# I tested automatic cat feeders. Here are the best ones.

> A WIRED writer tested 12 automatic cat feeders with her two rescue cats to find which ones actually work.
- Title: I tested automatic cat feeders. Here are the best ones.
- Summary: A WIRED writer tested 12 automatic cat feeders with her two rescue cats to find which ones actually work. Automatic cat feeders range from basic gravity-fed…
- Keywords: automatic cat feeders, petkit, petlibro, cat care, pet technology, product testing, neakasa, whisker, pifi, pawsync, oneisall, tested
- Source: WIRED — https://wired.com/gallery/best-automatic-cat-feeders
- Author: Molly Higgins
- Published: 2024-10-05T14:13:00+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: automatic cat feeders, petkit, petlibro, cat care, pet technology, product testing, neakasa, whisker, pifi, pawsync, oneisall
## Why automatic feeders matter
Automatic cat feeders stop early morning begging, give peace of mind when you're away, and let you monitor your pet's eating habits without manual labor.
## How the technology evolved
Gravity-fed automatic dry-food dispensers were invented nearly a century ago. Today most automatic cat feeders use Wi-Fi and connect to phone apps for scheduling and remote feeding.
## AI cameras now prevent overfeeding
Newer models like the Petkit YumShare Dual-Hopper two Automatic Feeder With Camera have built-in AI-enabled cameras that analyze remaining food and stop dispensing to prevent overfeeding.
## Wet-food feeders are new
Automatic wet-food dispensers are relatively new, often using ice packs or mini-refrigeration cooling systems to keep food as fresh as possible.
## Health benefits for cats
Automatic feeders help pet parents monitor their pets' health, maintain specialized schedules, and foster healthier eating habits, including breaking the gorging-vomiting cycle many cats struggle with.
## Best AI-enabled dual feeder
The Petkit YumShare Dual-Hopper two Automatic Feeder With Camera costs one hundred eighty dollars and offers crystal-clear video, night vision, customizable meal calls, and dual hoppers for two food types.
## AI features without subscription
The Petkit YumShare two's AI-enabled camera doesn't require a subscription and can identify up to twenty pets and log when each has eaten.
## Best wet-food feeder
The Petlibro Polar Wet Food Feeder costs one hundred seventy dollars and keeps food at fifty degrees Fahrenheit or below using thermoelectric cooling.
## Wet feeder design prevents problems
Food dispenses into three wide, shallow stainless-steel bowls, reducing whisker fatigue and feline acne from bacteria-harboring plastic.
## Best connected app
The Petlibro Granary two Vision costs one hundred ninety dollars and has a built-in bowl scale measuring food within one gram to prevent overfeeding.
## Granary two's premium features
AI-powered camera differentiates pets and tracks eating habits. Smart refill mode keeps the bowl filled automatically, but advanced features require a paid subscription of ninety-six to one hundred sixty dollars per year.
## Best for freeze-dried food
The Neakasa Riko Automatic Cat Feeder costs two hundred forty dollars and turns freeze-dried food into wet, soup-like meals at feeding time.
## Riko's personalized feeding plans
Through the connected app, Riko uses information about your cat to personalize a feeding plan of up to twenty meals a day, with portions ranging from zero point zero four to zero point seven ounces.
## Riko's water-to-food ratios
You can customize the water-to-food ratio, adjustable from one to one to five to one, with options for traditional mix, water-only mode, or food-only mode.
## Budget option with app
The Petlibro Air Smart Feeder costs fifty dollars and features a hygienic stainless-steel bowl, rechargeable battery lasting up to thirty days, and easy-to-use app.
## Budget dual feeder option
The Oneisall Dual Automatic Feeder costs fifty dollars and has stainless-steel bowls nearly a foot apart, giving more space for multiple cats.
## Premium sleek design
The Whisker Feeder-Robot costs two hundred ninety-nine dollars and has an intuitive app, customizable schedules for different days, and gravity mode that checks levels every six hours.
## RFID collar tag feeder
The Petlibro One RFID Smart Feeder costs one hundred fifty dollars and uses a collar tag to open the lid only when that specific pet is present.
## RFID feeder best for multi-pet homes
This feeder works best for a cat in a dog home, cats with special dietary needs, or multi-cat homes with an aggressive eater.
## How the testing was done
The author tested feeders with two rescue cats, ages four and five, that eat two wet-food meals daily plus small amounts of dry kibble throughout the day.
## Key takeaway

Automatic cat feeders range from basic gravity-fed models to AI-enabled cameras that prevent overfeeding, with prices from fifty dollars to three hundred dollars.