I’ve been on a search for a cat water fountain that lasts more than a few months for years now. More often than not, the pumps burn out quickly, and many of the past fountains I’ve purchased have had unpleasantly loud motors. I’m pleased to find that the Petlibro Capsule Water Fountain operates so quietly you can’t hear the motor, and so far, it’s outperformed all of the other fountains I’ve bought.
Petlibro Capsule Water Fountain
The Unboxing
The Petlibro Capsule Water Fountain arrives in a small cardboard box, and setup is quick and easy. It includes:
- The fountain
- 4 water filters
- Instructions
Specifications
- Price: $36.99.
- Size: 9 inches long x 5.8 inches wide x 5.8 inches high.
- Capacity: 2.1 Liters.
- Available colors: Green, blue, purple.
- Power source: USB cord.
- Voltage: 5 Volts.
Pros
- The tank is BPA-free plastic.
- The stainless steel tray is hygienic and easy to clean.
- The motor is virtually inaudible.
- 4-layer filtration helps keep water clean.
Cons
- Too small for homes with dogs.
- USB cord is attached to the fountain.
The Design
The fountain is compact but also offers plenty of space so that cats can drink. It measures 5.8 inches high, which is about a perfect height for all four of my cats, and I’m able to just sit it on the floor. It’s available in three colors, so you can choose the option that looks best in your home.
The Set-Up
The set-up process took about 10 minutes total. All of the components were wrapped in plastic and were in excellent condition. The most time-consuming part of the setup was soaking the water filter for five minutes.
Assembling the fountain involves securing the pump, aligning the power cord, running the cord through a flexible cord holder, and inserting two trays and the filter. The instructions were clear and easy to understand, and the overall process was simple.
The Experience
I’ve been very impressed by this water fountain’s performance so far. Over the years, I’ve used about five fountains for my cats, and this is the quietest fountain I’ve found yet. I cannot hear its pump operating at all, and I can’t even measure it with a decibel reader because it picks up the sound of the water flowing, not the pump. It’s a great choice for studio apartments or other environments where you don’t want to be bothered by a noisy pump.
The fountain starts running immediately once you plug it in, and you can adjust the water flow by inserting or removing the top attachment. While my cats took a few days to initially adjust to it, they all seem happy with the attachment in place, creating the fountain flow effect. I frequently see my cats drinking from the fountain, and they’ll also happily sit next to it in the sun, so I imagine they appreciate the fact that it runs quietly, too.
The fact that the USB cord is wired into the fountain is a downside, especially when cleaning or refilling the fountain. It’s a bit awkward to carry the whole thing, cord included, up to the sink. While manageable, I’d much rather see a detachable USB cord, especially if that cord becomes worn or damaged and needs to be replaced.
While the fountain relies on power to run, its design allows water to pool in the stainless steel tray, so cats can still drink for a bit if the fountain isn’t running.
Durability is always a concern with pet water fountains, and I’ve found that the pumps often burn out within less than a year. I’ve been using this fountain in my home for three months now, and if I encounter issues with the pump’s failure, I will update this review to reflect that.
The Maintenance
Maintenance for the water fountain is mostly simple. It’s easy to disassemble the fountain, and I can quickly wash each of the components in my kitchen sink. Petlibro recommends replacing the filter every two weeks, which is also quick and easy. It includes four filters, so you can run the fountain for about two months before having to order more.
The fountain’s 2.1-liter volume should last a cat about a week, according to Petlibro. In my home of four cats, I find I have to refill the fountain about every three days. (I still have their other water dishes available, so all four cats likely aren’t drinking from the fountain all the time.) The semi-transparent tank makes it easy to keep an eye on the water level.
Petlibro Capsule Water Fountain
The Final Verdict
So far, the Petlibro Capsule Water Fountain gets a five-star review. I can’t yet attest to its durability, but will be sure to update this review in the future if it should underperform or burn out. If you’re looking for a compact, ultra-quiet cat water fountain, I would highly recommend it, as would my cats. With its easy assembly and decent capacity, I think it’s a great purchase and well worth the cost.
