SureFlap Cat Flap Connect Review: Is the Curfew Worth the Hub?

Start with what a basic microchip cat flap already does. It reads your cat's chip, opens for that cat and stays shut for the neighbour's tom. The Connect adds three things on top: a schedule, a log and a remote. Whether those are worth the extra money depends on how much you care about where your cat is at 2 a.m.

The three things you pay for

Curfew. You set times when the flap locks and unlocks. A cat that comes in before the lock stays in. For households beside a fast road, or with a cat that hunts at night, this is the reason to buy. An independent UK test praised exactly that: fewer hours outside in the dark.

The log. The app shows which pet went in or out and when, with notifications and activity graphs. It supports up to 32 microchipped animals, according to Tech Advisor. Owners who watch for changes in routine, for example a cat that starts going out less, get something useful here. Treat it as a flag to watch, not as medical advice.

Remote and shared access. You can lock or unlock the flap from your phone, and give a sitter or a vet access. If bending to turn a manual lock every night is the hard part, this alone helps.

The cost is more than the sticker

The US page for the flap does not list a price and says the Hub is sold separately. Retail pricing is about $200 for the flap. The Hub is the part that links the flap to your Wi-Fi and the app, and without it you have a flap that is not smart. For reference, UK prices are GBP 109.99 for the flap, GBP 49.99 for the Hub and GBP 149.99 for both together.

Tech Advisor and Expert Reviews both noted a gap of tens of pounds against a non-connected microchip flap at about GBP 80. Add the install: Expert Reviews was quoted GBP 160 by a glazier to fit the flap in a glass door. The maker lists a 212 mm round hole for glass.

Fit, size and the first week

The flap opening is 142 mm wide by 120 mm high, with a 70 mm tunnel. The hole you need to cut is 165 mm by 171 mm. That is fine for most cats and awkward for a large one. A tunnel extender is an extra purchase for thick walls.

Both testers found the physical install simple in a standard door. The slow part was the cat. Training takes days to weeks, with treats and the learning mode, and your cat sets the schedule.

The app itself is described as slick and simple. It lets you give each cat a profile with a name and a photo. Setup requires an account, and Tech Advisor had a connection problem that cleared after a day.

The weak spots

Batteries first. The flap runs on four AA cells, and the maker says up to six months. Owners on a UK forum report much shorter life, a couple of months in some cases, and a few say the drain gets worse after a couple of years. The app warns you when the cells are low, which helps.

Next, the Hub. A forum thread reports the link to the Hub being disturbed by nearby metal, and the testers had occasional connection problems.

Then the log. If your cat uses a window or another door, the in/out count is wrong. Expert Reviews saw its stats disrupted by exactly that.

Last, curfew is a lock but not a fortress. One owner reported a cat getting out during curfew, and said the electronic lock does not feel as solid as the manual one. That is a single owner's report, so test it before you rely on it.

Who should buy it

Buy it if you have one or two cats, a road at the end of the garden and a reason to want a curfew. Buy it if a sitter or a relative needs to check in. Skip it if your only aim is to keep strays out: the cheaper non-connected flap from the same maker does that. At 7.1 out of 10, it is a good, slightly pricey tool with a battery habit.