Keep clean-up to zero – because we’ve found the best self cleaning cat litter box for your precious pussycat. After all, pet tech is becoming increasingly popular. The UK spent £9.89 million on pets and pet-related products in 2022, according to a survey. So, why not spoil your furry friend with a special place to do its business? A self cleaning litter tray will cater to your need for convenience, too. Think of this: you’ll never have to scoop your cat’s stool out of smelly cat litter again.
When looking for the best self-cleaning litter box, consider striking up a balance between what makes your (ever so fussy and particular) cat happy and what is convenient to you. After all, your furry friend may prefer to sit in isolation while it does its business. As for you, you’re likely looking for a self-cleaning solution, which is hands-free, easy to clean up and operated via your phone. If you’re looking for a green option, an eco cat litter tray will make the Earth (and hopefully your cat) happy.
Treating your favourite feline to premium personal hygiene and health monitoring – not to mention saving you from an undesirable job – makes these automatic litter boxes a compelling purchase for any cat owner. If you’re a little bored of scooping clumping litter out of their tray and would rather spend your time elsewhere, these ingenious feline accessories will provide a “hands-off convenience and clean, fresh smell,” says pet technology brand, PetSafe. Make scooping a thing of the past…
Best self cleaning cat litter box at a glance
• Best self cleaning cat litter box: PetSafe ScoopFree Covered Self-Cleaning Litter Box – View Offer on Amazon UK
• Best budget cat litter tray: Pets at Home Lift to Sift Cat Litter Tray Small/Medium – View Offer on Pets at Home
• Best multi cat self cleaning litter box: PETKIT Self Cleaning Cat Litter Tray 76L – View Offer on Amazon UK
Aside from our top picks, we’ve chosen self cleaning cat toilets to suit all budgets, feline temperaments and even found an option big enough to suit a multiple-cat household. Below, we have answered some of your burning questions about these automatic litter boxes. Not only that, but we’ve made sure to include stylish options, too, because who wants a nasty-looking litter tray?
Best self cleaning cat litter box
Best self cleaning cat litter box
The PetSafe ScoopFree Covered Self-Cleaning Litter Box eliminates weeks of scooping, cleaning, and refilling. Using crystal litter for top odour control and minimal tracking, it incorporates disposable trays with leak protection, a health counter, and a convenient lid disposal system. Ideal for hassle-free cat care, this is a great pick.
Customer review: "I recently purchased the PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box for my cat, and I have been extremely happy with my purchase. The cost is a bit high, but it is well worth it for the convenience and ease of use. The litter box is very easy to set up, and the self-cleaning feature is a game-changer. I no longer have to worry about scooping the litter box multiple times a day, and the disposable litter tray makes disposing of the waste quick and easy. Overall, I would highly recommend the PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box to any cat owner looking for a convenient and hassle-free solution for litter box cleaning."
Pros
- No scooping, cleaning or refilling your cat's litter box for weeks
- Odour control with litter that absorbs urine and dehydrates solid waste
- The health counter keeps track of how many times your cat uses the box
Cons
- Not suitable for a cat with a runny tummy
Best budget cat litter tray
www.petsathome.com
As a budget-friendly option, we recommend the Pets at Home Lift to Sift Cat Litter Tray, which is a sleek, easy-to-clean tray with solid compartments for leak prevention and minimal litter scatter. Featuring a self-cleaning sifting system, it ensures effortless cleaning for all cats, made from non-toxic, easily sanitised plastic.
Customer review: "Love the fact that this buy helps to save on throwing away good cat litter therefore saving money."
Pros
- The smooth curved design is easy to clean and features easy-grip handles
- Solid, this tray prevents leaking and the design prevents litter from scattering
- It is suitable for all cats, made from an easy-clean and non-toxic plastic
Cons
- No choice in colour or size
Best box for safety
The MeoWant Self Cleaning Cat Litter Tray offers integrated safety and anti-pinch design with 10 sensors, ensuring cat safety. Its app-controlled system allows monitoring cat's health and weight in real time, accommodating various cat litter types. Whisper-quiet, odor-isolating, and easy to install, it suits cats of diverse sizes and mobility levels.
Customer review: "I bought this for my two cats, being disabled it is a bit of a chore cleaning out the litter tray. It has been a bit of trial and error but I’ve now got it working perfectly. I’ve tried various cat litter, I suggest the bentonite granules, the clay makes quite a mess when wet. Make sure to fill it right to the max lines, and clean after your cat uses the toilet and top up with litter when the level drops this will depend on how often it gets used. I have to top up every day with having two cats.
"Regards odour control, the only time I smell anything is when the bag needs changing, which is also a good reminder, especially if you have cognitive issues which is super easy to do. The unit does come out to clean but being disabled I struggle to lift it, i use disposable cloths and a bowl of soapy water to wash it out, and then I dry it after with paper towels. All around, I am very pleased and I definitely recommend buying this, makes life so much easier."
Pros
- Equipped with 10 sensors, ensures cat safety by detecting surroundings
- The quiet, Wi-Fi-connected litter tray allows control via the AIRPET app
- Automatically cleans after a cat leaves, with a door flap for odour control
Cons
- The litter container is a little shallow
- May not suit larger breeds of cat
Best premium cat litter box
www.johnlewis.com
The Litter-Robot 3 Connect Smart Cat Litter Tray is an automated and self-cleaning litter box that uses a patented sifting system, separating waste from clean litter and depositing the waste into a drawer for easy disposal. This model includes Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing remote monitoring and control through a mobile app. Its design features a larger chamber suitable for cats of all sizes and includes a night light for added convenience. Hassle and odour-free.
Customer review: "This is the best thing I have purchased in a very long time. I have 3 cats, and it's such a time saver, plus there is no smell with this unit either. All the cats love it almost as much as I do. It needs emptying about every 3 days. You do need to use a good quality clumping litter, but it is easy enough to buy. It has replaceable filters, which you can buy. My daughter had one before me, and she was so impressed with it, I got one, and wouldn't be without it now."
Pros
- Never scoop cat litter again with reduced litter tray odour
- Always-fresh litter defeats the need for multiple boxes
- Remotely monitor usage with the smart Whisker app
Cons
- No choice in colour or size
Best multi cat self cleaning litter box
The PETKIT Self Cleaning Cat Litter Tray 76L gives your pussycat ample space, accommodating cats up to 8kg and providing up to 15 days without scooping for a single cat. Fancy that. Through the app, control, monitor, and receive notifications about your cat’s usage, weight, and health. Automatically cleaning and eliminating odour, this self cleaning tray supports various clumping cat litter. It comes complete with smart sensors to ensure safety.
Customer review: "Just got this set up yesterday and all is working well with it. The setup instructions perhaps aren't as intuitive as I'd have hoped for but it's all easily worked out. One thing I would say - and this threw us for quite a few minutes - the manual, the spray, power supply, bags, etc are in the disposal tray in the unit itself (so we had to open the side of the unit to find them). So, not in the box itself. It doesn't tell you this in the instructions and it's not at all obvious. We did have a panic that none of the essentials were there.
"Ours also did a system update when we connected it to WiFi which knocked it off line for about 10 minutes. Again, not mentioned in the manual / app. But otherwise, it's great. It's almost silent in operation which was a pleasant surprise and the spray ability means you never smell anything either. We have four cats so looking forward to not (what seems like continually) dealing with cleaning out poo from litter trays."
Pros
- Clean and deodorises itself automatically, scheduled, or manually
- Features weight sensors, remote alerts and an accident protection system
- Designed to function with all types of litter, including clumping
Cons
- Avoid assembling whilst your cat is nearby
Best quietest self cleaning litter box
www.litter-robot.com
The Litter Robot 4 Smart Cat Litter Tray is an automated, self-cleaning litter box tailored for cats. Its innovative design employs a rotating sifting mechanism that efficiently separates clumps from clean litter, depositing waste into a sealed drawer. The device minimises litter usage, provides effective odour control, and offers convenience to cat owners by automating the cleaning process while accommodating single or multiple cats. Sounds good, right?
Customer review: "I love the LitterRobot. I was skeptical at first, but after talking with some coworkers who raved about the machine I decided to go for it. I have an 18 lb boy who refuses to bury his poo. That is no longer an issue with the litter robot. I also appreciate the built-in scale for tracking his progress in losing some weight. My younger smaller boy took longer to warm up to the robot, but given time he has started using it consistently and we are almost ready to remove his old box completely."
Pros
- Never scoop again - and monitor litter tray usage right from your phone
- Clumps automatically and falls into a sealed drawer and keeps odours at bay
- QuietSift™ self-cleaning cycles benefit even the most skittish of kitties
Cons
- May take a little while to get used to
Best box with app control
The PETKIT Self Cleaning Cat Litter Tray 60L offers remote control and real-time data monitoring via the PETKIT app, ensuring cat safety with 12 built-in sensors. It self-cleans, eliminates odours efficiently, and supports various clumping cat litter. Plus, the OLED screen provides user-friendly control, while its ample capacity accommodates multiple cats, reducing cleaning tasks significantly. We're very impressed with this self cleaning litter box.
Customer review: "Worth every penny! Save money on cat litter, and save time constantly scooping. My only couple of complaints are that it does stick every now and then and stops rotating so have to either shut it off and back on again or open the lid and give it a shake which does the trick. The release of the scent doesn’t seem to work and it does still smell I’m afraid. Other than that, I would recommend."
Pros
- Control and monitor anytime and anywhere via the PETKIT app
- Clean and deodorises itself automatically, scheduled, or manually
- Designed to function with all types of litter, including clumping
Cons
- Some customers have had no luck with the deodorising scent after sifting
Verdict: What is the best self cleaning cat litter box?
The PetSafe Scoop Free Tray is our top pick. It's mid-range, sleek and will get the job done. Additionally, you can buy the Scoop Free Tray Refills easily - and quickly, via speedy Amazon Prime - which makes maintenance hassle-free.
FAQs
Are self cleaning cat litter boxes worth it?
Yes – self-cleaning cat litter boxes can offer cat owners convenience by automatically scooping or raking waste, reducing the need for manual scooping. What a result. For this, they use sensors or timers to clean after each use or at scheduled intervals. There are other things to consider:
Initial cost – which tends to be higher than a regular litter box, with ongoing maintenance.
Odour control – is a big issue for many cat owners, which can be controlled with an automatic tray. Or double up with the best cat litter for odour.
Noise / cat acceptance – may affect your purchase’s usefulness. After all, some cats may be hesitant to use these boxes due to noise or movement. Your fussy cat will likely require an adjustment period.
Reliability – can affect all types of tech as mechanical parts can malfunction or get jammed.
How does a self cleaning cat litter box work?
There are a few different types – but sifting is the most common type of self cleaning tray.
The PetSafe Scoop Free Tray is a great example of this variation, which will prevent you from scooping any waste at all. Generally, these are automatic or may require you to activate. The conveyor-type function ensures the cat litter is moved out quickly to avoid any lasting odours – falling gently into a waste container lined with a trash bag, saving you from getting your hands dirty. You can even get self-cleaning litter boxes that flush…
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content.