Published Nov 21, 2022
Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
Intro To The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box
The latest automatic litter box from pet tech brand Petkit, the Pura Max offers a few excellent features, tied together with one of the best automatic litter box apps we’ve tried. The Petkit app does everything we look for in a self-cleaning litter box, allowing you to get complete control over its functionality and track everything your cat does in the box.
This self-cleaning litter box promises to outperform other litter boxes in its category when controlling odor. But at $599.00, does the Pura Max Litter Box do what it claims to, and is it worth the price?
After weeks of thorough testing, we’ve concluded that the Petkit Pura Max is an okay performer in all key areas and stands high above the rest when it comes to activity monitoring and reporting. But it’s far from perfect, and it does have some major flaws that are total deal-breakers for most cat parents.
Ratings
- Ease of Cleaning – 7/10
- Odor Control – 8/10
- Appearance – 9/10
- Construction – 7/10
- Price – 5/10
Overall Score: 7.2/10
Why Should You Trust Us
Mallory Crusta, our head of content, tested the Petkit Pura Max Litter Box over the course of several weeks with her two cats, Wessie and Forest. In this article, we provide you with an overview of her experience as well as everything you need to know about this automatic litter box to make your own decision.
Specifications
The Pura Max also has a weight sensor with a readout so you can track your cat’s weight, usage frequency, and duration which all integrate with the Petkit app. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The Petkit Pura Max Automatic Litter Box is a cube-shaped device that measures 21.18L x 24.4W x 21.73H inches. It has a 76-liter cylinder and 16-inch square litter bed to offer enough space for larger cats and a low entrance opening for smaller cats.
The Pura Max also has a weight sensor with a readout so you can track your cat’s weight, usage frequency, and duration which all integrate with the Petkit app. You can also adjust the scheduled mode, or the automatic mode to clean as soon as your cat exits, as well as other features that you can expect for this type of litter box.
How Does The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box Work?
The Petkit Pura Max features smart sensors that allow you to track your cat’s weight, time used, how long he took, and litter capacity. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The Pura Max is connected via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, which allows you to control the cat litter box at any time and anywhere via the Petkit app. It not only cleans your cat’s litter but also monitors their health.
The Petkit Pura Max features smart sensors that allow you to track your cat’s weight, time used, how long he took, and litter capacity. The system consists of an infrared sensor, weight sensors, remote alerts, an accident protection system, and smart detections to protect your cat. Pura Max automatically pauses when your cat approaches or if it detects a weight change.
When the Pura Max cycles, it rotates and all of the litter is sifted through a net and sent into the chute at the back of the box. The clumps of dirty litter are then dropped into a waste drawer on the side of the unit. It also has a deodorizer unit on the inside wall of the box that releases spray to keep the litter smelling fresh.
What Kind of Litter Does it Use?
The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box can be used with most types of litter, but they do offer their own Everclean Flushable Cat Litter. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box can be used with most types of litter, but they do offer their own Everclean Flushable Cat Litter, which consists of all-natural ingredients, clumps fast, and is FDA-approved. If you use non-clumping litter, the auto-cleaning net will not catch waste if it cannot clump properly. However, any clumping litter will work well with this unit.
Cat-Friendliness
The Pura Max is not loud when it is cycling. Many reviewers state their cats actually enjoyed watching the barrel go round and round while the cleaning cycle was going. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The Pura Max is designed for cats over the age of 6 months and more than 3.5 pounds in weight. It is equipped with several sensors and one that is specifically set up to track when your cat goes in and out of the litter box. This tells the Pura Max when a cleaning cycle is needed.
The Pura Max is not loud when it is cycling. Many reviewers state their cats actually enjoyed watching the barrel go round and round while the cleaning cycle was going.
As we mentioned, the inside is said to be large and can hold a cat up to 18 pounds. Unfortunately, the net at the back of the box does obstruct some of the space, making it hard for larger cats to turn around in the box.
Odor Control
The Pura Max has a detachable odor removal device that sprays a fine mist of liquid that neutralizes bad odors after a cleaning cycle. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The Pura Max has a detachable odor-removal device that sprays a fine mist of liquid that neutralizes bad odors after a cleaning cycle. The problem is it is on the inside of the box which means your cat may come into contact with this device. It does have a night light attached to it which may be helpful in low light situations.
The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box would do a great job of controlling odor if it didn’t leak. The issue is with the litter liner in the bottom of the litter box. It does not seal entirely and if your cat urinates anywhere but the middle, it’s going to leak. This creates a smelly mess under the barrel of the machine.
Scatter Control
Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
Scatter can be an issue if your cat kicks litter around the entry area. Another issue some reviewers complained about is litter does not always make it through the chute into the waste bin.
Placing a mat under the unit could help minimize the scatter and tracking around the house.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The Pura Max waste drawer should be emptied at least once a week. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The Pura Max waste drawer should be emptied at least once a week. You will also want to do a deep cleaning which means carefully removing the barrel.
The first problem is getting the barrel off the unit without dripping the leaked urine onto your floors. The second is trying to maneuver the barrel to shake the litter out of the opening. There is no back door to empty litter out directly.
The Pet Max does have some nooks and crannies where dirty litter and waste can get stuck. Sometimes cat waste gets stuck to the sides of the barrel which can pose a challenge for cleaning inside the unit as well.
The Petkit App
The app gives you a lot of information and breaks it down for your cats in individual profiles. It works well with the litter box and is fairly user friendly. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The Petkit app allows you to control the cycles, track activity of all your cats, and other things. It will also give you status reports at any time of the day.
The sensors collect data for the app which allows you to monitor your cat’s weight as well as how long your cat uses the box.
The app gives you a lot of information and breaks it down for your cats in individual profiles. It works well with the litter box and is fairly user friendly.
How Much Does The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box Cost?
The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box sells for $599.00 and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee as well as a 1-year warranty. The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box is available on their website, as well as Amazon for about the same cost.
Our Experience With The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box
Our issue with the urine leaking through gaps into the base of the unit was not isolated. Many customers wrote reviews complaining about the same problem. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
After trying the Petkit Pura Max for several weeks and evaluating its cleaning performance, sensors, app and cat-friendliness, we were not entirely impressed.
Our issue with the urine leaking through gaps into the base of the unit was not isolated. Many customers wrote reviews complaining about the same problem.
In addition, when the complaints were presented to the company, customer service was dismissive and offered no solution. All they recommended was adding paper towels under the barrel or taping off the gaps.
These reasons alone make us hesitant to recommend this litter box and in fact we feel this product was not ready to be released onto the market. More testing could have resolved the issue with the liner seal in order to prevent the leaking.
Is The Petkit Pura Max Litter Box Worth It?
Petkit Pura Max Litter Box wasn’t quite as impressive as its sister unit the Pura X, it does have a few features that other automatic litter boxes do not. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
Overall, the Petkit Pura Max seems to have a promising design and has an outstanding app, but has a few flaws that make it difficult to recommend. However, a lot of people have great experiences with it, and the leaking problem only seems to affect heavy pee-ers, people with ripped liners, and perhaps those not using enough litter.
We have received a lot of comments responding to the video review saying that their experience has been much more positive than ours.
While the Petkit Pura Max Litter Box wasn’t quite as impressive as its sister unit the Pura X, it does have a few features that other automatic litter boxes do not. A big plus is that you are able to monitor your cats through the Petkit app which is useful in multiple cat homes.
We didn’t dislike the Petkit Pura Max Litter Box, but we do not think it is worth the $699 + price tag even with the Petkit app’s added value. It works fairly well, but you can get the same features for less in other automatic litter boxes. In addition, the company’s customer service department could use some improvement.
Hi! Thanks for the review! Could you tell me perhaps which alternative litter box from that price category you would recommend?
Thanks in advance,
Martin
The Petkit Pura X works better than the Pura Max, in my opinion, but ultimately, I think the Litter-Robot and PetSafe ScoopFree (significantly cheaper at $150-$200) are the two only legitimate contenders in the automatic litter box space. Hope this helps!
Hi:
I recently purchased the Petkit Pura Max from amazon as they offered $190 off on a flash deal that day. I did not do my research before buying although my daughter uses this one and she likes it. After trying it now for a couple of weeks I am experiencing the problem you mention in your review. The cat urine is leaking into the lower barrel. This is a problem and I have already had to take the barrel out twice to clean it as it started smelling. I am considering sending this unit back as this seems like a long term unacceptable problem. I do not like cat litter smells in my house and a regular box has never been like this. I would love an automatic solution for cleaning though! Nice and accurate review on your You Tube channel. Thanks for the videos.
Hope you’re able to get a refund or at least sort things out—it’s really a frustrating issue. Sorry to hear you went through that. Have a great weekend.
I’m from the UK 🇬🇧 & I’ve got 2 Petkit Pura Msxs that I purchased from Amazon UK 🇬🇧 one in February this year & the 2nd in March & I think they are fantastic.
I don’t have any problem with urine leaking. I tried about 3-4 litter robots before Pura Max, (One of Which trapped my then kitten inside & nearly seriously injured her) & Pura Max is the best by far.
The only thing that I do not like about it is for a litter robot that cost nearly £750.00 (around £569.00 with the discount) you think it would have an automatic door or something to keep the smell inside to before the N50 & the spray kicks in instead of just the open entrance but the spray & N50 does do a good job of getting rid of the smell & I like that you don’t have to empty the bin often & I have 2 cats.
The app gives you loads of information & just from the information in the app my vet was able to diagnosed my female cat with cystitis.
I’m really impressed with them & extremely glad I purchased them. Hope you got yours sorted & you enjoy your weekend.
Brian from Birmingham UK 🇬🇧.
If there is a leak in the seam, why not just run a small bead of silicone? People who complain and offer no solutions are the problem. Use your brains. Second thought. Sounds like you most likely have a hole where your brain belongs too. Own 3 petkits and a water bowl. May not always be perfect, but what is? They have made my cats a lot happier.
It says that the article was updated 20th Feb 2023 but can’t see what exactly is new in the article?
Hey Paulina, good question. Unfortunately, I can’t comment on that update, specifically, but the post is marked as having been updated every time we make a minor edit. This could be updating a link, editing a grammar or spelling issue, or refreshing certain charts.
Thank you for that Mallory! I really wnjoy your videos, thank you for taking the time to respond. Have a lovely day ahead x hugs from UK
Hi,
I recently purchased the Petkit Pura Max, but I will need to return it. The main issue is my cat doesn’t want to go inside. I have tried all the recommendations listed without results. I think he is scared of it. Sometimes only goes haft way inside making a mess. He only weights 5.9 kgs.
Do you think Litter-Robot and PetSafe ScoopFree could work?
Hey Madeleine, yes, I think your cat will feel much more comfortable going into both of those compared to the Petkit Pura Max!
Apparently Petkit released updated version (it’s funny how they have never made it prominent, probably refusing to admit the fault from the first place) Anyway, after contacting Petkit their support mentioned that the updated version comes with upgraded base liner and barrel design.
Have you had any chance to try the updated version by any chance ? A new review on the updated version will be great!!
Hi Austin, no, I haven’t had a chance to try the new design!
Weird review. We’ve had the PuraMax since 2022 and it’s been fantastic. Cat loves it. It works. Awesome to be able control via the app.
Comments on review:
– you said it is hard to add litter because the opening faces forward. Did you read the instructions online first? The best way to add litter is to use Maintanence Mode, where the opening is at a 45 degree angle.
– you said the seal/liner on the bottom will leak. Absolute nonsense. We have never experienced this.
Hi Giselle, thanks for the comment. I’ll edit the article to mention Maintenance Mode. Regarding the leaking, it seems that this is very much dependent on when the unit was purchased and how your cat uses it. Cats who urinate higher along the liner will tend to cause that leaking, and newer units have an updated design that somewhat limits the leaking.
Would anyone be able to tell me how to tell the difference between the leaky version and the upgraded version please. I’ve had a nightmare with litter trays and the new version of this sounds great. I’ve a chance to buy from a seller on ebay but he doesn’t know if its the new or old version and I don’t want to risk it