8 best self-cleaning cat litter boxes to buy in 2024
Ditch the dirty work with our round up of the best odour-minimising and self-cleaning litter trays for your feline friend.
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Calling all cat parents who would much rather not be face-to-face with excrement – we’d like to introduce you to the best odour-reducing and self-cleaning litter boxes that will have you ditching the dirty work in no time.
If you’re here, you’ve clearly had enough of juggling plastic liners, dirty scoops and litter spillage, and are in dire need of a solution. Whether you prioritise a litter tray that will create distance between you and your cat’s waste or a litter box that will trap odours and keep your home smelling fresh (or at least not smelling of excrement), behold our round up of the best self-cleaning and odour-reducing cat litter boxes recommended by pet owners.
Our top pick for the best self-cleaning litter box is the PetSafe Scoopfree Self-Cleaning Litter Box (2nd Generation) which has over 20k five-star ratings and has been praised for being "odourless" and "scoop free".
BEST SELF-CLEANING LITTER BOXES
PetSafe Scoopfree Self-Cleaning Litter Box (2nd Generation), $225 at Amazon Australia
PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box
What You Need To Know
This low maintenance self-cleaning litter box by PetSafe - a trusted global brand in pet products for nearly 30-year - is easy to set-up, has a sleek design and is a much more affordable option compared to other self cleaning litter boxes and automatic cat litter boxes.
It features a streamlined design, disposable trays with plastic lining to help protect against any leaking and a health counter LCD display - which is great for tracking your cat's health, their kitty habits and detecting early signs of any health issues.
This litter box requires no scooping, cleaning or refilling of litter for weeks as it has a mechanism to scoop out the solid waste from the crystal litter and into the disposable waste trap, and then lays out a fresh bed of clean litter afterwards.
The self-cleaning litter box also has built-in safety sensors that can detect when your cat has left the litter box and will begin the cleaning cycle 20 minutes later.
Unlike other automatic litter boxes, this model is compatible with crystal cat litter - which offers a smaller footprint and is said to be low tracking, dust-free, lightweight and absorbs urine, and dehydrates solid waste. Plus, it offers five times better odour control than other types of clumping litter.
If you have one cat in your home, you won’t even have to think about replacing the disposable waste trap for weeks at a time, making this a winner in our book.
It’s racked up well over 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon with one five-star reviewer hailing it a "life saver".
"Best investment ever. This self cleaning cat litter box is a life saver! We were not only spending a lot of time and effort cleaning up after both of our kitties, but we were spending SO much money on crystal cat litter!" they wrote.
"My cats expected new litter every single day. If I didn’t do just that, they would pee outside the box. Now we can go away for the weekend and know our cats toileting is covered! The cat litter box is also odourless, and the machine rakes after every poop/pee and every 20 minutes as well.
"We only have to change the disposable trays every 8-9 days (but I have seen other reviews from people, can get three weeks or longer before changing the litter trays). We have two ginger cats so they seem to go to the toilet often. It was well worth the money and our cats love it. Excellent product!"
Another five-star reviewer says it's "an absolute game changer", writing:
"An absolute game changer in terms of my cat owner life. Admittedly between the crystal litter and the new litter box (automatic) it was a miserable adjustment period of a few weeks with my cats. But once everyone was acquainted, I’ll never go back. The new litter box and crystal litter works impeccably well too, in terms of trapping smells. I can’t smell crap, literally."
Litter Robot III Self Cleaning Automatic Litter Box, $995 at Lucky Pet
Litter Robot III Self Cleaning Automatic Litter Box
What You Need To Know
Upgrade your cat's litter box to a high tech, self-cleaning litter box like the Litter Robot III. This litter box arrives at your doorstep fully assembled and is designed with a large opening and step so that your cat has easy access into the litter box. It requires no set up and efficiently removes waste without losing too much of the litter, plus it helps reduce spillage - no messy floors here! Compatible with clumping litter, it automatically disposes of any clumps after your cat exits the machine - the cat waste then rolls into the carbon-filtered waste drawer ( or litter tray) for easy removal - so there's no need to scoop litter. Plus, the waste drawer has an indicator to remind you to empty it out.
The Litter Robot III has been programmed with a cleaning cycle that has three time delay options - three, seven or 15 minutes, it also has an eight hour sleep mode to pause automatic cycling, automatic night light for night time use and a control panel on the front with four buttons - a power button, 'Cycle', 'Empty' and 'Reset'. It leaves a bed of clean litter after each use to help reduce bad odours and ensures your cat leaves the litter box with clean paws. Not to mention, this self-cleaning litter box is suitable for multiple cats, territorial cats and even senior cats as it reduces the physical maintenance needed for both yourself and your cat thanks to the completely automatic and self-cleaning design.
With over 6,000 five star reviews on the Litter Robot website, one five-star reviewer wrote: “I can’t say enough good things about this self-cleaning litter box. I bought one for my daughter who has two cats and one for myself with my one cat. We both love it. No smell, no scooping litter, and it's attractive if in a visible area. I highly recommend the litter robot.”
“This thing is a Godsend... it took a little while for my cats to get use to it but now I don’t know how I lived without it. It’s simply just wonderful,” another praised.
"My cats adjusted to our litter robot straight away. I am absolutely thrilled with it. It's a game changer if you have multiple cats too! It's so easy with no more messy floors, unpleasant odours or smells and less wastage of clumping litter. It's the best investment we've made for our fur babies and I've already be recommending it to friends! Buy one, you will not be disappointed!"
Another five-star reviewer says it's "so worth it", writing:
"I have three cats, one very large cat and two average sized cats. They are all very well litter trained and go wherever the litter tray is, but I was worried my bigger cat wouldn't get used to being in the cocoon of the litter robot. I had two large litter boxes prior to the robot, when I first installed it, I left both of them there... I followed the instructions of not emptying the old litter in their old box and I think this did encourage my younger cat to use the litter robot, but the bigger guy only really accepted it fully once I got rid of their old boxes.
"I'm so happy to say he uses it no problems, I empty the litter about every 4-6 days, given there are three cats. I got the little fence as well, I think this was a great idea as there is still a fair bit of litter that gets kicked out when my cats think their business has to be buried all the way to China, so without the door I shudder to think of the shower of litter that would be kicked out."
Petree Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box (2nd Gen), $529 (down from $599.95) at Woolworths
Petree Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
What You Need To Know
A self-cleaning litter box has never looked so cute. This model from Petree features a spaceship-like design, round entryway, sturdy legs and a litter tray -it's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible, whisper quiet and offers great app support - so you can receive notifications when your cat uses the litter box to track their kitty habits, you can also control the automated litter box from your phone and decide when to run it.
This self-cleaning litter box offers your cat a safe potty experience thanks to its gravity sensors and safety sensors that can detect when your cat is inside and a sifting system that activates when your cat jumps out, it makes the litter box rotate like a washing machine to easily sift your cat's waste into the litter tray at the bottom without making any mess.
It has a 4.8 out of five-star rating on Google one five-star reviewer writing: “I was reluctant to spend the money on a self cleaning litter tray, but the reviews convinced me and I’m so glad that I did. Within seconds of filling the litter tray, my cat jumped in and did a poo and I didn’t have to do a thing. It’s slow to turn, but that means it doesn’t make a mess. I haven’t bothered with the app. The litter fill line is hard to see, but I just used a permanent marker to go over it as soon as I put it together so it’s fine. I would recommend this to anyone with indoor cats.”
"Works 100 per cent. I was a bit hesitant at first as this is quite expensive, however I don't have any regrets and it's definitely a game changer. No more daily scooping and it runs very smoothly, hopefully will last for a couple of years," another raved.
Another reviewer hailed it a "game-changer", writing: "This automatic cat litter box is really saves you the trouble of constantly scooping litter in order to remove unpleasant odours (especially if you have more than one cat at home). It’s easy to use and maintain. I recommend you to get one for your cat(s)!"
Catlink Scooper Self Clean Smart Cat Litter Box (Luxury Pro), $749 at Petbarn
Catlink Scooper Self Clean Smart Cat Litter Box (Luxury Pro)
What You Need To Know
This smart self-cleaning litter box by Catlink is as fancy as a litter box can get. It features a generous 13 litre waste box, eight gravity sensors to prevent the litter box from moving or tipping over, three cleaning cycle options to choose from: timed, automatic and manual, and smart detection - meaning the machine will begin its cleaning process when the safety sensors detect that your cat has left the litter box.
Moreover, it offers Amazon Alexa compatibility and great app support that acts as a health counter providing 24-hour, seven-day and 12-month reports on your cat's health including daily toilet records and weight records for any early signs of health irregularities, real-time monitoring of litter volume, temperature and humidity as well as general bits of data. If there's something of concern, 'abnormal alerts' will be sent to your phone via the app, but that's not all - it has a deodoriser to get rid of any unpleasant odours and smells, double UV sterilisation to prevent any bacteria, viruses and mold from spawning in the litter tray
And this self-cleaning litter box is the gift that keeps on giving - if you've got more than one cat, don't fret because this model also offers multi-cat recognition and is able to easily identify each cat after recording data for the first time; for those with senior cats with poor eyesight, you can switch on the ambient light function via the app so they can do their business comfortably without feeling scared.
One five-star reviewer wrote: “It’s been a game changer in providing a clean bed of litter for my cats EACH time they use the box. Love it!”
Another reviewer says it's "one of the best things I've ever invested in for out cat", writing: "We can keep track of how frequently he goes to the toilet to make sure he's eating and drinking enough, also tracks your cats weight. Pretty much set and forget and your phone will tell you anything you need to do."
PetSafe Simply Clean Automatic Litter Box, $409.99 at Pet Circle
PetSafe Simply Clean Automatic Litter Box
What You Need To Know
This self-cleaning litter box from PetSafe has to get top prize for the most innovative way of self-cleaning compared to other automatic boxes. It has a round design and operates in a slow-moving, circular motion that removes clumps every 30 minutes and completes a full rotation every hour and a half - this cleaning cycle then sifts the solid waste onto the covered conveyor contraption which then drops into the waste trap bin.
The waste trap can be lined with any type of plastic lining for easy cleaning and emptying, and to help trap any unpleasant odours - plus, it has a replaceable carbon filters that act as a second layer of odour defence. It's fitted with an LED light to alert owners when the cleaning cycle is in operation and it's motor is whisper-quiet - so your cat's won't be scared to use it and it won't be so disturbing.
This self-cleaning litter tray comes with three replaceable carbon filters and is suitable for cats up to seven kilograms. So, it's great for households looking for a new litter box that is continually self-cleaning and requires little maintenance.
"I have this and I recommend it. It is simple and surprisingly quiet, and I can use my cat's preferred litter. We thought the cats weren't using it and I checked the bin - FULL! It was so efficient I just hadn't noticed," one five-star reviewer wrote on Pet Circle.
Another five-star reviewer on Amazon say it's "worth the money spent" and "great value".
"This litter tray is amazing. It is a much more budget friendly option than some of these robot trays and automatic litter boxes that work with sensors, and much safer too because it doesn't rely on sensors to work, so you have no worries at all about it failing or trapping/hurting your cat.
"It is pretty easy to put together when you first get it, you're just sticking some of the big moving parts together. You need to find a good place for it, it will need to be close to a socket and it is quite big so you will need a decent size space for it.
"My cat didn't take to the self-cleaning litter tray straight away, which I expected because he kicks up a fuss whenever I've gotten him a new litter tray. Once I had the new tray in place I moved his old tray next to the new one. He continued to use his old tray but I wouldn't clean it out, so he had to move over to his new self-cleaning litter tray... This tray works by constantly moving, at such a slow rate you can barely see it happening, so your cat doesn't notice that it's happening either when it's doing his/her business.
"As it moves round the litter tray the hard clumps get caught on the conveyor belt and makes its way into the bin at the back. I put plastic lining in the bin so that I can just take it out rather than have to keep cleaning it, but you don't have to do that, I just find it easier and quicker. The solid waste and hard clumps is constantly being removed from the tray, so you only have to top up the litter and empty the bin most of the time. It does still need a full clean out every so often just so that it can have a wipe down and get any dirty litter that might not have made it up the conveyor. (There's not lots of this, just the litter 'dust' that's too small to go up the conveyor) You don't have to do a full clean very often, so it's a million times better than having to be cleaning the litter tray every day. It's so convenient and takes away the hassle of cleaning the litter tray all the time. I would recommend it to anyone with a cat, it's worth it's weight in gold."
BEST ODOUR-NEUTRALISING LITTER BOXES
Catit Deluxe Hooded Cat Litter Box, $75 at Amazon Australia
Catit Deluxe Hooded Cat Litter Box
What You Need To Know
This odour-neutralising litter box by CatIt is sure to keep your cat's litter and the odour at bay thanks to it’s detachable hooded design. Made from durable BPA-free plastic, it has been thoughtfully designed to provide privacy for your cat and it has a raised backside and overlap mechanism to prevent any leakage by cat's that tend to spray or , and the high walls and hooded look help prevent messy floors by keeping the litter inside.
It also features a built-in bag anchor for easy cleaning and hands free scooping, replaceable carbon filters (goodbye bad odours!) and a top handle for convenient transporting.
It boasts a 4.6 out of five star rating on Google with one reviewer writing:
“I wish I knew about this litter box when I first got my cat. We got this one since it would fit in the large car carrier for travel, and it’s been perfect. The doors help keep smells contained, and my Bengal has no trouble getting in and out. The bottom has higher sides than my other litter boxes, so it helps keep any pee that gets on the sides contained. I’ve had no issues with leakage, and we’ve been able to take it into hotels and family houses with no issues.”
Another five-star reviewer on Amazon say it's "so great":
"I searched for a litter box that would help eliminate some pretty common issues: tracking, odour, leaking, etc. I did NOT want to spend big bucks on automatic litter boxes, or on the flip side, did not want to take the time to make a cheap one myself (which was the next step). It is on the larger side, so even big cats can use it comfortably (they also have a Jumbo size, if you have a REALLY big cat... but I have found this one to be a great size). The box is very sturdy, with simple sliding locks on two sides and a very sturdy handle. I have lifted a full, heavy box to move it and never once worried that it would break. The swinging door is fine, but easily removable if you don't want it.
"The top part (the part that holds the carbon filters) also folds back so it's a lot easier to clean. The sides are very high, and the seal between the top and bottom is tight, so no leaks! It has a built in bag holder, but since I don't use bags or liners, my cat's jump like it's a platform, which actually helps with the tracking (I also use litter mats and rugs as well). The only negative I have (and it's minor) is that the filter is open at the top, so sometimes the cats like to play with it, and then it looks a bit rough. Really, a nit-picky thing. I have ordered two more of these boxes to replace my old cat's litter box in my house. I can NOT wait until they come in so we can throw out the old ones, and enjoy the new litter boxes!"
Mlorine Cat Litter Box, $53.99 at Amazon Australia
Mlorine Cat Litter Box
What You Need To Know
If self cleaning litter boxes aren't within your budget, this affordable option has been described as “perfect”, “convenient” and “easy to use”. This cat litter box from Mlorine ensures your cat’s litter is kept contained and not all over your floors.
It offers a unique design with a grid screen at the top, a one-way front door and a top exit. This design allows your cat to go in to do its business and the only way for your cat to exit is through the top of the litter box - so the litter-tracking will fall straight back into the litter box thanks to the grid screen. The front door also closes on its own, so you won’t have to worry about a nasty smell wafting throughout your home. Plus, The detachable litter tray can also be removed with ease, so you shouldn’t have a problem with cleaning it.
One five-star reviewer wrote: “We used an open litter box before, this helps a lot with not having litter or worse around the house. The fact that the cat needs to leave through the top is a clever trick.”
Another five-star reviewer says it's "efficient and tidy", writing: "This kitty litter box has been a game changer for us. I haven't had any litter spillage and the tray is easy to pull out to scoop poops and pees. We have four cats. I got two to test them out and I will definitely get more and throw away the messy open boxes. The cats don't seem to use the flap at the front, but are happy just going in and out of the top hole."
Ezi-Lock Odour Dual Layer Cat Litter Box, $80.79 at Petstock
Ezi-Lock Odour Dual Layer Cat Litter Box
What You Need To Know
The beauty of this litter system is in its accompanying litter pellets and absorbent pads. Natural mineral pellet litter with micropores dehydrate moisture, yet allow for liquid to seep to the absorbent pad below. Best thing about this method of odour-minimisation? You only need to change the pellets once a month and the absorbent pad weekly, and the litter trays are so easy to take out. Your purchase comes with a single bag of litter pellets but you can stock up on more here and on the absorbent pads here.
Sitting at an impressive 4.9 out of five star rating on Google, one five-star reviewer praised it for being “no smell, no fuss”.
“I took a few weeks thinking about purchasing this product as it sounded too good to be what it promised. I needn’t have worried! It’s exactly as it promises, no smell, no fuss, so much easier and economical changing the pads weekly and the litter monthly. Our little man, Chief, had no hassles going from his old litter tray to his new one which was also a plus. Absolutely highly recommend this product,” they wrote.
"I have two of these litter trays and they are amazing. They look so fancy, the cats love them, the litter doesn't smell and cleaning them is a breeze. It comes with litter and the absorbent pads in the box and is definitely worth every cent as it saves money as you use up far less litter, and saves so much time as you don't need to clean as often.," another said.
Another five-star reviewer says it's "the absolute best litter system ever, for indoor litter trays".
"I can't believe there is no smell all. It's incredibly clean, the litter doesn't track and doesn't get caught in the kitty's paw and dispersed around the house. Even solid waste on top of the litter don't smell and there is absolutely no wee smell at all. It's so easy to maintain, requires about a quarter of the time of my other litter system and litter trays. This is seriously brilliant."
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A SELF-CLEANING CAT LITTER BOX
Automatic litter boxes aren't cheap, so it's important to get your money's worth and invest in a good quality self-cleaning litter box that will not only improve your life but also your cat's life. Here are a few things to consider when buying an automatic or self-cleaning cat litter box:
Style and size: Cats are incredibly finicky and will make it known if they don’t like something. Style and size play an important role in earning your cat's seal of approval - whether it's a hooded litter box, open litter box, extra-spacious litter box (which is great for larger or multiple cats), low lipped litter box (which makes it easy to entry for senior cats with arthritis) or a litter box with high sides (which is essential for cats that tend to spray).
Features: Most self-cleaning cat litter boxes are built different and offer different features - so the option you choose really depends on what you're after as well as your cat's needs. However, some interesting features that may help you chalk it down to one best option include:
- Noise operation - Do you want a quiet or loud self-cleaning litter box?
- Health counter - Do you want to be able to keep up with your cat's health, habits and well-being?
- Maintenance - Do you want it to be as low maintenance as possible? Should it be easy to clean? Some self-cleaning litter boxes may require more emptying or cleaning out than others, and it can get completed with all the different parts involved in an automatic litter box.
Price - Are you happy to spend the big bucks on a self-cleaning litter box?
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the perfect self-cleaning litter box for your cat, our team of experienced writers spent hours researching self-cleaning and automatic cat litter boxes (and watching cat videos) we deem worthy of including in this article. We found out what factors make a good self-cleaning litter box by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of reviews by pet owners and real cats.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT KIND OF LITTER BOX SHOULD I BUY MY CAT?
The general rule is to buy your cat a litter box that suits their size, however, some small cats may like big litter boxes, some big cats may like small litter boxes and vice versa. It truly depends on your cat and it may take some trial and error to find the perfect litter box that your cat will like.
- If your cat is a ‘sprayer’, high or side-urinator and/or a ‘kicker’ of litter, you’ll most likely want a hooded litter box with tall sides to prevent any leakage or spillage.
- If your cat is a bit of a scaredy-cat, an automatic self-cleaning litter box may not be a great choice as they could get spooked by the sudden movement or noise. A hooded litter box with a door may not be great either as the idea of pushing through the door may scare them – however, many hooded litter boxes do have detachable doors.
- If you’ve got a young kitten or a cat with arthritis or other mobility issues, a litter box with one super low side may be ideal for ease of access while still keeping the litter in.
TYPES OF LITTER BOXES
SELF-CLEANING LITTER BOXES
Self-cleaning litter boxes are designed to remove the need for scooping your cat’s waste from the tray yourself. Instead, these automatic litter boxes will move waste to a separate receptacle which can easily be removed when it’s time to replace the litter. Certain models may also have odour-minimising features.
ODOUR-NEUTRALISING LITTER BOXES
Odour-neutralising cat litter boxes are designed to prevent the smells from waste permeating your home. Often fitted with lids, carbon filters or both, they are especially useful purchases for pet owners in enclosed spaces with little ventilation.
TYPES OF CAT LITTER
There is a variety of litter options available based on consistency, clumping ability and scent, so it may be difficult deciding which one is perfect for your feline friend. Just like litter boxes, litter itself depends on your cat and their preference, so it may take some trial and error.
- Clumping litter absorbs moisture quickly and requires you to scoop and remove the urine clumps and faeces while the rest of the litter remains dry and clean.
- Non-clumping litter typically absorbs moisture slowly and requires you to scoop out the faeces and change the entirety of the litter when urine is absorbed.
TYPES OF CAT LITTER STYLES
- Clay Litter is a popular choice for many cat owners due to the fact that it is easy to come by. There are low dust and dust-free options as well as scented or unscented options, and the litter turns into a soft, wet cement-like texture when urine is absorbed. It is available in a clumping and non-clumping option, and is not environmentally friendly.
- Crystal Litter is a non-clumping litter option that is more expensive. It is made from clear silica gel and is absorbent, long-lasting and offers odour control. However, crystal litter can become very saturated and cause urine to pool in the litter box.
- Paper Litter is an environmentally friendly non-clumping litter option. It is made from recycled paper and is completely biodegradable, and it provides good absorbency with natural odour control.
- Natural Litter is typically grain-based and made from corn, wheat, pine and more. It is lightweight, biodegradable and super absorbent with natural odour control.
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If your place is also home to a dog or two (in which case, much kudos to you), you’ll want to check out our roundup of harnesses to keep your dog comfortable and safe, and the best leather collars to express your pup’s personality.
Love your pets but no so fond of the allergies they trigger? Check out the best air purifiers to free your home from pet dander. Plus, clean up any stray fur with our roundup of the best pet vacuum cleaners.
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