It’s a really simple cat flap to programme, with just the push of a button and an LED indicator that flashes to let you know the microchip has been registered. You will need four AA batteries to power the cat flap, but users report that these last for around a year, making the Cat Mate even better value. The best microchip cat flaps you can buy in 2023 1. Cat Mate 360W Microchip Cat Flap: Best for those on a budget The gadget reads a pet’s microchip or SureFlap RFID collar tag every time they go in and out of the flap, and lets you program it to keep certain cats inside while allowing others out. In this way, you could keep any troublemakers inside at night, while allowing more chilled-out felines outside for a moonlit stroll. The cat flap can be programmed for up to 32 cats, although this would make it as busy as Clapham Junction.

Cat flaps in general are a godsend for those of us who are servants to moggies, meaning we don’t have to get up and down every five minutes to let a cat in or out through a window or door. Allowing cats access to the outside world, in a safe environment, gives them the best life possible, so it’s worth investing in a good cat flap to let them come and go as they please. The flap itself is transparent, which can be handy if your cat waits on the doorstep to be let in the old-fashioned way. It’s made of a super-tough polymer, so is built to last, and is capable of withstanding the repeated headbutts of the toughest tomcats.

Our roundup of the best microchip cat flaps will have your cat purring in approval

Designed for multi-cat households, the SureFlap DualScan microchip cat flap is designed to help you manage your cats’ needs individually, despite them sharing a single cat flap.

Features • MICROCHIP AND RFID COLLAR TAG IDENTIFICATION - Opens for your pet's unique microchip ID or Sure Petcare RFID Collar Tag For non-microchipped pets, the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door is also compatible with the SureFlap RFID Collar Tag, and there’s one included in the box so you can get up and running straight away. However, you won’t get all these features without the hub, and this needs to be plugged into your router with an Ethernet cable as well as into the mains. You will also need four C cell batteries, which you should expect to last a maximum of six months.Setup is easy, with one-button programming. However, this flap is marginally slower to open than some others and this may take your cat a little while to get used to, so be patient. The cat flap has a green light that appears when a chip is read successfully, and the LED light will also indicate when the battery is running low. Powered by four AA batteries, battery life is impressive at around 12 months. The kit offers all the usual benefits of a microchip cat flap in keeping unwanted guests at bay, plus a whole load of extras to connect you to your cat. If you want to keep your kitty safe, the best microchip cat flaps are a particularly clever invention. They give your cats free access to the outdoors while preventing any neighbourhood moggies from sneaking in. These cat flaps have a built-in sensor that recognises your cat’s microchip, meaning only they can go in and out of the flap. This puts them at a huge advantage over a normal, non-chipped flap – particularly if your cat is being bullied or you have a greedy, six-dinner Sid living nearby. The SureFlap Microchip Connect with Hub is a gadget-lover’s dream. The set comprises a generously sized cat flap and a hub that connects the door to the accompanying Sure Petcare app. Prop the cat flap open with a peg or strong tape. Give your cat time to get used to going in and out through the hole and lower it slightly over time so that they have to start pushing it a little. If your cat is reluctant to use the flap, try enticing them through with their favourite treats.