Cats, as you may know, can be quite finicky, precise, and just utterly quirky. Many of the complaints about cats often stem from people failing to recognize that they aren’t dogs; their actions can be more complex and elusive. The second most common grievance regarding cats is the odor of litter boxes; no one wants to have another creature’s waste lingering in their home. Fortunately, thanks to the ever-developing realm of pet technology, automatic cat litter boxes have emerged as a solution to the odor issue.
Basic automatic litter boxes made their debut in the late 1980s. These initial models included a mechanical rake attachment (similar to the Pet Zone Smart Scoop box mentioned below) but faced issues with reliability and gregarious noise. It wasn’t until the 2010s that litter boxes began to incorporate more sophisticated technology such as Wi-Fi and app controls. Over the past decade, this technology has steadily evolved, with most automatic litter boxes now offering insights into your cats’ behaviors and health—becoming invaluable tools for better comprehending your feline companions.
We (along with our cats) evaluated some of the top-rated and most technologically advanced automatic litter boxes available on the market for at least a week, using standard clay clumping litter where indicated, to determine if they truly justified the investment—or the buzz. As with any pet products, it’s crucial to thoroughly investigate which automatic litter boxes align with your lifestyle and your cat’s needs. We don’t recommend automatic litter boxes that completely close (all options on our list of recommendations remain open throughout cleaning cycles), as there is a risk that the machine may fail to detect the cat and potentially harm it during its automatic operation.
Explore our related guides, like the Best Automatic Feeders, Our Favorite Fancy Cat Furniture, and, Our Favorite Cat Toys, Litter Boxes, and Other Feline Supplies. More inclined towards dogs? We have you covered; check our Best Accessories and Tech Essentials for Your Dog.
Updated February 2025: We’ve included the Petkit Purobot Ultra and PetPivot Autoscooper 11 and revised links and prices throughout.
Enhance your experience with unlimited access to WIRED. Get outstanding reporting that’s too vital to overlook for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. This includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
How Do Automatic Litter Boxes Operate?
Automatic litter boxes function differently based on the brand and type. Typically, they are equipped with sensors, either motion-based or weight-sensitive, to detect when a cat has entered or exited the litter box. Generally customizable and managed via a mobile app or a simpler timer system, the cleaning cycle initiates shortly after the cat has used the box. In dome-shaped litter boxes, the cleaning process involves a cycle where the litter is spun and rotated within the spherical interior; larger soiled clumps are funneled into the waste container while the clean litter filters through grates and gets recycled back into the box.
For instance, the Neakasa M1 rotates both backward and forward (rather than spinning) to separate the clumps from the clean litter, placing the larger clumps into the waste receptacle. The Pet Zone Smart Scoop, on the other hand, is the most basic option on our list, simply utilizing a rake attachment to collect the larger clumps into a waste holder at the back.
Are Automatic Litter Boxes Safe?
Pet owners should always conduct thorough research to make an informed decision regarding which model best suits their needs and those of their cat. We only tested automatic litter boxes that stay open during their cleaning cycles and do not fully close, ensuring that if by any chance the weight sensors fail to identify a cat inside, the cat is free to exit. For additional security, we endorse litter boxes that are designed to remain open for your peace of mind.
These automatic litter boxes utilize sensors—some requiring as little as 1 pound of weight to detect your cat—where the cleaning cycle will automatically halt regardless of its progress. Many also incorporate anti-pinch sensors. For further reassurance, the automatic litter boxes on our list offer customizable schedules, including “do not disturb” modes. If you’re like me and tend to be an overly protective cat mom, you could opt to run cleaning cycles only when you’re present to supervise the process (though this could affect the litter box’s cleanliness over time). The Pet Zone Smart Scoop is the sole model on this list without sensors to stop the cleaning cycle automatically—another reason we do not recommend it.
Where Should I Set Up the Automatic Litter Box?
All of the automatic litter boxes require electricity, so they’ll need to be located near a power outlet. Since it may take some time for cats to become accustomed to their new bathroom, we suggest keeping your old litter box until they reliably use the automatic option.
As a general guideline for traditional litter boxes, you should provide one litter box for each cat, plus an additional one. Given that automatic litter boxes clean continuously, the need for multiple options is reduced, but we still recommend leaving your old litter box available for a while to ensure your cat adjusts to the new automatic one. When setting up the new automatic litter box, place it near the existing litter box to promote its use.
