An automatic cat door lets your cat come and go on their own, while strays, raccoons and the neighbor’s cat stay outside. It reads your cat’s microchip or a tag on their collar and unlocks only for them. For most homes, the best automatic cat door is the PetSafe Microchip Cat Door: it reads the microchip your cat already has, remembers up to 40 cats and costs about $108.
Most cat doors that call themselves automatic are locking flaps your cat pushes through, and only one option here opens on its own with a motor. The list below covers both, plus a smart cat door you control from your phone and a door with a curfew timer.
Quick Recommendations
- PetSafe Microchip Cat Door — Best overall. A microchip flap for up to 40 cats, with a 4-way lock and battery power.
- PetSafe SmartDoor Connected — Best smart cat door. Reads almost any microchip and adds schedules and alerts for each cat in an app.
- Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door — Best for curfews. A built-in timer keeps your cats in at night, and a display shows who’s out.
- Power Pet WiFi Smart Automatic Pet Door — Best fully automatic. A motor opens the panel, so your cat never pushes a flap.
Top Choices at a Glance
| Product | Ecosystem | Key Feature | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PetSafe Microchip Cat Door | None, settings on the door | Reads 15-digit microchips, up to 40 cats | ~$108 | Best overall |
| PetSafe SmartDoor Connected | My PetSafe app | Reads 9, 10 and 15-digit chips, schedules per cat | ~$270 | App control |
| Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door | None, settings on the door | Curfew timer and LCD display | ~$100 | Curfews |
| Power Pet WiFi Smart Automatic Pet Door | Power Pet app | Motorized panel, collar activated | ~$525 | Fully automatic |
Compatibility Matrix
| Product | HomeKit | Alexa | Google Home | Matter | Wi-Fi | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PetSafe Microchip Cat Door | No | No | No | No | None | 4 AA batteries |
| PetSafe SmartDoor Connected | No | Not stated | Not stated | No | 2.4 GHz | 4 C batteries, adapter sold separately |
| Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door | No | No | No | No | None | 4 AA batteries |
| Power Pet WiFi Smart Automatic Pet Door | No | Not stated | Not stated | No | 2.4 GHz | AC adapter, optional backup battery |
None of these cat doors list support for Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or Matter, so you control each one on the door or in its own app. The two with Wi-Fi need a 2.4 GHz network, which matters if your router only shows a combined 2.4 and 5 GHz network name.
Microchip, Collar or Motor: How Automatic Cat Doors Work
There are two designs, and the words get mixed up a lot in product listings.
Microchip and electronic cat flaps keep a normal swinging flap and add a lock. When your cat puts their head into the tunnel, a reader checks their microchip (or a tag on their collar), unlocks the flap so they can push through, and locks it again afterward. These doors run on batteries and fit in a door, a wall or, with some models, a glass panel. Three of the four options here work this way.
Fully automatic doors have a motor. A sensor detects a collar your cat wears, and a hard panel slides up out of the way, then closes behind them. Your cat never has to push anything, but these doors are bigger, cost more and need an outlet. The Power Pet is the only one here.
Check your cat’s microchip before you buy. A microchip door is the most convenient choice, because your cat doesn’t wear anything. However, not every door reads every chip. The PetSafe Microchip Cat Door and the Cat Mate Elite read 15-digit chips, the international standard. Some cats, especially ones chipped years ago in the US, have an older 9 or 10-digit chip. Your vet can scan it and tell you the number. If it isn’t 15 digits, choose the SmartDoor Connected, which also reads 9 and 10-digit chips, or use the collar tag that each brand sells.
A Wi-Fi model adds schedules and alerts on your phone. If you also want to see your cat while you’re out, a pet camera pointed at the door shows you who comes and goes.
The Best Automatic Cat Doors in 2026
PetSafe Microchip Cat Door — Best Overall
The PetSafe Microchip Cat Door is the best choice for most cats: it unlocks for the microchip your cat already has, works with up to 40 cats and costs a fraction of a motorized door.
Best for: Microchipped cats with a 15-digit chip, and homes with several cats that all have the same access.
What stands out in real use
You program each cat by holding the door in learning mode and putting your cat’s head into the tunnel, so the reader can scan their chip. After that, the flap unlocks only for those cats. PetSafe says the door reads all FDX-B, 977 and 985 microchips, which covers 15-digit chips from HomeAgain, AVID, PetLink, 24 PetWatch, AKC Reunite and Banfield. A 4-way lock on the front lets you choose locked, unlocked, in only or out only, and magnetic latches keep the flap closed against drafts. For a cat without a microchip, PetSafe sells a Microchip Cat Door Key that goes on their collar.
Key specs
- Stores up to 40 cats
- Reads 15-digit FDX-B, 977 and 985 microchips
- Manual 4-way lock: locked, unlocked, in only, out only
- 4 AA alkaline batteries
- Fits wood, PVC and uPVC doors
Pros
- Your cat doesn’t need to wear a tag
- Programs a large number of cats
- Low price for a microchip door
- Runs on batteries, so it doesn’t need an outlet
Cons
- Doesn’t read older 9 or 10-digit chips
- Lock settings are the same for every cat
- No app or alerts
- Glass, metal and walls need extra parts
Installation and compatibility notes
The door fits most exterior doors made of wood, PVC or uPVC. For glass, metal or brick, you need PetSafe’s Microchip Installation Adaptor, and a wall install needs the Tunnel Extension, both sold separately. Use alkaline AA batteries, not rechargeable ones.
Price: ~$108
PetSafe SmartDoor Connected — Best Smart Cat Door
The SmartDoor Connected is the smart cat door to choose if you want control from your phone: it reads almost any microchip and lets you set a schedule for each cat.
Best for: Cats with an older microchip, homes where one cat should stay indoors, and owners who want alerts.
What stands out in real use
This Medium door pairs with your cat’s microchip, and PetSafe lists FDX-B 15-digit, FDX-A 10-digit and AVID chips, so it works with older US chips that the other microchip doors here don’t read. It also comes with a Pet Door Key for a cat without a chip. In the My PetSafe app, you set a separate schedule for each cat and choose whether they can go in, out or both, which makes it possible to keep one cat indoors while the others come and go. You can also lock the door remotely, and the app sends a notification when your cat uses the door and alerts you about the lock status and low batteries. PetSafe says most pets learn to use the door on their own in four to six weeks.
Key specs
- Flap opening 7.1 x 7.8 inches, for pets up to 25 lb
- Reads 9, 10 and 15-digit microchips, plus the included Pet Door Key
- Wi-Fi, 2.4 GHz only
- 4 C batteries, wall adapter sold separately
- Door, glass, metal door or wall install
Pros
- Reads more microchip types than the other doors here
- Separate schedules and access for each cat
- Remote lock and phone notifications
- Large flap for big cats
Cons
- Costs more than twice as much as a basic microchip door
- Your cat has to push the flap
- Wall adapter costs extra
- Wi-Fi works on 2.4 GHz only
Installation and compatibility notes
The Medium fits doors up to 2 1/4 inches thick without a tunnel, and multi-pane glass up to 1 3/4 inches thick (PetSafe suggests a glazier for glass). A metal door needs an installation adaptor, and a wall needs an adaptor and a tunnel extension. If setup fails, make sure your phone and the door connect to a 2.4 GHz network. If you also have a dog that needs a bigger door, our guide to the best automatic dog doors covers the Large size.
Price: ~$270
Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door — Best for Curfews
The Cat Mate Elite is the best choice if you want your cats in at night: a built-in timer locks the door on a schedule, without Wi-Fi or an app.
Best for: Owners who want a nightly curfew, and homes with up to nine cats.
What stands out in real use
The door reads 15-digit microchips, or a Cat Mate I.D. Disc on the collar for a cat whose chip isn’t compatible. It stores up to nine cats. Entry is controlled by the microchip, while every cat can go out freely. The timer sets the times when your cats can use the door, which is the easiest way to keep them in overnight, and it applies to all cats. An LCD screen on the door shows whether up to three selected cats are in or out, how long ago the flap was last used and the lock status. A manual 4-way lock covers the rest, and a brush seal with a magnetic closure keeps drafts out.
Key specs
- Flap opening 5.7 x 5.7 inches
- Stores up to 9 cats
- Reads 15-digit microchips or Cat Mate I.D. Discs
- Curfew timer and LCD display
- 4 AA batteries, about 12 months according to Cat Mate
Pros
- Timer curfew without an app
- Shows which cats are in or out
- Fits glass without an adapter
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Smaller flap than the PetSafe doors
- Any cat can go out
- No app or alerts
- I.D. Disc costs extra
Installation and compatibility notes
The door fits doors and glass panels up to 4 inches thick, including wood, uPVC, metal and single or multiple glazing, and Cat Mate’s wall liner sections extend it through a wall. The cut-out is about 7 x 8 inches. Since the flap opening is smaller, measure a large cat before you buy.
Price: ~$100
Power Pet WiFi Smart Automatic Pet Door — Best Fully Automatic
The Power Pet is the only option here that opens on its own: a motor opens a hard panel when your cat comes close, so they never have to push a flap.
Best for: Cats that are nervous about flaps, older cats, and homes with a cat and a small dog.
What stands out in real use
High Tech Pet sells the Power Pet mainly as a dog door, but the Medium size fits pets up to 30 lb, and the included MS-5 collar is made for dogs and cats. When your cat walks toward the door wearing the collar, the motor raises the panel in about one second, according to High Tech Pet. The sensors are directional, so the door opens only when your cat approaches it directly, not when they walk past or sleep nearby. The panel closes by gravity, retracts if it meets an obstruction and locks with an automatic deadbolt. The app adds remote open and close, weekly schedules, an activity log and door status updates.
Key specs
- Flap opening 8 1/4 x 10 inches, for pets up to 30 lb
- Motorized panel with automatic deadbolt
- MS-5 ultrasonic collar included
- Wi-Fi, 2.4 GHz only
- AC adapter, rechargeable backup battery sold separately
Pros
- Opens and closes on its own
- Airtight seal keeps out drafts and rain
- Schedules and activity log in the app
- Works for a cat and a small dog
Cons
- Costs about five times as much as a microchip door
- Your cat has to wear a collar
- Collar batteries need replacing every two to three months
- Needs an outlet near the door
Installation and compatibility notes
The door mounts on the surface of your door, so you only cut a hole the size of the panel. Plug in the AC adapter near the door, and add the backup battery if your power goes out often, because without it the door stays closed during an outage. Make sure your cat is comfortable wearing a collar before you buy, and add an MS-5 collar for each extra pet.
Price: ~$525
How to Choose an Automatic Cat Door
Check the microchip first. Ask your vet for your cat’s chip number. If it has 15 digits, any microchip door here works. If it’s an older 9 or 10-digit chip, choose the PetSafe SmartDoor Connected, or use the brand’s collar tag. PetSafe publishes its list of compatible microchips for the Microchip Cat Door.
Measure your largest cat. Compare their shoulder width and height with the flap opening. The Cat Mate’s 5.7-inch flap suits small to average cats, while the SmartDoor Connected’s 7.1 x 7.8-inch flap gives a large cat more room.
Choose where it goes. All four fit a door. The Cat Mate and the SmartDoor Connected also fit glass, and every option needs a tunnel or liner for a wall. If you rent, ask your landlord before you cut a door or a window.
Decide how much control you need. A basic microchip door keeps other animals out. If you want a nightly curfew, the Cat Mate’s timer does it on the door. If you want to keep one cat inside while others go out, or get alerts on your phone, you need the SmartDoor Connected.
Count the running costs. The microchip doors use AA or C batteries. The Power Pet runs on an outlet, but its collar battery needs replacing every two to three months, according to High Tech Pet.
Give your cat time to learn. Prop the flap open for the first few days and reward your cat for going through. If your cat is out during the day while you’re at work, an automatic cat feeder can serve their meals on time. For an indoor cat, our guide to the best automatic litter boxes covers the litter box.
Conclusion
The PetSafe Microchip Cat Door is the best automatic cat door for most homes: it reads your cat’s 15-digit microchip, remembers up to 40 cats and costs about $108. If your cat has an older chip, or you want schedules and alerts for each cat, the PetSafe SmartDoor Connected is the smart cat door to choose, for about $270. The Cat Mate Elite adds a curfew timer for about $100, and the Power Pet is the only door here that opens on its own with a motor.
What is the best automatic cat door?
The PetSafe Microchip Cat Door is the best automatic cat door for most homes. It reads your cat’s 15-digit microchip, stores up to 40 cats and has a 4-way lock, for about $108.
Do microchip cat doors work with every microchip?
No. The PetSafe Microchip Cat Door and the Cat Mate Elite read 15-digit chips. The PetSafe SmartDoor Connected also reads older 9 and 10-digit chips, and most brands sell a collar tag for a cat whose chip isn’t compatible.
Can I keep one cat inside while the other goes out?
Yes, with the PetSafe SmartDoor Connected. Its app lets you choose whether each cat can go in, out or both, and set a separate schedule for each one.
Is there a cat door that opens on its own?
Yes. The Power Pet WiFi Smart Automatic Pet Door has a motor that raises the panel when your cat approaches wearing the included MS-5 collar. The other doors in this guide are flaps that your cat pushes through after they unlock.
Does a smart cat door work with Alexa or Apple Home?
None of the cat doors in this guide list support for Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home or Matter. You control them in the PetSafe or Power Pet app, or with the settings on the door.
Written by Evan Mercer
Founder & Lead Researcher, Smart Home Matrix
Evan digs through spec sheets, firmware changelogs, and thousands of owner reviews so you don’t have to. Every guide starts with a compatibility check and ends with picks he would install in his own home. Read more about Evan and this site, or see exactly how we choose products.