Investing in the best self-cleaning litter box can be life-changing. Cleaning your cat's litter boxes is a horrible, messy job, and if you don't do it often enough, your cat is way more likely to have an accident in the house. Self-cleaning litter boxes will not only save you time but help keep your home from smelling like litter all the time. Whether you're looking for a fully automatic self-cleaning litter box to do all the dirty work for you, or you want something to make the cleaning process go smoother, here are the best self-cleaning litter boxes around.
Roll to clean
The Omega Paw Elite Roll 'N Clean Litter Box lets you gently roll the litter box onto its side to catch all the waste in its internal waste bin. After that, all you have to do is pull out the waste bin and dump it in the garbage, and your cat's litter box is clean. It's a simple, low-tech solution and is one of the cheaper options out there. Just remember, this litter box will work much more effectively if you use clumping cat litter.
Best for crystal litter
If you use crystal litter already or plan to when you get your furry friend, the PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra can last weeks before you need to do anything. This litter box will rake all the waste into a bin located at the back that seals once the raking is done, so it helps trap all those nasty odors. Plus, the automatic timer and sensors will also let you know how many times your cat goes into the litter box, which can help you keep track of its health.
A complete solution
The ultimate solution for never have to scoop again; the CatGenie self-washing litter box is a personal toilet for your cat. It requires you to use a special washable litter that comes with the box, a water connection, and an electrical outlet, but it takes care of everything for you. You can program the washing schedule to your liking and never have to touch litter again!
Good for multiple cats
If you have more than one cat, and they are already used to using the same litter box (not all cats are cool with that), than the LitterMaid automatic multi-cat litter box is worth a look. The waste gets raked into a waste bin at the back of the litter box, and the carbon filter helps keep bad odors at bay. Plus, the litter box even comes with a textured ramp to help clean your cat's paws, so they don't track litter around the house.
A clumping solution
This is not as advanced as some of the solutions we're suggesting, but it's a capable choice for single-cat households. This box's bowl rotates and sifts clumps from the litter. It does a full rotation every hour and a half. The waste bin that the clumps are scooped into it covered to prevent smells, as does the replaceable carbon filter. This offers a whisper-quiet operation, with a LED light to let you know it's busy doing its job.
Helping with the clean up
Self-cleaning litter boxes make short work of any mess your cat leaves behind and will save you lots of time scooping and changing litter. Although it's not entirely automatic, the Omega Paw Elite Roll 'N Clean Litter Box (opens in new tab) allows you to use the same litter you already have and will save you precious time and effort to keep your cat's litter box clean.
Plus, the more consistently you keep your cat litter free of waste, the less cat litter you'll have to buy, so you're saving money in the long run. The PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box (opens in new tab) uses ordinary clumping litter rather than expensive specialist products, so this is an affordable solution.
If you're looking for something more automatic, the LitterMaid Automatic Multi-Cat Litter Box (opens in new tab) rakes away your cat's waste into a bin you can easily clean. A ramp makes it easier for older cats that aren't as agile to get in or out, and it's designed with multiple cats in mind!
Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way.
Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.
