The best self-cleaning cat litter boxes are here to make sure you get to have all of the fun that comes with being a pet parent and none of the mess. Take the hassle out of cleaning and let one of these nifty devices do all the hard work for you.
We’re huge fans of the best self-cleaning cat litter boxes because they give us the space to enjoy our feline furkids without the unpleasant chore of cleaning up after them. Simply fill with the best cat litter and walk away, leaving this little beauty to sweep up.
A self-cleaning cat litter box is able to detect when your cat has used it, doing away with the need for daily scooping. This means you don’t have to worry about your home becoming smelly and every once and a while you either dispose of the entire tray or empty the bin, depending on which kind of design you’ve opted for.
When choosing from amongst the best self-cleaning cat litter boxes, the main things to pay attention to are how easy it is to set up, the shape, and whether it’s the right size and depth for your kitty. Also, bear in mind that the bigger the waste receptacle, the less frequently you’ll need to empty it.
Just like the best cat beds, the best self-cleaning cat litter boxes come in a range of styles and with prices to suit every budget. Here’s the scoop on our favorites...
PetRadar's pick of the best self-cleaning cat litter boxes
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- Best self-cleaning cat litter box overall: PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
- Best budget self-cleaning cat litter box: PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Automatic Cat Litter Box
- Best looking self-cleaning cat litter box: Litter-Robot 3 Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box
- Most sophisticated self-cleaning cat litter box: LavvieBot S Robotic Litter Box
The PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box is a sophisticated piece of kit that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag compared to some of the other robot feline toilets, which is why it scoops the top prize in our best self-cleaning cat litter boxes guide. It features a robotic rake that combs through the crystal litter, disposing of any solid with one fine sweep.
This technologically-equipped litter box also monitors your cat’s toilet habits and can also be programmed to automatically sweep the litter into a compartment underneath either five, 10, or 20 minutes after your pet has left their business behind.
The benefit of using crystal litter instead of the traditional clumping litter is that it quickly absorbs moisture and dehydrates solid waste, which helps to banish nasty odors. Plus, crystals don’t stick to your favourite feline’s paws, so there won’t be a trail of litter surrounding the entrance to the box.
Once the tray below is full, simply remove it from the box and cover it with the lid before throwing it away. Now, this may seem incredibly convenient but it isn’t all that environmentally friendly.
Many customers have passed comment on how well the litter box hides their cat's smells - “It’s actually a very good bit of equipment. I definitely notice the room smelling better after the self-cleaning thing goes through the cleaning cycle. Also, being able to see how often the cat has used the litter tray is useful.”
However, it’s not all smelling roses for everyone. Several unhappy cat owners mentioned how their pet’s poop can get stuck in the rake, which resulted in having to clean it more frequently than they had hoped. Another disappointed user explained how “the replacement trays are way too expensive and don’t last anywhere near what I was told”.
The PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Automatic Litter Box works by rotating the tray in a circular, horizontal motion, so that the poop comes to the rake (as opposed to the previous litter box in which the rake pushes the poop along to the receptacle).
It’s programmed to perform a full rotation every hour to remove the waste and sift the litter using its quiet, slow-moving conveyor system.
Since the waste is swept into an enclosed bin, it reduces the possibility of lingering pongs that would arise from a traditional, non-moving litter tray.
Unfortunately, like many self-cleaning cat litter trays, the PetSafe Simply Clean litter box doesn’t come with any type of cover or hood, so isn’t ideal for cats who like to bury or hide their business by flicking litter everywhere.
One customer explained how, despite some motor issues, they love their litter box - “I have two of these litter boxes and love that I do not have to scoop, the box does it for me!... Due to the constant running of the motor on this box, I recommend putting it on a timer so it lasts longer. My timer is set to go off every two hours... I have five cats and having two boxes works great!”
For some users, the motor issues unfortunately occurred too frequently and resulted in a lot of time and money spent on repairing them. “I have four of these - cost a fortune because the motors keep breaking. The wall is not high enough to protect litter from going under the bowl,” one disgruntled customer complained.
The Litter-Robot 3 Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box helps keep your kitty’s restroom feeling fresh every time your pet comes to visit.
This robotic litter box works by 360° rotation (once your furry friend has left the chamber of course), sifting out any solids that have been deposited and dropping them into the drawer below. Its unique cleaning method helps to reduce litter usage and the carbon filter helps reduce any lingering odors.
Unlike some self-cleaning cat litter boxes, the Litter-Robot 3 works with numerous types of litter such as clumping or scoopable clay litter, as well as pearls or crystals. Just like the bags required to line the tray, there’s no need to buy the most expensive option to get the job done.
One of the most inviting features with this litter box is the app that can provide you with information such as how full the waste tray is or how often your cat visits, which comes in really handy if there is a sudden change in their habits that you need to be aware of.
“Does exactly what I need it to do, which is reduce how often I need to clean the litter box”, explained one happy customer who also went on to say, “If your cat gets very enthusiastic about burying their waste then I really recommend the optional fence accessory, because without it I did have a few flying poop incidents from one cat.”
Although some customers weren’t as delighted, not realising quite how big and indiscreet the litter box is - “the machine itself is also GIGANTIC and takes up so much space. I wanted it to be out of sight as much as possible, so I put it in the bathroom in the finished lower level, but it's so big the bathroom door won't shut.”
The LavvieBot S Robotic Litter Box features a rotating rake that pushes your cat’s waste through an automatically opened flap, which leads to the receptacle drawer at the front of the unit.
After your feline’s poop has been removed by the separator, the machine refills the litter from its 6.5L extra storage giving your pampered pet a fresh bed every time.
Measuring at 26.5dB, this robo-litter box is quieter than an office or a running car, and is likened to being louder than the sound of rustling leaves. That’s pretty quiet don’t you think?
This litter tray wouldn’t be all singing and all dancing without an app to go with it. The PurrSong app allows users to monitor waste and litter levels, keep track of who is using the litter box and for how long, and ease the worry of forgetting by allowing one-click litter ordering.
The manufacturer recommends that standard clumping litter is used for this self-cleaning litter box and even though the waste drawer can fit a standard plastic bag, the manufacturer also encourages the use of their own waste bags to avoid the machine getting confused with how full the container is.
The LavvieBot hasn’t been widely available yet, so there aren’t many user reviews to use for a broad consensus on it.
How to choose the best self-cleaning cat litter box
Cats make for such wonderful pets - they’re soft, playful, affectionate, and fairly self-sufficient. Whether they’re small or large breeds, their mischievous antics will have you laughing (or crying) in minutes. However, despite all of the delights they bring to your life, one of the not-so-glamorous sides of being a cat owner involves reaching for the pooper scooper!
That’s where the best self-cleaning cat litter boxes come in as they do all the dirty work for you!
Thankfully, technology has allowed feline owners around the world to say goodbye to one of the most unpleasant chores that come with being a cat parent. Whether you hate scooping or simply don’t have enough time in the day, these automatic cat litter boxes can turn out to be well worth the money.
When choosing the right self-cleaning cat litter box for you, it’s important to take into consideration the following factors:
- Size of the complete unit
- Whether it has a hood (if your feline loves to flick after visiting)
- How the waste is removed and disposed of
- The sound it makes during cleaning
- If it has the ability to reduce odor
- The type of litter and bags it requires
