The Best Electronic Cat Toys

Electronic cat toys are a wonderful way to help your feline companion meet their daily exercise requirements, and are a fun and stimulating means of interacting with your pet. They’re readily available at nearly any pet store, and come in a variety of styles to suit your pet’s preferences.

With the right electronic cat toy, helping your feline friend to meet their daily exercise needs can become a quick, over-and-done with task. We reviewed dozens of electronic cat toys to identify the best of the best, based on Amazon reviews, how well they performed in longevity tests, cost, and other considerations. We narrowed our search down to 5 of the top-rated electronic cat toys cat owners can purchase to ensure a healthy and happy kitty.

Top Pick

Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy

Keep furry friends busy and provide healthy exercise through play.

We’ve identified Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy as the best electronic cat toy out there. With a rotating laser pattern and choice of speeds, this electronic cat toy is one that will keep your furry friend busy for hours. These benefits allow your pet to get the exercise and mental stimulation they need for a long and healthy life.

The 5 Top-Rated Electronic Cat Toys

Editor’s Picks Brand Rating
Best Overall Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy 4.1
Runner Up Pawaboo Cat Toy Electronic Mouse 4.0
Best Budget Buy SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Motion Cat Toy 3.9
Best Electronic Cat Toy with Wheels Interactive Robotic Cat Toy Car 4.2
Best Electronic Bug Cat Toy Zenes Funny Cat Toy Butterfly 3.7

*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change

Our Top Pick: Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy

The Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy took the top spot on our list of the best electronic cat toys, and features a rotating laser pattern to help engage kitties in play. There is a choice of three speeds available, including slow, fast, and random, and it uses batteries for convenient portable operation. The wide base is designed to help prevent tipping, and this toy can be enjoyed by multiple cats at once — perfect for multi-cat homes.

Those who purchased and reviewed this electronic cat toy appreciated that cats of all ages were interested in playing with this toy. Some people found the unit wasn’t as stable as it could have been, but were able to jerry rig a base to provide added stability. People appreciated the automatic shut-off function to help preserve battery life, and liked that it required AA batteries, which are easily available.

With a price tag of around $25, it’s a pretty affordable option as far as electronic cat toys go, but the quality craftsmanship associated with the brand, as well as the ease of setup and use more than justifies that price. It has a rating of 4.1 on Amazon with more than 900 people reviewing it, which we think goes a long way in convincing pet owners to make the investment.

Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy Key Features:

  • 15 minute automatic shut-off timer
  • Designed in the USA
  • 100% satisfaction guaranteed, or your money back

Our Runner Up Pick: Pawaboo Cat Toy Electronic Mouse

Runner Up

Pawaboo Cat Toy Electronic Mouse

Lightweight and portable design suitable for use at home or while traveling.

The Pawaboo Cat Toy Electronic Mouse took the runner-up spot on our list of the best electronic cat toys, and boasts a burrowing mouse that plays hide and seek with life-like movements in order to help captivate your cat’s attention. This toy is battery operated and lightweight, making it ideal for use at home or while travelling. There is a choice of two settings, both fast and slow, to entertain cats of all ages.

Those who purchased and reviewed this electronic cat toy appreciated the randomized starts, stops, and reversals, which helped to keep cats guessing and engaged in play. Pet parents also liked that the soft microfiber layer on the top of the unit provided a comfortable place for their pet to rest, and doubled as a scratching surface.

At a cost of about $22, it’s another fairly affordable option, and the quality craftsmanship associated with the brand, as well as the ease of setup and use more than justifies that price. It has a rating of 4.0 on Amazon with nearly 200 people reviewing it, which we think goes a long way in convincing pet owners to make the investment.

Pawaboo Cat Toy Electronic Mouse Key Features:

  • Available in a choice of colors
  • Durable plastic construction
  • CE and RoHS certified

Best Budget Pick: SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Motion Cat Toy

Best for Budget

SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Motion Cat Toy

A budget-friendly option with a simple design that satisfies your cat’s prey drive.

The SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Motion Cat Toy makes an excellent choice for those who want an electronic cat toy that won’t break the bank. This toy helps to satisfy your cat’s prey drive, thanks to the erratic movements and moving lights that mimic natural prey. The wand under the durable fabric top layer spins in order to help grab your pet’s attention.

Those who purchased and reviewed this electronic cat toy appreciated that there was both lights and movements to help entertain their pet, although some owners found their kitties could care less about the lights. Even with daily use, many reviewers found that the toy held up well.

With a price of approximately $13, this electronic cat toy is a solid choice for those looking for an electronic cat toy option on a budget. It has a rating of 3.9 on Amazon with more than 3,800 people reviewing it, which we think goes a long way in convincing cat owners that this budget-friendly pick is just as good at entertaining their feline companion as its more expensive counterparts.

SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Motion Cat Toy Key Features:

  • Choice of two speed to customize the action
  • Replacement wands available
  • Includes a satisfaction guarantee

Best Electronic Cat Toy with Wheels: Interactive Robotic Cat Toy Car

Best Electronic Cat Toy with Wheels

Interactive Robotic Cat Toy Car

This robotic car will provide your cat with countless hours of fun.

The Interactive Robotic Cat Toy Car is an excellent choice for anyone who’s looking for a toy their cat won’t easily bore of. This 360-degree self-rotating moving ball has a number of elements that makes it super fun for them to play with—from its enticing feathers, to its LED lights. It also moves around randomly, so your cat will always be left guessing where it could go next.

One of the many things that makes this toy stand out is that it’s designed to provide your cat with a healthy dose of stimulation. Some toys are so addictive that they can tire your pus out. This one, however, will switch off after 10 minutes, and turn on again in 1.5 hours. So you can have the peace of mind that if you leave it on, your cat will be thoroughly entertained throughout the day without getting completely exhausted. Another great feature this toy offers is that it automatically senses where obstacles are located.

Those who purchased and reviewed this electronic cat toy appreciated that it entertained even the most stubborn kitties with ease. With a price tag of around $35, it’s also reasonably priced. It has a rating of 4.2 on Amazon with nearly 6000 people reviewing it, which we think goes a long way in convincing pet owners to make the investment.

Interactive Robotic Cat Toy Car Key Features:

  • 360-degree self-rotating moving ball
  • Automatically senses obstacles
  • Colorful LED lights

Best Electronic Bug Cat Toy: Zenes Funny Cat Toy Butterfly

Best Electronic Bug Cat Toy

Zenes Funny Cat Toy Butterfly

Stimulates your cat’s natural hunting instincts.

The Zenes Funny Cat Toy Butterfly is a fun way to help stimulate your cat’s natural hunting instincts, and comes complete with a wide sturdy base with wire wand attached to a soft butterfly toy. It is battery operated for use anywhere in the home, and even includes an additional butterfly for when your cat “kills” the original.

Those who purchased and reviewed this electronic cat toy appreciated that it was easy to set up, and not loud while in use. People also liked that it came with a replacement butterfly. One downfall people mentioned about this toy was that there was no automatic shut-off, and no speed adjustments. However, for short intervals of supervised play, most owners were impressed by it.

At a cost of about $16, it’s not outrageously priced, and the quality craftsmanship associated with the brand, as well as the ease of setup and use more than justifies that price. It has a rating of 3.7 on Amazon with nearly 50 people reviewing it, which we think goes a long way in convincing cat owners to make the investment.

Zenes Funny Cat Toy Butterfly Key Features:

  • Available in a choice of different base colors
  • Glow-in-the-dark butterfly
  • Anti-slip feet help to prevent skidding

Who Should Buy an Electronic Cat Toy  

An electronic cat toy is an ideal choice for anyone who owns a pet cat, especially an indoor one. While it’s true that cats can sleep for anywhere from 12-16 hours a day, they still need adequate exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain good health. Since taking your cat out on a leash for a walk like a dog is probably out of the question, an electronic cat toy is a good compromise.

Unlike regular cat toys that require you to move and play with them, electronic cat toys take some of the hassle out of playing with your kitty. You can simply flick a switch and on the machine comes to wiggle, rotate, and otherwise entertain your feline companion.

Cats also have natural hunting instincts that can easily be satisfied with an interactive moving and/or noise making electronic cat toy. If you’re away from home during the day, some electronic cat toys allow you to program play modes to engage with kitty at set times, or can be remotely controlled for added convenience. Check out our review of the best interactive cat toys for more great options to keep your cat engaged and entertained. 

Top Pick

Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy

Keep furry friends busy and provide healthy exercise through play.

Important Features to Consider  

Not all electronic cat toys are created equal. An electronic cat toy should be entertaining and built to last. Here’s what to consider when evaluating the options in search of the best electronic cat toy for your feline companion:

  • Style. Arguably the most important consideration when it comes to buying an electronic cat toy is the style. There are several styles available, including those that look like bugs, mice, laser pointers and spinners, as well as remote controlled models. If you’ve seen your cat hunting bugs around the house, they might enjoy a butterfly or feather electronic cat toy, while others will prefer chasing the random pattern of a laser beam.
  • Replacement parts. It’s just a fact that cats will wear their toys out as they play with them, so having a toy with replacement parts readily available (and affordably-priced) is an important consideration.
  • Settings. One of the biggest benefits of electronic cat toys is that they can be set on programs to play with your pet. Being able to customize speed, patterns, time, and other options can help make play time more entertaining for your pet.
  • Power source. Most electronic cat toys are battery operated, and it’s important to check what type of batteries they use if you’ll be replacing them regularly. Those with AA or AAA batteries will be easier to purchase replacements for as opposed to obscure battery sizes. There are even some toys that use rechargeable batteries for added convenience. One way to prolong battery life of your cat’s toy is to look for those with an automatic shut-off feature.
  • Price point. Finally, consider how much you are willing to spend on as electronic cat toy. Electronic cat toys vary in price from $10-$150 or more, although you can sometimes find clearance sales at your local pet store that can make buying an electronic cat toy more affordable.  

Frequently Asked Questions

What are electronic cat toys?

Electronic cat toys are toys specifically designed for cats that run on electricity. They can either be hardwired for power, or battery operated. There are some toys that use rechargeable batteries for added convenience.

How do I keep my cat entertained for hours?

Most domesticated cats can sleep anywhere from 12-16 hours a day, but still need adequate exercise and mental stimulation in order to maintain good health. Without adequate exercise, cats can become vulnerable to issues such as weight gain or lack of muscle tone. Keeping your cat entertained for hours can be difficult with interactive toys, as you might not have hours each day to dedicate to play time with your feline companion. Electronic cat toys help ease this struggle by moving and playing with your pet for you.

How can I keep my cat entertained when I’m not home?

Cats tend to sleep during the day and stay up in the night hours, so you don’t necessarily need to have tons of items out for them to be entertained when you’re not home. That said, there are several basic things you can do in order to keep your cat busy while you’re not at home, including: offering food puzzles and toys, giving them cardboard boxes and crumpled paper to bat around, setting up a cat tree or fish tank for them, getting a friend for them to play with, and using electronic cat toys on programmers or remotes.

Is it bad to play with a laser pointer with your cat?

It is not bad to play with a laser pointer with your cat, as long as you follow a few safety precautions. First, only purchase lasers that are indicated as safe for pets, as this will help ensure the beam won’t damage their eyes should they accidentally look directly at it. When playing with a laser pointer with your cat, do not shine the beam directly into their eyes. That said, most laser pointers are safe for both human and pet eyes in the case of accidental and occasional direct contact.