(Last Updated On: September 24, 2020)

Searching for a self cleaning litter box was on my agenda for a long time but I was hesitant. On one hand, self-cleaning litter boxes for cats would save a lot of time and hassle. Especially when we travel or come home late from work.

But I wasn’t too sure about which were the best self-cleaning litter boxes. In this article, I compare the 10 best automatic litter box for cats to help you make an informed choice.

If you have no idea what to look for, you’re in luck. I decided to share my reviews of the ones I have tried.

These self-cleaning litter boxes can help to ease your workload (who needs another chore on the list!?). And of course, anything to make your sassy feline happy right? Yes, I did think getting one would make my kitty Lilo love me a little more. Don’t forget, they can be good for your health too.

Here are the best automatic litter boxes:

Litter-Robot III Open Air Self Cleaning Litter Box PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box CatGenie Self Flushing Cat Box Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Litter Box Littermaid LM980 Mega PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box Catit Design Sifting Pan Nature’s Miracle Multi-Cat

Best Self Cleaning Litter Box Reviews 2020

Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Cat Litter Box

Dimensions: 26.8 x 24.4 x 29.1 inches

My Rating: 4.8

Check Latest Price Here – Get $25 off

If you want a cool unique self cleaning machine, you’d need this automatic cat litter box. Yes, it always makes other feline owners envious . This Litter-Robot III Open Air Self Cleaning box isn’t just an automatic one, it is a lot more than that. In my opinion , it’s one of the best cat litter boxes and lots of people agree it’s worth every cent.

This best kitty litter box is perfect for multiple cats and even helps you save up to half of the usual amount of litter you would use . Its design is definitely a talking point, and the large entry allows your feline(s) to easily hop on in! For safety reasons, a very nifty nightlight even comes on in the dark.

Get $25 off Litter Robot!

This is a sturdy self-cleaning litter box that will impress anyone with its high tech functions . I love the look of it and I thought Lilo might not like it yet she has really taken to it! Another thing I love is how well constructed this is.

You won’t need to worry about any frequent troublesome maintenance issues. This one has such a good reputation. It’s great value for money, compared to buying cheaper brands that aren’t as well designed and won’t last as long . It also comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee!

Features Self-cleaning (Start to work after 7 minutes after your pet leaves)

(Start to work after 7 minutes after your pet leaves) Best self clean litter box!

Odorless

Unique patented sifting system

Designed to reduce odor – great odor control

Easy to use & clean

Great for multiple felines

Big opening – comfortable and spacious

Night light!

Pros Great litter box if you have multiple cats

Has an auto night light

Comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee with an 18-month warranty – no harm trying!

Top sturdy construction on the market

Very effective odor control compared to other models

No other special accessories required! Literally start using

Very well enclosed cat litter box which means no more cat litter mess!

It’s not noisy and doesn’t scare my pet

Prevents litter tracking!

Litter box self cleaning is very effective

Petsafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Dimensions: 27.4 x 19 x 7 inches

My Rating: 4.7

Check Latest Price Here

self-cleaning litter box from Thisfrom Scoopfree offers hands-off convenience and superior odor control. Featuring a timer for the rake, it also comes with leak-proof lining so you can easily clean up.

Load Petsafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning litter box with the disposable tray. The tray is already filled with crystals that absorb moisture and odor much better than others . It also has a privacy hood if you have an especially shy kitty.

I had this odorless Petsafe Scoopfree Ultra self-cleaning litter box with crystal litter for two years. I was very happy with it and didn’t have any problems. It is very effective at handling urine and you don’t need to change the litter tray that often. Usually, about 9 to 15 days is good enough.

Pros Really easy to set up

Choose your own cleaning cycle time delay for 5, 10 or 20 minutes

Comes with a privacy hood and many felines like that

It’s rather quiet compared to other brands

Comes with a long electrical cord

Product Features:

Premium Blue Crystal litter controls odor really, really well!

Dust-free

Use any type of cat litter

Does not stick to paws

Rakes waste into closed waste compartment

Safety sensors

Disposable trays

Adjustable timer for rake

Scoopfree Ultra auto cat litter box uses a disposable crystal litter that absorbs liquid waste and dries out solid waste. System rakes to clean. It seals solid waste in its odor-controlling and covered waste trap.

The self-cleaning rake will clean out your kitty cat’s waste 5, 10 or 20 minutes after your pet is done . Don’t worry if your cat suddenly decides to re-enter it. The self-cleaning litter box machine sensors will reset for another 5, 10 or 20 minutes depending on your settings.

CatGenie Self Washing Self Flushing

Dimensions: 24.5 x 19.2 x 21 inches

My Rating: 4.5

Check Latest Price Here

This is the world’s only self-flushing, self cleaning and self-washing litter box with washable granules . This Catgenie best kitty litter box is germ, odor, dust and litter free.

This self cleaning litter box washes, sanitizes and dries itself. This is great for 1 or 2 cats but I wouldn’t recommend for any more than 3. You have to hook it up to water and power. But if you prioritize hygiene, this is one of the better auto cat litter box with washable granules you can get. It works like a toilet!

Pros Really easy and quick to put together

Low maintenance and easy to use

No more litter tracks!

No more litter odor!

Product Features:

Flushes waste and great at cleaning itself! Effective self-cleaning litter box

100% dust-free!

Washable granules used instead of clay so your kitty can still dig and cover to its heart’s content

Includes biodegradable & recyclable cartridge

Several activation choices

Perfect for 1-2 felines but no more than 3

Multi-cat families!

Electric best cat litter box – needs to hook up to electricity and cold water

I recommend you to install this cat box in a bathroom where there’s access to cold water. This self-cleaning litter box flushes away the waste after use and is great at cleaning itself without you having to do anything.

Pet Zone Smart Scoop

imensions: 26.5 x 16.9 x 7.6 inches My Rating: 4.3 Check Latest Price Here The Pet Zone self cleaning cat litter box comes with an smart sensor which triggers the activation of the cleaning cycle. It’s known for being very quiet and easy to disassemble for cleaning.

Pros One of the quietest models

Also comes with a month’s supply of No Touch plastic bags

Comes with one year warranty

Lowest cost to operate

Rated “best performer” by a third party test lab

Requires less litter to be used

Stays clean, making it hygienic



Product Features:

4 times quieter operation than other self-cleaning brands

Perfect solution to odor and waste control

Picks up only dirty litter and doesn’t use as much

Works with any clumping litter that you already have

Uses carbon zeolite filters that absorb litter odors

Strong metal rake design. Sturdy metal gears.

Deflector is on a raised height so the litter is in the box, off the floor. More hygienic.

This best litterbox is known as the most popular option for multiple cats. This cat box is auto flushing, self-cleaning and comes with a smart sensor to activate the cleaning cycle. The scooping and motor rake run for 15 minutes after your feline leaves with a quiet and powerful motor.

Litter Maid LM980 Dimensions: 26.5 x 16.9 x 7.6 inches My Rating: 4.6 Check Latest Price Here

Featuring adjustable programming, this is ideal for households with more cats. This self cleaning cat litter box also holds 50% more litter than other brands. You can remove the rake easily with a quick push of 2 buttons. It’s also easy to clean and has extra high walls to keep all the cat litter and feces in. Littermaid cat box starts scooping or flushing your cat’s poop 10 minutes after your kitty is done . It scoops it into a disposable receptacle which is sealed . At the same time, the carbon filter will do the job of absorbing odors. This is a more sophisticated auto litter box version than the LM580. Pros Solid, sturdy drive mechanism that is very durable

Rake can be easily removed for cleaning

Easy and quick to set up and start using

Features:

New and improved design! A lot more durable

Large sized design with high walls

Has safety bar which stops rake in case of blockage

Easy to clean & set up

Carbon filters reduce odor

Great for multiple felines. Even your pet who’s above 15 pounds.

Multi-cat households!

Comes with lots of accessories: removable rake, removable tray, battery back-up, 4 sealed waste receptacles and 4 carbon filters

PetSafe Simply Clean Continuous-Clean Dimensions: 26 x 19 x 10 inches My Rating: 4.5 Check Latest Price Here This is a unique system from Petsafe that cleans and removes wastes. It has a built-in waste container via a slow-moving rotating Conveyor System. Product Features:

Reduces odor and bacterial

Simple to set up

Uses less clumping litter

Quiet operation

Doesn’t need purchasing special bags needed

Does run on low voltage AC power adapter

Suits felines up to 15 pounds

1 year warranty

The waste is sifted through and is made to move up the conveyor belt and right into the waste container. Self cleaning. Remove waste container and dump waste in the trash to clean.

LitterMaid LM580 Classic

Dimensions: 17.2 x 9.3 x 24.3 inches

My Rating: 4.4

Check Latest Price Here

This self-cleaning litter box from Littermaid takes away the need to scoop daily and keeps the home smelling fresh. It comes with a compact designing and has a removable robotic rake which removes the waste.

Features:

Ideal for single cat households

Comes with adjustable programming

Odor-free

Reduces litter

Comes with detachable rake mechanism

Pros Very quiet compared to others

The rake is very effective and quick

The litter box’s design is longer, wider and deeper so it holds more litter for your convenience

This litter box scoops your cat’s waste into a closed and disposable receptacle which has a carbon filter in it to absorb and remove odors. The dual-motion sensors scoop and remove waste easily.

Pet Zone SmartScoop Dimensions: 26.5 x 16.9 x 7.6 inches My Rating: 4.2 Check Latest Price Here Technologically advanced, this self cleaning cat litter box scoops from the kitty box. It then deposits it into a waste bin after your cat leaves the box. The Self-Cleaning Activated Carbon Filter in the bin helps to eliminate odor. Low maintenance and easy to clean, all you have to do is remove the rake, waste bin and slide off the motor unit. The self-cleaning rake moves forward to scoop the clumps forward and then puts them into the waste bin. The litter box waste bin comes with a no-touch waste bag so that the waste can be disposed of easily.

Product Features:

Eliminates odor

Easy to empty

Uses any clumping litter

6-month supply of activated carbon filters

All parts are removable

Comes with one year warranty

Low maintenance

Catit Design SmartSift Sifting Pan Dimensions: 26.6 x 19.3 x 18.5 inches My Rating: 4.0 Check Latest Price Here This Catit sifting cat pan which allows you to forget all about maintenance. It has a pull-and-refresh system which you simply pull the lever to get rid of the waste. You simply have to pull down the lever to activate a seamless and quiet process that efficiently and rapidly sifts and disposes of the waste for you. Product Features:

Scoops by pulling the lever

No motorized pieces

Less expensive

Sealed design

Suitable for your pet of all sizes

Helps with litter tracking

Nature’s Miracle Multi-Cat

Check Latest Price Here

If you’ve tried the LitterMaid LM580, you might find that this looks quite similar. The Nature’s Miracle box is in fact, bigger actually. It’s known to suit bigger cats or multiple cats. You’ll find it handy if you travel often or have a multiple pets. Personally, I love the night light. It’s also very easy to set up and refill.

Product Features:

Use it with any cat litter brand

Simple to set up and use

Night light feature

Doesn’t get stuck to the bottom or side

Suits multiple felines up to 15 pounds

1 year warranty

Best Covered Litter Box – Hidden

Most felines love their privacy. In fact, my cat almost borderlines being mysterious and secretive sometimes!

If your cat is super shy and private, then you might want the best covered litter box with a hood. I definitely recommend the Hagen Catit above for this.

It’s large enough and has a big hood to cover it all. Yet inside it is comfortable and spacious. You can even keep the hood open if you wish to.

Designed to get rid of odors effectively , the litter box has a carbon filter inside that does the job well. Feel free to use this for multiple cats as well. The litter box is very durable and will hold up well.

How Automatic Cat Litter Boxes Can Help?

Cheaper to purchase

Quiet and safe to use

Saves time

In this day and age where we are all so busy, who wants to spend time dealing with kitty waste? It’s a lot easier and more efficient to get an automate the cleaning process and free up your time for other more important things. You won’t find yourself scooping the litter box every single day. Instead, you’ll only be scooping the self cleaning litter box once in a while.

Hygiene

For your kitty and for you as a cat owner. Using a great self cleaning litter box means you do not have to come into contact with kitty litter. If you use non clumping cat litter, you’d know that they can get filthy and out of control quickly even if you scoop daily. The urine-soaked clay left behind makes it unpleasant for your home and your cat.

Your cat’s automatic litterbox will always remain quite sparkling without your consistent ‘work’ to wash up .

Pamper your kitty

As owners, our kitties don’t ask for much. They want love, food and a basic clean bathroom. They have their favorite toys. These auto litter boxes provide a better fresh-smelling and cleaner environment. Don’t forget, pets have a much more sensitive sense of smell than us.

If you want compare it to our human world, it’s like using a proper, fresh toilet as compared to a portable bathroom! A self cleaning litter box is a pretty clear choice if you ask me.

Get rid of odor Since your litter box self-cleans, you won’t have cat waste sitting there for hours. You’ll really appreciate better odor control especially if your cat’s box is placed in your living room or guest room. How do self-cleaning litter boxes work? Do self cleaning cat litter boxes really work? There are a few different kinds of self cleaning litter boxes, and they each work slightly differently. The most simple type is a manual self cleaning litter box. There’s no electricity required, but you do have to do a little work, usually by rolling a dial to make the litter sift through. The two other litter boxes do use power, but the difference is mostly in when they scoop. Semi automatic ones do all the scooping and sifting, but they come with a preset scooping interval. It could be 20 minutes or 30, or even less, but it stays the same. Self Cleaning Litter Boxes typically allow you to set timed intervals for scooping. You don’t need to set the time regularly, just tell the litter boxes how long to wait to scoop after it senses your cat is done and out of the box.

What kind of automatic litter boxes should I get?

Self cleaning litter boxes come without any shortage of different styles and options. While some boxes definitely do more work than others, there’s more to these boxes than just manual or automatic. Like any other litter box, there are plenty of factors to consider before you choose.

Considerations for your cat

If you get self cleaning litter boxes that are too small, even if it’s fully automatic, you’ll see more of a mess. Felines need a certain amount of space to use the litter box. If it’s too small, they may have an accident outside of the box. Make sure you check the intended sizes before you buy a self cleaning litter box. If you have an older, or smaller cat, ensure the front entry is low enough for them to climb in.

Covered vs uncovered

Like regular litter boxes, self cleaning litter boxes come in covered and uncovered styles. Some felines need the hood on self cleaning litter boxes to feel like they have privacy. Other kitties don’t like feeling closed in. Keep your cat’s temperament in mind when you choose. If you have a cat that really likes to dig and kick litter around, a covered box may be your best option.

Look for self cleaning litter box features

It goes without saying that the more features you want included, the more you’ll end up spending. For many cat owners, certain features are non-negotiable. If your cat is messy with litter, a covered or hood is probably one of those things.

Or, if your cat is skittish around mechanical things, semi automatic litter boxes might scare them if it starts scooping too soon. Certain features will make a litter box either very easy to clean, or somewhat more difficult.

If making litter duty easy is a top priority, look for a self cleaning litter box that’s easy to empty and scoops itself. There are plenty of manual self cleaning litter boxes that take very little effort on your part, so don’t discount it until you look further.

Look at long term upkeep

Warranties and guarantees can give you a lot of peace of mind when you buy a self cleaning litter box. If something goes wrong, you can count on the manufacturer to fix it. That isn’t the only thing to look for, even if it is a good thing to have.

They still need some care once in a while. Manual self cleaning ones do require a little more work when you clean the litter, but significantly less maintenance over time. The more advanced a litter box is, the more components could end up needing care. Look into the process for emptying old litter, and keeping all the parts working properly.

Is it easy to clean? Yes, you can’t fully escape from cleaning. You still do need to clean your self-cleaning box once in a while. Choose brands that are easy to pull apart and wash. You might even find that most of the time, the simple models turn out to be the easiest to wipe out.

Size Matters

Think about how much room you have and where you’re going to store the automatic litter box. If you live in a smaller apartment, you might want to go with something a lot smaller and compact.

Also, consider the sizes of your felines. Some cats like a bigger space, some likes smaller, cozier ones.

Have kittens or smaller breeds? Choose a smaller crate. Of course, make sure the side is easier to climb up and over. Keep in mind your kitten’s smaller stature. If you get one with walls that are too high, your kitty might not even use it at all. You’d feel so annoyed about wasting your money!

If you consider your feline to be an average size, go for a medium-sized self cleaning litter box. Larger felines will love oversized self cleaning litter box more.

If you find this all confusing, bear in mind this general rule of thumb. The crate width should at least be the length of your pet. Do not get one that’s any smaller because more felines do not like spaces that are too cramped.

Don’t forget, your kitty isn’t just going to sit in there. It will need space to move, bury, scratch and turn around!

How It Works

Even though your automatic litter box is supposed to take the workload off you, some still do need more effort to dispose of the litter .

Make sure you choose a box with a good price point for your budget. Make sure you understand how it works (and whether you want to do what it requires of you or not). There are different designs and mechanisms available on the market. Some are fully automated while some still require you to do a little bit of work. If you definitely don’t want to worry about it at all, then be sure to get a fully automated one.

Power Sources?

Some automatic electric cat litter boxes need you to plug it into an electrical source. Is that something you would like? Is the spot where you’re going to put it accessible to any electrical power points?

Scooping Time

It’s a standard that most self cleaning litter boxes have a sensor. This sensor activates minutes after your cat exits the box. Some models come with a timer where you can choose the scooping time that you want.

Type of Litter

Does the self cleaning litter box you want only work with certain types of litter? This isn’t usually a problem but it can be an obstacle if your cat decides it doesn’t like the self cleaning litter box. Also, it impedes on your flexibility of which cat litter brand you like.

Where Should You Place Your Self-Cleaning Litter Box?

Now, you have to decide where the best optimum place is to put your automatic litter box. Of course, the first tip is to put it somewhere that is easy for your cats to find. And make sure there’s enough room.

A Safe and Quiet Environment

If it’s not safe or too noisy, your cat might shy away from it. Try to put the self cleaning litter box somewhere with fewer strangers and disturbances. Give it enough room.

All felines have different behavior. Some cats are also known to be afraid of loud noises (like washing machines!). So although the laundry seems to be a nice place to tuck the self cleaning litter box away, be aware that your cat might be frightened by your loud, vibrating washing machine !

If you have to place the cat litter box in the laundry area, then remember to place it further away from the washing machine.

Also, try to keep the automated box away from dryers or even dogs. Your cat might be too worried about being pounced on while doing its business.

If You Have A Garden…

If you’re lucky enough to have a nice spacious garden, then it’ll be ideal to place your best self-cleaning litter box near the porch. It will give your pet plenty of room.

Privacy Is Best

It’s no secret that felines love their privacy, especially when they have to eliminate. Some private areas to consider are a spare bathroom or bedroom.

No Stairs

Especially for very young or very old cats, it’s not ideal to place the self cleaning litter box in a bedroom upstairs. Try not to force your cat to climb the stairs to use the litter box. Older cats might also suffer from arthritis, causing them a lot of pain if they have to climb stairs.

Avoid Basements

Basements seem quiet and private enough. However, they are usually too dark and even damp. This can lead to bacteria breeding in the self cleaning litter box. Overall, not the best spot.

All Levels Might Be Necessary

If you’ve got quite a few cats, it might be necessary to place a self-cleaning box on every single level. Getting the best litter box for cats is certainly a good long term investment. These best self-cleaning litter boxes are great, budget-friendly and your pets are going to love them.

They also have health benefits for you so why not? Try to understand your feline friend’s behavior and character to help you choose the right one too. We definitely love our cleaner environment now!

If you’re looking for more, I also have a full review of traditional cat litter boxes.

How to train my cat to use its robot litter box?

Cats can be fickle about their litter box routines, and it’s important to understand how to train them if you want it to work. Here are some tips to help you litter train your cat.

Be patient

Patience really is the key to litter training. If you’re yelling and getting stressed out, your cat picks up on that. Then, using the litter box becomes a stressful, unwanted experience for them. Take your time, and be persistent. Most of all, just be patient.

Follow their cues

Most cats have some sort of ‘tell’ for when they need to use the litter box. Often, you’ll see these signs pop up at certain times of day. Most cats use the litter box shortly after eating, so pay special attention after meals or after they drink a lot.

When you see these cues, get your cat to the litter box. If your cat doesn’t have big signals, there’s nothing wrong with marking a chart when they do go. Obviously, the cat won’t be reading the chart looking for a prize, but you can get a feel for their most regular times.

Best litter box for large cats

Don’t be afraid to get hands on

Younger cats especially need some direction when it comes to the best self cleaning litter box. Show them the litter is for digging by raking your hands lightly through litter. In the beginning, it’s going to be your job to ‘escort’ your cat to the litter box.

Final Verdict

Are self cleaning litter boxes worth it? Definitely a resounding yes! When you see signs your cat needs to go, pick them up (calmly) and take them to the box. Set them in, and stay with them while you wait for them to do their business. Feel free to bring a favorite toy, or a treat for after they successfully use the best self cleaning litter box.