In This Guide
As the pet tech writer here on the Reviews team at WIRED, I have a lot of opinions about which automatic litter box you should get. I’ve tested nearly 20 models, but I still go back to one of the first models my cats ever used, the Litter-Robot 4. Among all the brands I’ve tested, Whisker’s connected phone app is leagues above the rest. The app design is clean, easy to use and understand, allows you the ability to monitor usage and control settings while away, and keeps you connected to your cat’s important health metrics.
In fall 2025, Litter-Robot released a whole new line of upgraded automatic litter boxes, and we have tested them all. From the technologically advanced Litter-Robot 5 Pro with dual cameras and AI-powered insights to the pared-down, compact Litter-Robot EVO, there’s a Litter-Robot model for every home and budget. All models below are available in black or white. (Though if you’re keeping the litter box in an enclosed area, note that black will show litter dust.)
After years of testing, here are our thoughts on the Litter-Robot automatic litter box models.
If You Want All the Bells and Whistles
This is the Litter-Robot model to pick if you are a helicopter pet parent like me, have concerns about your pet’s health, or just want to get the most luxe model on the market. It has dual AI-enabled cameras that capture activity both outside and inside the litter box. The new AI technology can recognize up to five cats to determine which one has used the box when, and WasteID technology to determine what type of visit your cat had based on weight—Litter-Robot is the only brand on the market with this capability. If you decide to go with this model and have multiple cats, I recommend springing for the Whisker+ paid subscription plan ($80/year) to unlock this feature and enable the system to reliably and consistently differentiate among them.
The connected app also charts trends over time to help you better understand your cats’ health and habits, so you know if anything is amiss (a valuable tool for keeping tabs on your cats’ health). Using the WasteID technology, the 5 Pro automatically adjusts odor control based on the type of waste, cycling immediately for solid waste and waiting longer after urination to ensure it clumps completely for a more effective clean. The drawer is also more tightly sealed and larger than previous Litter-Robot models, with up to 10 days of waste storage per cat so you can empty less frequently.
Along with the new built-in camera, the LR 5 Pro employs a more contemporary touchscreen rather than physical buttons for manual control; a wider, shallower drawer than previous models; and a taller, removable lip at the entryway. With AI-enabled recognition to monitor multiple cats, a camera to observe their habits, and WasteID technology to identify visit types and adjust cleaning, the 5 Pro is an invaluable tool for tracking pets’ health right from your phone.
Best for Most People (and Cats)
The Litter-Robot 5 is the latest iteration of my beloved Litter-Robot 4, now with WasteID to identify waste types based on weight (if you have a Whisker+ subscription), easier assembly and waste removal, and a new LCD control panel instead of buttons. Rather than using an AI-enabled camera like the above 5 Pro model (because it doesn’t have one), this machine determines which cat is using the box using the built-in scale. The 5 model works for up to five cats and can store waste for 10 days for a single cat, and the connected app provides insights into cats’ usage habits and weight changes. It also has a slightly larger interior globe space than the LR 4. Plus, when you order from Whisker directly, you get a 90-day in-home trial, one-year warranty, free shipping, and HSA/FSA eligibility.
Through the connected app, you can: set “do not disturb” modes, where cleaning cycles will pause during the scheduled time; set pet profiles; cycle on demand; and monitor usage, litter, and waste levels. The waste drawer features a more efficient design with smart waste-distribution technology to hold more waste (so you can clean less), along with a multi-layered carbon filtration system to mask odors more effectively. Like other Litter-Robot models, initial setup is super easy—it comes pretty much already assembled, and all you have to do is install the waste drawer, insert a waste bag, fill with litter, and install the connected app. If you opt for the Whisker+ subscription plan, you’ll get WasteID insights through the app that show how much urine or feces the cat has deposited after each visit and over time, so you can get a sense of what’s normal and know when something’s amiss. Plus, after the new WasteID feature determines the type of bathroom visit, it will pause to give more time for urine to clump for effective cleaning, or cycle immediately to neutralize fecal odors.
Best Affordable Model
The Litter-Robot EVO is the simplified, budget model from the new Whisker lineup. It has a slightly smaller footprint than the other models and can support up to two cats, each up to 19 pounds. It doesn’t have AI-powered technology or a smart WasteID system, but it does have the intuitive Whisker app with customizable settings, automatic cat detection and waste cycling, and a waste drawer below that holds up to seven days’ worth of waste for one cat.
The overall design is pretty much the same as the other Whisker models in the new lineup, except there are buttons instead of a touchscreen—which I prefer, since touchscreens can be finicky and you can override settings with buttons—no camera, and a more compact design with a smaller footprint. To set up, basically all you need to do is plug in, install the waste drawer and waste liners (which unfortunately didn’t come with our test model), and install the connected app. Through the app, you’ll be able to customize profiles for your cat(s), adjust settings like cleaning cycle timing and “do not disturb” modes; and monitor usage, waste levels, and cats’ weight. Although this model doesn’t monitor litter levels, so you’ll have to manually check. For a one-cat household, you’ll need to empty the waste drawer every six days or so. If you only have one or two cats and don’t need further insights about your pets’ waste, I’d recommend this model. It’s fairly priced and works reliably, and the buttons allow you to override any glitches that the touchscreen models wouldn’t resolve. Plus, like the other Whisker automatic litter boxes, you’ll have 90-day in-home trial, one-year warranty, and free shipping, and it’s HSA/FSA eligible.
A Model That Refills Litter for You
After testing many automatic litter box models, I keep going back to this OG model. The Litter-Robot 4 is simpler than the new touchscreen and WasteID-enabled models, but it has consistently worked for me for the past year-plus I’ve had it. The connected app works seamlessly with the device, and I can easily change settings like timing after use and “do not disturb” modes so it doesn’t run while I’m asleep. Instead of using a camera or AI capabilities, it tells multiple cats apart by weight, and logs usage daily and over time. Through the app, you can monitor waste levels and get alerted when the waste bag needs to be emptied. It also measures clean litter levels inside the box so you know when it’s time to refill without manually checking. You also get a 90-day in-home trial and free shipping to the lower 48, and it’s HSA/FSA eligible.
Like all Whisker models, I like that it has a classic litter box design with a front-facing hole so that it feels more familiar to cats, and that waste is conveniently stored and sealed underneath the device. (I’ve tested several models with the waste stored on top, and it oftentimes results in a messy cleanup of waste and used litter because … gravity.) This model sets itself apart from most automatic litter box models on the market today because it has a very convenient optional LitterHopper auto-refill attachment, which stores clean litter and automatically refills the litter bed inside when it senses litter levels are low, taking away the need to eye litter levels and manually refill the sometimes awkward hole yourself. The Litter-Robot 4 is the only model in Whisker’s lineup that’s compatible with the valuable LitterHopper attachment, much to everyone’s chagrin. According to this Reddit thread, Whisker’s official account says “LitterHopper and other Litter-Robot 5-compatible accessories are coming soon,” but that was three months ago and I haven’t received word about any future release dates.
Plus, I love the buttons on the front to bypass automatic settings and allow for phone-free management if needed. It also includes a fence to help keep litter tracking down, a step, carbon filters and waste drawer liners. I’ve also upgraded the odor elimination system with additional OdorTrap packs and added a LitterTrap Mat, which has helped minimize litter tracking clean up immensely. Plus, you can add a carpet tray to be able to use the 4 on any surface. With automatic cleaning cycles, alerts of when waste is full, and auto-refilling clean litter with the optional LitterHopper attachment, this model basically takes all of the grunt work out of maintaining your cat’s litter box; what else could you ask for?
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