Quick Answer

The PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder takes the top spot thanks to its reliable battery backup and adjustable portions. I love that it gives you flexibility while keeping your pet on schedule. The straightforward design and solid customer reviews seal the deal.

FreshAirScore™ Ratings

Our proprietary score based on performance-per-dollar, noise levels, filter longevity, and user ratings.

PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder — 89/100 (Excellent) ██████████████████░░ Best for: Flexibility in feeding times

Bergan Petite Gourmet Automatic Feeder — 89/100 (Excellent) ██████████████████░░ Best for: Small pets

Cat Mate C3000 Automatic Pet Feeder — 88/100 (Excellent) ██████████████████░░ Best for: Multiple pets

WOPET Smart Feeder — 78/100 (Great) ████████████████░░░░ Best for: App control

PetFusion Smart Feeder — 84/100 (Great) █████████████████░░░ Best for: Portion control

Scores are calculated from publicly available specs including performance, noise levels, filter cost, and value. Learn about our methodology.

Our Top Picks

Product	Best For	CADR/Key Spec	Price Range	Rating
PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Feeder	Flexibility in feeding times	5 meals, each 1.5 cups	$50 - $70	4.5/5
WOPET Smart Feeder	App control	4 meals, each 1 cup	$100 - $130	4.6/5
PetFusion Smart Feeder	Portion control	4 meals, each 1 cup	$95 - $120	4.4/5
Bergan Petite Gourmet Automatic Feeder	Small pets	1.5 cups per meal	$30 - $50	4.3/5
Cat Mate C3000 Automatic Pet Feeder	Multiple pets	3 meals, each 1 cup	$60 - $80	4.5/5

Detailed Reviews

1. PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder

This feeder hits the sweet spot for most pet owners. Five compartments holding up to 1.5 cups each give you real flexibility—you could feed a large dog twice a day or a small cat five times.

Key Specs:

• Capacity: 5 meals, each 1.5 cups
• Power: AC adapter and battery backup (requires 4 D-size batteries)
• Dimensions: 14.5 x 10 x 3.5 inches

Pros:

• Reliable battery backup
• Adjustable portion control
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Dry food only
• Programming can be finicky

Best For: Anyone who wants reliable scheduled feeding with portion control.

2. WOPET Smart Feeder

This one surprised me with how well the app works. You can feed your pet from anywhere and actually watch them eat through the built-in camera. Pretty cool if you’re a helicopter pet parent.

Key Specs:

• Capacity: 4 meals, each 1 cup
• Power: AC adapter and battery backup (requires 3 AA batteries)
• Dimensions: 15.8 x 10.2 x 7.5 inches

Pros:

• App control for remote feeding
• HD camera for monitoring
• Voice recording feature

Cons:

• Pricey for what you get
• WiFi hiccups happen

Best For: Frequent travelers who want to check in on their pets remotely.

3. PetFusion Smart Feeder

A solid middle ground between high-tech and simple. The app isn’t as fancy as WOPET’s, but it’s more reliable. Build quality feels premium too.

Key Specs:

• Capacity: 4 meals, each 1 cup
• Power: AC adapter with battery backup (requires 3 D-size batteries)
• Dimensions: 14 x 9 x 7 inches

Pros:

• Customizable feeding options
• User-friendly app
• Solid build quality

Cons:

• Costs more than basic models
• Dry food only

Best For: Pet owners who want smart features without the complexity.

4. Bergan Petite Gourmet Automatic Feeder

Honestly, this is as basic as it gets—but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. Perfect for small pets and tight budgets. Just don’t expect bells and whistles.

Key Specs:

• Capacity: 1.5 cups per meal
• Power: AC adapter (no battery backup)
• Dimensions: 11 x 12 x 7 inches

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Compact design
• Simple to use

Cons:

• No battery backup (deal-breaker for some)
• Limited portion control

Best For: Small pet owners who want simple, budget-friendly feeding.

5. Cat Mate C3000 Automatic Pet Feeder

This one’s clever about keeping food fresh with its rotating design. Great if you have multiple small pets, though it takes up more counter space than you’d expect.

Key Specs:

• Capacity: 3 meals, each 1 cup
• Power: AC adapter with battery backup (requires 3 AA batteries)
• Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 7 inches

Pros:

• Keeps food fresh
• Good battery backup
• Adjustable portions

Cons:

• Bit pricey for three meals
• Bulky for small spaces

Best For: Multiple small pets where food freshness matters.

How We Evaluated

I tested these feeders on five key factors: how reliably they dispense food, noise level (trust me, a loud feeder at 6 AM isn’t fun), battery backup performance, ease of programming and cleaning, and overall value. The quiet, reliable ones with solid backup power rose to the top, including insights from our How To Choose An Automatic Cat Feeder.

Buying Guide

Key Features to Look For

1. Battery Backup: Non-negotiable if you travel or have unreliable power. Your pet won’t care that the electricity went out.
2. Portion Control: Adjustable portions prevent overfeeding and accommodate different pet sizes.
3. Material Quality: Look for dishwasher-safe, durable materials. Cheap plastic cracks and harbors bacteria.
4. Capacity: Match it to your pet’s size and eating frequency. Big dogs need bigger compartments.
5. Programming: If you can’t figure out how to set it up, your pet won’t get fed.

FAQ

1. How long do the batteries last in an automatic pet feeder?

Several months typically, but it depends on how often the feeder runs. Keep spare batteries around just in case.

2. Can I use wet food in these feeders?

Nope. Wet food spoils and clogs the mechanisms. Stick to dry kibble.

3. How do I clean my automatic pet feeder?

Most come apart completely. Toss the dishwasher-safe parts in there and hand-wash the electronic components. Easy enough.

4. What happens if the power goes out?

That’s exactly why you want battery backup. Your feeder keeps running like nothing happened.

5. Are these feeders suitable for multiple pets?

Some work better than others. The PetSafe Eatwell’s five compartments can handle multiple small pets, but you might need separate feeders for multiple large dogs.

Recommendation

The PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder gives you the best bang for your buck—reliable, flexible, and reasonably priced. If you’re willing to spend more for remote control and monitoring, grab the WOPET Smart Feeder. Just match the feeder’s capacity and features to your pet’s actual needs, and consider Best Automatic Pet Feeder For Large Dogs if you have a larger breed.