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Bengal vs Devon Rex
The Devon Rex is a small, clingy, warm-loving clown that fits a flat; the Bengal is a larger, wild-descended athlete that needs space.
Verdict
Both cats are playful, clever and want company, and they suit different homes. The Devon Rex is small, at about 6 to 9 lb, scores top marks for affection and apartments, and has the lowest independence score. It needs a warm home. The Bengal descends from Asian leopard cat crosses, has the top energy score, suits apartments poorly, and is restricted in some places. Choose the Devon Rex for a clinging clown in a flat and the Bengal for an athletic cat in a roomy home.
Choose the Bengal if
- You have space, climbing and time for daily training.
- You want a spotted or marbled coat and have checked local law.
- You want the highest energy and intelligence scores.
- You keep a cooler home.
Choose the Devon Rex if
- You live in a flat or a smaller home.
- You want a lap-seeking, playful cat.
- You can keep the house warm.
- You will ask your vet about its muscle, skin and kneecap watch-list.
Where they are alike
Both are playful, people-seeking cats with short coats that shed lightly. Each dislikes being left alone for long hours.
Side by side
| Bengal | Devon Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Wild-look and hybrid | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | United States | Devon, England |
| Size | Medium | Small |
| Typical weight | — | 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg); males are somewhat larger |
| Lifespan | — | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short, dense, soft coat with spots, rosettes or marbling, often with a glittered sheen | Soft, short, wavy coat with sparse, curled guard hairs; fragile whiskers |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 2018 | Championship breed since 1983 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 3 | 5 |
| Energy | 5 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 3 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 2 |
| Shedding | 2 | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 3 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 1 |
| Trainability | 5 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 2 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to a Bengal. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Devon Rex sheds less hair than many cats, but allergens also come from saliva and skin. |
| Suits | An active household with time to play every day, climbing space, and an owner who enjoys training and puzzle toys. | A warm, busy home with someone around much of the day and a taste for a clinging, playful cat. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a quiet lap cat, who is out all day, or who lives in a place that restricts Bengals. | A cold house, a home left empty all day, or someone who wants a calm cat that keeps its distance. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026