Best Electric Litter Boxes in 2024: Top 5 Reviewed

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Cleaning up after your cat can be an incredibly mundane and tiresome job. It can also be quite stressful if you have a particularly messy cat that throws its litter everywhere before walking it through the house. If you're a busy individual who struggles to find time to maintain a litter box, this nuisance is even more unwelcome.

Luckily, a solution is already available to reduce the time taken to maintain your cat's hygiene. This solution comes in the form of electric litter boxes. Instead of cleaning out your cat’s litter box every day, an automated litter box reduces the frequency of upkeep to every couple of weeks.

Self-cleaning litter boxes work well for those with a “set it and forget it” mentality. The better ones will keep the odor at bay as well as keep the waste out of sight. These types of boxes vary widely in price, but it is possible to find a fantastic one for a good price, even under $100. Below we have ranked the top five best electric litter boxes available on Chewy. 

Product Name

Key Features

Granule Type

Our Rating

- Includes health counter.

-3 different timed intervals to choose from.

Crystal

- Antimicrobial product protection.

- Cleans and scoops after each use.

Granule

- Low power consumption.

- Extremely quiet in operation.

Granule

- Uses 5-10x litter.

- Only box to use disposable litter trays.

Crystal

- Control horrible odors.

- Quick and easy set up.

Granule

Please continue reading for more in-depth reviews

5. LitterMaid Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box

LitterMaid Self Cleaning Litter Box


             Specifications: 

  • Automatically removes waste
  • Controls horrible odors
  • Paw cleaning ramp
  • Quick and easy setup
  • Allows different settings

Overview

This electric litter box from Littermaid is the first of two from this manufacturer on our list. Designed for single cat households, or cats under 15lb, this is a very strong and sturdy litterbox. Setup is simple which will leave you with a lot more time for playing with your pet instead of cleaning.

Once the setup of this litter box is complete, you'll be thrilled with how this unit operates. Ran by timed sensors, this box knows when to start its cleaning process. It has a 10-second timer to allow for the fact that your cat may be entering and leaving the box quickly. Once the 10 seconds are up, then this litterbox starts its self-cleaning process.

One of the best benefits of this box is it comes with adjustable cleaning, so you can program the box to clean more or less frequently based on your preferences.

The only thing this litterbox doesn't do is empty itself. Still, disposing of the waste is easy thanks to the waste receptacles, making much less mess than an ordinary litter box. There is also a ramp which keeps litter from being carried out on the cat’s feet and around the house.

Overall, if you have a cat that fits the criteria for this box, then it is worth serious consideration.

ScoopFree Original Automatic Cat Litter Box



                   Specifications: 

  • Plastic tray lining to prevent leakage
  • Low tacking crystal cat litter that does not stick
  • Uses 5-10x less litter than other boxes
  • Uses disposable litter trays making it super hygienic 

Overview

This litter box is made to fit cats of any size. Whether you have a Maine Coon or a Singapura, any breed of cat will feel comfortable using this tray. It is perhaps not big enough to hold multiple cats, but the price is reasonable enough for you to get more than one box. This would depend on the size of your cat/cats though.

Setting up this unit is surprisingly easy. It takes only a minute and then you won't need to touch it again for a few weeks. This is because the box has sensors that detect when your cat has used the box, which in turn then starts a timer. This timer then gives the litter time to absorb the waste before it is moved away by the rake. After the few weeks of use, you simply take out the disposable tray, put the lid on it and throw it away for a fast, hygienic cleanup.

Hygiene is where this litter box really excels. The number one concern of cat owners when deciding to get a cat is whether they make the home smell. Thankfully due to technology this is rarely a problem nowadays, but this box takes it one step further. As well as the disposable litter trays which we have already mentioned, this box features crystal cat litter. Crystal cat litter absorbs urine better than standard litter, and it also dehydrates solid waste leaving your home smell free. The crystals are low tracking as well, meaning that you will not find any mess on the floor in your house.

PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box

           
                   Specifications:

  • Uses less litter than other similar boxes
  • Only needs to be cleaned every 2 weeks
  • Low power consumption
  • For single cat households
  • Extremely quiet when in operation

Overview

This unit from PetSafe is one of the cheaper electric litter boxes on our list. It comes in at under $100, but it does not compromise on quality because of it. Not only does this litter box cost you less than others, it will save you money in the long term. This is because it uses less clumping litter than other litter boxes which means you don't have to buy it as often. 

As well as saving you money, this product can save you another critical thing, time. There is waste bin is attached to the side of the box which you can line with plastic bags. This means cleaning up is easier and far less time-consuming. Instead of spending time scrubbing out your cat's litter that can get stuck to the side of the bin, you can replace the bag, and you're good to go again.

The way this model operates differs from most other electrically operated litter box systems. Others usually work on motion detection, meaning they will only start cleaning once the cat has been detected in the box. This, however, cleans itself all throughout the day. There is a moving bowl which rotates, making one full rotation per hour. Do not worry about noisiness though as this box is incredibly quiet. 

To summarise, if you're looking for a litter box that is automated, cheap and time-saving, this is a great option. It also comes with a 1-year warranty as an added bonus if you are not satisfied with it. We think you will be though.

Nature's Miracle Multi-Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box


    Specifications: 

  • Works with your cat's favorite litter 
  • Automatically cleans and scoops after each use
  • Antimicrobial product protection controls odors
  • Ideal for multi-cat households

Overview

This litter box is one of the more expensive on the list, but we rate it second best for a reason. While the Nature's Miracle Nature's Miracle Multi-Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box looks fairly basic, it does its job well.

Firstly, this unit will cut down on your maintenance time by about 1/8 compared to a standard litter box. The cartridge will need to be changed about once a week, but still, you save a lot of time. This gives you more time for the important things, like playing with your furry friend.

One thing cat owners always worry about when purchasing an electric litter box is the noise. This box goes about cleaning itself in a very quiet and efficient manner. You won't have to worry about it being a nuisance to your everyday life. Also, your cat will not be startled by a loud machine in action, potentially putting it off from using it.

Many consumers have remarked that this litter box looks just like a rebranded Littermaid. While very similar in terms of specifications, there are a few marked differences. For starters, this box is more sizeable, but only marginally. It also has a sleep feature to set to stop it working for 9 hours, thus saving you money on energy bills. Lastly, you can also set a delay on the box for when the cat exits. Something you cannot do on the Littermaid. This means you can decide what time the box should begin its cleaning process after your cat departs.

If you're concerned that you have not read anything about this unit's ability to keep smells away, do not fret. The carbon filters and odor control receptacles make sure all bad smells are kept at bay. 

ScoopFree Original Automatic Cat Litter Box



                   Specifications: 

  • Counter to keep an eye on cat's health
  • 3 options of cleaning intervals
  • Uses 5-10x less litter than clay or clumping litter
  • Privacy hood helps to contain litter

Overview

Our pick for the best self-cleaning electric litter box is this product from PetSafe. This is the second box on our list from PetSafe’s ScoopFree range, and while having many similarities to the previous one, it has some great extra features.

The first main difference should be easy to spot and it comes in the form of the privacy hood. This hood gives your cat all the privacy it requires when it needs to use the bathroom and it also helps to keep the crystal litter safely in the box.  We must note here that even if you own the original version of the litter box, you can purchase the hood as a separate accessory and attach it to your ScoopFree Original.  

Another key difference between the Original and Ultra versions of this litter box is the rake timer. With the Original unit, the litter box waits 20 minutes each time before it cleans the litter box. The ultra version, however, offers you three options; 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 20 minutes. This gives the user more freedom to choose to clean the box more often, which is especially useful if you have a cat that goes to the toilet more frequently than the average.

The third and final big difference is without doubt the most important one.  The ScoopFree Ultra Automatic Cat Litter Box has a technology that counts how many times your feline has used the bathroom over a defined period of time. The health counter, as it is named, could be vital in quickly identifying of any health issue in your cat. We all know that the quicker you can spot a problem in your pet, the higher the chance of it being able to be resolved.

This is a fantastic choice for the cat owner with several cats and a very busy schedule. With the programmable cleaner, waste receptacles, and carpeted ramp, this litter box makes clean-up quick and easy. We should also mention that this box comes ready made so it’s ready for setup straight away. Very handy!

This box is our favorite electric kitty litter box and customer reviews would also back us up. The effectiveness at its price makes this box a great purchase for those looking for a quality product without wanting to spend too much.

Buying Guide for an Electric Litter Box

Also known as automatic litter boxes, electric litter boxes remain some of the best cat care inventions. These self-cleaning litter boxes have improved feline care in recent years. 

The ease of use and other perks they offer can tempt enough to make any feline parent choose it over any other litter box type. However, you still want to make sure that you’re purchasing only a good quality product. 

So, in this section I’ll discuss some factors to consider when buying an electric cat litter box. 

Cost 

Compared to regular cat litter boxes, the electric self-cleaning variety don’t come cheap. However, some are more expensive than others and unless you’re willing to splurge on an expensive electric litter box, you should find a middle ground. 

Consider opting for a litter box that isn't too expensive but also not of inferior quality. Picking a litter because it’s cheap may not be such a great decision in the long run. A poor quality litter box will require frequent replacements thus costing you more money long term. 

The Type of Litter

Just like regular litter boxes, electric litter boxes are compatible with different litter types. Some litter boxes may be more compatible with the standard clumping litter, some others will only work with washable granules, and others will require proprietary crystal litter trays to perform effectively. 

You also should consider your cat’s preference in this area. Some felines are more particular about their preferred litter than others. If you already have a standard litter box but looking to make a switch, try testing out the new litter material in the standard box before settling for a particular self-cleaning litter box. 

Decide Between Fully Automatic or Semi-Automatic

Electric litter boxes come in both fully automatic and semi-automatic options. You have to decide on one.

For example, most self-cleaning litter boxes require manual disposal of the litter with only one or two types eliminating the litter when plumbed directly into a drain line. Decide which type you want, though this may require spending money if you opt for the fully automated ones.

Also, some electric cat litter boxes may require more than routine care. Some types, for example, operate using a rake to make a single pass to collect and deposit waste into a different compartment. Think of the convenience each litter box offers before deciding on one. 

Number of Litter Boxes Needed

When buying any cat litter box, the rule of thumb is to have one for each cat and then an extra one. This should apply with an electric cat litter boxes but if you can’t afford it, you can get one for each cat or even allow up to two cats to share one. 

The Size

Automated or electric litter boxes are often bigger than regular litter boxes. If you have a large cat, you should opt for a really large one so your cat has enough room. 

The Noise Level 

Electric cat litter boxes are not the quietest pet care inventions and you should note this before you consider getting one. Pick a relatively quiet one if you’re highly sensitive to noises, especially those from household appliances. Also, you should place the litter box some distance away from your bedroom if you’re a light sleeper or you’ll be disturbed whenever your cat has to use it. 

Features 

Electric cat litter boxes boast features most standard litter boxes do not have. The ones reviewed in this article offer you a wide range of features. 

Check that the one you like meets more than a few of your requirements, and if it doesn’t, you can always trade aesthetics for beneficial features. Remember, it’s only a litter box; appearance, while it can matter (to blend with your home décor and all), should not be more important than effectiveness. 

Conclusion

For the cat owner who would like less hassle when it comes to cleaning up cat waste, electric litter boxes are a great choice. They only need to be emptied every week to two weeks, and most models also save you on purchasing litter in the long haul. A self-cleaning litter box can be a smart purchase for the busy cat owner that will help lessen the load of a packed day. With all the added features many have as well, these types of boxes, especially those featured on our list, are well worth the price.

About the Author

Kirsten Heggarty
Website | + posts

Kirsten created The Pet Handbook with the aim of sharing her knowledge about pets, pet food, healthy habits, and more. All of her advice is based on years of her own experience with her pets, and feedback that she has received from grateful readers about her tips. If you want to know more please read the About Me page.