Not everyone has strictly indoor cats that never leave the house. Plenty of households here in the United States prefer to let their pets come and go as they please. Cat doors have been designed to give your cat a convenient way to go in and out of the house without meowing until you pay attention. You may think a standard cat flap is ideal, but new technology has given these products some highly beneficial features.
Below are some of the top reviews of the best electronic cat doors for sale this year.
A Quick Look at Our 2024 Favorites
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Cat Mate ID Disc Flap |
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Best Value | Cat Mate Microchip Cat Door |
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Premium Choice | High Tech PX-2 Auto Pet Door |
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SureFlap Microchip Cat Door |
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PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap |
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The 8 Best Electronic & Automatic Cat Doors
1. Cat Mate Elite Super Selective ID Disc Flap – Best Overall
Dimensions: | 10.25″L x 9.75″W x 10.375″H |
Material: | Plastic |
Power: | Battery |
The Cat Mate Elite Super Selective ID Disc Flap is a moderately priced door with all the bells and whistles of more expensive products. It can open for nine different cats based on two different ID discs. There is both individual exit and entry control and a four-way lock. The LCD screen shows the status of the door as well as a battery indicator and timer. It is battery-operated and tends to last for about 12 months before needing a new one. The door is also draft and weatherproof. The one downside? Cats have to be very close to the door for it to open, which might take some training and patience. Either way, the affordable price and features make it one of the best overall automatic cat doors on the market today.
2. Cat Mate Microchip Cat Door – Best Value
Dimensions: | 10.25″L x 7.75″W x 9.688″H |
Material: | Plastic |
Power: | Battery |
Finding the best electronic and automatic cat door for the money is a challenge in today’s market. You can’t always find affordable options that perform like high-quality technology. The Cat Mate Microchip Cat Door is cheap and easy to operate. It works on up to 30 cats that all need unique RFID chips. There is also a four-way lock system, which lacks a timer like some other top brands. Installation seems to be easier compared to other doors, as well.
3. High Tech Pet Products Auto Pet Door – Premium Choice
Dimensions: | 18 x 6 x 47 inches |
Material: | Plastic |
Power: | Plug, battery backup |
Those struggling to find a large enough door for their giant cat breeds need look no further. This premium choice is so large that even dogs can use it. The High Tech Pet Products PX-2 Power Pet Fully Automatic Pet Door opens with a special collar that they must be very close to the door for. When the door is locked, it is both wind and weatherproof. There is also a deadbolt for extra security. While it is very high-tech, your Wi-Fi must be working for the door to open. Plus, you can only control it with an app. All these features make it one of the best automatic cat doors available.
4. SureFlap Microchip Cat Door – Best for Kittens
Dimensions: | 8.69″L x 6.5″W x 6.75″H |
Material: | Plastic |
Power: | Battery |
What stands out about the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door is that it is designed for cats. The door is smaller, which is great for kittens but not for larger breeds. However, it does work on up to 32 different cats. There is the standard four-way lock system built in as well. While the price is great, it does tend to be a little loud and could scare some cats away until they get used to it.
5. PetSafe Microchip Activated Cat Flap
Dimensions: | 9.41″L x 8.66″W x 4.8″H |
Material: | Plastic |
Power: | Battery |
Sticking to a budget is something that most of us have to do. The PetSafe Microchip Activated Cat Flap is a great price and works on over 40 cats and their already existing microchips. The biggest downfall of the design is that the door must be manually locked if you don’t want the inside cats to get out. Overall, the door is small and may not be ideal for some larger breeds.
6. PetSafe Electronic Smart Door
Dimensions: | N/A |
Material: | Plastic |
Power: | Battery |
The PetSafe Electronic Smart Door is perfect for anyone looking for an insulated cat door that doesn’t let the heat out. The door also has UV protection. The smaller size suits most cats and works on five RFID microchips. There is no four-way lock system, but most people don’t seem to mind with only a couple of cats in the house. The door is moderately priced as well. However, it could be because it is very loud when opening and closing.
- Related Read: Best Cat Doors For Cold Weather – Reviews & Top Picks
7. Perfect Pet Electromagnetic Cat Door
Dimensions: | 15.13″L x 9.38″W x 4.44″H |
Material: | Plastic |
Power: | Battery |
The Perfect Pet Electromagnetic Cat Door is covered in a transparent flap that is completely unbreakable so that you won’t have to worry about any raccoons or other unwanted pests getting into the house. The door opens via a sensor that gets attached to your cat’s collar. However, it sometimes malfunctions and could leave your cat locked in or out. The door is large enough for cats up to 25 pounds as well. Even though it isn’t the most visually appealing, it works well and is affordable.
8. Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap
Dimensions: | 10″L x 6.625″W x 8.625″H |
Material: | Plastic |
Power: | Battery |
The Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap opens with an electromagnet that gets attached to your cat’s collar. Even though most cats can easily exit, to get back inside they must pass through a small tunnel. The door features a four-way lock system, but, unfortunately, any small animal can get in when in the unlocked mode. The lock itself can also be pretty loud and isn’t ideal for households with nervous cats. On the other hand, the collar magnet is small and won’t take much adjusting to.
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Electronic & Automatic Cat Door
Cat flaps make your life at home much simpler. You’ll no longer have to listen to constant meowing or get up to let the cat out. While there are some disadvantages, many pet owners find them useful.
Benefits of Cat Flaps
Disadvantages of Cat Flaps
Types of Cat Doors
There are three main types of electronic and automatic cat doors that are used today, as listed below:
Electromagnet
Electromagnetic doors are the simplest of newer technologies. They open from a magnet that gets placed on the cat’s collar. This is a simple design, but any magnet can open the door. Still, they are usually cheaper to replace.
ID Discs
ID discs contain microchips that come registered to that specific flap. You have to put the collar on your cat so the door opens as they approach. This design is more secure than electromagnetic ones, but you do have to buy replacement discs.
Microchips
The microchip pet doors are ideal for many people because they don’t require you to put anything extra on your cat’s collar. Instead, they open based on the microchip your cat already has. These are becoming some of the most common cat doors in today’s market.
Conclusion
With so many reviews online, it’s hard to choose between the endless options. We hope our list of the top eight electronic and automatic cat doors has helped you narrow down your list of potential winners. After much research, we have found that the best overall cat door is the Cat Mate Elite cat flap. However, if you’re looking to save money, the best cat door for your money is the Cat Mate Microchip cat door. You can’t go wrong with any of these choices, and, at the end of the day, your cat will be thrilled about its newfound independence.
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Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock