A Cat Lady’s Honest Review of Whisker’s Litter-Robot 4 (and How to Save Some Big Bucks on It)

Never scoop poop again

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Published Feb 28, 2024

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Litter Robot

Value: 18/20
Functionality: 20/20
Quality & Ease of Use: 20/20
Aesthetic: 19/20
Cat Approval: 18/20

TOTAL: 95/100

Since the Litter-Robot 3 Connect changed my life (no, seriously, just read my full review), I was ecstatic to try Whisker’s newest model, the Litter-Robot 4 ($699). Just like the original, the updated version is an automatic self-cleaning litter box that connects to WiFi so I can track all of my cats' comings and goings conveniently via app. My two cats have happily used their first Litter-Robot since December 2021. Even though they were comfortable with it, I worried switching things up might disrupt their routine. But here we are, more than a year later, and they're still obsessed with their Litter-Robot 4.

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So, of course, I couldn't gatekeep the appliance's impressive bundle deals currently up for grabs. For a limited time, you can save $50 on a ton of Litter-Robot's most coveted packages (including this 3-year warranty bundle, ~~$799~~; $749 or this starter bundle, ~~$939~~; $889), which have everything you need to start using it like a pro. Read on for my honest review of the Litter-Robot 4, which, spoiler alert: I love—and I’ll tell you why.

Litter Robot

First, What Makes Litter-Robots Special?

Litter-Robots automatically scoop cat poop for you. To do this, they rotate and drop any clumps into a waste bin at the bottom of the machine. Not only does this self-cleaning litter box save you the hassle of scooping, but it cuts back on litter use, litter dust and litter smell. It also has an app that sends updates and allows you to monitor the box from afar.

Litter Robot

Litter-Robot 4 vs. Litter-Robot 3

Litter-Robot 4

Pro: Suitable for up to 4 cats
Pro: Cat detection sensor prevents cleaning cycle with a cat inside
Pro: Customize the cycle timer
Pro: Advanced odor control
Pro: Much quieter when cycling—almost unnoticeable
Pro: More data tracking available in the app
Pro: Spacious interior
Pro: Wide entrance
Con: Large, though the design is sleeker than the Litter-Robot 3

Litter-Robot 3

Pro: Suitable for up to 4 cats
Pro: Cat detection sensor prevents cleaning cycle with a cat inside
Pro: Customize the cycle timer
Pro: Odor control
Pro: App tracking for cat habits and waste levels
Pro: Spacious interior
Con: Narrow entrance
Con: Noticeable sound when rotating during cleaning cycle
Con: Large, clunky machine

Litter Robot

Improved Data and Notifications

I set up the Litter-Robot 4 one night when I was home to ensure a smooth transition between models. Please make sure your cats aren’t around during the bot’s first cycle! This absolutely freaked out my cats with Litter-Robot 3 and can destroy their sense of safety around litter boxes in general. Luckily, my babies are curious and gave it a go once they got used to the noise.

Worried they might hate the new machine, I was thrilled to see cycle notifications pop up on my phone the next day while at work. Not only did I know my cats were using the Litter-Robot 4, but I got some great intel. This model tells you how much your cat weighs (at least it told me that Jacques needed to go on a diet because he was two pounds heavier than his vet recommended!), how full the waste drawer is and how high the litter level reaches. Dubbed SmartScale™ technology and OmniSense™ Detection respectively, these features are so helpful to those of us back in offices with less time to monitor our litter box status. When my waste drawer is 60 percent full and my litter level is low, I know I need to add more as soon as I get home.

While Whisker’s individual cat recognition technology wasn't available when I first got mine, I still knew both of my cats used the Litter-Robot 4 based on the SmartScale™ technology. Foxy was four pounds lighter than Jacques, and each weight showed up in the activity history. If they weighed the same, I probably wouldn’t be able to tell who was using it when. It’s also worth noting you should check out what’s in the waste drawer every day. Even if you’re not scooping, you need to know what’s going on with your cat’s poop and pee. Dog owners literally pick up dog poop. We can at least check in on our cat’s poop to note whether they’re having healthy bowel movements.

Upgraded Performance

The Litter-Robot 4’s QuietSift™ technology is said to be “near-silent,” and I fully vouch for that description. The first time the robot cycled I wondered if it was working because it was so sneaky quiet! We used to be able to hear it humming from down the hall, and now I don’t know the cats have used it until I get the notification. This will be especially good news for folks with cats who spook easily at loud noises.

Beyond the reduced decibel level, the weight sensors are more sensitive to kitty paws—at least it seems that way to me. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect definitely has a SafeCat system that prevents cycling while a cat is in the box. But the Litter-Robot 4 seems to sense even a slight paw on the step and stops any action to prevent injuring or scaring cats.

Bigger Entrance, Smaller Size, Prettier Design

Whisker says both models weigh the same and have the same depth. To me, this new model feels significantly smaller—in a good way. It doesn’t look as bulky, and the design is much sleeker. The Litter-Robot 4 is a few inches narrower, though the entrance for kitties is way larger, almost 16” x 16”, a full five inches wider than the previous version. Not only that, but the step is slightly lower to the ground and the box entrance itself is about an inch lower, making it easier for cats to climb in.

The waste drawer is also larger and better contains smells. Again, at first glance, this fooled me. Because the unit’s base is designed to take up less space (yay!), the waste drawer looks smaller (why?). Au contraire! The drawer holds just as much as before because it’s deeper. Whisker offers an add-on OdorTrap™ System pod that can help reduce any stinky scents, though we’ve had no issues with smells thus far.

Another huge design improvement? The buttons are on the top of the bot instead of at eye (and nose) level with the litter. Instead of squatting down to hit reset after cleaning the waste drawer, I just lean in a bit (if you’re 6’7” this doesn’t matter much, but it does to me!). I also love how the button panel lights up to indicate what’s going on with the machine. Is the drawer full? Flashing blue light. Is there a cat inside? Red light. Did I successfully put it into sleep mode? Purple light (yes).

Set-Up Is a Cinch

The quick-start guide was all I needed to get the Litter-Robot 4 up and running in about ten minutes. (Huge tip: Plug the adapter into the back of the machine before positioning it and pouring litter into it.) I consider myself a semi-tech literate human being and the instructions were intuitive and easy to follow, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. On a new episode of Testing TikTok, PureWow content creator Kate Kesselman also tried out the viral Litter-Robot 4, and as she mentioned, "The robot comes completely assembled," so the setup process should be the least of your worries.

Litter Robot

Bottom Line

The thing about cats is you’ll always have to deal with litter. You may not need to scoop the Litter-Robot 4, but you’ll have to empty the drawer and check out its contents. While this machine’s fence step is designed to trap litter, and it does, there’s still litter pellets around the box area.

This is still a very pricey piece of hardware. Yes, it ships free, and you have a 90-day in-home trial period—and I’ll say, over time, we definitely save on how much clumping litter we buy. But it’s expensive. Compared to other robotic litter boxes though? I think that price is worth it, especially if you buy it on sale in a bundle right now. Remember, your goal is to provide a happy, healthy home for your feline family member, and that includes a litter box they’ll use and feel safe in. And this just may be everything they "dreamed" of, so go ahead and add it to your cart, and you most likely will have no regrets.

$699 at litter robot

Sarah Ashley

Freelance Writer

Sarah Ashley is a Chicago-based freelance journalist. She has covered pets for PureWow for six years and tackles everything from dog training tips to the best litter boxes. Her...

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