Best Outdoor Cat Trees of 2025—Top 10 Picks Reviewed · Kinship

Skip to main content

The 2025 gift guide: cookies, toys, cozy beds, and more!

Best Outdoor Cat Trees of 2025—Top 10 Picks Reviewed

For the kitty who longs for the great outdoors (but needs to stay safe).

by Holland Baker
November 12, 2025
Fat Gray cat sitting on a cat tree outside.
Africa Studio / Adobe Stock

Spending time outside can be incredibly beneficial for cats. It’s a highly stimulating environment for them and having enough space to run around is great for their health. Per veterinary recommendation, cats should not be unattended outdoors for their general safety. However, catios have become a relatively new phenomenon that gives cats the best of both worlds. If you’re able to set up a catio outside your home for your cats to tune into their animal instincts and reduce stress, a cat tree is a perfect addition. 

Having a vertical space in your catio is a great way to tap into your cats’ predator instincts — a high viewpoint offers them a sense of security and the ability to vantage point to scope out both predators and prey alike.

Navigating life with a new pet? Head to littleKin!

littleKin is Kinship’s home just for puppy and kitten parents. Bop over to check out expert advice, new pet tools, and special deals—all curated for your newest family member.

Having scratching posts in their outdoor space is also beneficial, as it will help them reduce stress or energy that may come from the amount of stimulation outside. Whether it’s a climbing structure or a cozy den, the most important part of adding to your cats’ outdoor space is to ensure their safety and comfort. Just a note to always keep your kitty in an enclosed outdoor space, with their collar on. And of course, before you do anything, get them microchipped.

Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

How much do you spend on your pet per year?

How to choose the outdoor cat tree that is right for you:

  • Make sure the cat tower weighs more than your cat/cats that will be using it. This will ensure stability and safety while climbing and scratching. 

  • Prioritize the design based on what your cat prefers. If you notice they’re always trying to perch on high places, make sure the tower is nice and tall. If you notice they prefer a vertical scratching post option, make sure your cat tree includes ample scratching opportunities. If they like to hide or curl up in small spaces, finding a cat tree with small spaces for them to burrow is ideal. 

  • The material the cat tree is made of is also important to consider, especially if you need it to withstand outdoor weather. In general, real wood, PVC, or polyester/waterproof materials are best when looking for outdoor trees in terms of durability. 

  • Consider the size of your outdoor space. If you want something for your patio/porch, something smaller or narrower might work better than a larger cat tree that might be better suited for a backyard. 

  • Prices for cat trees also range widely, so you’ll need to factor in your budget when it comes to investing in a cat tree. A higher investment in a cat tree does tend to yield more long-lasting products, but there are plenty of solid options on the lower end of the scale.

Our top outdoor cat tree picks

We scoured countless shops and reviews to find the absolute best outdoor cat trees available today. Because prices, heights, features, and materials vary so widely, we’ve tried to cover all our bases to find the best cat tree that works for your cat and your outdoor space.

Best overall: Maohegou 74 Inches Tall Outdoor Weatherproof Cat Tower

Best catio: PawHut Catio Outdoor Cat House Window Box

Best compact: C atry 29.7-in Modern Jute Cat Tree & Condo

Best cat house: TRIXIE 3-Story Outdoor Wooden Cat House

Best perch: FUKUMARU 81-in Jute Rope 5-Tier Cat Tree with Scratching Posts

Best plastic: Maohegou 5 Level Cat Tree

Best for winter: Heated Cat House for Outdoor

Best heated: K&H Pet Products Two-Story Outdoor Kitty House with Dining Room

Best modern: Mau Reiya Cat Tree

Best for large cats: GDLF Outdoor Cat Tree

Best overall outdoor cat tree

Pros

  • Made with waterproof materials PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PP (polypropylene)

  • Tall for climbing (24”L x 25”W x 74”H)

  • Five perches

  • One cat cave

  • Nine scratching posts

Cons

  • Price is a bit steep at almost $200

  • Doesn’t have any extra features like cat toys or cushions

Overall review

We love how cute and simple this outdoor cat tree is. Made almost entirely of PVC and PP, it’s entirely waterproof, so it should be able to brave all types of weather. Standing at just over six feet tall, it’s also perfect for climbing and surveying their surroundings while in the great outdoors. It is a little more on the expensive side and doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles, but it’s a solid investment that should last a long time on your catio. 

Review rating: 5/5

Best catio:

PawHut Catio Outdoor Cat House Window Box

For those looking to get into the catio game, this PawHut offering is a great place to start. This freestanding catio is designed to sit against a side of your house (to be secured with L-shaped brackets and screws for security) with window access, so you cats can easily transition between indoors and outdoors. Made of solid fir wood, this screened-in cat house features five perches, one cat cave, a wooden bridge, a steel roof, and a human-size door with a lock for easy access.

Pros

  • Freestanding structure designed to sit against the side your your house with window access (68”L x 35.5”W x 70.5”H)

  • Fully screened in, aside from the end that sits against your home

  • Five jump platforms

  • One cat cave

  • One wooden bridge

  • A steel, weather-treated roof

  • One human-size door with a lock

Cons

  • Size and design might not be best for all homes/yards

  • Price is high

Overall review

Even though a catio seems like a lot of work, we like how out-of-the box this one is. Reviews boast how easy this is to assemble, which is a huge plus for a starter catio. The fact that it’s also designed to sit against a wall with a window for easy indoor/outdoor access for your cats is also a great way to ensure the safety of your cats while still allowing them access to the outside world. Just make sure the dimensions and design will fit your exact space. 

Review rating: 5/5

Best compact outdoor cat tree

Pros

  • Compact dimensions for smaller spaces (15.7”L x 11.4”W x 29.7”H)

  • One cat cave

  • Two perches, one with a thin cushion and the other with a cat bed

  • One jute scratching post

  • Price is under $100

Cons

  • This tree would probably fare better in a screened-in porch rather than be fully exposed to the outdoors in a catio

  • The cushions will likely need more maintenance due to outdoor exposure

  • Not the best option for larger cats

Overall review

This is a great option for smaller indoor/outdoor spaces you’d like to bring your cat into. We love that this cozy cat tree still manages to fit in multiple places for lounging, complete with washable fleece cushions. The upside of this product might also be its downside—it is quite small, so this might not be the right tree for larger cats. 

Review rating: 4/5

Best outdoor cat house

TRIXIE 3-Story Outdoor Wooden Cat House

This wooden cat house is a perfect addition to any catio, made entirely of pine wood with a waterproof finish. This cat house has three levels for perching, with hinged shutters that can be opened for a peek outside. There are also cat doors with laminated flaps to keep out wind and rain, as well as a raised bottom floor for optimal air circulation. Plus, there’s a large hinged door in the back for maintenance and access to all three levels. 

 Pros

  • Compact cat house that can fit in most spaces (22”L x 23.2”W x 37”H)

  • Fully enclosed with hinged shutters and a hinged door for easy access and visibility

  • Cat doors with laminated flaps to keep out wind and rain

  • Three levels for perching

  • One large hinged door in the back for maintenance

  • Raised bottom floor for air circulation

  • Price is under $100

Cons

  • Smaller cat tree might not be great for multi-cat homes/catios

  • Not ideal for larger cats

Overall review

For cats who want to be outside but still love enclosed spaces, this is the cat house for them. This is great for smaller outdoor spaces, as well, clocking in at just over three feet tall and a little under two feet wide. The weather-treated pine wood also ensures that this house can brave the elements of a more exposed outdoor space. However, this cat house might not be best for larger cats or multi-cat homes, since it is so small. 

Review rating: 3.5/5

Outdoor cat tree with the best perch

Pros

  • Very tall for climbing (81 inches tall)

  • Five perches that can rotate up to 180 degrees

  • Post entirely wrapped in sisal for scratching

  • Wall mounted for stability

  • Made with natural rubber wood, ensuring durability and longevity against weather

  • Price is under $100

Cons 

  • Wall-mounted feature might not be best for all catio setups

  • Might be shipped with a strong smell due to the glue

Expert review

This is the perfect outdoor tree for cats who love to climb. Reviewers have boasted that this was a perfect addition to their own catios, saying this tower is perfect for multiple cats and can withstand a lot of climbing and scratching. Its wall-mounted design ensures that stability for play but may also be a downside for those whose catios can’t support a wall-mounted tree. Also, some reviewers have mentioned that it might arrive with a strong chemical smell due to the glue used, but that it should dissipate over time. 

Review rating: 4.5/5

Best plastic outdoor cat tree

Pros

  • PVC pipes are waterproof and ensure durability in the outdoors; also does not require the use of glue

  • Polyethylene platforms are washable and don’t stick to fur

  • Tall enough for climbing (22”L x 20”W x 46”H)

  • Five platforms for climbing

  • Ten polypropylene-wrapped scratching posts

Cons

  • Price a bit high at around $150

  • Not watertight (water may get inside when it rains)

Overall review

A plastic cat tree is a slam dunk when it comes to braving the elements, and this one is no exception. This mid-size tree stands at just under four feet, and should be able to fit in most catios or screened-in porches while still offering enough height for your cats to climb and perch. The PVC and Polyethylene materials are also very easy to wash, when necessary. However, some reviewers have mentioned that while this structure is waterproof, it’s not very watertight and that water may get inside the pipes when it rains. 

Review rating: 4.5/5

Best outdoor cat tree for winter

 Pros

  • Compact size good for porches and cozy environment for cats (17.7”D x 25.5”W x 17.9”H)

  • Heating pad

  • Insulated with aluminum foil

  • Waterproof heating pad outlet, eaves, roof, and escape door

Cons

  • Price is high at almost $200

  • Does not feature scratching posts or mats

  • Does not offer height for climbing

Overall review

This cat house is perfect for cats who love to cozy up with a heating pad, or for cats who refuse to leave the outdoors even when temperatures get pretty low. We love how cold weather-proof this cat house is, with its aluminum insulation and elevated structure that keeps it off the cold ground. This is also great for larger cats who like to spread out. However, this isn’t great for cats who prefer to climb or get their energy out via scratching posts. 

Review rating: 4/5

Best heated outdoor cat tree

Pros

  • Compact cat house that fits in most catio/porch spaces (27”D x 27vW x 22”H)

  • Two levels lined with fleece pads, which can be removed for washing

  • 20 watt orthopedic heated fleece floor on the bottom level

  • Dining room with lift-up roof for easy access

  • Four removable plastic doors

  • Tested and certified by MET Labs and exceeds USA/CA electrical safety standards

  • Price under $100

Cons

  • Size might not be best for large cats

  • Not very tall for climbing/surveying

  • Does not include scratching post

Overall review

With a toasty heating pad that keeps both levels nice and warm, this is an essential for wintertime porches and catios. We love that this cat house is two levels, and that there is a room where you can keep your cat’s food bowls so they can spend as much time outside as they need with all their essentials. Just make sure that the dimensions are big enough to fit your cat; it might not be best for larger kitties. 

Review rating: 4.5/5

Best modern outdoor cat tree

Pros

  • Tall for climbing (31”L x 23”W in x 54”H)

  • Solid oak frame is outdoor compatible 

  • Five platforms for climbing and lounging

  • Two cushioned cat bed platforms

  • One sisal-padded scratching post

Cons

  • Price is high at $500

  • Cat bed cushions not the best for outdoors

Overall review

We love the modern design of this cat tree. This is perfect for a screened-in porch, especially because of the cushioned cat beds. While the cushions can be removed and washed, it’s probably better to keep them away from direct outdoor exposure. But it’s nice and tall for climbing and perching, and the solid oak frame is durable enough to hold up over time outdoors. 

Review rating: 4/5

Best outdoor cat tree for large cats

Pros

  • Tall for climbing (48.4”L x 43.5”W x 67”H)

  • Four platforms

  • One large cat cave with a bridge that includes a sisal scratching mat

  • Three sisal-wrapped scratching posts

Cons

  • Price a bit higher at $150

  • Difficult to assemble

Overall review

If you have a super-size catio, this wooden structure is the perfect addition for outdoor playing, climbing, scratching, and more. We love how expansive this structure is and how it really mirrors the indoor cat tree experience. It’s also great for large cats, and we love the bridge attachment up to the cat cave, which helps with larger cats and cats with mobility issues. However, some reviews have suggested that it might be more the more difficult end when it comes to assembly. 

Review rating: 4/5

FAQs

What is the best material for an outdoor cat tree?

A good place to start is to look for items marked as “weather-resistant.” Anything made of durable woods such as cedar and redwood or a sturdy plastic, such as PVC, should do the trick just fine.  

How do you ensure your outdoor cat tree is safe for your cat?

First, start by sourcing a cat tree with one of the materials mentioned above. Then, try to run regular inspections of the tree’s stability and durability, especially after any extreme weather that may affect the integrity of your cat tree.  

Can you put a cat tree in your outdoor space without a catio?

We highly recommend that if you are integrating your cats into your outdoor space you take the safety precautions necessary that will keep them contained in your yard. Veterinarians almost always recommend not to let your cats roam unattended outdoors.

It is very unsafe for cats to stray past the boundaries of your home, as they can encounter dangerous wildlife, contract infections, or endanger the local wildlife itself. It also adds a lot of extra stress to their daily life. However, catios are a great middle ground to ensure your pets can still experience the outdoors while staying safe.

Holland Baker with her cat

Holland Baker

Holland Baker is a New York-based writer with experience writing about shopping content related to home, lifestyle, and beauty; general pop culture behavior; and pet behavior, products, and grooming tips. Her work has previously appeared in Apartment Therapy, SheKnows, Newsweek, Paste Magazine, and more.

In her free time, you can find Holland running in the park, editing children’s books, reserving too many books to keep up with at the library, and hanging out with her two very fluffy, very codependent cats named Boris and Natasha, whom she adopted from the Brooklyn Cat Cafe in 2018.

Related articles