We tested the Litter-Robot 4 automatic litter box — here's what it's like to use and what to know before you buy

I love my cats, but I don't love scooping their litter boxes. That's why I've been using automatic litter boxes for years — starting with both the Litter-Robot 2 and 3 — to save time cleaning and improve litter box cleanliness for my cats. When Whisker sent me the Litter-Robot 4 to test in 2022, I was eager to see if its newest model was worth the investment.

Along with using the Whisker Litter-Robot 4 regularly, I've tested nine other boxes for my guide to the best automatic litter boxes. For weeks, I observed my cats circling, digging, and doing their business, taking detailed notes. In the end, the Litter-Robot 4 stood out as the best overall self-cleaning box. And while $650 is a steep price tag, this machine still gets the job done three years later. It automatically disposes of cat waste, so I don't have to see or smell it, and it keeps my cats from stepping in it later.

While I use it for convenience's sake, it's also HSA and FSA eligible for pregnant people and people with certain conditions, provided they have a Letter of Medical Necessity. You can read more about using HSA and FSA funds toward your purchase at the Litter-Robot website.

The Litter-Robot 4 also offers the best safety features of any automatic box I've tested, cycling quietly and stopping immediately if it senses movement. Its interior is roomier than most competing boxes, which gives cats more space to move around — though it's still not quite as spacious as the best cat litter boxes experts recommend. Plus, its smart features can help you monitor your cat's health. The box is available in white or black, and I have it in both colors, which were provided to me as review samples by the brand.

How it works

A self-cleaning litter box has two main jobs: It makes your life easier, and it keeps your cat's box more sanitary. The Litter-Robot 4 accomplishes these tasks with an auto-cycling globe that separates clean litter from waste and deposits clumps into a drawer below.

The Litter-Robot 4 builds on the brand's previous generations with an upgraded laser sensing system that can detect cats weighing as little as 3 pounds, improving on the Litter-Robot 3's 5-pound threshold. This means to safely use the Litter-Robot 4 in Automatic Mode, a cat must weigh 3 pounds or more. The new-and-improved Litter-Robot 4 also features a larger waste drawer with odor-locking technology, so you don't have to empty it as often.

This box has a very quiet cycle of about 33 decibels (dB). It's significantly quieter than the Litter-Robot 3 (48.7 dB) and our dust-free recommendation, the CatGenie A.I. (51.4 dB). A difference of 15 dB is significant when you live in a small space or if, like me, you keep the litter box in a bedroom. For the sake of comparison, the sound of a whisper clocks in at about 25 dB. A suburban area at night is about 40 dB, and the hum of a refrigerator is about 55 dB. That said, cats have much better hearing than we do, and even a whisper-quiet automatic litter box could spook timid cats.

With a footprint of 22 inches wide, 27 inches deep, and 29.5 inches high, the Litter-Robot 4 is slightly slimmer than the Litter-Robot 3. Still, it's arguably larger than some other self-cleaning litter boxes and requires placement next to a power outlet without touching any walls. Its most standout feature is the large circular entry of 15.75 inches in diameter and its roomier interior, measuring 18 inches deep, 19 inches wide, and 15 to 17 inches high with a litter depth of 1.5 to 2 inches.

You can also use the machine's companion app to get real-time updates on your cat's usage. The app can tell you when the waste drawer is full, the amount of clean litter remaining, and how much your cat weighs when they enter the litter box. If you live in a multi-cat household, the unit can also recognize and track individual cats by weight, provided their weights differ by at least half a pound.

Our Whisker Litter-Robot 4 review

The Litter-Robot 4 arrives almost fully assembled in a large box. I plugged it in, added our favorite clumping litter, and followed the step-by-step setup guide in the app. My cats had plenty of experience using the Litter-Robots 2 and 3, so they took to the new box right away. Business Insider Reviews senior reporter James Brains also tested the Litter-Robot 4, and his cats began using the automatic box exclusively after four days of encouragement.

I like that when I open the app, all my current Litter-Robot devices are visible, including our Litter-Robot Feeder. The home screen shows how full the waste drawer is, and with one click, I can check the weight of the last cat who used the box, when the box last cycled, and how much clean litter remains.

I have more than one litter box, so it can take up to a month for the Litter-Robot's large waste drawer to fill completely. However, I usually empty it once a week to avoid odors, which makes it more pleasant for the people in my home as well as a more appealing litter box environment for my cats. With the LitterHopper in place, I only need to add litter every month. Without it, I'd need to top off the globe every week or so. The unit comes with a removable fence to prevent litter scatter, but for good measure, I pair it with Whisker's litter trap mat.

The machine automatically cycles waste into its waste bin after every use. But our experts and the brand say every litter box requires an occasional deep cleaning. To deep clean the Litter-Robot, I press the "Empty" button on the unit panel to empty the litter into the waste drawer. Then I remove the approximately 8-pound globe and wash it with soap and water in the bathtub or outside with a hose. The brand recommends a deep clean every one to three months. If you notice waste sticking to the sides of the globe, like Brains did, I recommend deep cleaning more often.

One major way Whisker stands out from its competitors: You can reach a human in their customer service department. While I struggled to find phone numbers for other brands, I've spoken to customer service representatives a few times about the faulty pinch detection in our Litter-Robot 3. Rest assured, this is no longer an issue in the Litter-Robot 4. Generally, the reps resolve any issues by accessing my machine's performance history and information, allowing them to quickly pinpoint the problem.

Cons to consider

There's no denying that the Litter-Robot 4 is expensive. However, you have three months to return it if your cat doesn't want to make the switch. You'll just have to pay for shipping. The machine also comes with a one-year warranty covering accidental damage, power surges, mechanical and electrical breakdowns, and software support. If you need to send your unit back to Whisker for mechanical issues during the warranty period, the brand will cover shipping both ways. You also have the option to purchase an extended three-year plan for $100.

I haven't had to use my warranty for the Litter-Robot 4, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. For example, at one point, the unit cycled whether a cat had used it or not. Whisker has since pushed a software update to fix the issue. Brains also says he received cleaning notifications before they seemed necessary, but that the sensor resets when he shakes the drawer to distribute the waste more evenly.

To accurately weigh your cat, you also need to place the unit on a hard surface rather than carpet. If that's not an option, Whisker sells a Litter-Robot 4 Carpet Tray ($30). I've used both a makeshift platform and the tray. Still, if you live in a multi-cat household, your cats must differ in weight by at least half a pound in order for the machine to recognize and report on them individually.

If you've noticed there are a lot of extra purchases available on top of an already hefty price tag, you're not wrong. While most of the extras aren't essential (but can make your life easier), the ramp attachment may be needed for cats with mobility issues. Even with the built-in step, the entrance is still fairly high, and my cats often make the 12-inch leap right from the litter box to the floor with the litter fence in place.

The ramp isn't a perfect solution either. It still has a 5-inch rise from the floor to the first step. As a cat mom to one cat with a bad knee, it's an upgrade I'll be adding to my Litter-Robot. However, as her mobility declines with age, we'll eventually swap the Litter-Robot for a low-entry box that's easier for senior cats and those with mobility issues to access. If you're unsure whether your cat can comfortably access the box even with the ramp, it's worth checking in with your veterinarian before making the investment.

What are your alternatives?

With all its bells and whistles, the Litter-Robot 4 is a worthwhile smart home device. If you don't need a self-cleaning litter box with smart features, we've tested the PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro Self-Cleaning Litter Box, which is around $140. It uses a raking system, crystal litter, and disposable leak-proof trays. However, we found that it's less sanitary than the Litter-Robot 4, as cats step on saturated crystals that can also feel sharp on their sensitive paws, especially those who have arthritis or have been declawed.

And finally, we also tested the $500 CatGenie A.I., which uses washable, dust-free granules as litter and flushes waste into your wastewater system. You never have to empty waste bins, and you'll just need to deep clean it about every six months. However, this means you'll need to place the unit in a location with access to both a water line and a toilet or laundry drain. It also has a long cycle time, which can be problematic in multi-cat households or if your cat has any gastrointestinal or urinary conditions, and its circular shape limits usable space for your cat to dig and go.

The bottom line

Despite its price tag and other minor drawbacks, the Litter-Robot 4 is the best self-cleaning litter box for those seeking sophisticated features. It is an investment designed for future software upgrades and add-ons. I haven't had any tech issues with it, apart from a few ghost cycles and inaccurate weight tracking on carpet — issues the brand has since addressed. I especially like its quiet design, trustworthy safety features, and ability to better track your cat's usage. But ultimately, every cat is an individual, and some cats will simply prefer a traditional litter box.

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