Cats are beautiful, interesting, weird creatures. They're also very picky. Finding cat toys that they'll actually play with is tough, especially with the sheer oversaturation of the pet market today. Cats require a specific environment to play, scratch, and relax. Based on years of testing with our cats, these are our favorite WIRED-approved, tech-y cat toys (and furniture). Even if our cats rejected a particular product, we still examined overall construction, design, and value to determine whether it may be useful for other kitties.
We love interactive cat toys—everything on this list we've tested over the years and our cats actually play with. All of these toys also have an element to help engage their natural instincts, like an interactive mat that mimics prey's movements, or a puzzle toy so your cat has to use their pecan-sized brain to get rewarded with delicious treats.
I'm a helicopter cat mom specializing in pet tech, and all of these cat toys are approved by both my and other staffers' (very spoiled) WIRED cats. Check out our related guides like The Best Automatic Cat Litter Boxes, The Best Automatic Cat Feeders, The Best Cat Water Fountains, and Our Favorite Fancy Cat Furniture. More of a dog person? We've got you covered! See our Best Accessories and Tech Essentials for Your Dog guide.
Updated June 2025: We've added Wisdom Panel Cat DNA test, 5Strands Intolerances & Imbalances Test, Uproot Clean Pro, VIWIK Interactive Cat Toy Mat, Knead Therapeutic Bed, Desk Nest Cat Bed, Valonii Motion Activated Cat Laser Toy, Petcube Play 2, and Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy. We've updated prices and links throughout.
Photograph: Mau Mau Cento Cat Tree $299 Amazon
Cats like to jump and climb whatever they can, so a cat tree should help keep them occupied and off your mantel or breakable glassware. Our favorite cat trees are made from materials that can be scratched up. (We also have a guide to the fanciest cat furniture we've tried if you really want the full scoop.) When you live in a small apartment, everything you decorate with matters because it's all on display—nothing gets hidden when you only have one to three rooms. Some of us want our cat's furniture to match too. Mau's Cat Tree is one of former WIRED reviewer Madea Giordano's favorites. If you can afford it, your cats will thank you.
Photograph: Kat Merck Omlet Freestyle Indoor Cat Tree Shop at Omlet
More than just a cat tree, Freestyle lets you customize your own indoor or outdoor cat jungle gym from a series of bamboo platforms, beds, ramps, hammocks, and scratchers. The platforms are sturdy enough to support cats of any size or activity level, and the poles can accommodate ceilings up to 14 feet. The system is not inexpensive or especially easy to put together, but my cats Circe and Scylla spend every single day on theirs, making it worth the investment. —Kat Merck
Photograph: Kat Merck Mau Kona End Table Scratcher $399 Mau
Mau is known for its high-end and tasteful cat furniture (including the Cento cat tree, above), and its new Kona side table fits right into the lineup with a midcentury mod vibe and scratching pad discreetly tucked into the back. The solid-wood table is very heavy and well made, with options for an oak or walnut finish. It didn’t dissuade my cats from scratching the chair it’s next to, but it does come with a bag of catnip to help with encouragement. This table is popular and often sold out, but you can sign up on Mau’s website to be notified of the next restock. —Kat Merck
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