Best Automatic Litter Boxes (2026): Safe Picks
Automatic litter boxes Wirecutter, The Spruce Pets, WIRED and PetMD recommend: Litter-Robot 4, CATLINK Open-X and PETKIT PuraMax 2, plus safety tips.
Quick answer: my top pick is the Litter-Robot 4 (best overall). The top automatic litter box at Wirecutter, The Spruce Pets and PetMD.
- Best budget: CATLINK Scooper Open-X
- Best for odor: PETKIT PuraMax 2
Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are based on published research, not hands-on testing. Read my affiliate disclosure.
At a glance
| Product | Design | Price at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Litter-Robot 4Best overall | Rotating globe | Check price for Litter-Robot 4 |
| CATLINK Scooper Open-XBest budget | Open top | Check price for CATLINK Scooper Open-X |
| PETKIT PuraMax 2Best for odor | Not published | Check price for PETKIT PuraMax 2 |
“Not published” means none of my cited sources list that spec. Prices aren't shown because they change often; “Check price” opens the current listing. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
The short answer
Get the Litter-Robot 4 if it fits your budget. It’s the top automatic box at Wirecutter, The Spruce Pets and PetMD: quiet, easy to empty and with an app that tracks your cat’s weight. On a budget, the open-top CATLINK Scooper Open-X is Wirecutter’s pick. If odor is your main worry, The Spruce Pets rates the PETKIT PuraMax 2 best for odor control, and it’s a WIRED favorite. I don’t show prices; use Check price on each card.
How I picked
I did not test these boxes myself. I compared published picks from Wirecutter, The Spruce Pets, WIRED and PetMD, and left out models those reviewers flagged for safety problems. I also checked Whisker’s Litter-Robot 4 FAQ for kitten weight guidance.
Specs I compared (from this page)
| Pick | Design | Minimum cat weight |
|---|---|---|
| Litter-Robot 4 | Rotating globe | 3–4 lb |
| CATLINK Scooper Open-X | Open top | Not listed |
| PETKIT PuraMax 2 | Not listed | Not listed |
Figures above come from the product specs already listed on this page. Missing cells are marked Not listed.
What to look for
- Safety sensors first. Look for weight or motion sensors and anti-pinch protection, and prefer open designs that never close with a cat inside.
- Size and weight limits. Check minimum cat weight and the litter area. Experts recommend a big box, and many automatic boxes are smaller inside than a regular cat litter box.
- Odor and waste drawer. Odor control varies a lot between models; The Spruce Pets rated the PuraMax 2 best for it.
- Scatter control. A cat litter mat in front of the entry catches tracked litter.
For tracked litter and shed fur, see my robot vacuums for pet hair.
My picks in detail
1. Litter-Robot 4
by Whisker
- Design
- Rotating globe
- Minimum cat weight
- 3–4 lb
- Top pick at Wirecutter, The Spruce Pets and PetMD
- Quiet with an easy waste drawer
The top automatic litter box at Wirecutter, The Spruce Pets and PetMD. The Spruce Pets found it quiet, with an easy-to-empty waste drawer and an app that tracks your cat's weight. It is a larger, premium unit.
- Top pick at Wirecutter, The Spruce Pets and PetMD
- Quiet with an easy waste drawer
- App tracks visits and cat weight
- Expensive
- Large footprint
- Minimum cat weight 3 to 4 lb (Whisker says 3 lb, WIRED lists 4 lb)
Opens Amazon in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
2. CATLINK Scooper Open-X
by CATLINK
- Design
- Open top
- Open-top design
- Much cheaper than Litter-Robot 4
- Wirecutter budget pick
Wirecutter's budget pick. Its open-top design is easier and safer for cats to use, though Wirecutter found the app less intuitive and saw occasional cleaning hiccups.
- Open-top design
- Much cheaper than Litter-Robot 4
- Wirecutter budget pick
- Less intuitive app
- Occasional cleaning issues in Wirecutter's test
Opens Amazon in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
3. PETKIT PuraMax 2
by PETKIT
- Best odor control per The Spruce Pets
- WIRED favorite
- Mid-range price
The Spruce Pets' pick for odor control, and a favorite in WIRED's testing.
- Best odor control per The Spruce Pets
- WIRED favorite
- Mid-range price
- Pricier than the CATLINK budget pick
- Fewer expert picks than the Litter-Robot 4
Opens Amazon in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
Frequently asked questions
Are automatic litter boxes safe?
The good ones are, but design matters. WIRED and PetMD recommend open designs, weight or motion sensors that stop the cycle when a cat is inside, and anti-pinch protection. Wirecutter dropped the Neakasa M1 after reports of over-rotation injuries (Neakasa has since made safety upgrades, and Wirecutter plans to test the updated M1 Plus), and WIRED doesn't recommend models that close while cleaning.
Do I still have to clean an automatic litter box?
Yes. PetMD notes you still empty the waste drawer, top up litter and deep-clean the unit about once a month. You just skip daily scooping.
Can kittens use one?
Usually not. Whisker says kittens need to weigh at least 3 pounds before using the Litter-Robot 4 in automatic mode, and WIRED lists its minimum as 4 pounds, because the sensors may not detect smaller cats. Use a regular box until they're bigger.
How much do they cost?
Prices change often and I don't show list prices here. PetMD's vet-recommended list spans budget open-top models through premium enclosed units. Wirecutter's budget pick is the CATLINK Open-X and its top pick is the Litter-Robot 4; check each retailer's current price before buying.