10 Best Cat Trees Under $50 in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Cats give a vibe that they are low-maintenance pets, while in reality, they are not. You have to spend money on food, toys, grooming, vet visits, medication, enrichment, and more. Speaking of enrichment, cats need a stimulating environment to thrive, and that’s where cat trees come in.

Cat trees are beneficial since they meet a feline’s behavioral needs. Due to their height, trees allow kitties to climb and play. They also enable your cat to scratch. Your cat may scratch to mark an area, shed claw sheaths, or for fun.

Either way, cat trees are stimulating to felines. However, is it possible to find great cat trees without breaking the bank? Yes, and here are the ten best cat trees under $50. With this budget, it is possible to find a high-quality, safe, and durable cat tower.

A Quick Comparison of our Favorites of 2023

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Frisco Cat Tree & Condo	Includes hanging toys Perfect for multi-cat households Stable base	Check Price
Best Value		Go Pet Club Cat Tree Condo	Sturdy base Elevated perches Scratching posts	Check Price
Premium Choice		Yaheetech Cat Tree	Accommodates up to 11 pounds Cozy Easy to assemble	Check Price
		PetPals Cat Tree	Weighted bottom base Multi-play options Three perches	Check Price
		Petmaker 3-Tier Cat Tower	Barrel-shaped cat condo Plush and sturdy Two carpeted perches	Check Price

The 10 Best Cat Trees Under $50

Frisco Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo offers everything your pet needs, from leaping and lounging to honing its hunting skills. It includes strategically placed dangling toys to stimulate your kitty’s hunting thrill as it smacks the toys back and forth. These toys are designed to release excess pressure to guarantee your cat’s safety.

This 72-inch cat tree is ideal for multi-cat households as it comes with three perches. They offer extra space for jumping and climbing, plus access to the top of the tower for the perfect lookout spot. The tree also has two scratchboard ramps and ten sisal-wrapped scratching posts.

Moreover, there are two private kitty apartments for your pet to curl up, face rub, nuzzle, or catnap. These spots provide the comfort your cat needs since they are covered in soft, plush, and fabric covering.

We believe the Frisco Faux cat tree is the best overall cat tree under $50 due to its functionality.

Go Pet Club prides itself on creating top-quality, safe, and durable cat trees. The Go Pet Club Cat Tree Condo features compressed wood boards covered in soft, high-quality faux fur to provide a soft, safe structure for your furry pet. The faux carpeting feels softer for your pet to curl on, nuzzle, and nap features that your feline will thank you for.

The tower also has multiple posts wrapped with natural sisal rope. These ropes help with claw care, deter your kitty from scratching on your furniture and satisfy their urge to scratch.

This model stands at 51 inches, a sufficient elevation for your cat to feel safe and comfortable. It also has a solid, sturdy base and can hold up to three cats at once.

The Yaheetech 42-Inch Cat Tree is more of a home than a cat tree. It features a condo, a perch, a cozy basket, a plush nest with an elastic ball, a scratching board, and six scratching posts. These features guarantee to keep your furry pet stimulated and entertained for hours.

The Yaheetech cat tree is made of highly durable engineered wood wrapped with soft covering. This creates a sturdy and comfortable place for your pet to chill. The scratching posts are great for your feline to play, scratch, climb and sharpen its claws as they are wrapped with natural sisal.

With a maximum weight of 11 pounds, this model can hold several kittens or two medium-weight cats at once.

With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing pet products, PetPals Cat Tower has all the accessories your kitten needs for activity.

The model has three perches, each with a different style and soft ring edges for multi-play functions. Your little furry ball can climb, play, and rest on these perches. The cat tree also features a paper rope to satisfy your pet’s urge to scratch.

PetPals cat tree is ideal for multiple kittens. For starters, it has a weighted bottom base that prevents the unit from tipping over. In addition, there is a tunnel at the base that perfect for playing hide and seek. The tunnel also offers your kitten a sense of security and privacy. Moreover, its maximum weight capacity is 15 pounds.

The best cat tree for kittens should offer multiple play functions, and this model delivers that.

Pamper your kitty with the Petmaker 3-Tier Cat Tower. It features two carpeted perches for your cat to climb, play, and nap, plus a barrel-shaped condo where your cat can relax, nap, or hide. The tower also includes a dangling toy that kitties love grabbing, pulling, and batting.

The tower has two levels of sisal scratching posts to deter your pet from damaging your curtains and furniture. They are the ideal height for scratching and stretching purposes for kittens and adult cats.

Cats love cozy surfaces to curl up, nuzzle, and nap. It is a good thing that this 3-tier cat tower is plush and sturdy. It is made of durable engineered wood covered in plush carpet. The base is 21 inches long and sturdy. It withstands vigorous play and intense jumps without tipping over.

With its brown and tan colors, this cat tree will complement your home décor. Moreover, you do not have to worry about space since its vertical design easily fits any room size.

The Amazon Basics Cat Activity Tree is designed to promote interactive play, with multi-level, carpeted tiers for your kitty to climb and jump easily from one level to the next. The upper level doubles a cat bed as it contains a round platform with a curved top rim.

The tree is made of cat-friendly surfaces like compressed wood, jute, and soft carpet. This model has seven scratching poles wrapped in jute, an excellent material for your pet to scratch and sharpen its nails.

If you are limited on space, place this square-shaped base cat tower in room corners. It is easy to assemble, thanks to the included tools and instructions.

If your cat loves spending its day relaxing and grooming, get the Nova Microdermabrasion Cat Tree Tower. The unit features two cat condos covered in soft, plush material to keep your kitty happy and satisfied. The condos have wide entrances and comfortable space to fit two kittens or one medium-sized cat at once.

The tree tower has a large scratching board at the front. This helps your pet access the first tier as well as the scratching posts. The posts are wrapped in natural sisal ropes that maintain healthy clawing habits and satisfy their scratching drive.

For more fun, this cat tree tower comes with a raised and enlarged top perch. It offers maximum comfort, relaxation, and the perfect lookout spot. Moreover, your cat will feel more dominant when resting at this elevated height.

Are you looking for a cat tree that provides play, scratch, relaxation, and adventure opportunities? Consider the Trixie Pillar Cat Tree.

It comes with a fluffy dangling toy that stimulates your pet’s hunting instincts with its back-and-forth motions. The tree also features two perches covered in soft plush. These provide a comfortable spot for your kitty to relax, lounge, nuzzle, and nap. Cats love to enjoy the view from an elevated angle or simply wait for unsuspecting prey.

There is also a cozy, quiet condo at the base for your pet to relax or nap after playtime. It is lined with fleece and plush, an ideal retreat for your furry friend.

The Trixie pillar saves your furniture and carpet from scratching. It includes scratching posts wrapped in sisal rope. This provides a healthy clawing outlet and satisfies your pet’s scratching instincts.

You can use this model with cats of all ages.

The Kitty City Claw Mega Kit Cat Furniture gives you the freedom to customize your cat tree design, a unique feature absent among other brands. This mega kit has a modular design that allows you to add or remove accessories to suit your pet’s lifestyle.

It is easy to assemble the climbing platforms, scratch posts, ball toys, and living spaces. For added comfort, these living spaces are covered with soft fleece. This modular play space promotes scratching, playing, jumping, lounging, and hiding.

Overall, this tree encourages your pet to maintain an active, indoor lifestyle.

Two things stand out on the Roypet Cat Tree: its faux fur and natural sisal covering. The high-quality faux fur keeps your pet cozy as the sisal covering promotes scratching and stretching.

This cat tree includes two tiers for your kitty to climb, play, explore, and relax. The top tower provides a sense of security and dominance as your pet observes its environment. The arched sisal pad at the bottom acts as a scratching base and encourages play.

If you are worried about the unit’s stability, it stands on a wide, sturdy base. Nevertheless, it would be best to place it against a wall for extra stability.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Tree Under $50

Do cat trees play an essential role in your pet’s life? It turns out that they do. Here are the benefits of having a cat tower in your home.

Offers a Sense of Safety

Cats have an innate desire to climb. They do so to spot and hunt prey as well as avoid danger. Cat trees offer vertical territory which promotes your kitty’s emotional wellbeing. The tree will provide a safe space for your cat to run to if it feels stressed by your pet dog.

Territory

If yours is a multi-cat household, a cat tree will reduce scuffles. Cats are territorial and need enough space to get along peacefully. However, when a home has limited space, cat trees offer vertical space to reduce tension and undesirable behavior. Often, you will find cats with a higher status settling at the highest perches.

Exercise

Cat trees have a lot to offer in terms of interactive play and exercise. They feature cat towers, ladders, and tunnels to play, jump, explore, scratch, and stretch. Some trees have toys that promote play or stimulate the hunting drive.

Relaxation

Cats sleep an average of fifteen hours a day! For most hours of a day, felines love to relax and snooze at a great relaxation spot.

This is why a cat tree comes in handy. It offers an ideal sleeping spot, especially when it is located close to a sunny window. Cat trees with soft, cozy platforms are a bonus for kitties.

Features to Look for in the Best Cat Trees under $50

Even if you are on a budget, here are the factors to consider when choosing a cat tree.

Platform Levels

If yours is a multi-cat household, find a cat tree design with ample space for play, adventure, and relaxation. Since cats are territorial, look for a multi-level cat tree so the dominating cats can take over the top-tier levels and reduce scuffles in your home.

Configuration

When looking for the best cat tree, ensure its layout matches your cat’s needs. If your kitty is inactive or is a senior cat suffering from arthritis, find a tree whose tiers are easily accessible. Kittens and active adult cats will have no trouble leaping and climbing. On the other hand, if your feline sprawls, look for trees with wide beds and large perches to guarantee comfort.

As another option, if you're looking to give your cat something exciting, we know of an awesome scratcher that both encourages play and doubles as a stylish modern furniture piece. The Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher is designed with a curved shape for dynamic movement, is built to last with safe and sturdy birch plywood and thick cardboard, and offers three height options to ensure your cat enjoys the exercise, elevation, and excitement they crave ... and, it's affordable! 

Size and Shape

You must have come across different sizes of cat trees while browsing, from small and large to one-level and multi-level platforms.

Therefore, consider the size of your home when looking for a cat tree. It is advisable that you measure the preferred location of the tree before making the purchase. Vertical trees are preferable for homes with limited floor space. However, do not sacrifice a sturdy base to save floor space.

In addition, the best cat tower also depends on the size of your pet. Large cats need large and sturdy trees that can hold their weight without tipping over.

Toys

Some cat trees include toys and scratching posts during purchase, which saves you a few bucks. Toys like dangling balls or feathers encourage active play and enrichment while scratching posts stop cats from clawing on your upholstery.

Materials

It is vital that you pay attention to your pet’s surface requirements when choosing a cat tree. Cat trees can be made of cardboard, plywood, medium-density fiberboard, or whole trees. These materials are safe, well-balanced, and durable.

Avoid cat trees made of PVC pipe. PVC pipe is cheaper than wood but less durable. Besides, it may not hold the weight of a large cat.

In terms of scratching surfaces, some manufacturers use jute, sisal, or rope. Sisal scratching posts are more durable than jute and rope. Keep in mind that scratching is a healthy instinct for cats. It helps them wear down sharp claws, mark territory, and stretch.

Cat Caves and Perches

Also known as cat condos, these are relaxation spots that some trees under $50 have. Cat caves work great for cats who crave security and isolation. However, before the cat condo sways you off your feet, ensure that it has the correct dimensions for your pet to curl up comfortably.

Perches also provide a calm and private spot for relaxation. Ensure that the perches feel comfortable for your kitty to relax and nap.

Related Questions

How Do I Get My Cat to Use the Cat Tree?

First, ensure that the tree is strategically placed, preferably close to a window. Doing so will allow your kitty a perfect lookout spot for indoor and outdoor activities. You can also place the tower in the location your cat spends most of its time.

Apart from placement, you can use catnip powder or spray to encourage your cat to explore the tree. Alternatively, place special treats on the perches to stimulate your skeptical pet.

Do I Have to Secure the Cat Tower to a Wall?

Not necessarily. If the cat tree has a large and weighted base, it is sturdy and does not need securing. However, if it is rocking or tipping as your cat jumps on and off, it would be best to weight the base. Cats dislike jumping and sleeping on unstable surfaces.

• Related read: 10 Best Budget Cat Trees – Reviews & Top Picks

Conclusion

Finding the best cat tree under $50 should not be a nightmare. This is why we recommend the Frisco Faux Fur cat tree, as it meets high-quality and safety standards. This tree is perfect for multi-cat households with two condos, three perches, and ten scratching posts.

On the other hand, the Go Pet Club Cat Tree Condo offers you value for your money. This tower accommodates up to three cats, and the surfaces are made of cat-friendly materials.

Keep your indoor cat entertained, active, and comfortable with a cat tower. We hope this review helps you find a safe, stable, durable, and long-lasting cat tree under $50.

• You may also be interested in: 10 Best Cat Trees for Maine Coons – Reviews & Top Picks

Featured Image Credit: Frisco, Chewy