Our Favorite Cat Bed is Plush, Padded, and Prime for Nap Time

Cats spend a significant amount of time sleeping, snoozing for 12 to 18 hours per day on average. Offering your cat a variety of cozy beds to rest upon throughout your shared home is ideal, but according to Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, chief veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital, even the most plush and comfy bed won’t be a happy haven if it’s placed in a noisy, high-traffic area of the house.

Greenstein recommends offering a few different options for your cat around the house, and placing the beds in a “quiet spot to allow for privacy and rest” or a known favorite napping location. The best selections for your cat are dependent upon your their personality and habits. Watch your cat closely and they’ll even give you hints about what they might prefer.

Our Favorite Cat Bed

FunnyFuzzy Trendy Striped Faux Lambswool Double Layer Cat & Dog Couch Sofa Bed

$60 at Amazon View on Funnyfuzzy.com

This plush bed was immediately a hit with a 5-year-old Ragdoll cat named Cashew who instantly got to work making biscuits as soon as it was fully assembled. The Funny Fuzzy Trendy Striped Faux Lambswool Cat Couch Bed is a spacious sofa-style bed with plush padded cushions and flexible cushioned armrests and backrest.

We tested the medium size (the smallest available out of four sizes) and felt that it's footprint was rather large. It could definitely accommodate two cats, but it is still lightweight and can be easily moved to different locations. Our human tester chose the beige color to match Cashew’s fur, and even though Cashew used the bed frequently, there wasn’t much cat hair to be found. That said, the cover is removable and machine washable.

Throughout the testing period, the bed maintained its support and did not show damage from Cashew’s multiple kneading sessions, but it's more expensive than other beds on our list (unless you can get it on sale).

Three colors and four sizes

Nisrada Round Pet Bed

$18 at Amazon

Another Great Choice: This donut-style pet bed is an ultra-plush cat bed with a soft, sinkable center bed area with supportive pillow edges. We tested the large size (27 inches) with two large cats weighing 16.5 and 18 pounds, respectively. They both really enjoyed tucking their paws and tails into the plush space where the bed and the sides met.

Our tester said their cats have never taken to a piece of cat furniture so quickly or fully, and both cats began making biscuits almost immediately and often spend hours a day napping in the bed.

They bed was big enough to accommodate both cats at once, which they seemed to prefer most of the time. The affordable bed comes in eight sizes, but x-small (15.7 inches), small (20 inches), and medium (24 inches), and large (27 inches) are recommended most for cats. Depending on the size you select, there are up to 18 colors to choose from. And even though the bed does take up a fair amount of floor space, our tester noted that the contemporary look kept it from being an eyesore.

Eighteen colors and eight sizes

How We Picked

We tested 17 cat beds by placing each one in a home with at least one purring cat participant to help us observe each bed in use. The human of the house followed our testing methodology to derive insights that helped us determine which styles offer optimal comfort. We considered the size, price point, durability, and how easy a bed could be cleaned.

From our experience with cats, we think it's important to offer at least two spots where a cat can relax, and the best styles for your cat are dependent upon your their personality, habits and size.

More We Recommend

Frisco Long Faux Fur Elevated Cat Bed

$43 at Chewy

Best Elevated: If you’re looking for a cat bed that doesn’t look like a cat bed, the Frisco Elevated Long Faux Fur Cat Bed is a stylish option with a modern aesthetic. In fact, this bed’s angled wooden legs and long fur cushion could easily be mistaken for shaggy footstool—our tester even admitted to using it as a footstool themselves during the testing period and said it remained sturdy. Not to mention their two 10-pound cats “took to it immediately”, too.

The tester also noted that the bed didn’t shake or wobble when their cats jumped on or off the bed, unlike the raised bed in their cat tree, and they reasoned that this could be something that caused their cats to favor the Frisco bed. The bed cushion is “thick but still plush” and feels like “a firm mattress for cats.” Overall, they said the bed appeared to be durable and well made, and that the price was a “steal” of a deal. 

Two colors and one size

Meowfia Premium Felt Cat Cave Bed

$60 $50 at Amazon $50 at Chewy View on Meowfia.us

Best Cave: The Meowfia Premium Felt Cat Bed Cave has a stylish look that gives minimalist Icelandic aesthetic vibes. It’s made from 100-percent merino wool, a thermoregulating material that insulates and cools, and has antimicrobial properties. Our tester said their cat took a few days to warm up to the bed, before slowly but surely accepting it once it was placed at the end of the bed.

Although there is no setup required, it can take time for this bed to reach its intended shape and may require occasional adjustments, but it is very well-made and will last a long time.

Our tester liked how easily the style of the bed could blend in with the house decor, and that it can pass as a stylish felt sculpture or throw pillow. It comes in two sizes with medium best-suited for cats up to 12 pounds and large for cats up to 20 pounds. 

Seven colors and two sizes

K&H Thermo-Kitty Deluxe Hooded Cat Bed

$123 $77 at Amazon $123 at Chewy

Best Heated Bed: The K&H Thermo Kitty Deluxe Heated Cat Bed was a hit with our tester’s cat, Kip, who loves to get cozy while napping. The bed is easy to setup, but needs to be actively plugged into the wall for the heating mechanism to work. The heating is triggered by weight from your cat jumping into the bed, and the bed relies on thermostatic temperature control to keep your cat cozy but not hot. Our tester noted that it warmed up quickly, within minutes.

We like that his bed comes with an optional hood that your cat can burrow under for an extra layer of comfort. However, the whole bed takes up a fair amount of space compared to the actual size of the bed where your cat will lay and that it’s only available in animal print options.

Two colors and two sizes

Best Friends by Sheri Cozy Cuddler Covered Cat & Dog Bed

$35 at Amazon $25 at Chewy View on Bestfriendsbysheri.com

Best With Cover: This hooded cat bed not only provides a supportive and cozy place for your cat to snooze, but it also appeals to your cat’s natural instinct to burrow or hide.

It has tall and thick padded sides, incredibly soft and comfortable lining, and a built-in soft-lined half cover that functions like a loose blanket that your cat can nuzzle into and under for an extra feeling of warmth and security. For smaller spaces, note that it’s got a fairly large footprint, about the size of a small ottoman.

Our tester noted that the cushioning is “substantial” and that the bed’s “large and soft bolsters round central pad are perfect for a cat to curl up” in. In fact, both of their cats took to the bed immediately, and there is ample space for them to share. Although we like the incredible amount of cushioning this bed provides, it may be hit or miss with some folks since there’s no removable cover—instead, to clean, you throw the entire bed into the washing machine and dryer. 

Four colors and two sizes

AMOSIJOY Cordless Cushioned Cat Window Perch

$30 $28 at Amazon View on Amosijoy.com

Best Perch: Instead of the traditional tension wire hanging design for stability, the AMOSIJOY Cordless Cat Window Perch utilizes four large and strong suction cups to hold it firmly on the window.

The setup process is straightforward and should only take about five minutes, though our tester admitted it was a bit of a struggle to fit the removable bed cover onto the frame. The cover itself is fluffy and padded with a thick cushioned rim around the edges and a breathable mesh bottom for comfortable sink-and-support balance. We love that it zips off and can be tossed in the wash, and our tester noted it’s easy to remove hair and debris with a sticky roller between cleanings.

Our tester has three cats and found that the large size allowed even her two big boys to cuddle two at a time without any issues, a feat they’d yet to see with their two previously owned window perch beds (both had a wired design, too). This bed also scored points with our tester for being aesthetically pleasing and for its overall value and durability. The fact it can fold up when not in use (so you can put the blinds down) is a huge plus, too. 

Two colors and three sizes

CATTASAURUS Peekaboo Cat Cave

$70 at Amazon View on Cattasaurus.com

Best With Tunnel: The Cattasaurus Large Peekaboo Cat Cave is a donut-style cat bed made from compressed felt with a peekaboo cutout to encourage play and rest. It can support multiple cats and larger cats weighing up to 30 pounds.

Our tester noted that even though their long and chonky cat, Squishy, tends to like trees more than beds, this cat cave is now one of her favorite places to play and hide.

The center of the donut is an indented nook that can hold a full grown cat, but it's not plush and our tester cat, Squishy rarely used this area. There is no padding or cushion in the bed well, and that is why we think the middle was less appealing for naps. We like how many different colors this cat cave comes in, and that it’s large enough to fit two cats inside the tube and one cat in the bed well.

You might find that your cat prefers to hide and play in Cattasaurus Peekaboo Cat Cave, but you could also try making the bed well in the center more appealing with a blanket.

Eight colors and two sizes

Guide: Cat Bed Styles

As with most things, your cat will likely have opinions about the type of bed it accepts, and its preferences might change. Luckily, there are a lot of options out there to choose from. It may take some trial and error or reintroducing, but we’re sure your cat will fall in love with its new snooze spot. Here are a few types of popular cat beds:

Sofa: These beds have a similar design and appearance to human sofas and offer your cat a cat-sized way to mimic its owners while also providing good support and comfort. 

Cave: Cat cave beds offer cats a confined hiding space that taps into a cat’s instincts for safety. According to Dr. Greenstein, the “den-like design of these beds is especially comforting to kittens, shy cats, and those who share their homes with lots of noisy family members.” 

Donut: Donut beds are named after their round, circular shape and are the standard pet bed that comes to mind. They’ve got a center bed area and soft sides to support your cat inside of the bed. 

Burrow: Burrow beds satisfy a cat’s innate need to burrow under and into something, creating a sense of security. This is usually accomplished with a loose cover that falls over the top of the bed. 

Perch: Perch beds are highly-elevated beds that double as a perch where your cat can survey the scene from a privileged vantage point. Cats often choose the highest point of a room, and perches allow you to equip those areas with a bed. 

Heated: Cats love cozy beds and a heated bed can be an excellent perk in a cat bed, especially during cooler months. However, choose carefully. “Heated beds are sometimes dangerous to leave plugged in too long or in outdoor conditions,” says Dr. Greenstein, “but there are self-warming options where the cat’s only body heat warms them up.”

Orthopedic: Dr. Greenstein shares that Rover’s own product testers have found that quality orthopedic beds that provide joint support and pressure relief for cats. “Senior cats, arthritic cats, obese cats, or injured cats can all benefit from the additional padding and comfort of an orthopedic bed.”

Convertible: Who doesn’t love a multi-functional piece of furniture? Convertible beds add extra value to cats and their owners by serving as dual-purpose product, like a cat cave that can collapse into a bed, or a cat bed that also works as a pet carrier. 

Additional Cat Beds We Tested

Best Pet Supplies Pet Tent Soft Bed for Cats: This A-frame-style cat bed with a thick, plush removable bed cushion. We tested the larger 19-inch size and found it was spacious enough for two 11-month-old kitties to split (though it ended up being claimed as a solo bed by just one). You can toss the whole bed into the washing machine and dryer, but we noticed the soft sides seemed to be caving in at times which might deter cautious cats from entering. 

Mora Pets Self-Warming Cat Bed Pad: This self-warming pad we tested is more like a thick blanket than a cat bed, but it offers flexibility to use it as a topper for an existing bed, a comfy cushioned layer for furniture, or as a travel warming pad. It warms your cat by reflecting your cat’s body heat back onto your cat, so you also don’t have to worry about your cat accidentally overheating or adjusting temperature levels. It can be rolled up tightly, but for use as a bed on it's own, we feel it lacks the padding a cat needs and seeks.

Kitty City Cat Tunnel Bed: This hybrid cat tunnel-bed gives your cat a fun play area and semi-private nap space. When assembled, it takes on a donut shape with a removable padded bed pillow in the center, but can be configured a few different ways to keep your cat’s interest. Our tester’s two cats took to the tunnel-bed right away and even napped inside, but only one cat regularly utilizes the center bed area, which may be because the center pillow is a bit flimsy.

Furhaven ThermaNAP Self-Warming Cat Bed: This thin pad wasn't very inviting for our cat participants until it was placed on another piece of furniture. If your cat regularly joins you on the sofa, they might enjoy this cat bed. It's soft to the touch and warms-up using only a cats body heat.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

This story was updated by K. Alex Beaven, a pet parent to a large cat named Bo who likes his personal space and lives with a seemingly near-infinite number of cat beds in a very limited space. For this article, Alex relied on her personal experience with cat beds as well as testing insights from real-life The Spruce Pets’ product testers (and their real-life cats). She also tapped Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Veterinary Medical Advisor for Rover, and Chief Veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital for her expert advice on finding the best cat bed for your cat. Other stories Alex has written for The Spruce Pets include The Best Kitten Foods, The Best Cat Glove Brushes, and Best Lickable Cat Treats.