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Self-cleaning litter boxes are a serious game changer for busy cat parents

Picky cats will appreciate a consistently-clean litter box, too.
By Leah Stodart  on 
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Overview

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Most advanced

Litter-Robot 4

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Best enclosed option for skittish cats

Petkit Pura X

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Best Litter-Robot under $500

Litter-Robot 3

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No outlet required

Omega Paw Elite

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Self-flushing option

CatGenie

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Thinking objectively for a second, it's kind of hilarious that humans have universally accepted that owning a cat means letting said cat poop in their house — and then scooping said poop by hand.

Or is that something we have to accept? Making the switch to an automatic litter box suggests otherwise — and in 2023, there are several options at a variety of price points that make the investment feel less extra than it may have three years ago.

How do automatic litter boxes work?

The best automatic litter boxes detect when your cat has been in the litter box and, after allowing time for the cat to exit and litter to solidify, will sweep the waste into a separate compartment to help repress the smell. Some sift, some rake, and some spin, and the waste bins on each vary slightly, too. But all ultimately save you from scooping individual clumps on a daily basis. For the most part, your job maxes out at emptying the waste bin every week or so.

Let's get into the best self-scooping litter boxes in 2023:

See our full review of the PetSafe ScoopFree litter box (second gen).

Your best bet for both a non-covered self-scooper and a budget-friendly option is PetSafe's ScoopFree. Its familiar traditional flat box design exudes a far less threatening aura than bulky futuristic competitors. The scooping process is just as straightforward: a rake comes from the back of the box to push solid waste into a cardboard compartment in the front.

This low-tech approach doesn't involve an app, but still reliably senses when your cat has relived itself and almost never misses poop. A digital counter lets you know how many trips your cat has made, offering insight into bathroom frequency and serving as a reminder to replace the box. That's the largest downside: Rather than just emptying a bin, the ScoopFree uses disposable trays that aren't super eco-friendly or cost-effective.

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Read our full review of the Litter-Robot 4.

The most recent iteration of the iconic Litter-Robot has undergone such an aesthetic transformation that it hardly looks related to the 3. The entryway, now larger and round and thus more cat-friendly, gives way to a new compact body that makes for an undeniably chic look. Though the large design may still intimidate skittish cats, the 4 ultimately takes up slightly less floor space than the 3.

Operation improvements do just as much to set the two apart. The rotating sifting system is quieter and captures odors in a filter that now sits above the waste drawer. Added weight sensors help to keep tabs on your cat's weight and can detect cats as small as three pounds.

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Cat poking its head out of Petkit automatic litter box opening

Petkit Pura X

Best enclosed option for skittish cats

Oddly enough, the rocket ship design of PetKit Pura X may just be a more realistic design for a lot of homes than a Litter-Robot. Its ergonomic shape more closely follows the traditional enclosed litter box that fraidy cats may find more approachable, with a flat top for potential storage or cat naps.

This app-controlled litter box has two modes (automatic or scheduled cleaning) and 12 sensors to keep tabs on your cat's usage and safety. As an extra defense against lingering stench, the Pura X also boasts its own independently-developed purifying liquid that knocks out nasty odors and formaldehyde.

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Orange cat climbing into Litter-Robot with plants in room

Litter-Robot 3

Best Litter-Robot under $500

Despite being knocked out of the spotlight by the Litter-Robot 4 in summer 2022, the Litter-Robot 3 is still one of the most advanced automatic litter boxes on the market. You'll just need a lot of floor space.

For $150 less than the 4, the Litter-Robot 3 boasts the same sphere-shaped litter chamber that filters out clumps and recycles the clean, unused litter back into the chamber. Though the filter placement here (at the front of the drawer rather than above it) does less for odor control, you can keep smell at bay via drawer change reminders through the app.

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Cats that are particular about litter box location may prefer the Omega Paw litter box. The unique roll-and-sift design doesn't need to be nearby an outlet because you're the one doing the sifting — but it's still way less dirty of a job than true manual scooping.

After your cat does their business, you'll need to simply tilt the box on its side to enact the sifting process, when the dirty litter will fall into the removable waste tray. Then, just dump the clumps out and you're good to go. It even has a built-in litter step that will catch any extra gunk that your furry friend's paws tat would otherwise track onto your floors. (See also: Best robot vacuums for pet owners.)

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Cat standing in front of CatGenie litter box and toilet in bathroom

CatGenie

Self-flushing option

Ample space and a nearby water hookup expand your self-cleaning litter box options to true self-flushing. The CatGenie resembles a mini toilet for your cat because it pretty much is: It scoops, breaks up, liquefies, and flushes cat waste out of your home.

CatGenie’s eco-friendly, washable granules still allow your cat to dig and cover their waste as they would with regular kitty litter. But once they’ve done their business, cold water and the biodegradable SaniSolution sanitize both the bowl and the granules before drying them ahead of reuse.

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Topics Animals

Frequently Asked Questions


It depends on the model. The more expensive options typically offer more leeway: some leave the litter choice up to you completely and some are open to any material as long as it's clumping. Automatic litter boxes rely on waste being solidified for it to be scooped, so clumping litter sets up for much more meticulous sifting than non-clumping, like pellets that dissolve. PetSafe calls for its own crystal litter to be used in its ScoopFree designs.

Though you're technically welcome to experiment with any type of litter in any self-cleaning litter box, owners of picky cats should consider a model that is officially compatible with the litter your cat already likes.


Upon a smooth transition, probably. Once they realize that the automatic one is a generally cleaner place to do their business, they should be hooked. But a few adjustments on your end can promote a stress-free switch to a new litter box.

Avoiding the shock factor is the easiest way to build trust with the new setup. Give your cat a chance to choose the new box before taking the old one away, and use the same litter (if possible) to offer a sense of familiarity. Naturally, don't opt for a giant enclosed automatic litter box if your cat is skittish or has previously shown that they don't appreciate that level of privacy.

It should be noted that self-cleaning litter boxes are meant for adult cats and generally aren't suitable for small kittens. The automatic scooping in most boxes is typically triggered by built-in weight sensors, and babies less than five pounds generally won't be heavy enough to ensure the emptying doesn't happen while they're mid-squat.


Cats adjusting to anything won't be like flipping a switch. Automatic or not, a litter box change may require more patience than trying a new brand of treats — but with the right model and a gradual shift, most people are successful even with the most particular cats.

The scooping process itself is purposefully quick, quiet, and timed so that your cat is long out of the litter box before anything starts moving. (If you're picturing the deafening whoosh of a self-emptying robot vacuum, it's definitely not that). The noise could spook timid cats, but may be less threatening with an open litter box where they can see the grate moving. They're kind of fun to chase, actually.

If anything, the size of this new unidentified object towering over them would be the real intimidation factor. The main thing to determine is whether or not your cat likes a covered litter box. There are automatic options that are both covered and open, though the more advanced models are completely enclosed (and generally large) and require your cat to step through a hole to enter. That may or may not feel sketchy to them.


While it's easiest to train younger cats to use an automatic litter box, older cats can be quite adaptable as well, especially when you know the right steps to take:

  1. Set up the automatic cat litter box next to the traditional litter box that your cat has been using, but do not plug it in just yet as the sound and motion of the cleaning cycle may scare your cat away. If it comes with a cover, leave it off until your cat becomes acclimated.

  2. If the self-cleaning litter box allows for it, fill it with the same type of clean litter that your cat is already accustomed to. If the automatic litter box requires a different type of litter, try sprinkling some of the new stuff on top of the old litter in the traditional litter box to ease the transition.

  3. Keep the two litter boxes side-by-side for at least a week to allow your cat to adjust to the change. During this period, keep an eye out to see which box your cat is leaning toward. If they're still choosing the old one, you may choose to leave the dirty litter behind in hopes of discouraging your cat from using that one. Catnip or litter box attractant could also make the new box more approachable.

  4. After your cat has begun using the new box, try to stay nearby for reassurance as your cat gets used to the cleaning cycle. Praise in the form of treats would definitely be appreciated.

The process could take a few weeks or more, so don't get discouraged if it's taking a while for your cat to adjust. With your encouragement, reassurance, and patience, they should get there eventually.


The obvious benefits of an automatic litter box for the cat parent include not having to do the dirty job yourself and the ability to keep a stable cleaning schedule despite your own hectic schedule. Recruiting a friend or someone from Rover to come over just isn't plausible every single time — so whether you're at work all day, stayed at karaoke longer than expected, or can't turn down a spontaneous weekend trip, it's nice to know that your kitties won't be stomping in filth while you're gone. Pair it with an automatic cat feeder and they just might forget you even exist.

But enough about you — what realy matters is that your cat will appreciate the consistent cleanings just as much as you do. Litter box etiquette is high on the list of peculiar cat behaviors. Despite the famous feline self-sufficiency that we all know and adore, cleaning their litter box is one huge thing they can't do for themselves. And if you don't do it right, they'll let you know.

Rogue turds outside the litter box or other "bad" bathroom behaviors could be rooted in nothing more than preferring a litter box that's scooped more often. The hygienic benefits extend to any surface on which your cat may prance after its paws have been in the litter box — like your bed or the kitchen counter. If your dog insists on digging in the litter box as often as your cat does, automatic scooping (and a small entryway, if you go that route) can reduce the changes for that kind of a mess.

Leah Stodart
Leah Stodart
Senior Shopping Reporter

Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers essential home tech like vacuums and TVs as well as sustainable swaps and travel. Her ever-growing experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.

Leah graduated from Penn State University in 2016 with dual degrees in Sociology and Media Studies. When she's not writing about shopping (or shopping online for herself), she's almost definitely watching a horror movie, "RuPaul's Drag Race," or "The Office." You can follow her on X at @notleah or email her at [email protected].


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