For pet owners navigating the ever-expanding market of animal-focused gadgets, finding products that genuinely improve daily routines can feel like an overwhelming task. Over the past year, testing teams at CNET and their companion animals set out to separate marketing gimmicks from functional innovations by putting the latest pet technology through rigorous, real-world trials. From app-connected litter boxes and smart water fountains to GPS-enabled tracking collars and high-end security cameras, the team evaluated a wide array of devices to determine which products truly make a difference in the lives of pets and their human caregivers.
The comprehensive testing project aimed to identify the best products available while highlighting older household items that are ready for a major tech-driven upgrade, such as swapping static drinking bowls for smart water fountains. While not every gadget survived the testing process, the selected top picks proved their worth by streamlining care, easing owners’ anxiety, and enhancing the day-to-day comfort of cats and dogs.
Best Overall Pet Cam: Petcube 360 Cam
When leaving animals home alone, dedicated pet cameras offer features that go far beyond standard home security equipment. Among the most impressive budget-friendly options tested is the Petcube 360-degree panning camera, which combines affordability with a robust suite of capabilities. Priced accessibly, the compact 1080p camera fits neatly into almost any home environment and features an 8x digital zoom alongside 30-foot night vision.
Placed centrally, the camera rotates to provide a full view of any room, allowing owners to keep track of resting or chewing pets from afar. Two-way audio enables communication, while a physical privacy shutter gives users control over when the lens is active. Testers recommended pairing the device with a low-cost monthly subscription to unlock advanced AI alerts, which notify owners of pet motion, barking, or human presence while providing cloud storage for video clips.
Best Pet Cam for AI Alerts and Treat Tossing: Furbo 360-Degree Pet Cam
Pet owners seeking advanced interactive technology evaluated the Furbo 360-degree camera, available in dedicated dog and cat models. Both versions feature two-way audio and a treat-tossing feature designed to engage animals remotely, provided the treats fit within the pet’s dietary restrictions. The standout capability, however, is the camera’s activity and object recognition system, which sends descriptive alerts regarding pet behavior.
Although the AI occasionally misinterprets household items—such as mistaking a robot vacuum for a pet—it successfully alerts owners when animals jump onto unauthorized furniture. Utilizing these smart features requires an ongoing monthly or annual subscription fee, making it a choice tailored for tech-focused owners comfortable with continuous subscriptions and in-home video algorithms.
Best Smart Collar for Cats: Petcube GPS Collar Tracker
Smart collars have evolved significantly beyond basic location tracking, increasingly functioning as comprehensive health monitors. For feline owners, the Petcube GPS collar attachment provides a compact solution that includes built-in GPS and integrated LED glow lights. This illumination feature proves especially helpful for locating cats that venture out into the dark or hide under furniture.
According to Dr. Abel Gonzalez, clinical director and veterinarian at the pet telehealth platform Dutch, modern smart collars serve an increasingly vital role in animal wellness. Health trackers can monitor metrics like heart rate, temperature, and shifts in activity or sleep that might signal early signs of illness, pain, or anxiety—particularly useful when holiday travel or visitors disrupt established routines. The Petcube app offers geofencing and safe-zone creation, though full GPS tracking requires a monthly subscription fee. The Tractive collar for cats offers similar health-monitoring depth, though its contract terms tend to be less flexible.
Best Smart Collar for Big Dogs: Tractive Dog 6
For larger dogs weighing over nine pounds, the Tractive Dog 6 GPS tracker delivers reliable location tracking combined with health monitoring. Utilizing a combination of satellites, cellular networks, and Bluetooth, the device provides insights into a dog’s water and food intake alongside daily habits. Available in standard and XL sizes suited for heavier breeds, the Tractive tracker offers virtually unlimited range, allowing owners to monitor their pets regardless of distance. App-controlled lights and sounds further assist in location recovery, though the device requires a mandatory monthly subscription plan to maintain cellular and GPS connectivity.
Best Smart Collar for Small Dogs: Fi Series 3 GPS Dog Collar
Pet owners with petite dogs or cats require lightweight tracking hardware, making the Fi Series 3 and its ultra-light Fi Mini variant notable alternatives. Weighing a mere 16 grams, the Fi Mini comfortably fits smaller animals while offering sturdy stainless steel and nylon construction designed to withstand significant physical resistance. Like competing models, it tracks location via GPS, LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, while also monitoring eating, drinking, barking, scratching, and licking behaviors. The Fi series distinguishes itself with an exceptionally long battery life lasting up to three months on a single charge, depending on usage patterns, though comprehensive features require a continuous membership fee.
Best Pet Fountain for Cats: Petcube Wireless Smart Fountain
Encouraging adequate hydration is a common challenge for cat owners, as many pets prefer fresh, moving water over stagnant bowl contents. The Petcube Wireless Smart Fountain addresses this by utilizing a battery-powered design that allows placement in a cat’s preferred drinking spots. Equipped with motion-sensing technology and app connectivity, the 1.7-liter device activates only when an animal approaches, conserving battery life while offering a nearly noiseless bubbling spout and a multi-layer filtration system that includes UV-C light.
Dr. Abel Gonzalez emphasized that while automatic water fountains successfully encourage hydration, they remain useful tools rather than replacements for active supervision and direct engagement. The Petcube model’s high-grade ceramic and metal tray design also simplifies routine cleaning compared to competing plastic alternatives.
Best Smart Water Bowl for Dogs: PawsPik Bubbling Water Bowl
Large dogs require higher water capacities, a need met by the PawsPik Bubbling Water Bowl. Featuring a generous 1.8-gallon capacity, the stainless-steel, dishwasher-safe bowl minimizes the frequency of refills while utilizing an intuitive low-water alert light. A gentle bubbling mechanism encourages dogs to drink, while an adjustable nozzle prevents excessive splashing noises. Although it requires a constant electrical cord connection—making it less suitable for teething puppies prone to chewing wires—the five-layer filtration system provides clean, filtered water for thirsty multi-dog households without requiring complex mobile app setups.
Best Automatic Dry Food Feeder: PawSync Smart Pet Feeder
Automatic pet feeders often dispense food on a rigid timer, regardless of whether the animal has finished its previous meal. The PawSync Smart Pet Feeder solves this issue by incorporating a built-in scale that calculates exact portion sizes, tracks food intake, and automatically skips scheduled feedings if sufficient food remains in the bowl. Users calibrate the device using the calorie content data found on pet food packaging, enabling precise portions as small as nine grams.
The accompanying mobile app provides timely indicators for food tank levels, cleaning schedules, and desiccant replacements. While the feeder supports cats and small dogs, its mechanical design limits compatibility to kibble sizes between 4mm and 15mm, making it less ideal for larger dog breeds that consume oversized kibble.
Best Automatic Wet Food Feeder: Petlibro Polar Wet Food Feeder
Transitioning pets to wet food diets—often necessitated by health conditions such as feline diabetes—presents challenges for maintaining regular feeding schedules when owners are away. The Petlibro Polar Wet Food Feeder utilizes an integrated cooling system to keep wet food fresh and cold for up to three days within stainless steel serving trays. The quiet motorized mechanism opens smoothly according to customized app schedules, alerting pets with an audible signal.
Dr. Abel Gonzalez noted that automatic feeders help maintain predictable meal timing, which reduces stress and digestive upset in sensitive animals, provided pets are given time to adjust to the device beforehand. The feeder requires a constant electrical outlet and Wi-Fi connection, though it includes a 12-hour backup battery to safeguard against unexpected power interruptions.
Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Households: Shark Matrix Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
Pet hair and scattered litter present a persistent housekeeping challenge for animal owners. The Shark Matrix Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum automates daily floor maintenance by navigating living spaces via LiDAR mapping and sweeping on a preset schedule. Accumulated debris is automatically emptied into a bagless base designed to hold up to 45 days of dirt and pet hair. Operating quietly enough to run during work meetings without startling skittish pets, the vacuum effectively manages hard floors and low-pile rugs, though multi-level homes or raised kitchen thresholds may require manual assistance.
Best Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Stains: Shark StainForce
Fabric surfaces in pet-owning households frequently accumulate stains from hairballs, muddy paws, and accidental sickness. The Shark StainForce spot cleaner provides a cordless, portable solution combining wet-dry vacuuming with targeted stain removal. Despite its compact pistol-like frame and lightweight design, the machine lifts both fresh and dried stains from carpets and upholstery effectively. Maintenance involves regularly emptying and cleaning the dual-purpose waste tank to prevent trapped debris from developing unpleasant odors, and battery life is best suited for targeted spot cleaning rather than large, continuous surface areas.
Best Flashlight for Pet Owners: OLIGHT ArkPro Ultra Flashlight
Locating hidden pet messes and biological stains on carpets or upholstery can prove difficult under standard household lighting. The OLIGHT ArkPro Ultra Flashlight features a dedicated ultraviolet (UV) mode that clearly reveals invisible stains and fluid spots. Beyond its utility for cleaning verification, the rechargeable device offers multiple brightness settings reaching up to 1,700 lumens, alongside a spotlight, floodlight, and an integrated green laser pointer that can double as a play tool for cats.
Best Smart Litter Box and Best for Multicat Households: Whisker Litter-Robot 5
For households managing multiple cats, manual scooping consumes significant time and effort. The Whisker Litter-Robot 5 automates waste management by using weight sensors to identify individual cats, recording visit durations and waste amounts. Following a cat’s departure, the globe cycles after a customizable delay, dropping waste into a sealed compartment below while preserving clean litter.
The accompanying app tracks usage history, bin capacity, and filter status, notifying owners when maintenance is required. While the $799 price tag and large footprint make the system an investment primarily suited for multi-cat homes, it successfully eliminates daily manual scooping routines and reduces litter waste. Single-cat households or those with shyer pets may find more economical alternatives within Whisker’s product lineup.
Best High-End Pet Device: Petkit Eversweet Ultra Pet Water Fountain
Pet owners seeking premium, high-tech animal care solutions can look to the Petkit Eversweet Ultra Pet Water Fountain, which pairs a sophisticated dual-tank water purification system with an integrated AI-enabled camera. The fountain regulates water temperature, schedules automated tray refreshments, and uses a low-angle camera to monitor nearby pet activity and verify when animals actually take a drink. While the advanced feature set and app ecosystem command a premium price and occupy significant floor space, the device offers thorough hydration management for demanding multi-pet environments.
Best Robot for Pets: Enabot Ebo Air 2
The Enabot Ebo Air 2 introduces mobility to indoor pet monitoring, utilizing a spherical rolling robotic chassis equipped with a 2K resolution camera and a 137-degree field of view. Controlled via a mobile app, the robot navigates hard floors to interact with pets using sound effects, two-way audio, and an integrated laser pointer. Recorded video material is stored locally on an included microSD card rather than a cloud subscription service, ensuring privacy. While the robot performs exceptionally well on hard flooring, high-pile carpets and thick rug edges can impede movement and destabilize the video feed, making environment layout an important consideration for prospective buyers.
