The 7 Best Laser Pointer Toys for Cats of 2023

Best Overall

Whisker Rechargeable Laser Pointer Cat Toy

5

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This laser pointer gets all the basics right. While a lot of laser pointers marketed for cats use a press button—you have to keep holding it down with your thumb—the Whisker Rechargeable Laser Pointer has a switch, which means you can turn it on and it stays on. 

But the best feature is right in the name: it’s rechargeable via USB. That means you don’t have to worry about buying the little watch batteries found in so many other small laser pointers. Instead, you just pop off the cap on the butt of the pointer, then plug it into any USB charger or port. You don’t even need a separate USB cable (but be careful not to lose that cap!). It takes about two hours to recharge, and the little red indicator light will switch from red to green.

The Whisker laser pointer also has two other lights built-in: a little flashlight and a UV blacklight, which can help you track down cat stains. All three are accessible on a single switch, but Whisker made the wise design choice of positioning the laser at the far end, so you can reliably activate the laser simply by pushing the switch all the way “on.”

While it doesn’t have fancy patterns or any other gimmicks, this laser pointer provides all of the basics in the most convenient form factor possible. The Whisker Rechargeable Laser Pointer is .5 inches in diameter and four inches long.

Price at time of publish: $10

Best Interactive Laser Cat Toy

PetSafe Dancing Dot Laser Pointer Cat Toy

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There are a dizzying array of automatic laser toys out there, but we think the PetSafe Dancing Dot Laser Pointer Cat Toy embodies the best combination of usability, simplicity, and safety. This small laser toy (3 by 2.25 by 3.5 inches) can be set up on an elevated table, or can be hung from a doorknob with the included strap. The laser roves around in a random pattern, encouraging your cat to chase it across the floor.

Laser power is measured in Milli-Watts (mW) and divided into classes based on how likely they are to damage human eyes. Most cat laser pointers are under 5 mW and typically categorized Class III—which is generally safe, even if your cat is accidentally or unintentionally beamed in the eye for a moment, and is only a danger if you intentionally hold the direct beam into an eye. The PetSafe Dancing Dot is even weaker, outputting less than 1 mW. With a laser that weak, you can feel safe leaving your cat alone with the Dancing Dot.

The Dancing Dot also has two automated modes. The first activates the laser for 15 minutes of play, then shuts off. The second mode activates for 15 minutes of play every two hours (for a maximum of three play sessions over six hours), so your cats can have a couple of sessions while you’re out of the house.

The main downside to the Dancing Dot is that it uses AAAs instead of a rechargeable battery. Pairing it with rechargeable AAAs is very nearly a must, unless you want to go through a lot of batteries.

Price at time of publish: $22

Best Rechargeable Interactive Laser Toy

Valonii Rechargeable Motion Activated Cat Laser Toy

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If the battery needs of our Best Overall pick are a dealbreaker, or if you’re looking for a more fully-featured automatic cat laser toy, then check out the Valonii Rechargeable Motion Activated Cat Laser Toy. Its marquee feature is its motion sensor, which allows the laser to activate itself when your cat comes to investigate the toy. Each activation lasts for a 15-minute play session, and it can only be activated once every two hours.

The Valonii Cat Laser Toy recharges via USB, and can charge fully in two and half hours, then hold a charge for up to two days of play. The laser toy features a separate base, which makes it easy to angle the laser “head” to best project its beam from wherever you have it set up. This means that, unlike the PetSafe Dancing Dot, you can place the Valonii directly on the floor. You can also set the roving laser to move at two different speeds.

Price at time of publish: $25

Best Keychain

Frisco 2-in-1 Laser & LED Light Cat Toy

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This keychain laser pointer includes both a key ring and a useful clip. It’s also very portable. The Frisco 2-in-1 even includes a separate button which activates an LED light. 

Unfortunately, you have to hold the button down the entire time you’re using the laser. This makes sense for a keychain—you don’t want a switch turning on in your pocket and draining the battery without you knowing it—but it’s still a little annoying to use. The Frisco 2-in-1 Laser & LED Light Cat Toy also uses those little round batteries—LR44s—that you never have just sitting around. Luckily, batteries are included. 

While you make some compromises to get a cat laser pointer this portable, the Frisco laser is a bargain if you’re looking for the cheapest way to try out a laser with your cat.

Price at time of publish: $4

Best for Multiple Cats

PetSafe Zoom Laser Toy

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If you have multiple cats all trying to go for the same laser point, then check out the PetSafe Zoom Laser Toy. It has two different beams that rotate 360-degrees around its base, with additional random movement generating two different patterns across your floor. Using the Zoom is ultra-simple: just press the button and it goes for 15 minutes, then shuts off automatically.

Price at time of publish: $27

Best for Complete Laser Chaos

Havit 2-in-1 Electronic Toy Wearable Collar

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One look at the Havit 2-in-1 Electronic Toy Wearable Collar and you’ll instantly see the potential for an outrageously chaotic playtime. This wearable laser collar shines a red beam ahead of your cat, which will have them chasing their own laser all around the house. It’s rechargeable (unfortunately it uses outdated micro-USB), lightweight, and can be adjusted to fit cat necks between 7.8 and 12.2 inches around. It also shuts off in 15 minutes, but chances are this will wear your cat out much sooner than that.

While this design is one of the most chaotic cat inventions ever imagined, there are some downsides. If your cat has long hair, their fur is likely to block the emitter so that the laser dot won’t appear. The adjustable collar is also a little too large for small cats or kittens. Most crucially, while the Havit laser collar is advertised as a breakaway collar, the buckle is a little too sturdy to actually break loose. You should make sure to closely supervise your cat when using the collar. 

Price at time of publish: $17