Key takeaways
- Cheapest pick worth buying: WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder ($50 – $70).
- A simple timer feeder suits most pets.
- Backup batteries keep meals on time in a power cut.
In this article
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On a budget? Here are the best-value automatic pet feeders in the US, starting with the cheapest model we rate, with typical prices and our verdict on each.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Budget picks at a glance
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder | Consider | 7.9/10 | $50 – $70 |
| Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder | Buy | 7.8/10 | $55 – $75 |
| PETLIBRO Granary Smart Pet Feeder | Buy | 8.4/10 | $60 – $90 |
| PETKIT Fresh Element Solo | Consider | 8.2/10 | $60 – $90 |
Budget picks in detail
WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder
Verdict: Consider · Score: 7.9/10 · Typical price: $50 – $70
WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder is worth considering if it suits your needs exactly or drops below its usual $50 – $70, but it is not our first choice.
Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder
Wet food on a timer · Verdict: Buy · Score: 7.8/10 · Typical price: $55 – $75
Why we like it: Five chilled trays for wet or dry meals.
Pros: Handles wet food · Ice packs keep meals cooler · No Wi-Fi to fail · Battery powered
Cons: Only five meals per fill · Determined pets can pry lids
Buy it if you feed wet food and want meals to open on a timer while you are out.
Skip it if you want app control or a big kibble hopper.
PETLIBRO Granary Smart Pet Feeder
Most cats and small dogs · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.4/10 · Typical price: $60 – $90
Why we like it: App-scheduled meals with battery backup.
Pros: Simple app scheduling · Battery backup keeps meals going in outages · Large hopper · Dishwasher-safe bowl
Cons: Dry food only · Very large kibble can jam
Buy it if you want reliable scheduled dry-food meals you can adjust from your phone.
Skip it if you feed wet food or need to keep one pet out of another’s bowl.
PETKIT Fresh Element Solo
Verdict: Consider · Score: 8.2/10 · Typical price: $60 – $90
Our verdict on PETKIT Fresh Element Solo is consider: a decent option, but compare it with the picks above before paying $60 – $90.
How to save money
A simple timer feeder suits most pets.
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
Where not to cut corners
Backup batteries keep meals on time in a power cut.
Common mistake: Relying on a new feeder before testing it.
Compare more options
Search automatic pet feeders on Amazon See top-rated automatic pet feeders on Amazon
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best cheap automatic pet feeders in the US?
The cheapest model we would still buy is WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder, typically $50 – $70.
Are cheap automatic pet feeders worth it?
A simple timer feeder suits most pets. Do not compromise on the basics, though. Backup batteries keep meals on time in a power cut.
When are automatic pet feeders cheapest in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.