The Litter Robot: A Self-Cleaning Litter Box for Cats

Kate Barrington

Researched & Written by

Kate Barrington


At Pawster, we are committed to presenting the most accurate and up-to-date information to assist you in your pet care journey. When appropriate, we consult licensed and practicing veterinarians to fact-check our professionally written articles.

The Scoop:

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a better alternative to the traditional litter box, you’ll be glad to hear about Litter Robot. Not only is Litter Robot a fully automatic litter box, but it is a wifi-enabled and self-cleaning litter box! The latest in pet technology takes all the work out of the worst part of being a cat owner, completely freeing you from scooping. It automatically senses your cat’s entry and exit from the box then activates on its own, depositing waste discretely in an easy-to-empty waste drawer. If you want to enjoy the freedom of going completely scoop-free, check out Litter Robot!

When you first become a cat owner, you’ll get to experience the joys of dealing with cat litter. On the one hand, it’s great to have a pet that will discretely do its business indoors without making a mess of your floors. On the other hand, it means you have to deal with the smell, the sight, and the scooping.

Cats have a natural instinct to bury their waste because in the wild it helps them hide their scent. Though the instinct is natural, it takes some time to train a kitten to use the litter box. Once your cat matures and establishes good habits, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about accidents.

That being said, you’ll have to deal with cat litter for as long as your cat is around.

Throughout the ages, cat owners have experimented with different solutions for dealing with cat litter. Enclosed and top-entry litter boxes help contain the smell and reduce tracking, but some cats prefer an open-air experience. Others have tried sifting litter boxes, though some litter tends to stick in the pan which means you’ll have to scoop and scrape anyway.

The invention of the automatic litter box was a major one, but it has had its issues. Self-cleaning litter boxes have gone through a great deal of trial and error and not all of them are worth your money. A good automatic litter box should make your job easier, not harder. That’s why we’re so fond of the Litter Robot, what we believe to be the ultimate in automatic litter boxes.

In this review, we’ll give you some insight into the Litter Robot brand, so you have the information you need to decide whether it’s the right choice for your cat. Check it out below!

About Litter Robot

Before you invest in an expensive piece of pet tech like the Litter Robot, it’s important to learn a little more about the product and the company itself. Litter Robot was created by president and CEO Brad Baxter after he became the new owner of two cats. Baxter discovered the joys of scooping and cleaning litter boxes and set out to create an alternative solution.

The Litter Robot is the culmination of years of trial and error, not to mention several models. We think it’s one of the best litter box alternatives on the market and hope you’ll be impressed.

It’s not our goal to convince you to buy the Litter Robot but to provide you with the information you need to make your own decision. That being said, we think it’s a pretty amazing piece of tech and we’re excited to share the details with you!

Here are the top 5 things we think you’ll love about Litter Robot:

  1. Wifi-enabled, fully automatic self-cleaning litter box
  2. Connect smartphone app to keep track of cleaning
  3. Three product bundles with add-ons and $30 savings
  4. All-natural clumping cat litter available by subscription
  5. No-scoop promise 90-day money-back guarantee

Now that you know a little more about Litter Robot and what we like about the product, let’s take a closer look. Once you have an understanding of the brand, we think you’ll love them too!

Wifi-enabled, fully automatic self-cleaning litter box

Litter Robot currently offers two versions of their latest model of self-cleaning litter box, the Litter Robot 3 and the Litter Robot 3 Connect. The second version is wifi-enabled, giving you the ability to monitor and control the unit through the Connect smartphone app. You can connect multiple units in one app.

Here are the specifications for the Litter Robot 3:

  • Full height – 29.5 inches
  • Full width – 27 inches
  • Step height – 7.1 inches
  • Globe height – 13.4 inches
  • Opening height – 15.5 inches
  • Opening width – 10.25 inches

The Litter Robot is completely automatic, so you never have to scoop – all you have to do is empty the waste drawer when it becomes full. The unit is equipped with a weight sensor that activates when your cat steps into the box. Once your cat leaves, the unit waits for the predetermined time (3, 7, or 15 minutes) then automatically rotates the globe to sift the litter, separating the clumps from the clean litter. The clumps are deposited in the waste drawer and the clean litter goes back into place.

The Litter Robot 3 is designed to work with clumping clay cat litter and is a great option for multi-cat households. It helps reduce tracking and litter box odor, plus it may help reduce litter waste by quickly separating clean from dirty litter.

Connect smartphone app to keep track of cleaning

If you’re going to invest in a self-cleaning litter box, it’s probably because you want to spend as little time around dirty litter as possible. That’s where the Connect smartphone app really comes into play.

The Litter Robot 3 Connect is wifi-enabled and gives you the ability to remotely monitor and control your Litter Robot using the smartphone app. Through the app, you can monitor your cat’s litter box usage which provides valuable insights into his health. By viewing your cat’s usage history, you can get a feel for what’s normal for your cat and take action when something abnormal happens.

You can also manage your Litter Robot settings through the app, customizing it directly from your smartphone. Adjust the preset time delay, lock out the control panel, schedule sleep mode, or activate the night light at the touch of a button. You can also check the waste level gauge to see when the waste drawer is full or receive an automatic notification.

Onboard a single Litter Robot or control multiple units through the app. You can also give multiple users access with the same account for ultimate convenience.

Three product bundles with add-ons and $30 savings

By now you can see that the Litter Robot 3 is a pretty amazing product. Not only is it self-cleaning, but it is fully automatic and you can keep track of it using the Connect smartphone app. Now comes the big question: how much does it cost?

The Litter Robot 3 is available in the original model and in the upgraded Connect model which is Wifi enabled and can be used with the Connect smartphone app.

The Litter Robot 3 costs $449 while the Litter Robot 3 Connect costs $499 – both ship free. In addition to the litter box, you can purchase an extended warranty (increasing it to 3 years total) for $49.99 or purchase an accessory kit for $130. Litter Robot also sells clumping cat litter at $25 per 20 lbs. box.

If you’re going to upgrade your litter box, the best way to purchase the Litter Robot 3 is to take advantage of one of the three bundles:

  • Bundle 1: Litter Robot 3 Connect, extended warranty, LR3 accessory kit ($649.99, save $30)
  • Bundle 2: Litter Robot 3 Connect, extended warranty, credenza ($867.99, save $30)
  • Bundle 3: Litter Robot 3 Connect, extended warranty, storage cabinet/hutch ($897.99, save $30)

You can also purchase the Litter Robot 3 separately along with any of the wide variety of accessories. Litter Robot also sells factory reconditioned units, though availability is spotty.

All-natural clumping cat litter available by subscription

In addition to the Litter Robot 3, this company also offers their own all-natural clumping clay cat litter. Made from all-natural sodium bentonite, this litter is sun-dried and free from artificial fragrance, chemicals, and other additives. It is low-dust, low-tracking, and soft on your cat’s feet. Most importantly, however, it absorbs quickly, locking in odor and forming tight, hard clumps.

Litter Robot harvests their clay litter right here in the United States. President and CEO Brad Baxter says the following of their sourcing:

“Harvesting our litter here was related to the location of the clay more than anything else. The highest-quality sodium bentonite reserves in the world reside in Wyoming; the family-owned-and-operated ranch there gives us access to superior raw material for cat litter.” 

If you’re thinking about trying Litter Robot cat litter, simply add a 20-pound bag to your order for $25. You can also subscribe for regular deliveries ranging from weekly to every 2 months. Litter Robot cat litter comes in bags as small as 20 pounds and as large as 60 pounds.

No-scoop promise 90-day money-back guarantee

There’s no denying the Litter Robot is expensive. If you’re thinking about making the investment, you want to know that you’re covered in the event that you or your cat don’t like it. That’s why Litter Robot offers their 90-day money-back guarantee.

Litter Robot states the following of their no-scoop guarantee,

“You can buy with confidence knowing that you have 90 days to try the Litter Robot in your home. If you or your cat are not satisfied for any reason, send it back to receive a refund of the purchase price.”

The process to return your Litter Robot is quite easy. If you purchased directly from the brand, you can simply request a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) by contacting customer service. You’ll be responsible for the shipping costs and the unit needs to be clean and carefully packed. For third-party purchases, returns must be arranged through the seller.

In addition to their 90-day money-back guarantee, Litter Robot also offers a generous 18-month warranty. For an additional $49.99 at checkout you can extend the warranty to a full 3 years. During the warranty period, Litter Robot will repair your unit at no charge, covering all costs for parts, labor, and shipping within the contiguous United States.

Is an Automatic Litter Box Really Worth the Cost?

The Litter Robot is quite pricy, especially when compared to traditional litter boxes. If you’re already considering a self-cleaning litter box or a fully automatic unit, however, you may be prepared to spend a little more. In that case, you might be wondering whether it’s really worth the cost to go fully automatic.

Here are some of the benefits of an automatic litter box:

  • No need for scooping on a daily basis
  • Greatly reduces odor (especially in multiple-cat households)
  • Easy disposal of waste (simply empty the compartment)
  • Frees you from having to handle dirty litter
  • May help reduce litter waste by separating clean from dirty litter

At the end of the day, you are your cat’s keeper and it’s your decision what kind of litter box you choose. The best litter box for one cat might not be the best option for another, but we highly recommend the Litter Robot if it’s within your budget. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle, plus it could save you some money by reducing litter waste as well.

Litter Robot FAQs

Is the Litter Robot safe for cats?

When you read about an automatic litter box like the Litter Robot, you may wonder what happens if the globe starts to rotate while your cat is still inside. The good news is the Litter Robot is equipped with weight-activated sensors, so it won’t activate unless it’s sure your cat has exited the litter box. If your cat jumps in while the globe is turning, it will stop automatically.

How many different models are there?

The current Litter Robot being sold is the Litter Robot 3. As you might assume, this means there have been two previous models. The brand is only offering the third and most recent model for sale on their website, though you may be able to find reconditioned units for previous models available from time to time. The current model comes in a second version as well, the Litter Robot 3 Connect which is wifi-enabled and can be controlled through the Connect smartphone app.

Can I convert my Litter Robot 3 to use the Connect app?

Yes, if you purchase the Litter Robot 3 you can always upgrade to make it wifi-enabled. All you have to do is purchase the Litter Robot Connect Base. Even if you purchase the wifi-enabled Litter Robot 3 Connect, however, you don’t need to connect to the app if you choose not to. If you have multiple Litter Robot units, you can connect them all to the same app.

Does Litter Robot offer any subscriptions?

Though Litter Robot litter boxes are sold individually, you can subscribe to receive regular deliveries of their clumping clay litter. Choose from 20-pound, 40-pound, or 60-pound containers and select from deliveries as often as every week or as seldom as every 8 weeks.

Can I buy the Litter Robot in pet stores?

No, you can only purchase this self-cleaning litter box through the brand’s website Litter-Robot.com. If you find it on Amazon or from another retailer, it is likely being resold and probably won’t come with a valid warranty. It’s best to shop directly from the manufacturer.

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