Best Overall
Tomcat Rat Snap Trap
- With a snap-back design and interlocking teeth, this trap efficiently traps rats and helps prevent escapes.
With a snap-back design and interlocking teeth, this trap efficiently traps rats and helps prevent escapes.
- This trap doesn’t have a cover to conceal the body of the rat.
This trap doesn’t have a cover to conceal the body of the rat.
Our overall pick for the best rat trap is the Tomcat Rat Snap Trap because of its easy-to-use design and budget-friendly price point. Featuring a classic snap-back design, this plastic rat trap is made of high-impact materials and is rust resistant so it can be reused in the future.
We love that this rat trap comes with a removable bait cup so you can add the bait without worrying about accidentally setting off the trap. You can also use the bait cup to hold a variety of different treats, whether you are using peanut butter or an attractant gel. You can easily set the trap using your hand or foot, and the interlocking teeth help prevent rats from escaping the trap.
Since it’s made of plastic, it’s easy to clean and won’t hold smells as easily as wooden rat traps. However, unlike more expensive traps with a cover, this trap won’t conceal the body of the rat after the trap is triggered, so be prepared to see it.
Product Details: Trap Type: Snap-back | Size: 8.63 x 5 x 3 inches | Material: Plastic
Best Budget
Victor M201 Rat Trap
- It’s about $3 per trap, and it was easy to set.
It’s about $3 per trap, and it was easy to set.
- Wooden traps are more likely to hold smells than plastic ones.
Wooden traps are more likely to hold smells than plastic ones.
Wooden traps are a classic and affordable option, and the Victor Metal Pedal Rat Trap is available in a set of 12 for a reasonable price. Although the upfront cost is higher, each rat trap ends up costing about $3, which makes it the most budget-friendly option our list.
When we tested this trap, we loved how easy it was to set this trap: Simply release the arm bar to set the trap, and place it in an area where the rat will scurry along. The plate is also wide so it’s easier for rats to activate the trap.
Keep in mind that with this option, the body of the rat won’t be hidden after the trap is activated. Additionally, with wooden traps, smells can more easily be trapped in the material if it’s not properly cleaned.
Product Details: Trap Type: Snap-back | Size: 14.16 x 4.23 x 9.89 inches | Material: Wood and metal
Best Splurge
Victor Rat Trap
- This weatherproof rat trap can be used indoors or outdoors, and it has safety features to prevent unwanted hands or paws from getting hurt.
This weatherproof rat trap can be used indoors or outdoors, and it has safety features to prevent unwanted hands or paws from getting hurt.
- It’s powered by four AA lithium batteries instead of the tension and momentum used with snap-back traps.
It’s powered by four AA lithium batteries instead of the tension and momentum used with snap-back traps.
If you have a serious rat problem and are ready to splurge, the Victor Zapper Max Rat Trap is the one for you. Instead of using a traditional snap-back method to eliminate rats, this trap uses high-voltage shocks to instantly kill the rodents.
Designed with a dual-entry tunnel, this trap lures rats inside using bait placed inside the bait cup. Once a rat steps into the trap, it is immediately shocked and exterminated. When a rat has been killed, an indicator light on the outside will blink to let you know to empty the trap. This trap also features a clear lid, so you can peek inside as well to see if there is a rat.
Unlike most rat traps, this one is weather resistant, so it can be used both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, since it doesn’t use poison and the bait cup is positioned in the middle of the trap, it’s an ideal trap to use in a household with pets or children.
The entry to the tunnels is also designed using tunnel baffles to help prevent hands or paws from reaching in. We also appreciate that the trap turns off completely when the lid is open so there are no accidental shocks.
While snap-back traps are powered by tension and momentum, you’ll need four AA lithium batteries for this one. Once the batteries are installed, you can place the trap on your porch, in your attic, or along the baseboards in your kitchen to help eliminate your rat problem.
Product Details: Trap Type: Electric | Size: 18 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches | Material: Plastic
Best Electric
Owltra Electric Rat Trap
- Because of its covered design, you won’t have to see or touch a rat to dispose of it.
Because of its covered design, you won’t have to see or touch a rat to dispose of it.
- It’s intended for indoor use only, and it needs four C batteries to operate.
It’s intended for indoor use only, and it needs four C batteries to operate.
For those who prefer an electric rat trap, we love the Owltra OW-1 Indoor Electric Rat Trap. We appreciate that this trap is completely covered, so you won’t have to see or touch any rats when using this trap.
This trap features a no-escape design, so once rats enter the trap they won’t be able to get out. To add bait to this trap, simply use a toothpick or cotton swab to add bait, such as peanut butter, on the floor opposite the entrance. Using high voltage powered by four C batteries, the trap immediately and humanely exterminates rodents who enter the trap.
On top of the trap, there is an indicator that will display a green light when a rat has been killed. The same indicator will display a red light when the batteries are low and need to be changed. After a rat has been shocked, you can easily dispose of the body by lifting the lid of the trap and releasing the body into a bag or trash can.
Since it’s electric, the trap is a safer choice to use in households with pets and children since there is no poison or mechanisms. The trap also has a dual infrared sensor, so the trap only emits voltage when both sensors are triggered, which helps prevent accidental shocks.
Keep in mind that this electric trap is intended for indoor use only—if you need one for your porch or patio, consider the Victor Zapper Max Rat Trap or the Ucatch Dual-Entry Large Rat Trap instead.
Product Details: Trap Type: Electric | Size: 10 x 4 x 3 inches | Material: Plastic
Best Pet-Friendly
UCatch Dual-Entry Large Rat Trap
- This traditional snap-back trap is designed to make it difficult for pets to reach the bait—and there is no use of poison.
This traditional snap-back trap is designed to make it difficult for pets to reach the bait—and there is no use of poison.
- It has a T-shape instead of a rectangular shape, so it may not be the best option to place under cabinets.
It has a T-shape instead of a rectangular shape, so it may not be the best option to place under cabinets.
Households that have pets need a rat trap that won’t accidentally harm their furry friends, and the Ucatch Dual-Entry Large Rat Trap is the trap for the job. Though it's a traditional snap-back trap, the entire trap is covered, and it has tunnels on both sides to prevent any paws or noses from unintentionally setting the trap off.
Additionally, the bait cup is located in the middle of the two tunnels so it’s difficult for any tongues to reach in and lick the peanut butter off the bait cup. Since the trap uses bait, there is also no need to use any poison or toxic chemicals that could potentially harm pets.
We also appreciate that because of the dual-entry design, it’s easy to dispose of the rat’s body without having to touch the rodent. Simply reset the lever and turn the trap on its side to release the body into a bag or trash can. Because of its durable plastic and stainless steel design, this trap can be used indoors or outdoors. After use, the trap can either be disposed of or cleaned and used again.
It doesn’t have a perfectly rectangular shape like other traps on our list, so it may not be the best option to put under kitchen or bathroom cabinets. It has more of a T-shape, so part of the trap jets out from the tunnels. However, it will work perfectly against walls, in attics, or on porches to help eliminate pesky rodents.
Product Details: Trap Type: Snap-back | Size: 8 x 5 x 6 inches | Material: Plastic and stainless steel