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Photograph: Molly Higgins
Oneisall 2-in-1 Automatic Cat Feeder and Water Dispenser for $54: Generally, I'm a fan of all the Oneisall pet products I've tested. While they aren't the most technologically advanced, they are always reliable and cheap. This model is relatively simple. To set up, you'll need to hook up the bowl supports and dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowls, fill the water and kibble compartments, and plug in. This model runs on corded electricity but has an optional 4 AA batteries in case of power outage. There is no connected app. You'll just set the clock and adjust meal settings, and you can schedule one to six meals per day with adjustable portions, from one to 10 portion sizes. I don't love having food and water so close, since cats prefer them to be separate to prevent cross-contamination in the wild. I always recommend automatic pet fountains instead for a fresh source of water, but if you don't have a lot of space, are on a budget, and need a temporary solution for getting fresh water to your kitty while you're out of town, the gravity-fed water system ensures water stays relatively fresh (plus, the translucent tank makes it easier to check water levels). I'd recommend this basic option if you're on a budget and need a temporary solution for when you're out of the house (and don't mind not having a connected app).
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Closer Pets C200 2-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder for $50: This automatic feeder is super simple, which is both its weakness and its strength. It’s essentially two shallow plastic containers with stainless steel inserts (both dishwasher safe) and tamper-resistant lids that are locked and automatically open using an old-school egg-style timer that runs on a AA battery rather than electricity. Although the container has an ice pack to keep the wet food cool, after one night it lost virtually all of its coolness. There’s a lid-link clip attachment, a small piece of plastic that links the lids to ensure they will open at the same time, which is super helpful for owners of two cats like me. I wish the timer were electric so I could program it to the exact time I want it open, rather than guesstimating the timing on the little marks. However, this is a simple solution to help make sure both my cats are given wet food without me having to wake up at the crack of dawn.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Oneisall Cordless WiFi Automatic Cat Feeder for $70: I had high hopes for this cordless feeder that boasts a rechargeable battery with a 100-day life and an integrated app, but it's just too unreliable. Through the app, you can program up to 10 daily meals (in 1-12 portions each), monitor pets' eating habits, and customize meal calls. Unlike other apps, you're not able to choose portion size, but instead have to multiply the number of servings. The app gave me constant problems, and would often disconnect from the feeder and be unable to reconnect to WiFi. Luckily, I was able to program meals via the screen and buttons, but it would've been a whole lot nicer if the app had worked reliably.
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