This self-cleaning litter box is a highly effective and versatile model.
Very easy to assemble and clean. Crystal litter minimizes odors better than clay. Automatic rake sifts out feces and redistributes litter. Works with disposable or "forever" trays.
Requires a crystal litter that some cats will not use. Urine does not clump, just pools. Larger cat breeds may not fit comfortably.
This is the one to get if your top priority is a model that doesn't make a lot of noise.
Automatic rake whisks waste into disposable bags that are simple to remove and toss. Works with different types of lightweight litter. Built-in filter controls odor. Surprisingly quiet when operating.
Rake sometimes misses clumps and doesn't do a great job scraping the bottom of the box. Sides are fairly short, resulting in litter spills. Sensor is quite sensitive.
This box offers some thoughtful features and a roomy capacity that's suitable for households with more than one cat.
Features a large design that's great for multiple cats. Lengthy side walls help keep litter contained. Sensor prompts automatic rake to remove waste. Built-in night light and litter-capturing ramp included.
Noisy. Waste often gets stuck on the rake, requiring manual cleaning to remove it. Reports of urine getting on components of the motor.
A decent alternative to motorized options that removes waste with a few quick rotations—no scoop required.
Quite easy to set up and use, as this model works by rolling the box to separate waste via a sifting grate and depositing it in a collection box. Doesn't need filters, bags, trays, or electricity to operate. Affordable.
While the box feels durable, some didn't fit together properly. On the small side.
The best pick if you want a motorized, self-cleaning litter box that doesn't take up a huge amount of space.
Fairly compact for a motorized box, as it's designed for just one cat. Automatic rake system. Ramp captures excess litter when a cat leaves the box. Waste receptacle filters and reduces odors.
Plastic components feel thin and flimsy. Waste sometimes clumps on the rake. Sensor sometimes prompts rake when there is no waste in the box.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
A cat can bring plenty of joy to your life, but there is one thing most cat owners don’t enjoy at all: cleaning the litter box. Unfortunately, if you don’t stay on top of that chore, your house can start to smell, which is why a self-cleaning litter box can be such a smart investment.
A self-cleaning litter box is like a regular litter box, but it contains sensors that respond to a cat’s use of the box. Instead of you scooping the mess, the box rakes or flushes the waste into a bin by itself. The next time your cat goes to use the box, fresh litter is waiting for them. As far as maintenance goes, you must empty the litter box waste bin periodically, but your contact with cat waste is minimized.
Want to cut litter box scooping out of your daily routine? Our buying guide can help you determine the best type and size of self-cleaning litter box for your cat as well as what features are must-haves to keep you and your kitty happy.
Manual disposal of soiled litter is required on a weekly or semi-weekly basis for nearly all of these products. Simply remove the waste bin or drawer and empty it into the trash. Some high-end models connect to your home’s main drain line to automatically flush dirty litter. For these products, you don’t need to physically remove the waste.
However, while most self-cleaning litter boxes require emptying the waste bin periodically, some create more work for the owner than others. The primary two types of these boxes are semi-automatic and fully automatic boxes.
Fully automatic self-cleaning litter boxes usually cost more, though some cat owners feel the convenience is worth it. Semi-automatic self-cleaning litter boxes are a viable alternative for those on a budget.
When you’re shopping for a self-cleaning litter box, it’s important to understand that it will almost certainly be larger than your current box. Self-cleaning models are larger than standard boxes because they contain a waste bin and a mechanism to maneuver soiled litter.
If you have a small home or a specific area where you want to keep the box, first measure your available space. Compare those measurements to litter box dimensions to make sure you can accommodate it.
Consider the number of cats in your home to make sure the box you’re looking at could handle the amount of waste it would get. Even self-cleaning litter boxes can get smelly and dirty.
In general, it’s recommended that you have one litter box for every cat. However, with a self-cleaning model, you can often get away with one box for every two cats. Check the product specifications to see how many cats the box is designed to handle.
Most boxes have a sensor that prompts the raking mechanism to start after the cat leaves the box. However, some have an adjustable timer that allows you to set specific times for the box to scoop itself.
While you can find a few self-cleaning litter boxes that flush themselves via your home’s drain line, most boxes have a waste bin or drawer that must be manually emptied a few times a week. You may want to look for a model with a large waste bin, so you won’t have to empty it every day.
Some self-cleaning litter boxes make quite a bit of noise when the box removes the waste. A noisy box could potentially scare your cat or disturb the people in your home. If you’re concerned about sound output, choose a product designed to make less noise.
High-end self-cleaning litter boxes sometimes have a built-in carbon filter. The filter reduces odor even further.
Some self-cleaning litter boxes feature a built-in nightlight that may make it easier for your cat to find the box in the dark. Perhaps even more importantly, it can help prevent you from stumbling into it in the middle of the night.
Cats may have occasional accidents in the house as they transition to a self-cleaning litter box. Don’t yell at your pet if they relieve themselves on the floor. This may increase their fear and make them more reluctant to use the new box.
Cat litter: World’s Best Cat Litter Quick Cat Clumping Formula
This formula from World’s Best Cat Litter is one of our favorite cat litter formulas. Wood fibers and corn kernels blend to create dust-free litter that’s highly absorbent and can accommodate the output of more than one cat.
Cat tree: Go Pet Club Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo
A cat tree can keep your cat entertained and active, so they don’t get into trouble around the house. We love this one from Go Pet Club because it features multiple levels and detachable ladders. It works well for heavier cats and kitties in multi-cat homes.
Inexpensive: The most affordable choices are semi-automatic models that require you to manually separate the waste from the clean litter. They’re usually on the small side, too. Prices for these items run from $20 to $65.
Mid-range: These are usually fully automatic models that rake waste into a bin. They typically don’t offer a timer, but they can often handle the output of two or more cats. These litter boxes range from $65 to $125.
High-end: The priciest self-cleaning litter boxes are fully automatic models that rake waste into a waste bin. A timer may allow you to choose how often the raking occurs. Up to four cats (and their output) may be accommodated. You can even find some high-end self-cleaning litter boxes that flush waste away, so you needn’t empty the bin yourself. These products cost anywhere from $125 to $499.
A. The main reason most cat owners switch to a self-cleaning litter box is that it limits how much contact they have with their pet’s waste. With a self-cleaning litter box, you don’t have to scoop waste. Instead, you can just empty the bin into the trash.
A. It varies from model to model. Some of these boxes only work with clumping litter, but others work best with non-tracking litter or crystals. Read the instructions to be sure.
A. As with any litter box, a quiet spot where your cat can have a little privacy is the best place for a self-cleaning model. You should also keep the box as far from your cat’s food and water bowls as you can.