The best modern cat trees to get in 2023

Our furry friends can make themselves at home just about anywhere, and we often find them snoozing on top of wardrobes, inside baskets, and under chairs. But what if we gave them a place to call their own, where they were never short of catnap spots, but where they could also scratch and play to their heart’s content? Think of the modern cat tree as your furry feline’s utopia, where they can eat, sleep, play, repeat. 

We know cat towers have a bad rep for being, well, ugly, so we’ve put together a list of the bestmodern cat trees to suit fur babies and homes of all shapes and sizes. Indulging in some cat furniture doesn’t mean your aesthetics have to suffer, and with so many different styles, sizes and colours to choose from we’re paw-sitive you’ll find the best fit for your home and your furry feline.

The best modern cat trees

• Our favourite modern cat tree - The Barking Cat Tree 
• The best cat tree for large cats - Frisco XXL Heavy Duty Cat Tree
• The best small cat tree - FEANDREA Cat Tree 
• The best budget cat tree - ALDI Platform Cat Scratcher
• The most sophisticated cat tree - The Corn Cat Tree
• The cat tree for easy cleaning - Vesper High Base 
• The cat tree for busy kitties - Go Pet Club IQ Busy Box Cat Tree 
• The MOST modern cat tree - The Lotus Cat Tower
• The best cat tree for small spaces - PetPals Cat Tree 
• The best cat tree for climbing - Pippa & Max’s Floor To Ceiling Cat Tree
• The best cat tree for sharing - The Go Pet Club Cat Tree
• The cosiest cat tree - FEANDREA Cat Condo

Our favourite modern cat tree - The Barking Cat Tree 

After some careful market research which involved lots of scratching, snoozing and purring, our clever kitties gave this one a five-paw rating. Furry friends will have endless fun on the Barking Cat Tree, where there is lots of space for jumping, climbing, playing and getting their claws in (literally).

A tantalising fur ball hangs from the top and a long rope is perfectly placed to tickle your fluffy feline’s tummy as they recline in the hammock at the bottom. Kitties are spoilt for choice if they’re looking for a spot to snooze in - they can choose between the top deck (otherwise known as their ivory tower), a cosy cat condo (for snuggles), a sleeping sack (for living life on the edge), or a hammock (for hanging low).

With space for a feeding bowl and 11 scratching posts made from sisal rope, we’re afraid your furry friend might be spending all their time here. Made from quality materials and reasonably priced, this is the purr-fect cat tree. 

Size: 64.5 x 35.5 x 19.6 inches

The best cat tree for large cats - Frisco XXL Heavy Duty Cat Tree

While there’s still not quite enough space for us humans, big moggies will feel right at home on this large cat tree. This sturdy bit of kit has wall mounts for extra security, making it able to withstand rough play, lots of snuggles, and the “fluffy” weight of large cats.

We recommend setting up your cat tree in front of a window so your furry feline can watch the world go by from various levels. Or, if your fur baby prefers the peace and quiet of a cosy condo, they have the choice of two. Nails can be manicured on one of four scratching posts, and there’s room enough for more than one mog in this luxurious home for large cats. 

Size: 76 x 36.5 x 35 inches

The best small cat tree - FEANDREA Cat Tree 

This three-tiered cat tree is basically a more compact version of our favourite modern cat tree. Perfect for small cats, it still has no less than four snoozing spots, a scratching ramp (which can also be used for easy access) and some dangling toys just waiting to be swatted!

It’s a great little workout for your furry friend, and the rounded corners of this cat tree will keep your moggy safe, so the only “meows” you hear are the good kind. Whether it’s chilling in the basket lounger, surveying the lay of the land from the top deck, nuzzling into the fluffy corners of the cave, or stretching out on the ground floor, your kitty is sure to find its favourite spot here.  

Size: 37.7 x 18.8 x 18.8 inches

The best budget cat tree - ALDI Platform Cat Scratcher  

For just £24.99, this little cat tree is great for furry friends of all ages. The soft hammock is low to the ground allowing easy access for seniors and kittens, and don’t be surprised if your fluffy feline abandons all their other beds in favour of this comfortable little perch.

Three sisal rope scratching posts grant relief for those sharp claws and avoid damage to your furniture, while the little fluffy pompom will offer endless fun for your playful kitty. This little cat tree won’t take over your living room, it’s easy to set up and it’s gentle on the wallet! 

Size: 30 x 21 x 13.7 inches 

The most sophisticated cat tree - The Corn Cat Tree

A luxury cat tree? We’d expect nothing less than the best for our sophisticated moggies. This designer piece of cat furniture is the new centrepiece you didn’t know you needed.

The carefully crafted tree trunk is made from FSC® certified wood (which is sustainable and environmentally friendly), and the unique wooden post is wrapped with jute, a natural fibre that not only protects the wood but that feels great to scratch your claws on (confirmed by our kitty technicians). Fluffy felines can snooze all day in the fur-lined cat cave or climb up to the equally opulent watch tower. 

Size: 29.5 x 17.7 x 17.7 inches

The cat tree for easy cleaning - Vesper High Base 

If you’re tired of vacuuming your cat tree, it can be hard to find one made of anything that’s not “plush”. The laminate oak-look finish of the Vesper High Base can be wiped down easily, the cushions and scratching mats can be removed and hand washed, and replacement parts can be purchased if your fur baby gets a little over-excited!

Kitties can keep an eye on things from various levels or inside the cubed den, which makes an excellent hiding place. Memory foam cushions mould to the shape of your furry friend’s body and scratching posts made from seagrass can be used for a good stretch and a claw. 

Size: 47.8 x 22.1 x 22.1 inches

The cat tree for busy kitties - Go Pet Club IQ Busy Box Cat Tree 

Frisky kitties can enjoy multiple layers of feline fun even if you have to leave your cat alone at home. Jumping from elevated platforms to observation decks and battling toy mice and scratching posts, your furry feline will give you an active purr-formance which never gets old.

Hide toys, treats, or a spot of catnip inside one of two IQ Busy Boxes for hours of entertainment, before your furry friend retires to one of the faux fur cat perches for a snooze.

Size: 70 x 40 x 25 inches 

The MOST modern cat tree - The Lotus Cat Tower

If you’re looking for a cat tree that both your kitty and your interior designer will love, then this is the one for you.

The Lotus Cat Tree Tower combines comfort with modern design, offering multiple layers for climbing and reclining, plus a cosy little cat condo at the bottom. The sleek smooth style of this minimalist modern cat tree looks more like a piece of modern art, fitting in seamlessly with stylish furniture so that you don’t have to compromise. 

Size: 69 x 20 x 20 inches

The best cat tree for small spaces - PetPals Cat Tree 

Easy to assemble and great for kitties who live in small homes, this sturdy cat tree has been lovingly made out of paper rope and felt (but that doesn’t mean it won’t support a chunkier floof!).

With a scooped cradle spot for whiling away time and a stool for perching on, your fur baby will spend hours here blissfully unaware of how good they’ve really got it. The weighted bottom base keeps the cat tree from toppling over, even when your kitty’s really getting its claws into the scratching posts. 

Size: 25 x 19 x 15 inches

The best cat tree for climbing - Pippa & Max’s Floor To Ceiling Cat Tree

If you’ve got an adventurous puss at home, this floor-to-ceiling cat tree will keep them occupied. Whether your kitty shimmies up the pole instantly or needs a bit of time to pluck up the courage, this cat tree has three levels to chill out on.

Firmly fixed to the ceiling, the long scratching pole is covered with sisal rope - a much better place for your kitty to leave its mark than your furniture! One thing to note - while this cat tree should be suitable for most ceiling heights, we recommend measuring your ceiling to check if this cat tree will fit before purchasing.

Size: 110 x 17.7 x 9.8 inches

The best cat tree for sharing - The Go Pet Club Cat Tree 

With no less than 12 spots to take a catnap or play, this is the best cat tree for sharing with other furry friends (no, not you or your cat sitter, unfortunately).

Ladders can be attached to help kittens and senior fur babies to get about, and two deluxe cat condos provide space for your feline to get away from it all and have a bit of “me time”. Whether you’ve got multiple cats in the house or just the one, this cat tree tower will get the purr of approval. 

Size: 80 x 45 x 30 inches 

The cosiest cat tree - FEANDREA Cat Condo

Transport your kitty to the land of nod in this hygge log cabin, which wouldn’t be out of place in a forest of alpine trees and snowy mountains. Furry friends can keep an eye on things through little peep holes in the cosy condo or climb up to the top levels to take a better look.

Snuggly white cushions can be easily removed for cleaning, but this cat tree isn’t just for lounging around in - pampered whisker wearers can also give the scratching post a good clawing. The only downside? Your kitty may love it so much, it will be hard to get them out of it.

Size: 34 x 15.7 x 26 inches

So while there are so many modern cat trees to choose from, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that not one of our favourites is fuddy-duddy and ugly. If you’re still looking for something to impress your furry feline, check out five ways to make your cat happy.