The 6 Best Automatic Litter Boxes (2025) Our Cats Would Recommend

Automatic litter boxes vary depending on the brand and litter type. Generally, they have sensors, either by motion or weight, to tell when a cat has entered or exited the device. Usually customizable and controlled via app on your phone, or on a more rudimentary timer system, the cleaning cycle will begin a short time after the cat has used the box. With dome-shaped litter boxes, the cleaning will happen via a cycle where the litter spins and rotates around the spherical interior; the bigger soiled clumps will be deposited into the waste basket while the clean granules pass through the grates and gets recycled back into the box.

The Neakasa M1, for example, rotates backward and then forward (rather than a spin cycle) to sift the clumps from the clean litter, depositing the larger clumps into the waste basket. The Pet Zone Smart Scoop is the most rudimentary we tested, simply using a rake attachment to scoop the bigger clumps into a waste receptacle in the back.

Pet owners should always do research and make an informed decision regarding which box is best for them and their cat. We only tested automatic litter boxes that remain open during cycling to ensure that if for some reason the weight sensors didn’t pick up on a cat being inside, the cat could jump out. We don’t recommend devices that close completely because of the potential that the machine could not sense the cat and kill it during its automatic cycle.

These automatic boxes use sensors—some only needing 1 pound of weight to detect your cat—where the cycle will automatically stop no matter where it is in the cleaning process. Many also have anti-pinch sensors. For added security, the devices on this list have customizable schedules, including “do not disturb” modes. If you’re a neurotic helicopter cat mom like me, you could only run the clean cycles when you choose, like when you’re in the room to observe the cycle (although if you do that, the box won’t stay clean for as long).

All of these automatic litter boxes require electricity, so they will need to be near an outlet. Since cats will generally take a little while to get comfortable with their new potty, I recommend that you keep your old litter box until they use the device regularly. It helps to put the new automatic litter box near the old boxes to help familiarize your cat with it. Adding in litter attractant and using old litter from the previous box also encourages your cat to use the new model.

As a general rule, for old-school litter boxes, you should have one box for each cat, plus one. With automatic models constantly cleaning, there is less need for multiple options, but we recommend leaving your old litter box out for an extended period to ensure the cat has acclimated to the new automatic box.

Rudimentary automatic litter boxes have been around since the late ’80s. These early models featured an automatic rake attachment (much like the Pet Zone Smart Scoop box) but had problems with reliability and loudness. It wasn’t until the 2010s that the devices started incorporating advanced tech like Wi-Fi and app control. In the decade since, that technology has continuously grown and improved, with most devices providing insight into your cats’ habits and health—truly becoming an asset in understanding your feline friends even better.

After testing around a dozen automatic litter boxes, I look for several things that make day-to-day life with the device easier for you and your pet. First, the connected app. This is what you’ll be checking daily, so it’s important it works well—this is one of the reasons the Litter-Robot 4 was our top pick for a long time, its connected app is intuitive, simple to use, and reliable. I absolutely love the Petkit models we’ve tested, but the connected app is lacking, overcrowded with advertisements for other products, and poorly translated. I also look for anything that makes filling litter easier: I love the Litter-Hopper attachment, which refills litter for you on Litter-Robot models, the self-filling litter reservoir on Homerunpet, and the self-sealing waste bags of the newest Petkit models. You’ll also want to keep the cat’s size in mind. My two cats are large, so I tend to opt for something with an extra-large, front-facing hole. What box you choose depends on litter type and compatibility—if you’re using tofu litter, make sure you get a model that is compatible with your preferred type. Budget is also a factor, with some models as low as $150 or as high as nearly a grand.

I do a lot of research, looking up other reviews online, including our competitors, to see which are getting buzz. Since I’m the pet tech writer here at WIRED, I also have knowledge from other pet tech brands I love for things like automatic feeders and pet water fountains. Most of these brands also have automatic litter boxes, which I always try to test among their lineup of new pet tech. I also talk to other cat-parents to see what they’re using (and liking). I aim to test a wide range of styles and price points for every type of budget and cat.

Oftentimes, we reach out to brands we’re excited about and are gifted them for potential review. Other times, if there is a model we want to try but can’t reach the brand for, we will buy it ourselves. I bought the The Pet Zone Smart Scoop, but it isn’t a model we recommend others buy.

Some products that we’re really excited about, we keep for long-term testing to see if they hold up over time. This is especially useful for our former top pick, the Litter-Robot 4, whose Litter-Hopper attachment eventually stopped working, or the Petkit models, whose AI starts falling flat without a Care+ subscription. Keeping some devices for longer-term testing helps ensure that we are giving our readers a comprehensive review. Most models we test for several weeks and donate locally when finished.