Donna Spickett retires after a remarkable 52-year career with Essex County Library
For Donna Spickett, one chapter closes - as another one opens. The long-time employee has retired after spending 52 years with the Essex County Library. 'I started as a desk clerk at the LaSalle branch of the Essex County Library (ECL) in 1973. I never imagined that my career in the library would have lasted beyond my high school years!' said Spickett. 'When I finished high school I wasn't sure which direction I wanted to go to further my education, so I continued to work at the LaSalle library until 1980 when an opening came up in Essex for a branch assistant.'
She worked at ECL part time for 10 years, was married in 1981 and had three children. She worked part time until 1999 - which gave Donna and her husband Matt time to raise their family.
'Our children loved their mom working at the library! I was always borrowing a variety of books for them to read,' she laughed. 'My family supported me through my career because they knew I loved it!'
In 1990, when her mother (Jean Forbes) retired from the LaSalle Branch, she came back to LaSalle as the branch supervisor. Over the years, Spickett shares she has seen many technical changes at the ECL.
'When I started there was a small binder to find the general location of books with the Dewey Decimal system,' she laughed. 'We had a very small card catalogue with recipe cards in a file box which we also used. We checked out books with a stamp attached to a pencil and patrons had a card number which we wrote down on the cards that we removed from the books when they took them out.'
She says the stamp was changed nightly, so patrons could keep books out for three weeks. They would file the cards alphabetically and numerically at the end of the day and count them for circulation statistics.
'When computers came into the ECL system in the 90's things started to move quickly with technology. There are now databases available for free to access newspapers and magazines from around the world, Libby to download e-books and audiobooks, storybooks in different languages (Lote), transparent language and many more,' she added
During the Covid shut down the library attached an RFID tag into each book, which meant that they could place a number of books onto a tablet to check them out instead of scanning each individual book.
RFID stands for 'Short Frequency Identification' and these smart barcodes are attached to items in order to easily identify them by using radio frequency technology.
In more simple terms, radio waves transmit data from the tag to the reader that then transmits the information to a RFID computer program.
Spickett also acknowledges she has seen many major changes to library programming over time. 'Our programming consisted mainly of children's programs to bring families into the library. We started out with story times and craft programs, which continued to grow with great attendance,' she shared. Currently programming has expanded to all ages including adult crafts, cooking programs, book clubs, outreach and community partners.' she said. Overtime she recalls many fond and favourite memories. 'My greatest memories are the families that come in today - that came in when they were children! They talk of the programs that went to when they were very young and they are now carrying on the library tradition with their families,' Spickett shares.
'The cards and kind words I have received over the last month show me that I have touched many people and they certainly have touched my life! The LaSalle Branch has moved six times since I started in the 70's. With each move it was so nice to see more and more families coming into a newer location.' Spickett says that working for the ECL has been a wonderfully fulfilling career.
'It is overwhelming when I think back to the beginning of my career! Some of the patrons that I have met over the years have become great friends and I looked forward to seeing them in the library,' she said. 'The staff that I have worked with will never be forgotten. We have shared family stories and enjoyed each other's company for many years! I will miss seeing them on a daily basis.' As one chapter closes another chapter begins.
'My husband and I hope to do some travelling in the fall and winter,' Spickett says.
'We moved last year, and I am looking forward to the nicer weather to work in the yard and garden. I will have more time to spend with family and our six grandchildren…they are also looking forward to that.' she added. 'I was honoured to be a part of ECL and the LaSalle Community for over half a century!'
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Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Donna Spickett retires after a remarkable 52-year career with Essex County Library
For Donna Spickett, one chapter closes - as another one opens. The long-time employee has retired after spending 52 years with the Essex County Library. 'I started as a desk clerk at the LaSalle branch of the Essex County Library (ECL) in 1973. I never imagined that my career in the library would have lasted beyond my high school years!' said Spickett. 'When I finished high school I wasn't sure which direction I wanted to go to further my education, so I continued to work at the LaSalle library until 1980 when an opening came up in Essex for a branch assistant.' She worked at ECL part time for 10 years, was married in 1981 and had three children. She worked part time until 1999 - which gave Donna and her husband Matt time to raise their family. 'Our children loved their mom working at the library! I was always borrowing a variety of books for them to read,' she laughed. 'My family supported me through my career because they knew I loved it!' In 1990, when her mother (Jean Forbes) retired from the LaSalle Branch, she came back to LaSalle as the branch supervisor. Over the years, Spickett shares she has seen many technical changes at the ECL. 'When I started there was a small binder to find the general location of books with the Dewey Decimal system,' she laughed. 'We had a very small card catalogue with recipe cards in a file box which we also used. We checked out books with a stamp attached to a pencil and patrons had a card number which we wrote down on the cards that we removed from the books when they took them out.' She says the stamp was changed nightly, so patrons could keep books out for three weeks. They would file the cards alphabetically and numerically at the end of the day and count them for circulation statistics. 'When computers came into the ECL system in the 90's things started to move quickly with technology. There are now databases available for free to access newspapers and magazines from around the world, Libby to download e-books and audiobooks, storybooks in different languages (Lote), transparent language and many more,' she added During the Covid shut down the library attached an RFID tag into each book, which meant that they could place a number of books onto a tablet to check them out instead of scanning each individual book. RFID stands for 'Short Frequency Identification' and these smart barcodes are attached to items in order to easily identify them by using radio frequency technology. In more simple terms, radio waves transmit data from the tag to the reader that then transmits the information to a RFID computer program. Spickett also acknowledges she has seen many major changes to library programming over time. 'Our programming consisted mainly of children's programs to bring families into the library. We started out with story times and craft programs, which continued to grow with great attendance,' she shared. Currently programming has expanded to all ages including adult crafts, cooking programs, book clubs, outreach and community partners.' she said. Overtime she recalls many fond and favourite memories. 'My greatest memories are the families that come in today - that came in when they were children! They talk of the programs that went to when they were very young and they are now carrying on the library tradition with their families,' Spickett shares. 'The cards and kind words I have received over the last month show me that I have touched many people and they certainly have touched my life! The LaSalle Branch has moved six times since I started in the 70's. With each move it was so nice to see more and more families coming into a newer location.' Spickett says that working for the ECL has been a wonderfully fulfilling career. 'It is overwhelming when I think back to the beginning of my career! Some of the patrons that I have met over the years have become great friends and I looked forward to seeing them in the library,' she said. 'The staff that I have worked with will never be forgotten. We have shared family stories and enjoyed each other's company for many years! I will miss seeing them on a daily basis.' As one chapter closes another chapter begins. 'My husband and I hope to do some travelling in the fall and winter,' Spickett says. 'We moved last year, and I am looking forward to the nicer weather to work in the yard and garden. I will have more time to spend with family and our six grandchildren…they are also looking forward to that.' she added. 'I was honoured to be a part of ECL and the LaSalle Community for over half a century!'
Buzz Feed
30-03-2025
- Buzz Feed
You'll Instantly Envy The Genius Who Invented These 34 Products — They're Just That Good
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · It's perfectly normal to be jealous of the masterminds behind these inventions. 1. A pair of ceiling fan charms with some big "why didn't I think of that?" energy. You'll never have to guess whether you're pulling the cord for the light or the fan! These also add a good foot of length to your pulls, which is super helpful for the shorties out there. Promising review:"This is the definition of 'product you didn't know you needed because you didn't know it existed.' I was FOREVER pulling the wrong chain on our bedroom ceiling fan. (Want the light off? Oh the fan's on high. Need to change the fan speed? you're in the dark.) They're much better quality than I expected. They're actually quite heavy-duty pull chains, and they add a bit of fun to the decor." — LHD Get them from Amazon for $5.88+ (available in two lengths and gfive styles). 2. Some bedsheet tags if you're tired of playing guessing games when it's time to change 'em. You'll instantly know which set of sheets are for which bed, and where each corner goes. Like I said, genius. Bed Corner Labels is a woman-owned small business based in Hermosa Beach, California. These labels can be left on sheets while they're in the washer and dryer. They can also be detached and reattached a limited number of times. Promising review: "They're easy to attach to sheets and look better than the safety pin I was using to designate the long side of my king-sized sheets." — ESimms5555 Get a set of four labels from Bed Corner Labels on Etsy for $13.75+ (available in larger sets and eight styles). 3. A clever coffee pod tray so you have some hidden storage that also frees up valuable kitchen space. Obviously you can't give up your coffee pods, but you can find a better way to store them. Promising review: "This space saver K-cup is wonderful! It is attractive and keeps my counter clutter-free. It is lightweight but very sturdy. I would highly recommend this for anyone wanting to gain valuable counter space." — christine h Get it from Amazon for $19.99. 4. An RFID-blocking travel wallet with seemingly endless compartments for everything you could possibly need, like cash, credit cards, passports, boarding passes, and more! There's even a designated pouch for your cell phone. You'll be much *more* organized when you head out on your next journey — even if it's just down the road to a coffee shop. Promising review:"I absolutely love this wallet. I needed a new travel wallet, and this holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! I can fit my boarding pass, passport, ID, credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, and more in it, yet it doesn't bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. It's just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese Yen (¥), which are larger. I didn't use the zippered pocket for coins as I much prefer a separate coin purse for that sort of thing. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" — Anthony Luu Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 24 colors). 5. A "Cup Claw" to quickly grab the twisted-up pads and cups in your bras so you can put them back into place with ease — or get rid of 'em entirely. No more trying to shrink your fingers to fit into that microscopic hole OR trying to use tweezers that could damage your bra. Cup Claw is a US-based, family-owned small business specializing in fashion tools. Promising review: "After so many lost bra pads, this has been a lifesaver. Instead of feeling immense amounts of frustration, trying to get the pads back into place, this works like a breeze. It is simple to use, effective, and takes a lot of stress out of life. If you are tired of fighting with pads to get them smoothed out and back into place, I highly recommend this." — Wesley I. Get it from Amazon for $14.99. 6. A ~brilliant~ neck reading light bookworms will praise until the end of time for its sheer wisdom. You'll be able to read in the dark without straining your eyeballs or committing to a disturbingly bright overhead light. Promising review:"I don't have the best lighting in this house or the best eyes, and that makes for a hard time cross-stitching. These are absolutely wonderful! I can see my patterns and do my cross-stitching which is so great during this quarantine. Be sure to charge every night after use though. And they are so lightweight I forget I'm wearing them! Highly recommended!" — Nini Get it from Amazon for $17.58+ (available in seven colors). 7. Glisten disposer cleaner, which will put an end to all the mysterious gunk lurking down there *without* any elbow-deep dirty work. And the blue foam is pretty fun to watch, so this may just become one of your fave cleaning tasks. Promising review:"This product is amazing. Every time I ran the dishwasher there was this horrible smell. So much that you could smell it throughout the apartment. I even started just hand-washing my dishes. But after about a week, the smell came back. I bought so many products to try and eliminate the smell, but after a couple of days, it would come back. Then I saw this product on BuzzFeed and thought to myself, why not? The first time I used it cleaned it out pretty well. Better than the other products. But then I used it a second time, and there was no smell. I'm going on two weeks of using my dishwasher, and I can't smell anything. I highly recommend this if you're having the same problem I was. This is by far the best kitchen cleaning product I've ever purchased." — Khrystyne Torres Get a pack for four uses from Amazon for $3.78 (also available in larger packs). 8. Detergent cup holders that'll make you whisper "Where have you been all my life?" when you do laundry. Gone are the days of wiping up soapy puddles that dripped onto the floor. Promising review:"I love these. I wish I knew about them sooner! I was always keeping towels under my laundry soap for when the soap would drip. But now I don't need to. Must buy." — Amanda A. Get a two-pack from Amazon for $5.94. 9. A "cat dancer" toy because sometimes cheap thrills are a ~purrfect~ solution for hyperactive kitties! Wave this toy around and watch 'em dance the night away — it'll be their newest obsession (and maybe yours too). Promising review:"Super simple, ridiculously simple cat toy, that is a MUST-have for kitties who like to chase and bat at moving toys. I have the fishing rod style toy which they like, but it was the introduction of the Cat Dancer that really lights them up. I don't know exactly what it is, but they flipping LOVE the look and movement of this toy. It just has a super appealing movement that drives them [wild]. They just sit and stare at other toys, but this? WHOA!" — Precise Disarray Get it from Amazon for $3.99. 10. A jewelry-cleaning pen when your accessories have become dreadfully dull and you want 'em to ~shine bright like a diamond~ once again. I bet you'll soon be writing a love letter to the brainiac who invented it! This cleaning pen has soft bristles for gentle cleaning, and is filled with a cleansing and polishing solution that removes dirt and oil, and fills in scratches, making jewelry as good as new! All you need to do is twist the bottom of the pen and start brushin'. Promising review:"Ooh la la! A must-have! Great product! I'll be keeping this little baby in my purse! After cleaning the ring, I walked outside in the sun and it was gorgeous!!!!! I like how it gets between the tiny diamonds and underneath/between the setting to really clean well. I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes a sparkly diamond!" — AJK Get it from Amazon for $9.48 (also available in multipacks). 11. A nifty car seat buckle release tool — your innocent nails have suffered enough at the hand of your kid's buckle. This Shark Tank invention helps you unbuckle *without* any causalities. It's also great for people with arthritis, carpal tunnel, and other conditions that cause limited hand strength. Amazon UnbuckleMe is a woman-owned small business run by Becca Davison and her mother Barbara Heilman, an occupational therapist and grandmother of four. Watch a TikTok of a mom explain why this tool has been a game changer. Promising review:" OUTSTANDING! I am a young grandmother in my 50s and TIRED of breaking my nails on the car seat fasteners. Both my granddaughter and I LOVE this gadget. She keeps it tucked inside the pocket of her car seat. I never have to look for it. When we make it to our destination, I ask her to get it ready. In SECONDS the car seat is unbuckled. What a godsend! Truly, if we had been in an accident or other emergency, it would have taken me several attempts to free my granddaughter. I consider this a danger! This little device makes car seats enjoyable again. The color makes it easy to find and it fits logically right where it's supposed need to carry instructions. I cannot say enough about this product and would recommend it to everyone." — Winnie Get it from Amazon for $12.74 (available in seven colors). 12. Revlon's One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer brush if your goal is to style and dry your hair at the same time. You'll speed up your routine while giving your hair an unbelievable amount of shine and volume! It uses special vents to help hair dry faster with less heat damage. Unlike other hair dryers, this one can be held closer to the roots and scalp for a higher volume and lift and helps you curl hair at the end while it dries. It comes with three heat settings and is designed to work on all hair textures — reviewers with 2a – 4c hair mentioned it working for them, and especially noted that it helps cut down on drying time! Promising reviews:"Oh. My. Gosh. Let me start off by saying I HATE doing my hair. It's long, straight, and really fine so I just let it air dry and call it a day but that leaves it flat, frizzy, and a little wavy in the back. Well I got this puppy in the mail today so immediately jumped in the shower so I could use my new drying brush and this thing is literally magic! It dried it so silky smooth and gave me so much volume. I used it on the low setting first then high and was blown away. I will forever be drying my hair this way. I feel like a hair model LOL. So basically ... just buy the thing. You won't regret it!" — Chloe512 "I love this, I wish I would have bought it sooner. Best purchase ever and most definitely would buy again. I absolutely love how it leaves my hair, soft and shiny. I don't even need to straighten my hair because I have curly hair care. This helps me get ready in half the time that I would have to brush it. Blow dry it and flat iron this works." — Miriam Ramos Get it from Amazon for $33.49 (available in four colors/styles). 13. A quick *and* efficient Yonanas fruit soft-serve maker for whipping up a healthy, tasty treat in no time. Add your frozen ingredients of choice and you'll have dreamy, delish soft serve in minutes. Bonus: The removable parts are top-rack dishwasher-safe and the base can easily be wiped down when you're done! Promising review:"I saw one of these in action at a friend's house like five years ago and thought it was just a made up memory, because making ice cream out of solely frozen fruit seems wild. But when I saw a TikTok about it I immediately went to Amazon and bought it. Literally, this was the BEST decision of my life. I still cannot believe how amazing this thing is! It makes the creamiest, best-tasting fruit ice cream ever. It's easy to take apart and clean, and super easy to use." — DMCKAY Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in six colors). 14. A TikTok-famous adjustable mug organizer set to free up some space *and* reduce cabinet clutter. Place the circular organizers on top of a mug and you'll have a sturdy base for a second mug on top without it crashing down on you. Amazon Elypro is a small business in New York City making clever organization products for the home. Promising review: "These mug organizers work really well. I just ordered my third set. I've been using them for about five months and the cups sit on them nicely. I like that you can change the size so if you have some mugs which are bigger/smaller than others, the organizers work for them as well." — Amazon Customer Get a set of six (to organize 12 mugs) from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three colors). 15. A bug bite suction tool because what's worse than getting bitten the moment you step outside to enjoy some fresh air? This tool sucks the venom or insect saliva out to help reduce itching, redness, and swelling. Hats off to the mastermind who invented this! It works on mosquito bites, wasp/bee stings, and more. Promising review:"I bought this because I saw it on TikTok, and have been having issues with mosquito bites. Used it a few times to relieve itchiness and I am convinced it works! Have been recommending it to my family and friends. Read the directions and follow them carefully. Don't use this on your face or neck, or other sensitive areas. Don't do a lot of suction, just a little bit. And do it a few times if needed. Great invention!" — Joe Get it from Amazon for $6.96+ (available in three colors and in multipacks). 16. Crayola Globbles if getting your kid to sit down for an activity is not in the cards. They (or you!) will have a ~ball~ squishing, stretching, and slinging these around. Don't worry, reviewers say they don't leave behind a sticky residue. Promising review:" I waited over two months to write my review! My 4-year-old daughter plays with these DAILY! YES they do attract dirt and hair. HOWEVER, they are so easy to rinse off, it's not a big deal! We took these to a family gathering and ended up giving two away because they were SO loved! The two we gave away went to a 12-year-old and my 19-year-old brother. They discovered throwing them at the ceiling fan and watching them shoot across the room, which was pretty entertaining! None of them have busted or ripped and they are definitely NOT gentle with them! I will definitely be buying more!" — Heather Hambrick Get a six-pack from Amazon for $10.99+ (also available in packs of 16). 17. A ceiling fan carbon filter so the blades can trap dust, pollen, and dander while they spin. Stick it right to the fan blade and forget about it until it's time for a replacement! I bet you'll prefer this over cleaning the blades every few months only to inhale a mouthful of dust. Simply peel it off when it's time for a replacement! Each one lasts about 1 to 3 months after installation depending on your home's allergens. Promising reviews: "I wasn't sure what to expect when purchasing these, but now they are a staple in every room of our house. Within three days, the air smelled more crisp and was easier to breathe in our home. So simple and effective!" — Haylee Marez "We have these on every ceiling fan in our house and have noticed such a difference since installing them! There is less dust on our furniture, and the general air quality in our rooms has improved. There is no longer dust build-up on our fan blades. Super easy to install!" — Hannah McClam Get a three-pack from Amazon for $21.99. 18. A pair of prism spectacles — those days of trying to read while lying down leading to a sore neck are officially over! They're also great for playing games, watching TV, and other activities that basically require you to be horizontal. Promising review:"I didn't know what I was missing until I used this. My life is now complete. If you enjoy comfort and lazy binge-watching but don't care how ridiculous you look wearing these, then you have found Nirvana. My glasses fit in these just fine. Takes a minute to get used to, then it becomes your reason to live. Expect people to laugh at you, but forgive them for they know not what they are missing." — Michael Boyd Get them from Amazon for $12.99. 19. A life-saving ChomChom pet hair remover roller for anyone who loves their fur child but not the ongoing hair issue. Roll it back and forth on the hair-ridden area, then empty the compartment into the trash. It has over 140,00 5-star ratings for a reason, folks. Promising reviews: "I have a golden retriever and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair and I finally decided to try this after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie, this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before and after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly and everything he says is true, you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back and forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout and it works wonders." — Joanne Ertel Get it from Amazon for $19.59+ (available in two colors/styles and in a mini size). 20. A HyperChiller device when you prefer cold coffee but can't possibly fathom waiting for it to cool down in the fridge. Who has the time?? This magical machine can cool down your coffee (or tea, or wine!) in a whopping 60 seconds without watering it down. Promising review:"Got this for my boyfriend who hates hot coffee but makes his coffee with the Keurig. This little thing fits right on the freezer door, cleans really easily, and cools down whatever you put into it so quickly. We have even used it to cool down wine and other spirits that aren't carbonated. It beats adding ice to a drink you don't want to water down!" — J_Thill Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors). 21. A long-handled standing weeder because bending over to pull pesky weeds should be illegal. Your yard will look absolutely ~flawless~ after using this tool and you'll be totally pain free. Genius much?? Amazon It's made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to make weeding easy. Grampa's Gardenware Co. is a small, family-owned business based in Oregon making tools for gardening. Promising review:"Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weeds was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." — JG Get it from Amazon for $36.97. 22. Anti-slip glasses holders — let's be honest, you spend an ungodly amount of time pushing your glasses back up your for them to fall back down again. These are made of silicone and will help secure your glasses without squeezing your skull until it nearly pops. Amazon Promising review:"I love this product. I had grown weary with my glasses sliding off my face. It's like I had to choose between them being tight and causing headaches and pain behind my ears or being comfortable but not functional. I decided to look for a solution. This was a fair price and different options (color-wise) so I ordered it. They are very comfortable. I can inspect under my bus without my glasses sliding off my face and don't have to hold them on anymore. They work perfectly. My glasses do not move at all." — Danyelle Brazell Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $9.99 (available in black or a multicolor pack). 23. A game-changing outlet shelf for keeping additional items off your cluttered surfaces. Use it to hold your electric toothbrush or even your Alexa device! Either way, you'll be relieved to have one less thing occupying counter space. Promising review: "Bought this on Prime Day. I like listening to music/podcasts in the shower, but we don't have much room for a speaker/Echo Dot on our counter space in the bathroom. This product solved this issue. It's very sturdy and easy to install. Highly recommend!" — Jude Chauvin Get it from Amazon for $11.89+ (also available in black and in packs of two). 24. A kitchen mixer cord organizer that'll help you store cooking gadgets without a heap of tangled cords putting a damper on your neat home vibes. No complicated installation required! Attach the cord organizer to your appliance with a medium 3M Command Strip and call it a day. 3D Home Solutions is a Texas-based Etsy shop that specializes in 3D-printed homewares. Each cord organizer comes with a medium-sized Command strip for easy installation and removal. Promising review: "Received this super fast! And it works amazing!!! I don't have to worry about my cord to my mixer just bunched up or wrapped around the base. Went on super easy, very durable from what I can tell. And the cord easily clips into place. I love how much this is helping me save space! Thank you again!!" — Cat Cisneros Get it from 3D Home Solutions on Etsy for $8 (available in three colors). 25. A germaphobe-certified smartphone sanitizer to sanitize and charge your phone in one fell swoop. Toss it in for 10 minutes when you get home and eradicate those nasty germs ASAP. PhoneSoap is a small business that creates products to help you keep your phone germ-free. Promising review:"I love that I can put my phone in there after I get home and it is sanitized in no time at all. I work in health care and it makes me feel better about having my phone at work." — Tammy Get it from Amazon for $64.95+ (available in five colors). 26. A handy electric candle lighter with a long flexible neck that makes it easy to light deep wicks without burning yourself. It's USB rechargeable so you'll never have to worry about buying batteries for it. Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. Now I'm able to light candles where the candle wax has melted down and it's hard to reach inside the jar. I also love the fact that you charge this with a USB cable and the charge lasts for a long time. It has indicator lights to let you know how much of a charge is remaining. I've only had to charge it once since I purchased it. Very durable and a great value for the price. I definitely recommend this." — Cassandra S. Get it from Amazon for $14.44+ (available in eight colors and in packs of two). 27. A caddy because there are just some items you can't live without, like the remote, your glasses, a good book (or Kindle), and anything else you keep at your bedside 24/7. You can even attach it to chairs, couches, and anywhere else that needs a bit of extra storage. Promising review:"I had a nicer-looking, more expensive version of this in my cart originally. This was one-third of that price and I'm so glad I went with this one. It's got a sturdy backing on both pieces (piece with pockets and a piece that goes between mattresses), one large pocket closest to the bed, and three decent-sized mesh pockets. I have it between my mattress and box spring." — Danielle Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in three colors/styles). 28. The internet-famous Revlon oil-absorbing volcanic face roller to make excess oil instantly ✨vanish✨ with a few swipes. It's more eco-friendly than blotting sheets and you won't have to keep reapplying powder. Promising review:"First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered but then I got an email saying it was in stock and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." — Kelsey B. Get it from Amazon for $7.89. 29. "The Clean Ball," which will def come in handy if you often find a pile of mystery debris at the bottom of your purse or makeup bag. This takes care of the mess for you *and* keeps your other belongings clean. Amazon Promising reviews: "Best invention! I purchased after seeing it in a TikTok video, and it works soooo well in my purse." — Wenhether "This little ball is genius!! Rolls around in my purse, which I live out of. It picks up a lot of lint, debris, or even crumbs. Easy to find with the bright pink. Just remove and wash and it's ready to go again. The price was great and something I can use for years. If you live out of your purse this a must-have!!" — dj3biggs Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in five colors and in packs of three). 30. A Cup Cozy Pillow when you simply don't have room for yet another piece of furniture. Now you can binge your fave shows *and* beverages on the couch without worrying about spills. Cup Cozy Pillow is a family-run small business that created this product after wanting a way to keep a drink close by while working on a laptop while on the couch. Check it out on TikTok! Promising review:"This is perfect for a big couch that needs cup/storage space where you can't put a table." — Natalie Murillo Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in nine colors/styles). 31. A Take-n-Slide medication tracker so you stay on top of your meds and never accidentally take it twice! Once you take it, slide the tracker over and you'll be good to go without any guesswork. Yep, you need this in your life. Promising review:"What a genius product. I absolutely love them. If you take the same medication, when you get your new prescription, just pour the pills into the bottle that you placed the tab strip on. It will literally last forever. So much more convenient than the pill boxes." — M C Zamarripa Get a five-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors and in packs of two). 32. A washable drip catcher if you love when a product is so smart, it does all the work for you. This will catch the mess and save you SO many paper towels and/or dirty dish towels. Need!!! Hustle & Sew / Etsy Hustle & Sew is a Saint Helens, Oregon-based Etsy shop with lots of fun and functional handmade goods like face masks, bags, and stasher scrunchies! Promising review:"This is so great. It works perfectly. No more soggy sink. It is so much easier to dishes now with this around my faucet." — Megan McCartney Get it from Hustle & Sew on Etsy for $13.50+ (available in four sizes and five colors). 33. An automatic pan stirrer with a timer for anyone who starts cooking and walks away momentarily... only to completely forget about stirring their meal. Problem solved! Uncommon Goods Promising review: "My husband loves to cook. We have two very small children, so while his meals are mostly yummy, they are also sometimes burnt. :) This was perfect for him. He's able to turn it on, run into the next room to save the day with a plastic bag and a washcloth for whatever blowout-esque mess I'm dealing with, forget he's cooking, run back into the kitchen frantically when he remembers, and arrive only to find the meal practically cooking itself. Best. Gift. Ever." — Jake the ChefturnedDaddy Get it from UncommonGoods for $25+ (available in two styles). 34. An auto-shutoff outlet so you don't have to spend half the day worrying about whether you remembered to unplug that one appliance. Put this in your outlet, plug in your device, and set the timer. The only second thought you'll have is about how you survived without this. Amazon, You can set the timer on this for one, two, four, or eight hours, or just put it on hold. Promising review:"I'm very pleased with this. I use it mainly for at-home hair styling. I often like to leave my styling wand on for last-minute touch ups before leaving early in the morning but, in haste, I often get on the freeway and worry that I forgot to unplug it. No more worries with this attached to the plug. I wish I'd gotten it sooner." — JDubya Get it from Amazon for $12.39. Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
CNN
19-11-2024
- CNN
The best pet water fountains for cats and dogs in 2024, tried and tested
The best pet water fountains we tested Best pet water fountain: PetLibro Dockstream RFID Smart Fountain Best budget pet water fountain: Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain Best water fountain for bigger pets: Oneisall Dog Water Fountain The best pet water fountain for cats and dogs will see to your fur babies' hydration needs even when life gets hectic. Hydration is just as important to pets as it is to humans, so while giving them access to fresh clean water may not be top of mind, especially to new or extremely busy pet parents, it's vital to their health and overall well-being. This is especially true if you have a cat in your household. According to Dr. Tiffany Tupler, veterinarian and animal behaviorist at Chewy, 'Cats are not natural water drinkers. Part of their lifestyle is to receive water from their food source (the only domesticated species that is a true carnivore). Because free-feeding and dry diets are formulated and balanced for feline health, they make our lives easier as pet parents. It's why we have to work extra hard as pet owners to ensure our kitties drink the appropriate amount of water intake.' That's where pet water fountains come in. Designed to keep water fresh and purified while encouraging your cats or dogs to drink, pet water fountains should be a part of every pet parent's pet essentials list. So, enlisting the help of my little band of feline hellions, I tested 11 of the most highly reviewed models on the market for a few weeks and found three that exceeded expectations. You can either refill your pets' water bowls every day or every time the water starts to look gnarly, or you can take some of the work off your plate by getting one of these top picks. PetLibro Dockstream RFID Smart Fountain Along with an excellent filtration system and a beautiful wireless pump design, the PetLibro Dockstream RFID can track every one of your pets' water intake with RFID collars. It's also surprisingly affordable for what it offers. Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain Though the brand is not as big as PetLibro, Enabot has some smart pet appliances, like this water fountain that features an efficient sensor, a solid filtration system, a 60-day battery life and a surprisingly good amount of app customization. Oneisall Dog Water Fountain This massive water fountain may seem basic compared to the other fountains in our testing pool, but it does the job well. Its faucet spout proved very appealing to cats, while its massive water tray and tank are perfect for bigger pets and multi-pet households. Don't be intimidated by the PetLibro Dockstream RFID Smart Fountain's more advanced features. While a fountain with radio frequency identification (RFID) — a wireless technology that utilizes radio waves for identification and tracking — app support and a wireless pump may seem like overkill, it's an excellent choice for multi-pet households. The water fountain comes with two RFID collars — more can be purchased for $10 a piece — that allow the app to monitor and report the amount of water each pet is drinking and how often. And very accurately too, I might add. You can then use that data to help ensure your pets' well-being. For pet parents with non-collar-wearing cats, the transition to wearing an RFID collar may not be as intrusive or difficult as you think. All my cats detest collars but didn't mind wearing these. Another water fountain in my testing pool, the CatLink Pure 2, provides the same multi-pet hydration monitoring feature, but the PetLibro Dockstream RFID Smart Fountain outshines the Catlink in other ways. For one, it has a 3-liter-capacity water tank, which is the sweet spot between not refilling too often and saving space. At 9.6 by 7.9 by 9.1 inches, it's still relatively compact. For another, it has a stainless steel water tray, which is better than plastic, and delivers a quieter operation at 23 decibels. Robust, well-made and fitted with a flowing spout, this pet water fountain also exudes elegance with its rounded corners, a beautiful base and a wireless pump design, which makes refilling and cleaning so much easier, even though PetLibro doesn't specify if the tray and tank are dishwasher-safe. I've been through my share of water fountains with wired pumps, so trust me when I say that wireless pumps are an absolute game changer. It makes them easier to set up as well. When it comes to filtration performance, this pet water fountain proved to be top-notch. Its four-layer filtration does an incredible job of filtering even the smallest food particles — after a week's use during my testing, the water and water tank remained pristine, with all the cat hair and particles trapped in the filter tray. The only other drinking fountain that outmatched its performance is the cheaper PetLibro Capsule Fountain. It also utilizes its app support well. Besides providing hydration monitoring, the PetLibro app also delivers app alerts like low water levels and irregularities like the base not detecting the tank. I wouldn't call the PetLibro Dockstream RFID Smart Fountain the perfect water fountain. Even though it is worth its $100 price tag, I would have expected other useful features like the option to set it to intermittent or sensing flow, the latter of which the more affordable PetLibro Dockstream Cordless Fountain offers. That would have sweetened the pot even more. Still, this is the best water fountain for cats and dogs if you have a multi-pet household or want to keep track of your pet's hydration. The Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain is not the cheapest product in my testing pool. That honor belongs to the Wonder Creature Cat Water Fountain, which is $30 cheaper. The elegant-looking PetLibro Capsule Fountain is also a little cheaper at $41. However, out of all the under-$70 models I tested, this delivered the best performance in several categories, making it the better choice, even if you have to spend a little more. Although the PetLibro Capsule Fountain performed slightly better in filtration during testing, this water fountain's three-layer filtration system still did great at ensuring that the water stayed clean and fresh. After a week of use, I only found a small amount of the tiniest food particles at the bottom of the water tank. It's also superior in features. While the PetLibro uses a plastic water tray and a wired pump, this pet drinking fountain comes with a stainless steel tray and is completely wireless, meaning that it not only has a wireless pump but can fully function without being plugged in, thanks to its built-in battery that can last up to 60 days. That's such a nice convenience I would gladly pay for. Putting that into perspective, the slightly pricier PetLibro Dockstream Cordless Fountain only promises up to 30 days of battery life. The Enabot also has two dispensing modes: continuous and sensing. When it's in sensing mode, it only dispenses water when it senses movement a couple of feet away, which helps conserve battery life. Using the app, you can also customize sensor sensitivity, sleep time and the amount of time it dispenses water when sensing movement. Naturally, the app also provides vital information like a daily hydration report and app alerts. If you're sensitive to noise, you'll also appreciate how quiet this thing is — another area where it does better than the PetLibro Capsule Fountain. There's also an automatic shutoff when the water level is below the minimum. My only complaint about this water fountain is that at 6.4 by 8.8 by 6.3 inches, it does take up more space than it should for a fountain with a 2-liter water tank. It's not ideal, especially since you may have to replenish the water more often. But since it's easy to refill, clean and replace the filter, thanks to its wireless design, it won't feel like a massive inconvenience. Plus, it's got a fun look with its striped design and light honey color. The Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain may not be the cheapest water fountain we've tested, but at $60, it's the best value for your money if you're looking for something affordable. There aren't many water fountains for big pets, as most are designed for cats and small dogs, so the Oneisall Dog Water Fountain may be a novelty. After using it for several weeks though, I now wonder why there aren't more of its kind because it does have its place in the world — or at least, in a multi-pet household or a home with bigger pets. True, this drinking fountain takes up more space at 12.5 by 12.4 by 4.9 inches, and that may seem like a disadvantage, especially if you have a small apartment. But the wide drinking area also makes it much more comfortable for small dogs and cats to use, and its massive size allows it to have a 7-liter water capacity, which means you don't have to refill it as often, even if it's servicing three cats (as my test unit was). During testing, I found plenty of water left in the tank whenever I did my weekly cleaning. My cats also loved its faucet stream and seemed to prefer it over the bubble spout. And it's surprisingly quiet, unlike the abnormally loud PetLibro Capsule Fountain and other faucet-style fountains in our product pool. As the person who cleans and maintains the water fountains in the house, I also appreciate all the other thoughtful details. The whole thing is made of stainless steel, instead of plastic. While that gives it a more industrial look, it also makes it more sanitary for my pets and easier for me to clean. I also appreciated the light indicator beneath the spout that let me know whether there's enough water in the tank or if it's running low (the light turns red). Admittedly, its filtration performance could be better. Tiny bits of dry food and cat hair sometimes ended up in the water and at the bottom of the tank, despite the five-layer filtration system. On the plus side, the water did remain grime- and gunk-free. I once forgot to wash it for two weeks, and to my surprise, the remaining water was still clean when I finally got around to it. If you are seeking something more technologically advanced, sadly you won't find it here. The Oneisall Dog Water Fountain is still very basic in terms of features. It doesn't have app support, a wireless pump, customization options or flow modes. What's more, there are a couple of small cleaning obstacles to face. You have to pull the wired pump off before cleaning and you will need a more spacious sink if you're handwashing. The good news is that the big parts are dishwasher-friendly, which makes the task a little easier. Normally, I would find its $70 price tag too steep considering its basic design and minimal features. But its large-capacity water tank, spacious tray and quiet operation make up for those in a big way. If you only have space for one water fountain to hydrate your two or three cats or need a good option for your big dog, this one is a shoo-in. With the help of my three troublemakers, Isla, Bow and Arrow, I put 11 highly-rated pet water fountains through their paces for at least a week, paying close attention to not just their filtration performance but also specific things like noise levels, app support and features. For stress testing, I took each fountain and dropped ground dry food and cat hair — of which I have a surplus — into the tank and left it to do its thing for an hour. I then checked the filter and the water tank to see how much of the stuff was filtered out and how much got through. Since many pet parents use tap water for their pets — remember the rule: if it's safe for you to drink, it's safe for your pets as well — I also only used tap water during testing. However, it should be noted that water hardness can impact a water fountain's performance and longevity. Tap water in my apartment isn't hard, but if yours is, I recommend filtering it through a Brita filter first. I evaluated each pet water fountain using the following criteria. PerformanceFilter performance: The most important thing to check before buying a water fountain is its filtration performance, so I observed how well each model filters dust, hair and other particles. After a week's use and during my stress tests, I inspected the filters and the bottom of the water tank and noted how clean or dirty the remaining water was. Noise: Using my hearing and a decibel meter app on my phone, I determined how quiet or loud the operation was, noting if I could hear the motor and the stream and if it was loud enough to annoy human users. Capacity and footprintCapacity: Bearing in mind their respective water capacities, I filled each water fountain up to the maximum water line and noted how long the water lasted before refilling was required. Size: A water fountain's footprint is important, especially if you require more than one or if you have a tighter space. So I evaluated each model's size to see if the amount of space it takes up is worth what it offers in functionality and features. I also observed how wide the water tray was and if it provided my kitties enough space to drink comfortably. Design and buildDesign: I noted the materials each water fountain is made of, whether it's plastic, stainless steel or ceramic, as well as assessed the aesthetic and overall style. Durability: I assessed each fountain's build quality. Of course, due to time constraints, I didn't get accurate data on longevity. So I also read online reviews from verified customers to see if there were complaints related to durability. I also made sure to check if the parts were easily replaceable. Ease of useSetup and use: Was the pet fountain easy to set up? Was it easy to refill with water? These were some of the things I took note of during assembly and use. Cleaning: Following the manufacturer's instructions, I went through the steps of cleaning each water fountain, noting how easy and uncomplicated or tricky the process was. PriceValue: After completing my tests, I weighed each fountain's performance on all the metrics against its price tag to determine if it was a good value for pet owners. I also compared each water fountain's price against the competition. Don't just go for the cheap one and be done with it. I know someone who just got the cheapest they could find, and they're now stuck with a water fountain their cats hate because it tends to collect calcium deposits. What's more, water fountains vastly differ in price, design and features. Some are more feature-rich than others, while some are pricier but better in value. Ease of use and maintenance According to Tupler, one of the biggest considerations when choosing a water fountain is easy cleaning and maintenance. That's especially true if you have cats. 'Cats are very sensitive to smells. It's important that you choose a fountain that can be cleaned easily,' she says. They 'need to be easy to clean as they should be cleaned once a week. Filter maintenance also needs to be simple.' Of course, this benefits you as well. You may not have to clean a water fountain as often as regular water bowls, but that time and effort still add up. I prefer wireless pumps over wired ones since you don't have to deal with cables or take extra care to keep them dry. For effortless cleaning, you may want to stick with stainless steel or porcelain pet water fountains as well. '(The) type of material used is not as important,' says Tupler, 'but you will want something easy to disinfect like porcelain or stainless steel. It doesn't mean you can't use plastic, but you will need to do more work to keep it clean.' Noise level 'Some people enjoy the sound of water, but (others) do not,' says Tupler. 'If you have a sound issue, try a soundless water fountain. Yes, they make these. Yes, I own one. And yes, I love it.' Although the sounds of the pump and the flowing water aren't likely to bother your pets, they might annoy you, especially if you're sensitive to sound or live in a small space where you have to hear those noises constantly. If that's the case, make sure to choose a pet water fountain that's ultra-quiet. The good news is most modern water fountains keep the noise level down, with many staying under 30 decibels. However, there are still a few that can be quite loud, so be sure to check the noise level rating before you commit. Size matters Size does matter, but not in the way you might think. When choosing a water fountain for your pet, make sure you're getting something with a spacious enough area in the water tray, especially if a cat is using it. Cat whiskers are sensitive, so you want to make sure their whiskers are not touching the edge of the lid or the splash guard. You should also check that you have the space to accommodate the water fountain, again especially if there's a cat in your household. 'Make sure it fits in the space that your cat will more than likely use (like a high-up space),' says Tupler. And if you have multiple pets, ensure you have the space for more than one fountain. Make sure you have the space for appropriate placement How many water fountains should you have in a multi-pet household? 'It is best to make sure that you have at least one fountain for every cat,' says Tupler. However, that's not necessarily a strict rule to enforce, unlike cat feeders. What's most important is placement. According to Tupler, ensure there aren't barriers that would put off your cats from using the fountain like noise or heavy foot traffic. Dogs may not care as much, but cats like to consume their food and water in a quiet, low-traffic area where they don't feel vulnerable. It's also a good idea to keep it away from litter boxes and food bowls. Catlink Pure 2 Fitted with Catlink's holistic health monitoring system, the Catlink Pure 2 will help you ensure your cat's well-being. Its filtration system is also very impressive, keeping the water clean even after a week's use. The Catlink Pure 2 has all the makings of a great pet water fountain plus a few extras. Its ultrafiltration system, which Catlink claims to filter impurities down to 0.01 microns in size, is impressive. After a week of testing, the water stayed clean with barely any particles at the bottom of the water tank. And it did so while keeping the noise level down, thanks to its quiet operation and gentle stream. Another notable thing about its filtration system is that the filter only needs to be replaced every three months, making cleaning and maintenance easier thanks to its wireless pump and easy-to-disassemble design. Its parts are all plastic though, including the water tray, so while everything feels robust, you will have to give it a more thorough cleaning. Luckily, its compact design of 7.48 by 7.48 by 9.53 inches means you have less surface area to clean. Catlink has a holistic health monitoring system that can track all your Catlink appliances and your pets' usage to track their input and output. It's not a vet's exam, but it does come in handy so you can track your pets' health and get alerted to possible issues. I didn't get to test this alongside other Catlink products, but the reports on my kitties' water consumption were helpful. Apart from continuous flow, this water fountain also offers sensing mode so that you can set it, via the app, to dispense water when it senses a cat nearby. Unfortunately, I did find that its sensor isn't as impressive as the one on the Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain or the PetLibro Dockstream Cordless Fountain. I found that your pet has to be directly over the sensor for it to start flowing, which doesn't help when it comes to enticing pets to drink more water. PetLibro Dockstream Smart Fountain This water fountain's biggest selling point is that can monitor your pets' water intake, but you'll also appreciate its elegant yet modern design and customizations. I truly had high hopes for the PetLibro Dockstream Smart Fountain. After all, while the slightly cheaper PetLibro Dockstream Cordless Fountain has its flaws, it also has some useful features that were elegantly implemented, making it worth the money. I also hoped this pricier model would take all those and repackage them alongside other features. Sadly, that isn't the case. Inexplicably, the Dockstream Smart Fountain completely skips the cordless, rechargeable feature and the sensing mode and goes for a wired design that only offers continuous and intermittent flow modes. What it does offer you in exchange for your $80 is app support and hydration tracking, which to me isn't enough. And that's without factoring in that while its filtration performance is good, there's room for improvement. During testing, smaller food particles still ended up at the bottom of the water tank, despite the four-layer vertical filtration system. You're still getting PetLibro's signature design though, and it's the best in the industry. And while the tank is made of plastic, the water tray is stainless steel. Throw in the wireless pump and the compact design, and at least you can rest assured that cleaning and daily maintenance are easy. Petkit EverSweet Solo 2 Compact and well-made, the Petkit EverSweet Solo 2 is another fantastic water feeder that's easy to use and maintain. It also comes with some smart features that make it worth the price. I didn't find the Petkit EverSweet Solo 2 quite as impressive as other fountains. Sure, it's affordable, and because of its wireless pump and easy-to-remove filter, it's easy to clean. It also has a window on the water tank so you can quickly assess the water level without opening the app. Other highlights here include three dispensing modes including Smart Mode, which lets you set the length of time it dispenses water and the length of time it shuts off, as well as a pause function, which comes in handy, and a great filter that lasts up to 60 days. It's pretty quiet as well, thanks to its bubble spout. However, there are also several things Petkit could have done better here. While the filtration is good, it's not the best. Some cat hair managed to slip right through, ending up in the water tank. While the small footprint is nice, especially if you don't have a lot of space, the 2-liter water capacity does mean you'll have to fill it up more often. And for some reason, it does not come with a power adapter, just a USB cable. Homerunpet Cordless Pet Fountain Another battery-powered option, this wireless water fountain can also last up to 60 days on a full charge and delivers an effective filtration system that keeps the water in the tank pristine. The Homerunpet Cordless Pet Fountain would have made it higher up the list had it not been for the lack of app support and the lower 2-liter capacity. Those wouldn't have been such a big deal, but considering its $70 price tag, it's hard to understand why Homerunpet couldn't include app support as well, even to make it easier for users to control it. Its one-button control doesn't help either, as it's not very intuitive. It took me a while to figure out, for example, that to shut it off, I had to press once then press again and hold for a few seconds. This pet drinking fountain isn't without its merits though. It has one of the most impressive filtration systems in my testing pool, even featuring what Homerunpet calls the 'hair-flushing' function designed to flush impurities to ensure the drinking area or the water tray is just as clean as the water tank below. There are other extras as well. It has three flow modes, including an intermittent mode that senses a pet's presence so it can begin dispensing, and a 7,800mAh battery that can last up to 60 days on a full charge. So, just like the Catlink Pure 2, this has many of the makings of a great water fountain. Sadly, besides the missing vital features I mentioned above, it has one glaring issue. When set to intermittent mode, it stops dispensing at 15 seconds instead of waiting until my cat is done drinking. That's a bizarre design choice in my opinion. PetLibro Capsule Fountain My second budget water fountain pick is the PetLibro Capsule Fountain, thanks to its beautiful design, excellent filtration system and BPA-free plastic. At under $50, the PetLibro Capsule Fountain was a strong contender for the best budget water fountain. It's got a fantastic four-stage filtration system that's better than the Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain — throughout testing and even during my stress test, the water and tank remained pristine, so much so I'm surprised that PetLibro didn't adopt its filtration design to the Dockstream line. And while the Enabot has a stainless steel water tray, which is preferable to plastic, this one is made of BPA-free plastic so it's at least healthier for pets. Given that it's an inexpensive 2.1-liter water fountain, I was also surprised that, unlike the pricier PetLibro models, it comes with four packs of filters, each lasting two weeks. So it's saving you even more money. And I do love its translucent water tank, which gives it a more elevated look. Ultimately though, the Enabot won in features and noise levels. The PetLibro Capsule Fountain still uses a wired pump, though it does a better job of securing the cable so it's not such a hassle during washing and refilling. It also only offers continuous flow and has no app support. What's more, its free-falling stream is pretty loud. So loud that it dominated all other appliances in my one-bedroom apartment during testing; so loud I could hear it over the violence while watching 'Deadpool & Wolverine'. I love water sounds, and even I was bothered by the noise. Before tapping buy on this one, make sure you're comfortable with the constant sound of a continuous stream. Petlibro Dockstream Cordless Fountain A quiet, feature-rich water fountain, the PetLibro Dockstream Cordless Fountain is one of the best wireless pet fountains on the market. It's also easy to clean and can last up to 30 days on full charge. Easy to set up, easy to clean and easy to maintain, there are several reasons to choose the PetLibro Dockstream Cordless Fountain over everything else on the list. Even though it will set you back $70, you're getting a lot of bang for your buck thanks to its long list of features. First, it doesn't just have a wireless pump; it can also run up to 30 days on battery life, meaning you don't have to keep it plugged in, freeing up precious outlet spots and freeing you from limited placement. It doesn't have app support — something that some cat parents might also appreciate — but its base has light indicators to clue you in on things like low battery and water levels. What's more, it has sensors that detect when your pets are nearby so that when it's in sensing mode (continuous flow mode is also available), it knows when to start dispensing water from its 2.5-liter water tank. And, unlike the Catlink Pure 2, its sensors proved incredibly good at their job during testing. Sadly, its sensing mode has a massive flaw — it doesn't have an intermittent flow function to keep the water tray from drying up. As a result, if it doesn't get activated regularly, limescale eventually collects in the tray, which was what happened to mine. You can switch to continuous flow, but that cuts battery life considerably. Only get this one if you know your pet will use it regularly. Pioneer Pet Stainless Steel Fountain A back-to-basics option, this affordable stainless steel drinking fountain from Pioneer Pet comes in handy when there's a power outage as it still gives your pets access to water. There's something inherently problematic with the Pioneer Pet Big Max Stainless Steel Drinking Fountain's design, though it is more of a double-edged sword than an actual flaw that's been overlooked. This water fountain has an open design, meaning the tank isn't covered. That's great for power outages, as it still gives your pets access to water even though the fountain isn't running. Unfortunately, with all the battery-powered options on the market, this idea seems outdated. That's especially true because this open design also exposes the water reserve more to dirt, hair, particles and other contaminants, beating the purpose of filtering it in the first place. Sadly, its design no longer works in this day and age. At $45, you can get better-designed models. There are a couple of nice features here: You can adjust the rate of flow with a lever, as well as throw the tank and tray in the dishwasher. The fact that it's made of stainless steel is also a plus. However, that's where the positives stop. The tank only has a 2-liter water capacity. The whole thing isn't easy to set up because of the wired pump. And the pump itself is very loud. Wonder Creature Cat Water Fountain If you want a cheap, wired option with a flower spout, this highly-rated water fountain may be a good option. It comes with a stainless steel tray and three different drinking modes. For a truly cheap water fountain, consider the Wonder Creature Cat Water Fountain, whose stainless steel tray, great build, 2.4-liter tank and three drinking modes — bubble, flower and flower waterfall — make it a good value. This wired water fountain isn't as feature-rich as my top budget pick, the slightly more expensive Enabot Rola Smart Pet Water Fountain. Personally, I would likely pick the Enabot for my cats. However, the Wonder Creature is a great option for pet parents with a lower budget. Keep in mind that you sacrifice some things when you pick this, especially in convenience and performance. Setting up the wired pump is trickier than water fountains with a wireless pump, since you have to thread the cable through a panel in the back. You also have to ensure the cable doesn't get wet during washing. It's also not the quietest of the bunch. In addition, because of the weird placement of its filter that caused gaps, its filtration performance isn't that great. During testing, lots of particles and cat hair got past the filter and into the water below. This means that if you get this water fountain, you may have to clean it more than once a week. How do I clean my pet's water fountain? How do I clean my pet's water fountain? 'It is important that you clean your water fountains by following the manufacturer guidelines like changing the filter and changing the water completely weekly,' says Tupler. What is the easiest pet fountain to clean? What is the easiest pet fountain to clean? The easiest pet fountains to clean are the ones with wireless pumps. They're easy to disassemble and put back together, and you don't have to be extra careful so you don't accidentally get a cable or a wire wet. Do vets recommend water fountains for cats? Do vets recommend water fountains for cats? Absolutely. 'Personally and professionally, I love water fountains for cats,' Tupler says. 'I love them when appropriately placed and cared for.' For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights. Dr. Tiffany Tupler, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist at Chewy. She works on forensic and cruelty cases as well as practices private consulting with people who have questions on training and behavior modification. CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have an experienced team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to ensure we are testing each product accurately and speaking about the pros and cons of each item. The writer of this guide, Michelle Rae Uy, is part of CNN Underscored's testing team. She has been testing and reviewing consumer products, including pet appliances, for over a decade. As a cat mom to Isla, Bow and Arrow, she has gone through more than her fair share of pet feeders, water fountains, litter boxes and cat trees over the last 11 years. She wrote our best cat feeders guide and is currently testing self-cleaning litter boxes for an upcoming guide.
