Laser pointers can awaken your cat’s hunting instincts and get them off the couch! The flickering red dot easily captures their attention and with the help of a human or simple programming, mimics the darting movement of the insects that cats love to chase.

There are all sorts of laser pointers: plastic ones that look like cats, automatic ones where you don’t have to lift a finger, and even the reliable pen light that enables you to join in on the fun. These reviews include various laser pointers for cats, so you can explore the best options and features for your next playtime.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Laser Pointers for Cats

1. FurryFido Laser Cat Toy — Best Overall

Playtime with your cat is always the most enjoyable when you can join in too, and the FurryFido Laser Cat Toy enables you to get involved with your kitty’s fun. With a built-in wrist strap for security and a stainless-steel clip so you can keep it with you, it’s small and lightweight. It also has a built-in flashlight and UV detector for those times when you need a useful tool rather than a toy.

As the best overall laser pointer for cats, it’s rechargeable and comes with a USB charging cord. It’s easy to use, with a sliding on/off button that doesn’t require you to hold it down to use, relieving the stress on your hand as you play.

While the FurryFido laser is made with stainless steel for durability, the battery life isn’t the longest. The small size also means the flashlight and UV detector bulbs can interfere with the brightness of the laser.

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2. Pet Fit For Life LED Laser & Interactive Wand Cat Toy — Best Value

For the best chance of keeping your cat entertained, you need a variety of different toys for them to play with. The Pet Fit For Life 2 in 1 LED Laser Light & Interactive Wand Cat Toy is a simple laser pointer, but it’s also combined with a feather wand and a wriggly worm attachment. It’s the best laser pointer for cats for the money due to the two extra toys included in the package.

Constructed with a two-piece wand for easy storage and to extend your reach when you need it, the Pet Fit for Life enables you to build a bond with your cat through playtime. The laser pointer itself is rechargeable and comes with a USB charging cable and has a built-in bird call recording for when you want to get your cat’s attention.

Although the variety of toys gives your cat plenty to play with and some cats even enjoy the worm and feather toys more than the laser, it isn’t that durable. The attachments will likely need replacing after a few intense play sessions.

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3. SereneLife Automatic Laser Cat Toy — Premium Choice

We don’t always have time to play with our cats as much as they want us to. Fortunately for you, there’s the SereneLife Automatic Laser Cat Toy, which is fully automatic and has a 30-minute shut-off timer to prevent it from running all day. It’s an expensive option but has a battery-operated, wireless design and works on any surface, whether on the floor or a table. There are also several modes that you can switch between to keep your cat interested in the movement of the laser.

You can leave this automatic laser toy running while you’re out of the house, but it does have a few downsides. One is how difficult it is to adjust where the laser lands. It might be too high up the walls for your cat, or it might accidentally shine in their face and damage their eyes. Also, the SereneLife uses AA batteries that are not rechargeable or included in the package; they’ll need to be bought separately and replaced when necessary.

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4. PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy — Best for Kittens

With their boundless amounts of energy, kittens are perhaps the hardest to satisfy when it comes to playtime. Keeping them active enough to stay out of trouble isn’t easy and can’t always be managed by ourselves. The PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy offers two modes of play, manual and automatic, and is a good way to both play with your kitten and help them entertain themselves.

It’s small enough to hold in your hand and direct yourself while having a durable design that can stand on any hard, flat surface so your cat can play while you’re busy. The automatic play feature uses randomized laser movement to keep your kitten entertained and has a 15-minute shut-off timer to prevent overstimulation.

The PetSafe Bolt is battery-operated with four AA batteries that you’ll have to buy separately and replace when needed. Unlike sturdier options, the PetSafe Bolt is unstable on soft surfaces. Use it with caution to make sure it doesn’t shine in your cat’s eyes.

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5. Ethical Pet Laser Exerciser Original Cat Toy

There are many tools that you need when you own a pet, so it’s always nifty to find one that has two uses. The Ethical Pet Laser Exerciser Original Cat Toy has a simple design that includes both a laser and a flashlight. You can clip it to your keys with the included key chain to keep it safe and use it both indoors and outside.

Although it’s intended for manual use only, having no automatic functions, it can help nurture the bond between you and your cat by encouraging interactive playtime.

The Ethical Pet Laser comes with batteries, but there is no way to recharge the laser pointer, and you’ll need to purchase replacement batteries as needed. It also has a cheap construction, and some users have issues with the screw-on top and the batteries not fitting correctly.

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6. Litterbox.com Rechargeable Laser Pointer Cat Toy

The Litterbox.com Rechargeable Laser Pointer Cat Toy is a three-in-one toy with a laser pointer, UV backlight, and flashlight. It’s rechargeable via USB, and unlike other rechargeable laser pointers, it has a built-in USB connection so you can plug it straight into your computer or charging station. This enables you to avoid keeping track of a charging cable.

It can project up to 100 feet indoors, so your cat can get plenty of exercise during your play sessions, and the on/off button has three settings to switch through the different modes. There’s no need to hold down the button to use the laser, flashlight, or UV backlight.

While the Litterbox laser pointer is a useful tool to carry with you, it doesn’t have a keychain or clip to securely attach it to your belongings. The USB cap is also easy to lose while the pointer is charging due to its size. It takes 2 hours to fully charge and might require charging before you first use it.

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7. SmartyKat Loco Laser Cat Toy

Laser pointer pens are useful but boring when you want something more unique when you play with your cat. The SmartyKat Loco Laser Cat Toy has a mouse shape to show everyone that the toy belongs to your cat. It’s sold with three batteries, so you can start playing as soon as possible.

Unlike most other handheld pointers, the SmartyKat only has one setting, and you have to hold down the button to use it. This makes it easier to create a flickering effect, but it can hurt your hand with prolonged use. It comes in different colors, but you don’t get to choose your favorite, and you’ll also need to replace the batteries when they stop working.

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8. KONG Laser Cat Toy

KONG is one of the biggest names in the dog toy world, but it has a few cat toys under its name too. The KONG Laser Cat Toy is chunkier in design than many other laser pointers on this list but is intended to be much easier to hold than slimmer or smaller alternatives. It’s non-rechargeable and battery operated, with three batteries included for your first play session.

Although it doesn’t have any other features, such as a built-in flashlight, it does have a keychain, so you can keep it with you or hang it up somewhere easy to find.

Despite the chunky design fitting well in most cat owners’ palms, you do need to hold down the button to use it, which can put strain on your hand. Several users also had issues with the short battery life and the cover on the battery compartment being too difficult to open.

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9. Saolife Automatic Cat Laser Toy

With three speed options and an adjustable head bracket, the Saolife Automatic Cat Laser Toy is one of the easiest laser pointers to use when you’re out of the house. It’s easy to move around and adjust to suit your cat and has a 12-month warranty in case of faults or breakages. There’s also a timed on/off function that runs the laser for 10 minutes every 1.5 hours.

The Saolife is rechargeable but uses a type-C charger rather than a micro B USB connection, which might cause problems if you lose the included charger and don’t have another of the same type. Several owners have also had issues with the suction cup and its unreliability when it comes to holding the device in place. The automatic function can be faulty, requiring the on button to be held down to use it.

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10. Havit Wearable Automatic Cat Toy With LED Lights

One of the most unique laser pointers on this list is the Havit Wearable Automatic Cat Toy with LED Lights. It’s designed as a collar with a built-in laser light so your cat can direct and chase the light on their own. Unless you have more than one cat or want to use it as a handheld toy, the lightweight collar design reduces the chances of your cat blinding themselves by looking into the laser. To prevent overstimulation, it’s designed to shut off automatically after 15 minutes.

The biggest downside to this wearable laser pointer is how difficult it is for your cat to chase. It can lead to frustration and stress in some cats as they struggle to subdue their prey. Some cats also dislike wearing collars, especially if they aren’t familiar with wearing one. This toy requires supervision because it isn’t designed to break or be pulled off if it catches on something while your cat explores.

Buyer’s Guide: What You Need to Know About Laser Pointers

Laser pointers are fun, but they do require a bit of thought before you use them, such as whether you want a simple laser pointer or one with more automatic functions. You also need to consider the cost and safety tips, especially regarding your cat’s eyes, while you’re playing.

Features

Many laser pointers just have a plastic casing, though if you spend more, you can often get a sturdier metal option with other features, including a flashlight, UV light settings, and ways to keep the device with you, such as a wrist strap, keychain, or a pen clip.

Automatic laser pointers have even more functionality. You can find options that have adjustable speeds, programmed patterns, and automatic shut-off timers. Some even project different objects onto the floor or wall for your cat to chase.

When you consider the features of a potential laser pointer, pay particular attention to the strength of the light. If it’s too dim, it won’t catch your cat’s attention, but if it’s too bright, it’ll hurt their eyes.

Handheld or Automatic

There are two main types of laser pointers intended for cats: handheld and automatic. Both suit different manners of playtime and have their pros and cons.

Typically, a handheld laser pointer is small and will often have a keychain or pen clip so you can keep it handy. Many are designed like small penlights and will often have a flashlight and UV light included, though you can find novelty laser pointers that are designed to look like mice or cats. Handheld laser pointers encourage you to play with your cat more often, enabling you to nurture your bond. There’s no automatic timer with these options, so you’ll have to end the game yourself when you or your cat gets tired.

Automatic laser pointers are ideal for independent playtime. The idea is that you can leave it on when you’re out of the house, and it’ll keep your cat entertained before shutting itself off. Unfortunately, if you’re not around to supervise your cat’s playtime, an automatic laser pointer can be dangerous. It might accidentally shine in your cat’s eyes, or the timer might not work, leaving it running and overstimulating your cat. This is also the more expensive option.

There are combinations of the two types of laser pointers. These devices will often be smaller than fully automatic laser pointers but not as small or portable as handheld pen lights. You can keep your cat entertained when you’re busy and join in the fun when you have time.

Safety

Laser pointers that have been designed for cats are expected to meet certain safety requirements to ensure that they’re safe for you and your feline. The milliwatt power behind the light will usually be between 1 and 5 to reduce the damage caused to the eyes if it’s accidentally shone in them.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should let your cat or your children stare into the laser. Even weak lasers like the ones used in cat toys can cause vision damage.

Ensuring that your cat is safe while they’re playing is of the utmost importance, especially if you’re leaving an automatic laser pointer running while you’re out of the house. You first need to run it while you’re in the room so you can determine how bright the laser is and whether your cat is more interested in the pointer itself or the projected dot that they’re chasing.

You shouldn’t resort to using a laser toy all the time either. Unlike a catnip mouse or a jingle ball, a laser is impossible for your cat to catch and “kill.” While it can be a fun game every once in a while, it can be frustrating and stressful for your cat when their hunting instincts are in play. You should make sure your cat has plenty of other toys to entertain them.

Conclusion

Laser pointers are among the most popular toys for cats and can have a variety of features. These reviews included several options, starting with the overall best laser pointer, the FurryFido Laser Cat Toy. It combines interactive playtime with useful functionality due to the built-in UV detector and flashlight. The Pet Fit For Life 2-in-1 is a simpler but more affordable option for cat owners who prefer variety in their playtime with an included feather wand and wriggly worm toy. Or you can spend a bit more for a fully automated laser pointer, like the SereneLife Automatic Laser Cat Toy.

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Featured Image Credit: borzywoj, Shutterstock