vilagai

✓ 53 sourced quotes

Ranked by evidence

Best self-cleaning litter boxes

Litter Robot is pricey but they are engineered for safety to within a nanometer. They are obnoxiously safe, the main complaints about them involve false positives of the safety features (which can interrupt them cycling/emptying). I've got five 4 LR3s and 1 LR4, they're all great. The LR4 is a marked upgrade, especially the noise, it's practically silent.— Reddit comment · u/Zoethor2 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-08-23 · on the #1 pick, Litter-Robot 4

  1. 1 Litter-Robot 4Best overall 15 quotes
  2. 2 PETKIT Pura Max 2Best value 12 quotes
  3. 3 PetSafe ScoopFreeCheapest way in 10 quotes
  4. 4 Neakasa M1Best open top 9 quotes
  5. 5 CATLINK Open-XCheapest drum 7 quotes
1
Best overall

Litter-Robot 4

The LR3 is louder and cheap used; the new LR5's ramp is worse, some say

Illustration of Litter-Robot 4 Illustration of the product
Litter-Robot 4 — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Price
$650 to $800 new, about $400 to $550 refurbished
Design
Enclosed rotating globe

Why it ranks here. The Litter-Robot 4 is the box every other is measured against: near silent, sealed against smell, a support team owners praise, and millions sold without a safety incident. It ranks first for that. It costs $650 to $800, its liners and hoppers add up, and it is the wrong box for a cat that pees standing.

'Bought a LR4 last year', says one owner: 'my 15 years of scooping ended'. An owner of five Litter-Robots says 'The LR4 is a marked upgrade, especially the noise, it's practically silent', and that they 'are engineered for safety to within a nanometer'. Another has 'excellent smell control'. Owners empty the drawer weekly with two cats, and one owner calls it the best cat investment ever. Then the standing pee: 'if you have a weird cat that pees standing up (not crouching) THIS IS NOT THE LITTER BOX FOR YOU!', says a three-year owner, since 'you can NOT clean the base' with its 'loose wires'. Another with two standing cats took his apart, 'like 75 screws total'. A three-cat home changes the bag daily and fights 'dirty sensors that arent easy to clean'; others fixed sensors by switching to Arm and Hammer Slide. Liners run '$70 on a new liner every 3 years'.

What owners like

  • 'my 15 years of scooping ended'
  • 'it's practically silent', and 'engineered for safety to within a nanometer'
  • Support that stands behind it, and refurbished units with warranty for less

What owners complain about

  • For a cat that pees standing up, 'THIS IS NOT THE LITTER BOX FOR YOU!'; the base 'can NOT' be washed
  • $650 to $800, plus '$70 on a new liner every 3 years' and a $100 hopper
  • 'dirty sensors that arent easy to clean' with dusty litter or three cats

Litter Robot is pricey but they are engineered for safety to within a nanometer. They are obnoxiously safe, the main complaints about them involve false positives of the safety features (which can interrupt them cycling/emptying). I've got five 4 LR3s and 1 LR4, they're all great. The LR4 is a marked upgrade, especially the noise, it's practically silent.— Reddit comment · u/Zoethor2 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-08-23

8 positive · 2 mixed · 1 neutral · 4 negative · 15 voices · ✓ all 15 linked to source

Read all 15 quotes (15 voices)
  • I know nothing of the Pura Max 2, but I am very happy with my Litter Robot 4. It is very quiet & has excellent smell control. I've only had it for about 2 months, so I can't speak to long-term reliability, but it has worked perfectly so far.

    Reddit comment · u/humdrumturducken · r/CatAdvice · 2026-02-24 · read the original ↗

  • If price to performance matters a lot, I would not automatically jump to the €900 Litter Robot unless budget is not a concern. The Litter Robot 4 is excellent in terms of build quality, long term reliability, and customer support. It feels very polished and is typically quiet. But you are definitely paying a premium for the brand and support structure.

    Reddit comment · u/Own-Independent7881 · r/CatAdvice · 2026-02-25 · read the original ↗

  • Litter Robot is pricey but they are engineered for safety to within a nanometer. They are obnoxiously safe, the main complaints about them involve false positives of the safety features (which can interrupt them cycling/emptying). I've got five 4 LR3s and 1 LR4, they're all great. The LR4 is a marked upgrade, especially the noise, it's practically silent.

    Reddit comment · u/Zoethor2 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-08-23 · read the original ↗

  • First off i want to start by saying this is MY opinion i have made about this after 3 years of use. Okay so if you have a weird cat that pees standing up (not crouching) THIS IS NOT THE LITTER BOX FOR YOU! litter robot didn’t think about the weird cats and the amount of pee that gets through all the little openings is INSANE. If y’all didn’t know you can NOT clean the base like you do the other parts. there is loose wires that can’t get wet so cleaning the base is the devil in disguise. My weight doesn’t even drop down anymore and of course the warranty is out. I shouldn’t have to spend $70 on a new liner every 3 years. that’s insane.

    Reddit post · u/NectarineBrilliant65 · r/litterrobot · 2026-07-16 · read the original ↗

  • Agree 100%, I hate this thing so much now! Only had it for a year and a half. Cats that stand to pee aren't the norm but they are pretty common. Two of my four stand when they pee. Whisker knows about the design flaws but they wont fix it. I had to completely disassembled the entire unit, globe and base. It's like 75 screws total. Had to completely remove the wire harnes, circuit boards, and motor so i could hose spray and bucket wash the base. There is dried urine everywhere in every part.

    Reddit comment · u/nerovega · r/litterrobot · 2026-07-16 · read the original ↗

  • Only 70$ for replacement parts every 3 years is pretty good imo. They aren't built to last forever

    Reddit comment · u/Weezy366 · r/litterrobot · 2026-07-16 · read the original ↗

  • I have 2 LR4s and changed them in 5 minutes yesterday before work. Both LR are at least 2-3 years old and both have litter hoppers… I feel like I save on litter too since Im only changing whats in the bag and refilling the hopper as needed... I have no regrets about my LR4s.

    Reddit comment · u/pj91198 · r/litterrobot · 2026-07-16 · read the original ↗

  • My wife and I have the litter robot 4. We have 3 cats and we have to change the bag everyday or if we're lucky every other day. I try to clean the sensors but its really hard despite sticking my head into the spinning dome of piss and shit... So what's the point of spending 700-800 dollars on a machine to solve your problem when you just have a new one? The new problem being dirty sensors that arent easy to clean.

    Reddit post · u/Grand-Rice- · r/litterrobot · 2026-06-11 · read the original ↗

  • Could be the type of litter you're using. I use Arm & Hammer platinum slide multicat and don't have an issue with the sensors... With my two cats we change the bag about once a week. I buy off brand bags from Amazon that work great and are a lot cheaper

    Reddit comment · u/antarctic_elite · r/litterrobot · 2026-06-11 · read the original ↗

  • We have a new LR5, but decided not to buy the ramp. Compared with the LR3 ramp, this one is a step backward... Like several other LR5 features, I can see the design idea behind this ramp—it prioritizes appearance over everyday usability.

    Reddit comment · u/Super-Ride-6291 · r/litterrobot · 2026-08-02 · read the original ↗

  • I never knew a cat product reviewing video could be such a cinematic masterpiece. This is like a BBC show. 🙀

    YouTube comment · gracelynn416 · 2022-11-19 · watch the original ↗

  • We love our Litter Robot 4. We bought a “refurbished” machine and the $100 saved paid for the additional 2 year warranty... Best “cat investment” ever, thankfully we are in a financial position to be able to fit it in the long term budget

    YouTube comment · robfromgpw5243 · 2022-11-19 · watch the original ↗

  • I think the fact that whisker was willing to help solve issues with there product is a MAJOR selling point for me. Knowing I’ll have good support from them is an incredible sense of relief. Plus it really shows they stand by their product.

    YouTube comment · itsbradmin3423 · 2022-11-19 · watch the original ↗

  • Bought a LR4 last year, the lead time was about 6 weeks. It delivered within the lead time window and my 15 years of scooping ended. Errors here and there, but nothing that has put the cats at risk. My cats took to the LR4 in no time, Whisker really nailed it with this device... A must for multi cat owners.

    YouTube comment · pjn931 · 2022-11-19 · watch the original ↗

  • Hi, u/NectarineBrilliant65! Thank you for reaching out to us. We're sorry to hear that the globe liner weight is no longer dropping and that there has been trouble with the waste drawer. We'd like to assist. Can you send us a chat that includes your Litter-Robot 4's serial number so we can look into this further for you?

    Reddit comment · u/litterrobot · r/litterrobot · 2026-07-17 · read the original ↗

2
Best value

PETKIT Pura Max 2

Also sold as the Pura Max 2 Pro

Illustration of PETKIT Pura Max 2 Illustration of the product
PETKIT Pura Max 2 — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Price
$300 to $450
Design
Enclosed rotating barrel, sealed drawer

Why it ranks here. The Pura Max 2 is the box people cross-shop against the Litter-Robot at half the price: sealed, quiet, with an app that tracks weight. It ranks second because of a leak where the liner meets the barrel, a chute that clogs, a hopper that wastes litter, and an app that once forced an update as its owner left for the airport.

'I LOVE my Petkit Pura Max. Absolutely amazing bit of kit', says one owner. Another has used it 'for over a year now and it works really well', and one with two kittens has had 'no problem whatsoever'. At around 450 euros it is 'very competitive for one normal sized house cat'. The leak is the known flaw; a recent buyer says 'The leaking appears to have been fixed with a new bowl design'. Others caulk the liner edge. One owner finds the waste bin 'mainly full with clean litter'. Another traced a house-wide smell to it. One pair of cats 'had showed zero interest', and one of another owner's 'refuse to use it still'. And the app: 'the device randomly started an update before I am leaving the house', support said the phone had to be near it, and the owner was at the airport 'bothering everyone I know to get to my place'.

What owners like

  • 'Absolutely amazing bit of kit', and 'over a year now and it works really well'
  • Sealed against odour, quiet, with health tracking, at half a Litter-Robot's price
  • A new bowl design where 'The leaking appears to have been fixed'

What owners complain about

  • Urine leaking at the liner edge on earlier units, fixed by owners with caulk
  • A waste bin 'mainly full with clean litter', and a chute that clogs
  • An app that 'randomly started an update' and stranded its owner at the airport

If you are considering buying Petkit litter box... Here is a little advice: DON'T! Their litter box and app are very poorly made! I am flying out in the morning for my 2-week trip, and the device randomly started an update before I am leaving the house. No notification or whatsoever!... I contacted the support team, and they told me that my phone needs to be near the device while the update is running... So I was at the airport, 30 minutes before boarding, bothering everyone I know to get to my place and log into my account with my credentials!!!— Reddit post · u/Extreme-Amphibian205 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-09-25

5 positive · 2 mixed · 5 negative · 12 voices · ✓ all 12 linked to source

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  • I bought a PetKit Purobot Max Pro about 3 months ago, and I had really high hopes for it. But, one of my two cats refuse to use it still, and the one who does is a bigger cat, so he doesn't have a ton of room in it. The weight sensor doesn't work well (often wrong), the waste bin doesn't fit when sliding it in (yet, I've cleared everything out and it still doesn't fit), and now it's filling the waste bin literally every day because it's just dumping all of the litter in within 24 hours of me adding more. It's disappointing and upsetting, because it's a huge investment.

    Reddit post · u/Ryn_Kimora · r/CatAdvice · 2025-08-23 · read the original ↗

  • If you are considering buying Petkit litter box... Here is a little advice: DON'T! Their litter box and app are very poorly made! I am flying out in the morning for my 2-week trip, and the device randomly started an update before I am leaving the house. No notification or whatsoever!... I contacted the support team, and they told me that my phone needs to be near the device while the update is running... So I was at the airport, 30 minutes before boarding, bothering everyone I know to get to my place and log into my account with my credentials!!!

    Reddit post · u/Extreme-Amphibian205 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-09-25 · read the original ↗

  • Hey! I have the petkit pura max 2 for some time and I realized I am buying new cat litter constantly. I realized when the waste bin is full, that its mainly full with clean litter. For scooping I use the green net with the bigger holes.

    Reddit post · u/PigletMaleficent1998 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-10-02 · read the original ↗

  • Hey guys, I have a problem. I bought the Petkit Pura Max 2 in November 2024. I'm quite happy with the device, but since April and May, there's been a strong odor in my house that I can't describe... A few months later, I took the Petkit out to wash it and put in a regular litter box... the smell seemed to disappear... Now I've installed the Petkit again, and the smell is back.

    Reddit post · u/Mervetatileciksin · r/CatAdvice · 2025-11-17 · read the original ↗

  • I was aware of the leaking issue prior to purchasing two of these Pura Maxs, and was keeping my fingers crossed my cats don’t pee in a way that will cause leaking... it looks like your cat might be sitting on or near the front opening facing out to aim pee at that location. I agree it’s a design flaw for Petkit to not take that into account. Other owners have been able to train their cats to go farther in which solved the leaking... Other workarounds were to permanently seal the liner edge using silicone caulk.

    YouTube comment · judey814 · 2022-11-08 · watch the original ↗

  • It might be worth updating this review as they have made changes to the unit. We just purchased one recently about 3 weeks ago, and much of the concerns mentioned have been addressed. The leaking appears to have been fixed with a new bowl design that adds some shielding around the liner... Aside from having to get our cat used to it, it's been running great so far.

    YouTube comment · theelmagoo · 2022-11-08 · watch the original ↗

  • I LOVE my Petkit Pura Max. Absolutely amazing bit of kit.

    YouTube comment · sbomorse · 2022-11-08 · watch the original ↗

  • I’ve been using pura max for over a year now and it works really well

    YouTube comment · sal_lppl2318 · 2022-11-08 · watch the original ↗

  • We just discovered the pee leakage issue in our Pet Kit Max, this video was very helpful. I wish I had seen it before but it was a gift after discussion with a friend. Oops. I would say their ramp is also a problem can the height of it is awkward as well.

    YouTube comment · SharmaneJohnson · 2022-11-08 · watch the original ↗

  • i have had mine for 1 month with 2 kittens and it has been working great, no problem whatsoever

    YouTube comment · andreguu · 2022-11-08 · watch the original ↗

  • The Petkit Pura Max 2 at around €450 is very competitive for one normal sized house cat. For many people, it handles odor well, cycles quietly, and delivers solid performance for half the price of the Litter Robot.

    Reddit comment · u/Own-Independent7881 · r/CatAdvice · 2026-02-25 · read the original ↗

  • I bought PetKit Pura Max 2 Pro 5 days ago... Unlike in the commercials, the cats did not jump into the Puramax during unpacking and basically never after. They had showed zero interest... On 3th day in the morning I put their old litter box next to Puramax... and in the evening the male cried inside the bathroom, jumping around, showing me there’s no toilet for

    Reddit post · u/Straight_Chemist6755 · r/CatAdvice · 2026-08-22 · read the original ↗

3
Cheapest way in

PetSafe ScoopFree

Crystal trays, or the SmartSpin for clumping litter

Illustration of PetSafe ScoopFree Illustration of the product
PetSafe ScoopFree — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Price
$100 to $235, plus trays
Design
Open tray with a rake

Why it ranks here. The ScoopFree is the $100 to $235 way in: a rake drags waste from a crystal-litter tray into a covered bin, and it has been sold for over a decade. It ranks third because the trays cost about $40 a month unless you buy a reusable one, the rake rusts, and the bin is not airtight.

'We LOVE THIS LITTER BOX!!!', says one owner: 'It stops the smell, there's no litter all over the floor', and the dog cannot eat the poop anymore. A 12-year owner with two units and three cats is now weighing two Litter-Robots, 'mostly due to the cost of the litter', 'still $40 a month', and 'Corrosion in the electronics'. One owner uses Arm and Hammer Slide instead of crystals: 'Works amazing and even better than the crystals!!'. A reusable tray is the common money saver. The complaints: one owner's tray 'NEVER last anywhere close to the 3-4 weeks it says'; another's two units 'only lasted about 6 months each' with a large cat who sat on the front; and the disposable trays 'are 50% more expensive now than they were a year ago'. One Litter-Robot owner calls it 'just okay'.

What owners like

  • 'It stops the smell, there's no litter all over the floor'
  • $100 to $235, with a decade of owners behind it
  • With Slide litter in a reusable tray, 'even better than the crystals!!'

What owners complain about

  • Disposable trays at 'still $40 a month', and '50% more expensive now than they were a year ago'
  • A tray that 'NEVER last anywhere close to the 3-4 weeks it says'
  • 'Corrosion in the electronics' and a rake that rusts over the years

We've been using the ScoopFree units for about 12 years now (two units; three cats)... we're seriously considering replacing them with TWO Litter Robots... mostly due to the cost of the litter... that's still $40 a month, where a decent standard clumping litter can be had for less than half that cost... Corrosion in the electronics, especially the power supply input plug... We've had two units become damaged to the point of replacement in 10 years.— YouTube comment · MrJest2 · 2020-07-03

4 positive · 2 mixed · 1 neutral · 3 negative · 10 voices · ✓ all 10 linked to source

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  • I bought this because one of my two cats didn’t like the crystals and refused to use the litter robot... So I bought this hoping she’d take to returning to litter, and she did. But I’m not entirely pleased with this product... It’s no litter robot, which is a true marvel of engineering. But it’s not terrible. It’s just okay.

    Reddit post · u/KublaKahhhn · r/CatAdvice · 2025-04-16 · read the original ↗

  • I find that not only does my tray NEVER last anywhere close to the 3-4 weeks it says (I have to change mine every 1-1.5 weeks because all the crystals disappear and it gets dirty), but also a lot of poop is getting caked on the rack, which I find nasty.

    Reddit post · u/Big-Goat-2072 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-10-11 · read the original ↗

  • I have had 2 of the PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal litter boxes and they have only lasted about 6 months each. I have a large male cat who is apparently really upset about robots stealing his poop. The first one broke because he sat on the front, where it magnetizes to the cardboard underneath to scoop the poop and it would not longer lift.

    Reddit post · u/Jellybeans45 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-11-22 · read the original ↗

  • We LOVE THIS LITTER BOX!!! It stops the smell, there’s no litter all over the floor, and best of all……… my DOG CANT EAT THE POOP ANYMORE!! We got the covered one!!! No more Scooby snacks for him! We have no problem paying more for these benefits!

    YouTube comment · aylasinger4006 · 2020-07-03 · watch the original ↗

  • We've been using the ScoopFree units for about 12 years now (two units; three cats)... we're seriously considering replacing them with TWO Litter Robots... mostly due to the cost of the litter... that's still $40 a month, where a decent standard clumping litter can be had for less than half that cost... Corrosion in the electronics, especially the power supply input plug... We've had two units become damaged to the point of replacement in 10 years.

    YouTube comment · MrJest2 · 2020-07-03 · watch the original ↗

  • I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine. This is my second, and I only bought the new one because I didn't want to risk my new kitten avoiding it because it smelled like my previous cat... I have the Ultra, and pro-rated over the lifetime of as cat, it's worth it.

    YouTube comment · NancyPollyCy · 2020-07-03 · watch the original ↗

  • Been using one of these with Arm and Hammer Slide cat litter for over a year. Works amazing and even better than the crystals!!

    YouTube comment · slight_ish · 2020-07-03 · watch the original ↗

  • Bought this about 9 months ago. It took our cat a really long time to transition over to this box but now that she has, it is wonderful. Almost no tracking of litter. Odor control is good for about 60-70 uses of the box. We did notice that humidity changes the length of time the litter lasts... Overall we love it!

    YouTube comment · crystalvannewkirk6653 · 2020-07-03 · watch the original ↗

  • You can buy a permanent tray you just empty and refill rather than the expensive prefilled trays

    YouTube comment · RetroMonkey1999 · 2020-07-03 · watch the original ↗

  • We've used this litter box for years, but I am finally going to get a new one. The disposable litter trays are 50% more expensive now than they were a year ago... I loved PetSafe for a long time; it makes it feasible for someone like me with mild cat allergies to have a cat... But at this point, I just don't think it is worth the cost.

    YouTube comment · marissajohnson1684 · 2020-07-03 · watch the original ↗

4
Best open top

Neakasa M1

Ask Neakasa for the replacement motor gear and firmware

Illustration of Neakasa M1 Illustration of the product
Neakasa M1 — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Price
$500 to $600
Design
Open-top rotating drum

Why it ranks here. The Neakasa M1 is the open-top box for cats that will not enter a dome: cheaper than a Litter-Robot, easy to take apart, and better on odour for some who switched. It ranks fourth because its drum has killed a cat. The maker issued a new gear and firmware, and owners now run it without automatic cleaning unless updated.

A former Litter-Robot owner paid $600 Canadian against $1,200 for an LR4 and found his cats 'actually use it more', with odour control that 'performs better than my old LR'. A four-cat home says 'I hardly have to think about the litterbox anymore', and another empties it every three to four days. It works 'including the high pee-er'. Then the warning from a well-known cat reviewer: 'it's essential that you contact support to get them to send you a new motor gear', and 'I do not recommend you have auto cleaning turned on unless you have this due to a number of incidents including one confirmed fatality'. One owner with an LR5 too has 'trust issues with the Neakasa's history' and says 'It is extremely hard to keep clean' because 'it smears a lot!'. Small or old cats need a step, and the app is mandatory.

What owners like

  • Cats 'actually use it more' than a Litter-Robot, for one owner, with better odour control
  • Four cats and 'I hardly have to think about the litterbox anymore'
  • Takes apart fully for cleaning, at $500 to $600

What owners complain about

  • 'a number of incidents including one confirmed fatality'; fit the new gear before using auto-clean
  • 'it smears a lot!' and 'It is extremely hard to keep clean'
  • A required app, and an entry height that needs a step for small cats

URGENT HARDWARE UPDATE: If you have an M1 it’s essential that you contact support to get them to send you a new motor gear. This will prevent the machine from being able to over rotate during a malfunction. It’s incredibly easy to install. I do not recommend you have auto cleaning turned on unless you have this due to a number of incidents including one confirmed fatality.— YouTube comment · OneManFiveCats · 2024-06-19

4 positive · 1 mixed · 4 negative · 9 voices · ✓ all 9 linked to source

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  • I bought my LR3 back in the day for around $700 CAD. Now, the LR4 is selling for $1200–1300 CAD before tax, which just seems insane. In contrast, the Neakasa M1 cost me $600 CAD, shipping was fast... The Neakasa has a much more open design than the Litter-Robot, and honestly, I thought my cats would hate that—but they actually use it more... In terms of odor control, I also find Neakasa performs better than my old LR3.

    Reddit post · u/North_Working_6299 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-07-16 · read the original ↗

  • the Neakasa is only good for 3 cats and all of my cats have been using it... They seem to love it, but I’ve noticed it smears a lot! It is extremely hard to keep clean and my LR5 has been so much easier so far. I also have trust issues with the Neakasa’s history and am too nervous to leave it off of Kitten Mode.

    Reddit post · u/New_Obligation_9686 · r/CatAdvice · 2026-09-05 · read the original ↗

  • People need to use common sense with automatic litter boxes. Any of these brands that in any way pinches or closes off the only entrance/exit there's the possibility it fucks up and can harm or kill your cat.

    Reddit comment · u/Tsquared10 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-08-12 · read the original ↗

  • The Litter Robot, which I'm not a fan of, also has potential for serious injury. The difference is they have better sensors and software that prevents the globe from rotating if a cat is in the waste hole. They've sold well over a million units with no deadly incidents.

    Reddit comment · u/AdCareless9063 · r/CatAdvice · 2025-08-12 · read the original ↗

  • URGENT HARDWARE UPDATE: If you have an M1 it’s essential that you contact support to get them to send you a new motor gear. This will prevent the machine from being able to over rotate during a malfunction. It’s incredibly easy to install. I do not recommend you have auto cleaning turned on unless you have this due to a number of incidents including one confirmed fatality.

    YouTube comment · OneManFiveCats · 2024-06-19 · watch the original ↗

  • I have this one, it's indeed a great machine. I have four male cats and I hardly have to think about the litterbox anymore.

    YouTube comment · bobboeve · 2024-06-19 · watch the original ↗

  • We got an M1 about a month ago, we love it! Using a lightweight clumping litter (the same stuff we used in their boxes) 4 cats can go 3-4 days before needing to empty. Easy to clean the exterior.

    YouTube comment · DeadboneBob · 2024-06-19 · watch the original ↗

  • I switched to the Neakasa which is working well for my cats, including the high pee-er.

    Reddit comment · u/glechan · r/litterrobot · 2026-07-16 · read the original ↗

  • I really dislike the forcing of apps which will result in forced obsolescence

    YouTube comment · mega-nerd · 2024-06-19 · watch the original ↗

5
Cheapest drum

CATLINK Open-X

Also sold as the Scooper Luxury Pro-X

Illustration of CATLINK Open-X Illustration of the product
CATLINK Open-X — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

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Price
About half a Pura Max 2
Design
Open-top drum with anti-pinch sensors

Why it ranks here. The CATLINK is the cheapest open drum, about half a Pura Max, with anti-pinch sensors and a promise of fifteen days hands-off. It ranks last because its waste bin does not seal, its sensors miss the cat, a safety stop can only be cleared by hand at the unit, and few owners have had it long.

'By far the cheapest automatic litter box option', says one shopper: 'I could've bought two of these for one Petkit'. Comparison reviewers treat it as a real rival to the Neakasa. Early owners are less sure. 'Returning mine!!!', says one after three weeks: 'the waste bin does not seal properly', and 'Emptying the waste bin twice a day and STILL dealing with foul odors completely defeats the purpose of this machine'. Another's box 'doesn't recognize that they are using it', and calibration and a firmware update 'neither helped'. The safety stop is the traveller's problem: 'the hard manual reset on the anti-pinch thing is super annoying', and 'If this were trigger while I'm at work, it's going to be a VERY LONG DAY'.

What owners like

  • 'By far the cheapest automatic litter box option'
  • Anti-pinch sensors, and up to fifteen days hands-free by the maker's claim
  • Cross-shopped against the Neakasa by comparison reviewers

What owners complain about

  • 'the waste bin does not seal properly'; emptying twice a day still left 'foul odors'
  • Sensors that do not see the cat, where calibration and firmware 'neither helped'
  • A safety stop cleared only at the unit: 'a VERY LONG DAY' if it trips while you are out

By far the cheapest automatic litter box option.. almost bought it but the petkit was on sale. I mean I could've bought two of these for one Petkit... Plus the hard manual reset on the anti-pinch thing is super annoying... If this were trigger while I'm at work, it's going to be a VERY LONG DAY before I can get home and reset it.— YouTube comment · tahrooh.3406 · 2025-12-19

2 positive · 1 mixed · 4 negative · 7 voices · ✓ all 7 linked to source

Read all 7 quotes (7 voices)
  • SOLD!!!! Thank you so much for the extremely thorough review! I just purchased 2. Now I need to adopt some kitties!

    YouTube comment · tiffanymanger3502 · 2025-12-19 · watch the original ↗

  • Returning mine!!! I’ve spent the last 3 weeks trying to deal with the foul odors coming from the waste bin. I completely washed the machine, changed the litter multiple times. Finally, I realized the issue was that the waste bin does not seal properly... Emptying the waste bin twice a day and STILL dealing with foul odors completely defeats the purpose of this machine. I’m switching to basic stainless steel box. Less headache.

    YouTube comment · prettysloth · 2025-12-19 · watch the original ↗

  • I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago my two cats were reluctant to use it until a couple of days ago. I entered in their weight and the litter box doesn't recognize that they are using it. I emailed tech support and they told me it takes a few days for it to start seeing the cats using it... I did the calibration and updated the firmware and neither helped.

    YouTube comment · billnis · 2025-12-19 · watch the original ↗

  • By far the cheapest automatic litter box option.. almost bought it but the petkit was on sale. I mean I could've bought two of these for one Petkit... Plus the hard manual reset on the anti-pinch thing is super annoying... If this were trigger while I'm at work, it's going to be a VERY LONG DAY before I can get home and reset it.

    YouTube comment · tahrooh.3406 · 2025-12-19 · watch the original ↗

  • I am on the fence because there is one situation, in which the sensors stop the litterbox, that you can only make it work again by clicking the buttons. This is bad if you are traveling

    YouTube comment · XbPcPs · 2025-12-19 · watch the original ↗

  • I got one but I’m having trouble with it dumping the litter when the cats uses it. And I have the blinking white light the last button always blinking. I wiped the sensor.

    YouTube comment · Seadolphinchick · 2025-12-19 · watch the original ↗

  • This is such an excellent and in-depth video! We recently adopted a third cat and are looking to move to an automatic litter system to make cleanup easier for everybody. I know I for one am sold on the CATLINK Open-X after watching your review!!

    YouTube comment · crittersandcreatures · 2025-12-19 · watch the original ↗

Frequently asked questions

Are self-cleaning litter boxes safe?

Mostly, and the mechanism matters. Owners trust the enclosed, sensor-heavy Litter-Robot far more than open drums. The Neakasa M1 has a documented case of a cat killed by the rotating drum, after which the maker issued a replacement gear and firmware. Look for pinch and weight sensors that stop the cycle, and think twice about automatic cleaning with kittens or very light cats.

How often do I empty the drawer?

Every three to eight days on a Litter-Robot 4 with one to three cats, daily at three or more. Every three to five days on a Neakasa with four cats. A PetSafe crystal tray lasts one to four weeks, less with several cats or a humid room.

What litter do I use?

Rotating boxes need a low-dust clumping litter. Owners name Arm and Hammer Slide, Tidy Cats for Litter-Robots, Boxiecat Pro and Dr. Elsey's, and blame dusty litter for most 'dirty sensor' errors. The PetSafe uses crystal litter, or bulk crystals in a reusable tray to save money.

Is a $600 to $800 box worth it over scooping?

For multi-cat homes, most owners say yes: the odour control and the time saved outweigh sensor cleaning and a deep clean every few months. A minority disagree once liners, filters and warranties are added. Everyone agrees on one thing: if your cat pees standing up, urine finds the electronics on several of these.

How this ranking was made

Every quote on this page links to the post or video it came from, so you can read it in context. ✓ 53 quotes from 52 distinct voices.