Today we're taking a close look at the wonderful invention of the self-cleaning litter box! Also known as automated litter boxes and electric litter boxes, these devices can really turn your life around. Well, at least as far as caring for your kitty goes.
They can also be expensive, so you should do your due diligence and look carefully before making the purchase. We're here to help with this comprehensive list of boxes available on the market.
We researched extensively to find 12 of the top self-cleaning litter boxes that you can order on Amazon, our favorite online retailer. We organized them from the best onward so you can easily find a great one you’ll love. To determine which self-cleaning boxes are the best, we looked at reviews and Amazon ratings. In other words, we're trying to save you on virtual paw-work and summarize the results.
Let’s begin!
1. Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Based on those Amazon ratings and reviews, we have to give our top spot to the Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box. This appealing gray box works well with most clumping cat litter brands.
With its covered top, your cat enters through the large front opening to do their thing. When they’re done, roll the litter forward. The Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box will take it from there, scooping up the mess. You can then roll back and the box is ready for the next time your cat wants to use the bathroom.
2. PetSafe ScoopFree Original Self-Cleaning Litter Box
As a beloved bestseller on Amazon, the PetSafe ScoopFree is another very reliable pick for your kitty. This open box in a cheery white and purple color scheme includes a lined plastic tray that makes leaks a thing of the past.
You should use crystal cat litter with your PetSafe ScoopFree for best results. These crystals won’t track as far, thus meaning less mess for you to have to clean up. You also cut down on dust.
The ScoopFree promises fewer odors with its covered trap locks. The box will dehydrate feces and other solids while absorbing liquids like urine. Your ScoopFree also takes care of the cleaning and scooping for you. When the tray gets full, toss it out and put in a new one. That’s the extent of your duties.
3. CatGenie Self-Washing, Self-Flushing Cat Box
An Amazon’s Choice product, the CatGenie cat box promises to clean itself and self-flush. It comes with everything you need to get started, including washable granules and a SaniSolution cartridge (that you can recycle when you’re done with it).
You must have access to an electrical outlet as well as cold water hookups for the CatGenie to work. You also can’t use any other type of litter than the granules. Once you get the whole thing hooked up, the CatGenie will flush waste when your cat makes it. The box then initiates a self-washing sequence so it’s ready the next time kitty has to go.
It’s recommended you use a 10-foot drain hose and an eight-foot water supply hose for your CatGenie. The litter box includes a hose opening with a depth of 24.5 inches.
4. PetSafe ScoopFree Covered Self-Cleaning Litter Box
If you’re interested in getting a PetSafe self-cleaning litter box but you want one with a top, try this version of the ScoopFree. A favorite among cat owners, you get two colors to choose from: black plastic with a white base or purple plastic with a white base.
The plastic hood is semi-transparent so you can see what kitty’s getting up to without witnessing all the gory details. Once again, you get the same plastic lined tray. You should also only use crystal litter with this box.
Without the need to scoop, you only have to take the removable plastic hood off and then throw away the tray to keep kitty from stinking up the house.
5. Le You Pet Semi-Automatic Quick-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
Looking like a baby cradle, this quick-cleaning litter box from Le You Pet gets the job done with less effort on your part. The box itself is made of a combination of plastic and resin that’s non-toxic and eco-friendly.
This litter box contains a drawer cleaning box and a litter separation grid. Given that the box is only semi-automatic, you do have to put forth a bit more work in keeping kitty’s litter box tidy than some of the other choices on this list. What the box does do is pass the litter through the separation grid. The messes stay contained, even the solid ones (yes, that means poop, one Amazon user reported). You can even use multiple types of litter with this box. Score!
6. PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Covered Litter Box
Here’s yet a third self-cleaning litter box from PetSafe. This time, it’s the ScoopFree Ultra, an upgrade of the standard ScoopFree. This covered self-cleaning litter box includes a unique feature: a counter that lets you know how often your kitty goes to the bathroom. That’s handy if you have a new cat or you’re trying out a new litter box and you’re curious how well your feline friend has acclimated.
The ScoopFree Ultra includes a grated top on the hood that will prevent your cat from spreading their litter around. You should only use crystal litter for this box, by the way. In the box, there’s a plastic tray, just like the other products in the PetSafe family.
PetSafe’s self-cleaning box reduces your need for daily cleaning and scooping. If your cat happens to go back to the box in the middle of its self-cleaning, safety sensors will stop the rake from continuing until the box is empty.
7. The Litter-Bagger
You must use a ScoopFree litter box for the Litter-Bagger to work. This middle-of-the-road pick also requires a little more legwork, as you have to put the birch plywood device together yourself. The plywood comes unfinished, so you might want to stain it for durability before assembly. Just a thought.
You put your ScoopFree litter box atop the Litter-Bagger, let your kitty go inside, and then step back and watch what happens. The Litter-Bagger transfers kitty’s messes to a bag you put under the device. There’s no more bending over, scooping, and digging for soiled litter while wishing you could pinch your nose. It’s all in a bag you can simply toss out. Then replace your litter liner and the bag and you’re all good to go again!
8. Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Litter Box
Our next pick comes from Pet Zone. Their Smart Scoop litter box includes a motor, drivetrain, and metal gears for sifting through and pushing out dirty litter. While you do have to put together the device yourself, you get a lot of supplies with your order. These include several plastic bags for disposing of the dirty litter.
Once your cat walks away from their mess, within 15 minutes, Smart Scoop will begin working. First, the automatic rake scrapes through the waste, gathering it up. Then, the automatic waste collection feature moves the mess to a collection bin. It’s then up to you to take the bag (and the waste tray) and change these out. That’s all you have to do!
The Smart Scoop only works with clumping litter, but you can use your favorite brand of the stuff. Even though it’s outfitted with a powerful motor, Pet Zone’s self-cleaning litter box is a lot quieter than similar devices on the market.
9. PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box
The Simply Clean box is our last pick from PetSafe, but it’s quite a unique one. It plugs into your wall and is then ready to start working. You get a cord that’s six feet long so you can put the Simply Clean anywhere you need it most.
Ideal for use with clumping litter, this self-cleaning box requires a bag in the waste bin. The center bowl will then spin gradually throughout the day. It takes a full hour for it to come all the way back around. As it moves, it grabs the waste and then transfers it to a conveyor belt. That belt pushes the waste straight to the bin. You can then toss the bags of waste from the bin.
PetSafe does recommend only using the Simply Clean for cats that weigh 15 pounds and under.
10. LitterMaid Automatic Self-Cleaning Classic Litter Box
A big name in pet supplies, LitterMaid’s automatic self-cleaning box weighs 13.1 pounds, making it quite hefty. That weight is in part to support the drivetrain mechanism, which promises durability and strength. There’s also a safety bar, automatic rake, and tall side walls included with this automatic litter box.
The ramp has carpeting so your cat will actually want to use their litter box. That carpet also prevents litter tracking. When your cat jumps out of the box, the rake does its thing, pushing the litter into a compartment for you to collect later.
11. Catit SmartSift Litter Box
The tall SmartSift box from Catit boasts a sealed design to keep odors from spreading. Your cat will also feel more secure since they get privacy whenever nature calls. Working without any motors, this sifting pan will move and scoop litter once you activate it via an external lever.
Don’t use non-clumping litters with this Catit self-cleaning box.
12. Litter Spinner Quick Clean Litter Box
Our last pick is from Litter Spinner. Their Quick Clean box comes in five colors: royal purple, white, tan, green, and black. Only compatible with clumping cat litter, the Litter Spinner requires you to manually spin it. During that rotation, it moves the litter to a separate drawer. You can then dump the drawer when it gets full.
In Summary
If you’ve ever wanted to take a vacation from cleaning up after your cat’s litter box, you’re in luck. The 12 self-cleaning litter boxes we shared in this article all make a fantastic choice for doing less work when it comes to litter box upkeep.
From bigger brands to smaller contenders, at all sizes and price points, you can surely find a great self-cleaning litter box for your cat.