Last updated Feb 26, 2024
Updated by
Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
After months of in-home testing with my two cats, Wessie and Forest, the Litter-Robot 4 has proven its worth as a high-performing, more cat-friendly improvement on the previous Litter-Robot 3. During testing, I took notes on how my cats responded to the design, how well the new sensor system worked, and how effectively it sifted.
In this review, I’ll share the details of the Litter-Robot 4, including my experience and analysis of whether or not the newest automatic litter box from Whisker is worth the almost-$700 price tag.
Ratings
- Ease of Cleaning – 10/10
- Odor Control – 10/10
- Appearance – 10/10
- Construction – 10/10
- Price – 6/10
Overall Score: 9.2/10
Why Trust Cats.com
Over the last three years, the Cats.com team has spent countless hours testing automatic litter boxes of every kind. Whether they spin, scrape, or flush, we’ve evaluated these automatic litter boxes’ performance in all key areas, including cat-friendliness, cleaning efficiency, odor control, affordability, and more.
In order to review the Litter-Robot 4, we spent hours researching the Litter-Robot brand and their newest automatic litter box model. And because hands-on testing is essential to fully understand how any product works, we also received a beta unit and spent over a month trying it in-home with two feline testers.
Since then, we’ve updated this review with additional observations and recent pricing information. Keep reading to get the details on the Litter-Robot 4 and find out whether or not I think it’s a smart choice.
Litter-Robot 4 and Whisker Overview
In the Litter-Robot 4, Whisker’s introduced several improvements upon the Litter-Robot 3 (left), most of them focused on sleeker design, better ease of use, and more cat-friendliness. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
Originally launched in 2000 under the name Auto Pets, the maker of the Litter-Robot series has since been renamed Whisker. After the original Litter-Robot, the company created several subsequent models, including the Litter-Robot 2, Litter-Robot 3 Open Air, and eventually, the Litter-Robot 3 Open Air Connect, which added Wi-Fi and app integration to the system.
The company started developing its latest design in 2018, and after four years of development, the Litter-Robot 4 was announced on May 10th, 2022. Units began shipping in July of 2022 and there have already been several updates to the Litter-Robot 4’s design and technology.
With a larger entryway, additional sensors that make it accessible to cats of all ages and sizes, and an improved app interface that gives you real-time updates on your litter and waste drawer level, the most significant changes to the fourth iteration of the Litter-Robots design revolve around cat-friendliness and ease of use.
Considering that these changes solve some of the most common complaints about the older model, this release demonstrates Whisker’s commitment to innovation and meeting users’ needs.
Litter-Robot 4 Features
The Litter-Robot 4 builds upon the basic rotate-sift functionality of the original Litter-Robot and the Wi-Fi integration of the Litter-Robot 3 Connect with several cat-friendly and human-friendly improvements.
| Litter-Robot 3 | Litter-Robot 4 | |
| Footprint | 24.25″ x 27″ | 22’’ x 27’’ |
| Inside Globe Size | 15″-17″ H (depending on litter level) x 20″ W x 20″ D | 15″-17″ H (depending on litter level) x 19″ W x 18″ D |
| Litter Bed Size | 14” x 14” | 14” x 14” |
| Entryway Size | 10.25″ x 15.25″ | 15.75’’ x 15.75” |
| Waste Drawer Size | 5.00” H x 12.50” W x 16.00” D | 5.50” H x 13.50” W x 9.25” D |
| Unit Weight | 24 lbs | 24 lbs |
| Minimum Cat User Weight | 5 lbs | 3 lbs |
| Maximum Cat User Weight | None | None |
| Sifting System | Rotating sifting system | Rotating sifting system |
| Cat Sensor System | Weight-based cat sensor | Laser-based cat sensor, weight-based cat sensor |
| Safety Features | Pinch sensor, weight-based cat sensor | Pinch sensor, laser-based cat sensor |
| Odor Control System | Carbon filter in front of waste drawer | Carbon filter on top of waste drawer, option to use OdorTrap |
| Cycling Noise Level | 35–45 dB | 25–35 dB |
| Cycle Timer Duration | 3–15 minutes | 3–30 minutes |
| Weight Tracking in App? | No | Yes |
| Litter Level Readouts in App? | No | Yes |
| Waste Drawer Fullness Readouts in App? | Only full alerts | Percentage full readout plus full alerts |
Two inches narrower than its predecessor, the Litter-Robot 4 is a sleeker, slightly more subtle addition to the home. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The new Litter-Robot has a larger circular opening, measuring 15” in diameter, giving your cat more room to enter than the previous model’s oblong 15.5” x 10.25” opening. The globe is roughly an inch smaller on the inside but the litter bed still measures about 14” in diameter.
With the buttons shifted to the top of the unit and the labels removed, the control panel takes on a sleeker, more modern appearance and no longer distracts from the space-age sleekness of the Robot’s front.
Upgraded Sensor System
With the Litter-Robot 4’s new sensor system, the unit is able to detect cats when they peek into—or step into—the box without activating the weight sensor. Combined with a pinch sensor, this makes it a safer choice for felines of all sizes. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
While the previous Litter-Robot model relied on mechanical sensors, the new Litter-Robot 4 uses a combination of mechanical and laser sensors as part of what they call the OmniSense™ detection system.
With the new sensor system, the Robot is able to detect cats entering the litter box whether they’ve activated the weight sensor or not. No longer activated by cats weighing 5 lbs or more, it’s a safe option for adults and kittens alike.
When a cat enters the litter box, regardless of weight, it will start a timer if not already cycling. If it’s already cycling, the Litter-Robot will automatically stop and ensure that the cat isn’t caught. In addition to this sensor, the mechanical pinch detection system remains in place as a final safeguard for cats who might enter a cycling Litter-Robot.
Additionally, the Robot has integrated a new DFI sensor system, which enables reporting of small changes in the waste drawer’s fullness. In the app, this translates to a percentage-based readout that tells you exactly how full the waste drawer is at any time.
How Does The App Work?
App updates have arrived for both the Litter-Robot 3 and Litter-Robot 4, but the LR4’s sensor system brings a new depth to the reporting available in the app. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
On top of additional insights into the fullness of the waste drawer, the new Whisker app gives you more information on what’s happening in the litter box and how your cat is using it.
Perhaps the most noticeable improvement is the addition of weight readouts, which help you to identify which cat has used the litter box. You can also monitor the litter level inside of the globe, adjust the night light’s brightness level, and control all of the settings you’re used to changing in the Litter-Robot app.
Improved Odor Control
With the carbon filter moved to the bottom of the base rather than the front of the waste drawer, the LR4 does a better job of sealing in odors and keeping your home fresh. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
While the previous model of the Litter-Robot featured a carbon filter set in a grated area at the front of the waste drawer, the Litter-Robot 4 places the odor filter at the bottom of the globe, sitting right above the drawer. The carbon filter is encased in a simple plastic cage that can also contain Whisker’s OdorTrap™ packets if desired.
By sealing off the front of the drawer and positioning this odor control system overhead, the Litter-Robot 4 promises to keep waste drawer smells trapped.
Quieter Performance
With a cycling noise level between 25 and 40db, the Litter-Robot 4 is about as quiet as a whisper and significantly less distracting than the previous model. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
With an average noise level of about 37 decibels while cycling, the new Litter-Robot 4 is about as subtle as a whisper, with most of the sound coming from the shuffling of litter rather than any motor noise.
It’s, on average, 10 decibels quieter than the Litter-Robot 3, presenting a significant improvement for those who were disturbed by cycling during the night. The quieter operation may help shy cats feel more comfortable around their new Robot as well.
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
Forest refused to be photographed while using the Litter-Robot 4, but she’s a big fan of private moments in the Robot. She’s been using the Litter-Robot 3 since 2018 and readily took to the new model. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
While we usually purchase products for review, Whisker offered us a free Litter-Robot 4 beta unit for testing about a month prior to the launch. Since the launch, several other members of the Cats.com team have tested the Litter-Robot 4 in their own homes.
Like the Litter-Robot 3, the Litter-Robot 4 arrived assembled and—almost—ready for use. With its open front, the design of the Litter-Robot 4 is more cat-friendly than the previous model, but it’s not perfect. The litter bed’s 14” diameter is still small, and the interior of the globe doesn’t provide much space for larger cats or any cat who doesn’t like feeling confined.
Only my smaller cat, Forest, was willing to use the Litter-Robot 4, while my larger cat preferred to use his regular open box. Most cats will prefer to use a basic open pan, but those like Forest—cats who don’t mind enclosed spaces and love having a perfectly clean litter box at all times—may appreciate the constant cleaning of the Litter-Robot 4.
I found that the Litter-Robot 4 worked well, sifting the clumps from clean litter without a lot of residue or sticking. Unlike other automatic litter boxes that use a raking mechanism to remove waste, the Litter-Robot’s rotating, sifting mechanism doesn’t tend to jam, and there’s not a lot of accumulation.
As with the Litter-Robot 3, I was impressed with the Litter-Robot 4’s ability to control odor. I also appreciated the improvements to the Whisker app. Overall, I found that the updated app was far more functional, consistent, and easier to use than the older version.
What We Like
- It runs reliably and performs consistently to keep the litter box clean and nearly odor-free.
- The Litter-Robot 4 has a sleeker, more open design than the previous model for improved cat comfort.
- It’s engineered for strong odor control with a sealed waste drawer, a carbon filter, and optional OdorTrap packets.
- The Whisker app has been improved to deliver detailed insights into your cat’s litter box activity in addition to monitoring waste drawer and litter levels.
- It’s one of the quietest automatic litter boxes on the market, operating at an average noise level of just 37 decibels while cycling.
- The Litter-Robot 4 is compatible with any hard-clumping cat litter, though clay litter tends to work best.
What We Dislike
- It’s one of the most expensive automatic litter boxes on the market, priced around $700.
- The interior may be too small for larger cats to feel comfortable—the litter bed is still only 14” in diameter.
- Though smaller than the Litter-Robot 3, it still takes up a great deal of floor space.
- May still require occasional disassembly for deep cleaning to ensure optimal performance.
Customer Reviews of the Litter-Robot 4
Though still relatively new in comparison to the Litter-Robot 3, the Litter-Robot 4 is similarly well-liked by customers. With over 4,500 reviews on the Litter-Robot site, this model has a 4.3-star rating out of 5 stars.
Positive Reviews
“My first litter robot lasted 5 years and worked great. Litter Robot 4 is SO quiet, and the WiFi was easy to set up. My girls started using the new LR right away. Expensive, but so worth it.”
—Linda M, Litter-Robot.com on November 12th, 2023
“My cat loves the bigger opening. It is very quiet and the litter drawer is deeper, which allows the waste to drop down better. It is worth the extra money. Litter robot 3 was good, but 4 is supreme!”
—Ingrid B, Litter-Robot.com on November 12th, 2023
Nearly 70% of the reviews on Litter-Robot.com are 5-star reviews and many come from cat owners who have also owned a Litter-Robot 3. Customers are largely pleased with the Litter-Robot 4’s performance and odor control. Many are impressed with how easy it is to set up and how quickly their cats took to the new open-front design.
Negative Reviews
“It is FAR from odor free. It does not handle loose stools well. Clumps often get stuck in places where it doesn’t belong. Exterior is so big and bulky, but the interior is too small for my regular-sized cat who often emerges with litter all over his head and back.”
—Edj, Litter-Robot.com on September 28th, 2023
“Our Litter robot worked well for a month, then started glitching. We rebooted, restarted, unplugged and just dealt with the glitch for 2 more months. Then it just turned off and would not turn back on.”
—Ryan, Litter-Robot.com on August 29th, 2023
As with the previous model, the Litter-Robot 4 has its share of dissatisfied customers. Negative reviews often mention cycling errors and glitches that persisted despite troubleshooting and customer service assistance. Some customers remain displeased with the limited interior space and others found the odor control insufficient.
Litter-Robot 4 Cost
The Litter-Robot 4 costs $699 on the Litter-Robot site. It comes with a 90-day in-home trial as well as a standard 1-year warranty. For an additional $100, you can extend your warranty to 3 years. Shipping is free in the contiguous United States.
As with previous models, Whisker offers reconditioned Litter-Robot 4s at a discount but availability is limited. If you want to purchase accessories, you can do so separately or as part of several bundles. Whisker also offers a few options in furniture to house the Litter-Robot 4.
The Litter-Robot 4 comes in black or white at the original price, but you can customize the color for an additional $60 or $70 fee.
Similar Litter Robot Brands
Looking for other products similar to the Litter-Robot III Connect? Check out some of our other automatic litter box reviews.
- Litter-Robot III Connect Review
- PetSafe ScoopFree Complete Plus Review
- CatGenie Self-Washing Self-Flushing Cat Box Review
Click here to Order the Litter-Robot 4 through the Litter-Robot website.
I recently saw the video on YouTube of the reviews of the new little robot 4
My question is how does the new little robot work with cat urine? because my cats pee on the walls of their closed litter box that they use today and I have to clean it daily
This is my question too. The smaller cat pees on the walls – how does the Litter Robot handle that?
Hey Cole, you might notice more sticking in this case, because the urine is hitting the walls before the litter itself, making it more difficult for it to clump up properly and separate from the surface. And if your cat faces their bum out the front door, well, you’ll have a lot of waste hitting the step and floor in front of the unit.
We had the Litter-Robot 3 and gave it away when we moved. It had a pee leakage problem. I don’t know if this has been fixed in the Litter-Robot 4. If not, it won’t be worth the money.
That’s a fair point, Sharon. The LR4 has a rubber liner inside the drum that helps keep urine from seeping into the mechanical parts. If your cat sprays urine (like mine), you’ll need to wipe it down from time to time but it does seem to help with leakage.
I REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET THIS WISKER LITTER ROBOT 4 TO TRY FOR MY MOST ADORABLE AND PRECIOUS LITTLE KITTY BABY GIRL CAMMIE SNUGGLIES SNUGGLEBUNNY LEE PAYNE FOR FREE SO I CAN CHECK IT OUT FOR FREE TO SEE IF SHE WILL LOVE THIS AND SO I CAN GIVE THE MOST EXCELLENT REVIEW FOR IT RIGHT AWAY PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE SOMEONE CONTACT ME RIGHT AWAY FOR ME TO TRY THIS PRODUCT FOR FREE RIGHT AWAY TO SEE IF MY LITTLE KITTY BABY GIRL CAMMIE WILL LOVE THIS AND SO I CAN GIVE THE MOST EXCELLENT REVIEW FOR THIS PRODUCT RIGHT AWAY PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE
Hi Tanya, I’m afraid you’ll probably have to purchase the Litter-Robot 4 like just about everyone else at this point! Wishing you and Baby Girl Cammie Snugglies Snugglebunny Lee Payne all the best.
Mallory is any chance in the whole world that you can help to buy LR4? I’m living in Denmark prices in US are more friendly than other countries …. And I’m so sad bec I can’t buy it for my kitty
My cat, Loki (he’s one year now!), grew up with the Litter Robot 3. I have been preaching about LR3 for YEARS because of how important litter box husbandry is. Do you think it’s worth upgrading from the LR3 to the LR4? He’s a big boy (~12lbs) and I feel like the larger opening would make things easier for him, but I’m not entirely sure if it’s worth it or if I should wait.
Ashley, I don’t know if I’d upgrade right away. If there’s no issue with your LR3, I don’t see any urgent need to upgrade. The wider opening is a little more comfortable, but I’m not convinced that it’s a “run out and buy it now” level of difference.
How does the space inside compare to the Litter Robot 2? I have very large kitties and the Littler Robot 2 works well, but improvements you mention for the Little Robot 4 are desirable so long as the inside space is big enough to accommodate them.
It’s a good bit bigger than the interior of the Litter-Robot 2, especially if you have the original version (not the Litter-Robot 2 Bubble), but it’s smaller on the inside than the LR3. The LR2 has 13 to 15 inches of headroom and is 20 inches wide by 15 inches deep on the inside of the globe, while the Litter-Robot 3 gives your cat 15-17″ of headroom and is 20″ deep by 20″ wide. And then the Litter-Robot 4 reduces interior space, with the same 15-17″ of headroom and measuring 19″ wide by 18″ deep. So, disappointingly, the newest model really doesn’t give your cat more space on the inside, just in that doorway.
Hey, I had the litter robot 3 and the only problem I had was with deep cleaning. Container got shifted litter was extremely hard to clean, and in fact you had to dissemble it to really clean it. Is there any change in litter robot 4?
No, the cleaning process is almost identical, but I do find that the Litter-Robot 4 bonnet is ever-so-slightly more awkward to put back on after you’ve cleaned it.
How often do you have to refill the litter chamber? I just wonder how long this will last without refilling or doing anything. We do travel a bunch during the holidays and around the year, and thinking this may be a good option.
Hi Tommy, the litter bed itself will stay fresh for about a month, but you’ll have to empty the waste drawer about once every 7-10 days for one cat, and more frequently if you have more than one cat in the home.
I did not see any comments about the quality of craftsmanship. The bonnet on mine has gaps all around it. Litter fills up the inside of my bevel on the bottom. Because the bezel is not flush to the unit, litter leaks out onto my step. It’s pricey and the build quality is bad. I love everything else about it!
That’s not good. Are you sure that the bonnet was put on correctly? I haven’t noticed this issue, so perhaps you were given a bad unit. I would contact support ASAP.
I just started using my LR4 and, for the most part, am happy with my purchase. My cat took to it pretty quickly, less than 12 hours, which is great. The only issue I have with it is that, from the first cleaning cycle that occured with the first start up, the hood pops open at the top. I am concerned with why it pops and how it will impact the unit down the road.
I just started using my LR4 and, for the most part, am happy with my purchase. My cat took to it pretty quickly, less than 12 hours, which is great. The only issue I have with it is that, from the first cleaning cycle that occured with the first start up, the hood pops open at the top. I am concerned with why it pops and how it will impact the unit down the road.
Hmm, that is troubling and suggests poor build quality—are you sure that it’s seated correctly? If so, I would contact support (though they haven’t been very responsive recently) and see if you can get some help with that.
We have had 3 liter robot 3’s…now vested in a liter robot in august 2022…after a month it stopped rotating …did all trouble shooting..got call support…ended up sending the “brain” back and a new brain was sent to us. I noticed when returning the 4 brain that was malfunctioned and cleaning it to be shipped back….there was a significant amount of urine settled behind tray in …would have thought the rubber bladder collects all this…didn’t look normal at all….We have received the new 4 ‘brain” and working ok…but after a month was cleaning it…and wanting to check if same urine problem existed. it Did!!…and much more this time. It took a 2 dishtowels to soak up sitting urine….this is not right….my cats are completely in unit….. At present it is still working…but I did call customer support with NO help…stated my cats were probably not in unit when peeing.. For 700 dollars I expected more….am just afraid soon this one will stop working…and my 90 days will be not valid
Thanks for sharing your experience.
For a 700 dollar liter box my experience and your reply is very disappointing …Fords
I’m sorry to disappoint. As a reviewer, I appreciate you sharing this experience and will keep it in mind when writing any updates or reviewing Whisker products in the future, but I’m not sure that there’s much I can do beyond thanking you. If you’d like more, I’d advise that you contact the company again and ask for more support, though I understand that you haven’t received a response to your most recent inquiry. It’s just a difficult situation all around, but truly, there’s not much more I can do to make this hurt any less.
How long did it take you to get anyone at customer support to respond. This is clearly a known problem and I am getting no where with anyone responding. To put it lightly, I am pissed off.
I could not be more disappointed. I had the 4 less than 2 months and it stopped cycling and will not reset. I have a customer support ticket open and am getting nowhere. They said they would send me a replacement. Instead of receiving a replacement – I only received a new power adapter. Seriously WTF?!!! I cannot explain the level of disappointment. It seems impossible to get to speak with a human over the phone at Whisker, which is beyond unacceptable. I spent $700 on an automatic litter box that only worked 2 months and the app for it NEVER worked properly. 3 weeks ago I received a message that Whisker was aware that a product update download and working on it. – Now the box doesn’t work at all. I have sat on hold to speak with a customer service rep for over 20 minutes so far waiting to speak with someone. I honestly feel ripped off at this point. Case # is 01076458. It should not take this long to be made whole for a product that is not working. I don’t want more emails. I want to speak with a customer service rep who is making this right now.
I’d like to purchase this little robot 4 but I have a scratcher. My cat cleans and scratches for 5 minutes after she uses her box. How was that affect the litter robot 4?
I’ve heard some reports saying that the liner can tear if vigorously scratched for an extended period of time, but I’ve not personally witnessed this and know of many users who’ve gotten years of life without any issues. It’s hard to say exactly what will happen, but I wouldn’t be too concerned about damage to the liner. It’s extremely thick and rugged, in my experience.
My male cat has put two holes in the liner of my LR4. You can’t find a replacement on their website and I’m 10 days into waiting for support to respond. It’s 8 mos old and I have frequent problems with the globe being stuck in the wrong position. I’m back to scooping. When it works, it’s awesome; but support has been terrible for me anyway.
I’ve never owned a Litter Robot before, but after reviews like this I took the plunge and purchased the LR4. I have to say I love it and it has made a difference in many ways BUT I am just over the 5 month mark after purchase and need a liner replacement for the 2nd time due to tears. I was told the first replacement was a more heavy duty liner…yet it lasted a little less time than the original. The first replacement required I replace the entire globe. Geesh! With this next replacement (which I have not yet received) they say I will only need to replace the liner itself. My concern is if I have to replace the liner every 3 months, this is going to become more costly than the $700 once the warranty runs out. For $700 this should not be an issue. I’m glad it was not an issue for you, Mallory, but it does sound like many others of us are experiencing the tearing liner.
Thanks for mentioning this! Yes, I have gotten several similar complaints about the liner ripping in the Litter-Robot 4.
The Litter Robot 4
Designed by Dog owners. Tested by humans. Intended for Cats.
Things I have learned while owning my Litter Robot 4.
Getting it out of the box it came in was a chore. The hood kept popping loose. I would think the hood would be better connected to the rim. My very first impression was how cheap it seemed that the hood wasn’t firmly connected to the rest of the machine. I had the sinking feeling that I had just spent $700 on a piece of cheap plastic.
After unpacking the Robot and placing it near the old litter box, I started to use the android app. The very first thing the app asks for is for me to scan the Q code. I thought, ‘Well, this sucks. The code is on the back of the Robot and at the bottom. Now I have to turn it around, tilt it up with one hand and try to scan the code with my other hand. Whose bright idea was it to put the Q code in the most inaccessible location?’ I finally gave up and just scanned the code on the box it came in.
I buy litter in a box so filling the Robot from the box was a no-go. The box was too big to fit into the opening of the Robot. I had to find a scoop and cut open the whole top of the box the litter came in and scoop the litter into the Robot. I guess the Robot designers think everyone buys litter in a small 5-pound bag.
So, the Robot is in place, the app is set up and it has the right amount of litter. I put a small amount of litter from the old box into the Robot so the cats would get the idea that this is another place/new place for them to go. Now the cats, being cats, begin to investigate this new thing in their world.
My younger cat (just a few months old) seems to be having fun jumping in and out of the Robot. This causes the Robot to go nuts because its sensors keep detecting an interruption. So, I spend half the day pressing the Reset button on the cowling of the Robot. Of course, this would have been MUCH easier if the app had a Reset button. But hey, I guess the designers were dog owners.
Both cats easily adapted to using the Robot. However, like before, they were fascinated by the motion and no matter which setting I put the Robot on, they kept interrupting the cycle. I spend a lot of my time getting up, walking over to the Robot and pressing the Reset button over and over again to get it to the proper setting.
I actually caught both my cats looking at the Robot, then one would go in and use it, then jump out and they both waited for it to cycle, and then they put their paws on the step and stuck their heads inside. Again, causing an interrupt. This happened every single time they used the Robot. It seemed like they were playing a game with the Robot. Jump in, poop or pee, jump out, wait for it to move then stick their head inside and it stops. Wow! What fun!
This would not have been a big deal if the idiots that designed the app had put a reset button on the app. But nooooo. I had to get up every five minutes, walk over to the Robot and press the Reset button repeatedly to get it back to the proper position. Now I’m beginning to think that I just got scammed into spending a ton of money on a cat toy.
At this point, I should probably point out that I’m a Senior with mobility problems so walking is difficult. Getting up every time my cats interrupt the Robot’s cleaning cycle is a real pain. Literally. It hurts when I walk so it is a literal pain to have to constantly have to get up and go press the Reset button on the Robot. Boy, the simple solution would have been to just put a damn Reset button on the app. But I guess the geniuses that designed the Robot are dog owners.
About the only thing good about the Litter Robot 4 so far is that I only have to empty the bag that traps the waste instead of scooping my old box. Which is better. I guess. But I only scooped the old box once a day. Now I have to get up and walk over to the Robot every 5-10 minutes and press the Reset button. And, I’m out $700 bucks.
Time will tell if my cats loose interest in the movement of the Robot and stop interrupting the cleaning cycle. If that happens, I can see where the Robot could work as advertised. And boy do they advertise. Looks like most of that $700 cost is spent on advertising.
I’m no design engineer. I’m just an old hippie with mobility problems and two cats that I love. The concept of a self-cleaning litter box is great. It’s just too bad that this one wasn’t designed and tested by cat owners. There is a very obvious problem with the sensors and how they control the Robot. The sensors are WAY too sensitive. And the reset function should reset the cycle to its default position with one press of the button. Not multiple presses of the button.
It’s painfully obvious that there should be a reset button on the android app. An even better solution would be to replicate the five buttons on the Robot cowling in the app. All the other info the app provides is cool, but it lacks true functionality that could help the user. The app is basically all sizzle and no steak.
Maybe it would help if I understood exactly how the Robot worked. Like where exactly are the sensors? On the step or inside the Robot? If the sensors are on the step, that’s a stupid place because the cats can interrupt the cycle just by putting their paws on the step to see what’s happening. If the sensors are inside the Robot, then they should only activate if a cat is detected for a longer period of time. That would eliminate the ‘curious cat’ cycle interruptions.
If the sensors are in both the step and inside the Robot, then the sensors on the step should only be for detecting the cat’s weight and have nothing to do with the actual cleaning cycle. If the purpose of the ‘interrupt’ in the cycle is to prevent injury to the cat, that’s silly because I assure you that as soon as the Robot starts turning they will jump out. A cat would never just sit there and take a ride. A dog might, but never a cat.
Speaking of the Reset function, it should perform a COMPLETE reset with one push of the button. Every time I have had to use the Reset button, I had to press it multiple times to get it back to its starting position. Why? One would think that a Reset button would actually re-set the Robot to its starting position. Not to mention that when I have to use the Reset button, my cats come running to watch the Robot do its thing. This often causes another interruption, which requires another press of the Reset button. It’s a vicious cycle.
Overall, I’d have to say the advertising for the Litter Robot presents you with a fairy tale. The manufacturer wants you to think that you just plop this thing on the floor and magically your cats will use it the way the designers intended. This is false advertising and anyone that buys one of these things will probably agree that it was designed by dog owners, tested by humans and intended for cats. That’s a scary thought.
All of this is too bad since a good, well thought-out self-cleaning letter box would be a great invention for both cats and cat owners. You would think that if humans could work out how to go to the moon and back safely, we could crack the self-cleaning litter box dilemma. Too bad cat owners can’t design, build and test one using their own cats. I’m sure that together, they could figure it out.
Whiskers Support tried to update the firmware in my Robot to reduce the false interrupt problems but they couldn’t do it remotely. So, they are shipping me a new base which I will have to install myself. Can’t wait for that journey. We’ll see if I can do it and how difficult it will be. Then there’s the whole process of boxing up the old base and dealing with a FedEx pickup. Oh joy.
I’m so very tempted to purchase this for my two Maine Coons, largest being 17#.
However Both are quite aggressive in the litter box and manage to scatter their crystal litter outside the box with their 25 gallon plastic toolbox with 16″ walls turned litter box. And ultimately, it appears I’m going to be doing the same smelly work every other day that I am today only spending more for it. Today I spend 2 minutes max every other day scooping and stirring.
I want to be wrong. I can afford it, but I’ve not identified where it saves me much contact with a less than pleasant task.
Hi. That’s a good observation; there does tend to be quite a bit of scatter from the Litter-Robot 4, especially with something as scatter-prone as crystal litter. Combined with the fact that your cats are so large and may not feel comfortable inside of such a small space, I would guess that the LR4 isn’t much of an upgrade. Keep up the good work.