Prices verified Aug 4 · Always confirm at the retailer before buying.
Quick answer
For US shoppers comparing these cat toys, Catstages Tower of Tracks is listed at $8.79 and SmartyKat Madcap Mania at $8.66, making SmartyKat $0.13 lower in the current registry snapshot. They are different formats: Catstages is a three-level ball-track tower with six balls in the linked product reference, while SmartyKat is a refillable plush catnip toy. Choose based on what your cat already plays with and whether catnip has worked before. Ratings do not predict an individual cat’s interest, play duration, chewing, or tolerance. Inspect the toy on arrival and after use, remove damaged or loose parts, and follow the product instructions. No independent animal-behavior, safety, or long-term durability test was performed.
Catstages is the ball-track tower; SmartyKat is the refillable plush catnip toy and costs $0.13 less. Choose by your cat’s known play preferences, then inspect the toy and follow its instructions.
Mubboo Verdict
Best for most people
Catstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
Scoped to buyers who want a rolling-ball track tower and do not need a catnip-dependent play format.
Pick the SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Plush Catnip Cat Toy instead if
- Your cat already responds to catnip or prefers plush toys.
- You want a refillable format rather than rolling balls on tracks.
- The $0.13 lower current price matters and the exact listing is available.
Catstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy vs SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Plush Catnip Cat Toy, side by side
Catstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
Pros:
- Three-level track-tower format
- Six balls listed by the product source
- No catnip ingredient is needed for the play format
Cons (honest weight):
- Individual cat interest is unconfirmed
- No independent safety or durability test here
- Inspect balls and tracks for damage
SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Plush Catnip Cat Toy
Pros:
- $0.13 lower current snapshot price
- Refillable plush catnip format
- Higher captured marketplace rating
Cons (honest weight):
- Catnip response varies by cat
- No independent safety or durability test here
- Inspect seams, stuffing, and refill access
Where each one wins
6 dimensions scored head-to-head. Catstages Tower takes 0; SmartyKat Madcap takes 2.
| Dimension | Catstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy | SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Plush Catnip Cat Toy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current US priceSmartyKat is $0.13 lower in the current registry snapshot. | $8.79 | $8.66 | SmartyKat Madcap |
| Toy formatThese formats invite different types of play; neither is a universal substitute for the other. | Three-level track tower with rolling balls | Refillable plush catnip toy | Tie |
| Product evidenceThe sources establish product features, not a guaranteed response from every cat. | Product page describes three levels and six balls | Listing and retailer page describe refillable plush catnip format | Tie |
| Captured marketplace signalSmartyKat has the slightly higher captured rating; these are listing signals, not controlled animal-behavior tests. | 4.6 / 5 from 71,135 reviews | 4.7 / 5 from 68,598 reviews | SmartyKat Madcap |
| Cat preference evidenceA review score cannot predict an individual cat’s interest, chewing, or tolerance. | Not established for your cat | Not established for your cat | Tie |
| Independent safety or durability test hereInspect toys, supervise play as appropriate, and remove damaged parts; no independent safety or durability test was performed. | Not performed | Not performed | Tie |
| Overall | 0 wins | 2 wins | SmartyKat Madcap |
These are different play formats, not interchangeable winners
Catstages is listed at $8.79 and SmartyKat at $8.66, so SmartyKat is $0.13 lower in the current US registry snapshot. The more important difference is the format: Catstages is a three-level ball-track tower, while SmartyKat Madcap Mania is a refillable plush catnip toy. A cat that bats at rolling balls may not want a plush catnip toy, and a cat that responds to catnip may ignore a track tower.
The Catstages product reference describes three levels and six balls. The SmartyKat retailer page describes Madcap Mania as a refillable plush catnip toy. These sources support the product-format distinction; they do not establish a guaranteed play response, exercise benefit, or safety outcome for every cat.
Cat preference is the missing variable
Marketplace ratings are not a controlled test of cat preference. Before buying a second toy, note whether your cat already bats at moving objects, plays with plush toys, responds to catnip, chews seams, or loses interest quickly. If catnip has not worked for your cat before, the refillable feature may not add value.
Price and review counts are only listing signals
Catstages is recorded at 4.6 stars from 71,135 reviews; SmartyKat is recorded at 4.7 stars from 68,598 reviews. Those numbers are current listing signals. They do not measure play duration, exercise, stimulation, durability, choking risk, or suitability for a particular cat.
Inspect and supervise the actual toy
Check balls, tracks, seams, stuffing, strings, and refill access when the toy arrives and after use. Remove a damaged toy or loose part. Use the product instructions and your veterinarian’s advice for a cat that chews, swallows non-food items, or has a health condition. This comparison does not certify either toy as safe for every cat or unsupervised situation.
What this comparison does not test
No animal-behavior trial, play-duration study, chewing test, safety certification review, or long-term durability test was performed. The recommendations are limited to current registry facts and linked product-format descriptions.
Which should you buy?
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Track-tower play | Catstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy | Three-level rolling-ball track format. |
| Catnip plush play | SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Plush Catnip Cat Toy | Refillable plush catnip format. |
| Current price | SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Plush Catnip Cat Toy | Lower by $0.13 in the current snapshot. |
| Known cat preference | SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Plush Catnip Cat Toy | No individual-cat trial. |
| Verified safety | SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Plush Catnip Cat Toy | No independent safety or durability test. |
Three-level rolling-ball track format.
Refillable plush catnip format.
Lower by $0.13 in the current snapshot.
No individual-cat trial.
No independent safety or durability test.
What if neither is right?
SmartyKat Skitter Critters Catnip Mice Plush Cat Toy Value Pack
$17.15
A 20-pack plush catnip-mice format; verify the exact contents and cat response before ordering.
Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy, 2 Pack
$7.98
A different interactive format that requires supervised play and storage between sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Catstages Tower of Tracks or SmartyKat Madcap Mania?
Catstages is the scoped pick for a rolling-ball track tower. SmartyKat is the relevant pick for a refillable plush catnip toy and costs less in the current snapshot. Neither was independently behavior-, safety-, or durability-tested.
Which cat toy is cheaper?
SmartyKat is listed at $8.66 versus $8.79 for Catstages, a $0.13 difference in the current snapshot. Verify live prices.
Does Catstages Tower of Tracks have six balls?
The linked Catstages product reference describes three levels and six balls. Check the current package contents on the live listing.
Is SmartyKat Madcap Mania refillable?
The linked retailer page describes Madcap Mania as a refillable plush catnip toy. Confirm the current package and refill details before ordering.
Will my cat like either toy?
No comparison can guarantee that. Interest varies by cat, prior play habits, catnip response, age, and the individual toy. Observe your cat and remove damaged or loose parts.
Did Mubboo test these cat toys?
No. There was no animal-behavior trial, play-duration study, chewing test, safety certification review, or long-term durability test.
Primary sources: Current price, rating, review count, stock, and product images use the exact US listing records for Catstages and SmartyKat. Product-format context is linked from the Catstages product reference and SmartyKat retailer page. These descriptions are not independent animal-behavior, safety, or durability tests.
Who wrote this and where's the data from?
Author: Mubboo Editorial Team. Independent US-market consumer research using current registry records and linked product-page information. Last verified: 2026-08-04.