Best Budget-Friendly: NICREW Pet Heating Pad for Dogs and Cats

Let’s talk the best heated beds for cats!

Before we get to the picks, let’s go over a couple of points to remember about these beds:

• Most of these beds only heat to about 102 degrees. That is much cooler than say, an electric blanket. Some folks are disappointed that these beds don’t get hotter . . . but they are designed to make a cat comfortable. And 102 is just about the right temp for most cats.

• Heated beds are great for keeping a cat from sleeping on top of you! That’s one of the great uses for these beds—to keep those cats off you at night.

• These are great for older cats. Also we like these beds for fostering kittens who can’t regulate their own temperature yet. 

After looking at over a dozen models recommended by our readers and comparing quality, we decided this model by NICREW is the best budget-friendly pick—it works well, yet doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet.

What We Liked

• Soft!

• Cord is designed to protect against cats chewing on it.

• Easy to wash.

• Great for older cats.

What Needs Work

• No auto-off timer.

Best for Elderly Cats: K&H PET PRODCTS Thermo-Kitty

If you have an older cat, a heated cat bed is a must—some have issues regulating their temperature or have aches and pains from arthritis. This bed by K&H is one of our readers’ favorites and we agree: it is well-designed and priced right.

What We Liked

• Not too hot.

• Comfortable and soft.

• Easy to clean.

• Removable cover is machine-washable.

What Needs Work

• Cord doesn’t have chew protection. 

Best For Hairless Cats: K&H PET PRODUCTS Thermo Lookout Pod Heated Cat Bed 

Hairless cats are the cats that probably need a heated cat bed more than other breeds, as you might guess. They simply get cold easier. This model by K&H has a clever design: a pod that is great at keeping warmth in. And yes, there is a see-through top so you can keep an eye on your cat and take cute pictures. 

What We Liked

• Great hideaway spot.

• Easy to clean and maintain.

• Pod design keeps warmth in—great for cold or drafty homes.

• Can use with or without the top.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

• Cats that jump can break the plastic window area.

• Not all cats like the enclosed space.

Best Heated Cat House: MARUNDA Heated Cat Houses

Yes, this is more than just a heated cat bed—it is an entire heated cat house. Or a house with a heated cat bed inside, if you will.

Our readers recommended this model (note there are two versions: one with and one without heat. This review covers the heated version).

We like how well this house is engineered, with an adjustable temperature on the heating pad. (Most heated cat beds don’t have this feature).

What We Liked

• Easy to assemble.

• Durable.

• Great for a cold room in your home.

• Long cord.

What Needs Work

• Not waterproof. This house isn’t really designed to be used outdoors—it isn’t weatherproof. This disappoints some folks who thought they could put it outside.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!