Last Updated: 11/02/2026
Best Self Cleaning Cat Litter Tray
Looking for the best self cleaning litter tray for your cat? Check out our vet reviewed options.
Author: Dr Jacqui Victor BVSc MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats)
Reading Time: 7 minutes - short read
Self-cleaning litter boxes offer a hands-free way to maintain a clean litter environment for your cat. Sensors automatically remove waste after each use, reducing scooping and litter changes. Many also control odors and some track your cat's health. When choosing one, consider your cat's size and the type of litter it uses.
It's crucial to remember that self-cleaning litter boxes aren't ideal for every feline. Larger cats might find the enclosed space uncomfortable, and kittens under six months are often too small to trigger the safety sensors. Older cats with arthritis may struggle with the entry and exit. Additionally, be prepared for a potential adjustment period, as some cats are sensitive to the noise and appearance of the machinery and may never fully adapt. Regardless of using self-cleaning boxes, maintain the recommended number of litter trays – one per cat, plus one extra – to minimize stress and prevent urinary issues.
Four factors to consider when choosing a litter box for your cat are:
- Preference of litter box style: Each cat will have their own preference over the type of litter box they wish to use - whether it's hooded, open, extra-spacious (for larger cats), lower lipped (easy entry for older, arthritic cats) or self-cleaning. So keep in mind, not all cats will welcome a self-cleaning litter box with open paws.
- Preference of litter type: Each cat will also have their own preference of litter type (such as clay, crystal, tofu, corn, wood) so it's important to choose a litter box that is compatible with your cat's preferred litter substrate. Ensuring your cat has it's preference of litter box and litter type helps promote regular toileting habits, decreases stress and prevents the development of urinary issues.
- Accessibility: It's important that you place your cat's litter trays in easily accessible, quiet locations in your home (away from any loud noise like a washing machine) with two-way access, away from their food and water bowls. This will help improve comfort and decrease stress, and encourage your cat to use their litter box.
- Hygiene: Cats are very clean creatures, and so it's important to ensure their litter box is always kept clean to avoid them searching for other inappropriate areas in your home to do their business. This is where self-cleaning litter boxes thrive as they ensure your cat's litter box is kept meticulous at all times.
How We Review Our Products
Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
Best Self Cleaning Litter Boxes in Australia [Vet Reviewed]
Best overall
Catlink Scooper Self Clean Luxury Pro
Pros
- Remote app control and Alexa voice control compatible - receive notifications to your phone as well as real-time 24/7 monitoring of your cat's litter volume and frequency.
- Multi-cat recognition.
- Provides individualised health reports including litter volume, frequency and weight monitoring for each of your cats.
- Large 13L waste box means it lasts 21 days before full litter change is required (based on usage of 1 cat).
- Larger entry hole (33cm wide x 27cm high).
- UV sterilisation inhibits breeding of bacteria, viruses, molds and other microorganisms.
- Features an anti-fall triangular design.
- Panel lock feature allows you to securely lock it in place, making it safe for kids.
- Four modes: auto mode, manual mode, timer mode and empty mode.
Cons
- Not suitable for kittens less than 1.5kg or under 6 months old.
- Only compatible with bentonite clay cat litter.
- Maintenance: Filter cleaning recommended monthly, and filter replacement recommended every 3 months.
- Cost: More expensive than regular litter trays.
- May not be suitable for older, arthritic cats as they may have difficulty getting into the the high entry hole (however stairs are available and sold separately).
- Some cats may find it too enclosed or unappealing and may not adapt to it.
The Catlink Scooper Self-Clean Luxury Pro Litter Box is the ultimate in feline convenience. It detects your cat's movements using gravity sensors to ensure the clean is done straight after your cat finishes their business (not whilst your cat is inside, nor when your cat approaches!). This litter box has remote app control, so you receive notifications and real-time monitoring of your cat's daily toileting habits. It has multi-cat recognition and provides 24 hour individual cat health reports so you can keep track of your cat's litter volume and frequency - great for keeping an eye on those cats prone to urinary issues!
What our customers say: "I have back problems and multiple cats, and keeping the litter clean was an everyday pain (literally!). So, I decided to take the leap and buy the self clean litter and I couldn't be happier. Installation was super easy and connecting to the wi-fi. App is pretty straightforward, and I'm looking forward to buying the other products, so I can keep an eye on my cats' health all the time. Fast delivery from Pet Circle."
Best value
PaWz Large Self Cleaning Automatic Smart Litter Box
Pros
- Spacious design to suit larger cats (54.5cm W x 54.5cm D x 59.5cm H)
- Control via a user friendly smartphone app
- Automatically cleans when cat is not inside
- UV disinfecting feature for added hygiene between cleans
- Easy to clean with damp cloth and mild, pet safe detergent
- Compatible with most clumping litters with a particle size of less than 7mm
Cons
- Not suitable for kittens under 1kg or shorter than 10cm in height
- Smaller entry size than some other options which may make it less suitable for very large cats or those with mobility issues
- Smaller waste compartment (4L) needs more frequent emptying than other boxes with larger capacity
- Requires WiFi to operate
- Cost: more expensive than traditional litter trays
The Pawz Large Self-Cleaning Automatic Smart Litter Box promises to revolutionize your cat care routine by automating the often-dreaded task of litter box maintenance. This smart litter box utilizes sensors and a rotating mechanism to sift and remove waste, depositing it into a sealed compartment, significantly reducing odors and the frequency of manual scooping. Targeting the modern, convenience-seeking pet owner, this device aims to provide a cleaner, healthier environment for both cats and their humans. With its sleek design and smart features, it fits seamlessly into contemporary homes. However, the question remains: does it live up to the hype?
Upon initial setup, the Pawz Large Self-Cleaning litter box appears robust and well-designed. The spacious interior caters to larger breeds, a significant advantage over many similar products. The automated cleaning cycle is relatively quiet, which is a crucial factor for skittish cats. The sealed waste compartment effectively minimizes odors, a welcome change for any cat owner. The smart features, such as the app connectivity, allow for remote monitoring and control, adding an extra layer of convenience. However, like any product, it has its drawbacks. The initial investment is considerable, and the requirement for specific litter types may add to ongoing costs. Additionally, while the large size is beneficial for some cats, it can be cumbersome in smaller living spaces.
Best for small spaces
Pettec Ub Pet Smart Litter Box
Pros
- Unlike many "globe-style" robotic trays that are quite wide, this unit has a more compact, rectangular footprint (approx. 53cm x 52cm). This makes it one of the better options for small apartments or tucked-away spaces.
- At roughly 38dB to 42dB, the motor is exceptionally quiet. This is vital in small homes where a loud, grinding motor could be heard from every room (and potentially spook a nervous cat).
- The entrance is roughly 17cm from the ground, which is significantly lower than many competitors. This makes it a fantastic choice for senior cats with arthritis or short-legged breeds who might struggle to "mountain climb" into other boxes.
- It connects to the UPET app via Wi-Fi, allowing you to track your cat's weight and how often they use the tray. This data is incredibly useful for spotting early signs of urinary issues or diabetes.
- You aren't locked into expensive, brand-specific crystals. It works well with most clumping litters, including bentonite and many tofu blends.
Cons
- Because of its smaller footprint, the waste drawer may require more frequent emptying in multi-cat households compared to larger industrial-sized units.
- While it handles the daily scooping, like all robotic trays, it still requires a full manual "deep clean" every few weeks to maintain hygiene and prevent odour build-up in the internal tracks.
The Pettecc UB Pet is an automated, self-cleaning litter system that uses smart sensors to detect when a cat has finished their business. Once the cat exits, the unit initiates a quiet cleaning cycle, sifting waste into a sealed drawer. It is specifically built with a sleek, vertical-focused design that allows it to fit into tighter corners or laundry nooks where larger, wider models might struggle to fit.
Best for apartments
Pawz Automatic Self Cleaning Smart Litter Box with App Control
Pros
- Features a door to help contain odours and loose litter, great for smaller spaces like apartments
- Smartphone connected, allows you to track your cat's toileting behaviour and control the box from anywhere
- Good internal size a (60cm W x 60cm D x 27cm H) allowing for easy movement of cat inside, suitable for cats between 1.5kg and 10kg
- Step to enter improves accessibility and features a grate to reduce litter tracking
- UV light for improved hygiene between cleans
- Sleep mode option to prevent nighttime disturbance
- Multiple sensors to ensure machine stops cleaning when a cat enters
- Compatible with most clumping litter types with particle size less than 7mm
Cons
- Not suitable for kittens under 1kg or shorter than 10cm in height
- Smaller garbage box capacity than other options (4L)
The Pawz Automatic Self-Cleaning Smart Litter Box is a modern solution designed to alleviate the burdens of traditional litter box maintenance. This innovative device automates the cleaning process, employing sensors to detect when your cat has finished their business, and then initiating a cleaning cycle to sift and remove waste. This waste is then deposited into a contained compartment, significantly reducing odors and the need for frequent manual scooping. Furthermore, its smart capabilities, facilitated by Wi-Fi connectivity and a dedicated app, allow pet owners to monitor their cat's litter box usage and receive notifications, adding a layer of convenience and insight into their feline's habits.
Beyond mere convenience, the Pawz Smart Litter Box prioritizes hygiene and cat comfort. Its spacious design accommodates cats of various sizes, and the inclusion of UV disinfection technology helps to minimize bacterial growth, creating a cleaner environment. The requirement for clumping litter ensures efficient waste removal, and the sealed waste compartment further contributes to odor control. While the initial investment might be higher than traditional litter boxes, the time saved and improved hygiene it provides make it an appealing option for busy, tech-savvy cat owners seeking a more streamlined pet care experience.
What our customers say: "I was sceptical of using it the self cleaning litter tray, I haven't seen my cat using the litter tray but I did check the bin and my cat has been using it. It's also very easy to set up"
What to look for in a Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Functions
Have a think about which functions are important to you - do you want simple and more affordable, or are you tech-savvy and want app compatibility so you can keep an eye on your cat's toileting habits? If you have more than one cat, then have a look at one of our self-cleaning litter boxes that has multi-cat recognition and provides individualised health reports.
Frequency of Cleaning
Each self-cleaning litter box will vary in their recommended frequency of full litter changes, due to their differing capacity and waste box size. For those which use filters, keep in mind their recommended frequency of filter cleaning and replacement. For open-style litter boxes like the Petsafe Scoopfree Self-Cleaning Litter Box, disposable trays are used and should be factored into your decision.
Type of Litter
Each self-cleaning litter box model will have it's own specific litter type that it is designed to work with, such as clay, crystal, tofu, corn or mixed (tofu & clay). It's important that you take this into consideration when choosing the best litter box for your cat, as it is best to choose one that utilises your cat's existing litter type to help ease their transition to the new box.
Covered vs Uncovered
Each cat will have their own preference over the type of litter box they wish to use - some will prefer the privacy of a covered tray, whilst others will prefer an open, uncovered tray. Keep your feline friend's individual preference in mind when selecting a new self-cleaning litter box.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 11 Feb 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Jacqui Victor BVSc MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats)
Veterinarian, MANZCVS (Feline Medicine)
Dr Jacqui graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2011 and has worked in various small animal practices around Melbourne. Dr Jacqui loves witnessing the human-animal bond, and feels privileged that she is in a profession which allows her to make a difference to so many people and their loved ones. Dr Jacqui has a special interest in Feline Medicine, and attained her Membership Qualification in Feline Medicine with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2022.
