Best Cat Window Perch

We’re big fans of the K&H line of cat perches and this is a versatile one with lots of options. We don’t necessarily like the cable suspension design but this perch has a lower level for the cat to initially jump to so it lessens the risk of him becoming tangled in the wire. We love the double-decker design that could accommodate multiple kitties or allow one spoiled kitty multiple options. The lower level is an enclosed area with mesh enclosures to give the feeling of safety that comes with an enclosed space but still offer 360 degree visibility through the mesh openings and round openings that face the window and the back of the perch. The top layer has a lovely thick plushy fleece surface as well for the cat that likes to be on the top of everything. This one affixes to the glass surface using four suction cups which will need to be repositioned and reattached monthly for safety.

This is a very soft and comfortable kitty ledge but it has to be securely bolted down to be stable. We liked the bolster around the window side that allows the cat to lay against the glass but still have a little insulation in case of cold temperatures and the bolster can face away from the window as well. The fleece sleeping surface is soft but we do wish the foam layer was thicker. It’s egg-crate, not orthopedic foam. Like similar ledge-style cat ledges, this one relies on adhesive velcro to secure it to the windowsill but it does have optional holes for screws. As long as you don’t mind altering your windowsill it can be sturdy but the velcro is not reliable especially with repeated or multiple cat use. It’s easy to clean and you can slip a cat heating pad into it as well. K&H does make a version of this perch with the heating pad integrated.

This is your standard cable and suction cup design. It is pretty standard with a 3/4 inch thick PVC frame but we were concerned about quality control issues with it. The mesh does not hold up well with kitty claws and it would likely be better for lighter cats or a single-cat household. It is easy to clean, however but the PVC joints can weaken with assembly and disassembly. The suction cups have to regularly be removed, and cleaned and for the price we would have liked to see the kind of cups that you can adjust the tension on. We’re giving it extra points because it comes in 3 sizes.

This is a great idea with a curved surface cradling the cat but the execution is flawed. The curved cardboard scratching surface does not fit flush into the metal frame that holds it and is only just set in it. There is a gap between the frame and the cardboard ledge on the long sides that a kitty could get caught in while jumping up on it, and the ledge can also tip out of the frame as it’s not secured in. We’d love to see a sturdier more secure design with these same materials. The wires holding it up do not leave much room on the sides for your cat to jump on on from the side either. Suction cups will need to be cleaned and reattached regularly.

This is another classic suction cup and wire mounted cat bed. Unfortunately, the quality is lacking on this one and it is a little bit flimsy, and definitely not industrial strength as the description promises. The suction cups are not good quality and give out easily in warm or cold temperatures. The nylon frays easily with repeated use and a cat’s claws can make short work of the seams.

This is the secondCatastrophicCreations product we’ve reviewed and for good reason. This is a highly customizable system that could be hung near or below a window, or for a more narrow window, spanning it. We love that these products can be adapted to your cats, the room they’re being installed in and can be added to if your cat just can’t get enough of climbing the walls! Because they’re made in the USA you know exactly what you’re getting and they are made with cat-safe materials and finishes. The drawbacks to the system are needing to put screws or toggle bolts in your wall which may not work if you are renting or do not want to alter your walls. They are not as soft and plush as some cat ledges are, but because of all the components like steps, ladders and bridges that can be added, cats that may not be able to jump can easily have a clear path to climb to get up high where they like to be. Cleaning is not as easy for these but the materials are sturdy enough to hold up to vigorous vacuuming and spot cleaning.

This is a lovely little kitty perch but depending on your window configuration may not give your cat the best view as it requires being bolted to the wall. We love the curved surface and attractive design. The carpet that comes with it and hardware may need to be upgraded depending on where you choose to install it- but it’s a great product as is. Your cat will love the sturdy construction that feels secure and does not wobble or move once installed. The carpet strip attaches with stick-on velcro tabs that may need to be sewn onto a new strip of carpet once the one sold with it wears out. The shelf by itself without carpeting may cause a cat to slip trying to jump up onto it so going without the carpet is not recommended.

Outwardly this looks like a great cat bed that could be bolted below or near a window. It is small. Unfortunately, it is not well built, and the shelf can snap right off the curved strip of wood that bolts to the wall. While at first glance the shelf looks thick, it’s a border around a very thin piece of MDF. The actual shelf the cat sits on is not even half an inch thick and can crack off as it’s rather flimsy. While the weight limit of 33 lbs seems generous, the sudden force of a cat launching themselves off it or jumping onto it can exert more pressure and it may pose a danger to larger cats.

This is one of our favorite suction-cup cat perch designs. The weight of the cat is distributed to the struts below which hold it up rather than the more commonly used design which utilizes wires suspended from suction cups above the perch. Because this one has no wires, the possibility of your kitty getting caught or tangled in the wires is not an issue. The design allows it to hold more weight, and it will feel more stable to your kitty. The webbing material is not very soft and plush so we recommend adding a soft cat bed or pad to this cat perch for extended naps.

While we really want to like this one, it has similar flaws as many other cat window perches with this design. The suction cups are weak even with the warm water and cleaning window installation and the PVC pipes and connectors don’t hold together snugly. It is not sturdy and falls down far too easily. Amazon Basics are hit or miss and this one was definitely a miss. We don’t recommend it.

This is a great design that does not require suction cups, screws, bolts, or hardware to install. We just wish it were industrial strength for our Bengals. It consists of a steel frame that has two metal tabs that slip between your window sash and window sill, with a triangular strut below bearing the weight of the cat perch. The fleece hammock is suspended within the frame. It may not work well with all window designs as the tabs may not be deep enough or the proper size to hook into the sash of the window. While it is listed at 60 pounds we are not sure the fleece hammock could hold that much weight if it were clawed up or damaged. We’d recommend checking the material regularly to ensure it is not compromised or fraying. The company does sell replacement hammocks which is convenient.

When you think about the average cat window perch and become worried about a cat getting tangled in wires holding up a perch or the thought of suction cups randomly popping off, sending kitty tumbling, the obvious alternative is the old standby classic- a cat tree. This one is meant to be used as a window perch and includes suction cups to keep it right there next to the action. We like that the sisal scratching elements can be replaced in the event your kitty destroys them and there is some flexibility with how this unit can be positioned. This one might be harder for older kitties to reach, so you may have to position it near other furniture so they can get to it. Other modifications would include velcro to anchor the sleeping pad (or a shallow cat bed) to keep it from slipping off.