3 Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes, Tested With Picky Cats
An automatic cat litter box can be pricey. These are the only ones we suggest you try.
Tested by Lynn RedmileContributing Product Reviews Analyst
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
We adore cats, but scooping their litter box is not the fun part of caring for them. Even with litter brands that claim to stay fresh for days, you don't want your cat stepping in a mess and tracking it through the house. So if scooping poop is dragging you down, a self-cleaning litter box could be the solution. These high-tech devices automatically whisk waste out of site for you to dump later. Unfortunately, good models are rare and often pricey. After testing 10 automatic litter boxes in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab and in our homes, we found only three we recommend.
"Cats need to transition to an automatic litter box slowly," advises Whitney Miller, D.V.M., M.B.A., DACVPM, chief veterinarian at Petco. "Start by placing the new litter box near the old one while your cat is out of the room. Let them explore it before activating the automatic cleaning feature, and ensure they have access to their old box during the transition." Trust me, I learned the hard way how important it is to be present during this adjustment phase.
Pros
- Good for multiple cats
- Almost silent, automatic cleaning operation
- Hides odors well
- App tracks every use and alerts you when the bin is full
- Works well with any clay clumping litter
- Many customizable controls
Cons
- Expensive
- 30-inch height is very tall
This is our top pick, full stop. The Litter-Robot 4 has excellent odor control and is meant for households with multiple cats. We've tested it in six homes, with old and young cats and in homes with multiple cats, and found that felines took to it with minimal suspicion.
✔️ HOW IT WORKS: Your cat triggers the sensor by jumping in and then triggers it again by jumping out; the machine waits seven minutes and then quietly rotates. The wet or poopy clumps separate and fall into a lined bin at the bottom. Then the globe moves back into place, covering the bin and its odors, clean and ready for the next customer.
You need to fill it with clumping litter for the mechanism to work. The brand recommends unscented clay litter such as Fresh Step Advanced Unscented. With previous models, kittens under five pounds didn't always trigger the sensor, but that's been fixed.
✔️ TESTING NOTES: "It's huge — but after using it for a few months, I could never go back to any other litter box," said a tester. (It's about 30 inches tall.) "It fits in with my decor pretty well. It's definitely not discreet, but I don't mind given all the hours it's saved me from scooping. I have two cats, both 12, and they had no problem transitioning to it. Once I set it up, they didn't want to use their old one."
"I was initially put off because it's expensive, but it’s a fantastic machine that works brilliantly," said Lynn Redmile, a contributing product analyst for the Good Housekeeping Institute. The app tracks when you need to empty the bin. "It also records the weight of each cat that uses it, so you can tell which cat is going most often in a multi-cat environment," Redmile said. (That feature only works if the cats are different weights. If they are within about a half pound of each other, the machine does not know which is which.)
Based on the feedback, I expected my two cats to transition to the Litter-Robot 4 quickly. They did not. In fact, they ignored it. I moved their regular litter box to the patio to "force" them to use it while I went away for a weekend — a terrible idea that no one should ever do — and they staged a boycott. So I reached out to Whisker customer service, and as I was emailing, my younger cat, Azula, got in and used it, probably to make me look like a liar.
After two weeks, they were both using the Litter-Robot 4, but it was a journey. Azula saw it cleaning one day and freaked out. She also pees with her rear end almost out the door, so I have to use the included fence piece on the front to keep her mess inside. Whisker customer service and Reddit were both useful in addressing my Litter-Robot hurdles. And I'm thrilled to leave the scoop behind.
✔️ ALSO GOOD TO KNOW: Other Litter-Robot bells and whistles include a night light, sleep mode and a customizable cycle timer (you can opt to have the box clean itself twice a day, say, instead of after every use).
There's a new accessory, called the LitterHopper, which promises to refresh litter when needed, but I have not tried it yet. The brand, Whisker, also sells a Litter-Robot 4/LitterHopper bundle. What I have tried and love are the waste drawer liners to make bagging up and throwing away the clumps fast and easy.
Although the Litter-Robot 4 can be used without the app, if you'd prefer no app connectivity at all, we also recommend the Litter-Robot 3, which is only for cats who weigh five pounds or more. You'll save a couple hundred dollars since it doesn't track use.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Litter-Robot 4
| Size and age restrictions | None |
| Dimension | 22" x 27" x 29.5" |
| Entryway | 15.75" in diameter |
The Litter-Robot 4 box when it arrived at my home (placed next to my office chair for scale).
My cat, Azula, freaking out after witnessing a cleaning cycle. Her skeptical mood didn't last, and she quickly went back to using it.
Azula pees toward the front of the globe so urine was getting on the step and making a mess. Once I installed the black fence piece (sold with with the Litter-Robot 4), everything stayed contained. The plastic bag tucked under the fence piece is a hack I learned on Reddit for additional pee protection, keeping it off the step. The Litter-Robot forum (r/litterrobot) is full of tips, and Whiskers' customer service is excellent.
Pros
- Cheaper than most self-cleaning boxes
- Open top can be good for large cats
- Crystal litter eliminates dust and tracking, and is lightweight
- Poop stays out of sight
- No app is a plus for those who don't want more tech
Cons
- Ongoing expense of the brand's crystal litter and trays
- Reviews are mixed on whether this controls odors
For those keeping to a budget and open to using crystal cat litter, this pick has a lower starting cost. If you use this affordable open-top version, it can be good for large cats or any cats who don't like to be underneath a dome or lid.
✔️ HOW IT WORKS: It works with the PetSafe brand of crystal cat litter — you sit the device on top of a prepackaged cardboard tray of the litter crystals. Plug it in and a sensor reads when your cat has entered and left. Then 20 minutes after your cat's departure, a rake automatically moves the solid waste to a covered area, while the crystals absorb your cat's urine. If you have a single cat, you'll want to empty the bin weekly and swap out the entire tray once a month.
✔️ TESTING NOTES: With crystal cat litter, there is almost no dust or tracking. That's one of the things our tester liked best. They said, "You don't have to have to worry about dust with this, and it's easy to discard the used litter, making it a tidier setup compared to a regular litter box." Crystal litter is incredibly lightweight, a nice change from having to pour from 14-pound containers of clay kitty litter.
Here's the downside: Our testers, many online reviewers and I have trouble with crystals not hiding urine odors. The rake is only able to scoop poop — anytime you use crystal litter, in any litter box, the urine sinks to the bottom of the container then gets absorbed, because crystal litter is non-clumping. The moisture gets absorbed but not whisked away. Still, some online reviewers said they never smell this litter box, so it may depend on your cat or cats.
This system is popular with squeamish cat owners who want to see as little poop as possible. Also, because you pick up the cardboard container and toss the whole thing, then replace it with another, you never have to wash out a big litter box. But you will need to clean the metal rake, especially if your cat has soft poop.
✔️ ALSO GOOD TO KNOW: There's no app, a plus for those tired of needing their phones for everything. I have tried this box and can vouch that, without an app, the setup is about as easy as pouring out the crystals and plugging in the device. For those who want an app that tracks usage, there's an app-enabled version for $100 more. (It also comes with a cover.)
The ScoopFree only comes with one disposable litter tray, and buying a new one each month gets costly. "I have three cats, so the life of the pre-filled crystal litter doesn't last long and this is expensive to maintain," a tester said. You can buy extra trays sold in three packs. Because the crystals are good at absorbing moisture, the directions ask you to not place this in a humid bathroom or basement.
| Size and age restrictions | Cats must weigh less than 15 lbs and the brand recommends you keep the automatic feature turned off until a kitten is older than six months |
| Dimension | 20.4" x 28" x 7.1" |
| Entryway | 14" x 14" |
The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal litter box looks like this with the addition of the $30 privacy hood.
The replaceable box part of this litter box is cardboard. It's lightweight, as is the crystal kitty litter, and easy to throw away. But it also can get soggy (one tester called it "muddy") if the crystals don't quickly absorb your cat's urine.
Pros
- Smaller version of a rotating self-cleaning litter box
- Can cost a little less than our top choice
- UV-sanitizing light and filters to fight odors, according to the brand and reviewers
- Very quiet operation
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- Smaller entryway for cats
The attractive-looking Leo's Loo Too is similar to the Litter-Robot 4, but it is a couple of inches smaller so it might more easily fit in your home or in an office environment. "Inches count in a tiny apartment!" wrote one Amazon reviewer. However, the entryway is much smaller, which may work for some cats who crave privacy but could be an issue if you have a very large cat.
✔️ HOW IT WORKS: This product works virtually the same as the Litter-Robot 4 and can cost less if you buy it without any accessories. What's the same: It works with clumping cat litter and has a globe that rotates to drop waste into a bin at the bottom. The brand recommends small-particle clumping cat litter. (Tidy Cat Lightweight could be one to try.)
Sensors will keep the box from rotating if your cat is too close. It will wait for your cat to move away before the cleaning cycle runs, as opposed to the Litter-Robot which waits a set amount of time.
✔️ TESTING NOTES: Leo's Loo uses filters and a UV-sanitizing light meant to reduce odors and bacteria. Many online reviewers said it blocks smells. "My only regret is that I didn’t get this sooner," one wrote. "Literally a game changer. No scooping. No smell." Casa Leo suggests you change the filter every 30 days, and replacement carbon filters are sold in a two-pack for $20.
Our testers found the cleaning function to be very quiet.
✔️ ALSO GOOD TO KNOW: There's an app for Leo's Loo, and it can be connected to Alexa or Google. For instance, you can ask Alexa to run a cleaning cycle before guests come over. You can buy the lavender-scented drawer liners to further fight odors and to make the once-weekly emptying of the bin nice and easy.
The Loo is also available in the standard gray drum or one in a pastel color like pink or blue. It's only the entryway color that changes, the main device is always white.
| Size and age restrictions | Cats must weigh more than 3 lbs |
| Dimension | 24" x 22" x 27.5" |
| Entryway | 8 in. diameter |
Our consumer tester's cat liked the privacy of Leo's Loo Too.
How we test self-cleaning litter boxes
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts have evaluated all sorts of pet-related products from automatic cat feeders to vacuums for pet hair. We've tested 10 self-cleaning litter boxes over the past six years, both in our Lab and in multi-cat households.
✔️ LAB TESTING: To mimic pet waste in the Lab, we poured water onto litter and used a small weight to simulate a cat entering and leaving the litter box to trigger the mechanism.
✔️ CONSUMER TESTING: We get our best feedback after a model has been used in a tester's home with actual cats. Our consumer testers fill out a survey to tell us how their cats responded to the litter box, and, of course, how well each automatic litter box cleans up real waste.
What to consider when shopping for the best self-cleaning litter box
If you're ready to move from an old-fashioned litter box to one that employs automatic scooping technology, here's what to think about:
✔️ Size: Take into account the size of the box (footprint, height and entrance opening) and the size of your cat. A larger cat needs to easily turn around, so some might need an open-top design. Some self-cleaning litter boxes have weight restrictions with their sensors that make them not work with either too-big cats or too-small kittens. Also, measure your space to be sure that your chosen litter box will fit.
✔️ Litter: "Cat litter is a crucial element to ensuring your automatic or self-cleaning litter box is as effective as possible," Dr. Miller says. Some need self-clumping litter while others need specially designed litter like silica gel crystals. "If your cat is particular about what type of litter they prefer but your automatic litter box only works with a specific type, this could be a reason your cat is not accepting the automatic litter box, or that the automatic litter box is not performing as well as possible," she notes.
✔️ Maintenance: Self-cleaning boxes still need to be cleaned. You won't have to scoop every day, but you will need to empty the bin about once a week and switch out the litter about once a month. If the box uses a mechanical rake to sweep through and clean away clumps of cat waste, you'll need to regularly clean the rake as it will get caked with crud. That's one of the reasons we prefer the rotating self-cleaning litter boxes that sift away waste without a rake.
✔️ Money-back guarantee: Self-cleaning litter boxes aren't cheap, and if you miscalculated how well it would fit in your home or aren’t happy with how well it works, it’s reassuring to know you can usually return the item within a certain window, whether following manufacturer guidelines or retailer return rules. Keep packaging to make the return easier.
✔️ Electricity: Any self-cleaning litter box needs to be plugged in, so it must be placed near an outlet. One of our testers wrote, "Offering a battery backup would be nice..." but alas, that doesn't exist yet.
What are the benefits of a self-cleaning litter box?
According to Dr. Miller, these are the main advantages of an automatic self-cleaning litter box:
• Promotes a hygienic environment: Because waste gets promptly picked up, a self-cleaning litter box helps keep the box clean and pleasant for your cat to use. "By ensuring the box is always clean, self-cleaning models help prevent health issues related to dirty litter, such as urinary tract infections or respiratory problems caused by ammonia buildup," Dr. Miller says.
• Supports multi-cat households: "Some cats will refuse to use a litter box that has waste from another cat," Dr. Miller says. "Automatic litter boxes solve this problem by cleaning after each use."
• Odor control: "Regular automatic cleaning and a sealed waste compartment reduces odor," Dr. Miller says. If your box is connected to an app, you'll be notified when to empty the receptacle and when to top off the litter.
• Health monitoring: "Many self-cleaning boxes use a weight sensor to identify when your cat uses the bathroom and determine when to clean," Dr. Miller says. If the box connects to an app, the machine can monitor things like how often a cat is using the litter box, which can help identify health issues sooner. This gets tricky if you have several cats who are within ounces of each other. Both of my cats are about 12 pounds so I never can tell who is using the box unless I catch them in the act.
How do self-cleaning litter boxes work?
These are electronic devices that must be plugged in. Many self-cleaning litter boxes require sandy, hard-clumping litter. Your cat does its business, buries its own waste and then the solid or liquid waste mixes with the sandy litter to form hard clumps.
When your cat jumps out, sensors detect your cat leaving, and the cleaning cycle begins. Self-cleaning litter boxes have electric motors that activate the cleaning mechanism — they are quiet but not silent. Eventually, the waste bin fills with clumps, and you empty it into the garbage.
How often do you have to empty the bin? That varies depending on the number of cats you have, how often they visit the box and the size of the bin. For one cat, you can often get away with emptying the bin once a week.
What's the best way to introduce your cat to an automatic litter box?
Dr. Miller, as well as the manufacturers of self-cleaning litter boxes, recommend you leave your old litter box out while introducing the new one. Read the instructions carefully for tips on how to get a nervous cat used to the new machine.
For instance, you might keep the self-cleaning box turned off for a few days, and scoop it as you would a normal box, before you turn on the cleaning function. True confession: I ignored this advice, even after having collected this tip and many others (don't be like me!).
"Pay attention to your cat’s cues, as they may be tentative to try a new litter box if they are sensitive to litter type or depth, new sounds or smells, a tight enclosed space or a change in routine," Dr. Miller says. "Ensuring your cat's litter box is clean, accessible and located in a quiet, comfortable area can help the adjustment."
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute evaluated some 30,000 consumer products in the past two years alone, including the best cat carriers and the best dog strollers.
This guide was originally written and researched by cat owner Lynn Redmile, who has been testing and evaluating cleaning products since 2012. Always driven to figure out how things work, Redmile collaborates with the Home Care & Cleaning Lab experts to research, test and report on the latest innovations, including self-cleaning litter boxes.
Contributing writer and cat owner Jessica Hartshorn most recently updated this article. Azula is pictured here "assisting" with her writing process. Prior to testing and writing about pet products and children's products for Good Housekeeping, she was a senior editor at Parents magazine.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Lynn Redmile (she/her) is a contributing product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she's been evaluating nutrition, fitness, travel services, beauty, textiles, home, pet, and cleaning products since 2012. She is passionate about figuring out how things work and experiencing their full potential, and brings over three decades of data analysis and project management experience to the role.
Readers Also Read
I Tested the Litter-Robot 4 With My Two Cats
The 18 Best Cat Toys
The Best Robot Vacuums
45 Dorm Room Essentials for College Students
