The best automatic litter boxes for your cat

WIRED tested 30 litter boxes

WIRED tested more than 30 of the highest-rated and most technologically advanced automatic litter boxes on the market for at least a week, often more, using standard clay clumping litter.

The game changer for cat owners

Having an automatic litter box has been the biggest game changer for cat ownership. Never having to scoop poop again is priceless, even though they can be pricey.

“I can't recommend them enough.”

Best pick: Purobot Max Pro 2

The Petkit Purobot Max Pro 2 is WIRED's new favorite automatic litter box because of its compact design and built-in camera for monitoring your cat.

Purobot Max Pro 2 features

The Purobot Max Pro 2 has a built-in one thousand eighty p camera with a two hundred ten degree wide angle view and AI enabled camera supports multi cat face recognition.

Purobot Max Pro 2 capacity

The waste bag stores up to seventeen days of waste for one cat and is self sealing for easy disposal. The Petkit app sends an alert when the waste basket is full.

Purobot Max Pro 2 health tracking

The Petkit Care plus service detects unusual activity, logs weight and usage frequency, and sends an alert if your cat's weight shows a consistent increase or decrease.

Runner up: Litter-Robot 4

The Whisker Litter-Robot 4 is a close second because of its well designed app and the optional LitterHopper attachment that easily refills litter for you.

Litter-Robot 4 app features

The Whisker app is simple and intuitive. It logs usage and weight daily and historically, and monitors litter and waste levels, alerting you when either is low.

LitterHopper auto refill

The optional LitterHopper auto refill attachment acts as a clean litter reservoir and refills litter to perfect levels. No more bending, scooping, or pouring clean litter multiple times a week.

Best for most people: PuraMax 2

The Petkit PuraMax 2 is recommended as the best option for most people. It is cheaper than other picks, easy to use, and compact.

PuraMax 2 odor control

The PuraMax 2 has triple odor control: a sealed waste bin, an odor eliminator attachment in the waste bin, and a citrusy deodorizing spray that goes off after every cleaning.

PuraMax 2 tracking

When the cat enters the box, their weight is displayed on the front. The app logs every time it is used, for how long, when the cleaning cycle begins and ends.

PuraMax 2 drawback

The PuraMax 2 does not have sensors to tell you when the litter is low or needs to be refilled. That has to be checked manually or you can add manual reminders via the app.

Best budget option: Lesure

The Lesure Self Cleaning Electronic Litter Box costs two hundred fifty dollars. Setup took less than five minutes and the app lets you schedule cleanings and adjust settings.

Lesure litter tracking issue

Because of the wide open top design, cats tended to kick out and track litter much more than with contained domed designs. A large tracking litter mat underneath is highly recommended.

Small space option: Litter-Robot EVO

The Whisker Litter-Robot EVO costs five hundred ninety nine dollars and is a shorter, more compact, pared down version of the pricier Litter-Robot five and Litter-Robot five Pro.

EVO maintenance schedule

The EVO drawer needs to be emptied about once per week, which is an easy process. The Litter-Robot five and five Pro can go up to ten days between drawer emptyings.

Open top option: Neakasa M1 Plus

The Neakasa M1 Plus Automatic Cat Litter Box has an open top design that most cats like.

M1 Plus safety features

The M1 Plus has improved safety features compared to the original M1 model. It is compatible with kittens as light as two point two pounds and has a special kitten mode.

How automatic litter boxes work

Automatic litter boxes have sensors by motion or weight to tell when a cat has entered or exited. The cleaning cycle begins a short time after the cat has used the box.