Published Sep 3, 2025
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
The market for automatic litter boxes is booming. But with that growth comes an unfortunate consequence: a surge of mass-produced, poorly constructed products destined for the landfill.
Ratings
- Ease of Cleaning – 2/5
- Appearance – 5/5
- Construction – 1/5
- Price – 3/5
Overall Score: 2.75/5
One such device is the Els Pet, which has frustrated many cat parents with its underwhelming (or nonexistent) performance. After reading reams of discouraging threads on Reddit, I was eager to try it myself.
I strongly advise caution with this brand. Like many other cat owners, I was unable to get it to work. Whether it’s a scam or just poorly made, one thing is clear: Els Pet needs to address some serious issues before this product is marketed to customers.
In this review, I’ll share why I think it’s wise to avoid the Els Pet litter box. We’ll look at the brand behind this product, how it’s intended to work, and how our testing panned out.
Why Trust Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
There’s a lot to consider when purchasing something as costly and large as an automatic litter box. A good one can be a game-changer. A bad one is an expensive headache. That’s why our reviews aim to offer honest, straightforward insights.
I spent several weeks carefully examining every detail of the Els Pet Automatic Litter Box. First, I looked at user-friendliness, focusing on ease of setup and operation. I also considered how reliably the Els Pet functioned (spoiler alert: it did NOT function, period.) Finally, since an electronic litter box should make your life simpler, I assessed how easy it was to clean and maintain.
I also reviewed customer feedback to determine whether my negative experience was an isolated incident or if others encountered similar issues.
ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box & ELS PET Brand Overview
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Founded in 2019, Els Pet emerged from a harrowing personal experience. As detailed on the company site, the founder’s cat had to be rescued from an automatic litter box, which motivated him to create safer pet care solutions. Working with veterinarians and engineers, he developed the Spaceship1 Automatic Litter Box, launched in 2021.
Along with the Spaceship 2 that we tested, Els Pet carries a newer model called the Orbitie.
They’ve also expanded their product line to include cat trees, a bubble backpack, and the Groomdora Grooming Vacuum Kit, introduced in 2024.
Customers can return products within 90 days if their cat doesn’t use them. There’s also a one-year warranty that covers defects in material and workmanship under normal use.
ELS PET Litter Box Features
| Footprint | 23.62″ x 29″ |
| Inside Globe Size | 17” in diameter |
| Entryway Size | 8.5″ H x 9.5″ W |
| Height to Entry | 8.5” |
| Waste Drawer Size | 29.5” L x 20” W |
| Waste Drawer Capacity | 6 L |
| Unit Weight | 28.8 lbs |
| Minimum Cat User Weight | 3.3 lbs |
| Maximum Cat User Weight | 25 lbs |
| Sifting System | Rake sifting system |
| Safety Features | Safety door (prevents cats from entering during a cleaning cycle), 4 proximity sensors, Real-time alerts via app |
| Odor Control System | Sealed waste bin, UV sterilization |
| Peak Noise Level | 50 dB (quiet office space) |
| App? | Yes |
The Els Pet features your typical, futuristic, “spaceship” design (or, as my partner calls them: “Kitty Death Stars”). However, it differs from many automatic litter boxes by using a rake instead of a rotating drum to sift through waste.
This model accommodates cats weighing up to 25 pounds, though larger cats may find it somewhat cramped. It includes a pull-out step that makes it easier for cats to enter while also trapping litter. Equipped with infrared sensors, the Els Pet detects when a cat is inside and won’t initiate the cleaning cycle until the space is clear.
This device operates quietly at around 50 decibels (though I can’t confirm this since my model didn’t work). An optional sleep mode makes it suitable for most living spaces, even late at night. Odors are managed with a sealed waste drawer and a built-in UV light that reduces bacteria. (But again, I cannot personally vouch for this.)
The Els Pet app allows users to track usage, monitor litter levels, and customize cleaning cycles according to their cat’s usage. The brand states this device works well with most clumping mixed litter or bentonite clay. It is NOT compatible with non-clumping litters, newspaper- or wood-based litter, or crystal litters.
What We Like:
- Laser and infrared sensor technology detect when your cat enters and exits
- Quiet operation with customizable sleep mode
- Remote monitoring and customizable cleaning via the app
- UV light sterilizes and controls odors
- Includes a spare rake
What We Didn’t Like:
- Instructions for use are seriously lacking
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Our experience with the ElsPet automatic litter box was disappointing from the start. Setup was confusing due to vague instructions, which left us largely on our own (the perplexing foam guards took me a while to figure out).
The app was another disappointment—it was unhelpful and didn’t display any useful data. We also noticed the waste bin was oddly small for such a bulky unit.
Here’s where things got really hairy:
After plugging in the device, it beeped and the blue light turned on—but nothing else happened. Pressing the buttons only resulted in more beeping, and I was unable to access any functions in the app.
I reached out to customer support, and they were quick to respond, asking that I send a video of my issue. Despite following their suggestions to check for obstructions and clean the sensors, the device still wouldn’t work.
Next, they pointed to a sensor issue and offered to send replacements. When they arrived, I couldn’t help but laugh: there were no instructions, just loose electronic components that I was supposed to know what to do with.
When I asked how to install them, I was directed to a video that was vague at best. In the end, I never managed to get this litter box to work.
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Unfortunately, my experience appears to be the norm—many cat parents reported malfunctions or received devices that didn’t even turn on. There’s even a Facebook group with over 400 members called “Scammed by Els Pet.”
I’m unsure if it’s a scam or just a company struggling with quality control. However, there are concerning signs, like suspiciously glowing reviews on their website and the removal of listings on Amazon, so users can’t leave a review. (They’ve also disabled comments on their YouTube tutorials.) Plus, there’s no branding on the device, leading me to wonder if it’s one of the scammy products that One Man Five Cats warns about.
Interestingly, ElsPet posted a letter on their site warning about scammers using their name (but then, I purchased my unit directly through the company site and still ran into problems). This raises questions about whether Els Pet is simply churning out these products under different names and then condemning them as knockoffs.
Given my experience, I’d recommend that cat owners look for a more dependable alternative. This is an expensive item with a troubling track record. There are far better, reliable products out there that cost less.
What Do Customers Think of the ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box?
At the time of my purchase, there were only seven reviews on Amazon—SIX of which gave the Els Pet a bleak 1-star rating. These reviews (no longer available as the listing has been removed) cited immediate malfunctions or problems shortly after using the Els Pet.
Reviews on the company’s site are fishy and should be viewed with healthy skepticism. They appear overly positive, feature hyper-staged photos, and don’t mention any downsides or flaws.
Positive Reviews:
Despite the overall negativity, a handful of satisfied customers can be found on Walmart. Some say the ELS PET works just fine and makes litter maintenance easier.
It works fine. Scooper picks up most refuse. Have to scoop out small pebble size clumps but that is hard to pick up with scoop as well. Clock not working. I’ve emailed elspet but have yet to receive reply. Lack of customer service is the only reason I voted it a 3. – Prarielassie on Walmart, November 14, 2023
Negative Reviews:
With an average rating of 2.9/5 stars on Walmart, frustrated customers report that the device often fails to start. Those who managed to get it running experienced problems with the rake being fragile or even breaking. A common theme in the reviews is the lack of customer support.
It didn’t work at all. We read the manual, watched videos, followed the instructions, never got it to do anything but beep. – Pat on Walmart, June 19, 2024
Similar Brands
Looking for other automatic litter boxes? Check out some of our other brand reviews.
