PetSafe ScoopFree SmartSpin Litter Box Review

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

With so many self-scooping litter boxes on the market today, it’s difficult to choose just one! Some cat parents don’t know where to start. What do you look for in an automatic litter box, and how do you know which will be best for you?

Personally, I look for safety first. The litter box should feature an open front that spins from side to side, rather than front to back, so that cats can’t get trapped inside even if the sensors malfunction!

Since we’re buying automatic litter boxes for convenience, it’s also important that they’re easy to use day to day, and that we aren’t completely dreading the deep-cleaning process.

The PetSafeScoopFree SmartSpin delivers on some of these things, but could do better in some aspects. In this review, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of this machine so that you can decide for yourself if it’s right for you.

Why Trust Cats.com

I tested the PetSafe ScoopFree SmartSpin in my own multi-cat household for over a month. This included assembling the product, exploring the app, seeing how my cats interacted with the litter box, and giving it a deep clean.

As someone who’s dealt with some health issues in my senior cats, I also always test automatic litter boxes with large amounts of fluid to see how it would hold up to excess urination or watery stool.

Finally, I researched the PetSafe brand and read customer reviews to get a good idea of what other people think of the product. This allows me to provide a fully-rounded review that considers how this litter box might work in a variety of homes.

PetSafe ScoopFree SmartSpin and PetSafe Overview

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

The PetSafe brand offers a variety of products for both dogs and cats. As you may expect, one of the brand’s primary focuses is on pet safety. However, their heavy focus on aversive training tools might make this claim seem less credible to some pet parents, including myself.

That said, they also sell other products such as their cat doors, fountains and feeders, and self-cleaning litter boxes.

PetSafe released the ScoopFree SmartSpin in the summer of 2024. Its primary features include ease of use, odor control, and health monitoring. It’s also quite small while still having a large entrance and drum.

PetSafe ScoopFree SmartSpin Features

The best thing about the PetSafe ScoopFree SmartSpin is that it’s easy to disassemble and clean. The top cover lifts off easily, and the drum can be unlocked and removed within seconds. The interior is smooth, allowing for a quick wipe without the hassle of scrubbing a bunch of nooks and crannies. Lastly, the waste bin has a large entrance that catches debris of any size.

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

The size of the drum is comparable to other automatic litter boxes on the market. Also like other products I’ve tried, it claims to be ideal for cats up to 25 pounds while not truly offering enough space for a cat of that size to fit comfortably. This is an issue with automatic boxes as a whole rather than with the SmartSpin itself.

That said, the large entryway does make it more accessible than some other options out there. I liked that it was easy to pour litter inside, and my cats seemed more comfortable than they are with smaller entrances.

The design is stylish, with a white drum and wooden feet that hold the litter box off of the floor. This also makes it easier to clean beneath. PetSafe says that cats prefer to be up high, and this is true for some! However, it may also be more difficult for kittens, seniors, and cats with disabilities to climb into, as the entry is about a foot off the ground with no steps to get inside.

It does take up less space than other automatic boxes with comparable drum sizes, aided by its simple round design. It will fit into small spaces more easily than bulky, boxy products.

Safety features of the SmartSpin include weight sensors, the ability to lock the box on the app, and manual cycles for those who prefer not to use the automatic mode. It’s made for cats over 2.5 pounds who are at least six months old.

You can also monitor your cat’s litter box activity and weight in the app, which has a simple, easy to navigate design.

What We Like

• Easy to disassemble and deep clean
• Runs quietly
• Weighs cats and monitors their litter habits
• The app is simple to navigate
• Comes with 3 months’ worth of waste bags and 2 deodorizers

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not for large cats
• Arrives unassembled
• Doesn’t stop scooping when a cat approaches the box–only after they climb inside
• The litter tray doesn’t self-empty but must be dumped out manually

What Did Our Test Cats Think?

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

My first impression of the ScoopFree SmartSpin was a poor one, as it came with many more parts to assemble than I’m used to. It wasn’t difficult to put together, though, and it came with its own tool.

Once it was assembled, I was impressed by the large entrance, small size, and modern appearance. It was easy to set up, and the phone app is super simple, as are the buttons in the front of the machine.

It scoops better than most others I’ve tried, with a large waste bin that collects big chunks of litter easily. The waste bin can hold up to two weeks of waste, and you can add a deodorizer to help reduce smells around the box.

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

The machine runs quietly, and even my most skittish cat was brave enough to take a look inside. He was fascinated by the cleaning cycle, though the litter falling to the bottom did scare him in the end. My smaller cats seemed to use the box more than the larger ones, which is to be expected.

There are, unfortunately, some notable features missing from the SmartSpin. It doesn’t sense cats approaching the machine, so it won’t stop mid-spin unless you pause it yourself or the cat climbs inside. The app allows you to set a delay for up to an hour after your cat uses the litter box, but it doesn’t have options for a set cleaning schedule.

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

Although the company boasts the ability to clean the box easily, it doesn’t empty itself of litter. When it’s time to clean and refill it, you have to pour the drum into the trash yourself. This feels like a major oversight in an otherwise user-friendly design!

What Do Customers Think of the ScoopFree SmartSpin?

Positive Reviews

“Cleanup is super easy. It’s as simple as taking out the trash. The machine itself is very easy to take apart and put back together. Deep cleaning is a bit tedious, but I don’t expect to be doing that more than 2 to 3 months out of the year.” – Kayla on Chewy

“My wife and I adore this box so much that we just purchased a second one. Having a household with three cats can be a pain and leave a lingering cat waste smell, paired with litter being tracked all over. This litter box helps to remove the fuss of all aspects.” – Chris on Amazon

Reviewers find the SmartSpin easy to clean compared to a regular litter box. They like the odor control and the ability to monitor your cat’s weight in the app. Several say that their cats are fascinated by the machine and like to climb inside.

Negative Reviews

“The app isn’t really helpful and the box itself constantly tells me that the drawer is full when it’s not. I have to unplug it to get it to spin most of the time.” – Samantha on Chewy

“It does not work well. The sensor is not the best and I had to reset it 2 times and the cats have yet to use it. It kept saying my cat was in it overnight.” – U on Chewy

The most common reviewer complaint is technological issues. Other concerns include clumped litter getting stuck to the sides, litter being kicked out of the box, and the machine being too noisy. A few reviewers found the smell of the SmartSpin worse than a normal litter box.

Similar Brands

Looking for other litter box brands similar to the ScoopFree SmartSpin? Check out some of our other litter box reviews.

• Furrytail Self-Cleaning Litter Box
• Meowant Self-Cleaning Litter Box
• CATLINK