The 5 Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes

Cats May 7, 2022
Written by | Updated Mar 16, 2024
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The 5 Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes

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Cats are fastidious about keeping themselves clean. They spend hours a day grooming their coats just to make sure there isn’t a single hair out of place.

Not only does your cat care about the state of its coat, but it also cares about the state of its litter box. A dirty litter box isn’t just unpleasant for you (and your nose) – it also bothers your cat. To keep your cat box fresh and clean, consider upgrading to a self-cleaning litter box.

In this article, we’ll talk about choosing the right litter box for your cat. We’ll also show you our top 5 picks for the best self-cleaning litter boxes.

At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes

Overall Best
CatGenie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box

1. CatGenie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box

Runner Up
ScoopFree Ultra Top-Entry Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

2. ScoopFree Ultra Top-Entry Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

Best For Multiple Cats
Omega Paw Roll'N Clean Cat Litter Box

3. Omega Paw Roll'N Clean Cat Litter Box

Best Affordable
PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box

4. PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Best Automatic Box
Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

5. Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

Type
Automatic
Type
Automatic, Top Entry, Covered
Type
Sifting, Covered
Type
Automatic
Type
Automatic
Size
19.25x16x17.5 inches
Size
27.6 x 19.1 x 15.6 inches
Size
23x19x18.5 inches
Size
26x19x10 inches
Size
26.5x17x7.6 inches
Features
Self-washing, special granules, flushes waste
Features
ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Top-Entry Hood, Disposable Litter Tray with Lid, Bag of Premium Crystal Litter, Adapter, Manual.
Features
Rolls to sift, covered, affordable
Features
Automatic, reduces odor, low power consumption
Features
Uses clumping litter, 4x quieter, easy maintenance

What To Look For In A Self-cleaning Litter Box?

Keeping the litter box clean is every cat owner’s least favorite chore. From scooping clumps to dumping and rinsing the box, none of it is particularly pleasant. If you’re looking for a way to reduce your own workload while providing some hygienic benefits for your cat, consider a self-cleaning litter box.

Here Are Some Important Things To Look For In A Self-cleaning Litter Box:

  • Automatic or electronic. Some self-cleaning litter boxes are completely electronic and automatic, while others require a little action to get them going. Either is a great option, just make sure you know what you’re buying.
  • Appropriately sized. Self-cleaning litter boxes come in different sizes, but some can get a little tight inside by the time you add the automatic components. Make sure the box you choose is big enough for your cat to use it comfortably.
  • Covered for privacy. Many cats prefer covered litter boxes because it gives them an added degree of privacy. If your cat likes covered boxes, make sure the self-cleaning box you choose is covered as well.
  • Type of litter. Some self-cleaning litter boxes use regular litter while others require you to purchase special granules or pellets. Keep convenience and cost in mind when considering the options.

Our Top Picks For The Best Rated Self-cleaning Litter Box

Now that you have a better idea what to look for in self-cleaning litter boxes, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best self-cleaning litter box.

Here are our top 5 picks for the best rated self-cleaning litter box:

Overall Best
1.

CatGenie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box

Product Info

  • Type: Automatic
  • Size: 19.25x16x17.5 inches
  • Features: Self-washing, special granules, flushes waste
Pros
  • Scoops, washes, and dries automatically
  • Eliminates need to handle litter at all
  • You never need to purchase litter again
Cons
  • Very expensive to purchase initially
  • Must be connected to a cold water line
If you’re looking for a self-cleaning litter box that does it all, consider the CatGenie Self-Washing Self-Cleaning Litter Box.

It requires a significant upfront investment and must be connected to a water line, but it completely eliminates the need to scoop or even handle dirty litter ever again. It uses washable granules that the unit washes, flushes, and dries automatically after your cat uses the box.
Runner Up
2.

ScoopFree Ultra Top-Entry Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

Product Info

  • Type: Automatic, Top Entry, Covered
  • Size: 27.6 x 19.1 x 15.6 inches
  • Features: ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Top-Entry Hood, Disposable Litter Tray with Lid, Bag of Premium Crystal Litter, Adapter, Manual.
Pros
  • Convenient to use with minimal maintenance
  • Excellent moisture and odor control
  • Practically no dust or tracking
Cons
  • Requires purchase of special litter and trays
  • Some cats don’t like alternative litters
A self-cleaning litter box should take the work out of removing solid waste while controlling odor. The PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box does this and more, all for a much more affordable price than the CatGenie.

This litter box comes with or without a hood and utilizes trays of special crystal litter that absorb liquid and dehydrate solid waste to control moisture and odor. The box automatically sweeps to remove waste and collects it in a bin that is easy to empty.
Best For Multiple Cats
3.

Omega Paw Roll'N Clean Cat Litter Box

Product Info

  • Type: Sifting, Covered
  • Size: 23x19x18.5 inches
  • Features: Rolls to sift, covered, affordable
Pros
  • Simple to use and very budget-friendly
  • Suitable for multi-cat households
  • Can be used with regular litter
Cons
  • Not automatic, some action required
  • Takes some additional space due to rolling
Automatic litter boxes can get very expensive, especially once you factor in the cost of special litter. The Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box is an affordable and practical alternative that still takes the work (and the unpleasantness) out of scooping the litter box.

Simply fill it with your choice of clumping litter and roll the box on its side to operate the sifter that separate clumps from clean litter for easy disposal.
Best Affordable
4.

PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Product Info

  • Type: Automatic
  • Size: 26x19x10 inches
  • Features: Automatic, reduces odor, low power consumption
Pros
  • Continuously rotating bowl removes waste
  • Saves a great deal of litter by comparison
  • Only needs to be cleaned every 2 weeks
Cons
  • May not work as well for heavy cats over 15 pounds
  • Power cord may be too short (6 feet)
This self-cleaning litter box is both economical and environmentally friendly. It has an innovative design featuring a round, slow-moving bowl that continuously sifts away clumps.

Use it with your choice of clumping cat litter and plug it in – that’s all it takes! The unit collects clumps in a waste bin on the back that you can empty as seldom or as often as you like for maximum convenience.
Best Automatic Box
5.

Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

Product Info

  • Type: Automatic
  • Size: 26.5x17x7.6 inches
  • Features: Uses clumping litter, 4x quieter, easy maintenance
Pros
  • Sensor detects action and starts automatically
  • Scoops waste and deposits it in a waste bag
  • Only needs to be emptied every few days
  • Suitable for multi-cat households
Cons
  • Only works with clumping cat litter
  • Not as fully automatic as some models
Automatic litter boxes are great, but some cats are spooked by the motion and the noise. The Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Litter Box is 4x quieter than the leading brand, making it better for you and for your household.

Use it with any clumping cat litter and enjoy automatic sifting that separates clumps into no-touch plastic bags for easy disposal. What more could you ask for?

Tips For Keeping Your Litter Box Fresh

No one likes a dirty litter box. For you, it means a nasty smell that hangs in the air around the litter box. For your cat, it means an unpleasant experience and, for some cats, can deter them from using the litter box entirely.

Keeping your cat’s box fresh is a must.

Here Are Some Tips For Keeping Your Litter Box Fresh:

  • Choose your litter wisely. Some litter is better than others at absorbing odor, so shop smart!
  • Use enough litter in the box. Pay attention to the instructions on your self-cleaning litter box to determine how much you need.
  • Empty the receptacle often. Though a self-cleaning box does the scooping for you, you’ll still need to dispose of waste to keep things smelling fresh.
  • Keep up with maintenance. Your self-cleaning litter box won’t do you any good if it doesn’t work, so follow the maintenance instructions in the manual.
  • Add an extra litter box. If you have more than one cat, you’ll need more than one box. If you don’t want to buy another automatic box, a regular one will do as an extra.

Even a self-cleaning litter box requires a little maintenance to keep things fresh. If you take a minute or two each day to check the unit and make sure it’s clean, it will cut down on your work and keep your cat happier for longer.

Final Remarks

If you’re tired of scooping the litter box every day just to keep things fresh, a self-cleaning litter box may be the perfect solution. Some self-cleaning boxes are completely automatic while others require a little action on your part, but all of them save you from having to handle dirty litter.

If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for a self-cleaning litter box, try out one of the top 5 best picks we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!

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Kate Barrington is avid pet lover and adoring owner of three cats and one dog, her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care and nutrition. She has been writing about pet care and pet products since 2010
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