Stainless steel options are recommended as they’re more hygienic than their plastic counterparts. But with so many styles and options, knowing which will be best for your needs can be challenging.
Read on to find our reviews of 10 of the best options available right now and stick around to read our buying guide to learn more about what to look for when shopping for a stainless steel cat water fountain.
In this article
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025
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Best Overall
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Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain |
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Budget Buy
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Petlibro Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Water Fountain |
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PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Cat & Dog Water Fountain |
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Pioneer Pet Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Fountain Raindrop Design |
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PetSafe Seaside Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountains
1. Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain – Best Overall
| Volume Capacity: | 60.8 ounces + 4-ounce top tray |
| Product Dimensions: | 4.7 x 7.2 inches |
| Weight: | Not available |
The Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain is an attractive option that’s naturally rust and corrosion-resistant, providing consumers with a product that’s designed to last. The unit is extremely affordable, and its replacement filters come in a four-pack, also at a pocket-friendly price. The three water flow speeds run quieter than 35 dB, like that of a whisper. Aside from the pump and water filter elements, every piece of the unit is dishwasher safe to make cleaning the fountain easy and quick.
Arguably the best-selling point of this unit is its advanced triple filtration system. The first layer of cotton sponge catches stray cat hairs and debris. The ion exchange resin layer softens your tap water, while the activated carbon layer removes any lingering odors to ensure your cat’s water is as clean and fresh as possible.
For these reasons, we believe this product from Hepper is the best overall stainless steel cat water fountain. Unfortunately, Hepper does not ship to customers outside the United States yet.
- Affordable
- Rust and corrosion-resistant
- Three flow speeds
- Quiet operation
- Triple filtration system
- Company does not yet ship outside of the U.S.
2. Petlibro Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Water Fountain – Budget Buy
| Volume Capacity: | 68 ounces |
| Product Dimensions: | 10.8 x 8 x 3.2 inches |
| Weight: | 1.6 pounds |
The Petlibro Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Water Fountain provides pet owners with the best stainless steel cat water fountain for the money. This super quiet and simple-to-put-together fountain is naturally rust- and corrosion-resistant. It’s easy to clean as everything aside from the pump and filters can be tossed in your dishwasher. It has a double filtration system and adjustable water flow so you can ensure the water your kitty is drinking is clean and flowing at the speed she prefers.
There is no outside indicator for water levels, so you must remove the fountain’s top portion to determine how much water is left inside. The biggest issue here is that for the unit to perform as expected, it needs to be almost full of water.
- Quiet operation
- Affordable price
- Adjustable water flow
- Large capacity
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Water levels cannot be seen without disassembling
3. PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Cat & Dog Water Fountain
| Volume Capacity: | 128 ounces |
| Product Dimensions: | 14 x 14 x 9 inches |
| Weight: | 4.28 pounds |
The PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Cat & Dog Water Fountain is a beautifully designed unit with an extra-large capacity that comes at a premium price. The fountain is safe to pop into your dishwasher for easy and quick cleaning.
The fountain features a 360-degree free-falling water flow that entices cats to drink more. The adjustable cap offers water flow options (stream strength and number of streams), and the ramp surrounding the streams keeps trickling sounds to a minimum. The fountain features a carbon filter to remove odor and bad taste, while the foam filter protects the pump from debris like dirt or hair.
This unit is predominantly stainless steel but contains some small plastic parts. These can be pesky to clean properly, as you’ll need a cotton swab to get into the nooks and crannies that can build up gunk.
- Beautiful design
- Quiet operation
- Adjustable stream strength
- Adjustable stream amount
- Large capacity ideal for multi-pet households
- Expensive price tag
- Hard-to-clean plastic pieces
4. Pioneer Pet Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Fountain Raindrop Design
| Volume Capacity: | 60 ounces |
| Product Dimensions: | 11.75 x 9.75 x 4.75 inches |
| Weight: | 2.55 pounds |
The Pioneer Pet Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Fountain Raindrop Design is a dishwasher-safe fountain with a modern and elegant shape that goes great with almost any home décor. Its premium charcoal filter cleans and purifies water for up to 30 days. The pump is quiet and is kept alongside the filter in patent-pending housing. Its small capacity makes it ideal for single-cat households.
The assembly process is difficult as it can be challenging to get the tubes lined up as needed. The unit doesn’t feel as sturdy as expected.
- Modern design
- Charcoal filter
- Quiet operation
- Great for single-cat households
- Assembly is challenging
- Poor instructions
5. PetSafe Seaside Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
| Volume Capacity: | 60 ounces |
| Product Dimensions: | 10.6 x 10.5 x 5.1 inches |
| Weight: | 1.8 pounds |
The PetSafe Seaside Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain is a rust- and scratch-resistant fountain that provides a constant source of fresh, bubbling water. Its simplistic and sleek design blends nicely into any home aesthetic. The fountain is easy to assemble thanks to the instructions and online how-to video. This quiet unit provides two drinking options, a 360-degree tower or the bowl at the bottom, allowing your picky kitty to choose her favorite drinking style. This dual-filter fountain uses a foam and a carbon filter to keep your cat’s water fresh and clean.
This unit’s slight downfalls are that it becomes very loud when the water level runs too low, and the cord is far too short.
- Quiet operation
- Nice design
- Two drinking options
- Dual filter system for clean water
- Can be loud if water runs too low
- Short cord
6. ORSDA Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel
| Volume Capacity: | 67 ounces |
| Product Dimensions: | 9.8 x 8.5 x 2.8 inches |
| Weight: | 2.4 pounds |
The ORSDA Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel is an easy-to-clean unit that only requires the pump and nozzle to be disassembled before cleaning. Most components are dishwasher safe, and there are no hard-to-reach crevices to make cleaning difficult.
The unit has a triple-filtration system with carbon, resin, and cotton filters to remove bad tastes and dirt. The filter is smaller than similar fountains and requires weekly changes to keep it operating as it should. Your kitty can choose her favorite spout design, either a floating stream or a gentle bubble. This extremely quiet fountain operates at 25 dB, making it one of the most silent units on our list.
The top portion of the unit sits on the base without anything holding it down. This can be a recipe for disaster if your kitty knocks the bowl over.
- Relatively easy to clean
- Easy to assemble
- Triple filtration system
- Two drinking options
- Filter needs replacing often
- Can be tipped over easily
7. Tomxcute Cat Water Fountain
| Volume Capacity: | 108 ounces |
| Product Dimensions: | 8.85 x 4.13 x 3.47 inches |
| Weight: | 1.85 pounds |
The Tomxcute Cat Water Fountain has a double filtration system with a pre-filter sponge and activated carbon layer to keep your cat’s drinking water as pure as it can be. The 1.5W pump operates almost silently, keeping below 20 dB, making it the quietest unit in our buying guide. This large capacity fountain holds over 100 ounces at a time, making it ideal for multi-cat households. Its dynamic water flow mimics a faucet, so it’s the perfect pick for cats who love drinking from the water taps.
There is no way to check the water level without disassembling the unit. Additionally, it has many nooks and crannies, making it a challenge to clean.
- Ultra-quiet operation
- Dual filtration system
- Large capacity
- Mimics a faucet
- No way to check the water level
- Challenging to clean
8. Rellaty Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel
| Volume Capacity: | 108 ounces |
| Product Dimensions: | 20.4 x 19.6 x 16.5 inches |
| Weight: | 1.5 pounds |
The Rellaty Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel is a large-capacity fountain suitable for multi-pet households. It has a triple filtration system to remove odors and soften your water. The silent pump operates at around 30 dB, making it comparable in volume to other options on our list. The fountain has a viewing window that lets you see the water level to know when it’s time for a refill. The T-faucet allows for dual water flow, perfect for numerous cats to use simultaneously. The top portion attaches to the reservoir with an easy-to-operate buckle, ensuring the fountain stays together even if your kitty is mischievous.
The area that holds the filter is difficult to open. It’s made of plastic and can be quite fragile if you’re not careful with it when cleaning.
- Suitable for multi-cat households
- Triple filtration system
- Viewing window to see water levels
- T-faucet for dual water flow
- Buckle attaches the two portions
- Filter unit is difficult to access
- Plastic components are fragile
9. POLAME Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel
| Volume Capacity: | 84 ounces |
| Product Dimensions: | 5.9 x 7.6 x 7.6 inches |
| Weight: | 1.87 pounds |
The POLAME Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel has three water flow settings, allowing you to customize it to your cat’s drinking preference. Most of the components are dishwasher-safe for quick and easy cleaning. The unit has a triple-layer filtration system, softening the water and making it healthier for your cat. This fountain is simple to assemble and disassemble, making it a breeze to refill.
There are several small crevices in the pump that can be hard to clean. Filters must be changed quickly and can be a challenge to find online.
- Quiet operation
- Most components dishwasher safe
- Different water flow options
- Easy to refill
- Pump crevices can be hard to clean
- Filters need changing often
- Filters can be hard to find
10. DOOOB Cat Water Fountain
| Volume Capacity: | 108 ounces |
| Product Dimensions: | 4.2 x 8.66 x 8.66 inches |
| Weight: | Not available |
The DOOOB Cat Water Fountain is a large-capacity unit with a double filtration system to remove odor and improve the taste of your pet’s water. The initial cost of this unit is affordable if you catch it on sale, and its replacement filters are pocket-friendly too. The fountain has two drinking modes—free-falling streams or bubble fountain—to allow your kitty to choose her favorite style. The manufacturer includes a waterproof mat with the purchase of your fountain to keep your floors clean and water-free. Finally, the ultra-quiet pump is among the quietest on our list.
There is no water level window, so you do not know how much water is left in the reservoir unless you disassemble it. The unit is very small (check its dimensions), and there are questions as to whether it can hold its advertised capacity. Additionally, it needs a thorough cleaning at least once per week. You must ensure you’re getting in all the crevices of the motor.
- Comes with a silicone mat
- Affordable replacement filters
- Two drinking modes
- Ultra-quiet operation
- Small footprint
- No water level window
- Needs to be cleaned frequently
- Motor has many small holes
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountains
Why Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is the number one cat water fountain material for several reasons.
Non-Toxic & BPA-Free
Stainless steel water fountains are naturally non-toxic and free of potentially harmful chemicals like BPA (Bisphenol A). BPA has been mentioned as a potential factor in the development of hyperthyroidism in cats.
Resistant to Bacterial Growth
Plastic water fountains may be pocket-friendly, but plastic is naturally porous and can scratch easily, potentially harboring bacteria and making your pet ill. Stainless steel is naturally resistant to bacteria growth as it won’t allow bacteria or other contaminants to build up over time.
Resistant to Odors
Stainless steel won’t absorb odors like other fountain materials will. This not only makes it more hygienic but also more likely to be an attractive water source for your cat. Cats have a highly sensitive sense of smell and won’t drink from water bowls or fountains if they think the water smells bad.
Durability
We won’t lie; stainless steel is pricier than other material alternatives. However, your investment will more than pay for itself in the long run. A water fountain of this material will last much longer than those of poor-quality materials. Stainless steel is naturally sturdy and strong, so it won’t crack if accidentally dropped. Additionally, it’s a rust-resistant material, so it will stay in tip-top shape for even longer.
Ease of Cleaning
Stainless steel fountains are perfect for on-the-go cat owners as they’re simple to clean. The naturally slippery surface makes cleaning them by hand or even in the dishwasher a breeze. Additionally, stainless steel doesn’t scratch like plastic, so it can handle more frequent cleanings without getting destroyed.
Eco-friendliness
Stainless steel is a naturally green material as it is 100% recyclable. More than half of the stainless steel that’s in use today has been sourced from scrap materials! The production process doesn’t produce toxic run-off, and recycling uses less energy and resources than producing new stainless steel. The same cannot be said about other fountain material choices like plastic, which doesn’t biodegrade or recycle well.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
One must consider several factors when shopping for the perfect cat water fountain for their needs, as not all units are created equal.
1. Capacity
There are two main questions you need to ask yourself: how many cats are you providing water for, and how much can the water fountain hold? If you’re a multi-cat household, you’ll want to have several water bowls or fountains throughout your home, but you’ll still want a larger capacity fountain if multiple animals are drinking from it.
The largest fountain on the market isn’t necessary for a single-cat household. You’ll still need to clean the fountain as frequently as you would if you had numerous cats drinking from it; otherwise, you risk a build-up of bacteria or other contaminants occurring in the water.
2. Ease of Cleaning
You already know that one of stainless steel’s biggest selling points is how easy it is to clean. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all the cat water fountains on the market. Generally speaking, the fewer components the fountain has, the easier it’ll be to clean.
3. Noise Level
Some cat water fountain models are extremely noisy. While this may not be bothersome, naturally skittish cats may be frightened to go near their water if the noise is excessive. The models that have passed our inspection are quieter, though some are quieter than others.
4. Filtration
Water fountains need a filtration system of some kind to filter out the things in your tap water that will deter your pet from drinking. The filters will also catch airborne contaminants, like cat hair, to keep the water fresh and clean. Not all filtration systems are created equal, and some are far more advanced.
It’s important to remember that filters need replacing, so it’s not a bad idea to look up the cost of replacement filters before buying the water fountain in your cart. Some are pricier than others, making a cheap-to-buy fountain more expensive to upkeep than other fountains with a higher upfront cost.
Our Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountains Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best water fountains for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about cat water fountains. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
The Hepper Fountain combines an affordable price with a high-quality filtration system, making it our choice as the best overall stainless steel cat water fountain. If you’re on a budget, the Petlibro fountain is a great option as it provides a high-quality and easy-to-clean unit at a budget-friendly price. However, if you do have some extra cash to spend, the PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Cat & Dog Water Fountain is our premium choice, which boasts a larger water capacity.
Regardless of your choice, the ten stainless steel fountains above combine a modern design with great features that will benefit your kitty in the long run. Hopefully, our reviews have helped you find the perfect fountain for your lifestyle and your budget.
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Featured Image Credit: Prilutskiy, Shutterstock
