Litter Robot Review : A Close Look at the Wi-Fi Connected Litter Robot III
Contents of Article
Why We Love It
Nobody likes scooping the litter box but now, with Litter Robot, you don’t have to! This fully automatic litter box takes all the work and unpleasantness out of being a cat owner, leaving you free to spend more time cuddling with your furry feline. Not only does this litter box scoop itself, but it comes in a Wifi-enabled version so you can monitor and control it right from your smartphone.
Cats are fastidious animals by nature, so they don’t like to leave a mess. Unfortunately, you can only keep a litter box so clean and both mess and odor are likely to be issues in a multi-cat household.
Wild cats don’t use litter boxes, but they exhibit the same instinct to cover their tracks. In the wild, your cat’s ancestors would hide their waste to mask their scent, throwing predators off their trail. When it was available, these cats would gravitate toward soft dirt or sand since it was the easiest to dig into to cover their waste – this is why cats are naturally attracted to cat litter. Eventually, pet owners learned to take advantage of this natural instinct for their cats’ benefit as well as their own.
As a cat owner, it’s your responsibility to keep the litter box clean so your cat has a pleasant environment in which to do his business. If you don’t, you shouldn’t be surprised if he starts doing it elsewhere – that’s something nobody wants!
We tested the Litter Robot 3 Connect to see what this automatic litter box is all about. It’s our goal to test and review the top pet products on the market to give you the information you need to know whether it’s worth trying yourself. Read on to see what we think of Litter Robot!
Overview of Litter Robot
Scooping the litter box is a fact of life for cat owners, but rare is the cat owner who actually enjoys this task. There are tricks for keeping the litter box clean, but there’s only so much you can do. Enter Litter Robot, the fully automatic litter box solution. Litter Robot has been around for a while but we recently tested their newest model, the Litter Robot 3 Connect along with the Litter Robot Connect app.
A Quick History
With a name like Litter Robot, you probably don’t have to think too hard to guess what this company sells: automatic litter boxes. The history of Litter Robot dates back to 1999 when designer, founder, and president Brad Baxter became the owner of two cats. He saw for himself how inconvenient and unsightly it was to have to scoop the litter box, so he set out to create a solution for that very problem. After a year of trial and error and plenty of testing, Baxter unveiled the plans for the Litter Robot. It didn’t take long for Litter Robot to take off and become the highest-rated self-cleaning litter box on the market.
To help you get a better understanding of Litter Robot and some of their products, here are the answers to some common questions about the litter box:
What Products Do They Offer?
The primary product Litter Robot has to offer is the newest model of their self-cleaning litter box, the Litter Robot 3. This product comes in two different versions, one of which is Wifi-enabled (the Litter Robot 3 Connect). On top of the Litter Robot 3 and its various replacement parts, the company also offers an assortment of accessories and add-ons such as the following:
- Replacement carbon filters
- Replacement waste drawer bags
- Cleaning spray and wipes
- Litter trap mats
- Litter box furniture
- All-natural clumping clay litter
There’s also a component of the site where they sell reconditioned Litter Robot units as they become available. You can purchase products singly or subscribe to monthly litter deliveries.
What is the Litter Robot?
By now you’re probably curious to know exactly what the Litter Robot 3 is and how it works. We’ll provide the specifications and a quick review of our experience below but, for now, let’s talk about what it does and why you’ll love it as much as we do.
Here’s how Litter Robot says they’re “solving the litter box problem”:
“The Litter Robot’s patented sifting system uses an elegant combination of time, rotation, and gravity to automatically separate your cat’s waste from the clean litter – so you don’t have to.”
It sounds complicated when you put it like that, but the process is actually pretty simple. Here are the five steps involved that deliver cat owners like you “freedom from scooping:”
- Your cat steps into the litter box and does his business. Following the preset timer (3-, 7-, or 15-minute delay), the machine activates, and the globe slowly turns.
- The patented sifting process separates the clumps from the clean litter by pouring it through a sifter built into the globe.
- Clean litter stays inside the globe while clumps are deposited into a carbon-filtered waste drawer below for easy cleanup.
- The globe rotates back into its home position, depositing the clean litter back to its original location for the next use.
- Cat owners need simply slide out the waste drawer and remove the waste collection bag when the unit indicates it is full.
The Litter Robot 3 is designed down to the very last detail. All cats like a little extra room to do their business, so the globe is comfortable for cats of all sizes. The round shape and ovular entryway give the Litter Robot and open-air feel while keeping the litter where it belong. A weight-activated switch detects your cat’s entry and exit, so you don’t have to worry about it rotating with your cat inside.
If you’re shopping for the best litter box money can buy, you definitely want to choose an automatic litter box like Litter Robot. It takes all the work out of the worst part of being a cat owner and your cat will love it as much as you do. If not, you can return it risk-free within 90 days.
How Much Does It Cost?
As you know by now, being a cat owner can be expensive. On top of your cat’s daily diet, you also have to think about paying for cat litter. The thought of spending more than the bare minimum for a litter box on top of it may not be attractive, but you have to consider it a long-term investment.
The Litter Robot will save you a lot of time and cut down on litter waste as well.
The Litter Robot 3 is priced at $449.00 and ships free anywhere in the contiguous United States. You can add a 3-year warranty for an additional $49.99 and throw in an accessory kit for $130. This includes a fence to contain litter, a ramp, 100 waste drawer liners, and three carbon filters.
The Litter Robot 3 Connect is priced at $499.00 and also ships free. Again, you can add a 3-year warranty for an additional $49.99 or throw in a 20-pound box of litter for $25.
Is There a Subscription Available?
If you’re looking to make your life as a cat owner as simple as possible, you’ll be glad to know Litter Robot offers a convenient subscription option. The Litter Robot 3 only works with clumping clay cat litter, so that’s what they sell. Choose how many 20-pound bags you want to receive and select how often you want to receive them weekly up to once every two months.
Here are some details about the cat litter itself:
- Made from all-natural sun-dried clay
- Naturally unscented, no added fragrance
- Forms tight, hard clumps quickly
- Locks in odors and absorbs liquid on contact
- Contains no additives, very low in dust
- Soft texture cats love, has a familiar feel
To try Litter Robot’s clumping clay litter without making a commitment, you can add a single 20-pound bag of cat litter to your order for $25, a 40-pound box for $45, or a 60-pound box for $60. Litter Robot offers free shipping to the contiguous United States.
Now that you have a better understanding of what Litter Robot to offer, let’s take a closer look at one of their most popular products – the Litter Robot itself:
Product Feature: Litter Robot 3 Connect
| Specifications | |||
| Price | Color Options | Add-Ons | Features |
| $499.00 | Beige | 3 Year Warranty (18 months) $49.99 | Wifi-enabled, connect and control via smartphone app |
| Completely automatic, separates waste into drawer underneath | |||
| Charcoal | Litterbox.com Clumping Litter (20 lbs.) $25.00 | Excellent odor control, carbon-filtered waste drawer | |
| Automatic night light, 8-hour sleep mode, adjustable cycle | |||
Details
- Full height – 29.5 inches
- Full width – 27 inches
- Step height – 7.1 inches
- Globe height – 13.4 inches
- Opening height – 15.5 inches
- Opening width – 10.25 inches
In-Depth Look
As complex a machine as the Litter Robot 3 Connect is, it’s incredibly easy to set up and even easier to use. The primary components come pre-assembled so all you have to do is follow the simple instructions to put a few pieces onto the main part of the unit – it took us about 10 minutes total.
Because the Litter Robot 3 Connect is pretty big and looks nothing like a traditional litter box, our test cats didn’t take to it immediately. When one cat finally explored, we were able to see how it works. Your cat steps into the box, does his business, then steps back out. After a few minutes, the machine comes to life and rotates, sifting the litter to separate the waste from the clean litter, then rotating back into place. The dirty litter is deposited in a waste bag in a drawer under the barrel.
Keeping the Litter Robot 3 Connect is very easy – you just pull out the drawer, remove the waste bag, and replace it with a new bag. Because the drawer is enclosed and has a built-in filter, odor isn’t an issue. In fact, we didn’t notice much odor at all except if a cat missed the litter and hit the lining.
In addition to testing the Litter Robot 3 Connect, we also tested its connection with the app. The Litter Robot Connect app is simple and straightforward with instructions you can follow to pair the device.
Overall, we were impressed with the Litter Robot 3 Connect. Not only was it quick to setup and took a lot of the work out of cleaning the litter box, but it’s definitely a conversation piece as well. Not all of our test cats took to it, but we didn’t use it as the only litter box in the house, so it’s understandable.
Litter Robot Pros and Cons
Cat litter boxes are a dime a dozen, so it’s difficult to say whether there’s truly a “best litter box” out there. If you’re in the market for a self-cleaning litter box, however, the options are a little more limited. There are a few manual models and several electronic options, but none as sophisticated as the Litter Robot. That being said, there are always pros and cons to consider for any product.
Here are some of the pros for the Litter Robot:
- Completely automatic and self-cleaning, no more scooping
- Reduces litter box odor and helps prevent tracking
- Automatic night light and 8-hour sleep mode, adjustable cycle timer
- Drawer full indication, lets you know when it’s time to empty it
Here are some of the cons for the Litter Robot:
- Very expensive compared to the price of a typical litter box
- The Litter Robot takes up a significant amount of space
- Only works with certain types of litter (clumping clay litter)
Every brand has its ups and downs, but the Litter Robot is certainly unique. If you’re considering an automatic litter box, this is definitely one to consider. You’ll need to make a significant upfront investment, but many cat owners agree it is well worth it.
Our Conclusion
Overall, we’re pretty impressed with Litter Robot. The automatic litter box itself is clearly the result of careful consideration and design. Being the third model, it’s obviously been improved over the original and we really couldn’t find any major faults with it. Like we said, not all of our cats took to it immediately, but we would make more of an effort if we meant for it to be the primary litter box.
The main drawback to Litter Robot is, of course, the price. The lowest price is $449 for a new model, but many cat owners believe it worth the price. You’ll save on wasted litter over the lifetime of your cat and you won’t have to waste all that time scooping and scraping.
In the end, we’re big fans of Litter Robot but we understand it’s not the right choice for everyone. We hope you’ll take what we’ve said here to help you make your own decision. Let us know what you think!
Litter Robot FAQs
What’s the difference between the Litter Robot models?
If you’re already familiar with the Litter Robot, you have tried on of their previous models. Litter Robot is currently only selling their third model at the moment, but you may still find other models around. The newest incarnation of the Litter Robot comes in an original and a Wifi-enabled version that pairs with your smartphone through the Litter Robot Connect app.
Do I have to use the Litter Robot Connect app?
The Litter Robot 3 comes in a Wifi-enabled version you can use with the Connect app, but you can also purchase the original Litter Robot 3. If you purchase the original model and want to upgrade later, you can simply purchase the Litter Robot Connect Base. Even if you purchase the Wifi-enabled version, however, it’s not necessary to connect to the app if you choose not to. If you have multiple Litter Robot units, you can connect them all to. the same app.
What’s included with the Litter Robot 3?
In addition to the fully assembled Litter Robot 3, you’ll also receive a carbon filter, three waste drawer liners, a 15-volt DC power supply, and user manuals. You can access the user manuals online as well.
Can I change or cancel my subscription?
Yes, you can change or cancel your Litter Robot subscription simply by logging into your account online or through the Litter Robot Connect app.
Does Litter Robot offer reconditioned units?
Yes, there’s a section of the website where Litter Robot offers manufacturer-reconditioned units. These are typically units that have been sold new and returned within 90 days. They’re added to the website as they become available, so selection may be limited and spotty.
