CATLINK Open-X Self-Cleaning Automatic Cat Litter Box Review

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

A common downside to automatic litter boxes are their cramped, enclosed litter trays. Though some cats like covered litter boxes, most prefer open-top spaces where they can see their surroundings.

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Ratings

Ease of Cleaning – 5/5
Odor Control – 3/5
Appearance – 5/5
Construction – 4/5
Price – 4/5

Overall Score: 4.2/5

The Catlink Scooper Open X features a 17” wide open litter tray for an easier transition from traditional litter boxes. Complete with a large waste bin, cat-safe design, and several safety sensors, it’s a great alternative to your typical self-cleaning litter box.

I tested the Catlink Scooper Open X for over a month in my multi-cat home. Below is my honest review.

Why Trust Cats.com

I’ve tested various automatic litter boxes for Cats.com, which has allowed me to get a feel for how they function, must-have features, and safety hazards to watch out for. I’m also a lifelong cat owner myself, so I know how inconvenient daily scooping can be and what a game changer automatic litter boxes are if your cat will use them!

While reviewing self-cleaning litter boxes, I pay attention to my cats’ comfort with the product as well as how easy it is for me to assemble and use day to day. I spent over a month testing the Scooper Open X with my own cats, and below are my honest thoughts.

Scooper Open X & Catlink Overview

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

Catlink was founded in 2017 with the goal of designing technology to help pet parents monitor their cats’ health. Though they started with self-scooping litter boxes, the company now sells other pet technology such as automatic feeders and water fountains.

The Scooper Open X is a new release with an open-top design which comes in two sizes: one for average-sized cats and one for large cats. This design is also easy to clean, compatible with all types of clumping litter, and monitors the litter box activity of multiple cats using the Catlink app.

Scooper Open X Features

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

Catlink’s Scooper Open X is a great choice for those seeking an open-top automatic litter box. It’s affordable compared to other self-cleaning litter boxes, has a user-friendly design, and tracks the litter habits of multiple cats.

It’s compatible with all types of clumping litter and has a large waste bin. That said, the waste bin doesn’t have a tight seal and may cause odors in the home if not emptied frequently.

A simple yet intelligent design keeps your cats safe and makes deep-cleaning a breeze. The drum doesn’t rotate fully, and multiple sensors prevent cats from getting trapped or pinched by the machine as it scoops. The only oversight I found was that there isn’t an anti-pinch sensor on the back of the waste bin, so a curious cat may get pinched during the litter emptying process. I would recommend supervising while the litter tray empties, just in case.

The Catlink app is clean and easy to navigate. It tracks your cat’s litter habits including how many times they visit, how long they stay, and their weight. Settings include night mode, soft stool burial (waste is covered before scooping), and continuous cleaning (each cycle runs twice for an extra-clean litter tray).

If you prefer not to use the app, there are also buttons on the device itself for scooping, emptying, and changing cleaning modes. These can be locked as well, so small children and pets can’t push them at random.

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

What We Like

Open-top style is preferred by most cats and is easier to keep clean
Since the drum never closes, cats cannot get trapped inside–and multiple safety sensors work to prevent pinching
Allows health tracking for multiple cats, so long as they have a weight difference of 0.9 pounds or more
Catlink app is clean and easy to navigate, with several customization settings

What We Didn’t Like

Litter emptying should be monitored, as there don’t seem to be as many safety sensors on the back of the machine as the front

What Did Our Test Cats Think?

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

The Catlink Scooper Open X was easy to assemble and connected to the app quickly. I couldn’t get it to scoop properly at first, but I soon realized that I’d installed the sifter improperly.

If you have a similar problem, know that there’s a tab in the center that the sifter needs to sit in front of. If it gets caught behind it, the clumps will be sifted out but won’t fall into the waste shoot, instead landing right back in the litter tray. Luckily, this was a simple fix and the machine otherwise worked well.

Like all automatic litter boxes, only my smaller cats were willing to explore it. However, they did seem to like the open-top design more than other self-scooping boxes we’ve tried, and used it more frequently than I expected.

It seemed to be their favorite of the litter boxes I’ve tested by far, so I would definitely buy it again. I also prefer the open-top style, as my cats look more comfortable inside of it and it’s very easy to clean.

What Do Customers Think of the Scooper Open X?

Positive Reviews

“I’m genuinely impressed with the CATLINK Open Top Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box. After using it for several weeks, I can confidently say it’s one of the best pet purchases I’ve made. It’s incredibly eco friendly, using less litter overall and reducing waste..” – Wendy mak on Amazon

“This litter box combines automation, app connectivity, and safety features to simplify cat care—especially for busy households or multi-cat families.” – Princess on Amazon

Since the Scooper Open X is a relatively new product, there aren’t many reviews yet. So far, customers like that it has an open top, is easy to deep clean, and has a simple set-up process. Some reviewers note that they had problems with the litter box initially, but that Catlink has great customer service and resolved their issues quickly and professionally.

Negative Reviews

“Low capacity and does not cover the smell well. The silicone liner came detached while we were away for the weekend. It proceeded to dump all the litter and the cats had to poop on the floor next to it. Total disaster.” – xiangningzeng on Amazon

“My cat loved it until he saw the self cleaning now he won’t go near it and I had to dig his old one from the trash to keep him from peeing on the floor. Hopefully I can find someone to give it to.” – Amazon Customer on Amazon

The Scooper Open X only has a smaller number of negative reviews so far, but a few customers complain about the litter tray being too small, the device malfunctioning, or their cats not using the litter box. In addition, some positive reviewers say they’ve had some tech issues with the device which were later resolved by customer service.