity of 2L, so it’s great for cats, small dogs, and other pets. 

Benefits & Drawbacks of Automatic Pet Fountain with Smart Pump by BQYPOWER

Benefits	Drawbacks
Like other fountains for cats I’ve reviewed, this model has an infrared sensor, which turns the stream on whenever your cat is within range to save power and extend the battery life.	DIfficult to get replacement filters
This automatic pet fountain features two-in-one power modes so that you can rely on the battery power supply in cases of blackouts or when you’re traveling with your cat.
Unlike some other models I’ve seen, this fountain comes with a standard wall plug-in and you won’t need to purchase an adapter.
The fountain has three flow modes, so you can set it to match your cat’s drinking style. Moreover, the 360-degree multi-directional stream ensures the water is rich in oxygen.
You don’t have to worry about water levels since the LED indicator will turn red whenever you need to fill up the fountain.
The pump has very low power consumption whenever you’re using the plug-in mode, so it won’t increase your electricity bill.

Recommendation

In terms of capacity, design, and filtration, the BQYPOWER is similar to other pet drinking fountains. However, it stands out with its three-flow design to increase your cat’s hydration. 

Cats owners also like it a lot and share that you can barely hear it working. However, some mention that it’s hard to find replacement filters and that the unit comes without batteries.

However, some cat parents say you don’t get a plug for the unit and that you need to purchase a USB plug if you don’t want it to run on batteries. 

#6 Dog H2O DH025 Cordless Battery Operated Pet Water Fountain

Dog H20’s battery-operated pet fountain is the right choice for you if you have multiple cats or a large dog. It’s made from plastic and holds up to 63oz of liquid.

Benefits & Drawbacks of Dog H2O DH025 Cordless Battery Operated Pet Water Fountain

Benefits	Drawbacks
This cordless pet fountain is made from durable, BPA-free materials and is easy to clean because it’s dishwasher-safe.	You have to keep changing the batteries
You don’t need any tools to take the fountain apart or change the filters as you can see from this video below.	Water doesn’t constantly flow
The fountain features a timer with four settings to filtrate and aerate the water for maximum freshness.
Relatively quiet compared to other fountains (less than 30dB).
It comes with three filter pads and three dental tablets to combat bad breath, which is common in cats and dogs.

Pet owners also have a good impression of Dog H2O’s pet fountain and agree that it’s an excellent choice for pets that like to chew wires.

However, some owners note that the pump doesn’t work as well as they expected and that the batteries can’t generate enough power. 

#7 Petmate Fresh Flow Rain Battery Fountain for Cats and Dogs

Petmate has another great battery-operated cat fountain, which is an excellent choice if you have a cat that likes to chew wires. 

Benefits & Drawbacks of Petmate Fountain

Benefits	Drawbacks
Petmate’s drinking fountain is made from food-grade plastic for maximum durability.	Has a weird noise
The unit weighs only two pounds and measures 12.9 x 9.25 x 9.2 inches, so you can place it anywhere in the house and move it whenever you want.	Not easy to assemble
The batteries last long because the pump turns off automatically every 20 minutes.	Gets dirty quickly
The compact design is great for cat owners who don’t have much space.
You can keep an eye on the water levels, thanks to the transparent upper body.
The fountain has a filter to remove impurities and pet hair from the water. You can purchase a replaceable filter from the manufacturer.
You get five replacement filters with each unit. If you wish to purchase more, look for Petkit filter units for Eversweet 2, Eversweet 3, and Cybertial Puredrink fountain.
Relatively silent pump and easy to find fountain filters
As you can see from this video, the Petmate’s gentle fountain has multiple drinking points, which is great for multi-cat households.

Recommendation

Cat owners have a mixed opinion about Petmate’s automatic drinking fountain. They say that the device is hard to put together, and it gets dirty very quickly since it’s white.  

Moreover, batteries are not included in the package, so you’ll have to purchase them separately. And you have to clean it very frequently to keep it in working condition. 

But as this YouTube reviewer says, the free-falling stream design attracts your pet’s curiosity and encourages proper hydration. 

8. Tronssien Store’s Battery-Operated Cat Fountain

Tronssien has the best battery-operated cat fountain for owners who have multiple cats. This fountain has a similar capacity as most cordless water fountains – 2L – and it comes with two filters. 

Benefits & Drawbacks of Tronssien Store’s Battery-Operated Cat Fountain

Benefits	Drawbacks
Unique design to separate water and electricity to ensure your cat’s safety and a quiet pump to reduce your cat’s anxiety	Some customers complained about the Automatic sensor and night light not working
Sensor mode, which turns on the water for 20 seconds when your cat is within the sensor’s range (2-6 meters).
Triple filtration system to remove trap food, debris, and pet hair and keep the water as clean as possible for long periods of time
Warm LED light at night to make it easy for your cat to find the fountain
Transparent body so that you can keep an eye on your cat’s water consumption and refill the fountain before the pump burns out
The fountain is very light, so it’s easy to move it around or take it with you when you’re traveling with your pets.

In general, cat owners share positive experiences with this fountain and say that it helps increase their cats’ water intake. 

However, some complain that they’ve got issues with the LED sensor and the night light. 

These are the only truly battery-operated cat fountains I could find.

Now, I could end the list here and send you on your merry way, but I have a few other ideas that may work if you really want a cordless cat water fountain.

Other cordless alternatives for cat water fountains

These alternatives may not be what you had in mind when you began your battery-operated cat fountain search, but they could be your best option. I’m going to be honest here, while I’ve seen great reviews for Ebi Ceramic Fountains, I’ve never heard of the brand until recently.

They’re not sold on Amazon or on any other mass retailer that I can find, so you have to go directly through their website.

They really are quite beautiful, though, and totally handcrafted in the US.

Most of them run on either just batteries or both AC/DC. I’ll warn you, they are pricey! However, like I said, they’re handmade.

9. Ceramic Fountains

I’m going to be honest here, while I’ve seen great reviews for Ebi Ceramic Fountains, I’ve never heard of the brand until recently.

They’re not sold on Amazon or on any other mass retailer that I can find, so you have to go directly through their website.

They really are quite beautiful, though, and totally handcrafted in the US.

Most of them run on either just batteries or both AC/DC. I’ll warn you, they are pricey! However, like I said, they’re handmade.

10. Solar-Powered Cascading Fountain

Okay, so this one is not really a pet fountain, but bear with me.

If you’re willing to keep up with adding clean water, it’s actually a beautifully simple (not to mention just plain beautiful) option.

While it may work better outdoors than inside, you could probably adapt it for indoor use more easily than the hose-powered fountain.

It’s solar-powered, so for outdoor use you just need to make sure it’s in a sunny spot.

However, if you can put it near a window or source of natural light, you could bring it inside.

And as this video shows, the fountain is not big at all, so you can squeeze it into your house with no problems.

11. DIY It

While the video above may not be the most stable, the final product is pretty nifty!

I would take out all the random extras in the fountain, though, you don’t really need them and they’ll just trap bacteria.

12. Or try this DIY tabletop fountain

Another fantastic tutorial (this one actually lists out the steps for those of us who need to read rather than watch them), can easily be modified to create a wireless cat fountain.

13. Good old-fashioned gravity bowl

Look, unless you’re hooking a water fountain right up to your water supply, you’re going to have to change the water regularly.

It doesn’t matter if you buy a battery-operated pet fountain, a corded one, or heck, one that sings a little jig and folds your laundry for you!

No, that last one doesn’t exist. I wish! Seriously, though, unless your cat flat-out refuses to drink from a bowl, a plain old gravity water bowl will do.

Your cat will still have plenty of fresh water ready when he wants it, and you won’t have to worry about filters, buying batteries, or finding a nearby outlet.

So, there you go!

Unfortunately, if you’re dreaming of a fantastic, 5-star, top-of-the-line battery-run pet fountain, you’re kind of out of luck.

And by “kind of,” I mean you have a better chance of winning the lottery than finding one.

See, there’s a reason why pet fountain manufacturers don’t really use batteries. As we saw in the cons of the few above, they’re just not strong enough.

While I couldn’t find you more than a couple of options (and believe me, I tried), at least they are actually battery-operated cat fountains and not clickbait results. 😀

Faqs

Final Recommendation

While it’s hard to find the perfect cordless cat fountain, Honeyguard’s smart pet fountain is an excellent choice because of its ergonomic design, durability, and filtration system. 

It’s also large enough to suit the needs of multi-pet households and it’s easy to clean it and change the filters. And it can last several hours on battery power only, which is still great. 

Resources:

1. The surprising physics of cats’ drinking. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Avilable at: news.mit.edu

2. published SP. Study Reveals Physics of How Cats Drink. livescience.com. Published November 11, 2010. Accessed March 28, 2022. Avilable at: Livescience.com

Do you know of any actual battery-operated cat water fountains that I missed? Please share below so I can add them!

Last update on 2023-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API