The 10 Best Automatic Litter Boxes of 2024, Tested by Our Cats
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
The PetSafe ScoopFree Litter Box is quiet, easy to use, and reduces odor
People / Vicky Wasik
No matter how you scoop it, constantly cleaning your cat’s litter box is an icky chore. While we’re grateful our feline friends don’t need to head outdoors whenever they need to use the bathroom, we’re less than keen on being stinky sandbox guardians. Thankfully, we now have options for automatic litter boxes that will do the scooping and sifting for us.
Today’s Top Deals
Petkit New Updated PuraX Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box is 37% off, plus an extra $30 off with a coupon for Prime members
PetSafe ScoopFree Clumping Self-Cleaning Litter Box for Clumping Litter is 20% off
Our cat-loving team tested the top automatic litter boxes on the market, including picks with sifting and smart capabilities. We put these litter boxes to the test, first in PEOPLE’s testing lab and then at home with real owners and cats, loading them with our favorite litters and keeping tabs on the overall user experience, performance, and value of each automatic litter box.
Only half of the litter boxes we tested earned a spot on our recommendation list, including the one automatic litter box that Vanderpump Rules’ Scheana Shay says gives her “peace of mind” by doing the scooping after her cats Salem and Penny Lane.
Best Overall: PetSafe ScoopFree Smart Covered Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Star Qualities
Intuitive setup and easy app connectivity
Super quiet
Contains odors exceptionally well
Contemporary design and low profile make it less conspicuous
Red Flags
Only works with crystal litter
Rake can sometimes miss smaller pieces of waste
You have to pick up the entire box to access and empty the waste tray
The PetSafe ScoopFree litter box comes in as our best overall pick because of its ease of use, near-silent operation, excellent odor control, and low-profile design. It received one of our highest scores thanks to its incredibly easy setup. The app gives parents access to real-time info on their cat’s bathroom behaviors, making it easy to flag any discrepancies. You can also set reminders for when you need to change out the litter, adjust the wait time between when your cat uses the litter box to when it rakes, and change the number of cats using the litter box.
Real-world testing brought this litter box into a small apartment where two things stuck out to us after the first use — how near-silent this litter box is and how good it is at odor control. In fact, the only way we knew whether the litter box had been used and was working was to check the app or check the waste reservoir.
A few pain points we found were that you’ve got to lift up the entire litter box system in order to access and dump the waste tray; it will only work with large crystal litter (and if you want to use a non-PetSafe brand, you’ll have to buy the reusable litter tray separately); and the rake will miss anything that is small enough to fit between its teeth. But, for the price, performance, smart features, and ease of use, this litter box is top dog.
Dimensions: 27.6 x 19.1 x 16 inches | Weight: 20.2 pounds | Type: Raking | Requires Assembly: Yes
Related: The 9 Best Cat Food Brands of 2024, According to Cat Owners
Best Budget: Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Litter Box
Star Qualities
Incredible value at under $200
Raking method produces less dust
Impressively quiet
Red Flags
Open-top style leaves odors out in the open more
It waits 30 minutes before running after your cat uses the bathroom
We were impressed with how easy the Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Litter Box is to use while still being very effective at separating waste. During our testing, this litter box was left much cleaner than other similar-style models. The raking mechanism was super quiet and had minimal dust disturbance compared to rotating sifters.
There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles — it’s a straightforward and simple product that gets the job done — and the price is much more approachable than other self-cleaning litter boxes on the market. In addition to being a solid budget pick, it’s also a great entry-level option for pet parents who aren’t looking for a ton of features.
It’s worth noting that the raking cycle begins 30 minutes after your cat leaves the box, which we love when it comes to cat safety but like less as the clock ticks down after a stinky poo.
Dimensions: 26.4 x 17 x 6.6 inches | Weight: 10.55 pounds | Type: Raking | Requires Assembly: Yes
Easiest Setup: Neakasa M1 Open-top Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
Star Qualities
Ready to use right out of the box
Can be used with or without an app
Uncovered design is great for larger cats and anxious cats
Red Flags
Hard to tell how much litter to put in to reach fill line
Open design may lead to more tracking (included tracking pad helps with this but takes up more floor space)
Robotic litter boxes can be intimidating to get started with. Luckily, the Neakasa M1 is a snap to set up, and it’s ready to use right out of the box. The Neakasa has an optional compatible app that’ll show you a few more metrics, but we didn’t even use it for the first few weeks of testing — the self-cleaning litter box did exactly what we needed it to do without the complications of an extra app.
The instructions suggest that users fill the machine with bentonite cat litter (a type of clay litter), but we used the corn litter that we had sitting around and had no issues at all. With the press of a button, the litter box sifts itself, dropping any clumps into the trash bag-lined waste tray below. The litter robot will also automatically run a cleaning cycle five minutes after it senses that your cat has left the box (you can change that duration through the app). Plus, the cleaning cycle is so quiet that we could place it right outside our bedroom door without being woken up in the night.
We found the filling process to be a little bit tricky because by pouring the litter inside, we weren’t able to see whether it met the fill line without leveling the litter first. We also wish the design wasn’t as open as it is, which can lead to more litter tracking and required us to use the included tracking pad, which takes up even more floor space. But, for larger cats or cats who tend to get anxious, this open-air litter box is a great choice and still controls odors shockingly well.
Dimensions: 23.26 x 20.67 x 20.2 inches | Weight: 22.8 pounds | Type: Rotating | Requires Assembly: No
Related: These Are the 17 Very Best Cat Toys of 2024, Tested by Our Picky Cats
Best Odor Elimination: Casa Leo Leo's Loo Too
Star Qualities
App tracks cat behavior, including how many times your cat uses the bathroom and their weight
Anti-chew power cord is a welcomed safety touch
Option to run on-demand sterilization or extra cleaning cycles
Works with Google and Alexa voice control
Red Flags
No empty cycle for changing out the litter
We sometimes had trouble connecting it to available Wi-Fi
This tester favorite left us with no bad stinks in the air. Features like a fully sealed-off waste tray, UV light, and multiple carbon filters work together to get rid of foul odors and airborne bacteria from waste. Connecting the app to your Wi-Fi can take patience, but once you’re up and running, you can track health metrics and manually control litter box functions from your phone.
In addition to successfully controlling odors, we appreciated how whisper-quiet this litter box was while operating. It’s also one of the few automatic litter boxes with an aesthetically pleasing modern design, available with eight accent color options to boot. The built-in waste tray makes for easy disposal, but we’d like it even more if there was a dedicated empty cycle for when we’re changing the litter.
Dimensions: 22 x 24 x 27.5 inches | Weight: 27.5 pounds | Type: Rotating | Requires Assembly: No
Related: The 13 Best Air Purifiers of 2024, According to Our Tests
Best Smart: Whisker Litter-Robot 4
Star Qualities
Comes fully assembled with an easy plug-and-use setup
Provides real-time updates on cat health and litter use in the app
Cat safety features include four sensor monitors
Big enough to use for larger breeds and up to four cats
Red Flags
Dumps a fair amount of clean litter into the waste bin while equalizing
Some cats may choose to lounge inside the cave-like design
The Whisker Litter-Robot 4 started off easy with a fully assembled product that was easy to unbox and get started. It also comes loaded with thoughtful features, from a built-in nightlight to a Wi-Fi-enabled app that gives real-time updates on litter levels and tracks your cat’s weight and bathroom habits. We particularly appreciate small details, like its flexible and durable litter reservoir, spacious interior, and a QR code that makes it easy to reorder replacement bags and filters. Our tester also said that it was noticeably quieter than its predecessor.
This self-cleaning litter box scored perfectly in everything except value — it’s one of the most expensive automatic litter boxes on the market. We also want to mention that the modern cave-like design sometimes entices cats to use this litter box as a lounging spot.
Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 29.5 inches | Weight: 24 pounds | Type: Rotating | Requires Assembly: No
Related: We Tested 44 of the Best Robot Vacuums in 2024, and These 12 Continue to Impress
Best Uncovered: PetSafe ScoopFree Clumping Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Star Qualities
Uncovered design is more comfortable for larger cats and some anxious cats
Simple design is easy to use — no app required
Great value for a robotic litter box
Red Flags
Doesn’t control odor as well as some covered litter boxes
Some cats prefer uncovered litter boxes because they allow for more space, which may particularly benefit large cats who have trouble fitting in hooded boxes or anxious cats who get nervous about enclosed spaces. The PetSafe box is uncovered, and our large 11-year-old cat seemed super comfortable using it. We love how simple it is to use, and we appreciate that it doesn’t require an app.
The automatic litter box starts a cleaning cycle around 10 minutes after the cat exits the box, but it also has a manual button that can be pushed to start a cycle at any time. The simply designed box is less expensive than most others on our list and does exactly what we needed it to do — it sifted out waste into a waste bin, which we had to empty out just once a week. But, because of the open-air design, it doesn’t do as much to control odors as some of the other boxes we tested.
Dimensions: 29.5 x 27 x 24.25 inches | Weight: 24 pounds | Type: Raking | Requires Assembly: No
Best for Multiple Cats: Litter-Robot 3 Connect Cat Litter Box
Star Qualities
Doesn’t require an app to use
Wider entry makes it good for larger cats and multiple-cat households
Easy-to-empty waste drawer holds a week’s worth of waste per cat
Red Flags
Didn’t operate as quietly as others we tested
We noticed litter dropping into nooks and crannies
The Litter-Robot 3 is a large automatic litter box loaded with enough tech features to be convenient but not enough to be overwhelming for more analog pet parents. (If you’re looking for app connectivity capabilities, check out the Whisker Litter-Robot 3 Connect.)
We found it easy to set up, fill up, and empty out, and we appreciated that the interior reservoir fabric seemed thick enough to stand up against mild clawing. We were less impressed with the clunky and dated look. This Litter-Robot has a 10.25-by-15.5-inch entry width and a roomy interior litter bed that’s ideal for larger cats or multiple cats. The litter waste drawer is designed to hold about a week’s worth of waste per cat. We like the built-in safety sensors that stop the sifter from rotating when a cat is present, though your cat will need to be at least 5 pounds to trigger the sensor.
Dimensions: 29.5 x 27 x 24.25 inches | Weight: 24 pounds | Type: Rotating | Requires Assembly: No
Related: We Tested 44 of the Best Robot Vacuums in 2024, and These 12 Continue to Impress
Best Design: PetSnowy SNOW+ Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Star Qualities
More visually appealing than any other litter box we’ve seen
Expertly contains odors with a filter, fragrance compartment, and closed structure
Red Flags
We had difficulty connecting it to the app for the first few days
Though there are plenty of reasons to love the PetSnowy automatic litter box — easy setup, impressive odor control, and a low entryway — what sets this device apart from the pack is its design. This litter box is actually beautiful to look at (we never thought we’d say this about a litter box).
The litter box expertly controls odors with three-stage deodorization: a filtration system, fragrance compartment, and the enclosed structure of the box all work to keep bad smells at bay. The only drawback we could find with this box is that we had difficulty connecting it to the Wi-Fi for the first few days, which made it difficult to use the box at all (it really needs the compatible app to work properly). And, though it's a little more expensive than some other robotic litter boxes on our list, we chalk that added value up to its attractive exterior and awesome stink-capturing design.
Dimensions: 29.5 x 20 x 25.6 inches | Weight: Not listed | Type: Rotating | Requires Assembly: Yes
Best for Small Spaces: Catlink Self-Cleaning Litter Box- Scooper Luxury Pro-X
Star Qualities
Takes up less floor space than most other automatic litter boxes we’ve seen
App displays cat’s weight, bathroom frequency, and room temperature
Cycles run smoothly and quickly, and it controls odor well
Red Flags
Box had difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi unless placed close to our router, and app was a little buggy
High entrance may be difficult for small or older cats to use
If you’re on the hunt for an automatic litter box that won’t take up much more room than your standard litter box, the Catlink Self-Cleaning robot is a more compact choice than lots of others on the market. It offers all of the standard automatic cleaning features — an automatic timed mode that allows you to customize the time between cleanings, a manual mode that starts a cleaning cycle with a tap, and a few more unique features that give the device some added value.
The compatible app shows your cat’s weight and bathroom frequency and also displays the temperature and humidity of the litter box’s vicinity. The app’s user interface was a little hard to use, and we felt frustrated by a few buggy lines of text and the app’s slowness in updating our cat’s health data. It’s also a pretty high entrance, which is good for preventing litter tracking but may be difficult for some older or smaller cats to use. Still, the litter box contained odors like a pro and ran smoothly on both auto and manual mode, so it still earned high marks from us.
Dimensions: 27.95 x 23.62 x 27 inches | Weight: 26.45 pounds | Type: Rotating | Requires Assembly: No
Related: The 7 Best Cat Scratching Posts of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best Investment: PETKIT PuraX Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
Star Qualities
Can be paired with your phone or use built-in controls
Sensor mat detects when your cat is entering the box
Anti-odor system breaks down bad smells
Red Flags
Entry is pretty narrow and may not be comfortable for large cats
Pieces of waste were sometimes left in the litter box after sifting
Sifting net can catch waste and needs to be cleaned
This fully assembled automatic litter box is ready to go straight out of the box, only needing to be filled and plugged in. The Petkit PuraX Self-Cleaning Litter Box is one of the two highest-scoring automatic litter boxes we tested. It’s also one of the most expensive, though we feel it’s worth the price for someone willing to spend a bit more money for a good-looking, feature-laden litter box.
Our testers specifically praised its tech features and quiet operation. Our eyes loved the minimalist, rectangular design; our backs loved that you could load in litter from the top; and our noses thanked the built-in odor-fighting system. However, it’s smaller and would best work for small and medium-sized cats, and it doesn’t always catch all the waste. Connecting the litter box to your phone via an app is possible, but manual controls mean it’s not required.
Dimensions: 19.8 x 20.9 x 25.4 inches | Weight: 37 pounds | Type: Rotating | Requires Assembly: No
You'll Also Need
Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter
Amazon
Once you've chosen your new automatic litter box, the next thing you'll need to add to your cart is litter to fill it with. We've tested some of the most popular cat litter on the market, and the best clumping litter we've ever tried is the Fresh Step Outstretch clumping litter. It has a light, pleasant scent that covers waste odors and forms large clumps that are easy for robotic litter boxes to sift out.
What to Know About Automatic Litter Boxes
Type
Rotating: This is the dominant type of sifting mechanism. It’s also the loudest, can cause an uptick of dust, and adds significant weight to your automatic litter box. This type of litter box rotates the interior litter box around in a circle, from top to bottom. During this cycle, the litter is picked up and sifted through a grate, separating the waste out into a waste tray and allowing the uncontaminated litter to fall back into the main litter bed.
Raking: The raking method is an older type of sifting method that drags a grate or arms through the litter from one end to the other in order to separate out clumped waste. Unsoiled litter is left in the main pan while the clumps are raked into a waste tray. This is the quieter of the two types but less effective at separating smaller clumps.
Features
In addition to providing a hands-free scooping solution, automatic litter boxes come with a wide variety of features that are worth considering, from keeping tabs on your pet’s health to making complete litter changes less work. Since the price will likely reflect the types of features provided, it’s worth knowing whether these extras are something you’re ready to pay extra for.
Smart Capabilities: Many newer automatic litter box models come with apps that connect your phone to your cat’s litter box via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or even your smart home assistant. This means you’ll be able to do everything from monitoring health metrics to scheduling cleaning cycles and manually controlling certain litter box features right from your phone, whether or not you’re home. While some people may find this overwhelming, other owners may appreciate the transparency and control, especially when traveling.
Insights: Some litter boxes will allow you to track your cat’s health through an app. This includes your cat’s weight, how often they use the bathroom, and even the amount of waste they are leaving behind — all to spot any potential health problems. We like having access to this behind-the-scenes look at our cat’s health without doing any of the dirty work.
Safety: Automatic litter boxes may be convenient for us, but unless they have the proper safety features, they can be dangerous for cats. At the very least, your automatic litter box should have safety features that prevent it from rotating while your cat is inside. This could be anything from an interior sensor to a delayed cleaning cycle that doesn’t start until a measured time after your cat exits the box.
Empty Cycle: The empty cycle feature makes it painless to empty out the entire litter box. The advantage to this is that you will barely have to lift a finger when it is time to reload the litter box with fresh litter. The litter box runs a cycle that will dump all remaining litter into the waste tray for easy removal. Without this feature, you will likely have to take off the top or partially take apart your automatic litter box to dump out the litter.
Size
There’s no getting around the large size of automatic cat litter boxes; these are chunky machines, though brands are starting to give them sleeker profiles and a more modern look. For now, each litter box only comes in one size, so be sure to take the measurements into account for your space — and, even more importantly, be sure to consider the size of your cat as well. Some automatic litter boxes are not safe for kittens because of their low weight, and others aren’t big enough inside for larger chonks or big breeds. Size matters when it comes to automatic litter boxes and the comfort and safety of your feline friend.
Price
Self-cleaning cat litter boxes are still relatively new, so be prepared to spend some coin, especially if you’re eyeing one loaded with bells and whistles. When you’re spending three figures on a litter box, you will want to make sure you’re getting what you pay for. In this case, it’s a litter box that’s safe for your kitty, easy to set up and use, and, at the very least, has good odor-control features. Bonus points if it also has smart capabilities, is quiet, and can give you some behind-the-scenes info on your cat’s health. (Yes, there’s an automatic litter box for that.)
People / Bridget Annear
Behind the Scenes
Our team tested 18 automatic litter boxes, paying particular attention to how the litter boxes performed, their overall value, standout features, and how easy they were to set up, use, and clean. The automatic litter boxes were first put through on-site tests in our testing lab before being taken home by our testers to try out in real-world settings with owners and cats.
Ease of Setup: During the setup process, we noted whether the automatic litter box came assembled or needed to be put together. For products with no assembly required, we then tested how easy it was to install and set up any apps, connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and pair with smart home systems when these features were available. If we had to assemble the litter boxes, we kept tabs on how easy or difficult the process was, if any included instructions were clear, and how intuitive the entire experience was.
Ease of Use: When it comes to automatic cat litter boxes, a lot of the value of the product depends on how easy it is to use, so we tested our overall experience with the interface and design of each automatic litter box. This is where commands, button location, setting up cycles, removing the waste tray, filling the litter box, and the everyday actions of the litter box were tested for comfort and difficulty.
Performance: During in-lab testing, our testers used a mixture of vinegar and water and melted chocolate to simulate types of cat waste. At home, our testers relied on their very own cats and personal observations for performance insights. We not only tested to see how effective each litter box was at efficiently removing waste but also how quietly it did the job.
Odor Elimination: During the at-home testing period, testers took note of how well each litter box controlled or eliminated odor. Did the litter box keep smells at bay when not in use? Could you smell waste over time? Did unpleasant smells build up between litter changes and cleanings? They then compared the odor control of each tested product to the odor experience of their usual litter box.
Ease of Cleaning: For the cleaning portion of the test, we reported on how easy or annoying it was to remove sullied litter from the waste tray and how often it needed to be emptied. We also checked for frustrating nooks and crannies or design flaws when it came to cleaning the actual litter box.
Value: As a culmination of all testing observations and experiences, we then weighed our insights against the price of the automatic litter box and compared it to the price of similar competitor products to answer the question: Is this automatic litter box worth the money? We also gave thought to what type of cat owner might be willing to pay a little more or less for each litter box based on their needs.
People / Taylor Fox
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use regular litter in an automatic cat litter box?
Automatic litter boxes are designed to be used with clumping litter. Clumping litter allows for both liquid and solid waste to be sifted and disposed of into the litter box’s waste tray. Using non-clumping litter may result in odors, smearing of waste and soggy litter on the sides of the litter box, or jamming in the rotation mechanism.
How often do automatic cat litter boxes have to be cleaned?
This will depend on the number of cats using the litter box, how well the litter box sifts out waste, and the type of litter you’re using. As a general rule, you’ll want to completely replace the litter every 4-6 weeks and give the inside of the litter box a wipe-down each time. If you notice there has been any urine spraying on the sides or any soft poops have been smeared on the sides during the rotation process, you’ll want to clean the litter box right away to avoid unpleasant odors.
Does an automatic litter box work for multiple cats?
It’s generally recommended to have one litter box per cat in your household, though many automatic cat litter boxes are marketed for use with more than one cat (and have features that can provide insights for individual cats in a multiple-cat household). If your cats don’t already share a litter box, it’s worth keeping an extra litter box available and on-call, especially in case your cats need to use the bathroom at the same time. Cats can be territorial when it comes to such a sacred space.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
K. Alex Beaven is a contributing writer for PEOPLE, The Spruce Pets, Travel + Leisure, and more. She specializes in pet and travel content, where her quizzically large adventure cat @hellomisterbo serves as a tester of products and patience. For this piece, she relied on testing insights from our in-lab and at-home testing team, as well as manufacturer-supplied product information, to highlight the must-know info on the top-scoring automatic litter boxes based on value, performance, and user experience.
PEOPLE shopping writer Cai Cramer also contributed to this story, adding updated insights on the best automatic litter boxes based on the most recent technology. Cai’s cat, Miso, exclusively uses automatic litter boxes and often tests pet products out for the PEOPLE team.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
Up Next: The 14 Best Pet Hair Vacuums of 2024, Tested by Dog and Cat Owners
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
