The 6 Best Self Cleaning Litter Trays in 2024
Last updated: 17th Jan 2024
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We love our felines, but for all the love we give, there's an unpleasant part: cleaning the litter box. Even if your cat litter swears to stay fresh for days, you don't want your cat stepping on cat business in there and tracking it through the house.
The global automatic self-cleaning cat litter box market is expected to reach US$ 1.1 billion by 2033. It is estimated to record a constant CAGR of 7.2% in the review period 2023 to 2033.
If you genuinely can't stand to scoop, self-cleaning litter boxes may be your answer to avoiding this disliked chore. These high-tech products automatically whisk away the waste for you, eliminating the need for daily scooping.
Credit: Chewy
Litter-Robot 4
The Litter Robot 4 stands out for its performance across various tested categories, given its cost. It's easy to set up and handle clumping litter and functions with a user-friendly app compatible with both iOS and Android. It comes with a large waste bin that can go up to a week without needing to be emptied in a single-cat household. However, in homes with multiple cats, more frequent waste disposal becomes necessary.
The smartphone app, Whisker is easy to use, providing helpful notifications about litter levels and the waste bin's status. It includes a "SmartScale" feature to monitor the cat's weight, which can assist in keeping a healthy diet. The app also manages functions like the night light, cycle timing, and manual activation.
The Litter Robot 4's innovative design involves a rotating drum that sifts litter and waste, maintaining a clean litter box. Its carbon filters efficiently eliminate odors. Although taller than expected, its wide opening and built-in stairs make it easy for cats to use without adding floor space.
Unlike other models, the Litter Robot 4 runs quietly, making it a fantastic option for noise-sensitive homes. It comes with several upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Litter Robot 3, including a more expansive entryway, advanced tracking, and enhanced safety features suitable for cats of all sizes.
Pros:
Convenience: It automates the cleaning process, saving time and effort by efficiently managing waste without constant manual scooping.
Odor Control: The enclosed design and waste containment help in reducing odor, maintaining a fresher environment.
Health Monitoring: Its self-cleaning nature aids in monitoring a cat's waste, potentially detecting health issues through changes in waste patterns.
Compatibility: Works well with various litter types, providing flexibility based on a cat's preferences and an owner's convenience.
Low Maintenance: Requires less frequent attention, making it suitable for busy households and reducing the hassle of daily litter box maintenance.
Cons:
Initial Cost: It comes with a higher upfront cost compared to traditional litter boxes, which might be a significant investment for some cat owners.
Space Requirement: Its size might pose a challenge for smaller living spaces or apartments, requiring adequate floor space.
Learning Curve: Some cats might need time to adjust to the automated cleaning process, and certain felines may find the noise or movement unsettling initially.
Power Dependency: Relies on electricity to operate, which could be a drawback in case of power outages or disruptions.
Maintenance Needs: While it reduces manual scooping, the unit requires periodic maintenance, such as changing waste bags or cleaning sensors, to function optimally.
Credit: Amazon
Smarty Pear Leo's Loo Too
Like the Litter Robot 4 in both design and price range, Smarty Pear’s Leo’s Loo Too differentiates itself with unique ideas and features. It also offers a week’s storage for waste. Its standout feature is the programmable ultraviolet light, effectively sterilizing the waste bin from odor-causing bacteria and harmful viruses.
Leo’s Loo Too includes a user-friendly smartphone app that simplifies monitoring your cat’s litter box maintenance, weight, and bathroom habits. It’s the only model in our lineup offering optional voice controls. For homes with smart systems like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, the convenience of controlling and programming the self-cleaning litter box with other smart devices is a significant benefit.
Operating quietly available in four stylish colors, Leo’s Loo Too has charcoal filters that effectively contain litter box odors. A convenient feature is its easy disassembly for thorough deep cleaning, which is just as simple to put back together. While suitable for most cats, from kittens to adults, cats on the larger side may find their entryway narrow.
Pros:
Compact Design: It features a space-saving design ideal for smaller living spaces or apartments, making it suitable for tight corners or limited areas.
Ease of Use: The simple setup and user-friendly interface make it accessible for cat owners, especially those looking for hassle-free litter box management.
Odor Control: The enclosed design and effective waste containment help in minimizing odors, ensuring a fresher environment for both cats and owners.
Quiet Operation: Its operation is notably quiet, which can be beneficial for households sensitive to noise, ensuring minimal disturbance during cleaning cycles.
Versatility: Works well with various types of litter, offering flexibility to accommodate different cat preferences or owner choices.
Cons:
Limited Capacity: Due to its compact size, it may not be suitable for households with multiple cats or larger breeds, requiring more frequent cleaning.
Manual Maintenance: While it automates the cleaning process, it might still need occasional manual maintenance, such as waste bag changes or sensor cleaning.
Adaptation Period: Some cats might require an adjustment period to get accustomed to the automated cleaning process, potentially causing initial hesitance or avoidance.
Electricity Dependency: As it operates on electricity, power outages or disruptions may temporarily halt its functionality, requiring manual cleaning during such instances.
Initial Cost: Compared to traditional litter boxes, the initial cost might be higher, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious cat owners.
Credit: Amazon
PETKIT Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
The PURA MAX self-cleaning cat litter box is designed to offer convenience. This ingenious device autonomously removes cat waste and unpleasant odors, allowing you to control it remotely through the PETKIT App. It's a hands-free cleaning solution that eliminates unpleasant odors and offers three cleaning modes: automatic, scheduled, and manual cleaning.
Fitted with sensors, this smart litter box also allows you to monitor your cat's health via the Petkit App, ensuring your feline has a comfortable bathroom experience. Also, the PETKIT Pura Max is compatible with various clumping cat litters, such as tofu, mixed, clay, and more.
When maintaining an odor-free home, the PURA MAX offers a three-function mode. It includes convenient features like a detachable deodorizer for a fresh-smelling home, a Smart Spray device that cleans the internal chamber after your cat's use, and an advanced safety system that detects your cat's approach, ensuring the litter box is always safe. Cat waste is transferred to a tightly sealed waste container within the litter box containing unpleasant odors.
Pros:
Automated Cleaning: It streamlines litter box maintenance by automating the cleaning process, reducing the need for daily scooping.
Odor Control: The enclosed design and waste containment help minimize odors, ensuring a fresher environment for both cats and owners.
Health Monitoring: Its self-cleaning nature aids in monitoring a cat's waste, potentially detecting health issues through changes in waste patterns.
Convenience: Requires less frequent attention and reduces the hassle of constant scooping, making it suitable for busy households.
Adaptability: Works with various litter types, providing flexibility based on a cat's preferences and an owner's convenience.
Cons:
Initial Cost: It might have a higher upfront cost compared to traditional litter boxes, which might be a significant investment for some cat owners.
Space Requirement: Its size might pose a challenge for smaller living spaces or apartments, requiring adequate floor space.
Learning Curve: Some cats might need time to adjust to the automated cleaning process, and certain felines may find the noise or movement unsettling initially.
Maintenance Needs: While it reduces manual scooping, the unit requires periodic maintenance, such as changing waste bags or cleaning sensors, to function optimally.
Power Dependency: Relies on electricity to operate, which could be a drawback in case of power outages or disruptions.
Credit: Chewy
Litter-Robot 3
If you're tempted by the idea of the Litter Robot 4 but open to forgoing some features to save $150, the Litter Robot 3 offers an alternative worth considering. While closely resembling its successor, there are noteworthy differences between the two models.
The Litter Robot 3 features a more limited entryway that might not accommodate wide cats comfortably. Its weight-based safety sensor can have problems detecting cats weighing 5 pounds or less, making it unsuitable for kittens. Further, it has a slightly louder cleaning cycle. Although it includes a Wi-Fi-controlled smartphone app, it lacks the advanced data tracking capabilities in the Litter Robot 4, such as litter level and waste bin alerts.
Regardless, the Litter Robot 3 offers an identical multi-cat capacity, an ample waste bin, an efficient waste-sifting design, similar odor-trapping technology, and a customizable timer akin to the Litter Robot 4. So, if you're satisfied without the extra features introduced in the latest edition, the Litter Robot 3 is an excellent overall choice.
Pros:
Convenience: Automates the litter scooping process, saving time and effort by efficiently managing waste without constant manual intervention.
Odor Control: Enclosed design and efficient waste containment help minimize odors, ensuring a cleaner and fresher environment for both cats and owners.
Health Monitoring: Self-cleaning feature aids in monitoring a cat's waste, potentially helping to detect health issues through changes in waste patterns.
Compatibility: Works well with various litter types, providing flexibility based on a cat's preferences and an owner's convenience.
Low Maintenance: Requires less frequent attention, making it suitable for busy households and reducing the hassle of daily litter box maintenance.
Cons:
Initial Cost: Higher upfront cost compared to traditional litter boxes might be a significant investment for some cat owners.
Space Requirement: Its size might be challenging for smaller living spaces or apartments, requiring adequate floor space.
Learning Curve: Some cats might need time to adjust to the automated cleaning process, and certain felines may find the noise or movement unsettling initially.
Maintenance Needs: While it reduces manual scooping, the unit requires periodic maintenance, such as changing waste bags or cleaning sensors, for optimal performance.
Power Dependency: Relies on electricity to operate, which could be a drawback in case of power outages or disruptions.
Credit: Amazon
CatGenie A.I. Self-Washing Cat Box
The CatGenie A.I. eliminates the need for litter altogether. This litter box uses special granules, rotated through a sifter to remove solid waste, then rinsed with a sanitizing solution and blown dry. Hence, your cat has clean, fresh litter daily. The granules are made from natural materials, which get broken down by bacteria in a landfill or septic tank, making them septic-safe. The washable granules and SaniSolution must be replenished a few times a year.
This box requires an electrical outlet but a cold-water hookup to drain and flush the waste to operate. The instructions are aimed at customers, so there’s no plumber required. This can be connected to the washing machine drain if you have room in your laundry. It can be connected to the toilet’s waste drain in the bathroom. You can select, through the control panel or app, what times of the day you want the cleaning to occur. The cleaning cycle takes up to an hour, so you’ll want to pick a time when your cat usually is sleeping and not in need of the box; this is easiest if you have only one or two cats with a routine.
You can use the app to monitor the frequency of your cat’s bathroom visits and see status updates on the cleaning cycles. If you don’t need the app, the CatGenie 120 is cheaper.
Pros:
Automatic Washing: Automates the cleaning process, washing and drying the litter granules, eliminating the need for manual scooping.
Odor Control: Uses a washable granule litter system, effectively reducing odors by sanitizing and deodorizing the litter after each use.
Health Monitoring: The self-cleaning feature helps monitor a cat's waste, potentially aiding in the early detection of health issues through waste analysis.
Environmentally Friendly: Uses reusable granules, reducing waste generated by traditional litter boxes and offering an eco-friendly approach to cat hygiene.
Low Maintenance: Requires minimal human intervention, making it convenient for busy cat owners and reducing the frequency of litter box cleanings.
Cons:
Initial Setup: Installation may be complex or time-consuming for some users due to the need for specific plumbing connections.
Space Requirement: Its size may be bulky and require sufficient space near a water outlet, which could be challenging in smaller living spaces.
Granule Replacement: While reusable, granule replacement might be an ongoing expense, adding to the cost of maintenance over time.
Noise Level: The washing and drying cycles might produce noise, which could be bothersome for some cats or owners sensitive to sound.
Maintenance Needs: Regular maintenance and cleaning of the unit are essential for optimal performance, including periodic sanitizing and cleaning of the unit itself.
Credit: Chewy
ScoopFree by PetSafe Self-Cleaning Litter Box
The open-top PetSafe ScoopFree Complete Plus is an automatic self-cleaning litter tray best suited to crystal litter. It’s a reliable option if you’re wishing to reduce the stink of your cat’s poop.
Crystal litter works nicely with open litter containers since it’s fast-absorbing, lasts longer, and is dust-free. That means there’s less need to replace your cat’s litter every so often. You don’t have to worry as much about the mess if your kitty decides to kick all the crystals out of the container. Clay litter, in comparison, can get everywhere when you have an open-top litter box, which is why crystal is a safe option.
Pros:
Convenience: Automates the cleaning process, eliminating the need for daily scooping, providing a hassle-free solution for litter box maintenance.
Odor Control: The disposable litter tray with crystal litter effectively absorbs moisture and reduces odor, keeping the environment fresh for a longer time.
Health Monitoring: The self-cleaning nature helps monitor a cat's waste, potentially aiding in the detection of health issues through changes in waste patterns.
Low Maintenance: Requires less frequent attention compared to traditional litter boxes, suitable for busy households or those with multiple cats.
Easy Setup: Generally straightforward to set up and use, requiring minimal assembly and allowing for immediate operation.
Cons:
Disposable Tray Cost: Ongoing expenses from purchasing replacement disposable trays can accumulate over time, adding to the overall cost.
Limited Customization: The proprietary crystal litter might not suit all cat preferences, limiting choices for owners who prefer other litter types.
Space Requirement: Its size may not be suitable for smaller living spaces or apartments, requiring sufficient floor space.
Power Dependency: Requires electricity to function, which might be a drawback in case of power outages or disruptions.
Noise Level: The automatic raking mechanism might produce noise during cleaning cycles, which could potentially startle some cats or owners sensitive to noise.
FAQs
What is the best litter to use for a self-cleaning litter box?
Clumping cat litter is the best type of litter you can use for an automatic litter box. Traditional Clumping litter creates tight clusters of your cat's waste, allowing the automatic litter box to sift the waste from clean litter.
Are self-cleaning litter boxes worth it?
While automatic litter boxes reduce the smell, they may only be able to get rid of it partially. Further, you'll have to assess how challenging it is to clean the waste container. Some of these boxes need a complete scrub-down, so read up on them before you buy.
What is the best cat litter tray to stop mess?
Our pick is Nature's Miracle High-Sided Litter Box, the best to manage your cat's waste. It's large enough for most cats to comfortably use, with higher sides to prevent messes and a low entryway for those wider cats, which makes it easy for your cat to get in and out.
How do self-cleaning litter trays benefit cat owners?
Self-cleaning litter trays provide convenience by automating waste removal, reducing manual scooping, and ensuring a cleaner environment for both cat and owner.
Are these litter trays suitable for multi-cat households?
Many self-cleaning litter boxes are designed for multi-cat use, accommodating multiple feline friends and managing their waste efficiently.
How do smart features in these litter trays enhance ease of use for cat parents?
As a cat parent smart features like safety sensors, sleep mode, or waste compartment alerts offer enhanced convenience and ensure timely maintenance for busy cat owners.
What are the health benefits of using self-cleaning litter trays for cats?
Self-cleaning litter trays can aid in the early detection of health issues by monitoring a cat's waste, offering a proactive approach to feline health care.
Are there specific litter types that work best with self-cleaning trays?
Litter types like crystal cat litter or low-tracking litter varieties are often recommended for their compatibility and efficient waste management in self-cleaning trays.
How do these litter trays manage odor control compared to traditional options?
Many of the best self-cleaning litter boxes use technology for better odor control by promptly removing waste, maintaining a cleaner and fresher environment for both cats and owners.
Can these trays be used for older models of self-cleaning litter boxes?
Depending on compatibility, some newer models might be backward compatible with a previous model, offering an upgrade without the need for a complete replacement.
How does the waste disposal process work in self-cleaning litter trays?
Self-cleaning trays often utilize disposable trays or waste drawer compartments that can be easily removed and disposed of, offering a hygienic and hassle-free solution.
