Those of us with furry companions always seek out the best ways to provide comfort, whether that is through play, feedings, or more. Petcube has quite a reputation for its interactive tech that is focused on elevating everyday pet essentials, and with the brand’s latest Fountain, not only does it provide smarter features than we usually see from competitor water bowls, but it also comes easier to clean and keep sanitary. I’ve gone through countless water fountains for my cats, but this one certainly raises the bar much higher than I expected, with my hands-on experience laid out for you below so you know just what you’ll be getting should you choose this new model.
Hands-on: Petcube Fountain
The new Petcube Fountain is a smarter and more hygienic alternative for keeping cats and small dogs hydrated, with the brand promising “nearly 100% water purification” while also being a wireless alternative for folks who don’t want to deal with hanging cables (especially if your fur babies tend to play/chew on them). It comes in a single white colorway, but has two options of either a stainless steel bowl at $79.99 shipped or a ceramic basin at $99.99 shipped.
Key features at a glance:
- UV-C antibacterial light and 4-layer filtration system (filters lasting up to 30 days)
- 1.7L dishwasher-safe, food-grade plastic tank for 7+ days of water storage
- Whisper-quiet magnetic pump (<30 dB) with motion sensor for adjustable water flow
- Rechargeable 2600 mAh battery for up to 20 days of wireless use
- Chew-proof cable, rubber feet for safety, and ambient LED light for status notifications
- Petcube App integration to track filter change cycles
With Water Fountain, we’re moving beyond monitoring to actively improving pets’ health, starting with hydration – the foundation of well-being. Our new fountain ensures water is not just clean – free from particles, chlorine, and pollutants – but it is also specifically designed to entice pets to drink more. Dehydration negatively impacts 10 million cats annually, and we are strongly committed to bring that number down.”
gadgetnewsonline’ Take
I have gone through so many water fountains over the years – both from just trying to find a reliable model while also getting others from friends and family – but none of them have provided the same level of hygienic functionality as Petcube’s new Fountain, not to mention plenty of entertainment for my single brain-cell boy thanks to the smart features (more on these below).
Let’s start at its hygiene-conscious design, with the model I picked up being the one with the ceramic basin that is a lot easier to keep clean than all the stainless steel competitors I’ve owned over the years. Not only is it dishwasher safe for those of you with the appliance in your homes, but the built-in UV-C lighting inside the 1,700ml food-grade plastic tank eliminates bacteria buildup, with a 99.7% purification rating, and I’ve certainly noticed the difference, as most past bowls needed regular sanitizing around twice a week on average, whereas I’ve been handling cleaning once a week with other chores in the few weeks I’ve had it (though the app does state I could go longer before it needs a cleaning).
The cleaner internals are also due to the 4-layer filter that neatly fits in the dedicated slot under the basin, with the company recommending switching it out after 30 days (though the companion app also keeps track of its usage and when it’s time to be replaced). One of the biggest differences I’ve seen here is the decreased crud in the tank below, including saliva buildup in both the tank and the basin. The combination of the filter and the UV-C light provides solid support in combating these buildups, which usually only take a week to get to disgusting levels with other bowls I’ve had.
I’m really loving its compact design that is more elongated and fits much better at the start of my hallway, whereas many of the other fountains I’ve had sported a more square form factor. Though, in all fairness, the shapes never gave me any real problems; it’s just more aesthetically pleasing to my eye. Other noticeable steps up with the Petcube Fountain are the quieter operation from the magnetic pump on top of it not once having been clogged yet, which always seemed to happen with my past Petlibro and Veken water fountains.
One thing to note about its modular design is that the base battery activates the magnetic pump automatically upon the tank being placed over top and clicked down onto it. While this little feature hasn’t caused any accidental spilling of water as I refill it, be sure to fill the tank, place the bowl/basin over it, and then place the entire thing onto the battery base for the most seamless refilling/cleaning experience.
Of course, there are a few standout features that really put this fountain higher than any other on my list, with the first being the motion sensor on its front face, which turns on and adjusts water flow levels whenever your pet approaches (or I walk past it). This goes hand-in-hand with the 2,600mAh battery that lets you go wireless if you so choose, conserving and stretching the battery for up to 20 days of use before it needs to be plugged in. And don’t worry about forgetting and suddenly finding it without power, as the base is lined with LED lighting for status notifications (five different colors for various notifications) alongside the in-app status levels.
What I especially like about this battery and motion sensor combination is that it will make keeping my cats hydrated during car travel all the easier, as it stands sturdy enough to not tip over at the slightest bumps or turns of my vehicle (unless I’m obviously and recklessly trying to take a 90-degree turn and throw it). This lets me place it on the floor in the back section of my car, not filled to the same full capacity as it would be at home, and allows my free-roaming cats to drink whenever they please on my 8-hour drives from NYC to Virginia and North Carolina to see family, not to mention give Kraydor some distraction, as he has figured out how to activate the sensor to play with the water as it comes up from the little spout. I know, he’s a silly goober, but if he’s happy, I’m happy.
The final little detail I am very much happy to have is the chew-proof cable that plugs into a little slot on one side of the bowl and into the battery when everything is put together. Kraydor is still young and creative and thus regularly finds any entertainment he can from wires of various kinds as they hang or lie along the floor. The rubber feet that provide the added stability alongside its sturdy design have also prevented him from tipping the Fountain while playing with the cable when it charges, which he became quite adept at with past water bowls he’s used.
All-in-all, Petcube has taken an admirable step outward from its usual array of tracking pet gear, which are largely in the form of interactive camera setups. Kraydor didn’t have any trouble learning that his presence is needed to activate the water flow, and everything has been running perfectly in the weeks I’ve had it – and again, I’m so happy to not have to clean it multiple times throughout the week anymore. I can already tell a huge difference in having the Petcube Fountain over past ones (though these are subtle differences that are obvious to my hyper-vigilance), and it’s quickly become my favorite way to keep him hydrated and one of his favorite ways to play with water outside of hopping in the shower to splash around (he’s not a normal cat). I look forward to maintaining this model for years to come, hopefully, and will certainly update this post should any sudden changes occur, though I highly doubt it.
Buy Petcube’s Fountain
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