Whisker Litter-Robot 4

When I first encountered the Litter-Robot 3 a few years ago, it had a profound impact on my life. The days of manually scooping my cat's waste were gone, replaced by the convenience of simply emptying the automatic litter box once a week. It was like a dream come true! Despite its hefty price tag of $500+, I was absolutely smitten with my Litter-Robot and even recommended it to two of my friends, both of whom ended up purchasing it and becoming just as enamored as I was.

However, I must admit that the Litter-Robot 3 had its flaws. It was quite bulky and emitted some noise, and its ability to reduce odors could definitely use some improvement. So, when I learned that Whisker was launching the new and enhanced Litter-Robot 4, I knew I had to give it a try and see how it stacked up against its predecessor. After a month of thorough testing, here's what I discovered.

Pros

• No odor or scooping
• App makes it easy to monitor litter
• Fits 4, all-size cats

Cons

• Expensive
• Short warranty
• Issues with cat sensor

What is the Litter-Robot 4?

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The Litter-Robot, manufactured by Whisker (formerly AutoPets), is widely regarded as one of the top self-cleaning litter boxes on the market today. In addition to the Litter-Robot, Whisker also offers a range of other cat products, such as the Feeder-Robot and a collection of remarkably stylish cat furniture.

The design of the Litter-Robot is refreshingly straightforward. It consists of a stationary base that houses a rotating upper sphere, where the litter is placed. When your cat enters the litter box, the machine detects its presence and waits a few minutes before automatically initiating a cleaning cycle. During this cycle, the top portion of the litter box slowly rotates, utilizing its patented sifting process to separate waste from the clean litter. The waste is then deposited into a lined drawer located in the base, while the clean litter is returned to the sphere. This simple yet effective mechanism ensures a consistently clean litter box.

Both the Litter-Robot 3 and 4 models are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling you to conveniently monitor their status from your smartphone. The litter box will send you alerts when it completes a cleaning cycle, requires the waste drawer to be emptied, or encounters any issues that require your intervention. With these advanced features, you can effortlessly maintain a hygienic environment for your feline companion.

What we like about the Litter-Robot 4

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The design is smaller and sleeker

One aspect that bothered me about the Litter-Robot 3 was its size. The older model was far from being a discreet gadget that could be tucked away in a corner of your home. It was quite bulky and ended up becoming the center of attention in any room. It seems that I wasn't alone in my dislike for the appearance of the Litter-Robot 3, as the new Litter-Robot 4 has undergone a complete transformation, resulting in a much-improved design.

Although the dimensions of the Litter-Robot 4 are actually quite similar, with only a few inches narrower than its predecessor, the overall look is much more compact. The unit now has a smaller base, which significantly reduces its visual impact. Additionally, the new version features a larger opening, making it easier for your cat to enter and use the litter box.

Initially, I was concerned that the smaller base would require more frequent emptying of the waste drawer. However, the new design is deeper, allowing it to hold just as much waste as the previous model. During my testing, I found that I only needed to empty it once every seven to 10 days.

It's quieter during operation

I immediately noticed that the new Litter-Robot is significantly quieter than its predecessor. While the Litter-Robot 3 used to emit a noticeable humming sound during its cycling process, the Litter-Robot 4 operates almost silently, with only the sound of litter moving inside the machine being audible.

Placing the Litter-Robot 4 in my office has proven to be advantageous, especially when my cat decides to use the litter box while I am on important phone calls. This quiet operation would also be beneficial for individuals living in small homes or apartments, as they won't have to endure the noise while the device disposes of their pet's waste.

It's almost fully self-sufficient 

During my three-week trial of the Litter-Robot 4, I only had to step in once due to an incident where my cat caused a barrier to fall into the waste drawer, preventing the unit from cycling. Other than that, the machine successfully completed every cycle on its own, a significant improvement from the Litter-Robot 3 that required frequent resets.

I was particularly impressed by the Robot's ability to handle interruptions during the cycle. My kitten, Piper, was curious about the machine and would sometimes climb inside while it was in operation. However, the Robot would automatically pause, allowing her to exit before continuing the cycle. There was even a time when she ventured into the waste drawer, but the machine patiently waited for her to leave before proceeding.

Knowing that the machine stops automatically in case of interruptions provided me with peace of mind, and I appreciated its ability to resume the cycle without any intervention from me.

It collects an impressive amount of data

The Litter-Robot 3 gathered data by logging the frequency of your pet's bathroom usage and monitoring the waste bin level. However, the Litter-Robot 4 goes a step further by offering more valuable information through its app.

The upgraded version of this litter box incorporates OmniSense Detection, which utilizes lasers and weight sensors to deliver more precise activity detection, litter levels, and waste drawer levels. It can even differentiate between your cat simply entering the litter box and actually using it for its intended purpose. Additionally, it includes a built-in scale that measures your cat's weight every time they enter the litter box. This feature proved particularly fascinating for my kitten, as I was able to monitor her growth throughout the testing period. Moreover, the Litter-Robot 4 has the capability to distinguish between multiple animals in households with multiple cats, providing individual insights and usage tracking for each pet.

What we don't like about the Litter-Robot 4

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That price tag—ouch!

The price of the Litter-Robot 4 will surely surprise you if you found the Litter-Robot 3 expensive at $549. At a staggering $699, it's quite a shock. Despite its sleek new design and enhanced features, it remains a considerably high-priced litter box.

The warranty is only one year

It is disappointing to note that the Litter-Robot 4 comes with only a one-year warranty, considering its high price point. Given the numerous sensors, lasers, and moving components involved, there is a higher likelihood of potential issues arising. It would be quite frustrating if any of these components were to malfunction after 18 months, and the manufacturer refused to provide a replacement. 

While there is an option to purchase an extended three-year warranty for an additional $100, this would bring the total investment to a substantial $800. In my opinion, it would be more reasonable for the longer warranty to be included as a standard feature with the initial purchase.

The odor filters need to be replaced frequently

The Litter-Robot 4 introduces a new feature called the OdorTrap System, designed to tackle unpleasant smells from your cat's waste. You have the option to use either the brand's OdorTrap Packs, containing an odor-eliminating gel, or carbon filters to effectively reduce odors. Installing a filter is simple - you can either utilize the "Replace Filter" setting in the app or press and hold the "Empty" button on the control panel for three seconds. This action prompts the robot to rotate, granting you access to the filter compartment. From there, you can easily open the back of the sphere and insert the filter.

As my Litter-Robot is situated in my office, I place great importance on its ability to minimize odors. Initially, I used the OdorTrap packs that came with the unit. However, after approximately a week, I noticed a decline in their effectiveness. It turns out that these packs are only effective for about two weeks, meaning they should ideally be replaced twice a month. Each set of two packs costs $15, resulting in a monthly expense of $30. Alternatively, you have the option to purchase a six-pack for $30, which offers some savings but is still quite costly.

Personally, I would lean towards using the carbon filters instead. These filters are priced at $30 for a pack of six and only need to be replaced once a month. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to test one of these filters, so I cannot provide confirmation on their performance.

Should you buy it?

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If you can stomach the price tag, yes. 

From a design perspective, I found the Litter-Robot 4 to be quite impressive. The brand made significant improvements from the previous model, making it more compact, stylish, and quieter. Additionally, they added new smart features and enhanced odor control. The Litter-Robot 4 effectively handled my kitten's mischievous behavior, providing me with peace of mind during the cleaning cycle.

Nevertheless, the $700 price tag is quite steep for a litter box, especially considering it's a recent release. It's unlikely to go on sale anytime soon. While it's a luxury purchase, I believe it's worth it for those who dislike scooping or have multiple cats.

If the cost is a concern, the Litter-Robot 3 is still an option. It's available at a lower price point, around $200 less. Although it's larger and slightly noisier, it still does an excellent job of keeping your cat's litter box clean without the need for scooping.