Window watching—a favorite feline hobby. Whether your window has a garden full of birds and butterflies, a busy street, or just a quiet backyard, your cat probably loves to watch it. For indoor-only cats, the view can be even more exciting! But it can be hard for cats to find a comfortable way to watch. They might stick their front paws against the glass, teeter on narrow windowsills, or just give up on window-watching.
Window perches and cat beds give a better alternative. These beds are mounted directly to a window or windowsill to provide a comfortable place for your cat to sit. There are so many different styles and types to choose from, so we’ve gone through the reviews to help you find the best cat window perch and bed.
If you’re in the market for a window perch, the K&H EZ Mount Deluxe Bolster Cat Window Perch is the overall best cat window perch and bed. We found it to be the best overall window bed, with tons of high reviews to back that up! This perch features a hammock-style sleeping surface that hangs from your window. Although some owners are hesitant to trust a bed hung by suction cups, it is rated to hold 50 pounds—more than enough for any cat. This window perch also has the advantage of easily folding up against the window, making it possible to close curtains for privacy without having to take down the bed every time.
Although most reviews were positive, a few owners did mention that their cats disliked the hammock-style bed and refused to use it.
Another great option is the basic K&H EZ Mount Cat Window Perch. This perch is the best cat window perch and bed for the money for those who want a sturdy and safe perch without all the frills. It attaches via several suction cups that mount securely to your window. Once properly attached, the suction cups can hold 50 pounds without a problem!
This hammock-style perch is a little less luxurious than some other items on this list, with only a lightly padded mat instead of a built-in bed. Some reviewers suggested adding a thicker cushion to the surface, while others said their cats didn’t mind. Like other hammock-style beds, a few cats didn’t love the style and wouldn’t trust their weight on it.
Pros
Sturdy suction cups hold 50 pounds
Flips up for easy storage
Cons
Not all cats like hammock-style
No padded bed surface
3. K&H Thermo-Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch – Best Premium
If your cat loves being pampered, the K&H Thermo-Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch is the best premium option. This perch attaches directly to the windowsill using included Velcro or screws and can hold up to 40 pounds. The perch is covered with a fleecy cushion that cats find luxurious. This window perch also includes a gentle heating pad to keep your kitty warm and comfortable on cold days.
One drawback of this style of bed is that it doesn’t fold up or retract to make curtain closing easier. If your curtains normally sweep the edge of the windowsill, this bed might get in the way. It also requires at least a 2-inch sill to attach to.
Pros
Soft, fleecy bed
Sturdy sill mounting
Heated pad
Cons
Blocks some curtains
Requires 2-inch windowsill
More difficult setup
4. Kitty Cot Original World’s Best Cat Perch – Best For Kittens
The Kitty Cot Original World’s Best Cat Perch is another hammock-style perch held by suction cups. It is simple and lightweight, with a basic mesh covering. This hammock has a slightly lower tolerance of 25 pounds, but it is still more than sufficient to hold most cats. This hammock is also a great choice for kittens because its light frame and lack of side walls make it safe and easy to play on and get in and out of. If your window is a little high for kittens to reach, a nearby piece of furniture, a cat tree, or even a sturdy box can make a useful step stool.
Although most of the reviews for this product were great, a few did mention that the fabric mat wore out more quickly than other products. The lighter weight tolerance is something to watch out for if your cat likes to jump in and out of the hammock—the force from jumping into the hammock can cause stress with larger cats.
Pros
Sturdy suction cups
Easy assembly
Cons
Lower weight tolerance
May wear out quickly
5. K&H EZ Mount Cat Penthouse – Best for Multi-Cat Families
The K&H Pets EZ Mount Cat Penthouse is chock-full of features to keep lots of cats happy. If you’ve got a whole clan of kitties, we’ve found that this cat perch is the best window cat bed for multi-cat families. This cat penthouse features an enclosed design with mesh windows allowing cats to comfortably lounge. It also has space on top of the penthouse that is cat-safe as well.
A small ledge on the outer edge of the penthouse makes it easier for cats to climb inside. This style of house extends about 10 inches from the window, making it difficult to close curtains around it. Some reviewers also noted that although it fits cats of all sizes, some larger cats felt a bit crowded in the enclosed cat house.
For a different take on a window cat bed, the K&H Pets EZ Mount Window Scratcher Kitty Sill offers fun and exercise. The bed of this perch is a cardboard scratching pad so that cats can stretch their claws as they enjoy the view. The scratcher is supported by sturdy suction cups that keep it firmly in place for even the heaviest cats.
Reviewers had mixed experiences with the scratching pad. Some reported that their cats adored it and loved the ability to sharpen their claws at the window. Others said that their cats had little interest in the scratching feature or that it was less ergonomic. One drawback of this design is that the scratcher will shed bits of cardboard as it is used, requiring occasional clean-up.
The K&H Pets Deluxe Kitty Sill is a nice option for cats who are a little wary of hammock-style beds. It mounts directly on the windowsill with screws or Velcro. The Deluxe Kitty Sill comes with a fluffy fleece bed with a removable sidewall to meet your kitty’s preferences.
Unlike hammock-style beds, this style of sill does protrude from the wall a little bit and isn’t easy to move. It is made to attach to a windowsill at least 2 inches thick and requires some setup.
The K&H Pets EZ Mount Cat Bubble Pod is a great choice for cats wanting to escape the world. The bubble pod design features two side openings that allow entry and exit, and the enclosed space comes with a small cushion that makes lounging comfortable. Owners of small children or dogs report that it makes a great safe space for a cat, but not all cats love it.
Although the interior can fit most cats, it is narrow enough that many larger cats feel uncomfortable inside it. The side entrances are also small enough to scare off some kitties, especially if the bubble is mounted high enough that it requires jumping to get into.
Pros
Enclosed escape from children and pets
Soft interior cushion
Cons
Tight squeeze for bigger cats
Hard to get into
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Window Perch and Bed
Types of Window Perches and Beds
Choosing a window perch for your cat can be hard because there are so many different styles and options. They can be broken down into three main types—hammock-type beds or hanging beds, enclosed houses, and sill-mounted beds.
Hammock-type or hanging beds are the most common. These beds usually have a flat surface for your cat to sit on and are mounted with suction cups. The two corners closest to the window are directly attached to suction cups, and then wires or strings go from the other two corners to a second pair of suction cups up above. Despite the word “hammock”, these cat beds are quite sturdy and don’t swing around, although they might bounce slightly. One plus to these beds is that they usually can fold up against the window if you want to close the curtains.
Another style of bed is the enclosed house, also known as a pod, bubble, or condo. These beds usually attach via four or more suction cups at the edges of the house. The side facing the window is left open so your cat is right up against the window. There will also be one or more entrance openings. Some cats love being in an enclosed space, while others feel cramped. If your cat loves squeezing into small boxes or hiding in cat caves, an enclosed house might be the right style for you.
The last type of bed is a sill-mounted bed. These look more like traditional cat beds, but the bottom of the bed has a shelf or bracket that attaches to your windowsill. These beds might attach via Velcro or screws. They tend to be a little more spacious and are lower to the ground because they attach to the sill and not the glass. One drawback is that they usually require more intensive installation. there are many factors that go into making the best cat window perches and beds.
Image Credit: tache, Shutterstock
Are Window Perches Safe For Cats?
It can seem a little scary to let your cat play on something that’s only held up by a few suction cups, but window perches are quite safe when installed correctly. Before putting the bed up, make sure your window is clean. Dust and dirt can interrupt the seal and weaken your bed. Check your perch’s manual for special instructions. Some suction cups should be soaked in warm water before attaching, while others don’t need it. When attaching the bed, make sure any hanging wires are taut. Press gently on the perch to make sure the suction cups are gripping properly before you let your cat on. It’s recommended to remove, clean, and reattach them every 4-8 weeks to make sure the seal stays strong.
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!
At Pet Keen, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Helping Your Cat Discover a New Window Perch
If your cat isn’t naturally adventurous, it might not realize that it can climb on the window perch right away. There are a few ways you can facilitate perch use. If possible, place the perch in a window your cat already uses. Then make sure that it is easily reachable. If your window is a little ways off the ground, you might want to put a box or piece of furniture near the perch at first to use as a step-up. Encouraging your cat onto the perch with catnip or treats can help make them interested in the perch. Putting your cat directly on the perch can lead to mixed reactions. Some cats become scared and anxious in new situations, and won’t react well. On the other hand, if your cat is laid back and trusting, that might be a good strategy.
Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock
Conclusion
We hope these reviews will help you decide if a window perch is a good option for your cat. There are so many different options to choose from! We found the K&H Deluxe Bolster Perch to be the overall best cat window perch and bed, with a great mix of comfort and convenience. The K&H Cat Window Perch is our highest value choice. And if you want something a little more luxurious, the plush heated bed of the K&H Thermo-Kitty Sill Perch is the best premium option. Whatever option you pick, a window perch is a great tool for bringing nature to your cat’s day.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
