Buying guide · Water & fountains
Best easy-clean cat water fountains
Compare Cat Mate, Catit Flower and standard PIXI fountains by cleaning access, removable parts, filters and daily upkeep.
The short answer
Start with the job your cat needs it to do
Start with the Cat Mate three-level 2-litre fountain if open bowls and dishwasher-safe removable parts are your priority. The Catit Flower offers three flow arrangements, while the standard PIXI adds an illuminated level window. All three still need the reservoir, pump and wet channels cleaned; a filter does not replace that work.
Compare the options
| Model | Useful feature | Parts to consider | Ongoing requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Mate 2-litre | Open stepped drinking bowls | Bowls and separate pump | Exact Cat Mate cartridge |
| Catit Flower | Three flow arrangements | Flower insert, tank and pump | Flower-compatible filters |
| Standard Catit PIXI | Illuminated level window | Spout, reservoir and pump | PIXI-compatible filters |
What does easy to clean actually mean?
The best easy-clean fountain is one you can dismantle, inspect and put back together reliably. A smooth top tray is only part of that job. Water also travels through a pump, impeller housing, tube or channel, and those concealed wet surfaces need attention. Start with the cleaning instructions, then decide which shape suits your routine.
Ask three questions before comparing capacity: can you remove the pump cover, reach the impeller and wash every food- or water-contact surface as instructed? Check which pieces are dishwasher-safe and which must be hand-washed. Electrical bases, adapters and cables do not inherit the bowl's washing instructions.
The comparison focuses on removable parts, pump access and the cleaning steps in each model’s instructions. Keep an ordinary bowl available while the fountain is being washed, while introducing a new model and whenever you are unsure it is operating normally.
Cat Mate 2-litre: open drinking areas
Cat Mate three-level 2-litre fountain
Best for: Open drinking areas and removable bowls
A straightforward fountain with open stepped drinking areas and removable dishwasher-safe bowls. It is a useful starting comparison when access for washing matters more than app features.
What stands out
- Visible stepped bowl surfaces
- Replaceable filters and pump family
Keep in mind
- Pump still needs separate cleaning
- Check the exact compatible cartridge and UK power package
- 2-litre reservoir
- Three drinking levels
- Dishwasher-safe bowls
The Cat Mate's stepped bowls make the visible drinking areas straightforward to inspect. The selected 2-litre model offers three drinking levels and removable dishwasher-safe bowls. That is useful if washing loose bowl sections is the part of fountain ownership you most want to simplify.
The pump remains a separate task. Remove and clean it according to the model instructions, including the accessible cover and impeller parts. A pump can collect hair and deposits even when the surrounding bowl looks clean. Do not assume a dishwasher cycle for the bowls has cleaned the water path through the motor assembly.
Its open shape also needs a suitable floor position. Allow room for the cat to approach the preferred level and for you to lift out the bowls without pulling a wet cable across a plug. Match replacement cartridges and any pump to the exact Cat Mate fountain model; the brand sells different filtration and fountain products.
Choose it for: visible drinking areas and removable bowls. Consider another layout if: you want a level reminder or a more enclosed reservoir. Model and spare-part context is available in Closer Pets' fountain range.
Catit Flower: different flow arrangements
Catit Flower drinking fountain
Best for: Trying different fountain flow arrangements
The original Flower fountain offers three flow arrangements from a 3-litre reservoir. It is a practical comparison with the PIXI if you want to vary the water flow and are comfortable taking the pump apart for cleaning.
What stands out
- Flow can be changed using the flower insert
- Parts separate for cleaning
Keep in mind
- Filters differ from the PIXI range
- Reservoir capacity does not reduce cleaning needs
- 3-litre reservoir
- Three flow settings
- Flower-family filters
The Flower fountain's 3-litre reservoir and removable flower insert offer three flow arrangements. This is useful when you want to try a gentler stream or a different top arrangement without buying another fountain. It does not establish that your cat will prefer running water to a familiar bowl.
For cleaning, account for the flower pieces, top tray, reservoir and pump separately. An insert that changes the flow also creates surfaces and joins to inspect. Catit's Flower cleaning guide covers the pump as well as the visible bowl; use the instructions for the exact Flower version you order.
The Flower filter family is separate from PIXI. Keep the model name with your repeat order and check pack compatibility rather than matching a photograph loosely. Replacing the filter is one maintenance action; washing the reservoir and removing debris from the pump are other actions that still need doing.
Choose it for: trying different flow arrangements on one familiar design. Check first: whether you are happy cleaning the insert and pump, not simply refilling the larger tank.
Standard Catit PIXI: an easier level check
Catit PIXI drinking fountain, white
Best for: A visible water-level reminder
The standard white PIXI fountain has an illuminated water-level window and uses the PIXI filter family. It is worth comparing if you want an easy visual reminder to check the water, alongside a routine for washing the reservoir and pump.
What stands out
- Low-water light helps prompt a refill check
- Distinct filter family to identify when buying spares
Keep in mind
- Needs power, pump cleaning and replacement filters
- This is the standard model, without Smart app features
- Standard PIXI model
- Illuminated level window
- PIXI Triple Action filters
The standard white PIXI has an illuminated water-level window, which gives you a prompt to check the reservoir. It is a useful convenience in a busy kitchen, but it cannot tell you whether the pump or hidden wet channels need washing. Make a physical inspection part of refilling rather than relying on the light alone.
This guide links the standard plastic white fountain, not the Smart version or a stainless-topped variant. The differences matter when checking care, parts and app claims. The standard model does not add Smart app features merely because the PIXI name appears in a listing.
PIXI uses its own compatible filter family. Read Catit's standard PIXI information alongside the selected package details, and identify the exact pump replacement before it is needed. A filter pack described only as Catit-compatible is not enough information for an order.
Choose it for: an illuminated level reminder and the PIXI layout. Main compromise: you still have a pump, spout and reservoir to maintain, plus ongoing filter purchases.
Compare the wet parts before the tank size
Imagine each fountain disassembled on a towel. Count the individual pieces you will remove, the narrow passages you will clean and the seals or connections that need correct reassembly. A shape you can comfortably reach with the recommended brush is more useful than a smooth exterior photograph.
Look for a clear route into the pump housing. Follow the maker's unplugging and disassembly steps; never run a pump dry to test a blocked flow. If a part resists removal, check the instruction diagram rather than forcing a clip or using a sharp tool against the impeller.
The 2-litre and 3-litre figures describe reservoirs, not an interval during which the fountain can be ignored. Refill frequency depends on the household and the water level must be checked. Cleaning frequency should follow the exact maker instructions and be adjusted when visible contamination requires attention.
Plan a complete cleaning cycle
- Unplug and prepare a clean surface so electrical parts stay clear of water.
- Separate the wet components using the model's instructions and remove the filter as directed.
- Wash the permitted bowl and reservoir pieces with the specified method, reaching corners and channels.
- Clean the pump's accessible parts, rinse thoroughly and inspect for damage or trapped hair.
- Reassemble, fill to the stated range and check operation before returning it to normal use.
These are the stages to plan, rather than a replacement for any model's manual. Do not put a part in the dishwasher because a similar-looking fountain allows it. Avoid transferring descaling chemicals or dilution advice from household appliances to pet equipment without explicit manufacturer support.
Filters, power and ordinary bowls
Filters can add a recurring cost and another compatibility decision. Keep a note of the exact family, recommended replacement routine and pack contents. A cartridge, pump sponge and pump are different components; the word filter is sometimes used loosely in shopping listings.
Choose a position with a dry, accessible socket and a cable route that avoids a walking path or splashing. Check what water remains accessible if the pump stops, and keep a separate plain bowl rather than depending entirely on an electrical device. Water preferences can change during introduction or after a change of flow.
Cats Protection's home preparation guidance includes fresh water and separate household resources. A fountain is an equipment choice, not a treatment for urinary or kidney problems. Changes in drinking or urination should be discussed with your vet.
Which would we choose?
For the clearest starting comparison around removable open bowls, consider the Cat Mate. Choose the Flower when varying the flow is worth the extra insert parts. Choose the standard PIXI when the visible level reminder is useful and you prefer its reservoir layout. In each case, the deciding advantage should survive a look at the pump-cleaning diagram.
If a pump routine will not fit your day, an ordinary bowl remains a practical choice. The water equipment hub explains the broader placement and filter decisions, while the feeding hub covers separate food access. Adding a fountain should improve the routine you can actually maintain.
Before ordering replacements, use our Catit filter compatibility reference to distinguish PIXI, full-size Flower and Mini Flower packs. If a simple dish suits the routine better, compare water bowls and their placement.
Match consumables separately: Catit filter families and Cat Mate filter families have their own model lists. For physical maintenance, follow the fountain cleaning routine.
Sources and review method
Catit product and cleaning information and Closer Pets' fountain information underpin the design comparisons. Fixed prices and replacement-cost totals are omitted because the selected offers and packs can change.
Our fountain-cleaning guide explains the bowl, filter and pump tasks, with a separate standard PIXI example.
Once assembled, use the fountain introduction guide to keep a familiar water choice while your cat investigates.
Compare steel versus ceramic fountains by cleaning access and handling, with capacity and flow treated as separate design choices.
Frequently asked questions
Which parts of a cat fountain can go in the dishwasher?
Only the parts expressly allowed by the exact model instructions. The Cat Mate listing specifies dishwasher-safe bowls, but that does not include its pump or power supply. For Catit models, check the selected version’s care guide and treat the reservoir, inserts and electrical components as separate items.
Does changing the filter clean the fountain?
No. Changing a cartridge does not wash the reservoir, drinking tray, channels or pump housing. Those surfaces need their own cleaning as the maker instructs. A fountain with a fresh filter can still have hair or deposits around the impeller, so inspect the pump during the cleaning routine.
Are Catit Flower and PIXI filters interchangeable?
Do not assume they are. Catit separates these filter families, and different fountain versions can require different parts. Match the full fountain model and the cartridge’s stated compatibility. A similar shape, brand name or product photograph is not enough to establish a fit.
Is a larger fountain easier to maintain?
Not necessarily. A larger reservoir can change how often you refill it, but it still needs checking and washing. The number of parts, access to corners, pump disassembly and the permitted cleaning method are more useful comparisons than capacity alone.
Should a fountain replace every ordinary water bowl?
Keep a separate ordinary water option available. It is useful during cleaning, introduction and power interruptions, and it gives the cat a familiar choice. Position water so it is accessible and separate from litter and feeding areas as appropriate to the home; do not assume every cat prefers a fountain.