The 6 Best Cat Beds of 2020

How do I choose a cat bed?

First and foremost, a cat bed should be soft. That may seem obvious, but it can actually be trickier than it sounds, because cat beds have a way of wearing out with use. You don’t want that soft fuzzy surface to be gone in a week. As such, it’s important to look for cat beds that are not only soft today, but are durable enough to stay soft tomorrow and well beyond.

You’ll also want to make sure your cat bed is washable. Let’s be honest – we all love our cats, but we don’t always love the messes they make on furniture and bedding, including their own. Cats have a nasty habit of “marking” their possessions, so unless you want your cat bed smelling permanently of eau de urine, you’ll want to make sure it’s easy to wash. To avoid any unfortunate bed-shredding trips through the washer, you’ll also want to check to see if the cat bed is machine or hand washable.

As with our beds, so too with cat beds – size often means luxury and comfort, so the bigger the better.

A cat’s bed should also be easy for them to enter, especially for older cats. Look for beds that have low lips. These allow cats to step right in and curl up, whereas higher lips require cats to lift their legs higher to enter, which can be painful for older cats with bone, joint, and back issues.

Cats are notoriously picky about odors, so you’ll want to avoid any beds that may offend their keen sense of smell. Chemicals in particular can bother them. Of course, it’s healthier to avoid beds that make heavy use of chemicals anyway. Instead, try and opt for beds with more natural materials, such as unbleached bedding, cotton, and wool.

Let’s take a closer look at the best cat beds available today.

Aspen Pet Oval Cuddler Pet Bed

This little chocolate brown cat bed from Petsmate features a lightweight polyester build that makes it light at 1.16 lbs and easy to move. If you’re the type of person who moves often or simply doesn’t want to have to schlep around a heavy cat bed every time you need to move your companion’s sleeping place, this might be a good choice.

Just because it’s light doesn’t mean it’s flimsy, however. On the contrary, this cat bed makes use of thick bolstered walls that provide your cat with extra cushioning and protection. Why worry about getting your cat a pillow when every end of the bed is pillow-soft and firm as a mattress? The nest-like build can help your cat feel safe behind the high walls.

At 20 x 16 x 5.5 in, this model is on the larger side, making it ideal for bigger cats.

This cat bed is also machine washable and can fit easily in most standard-sized washing machines, allowing you to wash it quick and easily before returning it to your furry friend fresh and germ-free.

Round Donut Cat Cushion Bed

This cat bed combines suede with cut pile fabric, giving it a chic look. The soft fur lining also makes this bed incredibly soft and warm. While you might be worried about the suede wearing thin or the lining tearing easily, this cat bed is actually surprisingly durable and can stand up to long-term usage.

Adding to this cat bed’s sense of comfort is its donut shape. As with the option from Petsmate, the ring around the cat bed acts as one giant barrier and pillow, helping to keep your pet more secure while providing them with a soft, yet firm, surface on which to rest. These sides can provide good support for your cat’s head and neck. The donut shape is particularly good for cats who love to snuggle up in a ball while they sleep. 

This is another good lightweight option, measuring 19.7 x 19.7 x 5.9 in and weighing just under two pounds.

In addition, this is another option that can be washed in a washing machine. That said, you’ll want to take care to wash it on a gentle cycle with cold water, and then dry it on low heat on a tumble dry.

Meowfia Premium Cat Bed Cave

Where the first two cat beds we looked at featured circular, nest-like shapes, this offering from Meowfia instead boasts a spherical, egg-like shape. One of the benefits of that egg-like shape is that it gives your cat an even snugger fit and even more privacy, covering them on all sides with just a hole in front through which to poke out their head and enter and exit. If your cat’s on the claustrophobic side, one of the more open donut-shaped beds may be more to their liking, but if your cat likes dark secluded spaces (as so many cats do) this may be the perfect cat bed for them.

What’s more, while it may look like a compact egg on the outside, inside this cat bed cave is actually surprisingly spacious. It is undeniably stylish as well, featuring colored patterns handwoven from merino wool. The bed is completely natural and free of synthetic products, ideal for cats who are picky about odors and pet owners equally eager to avoid chemical smells in favor of an all-natural vibe.

PetMaker Cosy Kitty

The first thing you’ll notice about this cat bed is its unique pyramidal shape. Apart from being eye-catching, there are actually practical benefits to that kind of cat bed setup. For one thing, it gives your cat even more privacy, which can be good if you have an especially shy or sensitive cat. For another, the walls can help block out any drafts, helping your cat keep warm during the long cold winter months.

This is especially true given the soft velvety plush fabric from which this cat bed is made. These materials are especially thick, meaning they insulate the interior even better than