So I decided to upgrade to the Pioneer Pet Big Max Premium Stainless Steel Water Fountain, and all three cats love it. Even Caesar, who used to be a diehard faucet drinker, likes to drink from this. Maybe it's something about the wider bowl. It is super quiet (although the memory foam bath mat that I put underneath helps absorb a lot of the sound) and super easy to clean (only two tiers with minimal nooks and crannies). The reviews on Amazon didn't excite me, but I decided to take a chance. I think the trick is to keep it clean, and that includes cleaning the motor. I wonder if a lot of the bad reviews about the motor dying were because people weren't cleaning it properly and/or frequently enough.
Sorry, I didn't think to get an action shot of the cats actually drinking from it! But here's the fountain by itself:
Sorry, I didn't think to get an action shot of the cats actually drinking from it! But here's the fountain by itself: