The Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes

  • Jessica Anderson

Cats make such wonderful pets. Their biggest downside, however, is their need for litter boxes. These waste stations make for some of the most dreaded household chores, and for good reason. However, you can keep away from some of the stink, as well as empty your cat's litter box less often with the help of self-cleaning litter boxes. These boxes do the bulk of the work for you, and many varieties are available to choose from. Read on to discover some of the best versions on the market today.

What to Look For

Taking safety, cleanliness, and ease of use into consideration, we gathered and reviewed the best self-cleaning litter boxes on the market today. Our goal was to make your selection process simple. For example, if you’re looking for a box that does almost everything for you, CatLink Robot is an awesome choice. And if you want to save some money while holding onto that convenience factor, Le You Pet’s quick cleaning cat litter box is worth checking out. You can learn more about each of these, as well as our other favorites on the list below.

PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Personalized to your pet

This self-cleaning litter box is easy to use, and you can make it as confined or as open as your pet prefers.
Best Overall

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This self-cleaning litter box is customizable for your cat’s preferences. It features a removable hood, so you can provide privacy or open space. You’ll also never have to see your pet’s waste since the bottom tray is disposable. It cleans itself for weeks, and then you throw the whole thing in the trash, crystals and all. The LCD makes it easy to tell when the litter needs changing. And there’s a safety feature to ensure it won’t rake away waste while your cat is inside.

Pros:

  • The litter that comes with this device is nearly dustless to keep your home cleaner.
  • You can press a button for manual waste raking if needed.

Cons:

  • You cannot use your own litter with this box, since you need to replace the entire bottom tray every few weeks.

Omega Paw Roll ‘n Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Roll and go

This unique and affordable device just needs to be rolled to collect litter. No scooping is ever required.
Runner Up

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This manual device provides an affordable alternative to self-cleaning litter boxes. Instead of using technology, you simply roll the box to sort the clean litter from the waste. Clumps will be collected in a small tray — just pull it out and dump it in the trash. The entire device weighs only 4.5 pounds, so it’s easy to move around. You can use your preferred cat litter as long as it’s a clumping variety, which may save you money compared to versions that require specific purchases.

Pros:

  • You don’t have to change the entire littler box. Simply add more when the levels of fresh litter become low.
  • We found that pine pellet litter works just as well as the traditional versions.

Cons:

  • If your cat weighs more than 12 pounds, you’ll need to purchase the “large” version.

CatLink Robot Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Safe and smart

This robot litter box is jam-packed with safety features, and it keeps the smells of pet waste away for weeks at a time.
Best Premium Pick

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This robot-like, self-cleaning litter box can take care of cat waste for up to 14 days at a time. It’s designed with safety in mind, boasting features that include gravity and infrared sensors, ventilation, and an inverted triangle design for stability. Excellent sealing, a filter, and an optional air purifier keep waste smells at bay. The optional stair makes it easy for cats of all ages and sizes to hop in and out. And when it’s time to empty, all you need to do is pull the drawer open and toss the full bag out. Put a new bag in for next time, and you’re set for two more weeks.

Pros:

  • This works automatically, so you don’t need to worry about wifi or smartphone apps.
  • It’s surprisingly quiet when it rotates to remove clumps.

Cons:

  • The price is much higher than the average self-cleaning littler box, but we think the technology is worth the added cost.

Le You Pet Self-Cleaning Litter Box

An affordable option

This self-cleaning litter box needs to be tilted to collect waste, but that small step could save you hundreds of dollars compared to other models.
Best Value

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This self-cleaning litter box is on the affordable side, allowing pet owners to skip the litter scooping without breaking the bank. It requires some manual effort, but all you need to do is lift the tray, and the waste collects in a drawer on the back of the device. Then, dump it in the trash and put it back in place for next time. Every piece is made of safe, non-toxic plastic and is strong enough to hold cats weighing up to 18 pounds.

Pros:

  • Since this has no electrical components, it’s easy to rinse clean in the sink, tub, or outside with the garden hose.
  • Assembly is simple — just press the pieces together until you hear a click.

Cons:

  • This box works better if you use quality litter that clumps well and doesn’t leave dust behind.

PetKit Smart Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Check the app

This app-based self-cleaning litter box will blend seamlessly with your other smart home products.
Best With App

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If you enjoy smart home products, this litter box may be a good fit. It connects to an app to inform you of your cat’s weight, how often they use their litter box, the amount of time they spend inside, and how much waste is in the collection bin. The interior is coated to ensure nothing sticks to its surface. And the waste area even has an optional automatic sprayer to keep it smelling fresh between cleanouts.

Pros:

  • You can use any kind of litter with this device.
  • It has a large capacity with safety features. This makes it a good choice for cats of all sizes, as well as multiple-cat homes.

Cons:

  • The price is on the higher side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are self-cleaning litter boxes safe?

The products on this list were gathered with safety in mind. The automatic versions have sensors, which do not allow for cleaning while cats are inside. Both automatic and manual versions are stable with anti-tip features. These are both important factors to look for when you choose a product of your own, as they keep your pet safe while they relieve themselves.

How can self-cleaning litter boxes support my pet’s health?

Some litter boxes come with health features. These include scales, as well as information on how long they use the bathroom and how often they stay inside. These pieces of information could give you details about your cat’s weight and signs of urinary or digestive problems.

About the Author

Jessica has two kids, but she's a parent to numerous pets, including cats, dogs, and even reptiles. Needless to say, she's an animal lover. She admits to spoiling her furry friends, and now wants to share her decades of experience in pet care with the rest of the world to help others find the best products for their four-legged families.

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