Litter-Robot 5 Review: We Tested It

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Backed by over two decades of research and development, the Litter-Robot 5 is one of three recent additions to Whisker’s lineup of automatic, self-cleaning litter boxes. It promises advanced odor control, real-time health tracking, and scoop-free convenience. But how does it hold up in real-world testing?

Buy the Litter-Robot 5 on the Whisker.com

Ratings

Ease of Cleaning – 5/5
Odor Control – 5/5
Appearance – 5/5
Construction – 5/5
Price – 3/5

Overall Score: 4.6/5

I put the Litter-Robot 5 to the test for three weeks with the help of my two cats, Munchkin and Biscuit. Find out how it performed (and how it compares to previous Litter-Robots) in this detailed review.

Litter-Robot 5 Video Review

Why Trust Cats.com

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Not only have I been a cat owner for over 15 years, but I’ve been actively testing and reviewing litter boxes (and other cat products) for nearly one-third of that time. My introduction to Litter-Robot came in 2021 when I tested the Litter-Robot 3 Connect and continued with the release of the Litter-Robot 4 in 2022. I’ve had the Litter-Robot 4 running continuously in my house for the past 3 years and it’s become Munchkin’s favorite litter box.

In order to test the latest additions to Whisker’s Litter-Robot lineup, the brand sent me a Litter-Robot 5, Litter-Robot 5 Pro, and Litter-Robot EVO. Prior to testing the products myself, I put a few hours of research into the developments that distinguish the Litter-Robot 5 from its earlier iterations. I also conducted research on the Whisker brand and scoured the internet for early reviews of the Litter-Robot 5 to identify potential concerns to watch for during my testing.

I tested the Litter-Robot 5 for several weeks before compiling my observations and research to write this review. The Litter-Robot 5 was not the only litter box available to my cats during the testing period, but I used it in place of the already-familiar Litter-Robot 4 to encourage my cats to choose it over other options in the house.

Litter-Robot and Whisker Brand Overview

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Whisker (originally Automated Pet Care Products, or AutoPets), the brand behind one of the world’s most popular automated litter boxes, was founded by Brad Baxter in 1999. The first Litter-Robot went to market in 2000 and Baxter spent the next several years developing some of the innovations for which Litter-Robots are still known today—things like the flexible weighted liner and cat-specific safety sensors.

These features, as part of a new-and-improved design, made their debut in the Litter-Robot 2 in 2005. The next Litter-Robot iteration remained in development for a decade prior to its launch in 2015, the same year Jacob Zuppke joined the team as its new head of marketing. In 2019, an investment of $31 million by Pondera Holdings provided the fuel for even more rapid growth, leading into the company’s official rebrand as Whisker.

The fourth-generation Litter-Robot was launched in 2022, featuring a more compact design along with improved connectivity, enhanced safety features, and a new mobile app. Just three years later, in October of 2025, Whisker launched three additions to the Litter-Robot lineup: the Litter-Robot 5, Litter-Robot 5 Pro, and Litter-Robot EVO. This release also coincided with the launch of the Whisker+ membership program which gives members access to advanced insights and tracking data.

Litter-Robot 5 Features

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

The Litter-Robot 5 is designed for form as well as function. It’s a sleek, streamlined device designed to drastically reduce litter box maintenance. Instead of scooping the litter box yourself, the Litter-Robot 5 automatically sifts waste from clean litter each time your cat uses it. You can even track how many scoops you’ve saved over the lifetime of your Litter-Robot in the Whisker app.

At first glance, the Litter-Robot 4 and Litter-Robot 5 look nearly identical. They have the same footprint and large, round opening with a step up into the litter bed. If you look a little closer, however, you’ll find that the Litter-Robot 5 has more advanced sensors inside the bezel and the indicator lights along the side have been replaced with a large, full-color LCD screen on the front.

When lifting the Litter-Robot 5 out of the box, it becomes clear that it has a sturdier build than the Litter-Robot 4. The base has been fully redesigned, making it compatible with carpet as well as hard flooring, and the interior has fewer crevices for easier cleaning. The Litter-Robot 5’s waste drawer is a little bigger as well, and it snaps into the pull-out step for enhanced stability.

While the Litter-Robot 5 doesn’t visually differ much from the previous model, it offers several upgraded features. Each time your cat uses the litter box, the LCD screen displays your cat’s weight, the length of their visit, and a countdown to the start of the cleaning cycle. The Litter-Robot 5’s built-in weight scale (SmartScale) is more accurate, which enhances the accuracy of the health and usage insights provided in the Whisker app as well.

Though not currently available at the time of this review (but available at the time of publishing), the Litter-Robot 5 is also equipped with WasteID—a function that differentiates between urine and feces. The bonnet is also already designed to accept the LitterHopper automatic litter refill device. Once the Litter-Robot 5-compatible LitterHopper becomes available, you’ll be able to install it without having to replace the bonnet.

Unchanged from the previous model, the Litter-Robot 5 features an advanced array of safety features. Laser sensors in the top of the bezel paired with a weight scale in the base stop the unit from cycling if a cat enters while it’s moving. There are also pinch guards in the waste bin opening which cause the unit to stop and reverse if an obstacle is detected.

Like all Litter-Robot models, another key safety feature is its X-axis rotation. Automatic litter boxes that rotate on the Y axis (front to back instead of side to side) can create pinch points and endanger your cat if the safety sensors fail. With the Litter-Robot 5, you’ll get a notification from the app of any operational errors or cycle interruptions.

What We Like:

Automatically sifts out waste each time your cat uses the litter box
Waste is discreetly stored in a large bin located in the base of the unit
Advanced sensor network provides enhanced safety for your cat
Works for up to 5 cats with individual cat identification via weight detection
Integrated carbon filtration system helps control odor for up to 10 days
Get real-time updates plus health and behavioral insights in the Whisker app
WasteID differentiates between urine and feces
Large color LCD screen with physical buttons for easy operation
Includes a 1-year warranty (extended warranty and parts available)

What We Dislike:

Litter bed may still be a bit cramped for very large cats (the weight limit for the Litter-Robot 5 is between 5-30 lbs)
Limited compatibility with non-clay cat litter like tofu (depends on grain size)
Some smart features weren’t available at the time of review
Settings are only adjustable via mobile app (not the control panel)

What Did Our Test Cats Think?

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Setting up the Litter-Robot 5 was incredibly easy (considering it comes almost fully assembled) and my cats had no issue adjusting to the new model. One difference with the Litter-Robot 4 is that you have to snap the waste drawer into the step but the instructions are very clear. I also liked the redesigned waste drawer liners which are better fitted to the dimensions of the drawer.

After putting the Litter-Robot 5 into place, I chose not to install the removable fence because Munchkin seemed to find it difficult to navigate on the Litter-Robot 4. Instead of stepping over it when leaving the litter box, she tended to jump over the fence right to the floor, skipping the step entirely. The amount of litter scattered during this process seemed equal to the amount scattered without the fence in place, so I just didn’t use it.

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Note: The Litter-Robot 5 has an available bezel guard you can install in place of the fence to help keep liquid and litter from seeping into the mechanical components but I didn’t have a chance to test it.

I found the setup process for the Litter-Robot 5 to be even quicker than the Litter-Robot 4, though I did have to delete and reinstall the Whisker app for it to locate my device. Setup took less than 5 minutes and my device automatically updated its firmware as soon as it was connected. What I liked most about the setup is that the app uses your smartphone’s camera to scan the QR code on the back of the unit, saving you the hassle of typing in a serial number.

In terms of functionality, the Litter-Robot 5 worked just like the Litter-Robot 4. The sensors functioned properly but weren’t over-sensitive and I found the built-in weight scale to be a little more accurate. Both the app and the buttons on the unit were simple to figure out and I appreciated the text notifications that scrolled across the LCD screen on top of the globe.

Like previous Litter-Robots, the Litter-Robot 5 only comes with a standard sifter that works best with fine-grained clumping cat litter. The flexible weighted liner is also a little smaller than the Litter-Robot 4’s, extending just a few inches above the max litter line instead of halfway up the inside of the globe. It’s still easy to spot-clean but I found that litter sticking to the side of the globe didn’t always fall off during the cleaning cycle.

Overall, the Litter-Robot 5 performed just as well as I’d expected. The cycling process seemed a little smoother and the inside of the globe had fewer hard-to-clean nooks and crannies. I wasn’t able to test some of the new features like WasteID because they hadn’t been released yet, but this feature won’t require a Whisker+ membership to use.

It’s hard to say whether the $799 Litter-Robot 5 is a better investment than the $699 Litter-Robot 4, especially considering it’s still so new. I didn’t encounter any glitches during testing, though some cat owners have reported inconsistencies in waste measurements, sensor errors regarding cat detection or waste drawer levels, and WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity issues.

What Do Customers Think of the Litter-Robot 5?

The Litter-Robot 5 had only just been released when I received my unit for testing, so customer reviews were still pretty limited. Whisker’s previous Litter-Robot model appears to be consistently well-liked, though reviews of the brand itself (including customer service) are mixed. On Trustpilot, Whisker has an average rating just over 3 out of 5 stars with about 400 reviews.

There weren’t any customer reviews of the Litter-Robot 5 on Whisker’s website at the time of this review, and the product wasn’t being sold on Chewy yet. Despite a lack of customer reviews, there’s been some negative feedback on social media surrounding Whisker’s transition to a membership model for advanced tracking features.

Positive Reviews

Satisfied customers love the new Litter-Robot 5 for many of the same reasons as the Litter-Robot 4. Positive reviews often mention the device’s reliable performance, quiet operation, and sleek design. Many cat owners say their cats seem to like the Litter-Robot and that it significantly reduces litter box maintenance.

“This product is one of the best investments I’ve ever made for my cats and for myself. It has turned an unpleasant and repetitive task into a very quick and easy way to keep our cat happy and us as well. Literally less than 5 minutes a day!” – Pat Gorham on Trustpilot, November 11, 2025

“I also think it will be a bit useful for those who have tinier or heavier cats, which I have one of each, or those with bold or skittish cats, which I also have one of each… All in all, when I ask myself if my life has been improved, I can say yes.” – Kittytoebeansquisher on Reddit, November 25, 2025

Negative Reviews

Common complaints about the Litter-Robot 5 often relate to WiFi connectivity issues, odor control, and space. Customers with larger cats have expressed disappointment with the dimensions of the litter bed in comparison to the size of the unit. Others have had issues with odor leaking from the waste drawer and some weren’t able to connect the device to WiFi because it requires a 2.4 GHz connection.

“It would not connect to my higher speed 6ghz router – only works with 2.4hhz. While the unit is huge – the internal space for a cat is so small! This was shocking.” – Michael Cooper on Trustpilot, December 15, 2025

“My 5 is glitching a lot… Said my cat deposited a waste of 108 oz, the litter is getting kicked everywhere even though I have a mat, the front guard piece is not fully secure, keeps doing cycles even if the cat has not gone in it… It keeps acting up. I was excited to get it but now I’m disappointed in my purchase.” – Emmalovescats22 on Reddit, December 5, 2025

Overall, Is the Litter-Robot 5 a Good Choice?

If you’re looking for an automatic litter box backed by decades of research that delivers reliable performance, Litter-Robots are a solid choice. The Litter-Robot 5 is built on the same solid foundation of previous models with upgraded technology and a slightly taller interior. While the Litter-Robot 5 features several noticeable improvements over the Litter-Robot 4, however, there are still bugs to be worked out and some of the design flaws from previous models still exist.

No Litter-Robot is entirely hands-free, and emptying the waste drawer regularly is crucial if you want to control odor. Whisker plans to make the Litter-Robot 5 LitterHopper-compatible in the future, which will enable automatic refills of the litter bed, but manual refills were still required at the time of this review. Since the bonnet is already designed to accommodate it, installation will be simpler than with the Litter-Robot 4.

Until Whisker works out the kinks in the Litter-Robot 5 and makes all of the promised features fully functional, it may be worth sticking with the tried-and-true Litter-Robot 4. That being said, if smart technology is what draws you to Litter-Robot in the first place, consider skipping the Litter-Robot 5 and go straight for the Litter-Robot 5 Pro. You may still have to wait on a few features (and pay a little more for them) but it’s set to be the most advanced automatic litter box on the market.