Last updated Apr 21, 2023
After reading customer reviews, studying the market, and identifying the features vital to the best cat doors, I’ve chosen the Ideal Pet Products Lockable Cat Flap Pet Door as the overall best cat door on the market.
It doesn’t have a lot of shiny high-tech features, but this locking door has all the security and build quality you need for years of no-fuss use.
At a Glance: Best Cat Doors, Portals, Flaps and Electronic Doors To Buy
In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Ideal Pet Products Lockable Cat Flap Pet Door
- Integrated 4-way locking mechanism
- Affordably priced under $20
- Telescoping frame adjusts to door width
Freedom Pet Pass Insulated Cat Door
- The company provides stellar customer service
- Ideal for people living in cold, harsh climates
- High-quality construction should last for years
SureFlap Microchip Cat Door
- Works with your cat’s microchip or an RFID collar
- Four-way locking mechanism for optimum control
- Phenomenal customer service reputation
Purrfect Portal Original Interior Cat Door
- Large compared to other interior cat doors
- Very easy to install on a variety of door types
- Cat shaped design with thick, rugged molded plastic
PetSafe Window & Porch Screen Pet Door
- A great option for people who don’t want to modify a solid door
- Economical choice, priced under $20
- Well-built compared to other screen cat doors
PetSafe Durable Interior Cat Door
- Works for cats up to 20 pounds
- Can be painted to match door
- Flap-free for easy interior access
Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Modular Pet Patio Door
- Designed specifically for use with sliding doors
- Easy to install and adjust with only a Philips screwdriver
- Includes weatherproofing materials and a door lock kit
Top Picks Explained
Before diving into the details of our top picks, let’s take a moment to learn about the different types of cat doors and what to look for when shopping for each type.
Types of Cat Doors
1. Basic Cat Flaps or Portals
Whether they have a flap or not, these doors are united in their lack of a locking mechanism. Because you can’t lock them, they’re best suited for indoor use.
They’re popular as entryways to garages or built into litter box enclosures. If you get one in the right size, you can use it in a multiple-pet home to let your cat into certain rooms while keeping dogs out.
What to Look For:
If you have a large cat, avoid cat flaps with openings that sit too close to the floor. Some are designed with smaller cats in mind and will force your kitty to scoot through with her belly to the floor.
2. Locking Cat Doors
These are the most popular cat doors available. They tend to last the longest and have the greatest value in terms of function.
Most locking cat doors allow you to set the door at different positions between full out-and-back access and a completely locked door.
What to Look For:
The best locking cat doors are well-built for years of use and are easy for both pets and pet parents to use. Pay attention to sizing—many of these doors come in several sizes for small or large cats, so it’s important to choose one that works for your cat.
Make sure the door is compatible with the place you plan to install it as well. Confirm that it fits your area and that it’s safe to install the flap in your door or wall before you make the first cut.
3. Electronic Doors
Instead of relying on manual locks, electronic doors have sensors that connect to an ID tag or your cat’s microchip which acts as a key to the cat door. These doors are ideal for multi-cat homes where you want one of your cats to have outdoor access but want to keep another inside. They’re also great for keeping raccoons, feral cats, and other invaders out of the house.
The downside of electronic doors is that they’re reliant on fallible technology and batteries. If the batteries die and you’re not there to replace them, your cat could be locked out of the house.
What to Look For:
Read customer reviews—companies won’t tell you about glitchy hardware and short battery life, but reviewers will. Excellent customer support is always important, but it’s crucial when you’re buying a high-tech cat door. Look for companies with a reputation for excellent customer support and a good warranty.
Top 7 Best Cat Doors on the Market
These doors are well-respected products that provide security, safety, and excellent performance.
#1 Overall Best: Ideal Pet Products Lockable Cat Flap Pet Door
This straightforward plastic frame cat door features a four-way locking mechanism that allows you to set the door to the standard locked and unlocked position in addition to accommodating one-way access.
With its telescoping frame, this pet door can be installed in any interior or exterior door that measures between 1 ¼ and 1 ¾ inch thick. The door itself is rigid plastic for durability and it is clear so your cat will always be able to see what’s on the other side. A magnetic strip on the bottom of the flap ensures that the door closes fully when it is unlocked.
This pet door is ideal for cat owners who require flexibility. Want your cat to be able to come back inside but not go out again until morning? Set the door to allow in-flowing traffic only. If you want to give your cat complete freedom to come and go, leave the door unlocked.
Customers seem to like this cat door and find the price to be reasonable, though some comment that the installation instructions could be clearer.
Pros
- Integrated 4-way locking mechanism
- Affordably priced under $20
- Telescoping frame adjusts to door width
- Clear door gives your cat visibility
- Magnetic strip ensures that the door closes fully
Cons
- Installation instructions could be clearer
- May not be fully weatherproof
#2 Best Energy Efficient Cat Door: Freedom Pet Pass Insulated Cat Door
If you’re in the market for a top-of-the-line cat door that’s energy efficient, consider this insulated cat flap door from Freedom Pet Pass.
While the door costs a couple hundred dollars more than the standard cat flap you’d find at the pet store, its airtight design is well worth it. It is particularly valuable for those living in climates where keeping the weather out is essential.
This article estimates that a poorly insulated cat flap will jack up your monthly heating bill by almost $7 a month or $40 per winter season. If you live in a stormy area, you might have to add blowing rain and outdoor debris into the equation.
The Freedom Pet Pass Insulated Cat Door has been tested and proven to reduce air leakage, control drafts, and help save money on heating bills. It uses Double Mag seal technology which delivers on durability with its airtight and weather-resistant seal.
Aside from its weatherproofing and high-quality construction, this is a pretty basic cat flap.
It comes with a locking security panel, but it’s just a plane of acrylic that slides across the door. There’s no option to lock your feline friend out of the house or keep him inside after he’s returned from the outdoors. It’s best for situations where you want your cat to have complete freedom to leave and full access to reenter the house.
It appears that the company offers great customer service, helping to fix doors and solve problems even after the 3-year limited warranty has expired.
Pros
- The company provides stellar customer service
- Ideal for people living in cold, harsh climates
- High-quality construction should last for years
Cons
- Two-way locking may not be ideal for all homes
- One of the most expensive cat doors on the market
#3 Best Electronic Cat Door: SureFlap Microchip Cat Door
Those who want to make sure that their cat door doesn’t become an entry point for raccoons, feral cats, and other home invaders might consider this electronic microchip cat flap.
Compared to other cat doors, this electromagnetic cat flap appears to be among the most reliable and most secure. It’s compatible with a SureFlap RFID tag on your cat’s collar or your cat’s microchip. You can program it to recognize up to 32 pets (it can also be used as a dog door).
When one of your registered cats leaves the house or tries to come back in, the SureFlap DualScan will scan their collar or microchip to determine whether to grant your cat access.
If you’d rather your cat stay inside, you can use the 4-way manual locking system to cut off traffic coming in or out. You also have the option to leave the adjustable door open from either direction for easy access or you can lock it completely for security.
The door uses four AA batteries, which will power it for up to one year. An indicator light warns you when the batteries are getting low.
SureFlap’s great customer service is a recurring theme in customer reviews. No matter which model you choose, being a SureFlap customer means receiving excellent customer service.
Pros
- Works with your cat’s microchip or an RFID collar
- Four-way locking mechanism for optimum control
- Phenomenal customer service reputation
Cons
- Battery-operated (batteries not included)
- Relatively small, might not work for larger cats
#4 Best Interior Door: Purrfect Portal Interior Cat Door, X-Large
Interior cat doors can be a great solution if your cat needs his own privacy. If you have an eager dog who tends to steal your cat’s food, you might choose to put your cat’s food in a room where your dog’s not allowed. That would mean that you would have to let your cat in and out of the room every time it’s feeding time.
With the right interior cat door, you can give your cat exclusive access to a closed room without ever having to turn a doorknob. These cat doors are a great solution for multi-pet homes, enclosed litter box setups, and more.
Our top recommendation in this category is the Purrfect Portal Interior Cat Door. In addition to covering the basics, the Purrfect Portal has a few features that set it apart from the majority of interior cat doors.
While most interior doors have a simple rectangular design, the Purrfect Portal has an innovative, cat-shaped design. It can be installed in hollow-core and solid doors for any room in the house. This door is easy to install with self-drilling screws, step-by-step instructions, and a template to get the right fit. It is made with thick, rugged molded plastic for lasting durability with no annoying flaps that may scare your cat off.
The Purrfect Portal is available in two sizes but we recommend the new Purrfect Portal XL over the Original.
The original’s passageway measured 8” high by 6.75” wide and was designed to fit cats weighing up to 20 pounds. This made it a little bit more spacious than many competing doors, but its bottom-of-door positioning still forces your cat to crouch slightly when they walk through. The Purrfect Portal XL’s passageway measures 8.7” high by 11.45” wide and is designed to fit cats weighing 20 to 30 pounds.
Pros
- Large compared to other interior cat doors
- Very easy to install on a variety of door types
- Cat shaped design with thick, rugged molded plastic
Cons
- Forces cats to crouch slightly, which may be uncomfortable
#5 Best For Screen Doors: PetSafe Window & Porch Screen Pet Door
If you rent your home or don’t want to make permanent alterations to a solid door, it may be more practical to install your cat door in a screened door or window. The PetSafe Window & Porch Screen Pet Door makes it easy.
With this kit, you can install a pet door in any existing screen door or window and it works with both vinyl and metal screens. The kit consists of a high-impact plastic frame you secure to the screen with adhesive and a plastic door that is hinged on the top with sliding locks on the bottom. When you want to keep the weather out or your cat in, simply engage the locks to prevent the door from opening.
This PetSafe screen pet door comes in two sizes – small and large – with the smallest size affordably priced under $20.
Though this screen pet door solves a specific problem, it does have some limitations. Pet doors installed in screens are generally less sturdy than doors installed in solid surfaces. Additionally, some customers comment that the included screws don’t work as well as they could. Several recommend purchasing ¾-inch machine screws and bolts to use for installation instead.
Pros
- Enables your cat to come and go freely
- Sliding side locks keep out weather and keep your cat inside when needed
- Installs easily in existing screen doors and windows
- Affordably priced under $20
Cons
- Included screws may not work well
- Screen installation limits the door’s structural integrity
#6 Best For Large Cats: PetSafe Durable Interior Cat Door
Compatible with cats weighing up to 20 pounds, this adorable cat shaped interior cat door is the perfect option for large cats and some dogs.
The PetSafe Durable Interior Cat Door is durably constructed from high-quality, plastic material and attaches to any standard interior door using the included sturdy screws. It takes just a few minutes to install and can also be painted to match any door.
This large cat door doesn’t include a flap which makes it perfect for indoor use, though it may not be the best choice for exterior doors unless you have a double door. It even works with hollow doors – it features an additional closing panel that keeps your cat’s paws from getting stuck in a hollow-core door.
Pros
- Works for cats up to 20 pounds
- Can be painted to match door
- Flap-free for easy interior access
Cons
- Best for indoor use, no flap
#7 Best For Sliding Doors: Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Modular Pet Patio Door
Most cat doors are designed to be installed in solid interior or exterior doors – they don’t typically work with sliding glass doors. The Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Modular Pet Patio Door does.
This cat door is available in three sizes, but we recommend the medium for cats and small dogs. It consists of two modular sections which can be assembled into a full-size pet door that fits sliding patio doors ranging from 77 5/8 to 80 ¾ inches in height. It’s simple to install with only a Philips screwdriver required to add or remove spacers to find the proper fit.
With its durable aluminum and tempered glass construction, this pet patio door keeps the weather out while allowing your cat to come and go as he pleases. It comes with weatherproofing materials to create a seal where the pet door meets the sliding door and draft protection for the bottom edge.
When you’d like to keep your cat inside, you need only slide the solid lockout panel over the flap. For added security, the kit comes with a fixture you can use to secure the sliding door to the pet door so it can’t be opened separately.
Customers generally found the door to be sturdy and easy to install, though some noted that a magnetic strip on the bottom of the plastic flap requires the cat to expend a little effort to push through. It may take your cat a few tries to get the hang of it but the magnet keeps the flap from opening on its own.
Pros
- Designed specifically for use with sliding doors
- Easy to install and adjust with only a Philips screwdriver
- Includes weatherproofing materials and a door lock kit
- Allows for free entry/exit or lockout to keep your cat inside
Cons
- Some cats have trouble getting used to pushing through the flap
- Height adjustment is limited to 77 5/8 to 80 ¾ inches
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to put a cat flap?
When it comes to choosing a location for your cat door, it all depends on the number and location of exterior doors you have in your home. If you have a side entrance, this may be the best option to give your cat a more concealed entrance and exit. Otherwise, the back door is generally better than the front door, especially when it comes to keeping feral cats and other animals out.
How do you install a cat door in an interior door?
Installing a cat door on an interior door is no different than installing it on an exterior door. Make sure you choose a cat door compatible with the type of door you have then use the included cutting template to mark the door and cut out the hole.
Should I lock my cat flap at night?
Many cat doors come with multifunctional locking mechanisms that allow you to leave the cat door completely open, completely locked, or something in between. For your cat’s safety, it’s generally best to lock the cat door at night so your cat can’t get out. If your cat is already outside, however, you should not lock the door – your cat should never be barred from reentering the home. Once your cat is in, you may want to lock the cat door to keep out feral cats and other animals.
thank you for the information on cat doors. I’m a new cat person, always had dogs…but a feral who had kitty’s in my back yard, and I helped her and them along… has now adopted me… I had her fixed, shots, wormed etc. and she has never left,,, she’s indoor / outdoor,,, cant keep a caller on her, but all’s well…she’s driving me nuts with in and out so,,, I need a door Thanks again, Debbie Kreger