The 10 Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes, Tested and Reviewed

Guys, this one has a built-in camera! With it, you’ll be able to talk to and track your fur bb when you’re not home. You can also use the corresponding app to see exact numbers and data on how your cat is doing health-wise by testing its soiled litter. It has three cleaning modes you can choose from, depending on what works best for your schedule: Manual One-click Cleaning Mode, Scheduled Cleaning Mode, and Auto Cleaning Mode. As for safety, this style uses infrared sensing technology that stops the machine from self-cleaning/rotating when your cat approaches it.

THE REVIEWS: “This machine works very well and Amazon was great to work with when I had a tiny part snap off while cleaning it. My cat uses it without any issues and the app tells me when the litter bag is full I need to change the garbage bag,” wrote one reviewer. “It lasts a week with my one cat, who sometimes ‘goes; outside during the day. I have only used Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented cat litter since I read a post from someone else who said that the machine was picky about using other brands.“

If you’re really worried about odor, this litter box not only has a 100 percent sealed waste basket but it also has an air purifier spray outside of the system. It’ll automatically deodorize its exterior surroundings after your cat is done. You can also set a timer on via the app for how often you want it to spray. And don’t worry about what kind of clumping litter you need to use for this option because it works with clay litter, tofu litter, mixed litter, bentonite litter, and more—but just not crystal litter. It’s great for households with one cat, multiple cats, and cats of different sizes.

THE REVIEWS: “I have been using this litter box for over 4 months, and I am very pleased with it,” one reviewer wrote. “The box is super easy to clean and can be taken apart in very little time to wipe it down. I have made it a habit to wipe it all down anytime the bin is full. The litter mat is large and of good quality and catches the majority of litter on the kitty’s paws. I haven’t had any issues with it for the past four months of using so I am giving it 5 stars. This has saved us a lot of time and headache and while the price is pretty steep, I think it was worth it.”

I know the price might be a sore sight to see, but trust that it’s worth it. It doesn’t have a near five-star rating with over 100 glowing reviews for nothing! Let’s start with its patented self-packing design. What does this mean? The machine will literally pack the waste for you so you don’t have any direct exposure to it. Its unique ramp structure was made to ensure that no waste or litter leaves the box. Its curved design traps any of those remnants. And yes! It has an app where you can monitor and get instant notifications about your cat’s health and habits. What can’t this thing do?

THE REVIEWS: “I’m so happy I made this purchase after so much research into the self-cleaning litter box world! I made the right purchase with PetSnowy!” wrote one reviewer. “My career does not permit me to be home always and I have a hard time with allergies and smells! This litter box is such a relief, as it is functional, beautiful, and is so user-friendly! I am new to the kitten world and Otis is a happy camper! The app allows me peace of mind and is so fun to use! Thank you to the mastermind behind this! My kitten caught on quickly and I had no issues! I will always highly recommend it. I look forward to your future life-friendly/saving inventions!“

This self-cleaning box uses a super-quiet motor to move the rake from one end to the other and deposit any waste into a separate compartment without wasting any litter. (Plus it comes with six waste compartment bags to make throwing the, uh, crap away so much easier.) Did we mention the waste compartment also has a carbon filter to neutralize odors, so you don’t have to smell anything?

THE REVIEWS: “Hey cat-loving friends! I was in search of a self-cleaning litter box and read HUNDREDS of reviews before settling on this Pet Zone Smart Scoop! I’ve had it for two months now and I absolutely love it—and most importantly, my three cats love it too!” one reviewer wrote. “I tried a few different litters with it and found that it works best with a light litter like the Garfield corn and cassava litter. My cats have stopped using their 3 other boxes and head right to this box every time. I’ll likely buy a second Smart Scoop and ditch the other boxes completely.”

The best part about this bad boy is that it’s currently discounted! Plus, all you have to do is toss the plastic-lined disposable tray every so often (it self-cleans for weeks if you use odor-eliminating crystal litter with it). The crystal litter that it comes with is also dust-free which means it won’t stick to your pet’s paws and you won’t have to stress about a mess in your house post-poop. And it also has a “health counter,” so you can keep track of how often Hello Kitty uses le box.

THE REVIEWS: “This thing is THE BEST INVENTION for cat owners,” wrote one reviewer. “Before you go saying it is easy to just scoop as you go… Um, we work and can’t be on her poop patrol every second. This thing is WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY! Also, spend the extra and get the throwaway refills. I purchased the plastic one and it is awful to clean afterward. Reminders: Litter boxes SUCK. This one sucks far less!”

This under-$50 litter box will fit right in with your home if you have a muted/neutral ~aesthetic~ goin’ on. And its roominess allows for kitties of all sizes, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not your lil tabby will fit inside. It’s made of durable plastic (aka it’s not a heavy lift!) and has a strong sifting grate that sifts the waste from the clean litter and puts it into the waste tray. BTW: You will have to manually do this, but have no fear! It’s very simple! Just roll it on its side and let gravity drop all the poop into the tray. You’ll never have to see or smell your cat’s doo-doo again.

THE REVIEWS: “I have a bunch of cats…not a crazy-cat-lady number but a starter kit: We have nine. I ordered five of these after struggling with boxes and clay and cat odor for years. They are amazing if you do it right,” one reviewer wrote. “First of all, get the larger size, and two, use Arm & Hammer SLIDE litter. I can’t say enough positive things about this cat box, and we have bought every single thing in the marketplace!”

Yes, this box looks like something straight out of the year 3000, and yes, it’s very much an of-the-moment invention. This spaceship of a box gives your cat some privacy while they do their thang, and it even has a screen display that shows their weight and how many times they use the potty. There’s also a lightbulb button for ambient lighting at night, in case you need to change the bag in the middle of the night. And shoutout to its waste drawer and all-natural bamboo charcoal filter that helps diffuse the odors!

THE REVIEWS: “Best purchase I have made in years,” one reviewer wrote. “It does a great job and I never smell kitty litter. Also, it has saved money on the purchase of kitty litter because it always stays dry and lasts longer. My three cats love it also.”

Yep, there are literal cat boxes that look exactly like a human toilet…and operate as one too. Meet this self-washing and self-flushing option that you have to connect to cold water, a laundry drainpipe, or an actual toilet for it to work. The CatGenie uses reusable, washable granules (that allow your cat to still dig and cover its number two) instead of basic cat litter that you’re always scooping and throwing out. This box cleans the granules on its own with water and vet-approved SaniSolution. Yay, science!!

THE REVIEWS: “When I first saw a picture of the cat genie (aka what looked like a huge bulky thing in somebody’s bathroom with tubes going into the toilet) I laughed and said that’s one contraption I’ll never be getting. Flash forward two months later of cleaning disgusting cat litter, and guess who now owns a cat Genie? one reviewer wrote. “I chose to put it in my laundry room in a nook where it fits pretty well and hook it directly up to water. Doesn’t look bad at all where it is, it wasn’t too difficult to install, and best of all my cat began using it on the first day and it really has worked almost flawlessly.”

You can’t tell me this doesn’t look like something straight out of Star Wars. (R2-D2, is that you?) Well, it is indeed a fahncy box that has auto-cleaning mode AND scheduled-cleaning mode, allowing you to choose when you want it to deodorize. The way it neutralizes odors? It uses a “self-developed” purifying liquid that’ll remove the stench and bring clean and fresh air.

THE REVIEWS: “This thing is so smooth and quiet when it operates. It came with its own litter mat and things actually stay clean!” wrote one reviewer. “With four cats I only have to empty the tray every four days (so essentially once a week). This is amazing because I don’t want to constantly be thinking about cleaning litter boxes and my kitties get to enjoy a nice clean box each time they step in.”

Because even the most high-tech self-cleaning litter box can’t 100 percent prevent your cat from tracking litter out of the box occasionally. You might need to brush litter out of the walls too, especially with the automatic litter box options.

MY REVIEW: It’s the perfect tool that’s so easy to use if you feel like your litter box needs *extra* cleaning. All ya gotta do is grab it and scrub that box down!

There are lots of things to consider before investing in a self-cleaning litter box. (Ahem, I mean, most of them cost upwards of $200!) You wanna make sure you’re buying something that 1. will truly make your life easier when it comes to your fur bb doing their business 2. lasts a long time, and 3. is a place your kitty will feel comfortable doing their thing in. Here’s what we suggest you keep in mind while you’re shopping for a self-cleaning litter box:

Size of the box: When it comes to the size of the actual litter box, you’ll have to think about what works best for your space and your cat. Most self-cleaning litter boxes are pretty large all-in-all (in terms of length, width, and height) and bulky and will require a spacious, designated area. So if you live in a small apartment or house, be prepared for it to take up a good amount of room. Another important thing to note: Most styles also need to be plugged into a power source to operate.

As for your cat’s comfort inside the litter box, don’t get them something that they’ll feel crammed in. Our pets are like humans and want some wiggle room when they’re going to the bathroom! A self-cleaning litter box where they’ve got some space to move around a little and change positions is ideal.

Waste box size: Ultimately, this comes down to how often you realistically can empty it and how many cats you have. If you just have one feline, a self-cleaning litter box with a smaller waste box will work just fine as you’ll only have to empty it maybe twice a month. But perhaps you’re someone who often forgets or has a busy schedule, consider getting one with a larger waste box. However, if you have more than one cat, opt for a self-cleaning litter box that has a larger waste box so feces don’t pile up quickly (which could lead to a messy situation and foul odors in your home, obvi).

FYI: No matter how big or small a waste box is, if it’s not emptied at a reasonable time (after maybe two weeks), an unpleasant stench will likely develop and that’s something you want to avoid.

Litter compatibility: Not all self-cleaning litter boxes are compatible with different types of litter, unfortunately. You’ll have to read the fine print and check to see if the style you’re interested in for you and your cat works with the type of litter they use. Most self-cleaning litter box styles are compatible with clumping litter as they are easier to remove—and clumping litter is usually the go-to as it tramps odor the best. But if your cat prefers crystal litter, there are self-cleaning litter boxes that take that.

Safety features: A lot of self-cleaning litter boxes out there are automated machines which can be risky for your cat. If your cat gets caught in it while it’s cleaning, your kitty could get injured. Many self-cleaning litter boxes have safety features like an adjustable timer, an automatic night light, an automatic shut-off mode, a control panel lockout, anti-pinch technology, and weight sensors—to name some.

App and connectivity: Many self-cleaning litter boxes have a corresponding app and Bluetooth/WiFi connectivity. Depending on which one you get, with these features, you might be able to track your kitty’s behaviors and monitor their health, control how often the litter box gets cleaned, be alerted when the wastebasket is full or if the litter is running low, etc.

But by no means do you need these high-tech features to have a self-cleaning litter box as they can be pricey. It is definitely worth the upgrade, in our opinion!

Maintenance: Even though they are “self-cleaning” you’re still going to have to clean it. Sure, you won’t have to scoop every day, but the waste box will need to be emptied and switch out the litter. And if your litter box uses a mechanical rake, you’ll have to clean that out every couple of weeks as litter and poo remnants will naturally get stuck to it. FYI: Rotating self-cleaning litter boxes sift away waste without the use of a rake, which will make the overall clean-up process a lot easier.

Noise: They’re going to make noise, regardless. That’s just something you won’t be able to escape as they are electric appliances. Some are louder than others though! We recommend getting a self-cleaning litter box that’s not as loud if you have an antsy or skittish cat.

Warranty: Because self-cleaning litter boxes are electronically powered, the chances of them having issues are likely. You want to make sure that the model you’re planning to buy has a solid warranty so that if it ever breaks down in any way—whether it be minuscule or major—the brand will be able to rectify the issue without any extra cost. We suggest you choose something with a warranty of at least a year. (But, the more, the merrier.) Some companies give the option of extending your warranty—and if you get that opportunity, definitely take advantage of it.