Last updated Sep 14, 2026
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Automatic litter boxes have taken over the pet tech market, with more choices than ever for cat owners to consider. From fully-loaded models like the Litter-Robot 5 Pro to simple but streamlined designs like the PetSafe ScoopFree, there’s an option to suit every need and preference. The trick is deciding which one is right for you and your cat.
In this review, we’ll take a side-by-side look at two very different models from Whisker’s Litter-Robot and PetSafe. Keep reading to find out whether one of these self-cleaning litter boxes might be the perfect pick for your household.
Head to Head Comparison
| Whisker | PetSafe | |
| Years in Business
Is the product manufactured by a longstanding, successful company? |
27 (founded in 1999) | 28 years (founded in 1998) |
| Made in the USA
You should know where your pet appliances are made. |
Designed and assembled in the USA (factory in Juneau, Wisconsin) | Litter box made in China; crystal cat litter made in the USA |
| Customer Ratings
Average customer rating on major retail sites including Amazon and Chewy |
4.4/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Warranty
Your investment should be backed by a full-service warranty. |
18-month full-coverage warranty; extended 3-year warranty available | 1-year limited warranty |
| Money-Back Guarantee
Buy with confidence knowing you can get a refund if unsatisfied. |
90-day in-home trial + money-back guarantee (must pay return shipping) | 45-day money-back guarantee (must pay return shipping) |
| Payment Plan
Can you “buy now, pay later” with stress-free financing plans? |
3-, 6-, and 12-month plans available with Affirm | None |
| WiFi-Enabled
Smart pet appliances can be remotely monitored and controlled through the app. |
The first self-cleaning litter box with WiFi capabilities; get notifications and monitor litter box habits with the Whisker app | ScoopFree Smart is WiFi-enabled; remotely monitor a unit with My PetSafe app |
| Sifting Technology
What makes this pet appliance self-cleaning? |
Original patented gravity-driven litter-sifting technology | Rake-sifting system |
| Product Design
The appliance should be designed with both pets and pet parents in mind |
Orbital design with large entry; covered waste compartment in the base | Open, uncovered design; optional covers available; covered waste compartment at one end |
Background on the Litter-Robot 5
The Litter-Robot 5 is Whisker’s latest WiFi-enabled, fully automatic, self-cleaning litter box and one of three models added to the lineup in 2025. Kate Barrington / Cats.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
The Litter-Robot 5 is the latest WiFi-enabled, fully automatic, self-cleaning litter box from Whisker. It’s one of three models added to the Litter-Robot lineup in 2025, along with the feature-packed Litter-Robot 5 Pro and the streamlined Litter-Robot EVO. All are based on the original design for the first Litter-Robot which was released by Whisker in 2000.
Various members of the Cats.com team have tested every Litter-Robot model since the third iteration (and the first to be WiFi-enabled), the Litter-Robot III Connect. You can watch our video review of the latest Litter-Robot here on YouTube:
The first thing many cat owners notice about the Litter-Robot 5 is that it’s big. It features a large, globe-like shape which has become a hallmark characteristic of Whisker’s automatic litter boxes. The whole unit has a footprint of about 22 x 27 x 29.9 inches with a 15.75-inch litter bed inside the globe.
Like the other models that came before it, the Litter-Robot 5 is an automatic, self-cleaning litter box. It’s equipped with a bevy of sensors that detect your cat’s presence and trigger a cleaning cycle after they leave the box. The cleaning cycle rotates the globe, sifting clean litter into a storage compartment while clumps and solid waste tumble into a discreet waste receptacle hidden in the base.
Maintaining the Litter-Robot 5 is easy. All you have to do is replenish with fresh cat litter when the level gets too low and empty the waste receptacle as needed. You’ll have to purchase your own cat litter, but there are no additional costs unless you choose to buy branded waste drawer liners or subscribe to the premium version of Whisker’s mobile app.
Background on the PetSafe Scoopfree
The PetSafe ScoopFree is an automatic, self-cleaning litter box with a traditional litter-pan shape and footprint. Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Ratings
- Ease of Cleaning – 4/5
- Odor Control – 3.5/5
- Appearance – 4.5/5
- Construction – 5/5
- Price – 3/5
Overall Score: 4/5
The ScoopFree self-cleaning litter box is made by PetSafe, a global family of brands known for electronic fences, automatic feeders, and other pet care products. One of several models PetSafe has to offer, the ScoopFree is an automatic litter box that has a similar shape and footprint as a typical litter pan.
Members of our team have tested several PetSafe automatic litter boxes over the years, including the new WiFi-enabled ScoopFree SmartSpin and the now-discontinued Simply Clean. You can watch our video review of the classic ScoopFree litter box here on YouTube:
Like a standard litter pan, the PetSafe ScoopFree features a rectangular tray-like shape and open-top design. The biggest difference is that it’s specifically designed to be used with crystal cat litter. This litter box comes with a bag of ScoopFree Disposable Crystal Cat Litter, but the device will work with comparable products from other brands.
The PetSafe ScoopFree is not your typical sifting litter box, and its design differs from rotating automatic models. It features a hidden rake that moves across the litter bed after your cat leaves, sweeping waste into a discreet compartment at the other end. The whole unit measures about 19×27.5×6.5 inches.
Crystal cat litter, which absorbs more liquid than clay, plays a key role in the function of this automatic litter box. The design doesn’t hinge on separating clumps from clean litter but instead physically removes solid waste from the litter bed. As the rake moves, it also effectively stirs the litter to spread out the saturated crystals so they dry more quickly.
How Does the Litter-Robot 5 Compare to the PetSafe ScoopFree?
The Litter-Robot 5 and PetSafe ScoopFree both automate litter cleaning, but they differ significantly in how they manage waste, odor, and other features. Kate Barrington / Cats.com
On the most basic level, every automatic litter box does the same thing. They all save you the hassle of scooping the litter box yourself and many offer additional benefits like odor control and health tracking. When it comes to the Litter-Robot 5 and the PetSafe ScoopFree, however, there are significant differences in the way they accomplish these goals.
To compare and contrast these two litter boxes, we’ll take a closer look at the following categories:
Let’s dive into the details in each of these categories to determine whether one model has the edge over the other.
1. Size and Setup
Both the Litter-Robot 5 and the ScoopFree are larger than a traditional litter pan, but the ScoopFree is a more direct comparison. It’s a rectangular device that sits on the floor much like a regular litter box. In contrast, the Litter-Robot 5 takes up a significant amount of vertical space and needs several inches of clearance on all sides to function properly, but the footprint is about the same.
The measurements your cat is most likely to care about are the litter bed dimensions. Though the ScoopFree measures 27 inches long and 19 inches wide, the usable litter bed is only about 14-by-14 inches. The Litter-Robot 5’s litter bed is a little bigger at about 15.75 inches, but its round shape might make it feel smaller to large and long-bodied cats.
In terms of setup, both models are pretty simple. The Litter-Robot 5 comes almost fully assembled; you just have to snap the waste drawer into place and follow the setup prompts in the Whisker app.
Similarly, the PetSafe ScoopFree is pretty much ready to go. You only need to pour the crystal cat litter into the cardboard tray and place the litter box housing over it. The litter tray has instructions on it to help you make sure the waste trap and raking mechanism are placed properly.
Winner: A draw. Neither device should take more than a few minutes to set up and both are best suited to small or medium-sized cats.
2. Operation and Performance
This is where the Litter-Robot 5 and PetSafe ScoopFree really start to diverge. Both units performed reliably in testing and have more positive than negative customer reviews online. The way they work, however, is very different.
The Litter-Robot features an internal sifting mechanism that physically separates clean from dirty litter and deposits waste in a compartment hidden in the base. By contrast, the ScoopFree uses a metal rake that moves across the litter bed, sweeping solid waste into the collection tray.
The Litter-Robot uses an internal sifting mechanism to separate waste, while the ScoopFree uses a metal rake to sweep waste into a collection tray. Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Both models are automatic, designed to initiate a cleaning cycle after your cat leaves the box. With the ScoopFree, there’s a 5-, 10-, or 20-minute delay to give the litter time to absorb urine and dehydrate solid waste. With the Litter-Robot 5, you can adjust the timer delay to anything between 3 and 30 minutes in the Whisker app.
While the ScoopFree relies on an infrared sensor to detect your cat’s presence in the litter bed, the Litter-Robot is equipped with multiple lasers and weight sensors. Both models are programmed to stop if a cat enters while the device is in motion, but the Litter-Robot’s design has additional anti-obstruction architecture like pinch guards.
In terms of performance, the Litter-Robot 5 has an edge over the ScoopFree because it sifts the contents of the entire litter bed each time it cycles. The rake on the ScoopFree is prone to leaving small bits of litter or waste behind, and the crystal litter itself stays in the tray until you replace it.
Winner: Litter-Robot. Both units perform reliably but the Litter-Robot boasts more advanced safety features, a more comprehensive cleaning cycle, and more options for adjustment.
3. Odor Control and Tracking
Keeping waste in a covered compartment is the primary method of odor control both of these models employ. For the ScoopFree, the waste compartment is part of the litter tray. When the cleaning rake nears the end of the track, magnets in the tray raise the lid so waste can be swept inside. The lid lowers as the rake recedes but it doesn’t create a completely air-tight seal.
The Litter-Robot 5 is more of a contained unit. There’s a large opening in the front of the housing but it’s essentially a covered litter box with a separate waste compartment built into the base. The Litter-Robot 5 traps odors extremely well and, by adjusting the delay timer, you can ensure that dirty litter doesn’t sit in the box too long.
Unfortunately, odor becomes an issue fairly quickly with the PetSafe ScoopFree. As the waste compartment fills up, the lid may no longer close all the way. And once the crystal litter becomes saturated, it may develop a strong odor of urine.
How much tracking you’ll see with the Litter-Robot 5 depends largely on the type of litter you choose. This model has a small litter mat built into the step and it comes with a shield you can attach to the bezel which helps keep litter from scattering outside the box. The ScoopFree relies on the size and weight of the crystal cat litter granules to help reduce tracking. The unit’s design also allows time for stuck litter to fall off your cat’s paws as they step out of the box.
Winner: Litter-Robot. Between its large but discreet waste compartment and multiple anti-tracking features, the Litter-Robot 5 outscores the ScoopFree in odor control and tracking.
4. Cost and Maintenance
The beauty of upgrading to an automatic litter box is that it does the scooping for you. There’s still some maintenance involved, however, especially if you want to keep odor to a minimum.
With the Litter-Robot 5, you simply slide out the waste drawer and pull out the bag full of dirty litter to discard it. You’ll also need to refill the litter occasionally (or buy a LitterHopper for automated refills) and replace the carbon filters monthly. Wiping down the inside of the globe helps control dust, and a deeper clean of the unit is recommended every 2–3 months.
The PetSafe ScoopFree is designed to have the whole litter tray replaced about once a month. Emptying the waste compartment can be messy since it’s part of the tray, but it may be necessary in multi-cat households. You may also need to wipe down the sides of the unit from time to time.
The difference in cost between the Litter-Robot 5 and PetSafe ScoopFree is significant. Litter-Robot models start at $599, the Litter-Robot 5 is $799, and there’s also a Pro model with an integrated dual camera system for $899. The Whisker app is free to use, though you can access advanced tracking and AI-powered insights for $7.99/month.
The ScoopFree has been on the market for a while, so there are a few options. The $99 Classic is the original design while the $129 Pro Legacy has an added LCD display to track usage. For about $180, you can get the Crystal Plus which has a smoother interior finish, a replacement indicator light, and a removable rake.
The biggest recurring cost for either model is the cat litter. Most clumping clay cat litters are compatible with the Litter-Robot, as are some non-clay alternatives. The ScoopFree only works with crystal cat litter. You can either buy replacement trays with litter or purchase a branded reusable tray and choose your own crystal litter.
Winner: A draw. The ScoopFree easily beats the Litter-Robot on upfront cost, but its features are more limited. Ongoing maintenance may be similar for both, though the Litter-Robot 5 is manufactured domestically with high-quality components. The cost is higher but it’s likely to last much longer than the ScoopFree.
5. Overall Impressions
The Litter-Robot 5 and the PetSafe ScoopFree are two very different automatic litter boxes, each with its own merits. Both companies clearly put a significant amount of time and effort into developing a product that works, so choosing between them really comes down to a matter of preference (and often price).
If your cat is new to automatic litter boxes, the ScoopFree looks more like a regular litter box and has an open-top design. That said, cats don’t seem to have much trouble learning how to use the Litter-Robot 5. It’s made with patented QuietSift technology to minimize noise and, according to Whisker, only about 4% of units are returned. The built-in step makes it pretty easy to access and the device is surprisingly quiet when it cycles.
Where the Litter-Robot 5 really shines is in multi-cat households. Crystal cat litter unfortunately accumulates odor fairly quickly, especially when multiple cats are using it. With the Litter-Robot 5, the litter bed is refreshed after every visit, no matter how many cats you have. The waste compartment is also much larger than the ScoopFree’s.
Another benefit the Litter-Robot 5 has over the ScoopFree is its connection to the Whisker app. If you want to keep track of your cat’s litter box usage or adjust the settings on your unit, it’s easy to do. The only setting you can adjust on the ScoopFree is the cycle delay timer and even the usage counter has limited practical benefit (particularly in a multi-cat home).
The Litter-Robot 5’s near-$800 price tag is a valid reason to hesitate. With regular cleaning, however, it should last for years to come and all but eliminate litter box maintenance from your to-do list.
Which Option Is Right For You?
Having thoroughly tested both the Litter-Robot 5 and PetSafe ScoopFree, we happily recommend either one. That being said, we think the Litter-Robot 5 has a competitive edge in terms of build quality, advanced technology, and multi-cat convenience. Here’s a quick summary of factors that might help you make your decision:
The PetSafe ScoopFree Might Be Right For You If…
- If you prefer something that looks more like a traditional litter pan.
- You have less vertical space to work with in your home.
- You want to streamline maintenance with easy replacement trays.
- You’re not ready to make an investment over $200.
- You prefer crystal cat litter to clumping clay litter.
The Litter-Robot 5 Might Be Right For You If…
- You have multiple cats and want each cat to have a clean litter box.
- You want the freedom to choose your own clumping clay cat litter.
- You’re interested in mobile app connectivity to monitor litter box usage.
- You prioritize odor control and want the option to add carbon filters.
- You’re interested in tracking litter box usage and related health metrics.
- You have plenty of floor space and want the freedom of choosing the location.
- You prefer to buy a product made in the USA with premium components.
Before settling on an automatic litter box, it’s important to weigh your options. It’s pretty much a given that a self-cleaning model will cost more than a standard litter tray, but price isn’t the only thing to consider. It’s worth delving into the features and specifications that make one option a better fit than another for your specific cat or your own personal preferences.
Want to explore more options? Check out our guide to the best automatic litter boxes here.
FYI, the Litter Robots are assembled in Juneau, Wisconsin (not Alaska).
Otherwise, thank you for the review/comparison between the LR and the ScoopFree.
Thank you! I’ve corrected the table.