Buyers guide

The Best Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes 2023

We receive referral fees for products purchased through links on this website. The author of this page is a former member of the Whisker team, but no longer has any ties to the company.

Are you tired of the daily litter box duty? At Reloft, we've reviewed four leading automatic, self-cleaning litter boxes to help you find the perfect solution for your feline friend. Our comprehensive guide assesses these litter boxes based on essential factors like price, size, odor control, ease of use, and smart features. After rigorous evaluation, our top recommendations are the Litter-Robot 4 and the Litter-Robot 3 Connect, known for their remarkable performance and innovative design. These innovative litter boxes are proudly made by Whisker here in the USA and the company has been shaping the future of connected pet care for over 24 years. Say goodbye to scooping litter and make your cat parenting simpler with the best automatic litter box options on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Litter-Robot 4
Best Value: Litter-Robot 3 Connect
Best Budget: PetSafe ScoopFree Plus
Best Low-Maintenance: CatGenie A.I.
Litter-Robot 4
9.7

Litter-Robot 4

Best Overall Litter Box

Advanced Odor Control with Enlarged Waste Drawer and Carbon Filter
WiFi Connected for Real-Time Litter + Waste Levels and Tracking Cat Weight in Whisker App
Extra Wide Entryway for Maximum Comfort and Multi-Cat Design for up to 4 Cats
QuietSift Near-Silent Cycling Process and OmniSense Detection for Enhanced Cat Safety
Designed and Assembled in the USA
(Discount Applied Automatically at Checkout)

Pros

Premium Build Quality & Design
The Whisker App is Extremely User-Friendly
A+ Customer Support and Return Policy
Advanced features and Health Insights

Cons

Expensive Investment

Pros

Costs $150 less than the Litter-Robot 4
WiFi-Connected to monitor usage
Best bang for your buck
A+ Customer Support and Return Policy

Cons

Less features than Litter-Robot 4
Smaller entryway than Litter-Robot 4

Pros

Low-Maintenance

Cons

Disposable litter trays get expensive
Becomes saturated with heavy usage
Not great for multi-cat homes

Pros

Flushes waste away down the drain or toilet
Can be cleaner and less odor-prone than standard litter boxes
Only flushing litter box on the market

Cons

Requires a water line hookup and drain access
Takes up a significant amount of space
High maintenance required
Granules and sani-solution add costs
Verified Customer Reviews

"The updates from the Litter-Robot 3 model are great. I love that the new model weighs each cat so you know which one used the litter. It's quieter than the previous model as well. The new design is attractive and I like that the exterior doesn't rotate now since the globe is encased in the outer shell. All great updates!"

"I personally think the litter robot is a must have. I hate scooping litter and I hate the smell that they leave. With the litter robot you don’t smell anything after it cycles which I enjoy. My cats got used to it very fast. The app has also been very helpful to let me know when to change out the bag or even cycle faster."
"The Litter Robot 4 is an amazing upgrade over the LR3! It seems like the engineers have thought of everything now! The new waste drawer is a game changer and doesn’t smell! There seem to be a lot of other automatic litter boxes popping up recently, but I don’t think any of them can beat the engineering, design, build quality & customer service that Whisker/Litter Robot 4 provide!"
Litter-Robot 3 Connect
9.4

Litter-Robot 3 Connect

Best Value Litter Box

Odor Management with Waste Drawer and Carbon Filter
WiFi Connected to Monitor Litter Box Usage in Whisker App
Multi-Cat Friendly Design Suitable up to 4 Cats
Core Features include Patented Sifting System, Odor Management, Multi-Cat Design, Cat Safety Features, and Easy-to-Clean Components
Designed and Assembled in the USA
(Discount Applied Automatically at Checkout)

Pros

Premium Build Quality & Design
The Whisker App is Extremely User-Friendly
A+ Customer Support and Return Policy
Advanced features and Health Insights

Cons

Expensive Investment

Pros

Costs $150 less than the Litter-Robot 4
WiFi-Connected to monitor usage
Best bang for your buck
A+ Customer Support and Return Policy

Cons

Less features than Litter-Robot 4
Smaller entryway than Litter-Robot 4

Pros

Low-Maintenance

Cons

Disposable litter trays get expensive
Becomes saturated with heavy usage
Not great for multi-cat homes

Pros

Flushes waste away down the drain or toilet
Can be cleaner and less odor-prone than standard litter boxes
Only flushing litter box on the market

Cons

Requires a water line hookup and drain access
Takes up a significant amount of space
High maintenance required
Granules and sani-solution add costs
Verified Customer Reviews

"The liter robot 3 is a game changer. We no longer have to scoop turds out of the sand and there is no more smelly box. One cat started using it right away and loves to watch it spin and see the turds go bye-bye. She use to poop on the floor sometimes when her old box was dirty. That no longer happens. The other cat was scared at first, but after about 10 days started using it. The app helps me track how often they use it and when the litter needs changed. I would recommend this product to others."

"Amazing automatic litterbox! My cat quickly adapted and learned to use it in a matter of days! Super easy to clean and super quiet. I can't find a single flaw. If you're debating about getting this, DO IT! I debated about it for months until I finally bought it. Never scoop litter again. Cats live a long time, so just make it a little easier on yourself, queens and kings!!"
"My sisters have been after me to try a Litter-Robot for years and I finally caved after taking in two more rescue cats this summer. Honestly, I’m annoyed that I waited so long! I was worried the cats wouldn’t use it because some of them are skittish, but they got used to it quickly! One even likes to play with it and cause it to cycle haha. It’s been a godsend for reducing odors as well as helping my lungs. Can’t wait to buy another once we move!"
PetSafe ScoopFree Complete Plus
8.9

PetSafe ScoopFree Complete Plus

Best Budget Litter Box

1-2 Disposable Litter Trays Per Month
Crystal Litter Required
Rake System
Uncovered, Front & Top Entry Options Available
Leak Protection - Disposable Trays Have Plastic Lining to Help Keep Floors Clean
(Discount Applied Automatically at Checkout)

Pros

Premium Build Quality & Design
The Whisker App is Extremely User-Friendly
A+ Customer Support and Return Policy
Advanced features and Health Insights

Cons

Expensive Investment

Pros

Costs $150 less than the Litter-Robot 4
WiFi-Connected to monitor usage
Best bang for your buck
A+ Customer Support and Return Policy

Cons

Less features than Litter-Robot 4
Smaller entryway than Litter-Robot 4

Pros

Low-Maintenance

Cons

Disposable litter trays get expensive
Becomes saturated with heavy usage
Not great for multi-cat homes

Pros

Flushes waste away down the drain or toilet
Can be cleaner and less odor-prone than standard litter boxes
Only flushing litter box on the market

Cons

Requires a water line hookup and drain access
Takes up a significant amount of space
High maintenance required
Granules and sani-solution add costs
Verified Customer Reviews

"I absolutely love this product. I was worried that my cats would be scared of it. They are not scared of it. They’re more interested when it is cleaning. Just make sure you clean the trap at least once a week. I have two cats and my litter last me anywhere between 3 weeks to a month. This saves me time and I know in the end it will also save me money."

"I never leave reviews, but I just have to for this. I have a single cat household, and this litter box has been game changer for me. My cat is a rescue, and adjusting to a litter box has been difficult for him these past few months. One thing that has been great is a top entry litter box, and I love how this automatic one comes with that option. It keeps him from ‘missing’ the box, and keeps him from scattering litter everywhere."
"The price points for self-cleaning litter boxes are crazy - wanted a Litter Robot but didn’t want to spend the money. Settled for this because I just didn’t know if my cats would take to it. Had to get a cover and wean them off their traditional box so it took a couple weeks but I am happy to say this thing is working GREAT. Smell is contained, crystal is large enough grain that there is very little tracking outside the box, no clumping/sticking, operates quietly and safely and super easy to change out the trays. Honestly I thought the refill trays were going to kill me with cost but seems like it’s averaging out with my normal spend on litter. I have two cats and change the tray once a week."
CatGenie A.I.
8.5

CatGenie A.I.

Best Low-Maintenance Litter Box

No Litter Required - Uses Litter-Like, Washable Granules that Never Need Changing
Washes Itself Clean with Veterinarian-Approved SaniSolution & Water after Every Cat Visit
One Box Lasts 5-6 Months for a Single Cat
Flushing System
Cat Genie App Monitors the SaniSolution Cartridge Cycles, Cleaning Status, Recommends Maintenance & more
(Discount Applied Automatically at Checkout)

Pros

Premium Build Quality & Design
The Whisker App is Extremely User-Friendly
A+ Customer Support and Return Policy
Advanced features and Health Insights

Cons

Expensive Investment

Pros

Costs $150 less than the Litter-Robot 4
WiFi-Connected to monitor usage
Best bang for your buck
A+ Customer Support and Return Policy

Cons

Less features than Litter-Robot 4
Smaller entryway than Litter-Robot 4

Pros

Low-Maintenance

Cons

Disposable litter trays get expensive
Becomes saturated with heavy usage
Not great for multi-cat homes

Pros

Flushes waste away down the drain or toilet
Can be cleaner and less odor-prone than standard litter boxes
Only flushing litter box on the market

Cons

Requires a water line hookup and drain access
Takes up a significant amount of space
High maintenance required
Granules and sani-solution add costs
Verified Customer Reviews

"I am so glad I bought this cat box for my 2 cats. I love that it has 3 different settings cat activated, timer activated, and manually activated. I have it set to clean 3xs a day. 8am, 1pm, 9pm. I haven’t had to touch cat litter in 2 months and am so in love with it!"

"The CatGenie has changed life with our cats and allowed us to enjoy them again. The time we spend experiencing our cats each day is now spent snuggling and playing, not cleaning disgusting litter boxes or steaming pee-soaked carpets. I cannot thank the team behind it enough!"
"The cost was a strong pill to swallow, but I was tired of walking into the house and remembering it was time to clean the litter box. We have one cat that never covers it up so it was always smelly. We had the perfect place in the laundry room to attach and it was easy."

Comparison Chart

See the difference

Litter-Robot 4

Litter-Robot 3 Connect

PetSafe ScoopFree Complete Plus

CatGenie A.I.

Price
$699
$549
$199
$479
Cleaning System
Sifting
Sifting
Rake
Flushing
Litter Type
Clumping
Clumping
Crystal
None
Free Trial
90-Day
90-Day
-
-
Warranty
1-Year
1-Year
1-Year
2-Year