Wired Tests Automatic Cat Feeders: 12 Models Recommended, Four Rejected
Technology magazine Wired tested automatic cat feeders in 2026 and compiled a list of 12 top models. The reviewer advises against four devices, mainly over glitchy apps and inadequate cooling.
Molly Higgins, a reviewer for the US technology magazine Wired, tested automatic cat feeders in 2026. These are devices that dispense food on a schedule for pet owners who are not always home. The result is a list of 12 recommended models, while several other feeders were rejected. The findings may help cat owners choosing which device to buy.
How the testing worked
Higgins has two rescue cats, aged 4 and 5. They eat two wet-food meals a day, plus small amounts of dry kibble through the day. She assessed ease of setup, potential problems and app performance, and tried various schedules and manual feedings. Each feeder was used for at least a week.
Recommended models
The list includes several Petlibro products, among them the Polar, designed for wet food, along with models from Petkit, Neakasa, Oneisall, Pifi, Pawsync and Whisker. They differ in capacity (from 0.21 to 6 liters), power source and warranty, which ranges from one to two years. All have an app.
The reviewer also gave a positive assessment of the $60 Oneisall 2-in-1 model. It has no app, but she called it reliable and affordable, and suggested it as a temporary solution. The $50 Closer Pets C200 uses a mechanical timer and is useful for serving wet food to two cats.
What she does not recommend
The Catit Pixi devices and the Closer Pets C500 were judged unsuitable. The author cited a glitchy app, failure to keep to the schedule, and ice packs that did not keep wet food cool enough. Of the Catit Pixi Smart, she said owners should not rely on it.
Why use an automatic feeder
Feeders help owners manage a cat's weight and eating patterns, and let them set mealtimes so the cat does not wake them early in the morning. The author stresses that cats should not be left alone for long; in dire circumstances they can be left for 24 to 48 hours with scheduled feedings and clean water.
