Whether you’ve got one adorable little cat or a luxurious mansion full of felines, investing in the best self-cleaning litter box is an absolute must. These time and stink-saving investments run the gamut from tiny washroom pieces to statement decor you’ll be eager to show off.
What to look for in the best self-cleaning litter box
The best self-cleaning litter boxes are clever bits of advanced technology designed to sift, rake and dispose of your cat’s business when they’re done. After several months of testing a variety of automatic litter boxes, I realized the following features are most important:
- Effortless sifting and raking
- Easy disposal (bonus points for models that sift right into garbage bags or disposal trays)
- High-quality construction
- Smartphone and smart home connectivity
- A good warranty and excellent customer service
The best self-cleaning litter boxes for cats 2024
- Best overall: Whisker Litter Robot 4 Bundle
- Best budget: PetSafe Scoop-Free
- Best for single-cat households: Automatic Clean Cat Litter Box
- Best open-top design: Neakasa M1 Open-Top Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
- Best for multiple cats: ScoopFree SmartSpin
Best overall: Whisker Litter Robot 4 Bundle
To say we’re obsessed with the Whisker Litter Robot 4, our top-ranking automatic litter box, is an understatement. Using it saved our family several hours of cleanup each week, plus there was no wasted kitty litter. It’s a significant investment that begins to pay itself off in a matter of weeks.
Excellent odor control, real-time pet statistic monitoring and clever self-cleaning made this model a no-brainer win in our home. The included 1-year warranty really impressed us, though we were excited by the option to upgrade to a 3-year warranty. After all, this tech gets heavy use and it should last.
The 22″ x 27″ footprint is relatively compact and tucks nicely into any corner you choose. In our case, it was the sunroom—one of the light, bright rooms our three British shorthairs love the most.
Pros
- Highest-quality automatic litter box we tried of all
- Excellent customer service
- 90-day in-home trial to prove that it’s worth every cent
- Modern design
- Tech-forward features like app control and weight sensors
- Multi-cat friendly (suits up to four house cats with ease)
- Choose from several neutral colors and high-fashion shades
- Free shipping to most US states
- Included 1-year warranty
- Loads of available add-on accessories that make some of the best gifts under $30 down the road
Cons
- Somewhat expensive, though not much more than many of the other models on our list (and it’s an investment piece you won’t regret)
Best budget: PetSafe Scoop-Free
This automatic litter box and self-cleaning system for cats eliminates the need for scooping, cleaning or refilling for weeks at a time. It offers a sanitary solution to constant use and more time for you to enjoy being with Kitty.
It’s also a brilliant option for those looking to spend within a tight budget and for cats who are squeamish about tight spaces. The uncovered design may be preferred by those with mobility issues as well, as it’s quick and easy to clean when the time comes.
Pros
- The most affordable design on our list at around $100
- Uncovered design is quick to clean and may be preferred by some cats
- Works nicely for multiple cats
- Traps odors (though not quite as well as covered models)
- Allows up to 2 weeks of use without cleaning
Cons
- Doesn’t offer quite as much technology and real-time reporting as pricier models, though it’s an excellent option for those looking to spend less
Best for single-cat households: Automatic Clean Cat Litter Box
I loved the modest price point of this automatic litter box from Amazon that is designed to be a sort of accessible Whisker Litter Robot dupe. It has a lot of the same features, though it’s a bit less sturdy and the materials felt noticeably lighter. If you have just one kitty at home, that’s probably fine.
It comes preassembled, which is really nice if you have a busy life and limited tech skills. Just plug it into the outlet of your choice, connect it to your phone and voila—it’s ready to receive cat pee and poop. Overall, we’d rate this model a 9/10. It’s great, but not perfect.
Pros
- Easy assembly (just plug it in and connect to your phone)
- Modest price point for one of the best self cleaning cat litter box options
- Weighs cats with ease
- Deodorizes regularly (for as much time/frequency as you set it)
- Turns instead of closes (a sharp contrast to competing models), so no worries about your cat getting trapped or scared
- Thousands of positive customer ratings
Cons
- Weight sensors only show kilograms, not pounds
- Best for 1 or 2 cats at the most
Best open-top design: Neakasa M1 Cleaning Cat Litter Box
Hello darling, it’s the future calling… and your cat is peeing in it. Just kidding, but obviously this thing is a gorgeous piece of year 3,000 technology you’ll be proud to display in just about any room. And you can, because it eliminates all the stink involved with typical kitty litter boxes.
The M1’s open-top design provides a spacious and stress-free area, encouraging natural behavior and easy adaptation for cats of all sizes. It’s designed with your cat’s instincts and safety in mind, offering an open and welcoming space.
Pros
- Automatic waste disposal
- App controlled from near or far
- Clever, space-friendly design
- Odor-free
- Includes trash bags
Cons
- Sometimes the app sensors improperly report data that doesn’t exist, which can be irksome (though overall this automatic litter box is an excellent value)
Best for multiple cats: ScoopFree Smart Spin
This chic automatic PetSafe cat litter box with a built-in self-cleaning system offers hands-free cleaning for up to two weeks at a time, efficiently sifting away clumps into a sealed waste drawer. The gross parts of cat ownership are officially out of the picture for long periods, and I love that. It even uses a sealed waste drawer and deodorizer to keep your home smelling so fresh and so clean (early 2000s rap voice).
Easily track your cat’s health with the PetSafe SmartSpin App on your iPhone or Android. This automatic litter box provides real-time health data, including weight updates and litter box usage, directly to your phone. It’s a miracle for pet parents with sick kitties.
Pros
- Self-sifts pee and poop into a sealed waste drawer
- Handles up to two weeks of waste
- Syncs health data through an included phone app
- Chic design you’ll be happy to display in your home
- Modest price point
- Quick setup
Cons
- Occasionally clunky when it spins—if your cat is known to leave especially large deposits, bits of litter may get on the floor
What is the best self-cleaning litter box?
The best self-cleaning cat litter box is the one your cat is willing to use! Overall, I loved the Whisker Litter Robot model, but it’s pricey. If you’re working with a tighter budget, my suggestion is the bulky-but-amazing ScoopFree Smart Spin model that offers great technology at a reasonable price.
Prices are accurate at time of publishing but are subject to change.
