Our Final Verdict
We give the Litter-Robot 4 a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Features: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Variety: 4/5
Value: 4.5/5
Litter-Robot gives you the upper hand on cleaning cat litter. As a matter of fact, the Litter-Robot 4 takes your hands entirely out of the equation.
A multi-cat household like mine (and likely yours) calls for numerous trays to ensure each cat has a clean litter to use daily. As many cat parents know, cats and their litter habits can be a rather demanding job to keep up with. The cats will usually let you know your litter cleaning isn’t up to snuff with accidents elsewhere in the home.
The Litter-Robot 4 automatically empties the used litter into the sealed tray below, leveling clean litter for the next use. Beyond handling the least enticing portion of cat ownership, Litter-Robot by Whisker is a one-stop shop for all things litter and cat-related.
Their well-thought-out design, sleek presentation, spare parts, and cat care accessories make Litter-Robot by Whisker a leading robotic cat litter company in the industry. If you have cats or kittens or are considering adding a furry feline to your home, the Litter-Robot 4 will elevate your cat-owning experience.
About Whisker
Whisker began 20 years ago, in the same way many innovative and effective inventions started: out of necessity. When Founder Brad Baxter welcomed two cats into his home, he quickly realized that litter and all the associated cleaning, sweeping, litter tracking, smell, and other undesirable cons needed a solution.
Whisker, an American company, assembles the Litter-Robot 4 (and prior models) in Juneau, Wisconsin.
Litter trays and the accompanying mess are typically tucked away in a corner or spare bathroom in the home. The Litter-Robot 4 can be positioned in a central room without the common complaints associated with litter trays, so whether you’re in a spacious 4-bedroom home with multiple cats or a small 500 sqft. apartment housing one kitten, the Litter-Robot 4 fits comfortably into any space, just as Founder Brad Baxter had envisioned when he designed the product 20+ years ago.
Litter-Robot 4 Overview
We know the idea of never scooping litter again is enticing, but here is a list of some other relevant information before you purchase the Litter-Robot 4.
Shipping
The Litter-Robot 4 ships within 1-3 days from the warehouse to your door shortly after. Litter-Robot 4 ships within the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, and Ireland.
Set-Up
When the Litter-Robot 4 arrives at your door, the box contains the assembled Litter-Robot 4 with the power cord and manual inside. The plug inserts to the back of the Litter-Robot 4. Once the Litter is powered on, a step-by-step manual guides you through the App connect process. Fill the globe with your chosen litter, ensure the entire light feature is blue, and you’re all set!
Specs
- The litter-robot as a whole 4 stands 75 cm (29.5”)
- The base is 56 cm (22”)
- The globe is 40 cm (15.7”) wide and 40 cm (15.7”) tall.
In Summary
Pros
- Sleek, appealing design
- Easy to clean
- Odor trapping
- Useable in multi-cat household
- Safety sensors
Key Features
Litter-Robot 4 Available Accessories
- LitterHopper – The Litter Robot removes the cleaning portion from your daily chore list. The LitterHopper attaches to the back of your Litter-Robot to ensure optimal litter levels – whether you’re home or away.
- Litter-Robot LitterTrap Mat – The LitterTrap Mat is designed to fit the base of your Litter-Robot, and its sturdy mesh traps any rogue piece of tracked litter at the base before walking around your home.
- OdorTrap Packs – The smell of the litter is substantially reduced due to the Litter-Robot’s design; however, to eliminate any wayward odor, Whisker offers OdorTrap packs to capture smells from the tray of your Litter-Robot.
Auto-sensing Pause When a Cat Enters
The Litter-Robot’s safety feature ensures cats are not stuck or jammed during the cleaning cycle. When a cat passes into the globe, the cycle will automatically pause. This includes a cat peeking their head in without stepping into the globe.
Litter Trapping Step
The Litter-Robot’s deep grooves on the step trap any stuck litter on the paws when the cat exits the globe after use. The step is quickly emptied when the tray is removed.
Is the Litter-Robot 4 a Good Value?
The Litter-Robot 4 carries a higher price tag but remains similar to others on the market. With any significant purchase, the cost-benefit ratio must lean toward benefit to make it reasonable.
The Litter-Robot 4’s design components, including the sealed litter tray, litter trapping step, easily removable bags, and available accessories, all make the Litter-Robot 4 a good value.
Payment plans are also available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I’m unhappy with the Litter-Robot 4 or my cat refuses to use it?
Whisker’s 90-day trial period takes the pressure off this purchase. If you or your cat aren’t satisfied with the Litter-Robot 4, clean the Litter-Robot and return it in its original packaging for a refund.
What if my Litter-Robot 4 breaks?
Each Litter-Robot comes with WhiskerCare Warranty, which covers your Litter from top to bottom for an entire year, with an extended warranty available for purchase.
Does the Litter-Robot 4 help with cats who spray high when peeing or track litter from regular trays?
Yes, to both! This is due to the globe’s design. When a cat enters the box, they turn to face the entrance, ensuring their pee is destined for the impenetrable lining in the globe. Tracking litter occurs when dirty litter sticks to a cat’s paws on their way out of the tray. The automatic cleaning function, globe shape for burying, and step remove the opportunity for most litter tracking opportunities.
Our Experience With The Litter-Robot 4 by Whisker
As a multi-cat household, often oscillating between kittens to adult cats, I have had my fair share of introducing newcomers to their litter trays. Usually, we set a separate litter tray in the main areas of our home to encourage regular use before transferring the trays into our basement out of sight. With Whisker’s Litter-Robot 4, the cat litter can remain accessible for all our cats year-round in our main area, which ultimately prevents any accidents around the home.
Each of my five cats, all introduced to this litter box as adults, have adjusted well to the Litter-Robot 4 and are phasing out of the litter trays in the basement. An interesting note: each cat, from my large fluff ball Toby to our sleek calico Annie, jumps into the Litter-Robot 4 from the ground but uses the step on the way out; this is fantastic for trapping any litter on paws. If you still find bits and pieces find their way onto your floor, Whisker also sells a catch mat for the front of your Litter-Robot.
When introducing my cats to the Litter-Robot 4, I stopped the automatic cycling to allow small bits of dirty litter to remain in the box, so each cat recognized this fancy robotic contraption as the new and improved litter option. I would encourage each new user to try this option while first introducing your cat to the Litter-Robot.
I have used other smart cat litter boxes, which the cats eventually got used to. However, I was shocked to see the Litter-Robot 4 was used after the first night. I suspect this is due to the tiny lights that automatically illuminate the bowl when it senses dim light or darkness. The small LEDs are pointed directly into the bowl with a soft yellow hue, so the lights would not be excessive even if the Litter-Robot 4 sat in a bedroom or bathroom.
So, we’ve determined it’s great for cats, but to give the Litter-Robot 4 another accolade, the auto-sensing cleaner, and sealed tray stop any wandering dog nose from finding itself submerged in kitty litter – a perk we are all thankful for.
The large light display (and light information guide that sits nearby) informs me at a glance when the Litter-Robot requires a cycle, has stopped mid-cycle, needs to be reconnected, or any other issue. With a busy household, this is easily my favorite function. If I miss the blinking lights, the Whisker App will also deliver important maintenance information directly to my smartphone – another win!
I find the Litter-Robot’s sleek design to be functional in most spaces around the home, keeping in mind that the bowl needs to rotate to clean, so keeping it away from the wall is a must.
Now that I’ve enjoyed not cleaning cat litter as much, I’ve had more time for snuggling the five felines who call my home their home. I won’t ever go back to conventional litter trays!
Conclusion
Litter-Robot’s thoughtful and constantly evolving design stands out in the robo-litter world.
The Litter-Robot 4’s top-selling advantage of never scooping litter again makes it an easy decision when determining whether to purchase an automatic cleaning litter box.
We should spend our time cuddling the furry friends who have purred their way into our hearts instead of cleaning dirty litter!
