Litter-Robot 4 review: A self-cleaning litter box that doesn’t stink

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I love my cat, Hobbes. I also love to travel. And while the two passions might seem mutually exclusive, thanks to technology, they don’t have to be. 

This is why I was inspired to test out the Litter-Robot 4, by Whisker.  

If you’re a cat-owner like me, you might have already seen ads for the futuristic, automated litter box appearing on your social media feeds. The machine promises to make “cat-life easier by removing the chore of scooping.” A self-cleaning litter box, the device sifts out waste after every use, depositing it in a tightly sealed drawer that you only need to empty once every week or so. The Litter-Robot is also compatible with an app that offers up-to-date stats on your pets plus lets you monitor litter and waste levels in real-time. 

When asking friends and family to cat-sit, I loved the idea of removing “clean the cat’s litter” from the list of requested tasks. Plus, the website assured me that it would lead to reduced odours and litter tracking, a big selling point for anyone living in a small apartment. So, adding the Litter-Robot to the family felt like a worthwhile investment – and so far, it’s delivered what it promises. 

Price: $999  Where to buy: Litter-Robot | Amazon

Size: The Litter-Robot is not a small device; it’s roughly the size of a large nightstand. It measures 74.9cm tall by 61.6cm wide and 68.6m deep, with a 40 cm by 40 cm opening suitable for cats of all shapes and sizes. When empty, the device weighs 10.9 kg. 

Sleek and futuristic, Litter-Robot 4 is available in either white or black. My first impression was that it looks more than a little bit like Marvin the robot from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The main compartment is round, with a plastic bladder for easy cleaning. A step leading up to the globe also makes it more accessible for older cats, while simultaneously reducing litter tracked out of the box. 

Connectivity: WiFi-enabled, Litter-Robot 4 requires a 2.4 GHz WiFi signal and IPv4 or IPv6 addressing (5 GHz band not supported). The Whisker app, which lets you monitor litter use and pet health, is compatible with both Apple mobile devices with iOS 13.0 or greater and Android devices 8.0 or greater. The same app can be used to control and monitor multiple WiFi-enabled Litter-Robots. 

Self-cleaning: This is the most obvious and important feature of the Litter-Robot. The machine senses when your cat enters and exits the globe, which then triggers a countdown timer and cleaning cycle (delayed to avoid sending your kitty into a laundry-like spin cycle). It sifts waste from the clean litter every use, depositing it in an airtight container underneath its main body. 

The Litter-Robot 4 is equipped with an enlarged waste drawer that needs to be emptied once every two weeks per cat, though this may vary depending on your pet’s habits. You can use regular trash bags, with clear bags recommended (dark bags may result in inaccurate waste level readings). 

Pet monitoring: A handy feature of the machine, accessible via the Whisker app, is the ability to track your cat’s weight and average number of daily visits to the bathroom. If you have multiple cats, you can also set up separate profiles for each. This may be complicated if your pets weigh the same amount, however, as the machine won’t be able to differentiate between them.  

The app also displays litter level, advising you when you need to refill it, plus the fullness of the waste compartment. Data-driven pet owners might also be impressed by the Scoops Saved metric, which tracks the total number of scoops you’ve avoided since installing the robot (we’re up to 164!). 

Odour control: We’ve probably all been to homes where a cat’s litter box has become part of the natural aroma. Suffice to say, it’s not an overly pleasant smell. So when I decided to switch to the Litter-Robot, I was concerned that the new litter and waste solution wouldn’t pass the literal sniff test. 

That said, I was quickly impressed by the odourless experience of the Litter-Robot. After each visit, the machine automatically sifts clumps into a tightly sealed drawer that traps odours inside. Given the robot is also just a few metres from where I sleep, I can attest to its stink-proof design. 

Another improved feature that separates Litter-Robot 4 from its previous models is the patented OdorTrap System. This is an optional feature that snaps onto the back of the robot and holds up to three OdorTrap packs, replacing the carbon filter.  

As a tech-savvy couple, my husband and I have already automated other tasks in our household to help take care of Hobbes (and make cat-sitting a very easy task for our friends and family). For example, the robot vacuum we own is specifically designed to pick up pet hair. Our smart feeder automatically provides our cat with kibble five times a day (including a 5 a.m. feed, which I’m especially grateful for). 

For someone who doesn’t use smart tech or isn’t a fan of app-enabled tech, Litter-Robot might feel like a bit of an unnecessary luxury. But the set-up was simple enough that I’m confident anyone who uses a smartphone should be able to get it sorted in half an hour or less. 

Installation: The first obstacle I encountered when setting up the Litter-Robot was what corner of my sub-600-square-foot apartment I was going to turn into pet potty headquarters. 

As an apartment-dweller, space is a hot commodity, so finding a space for my cat’s new bathroom was a bit of a challenge. The requirements for placement are simple, though: the Litter-Robot needs to be plugged into the wall, placed on a firm, level surface and in a cool, dry location. It also can’t touch any walls. After trying a few different spots, I settled on the walk-in closet in my bedroom for both Hobbes’ and my privacy’s sake. 

Tech set-up: Once the device is plugged in, hit power to start a first cleaning cycle. The next step is to download and connect to the Whisker app, ensuring Bluetooth is enabled on your device. Create an account, wherein you can add details about your pet and receive tips about how to help kitty acclimate to the new system. 

The app will also guide you through the set-up process, which will have you interacting with various buttons on the control panel (located on the bezel that surrounds the cat entrance opening). The control panel will display different lights during use to indicate its status, such as if the machine is paused during a cycle, if a cat is detected or if the waste drawer is full. 

Use: The next big question was: will my cat actually use the Litter-Robot? 

I started the experiment by placing the machine next to Hobbes’ existing litter box to help him acclimatize. After a few days, I mixed some of his existing litter into the Litter-Robot 4, removing his old tray.  

Much to my surprise, he started using the Litter-Robot immediately. Overnight, Hobbes had become a Litter-Robot convert, and after a few days I moved the device to its permanent location in my walk-in closet. 

At this point, a few features really stood out. First, I was impressed by how soundless the machine is. The QuietSift self-cleaning cycles are whisper-quiet, and while Hobbes rushed to investigate every time the machine cycled for the first day or two, he quickly lost interest in it. The benefits of this are obvious to anyone with a skittish cat or who installs this in their bedroom. 

Second, the machine expertly sorted waste from litter, meaning it uses less litter than a normal litterbox. The only hiccup here was that our existing litter was not compatible with the device (I was using a tofu-based clumping litter with pellets too large to sift through the screen), so I ended up switching to a grocery store brand. That said, any clumping litter should do the trick, as should litter beads and crystals that are small enough to pass through the screen. Whisker also sells a clumping clay litter on their website. 

Finally, I was won over by what I didn’t notice: the smell. As advertised, the Litter-Robot neutralized odours, a fact I made house guests attest to during the weeks that followed. Even when I eventually emptied the tray for the first time, the process was simple and sterile. 

Overall, it felt like a win. Not only could I leave Hobbes for a few days and confidently tell pet sitters that they could leave the litter alone, but it has made my own pet-owning experience even more pleasant – device size notwithstanding. 

Recommendation: For passionate cat owners who want the best for their pussycats (plus the luxury of a self-cleaning litter box), the Litter-Robot 4 delivers. While the space required to install the machine means a commitment for apartment-dwellers, the Litter-Robot 4’s simplicity of use, odour-eliminating design and major convenience factor make it worth it.

Price: $999  Where to buy: Litter-Robot | Amazon

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