If you’re a cat owner, you probably already know that life with kitties is objectively easier than owning a dog. For you, there is no dealing with getting up at the crack of dawn or going out late at night for walks to take your furry friend to the restroom. However, in exchange, you have to keep the litter box clean each day. Sometimes scooping poop can become a bit of a chore, especially if you have multiple felines and multiple litter boxes to maintain. Never fear, technology to the rescue – the best self-cleaning litter box can automate your kitty’s restroom so you never have to scoop again, and they’ll always have a clean box!
Did you know that the average pet owner actually spends an estimated 832 hours a year cleaning up after their pets? No joke! The road to an easier and cleaner life as a cat owner is within reach, all with the help of the best self-cleaning litter box! StudyFinds combed through 12 expert reviews to find the most highly recommended devices that can help keep your kitty’s box clean and take some of the work off your plate. The options range from expensive and complicated to simple and budget-friendly, depending on the model. Which one do you plan to add to your wish list?
The List: Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes, According to Experts
1. Litter Robot 4
Litter Robot has a whole line of self-cleaning litter boxes that are considered the best in the industry, but the Litter Robot 4 is the most updated version that came out in May of 2022. The Litter Robot features a barrel that automatically rotates after your cat has exited, sifting the litter clumps into a waste bag covered tray at the bottom. Depending on how many cats you have, you may not have to empty this tray for about a week. Techno Meow says that over 1,000,000 Litter Robots have been sold.
The Litter Robot 4 has Wi-Fi connectivity and can be synced to an app on your phone that will let you know when the drawer needs to be changed, track your cat’s restroom habits, and control other features like sleep mode, night light, or cleaning cycles. Tracking can be useful for cat owners because health problems often present in cats through different defecation habits. Reviewers at Good Housekeeping say that the Litter Robot 4 is great for multiple cat homes and is fairly easy to set up and use.
The Litter Robot 4 may not be good for those who live in small spaces, as the device takes up quite a bit of room, and the way the waste gets separated from the litter often leaves room for more odor, since waste isn’t covered. Others may not a be fan of the Litter Robot’s price, as the model costs a pretty penny. The Spruce Pets says it is still a well-designed, high-quality product, and the app and connectivity make it feel like a premium experience for those who are willing to shell out.
2. PetSafe ScoopFree Complete Smart Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
If you want a simpler, more budget friendly option, the PetSafe ScoopFree works with a system of metal rakes and specific crystal cat litter. The metal rakes sweep solids into a waste bin, and the crystal litter absorbs liquids instead of clumping so the clumps don’t get stuck all over the mechanism. Mashable loves that this box is less obtrusive than something like the litter robot. It doesn’t take up a ton of space and might be better for single cat homes.
Women’s Health finds that the box performs well in their tests. It is quiet and not noticeable when performing a cleaning cycle, and was relatively good at containing odor. The waste container itself only needs to be disposed of once a month for households with one cat. Those with multiple or larger cats might want to purchase the uncovered version.
Even though the PetSafe ScoopFree is a considerably more budget friendly model than the Litter Robot, this model costs more over time because of the special crystal litter that accompanies it, resulting in higher monthly costs. You can use other brands of crystal litter, but it will still be more expensive than normal clay clumping litter. Cats.com does note that for the price, the PetSafe ScoopFree is still one of the cheapest automatic litter boxes you can buy.
3. Smarty Pear Leo Loo Too
Leo Loo Too is designed for those who want to come into contact with litter and its corresponding waste as little as possible. The box itself rotates and deposits solids into a separate container to be emptied just like the Litter Robot. The main difference is it is used with crystal litter and designed with a cardboard tray where the entire tray can be dumped into the trash. Time says that the litter is dust-free, relatively good at controlling odor, and makes less of a mess since it doesn’t stick to paws as much.
Leo Loo Too also comes with Wi-Fi and app connectivity that allows you to control cycles and monitor your kitty’s habits. You can set automatic or scheduled cleaning sessions depending on your preference, and the box has the ability to differentiate between cats according to their weight. The Spruce Pets loves that you can connect to Alexa or Google Home and activate the box using voice controls.
Leo Loo Too is sleeker and a bit more compact than the Litter Robot, but still not a good fit for those with small spaces. Forbes says that the box itself can be a pain to deep clean, which is recommended every four weeks. But you can get away with less if you wipe down parts individually.
4. Litter Robot 3 Connect
The Litter Robot 3 is the earlier version of the Litter Robot 4, and you’ll find it is a little louder, larger, and not as sleek looking as the four. But it still performs the same functions as the newer model at a lower price. People likes that the box will still hold a week’s worth of waste for one cat, and it is relatively easy to set up and maintain.
The Litter Robot 3 doesn’t require any fancy branded products or bags, as you can line the waste drawer with simple garbage bags. If you want an even simpler, cheaper version, Cosmopolitan notes that you can purchase the non-Connect version that doesn’t need Wi-Fi capability for an app but still performs all the same functions.
Techno Meow loves that the Litter Robot 3 comes with an 18-month warranty that can easily be extended, so if anything goes wrong with your box there is a dedicated support team to help figure out any issues. There is also a 90-day money back guarantee, so if you or your cats aren’t fan, you can return the product with no questions asked.
5. Cat Genie A.I.
The Cat Genie is different in that it uses non-toxic, washable pellets as litter. After your cat does their business, the box scoops out solid wastes and flushes away liquid waste, then completely washes and dries the pellets, which never need to be replaced until your cat loses too many of them. Business Insider remarks that even if you do need to purchase the special pellets or cleaning solution a couple times a year, it is the most sustainable option.
Good Housekeeping says that this is a great way to ensure your cat has clean litter every day, but it may not be great for multiple cat households with one box. The cleaning cycle can take up to 40 minutes to complete, which is not ideal if another cat needs to use the box. The box also needs to be connected to both water and electrical outlets.
For a solution that requires the purchase of branded supplies in order to work, it may not be the best choice for everyone. It may also be hard for most people to find a spot to in their homes that fit the size with both accessible water and electrical lines. However, Cats.com says it is still the best choice if you want to be cleaner and more sustainable, as the box tends to be cleaner and less odor prone than other boxes due to the washing system. There is a limited amount of tracking of the pellets as well due to the size and you can purchase the Cat Genie Dome to keep them more contained.
6. Petkit PuraX Self-Cleaning Litter Box
The Petkit box works in much the same way as the Litter Robot, but Mashable says its selling point is the design, which is much more sleek and minimal. It also fits into spaces better than the Litter Robot’s large round barrel. It’s great for cats who prefer an enclosed box, but the entryway is small and not great for cats who prefer open boxes.
Reviewers at People loves that the box was ready to go with minimal setup besides needing be filled with litter, which can be any normal clumping litter. The design allows it to be filled from the top, and the built-in odor control system and quiet operation make its existence virtually unnoticeable.
Women’s Health notes that you can also connect this box to an app to view and control. While the design of this box solves the aesthetic and spacing issues of the litter robot, the opening can make it harder for larger or older cats to enter or exit.
7. Pet Zone Smart Scoop Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
The Pet Zone Smart Scoop is probably the cheapest self-cleaning litter box you’ll be able to find. All this box does is rake the clumps out of the litter box so you don’t have to scoop them, without any fancy apps or mechanisms. Women’s Health says that the device is quiet and effective. Though there are waste bags and a carbon filter, you might want to purchase to go along with the box, it is still very affordable.
The open design makes it easier for odors and litter to escape the top, so if you’re looking for something that feels a little less like a basic box you might want to go for a covered option. People says one of the cons of the box is that it waits a full 30 minutes after your cat has left the box in order to rake, meaning odor-causing poos are left out in the open for a while.
The shallow design of the box might mean litter is flung everywhere if you have a kitty who likes to dig, but The Spruce Pets says it is still wildly efficient for the price. Also, the rake doesn’t get as gunked up as you’d think. It comes with an included cleaning tool as well.
Sources:
- The Spruce Pets
- Good Housekeeping
- Techno Meow
- Cats.com
- Women’s Health
- Mashable
- Forbes
- Time
- The Spruce Pets
- Cosmopolitan
- People
- Business Insider
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.