ConsFirst / Pet water fountains / Compare
Petlibro Dockstream 2 Smart Cordless Water Fountain vs Catit PIXI Drinking Fountain (Stainless Steel)
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Petlibro Dockstream 2 Smart Cordless Water Fountain ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on easy cleaning, quietness, capacity. Catit PIXI Drinking Fountain (Stainless Steel) wins on filter cost.
The biggest complaint about the Petlibro Dockstream 2 Smart Cordless Water Fountain is expensive to buy and to keep in filters; for the Catit PIXI Drinking Fountain (Stainless Steel) it's pump failures; durability concerns. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Petlibro Dockstream 2 Smart Cordless Water Fountain | Catit PIXI Drinking Fountain (Stainless Steel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in pet water fountains | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Cordless/battery | Stainless steel |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | — | 15% |
| Overall score | 3.8 | 3.3 |
| Easy cleaning | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Quietness | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Capacity | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Filter cost | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Reliability | — | 2.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $30 · $$ $30–70 · $$$ over $70. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Petlibro Dockstream 2 Smart Cordless Water Fountain
- Expensive to buy and to keep in filters
Wirecutter says it costs almost twice as much as its top pick and gets pricier still if you use Petlibro's filters on the recommended two-week schedule. A 1-star Walmart reviewer complains it requires the brand's expensive filters.
Source: Wirecutter, Walmart reviews (lowest rated) - Battery mode isn't continuous flow
Wirecutter says that on battery it only runs when its sensor detects someone in front of it. The sensor can't see pets approaching from behind and can't tell people from pets, so a busy spot drains the battery faster.
Source: Wirecutter - App data isn't always accurate
Wirecutter's app logged drinks once or twice when no pet could have drunk, and it can't separate multiple animals. Walmart reviewers question paying for the app's monitoring subscription.
Source: Wirecutter, Walmart reviews
Catit PIXI Drinking Fountain (Stainless Steel)
- Pump failures; durability concerns
Durability is a negative aspect and reliability mixed on Amazon, with owners reporting the pump failing after about 10 months.
- Needs cleaning more often than most
The Spruce Pets says the manufacturer recommends cleaning 2-3 times a week, more than usual. During initial testing it also had to change the filter about every 10 days instead of the recommended 3-4 weeks, though that didn't recur later.
Source: The Spruce Pets - Optional spout is loud
The Spruce Pets found the included spout attachment produces an annoying, loud trickle, and its tester cat wouldn't drink until it was removed.
Source: The Spruce Pets
Who should pick which
Pick the Petlibro Dockstream 2 Smart Cordless Water Fountain if
Placing water away from outlets
Tracking how much a pet drinks
Owners who want a quiet, easy-clean fountain
Skip it if: You want the cheapest running cost; Your pet needs continuous flow without a cord; You need per-pet drinking data
Pick the Catit PIXI Drinking Fountain (Stainless Steel) if
Quiet apartments and bedrooms
Cats sensitive to whisker contact
Homes with a couple of cats
Skip it if: You can only clean once a week; Your cat insists on a falling stream (the spout is noisy); You want a pump that reliably lasts years
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