The 10 Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes for Multiple Cats (Automatic + Manual)

Daily scooping of a litter box shared by multiple cats can be a very time-consuming task.

The litter gets a lot dirtier much sooner than if a single cat were using it. So, you have to constantly stay on top of it to keep it fresh, odor-free, and pleasant for your cats’ use.

Self-cleaning litter boxes help you out considerably by saving your time while keeping an immaculate litter box.

They vary a lot in terms of how they operate; which can be automatic and/or smart, or manual. The thing to keep in mind is that self-cleaning litter boxes still require you to renew the litter batch regularly – they are not magical robots!

Their purpose is to save you time from scooping daily and prevent you from physically dealing with your cat’s poop.

My Top Picks

PetSafe ScoopFree Original Cat Litter Box (Automatic)

Overall, my top choice is PetSafe ScoopFree Original Automatic Cat Litter Box because it is effective, easy to use, and dependable. The rake starts sifting about 20 minutes after your cat has used it so the waste doesn’t sit there for long. The waste is pushed into a closed compartment where it is kept until you empty it. PetSafe ScoopFree Original Automatic Cat Litter Box has a hooded version and a top-entry version too.

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Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box (Manual)

My top choice for a manually operated self-cleaning box is the Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box because it is an affordable litter box that is fairly dependable, suitable for large kitties, multi-cat use, and has an ingenious system for manual scooping. Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box works with any hard clumping litter of your choice.

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Below you’ll find my review of the top 10 self-cleaning litter boxes suitable for multi-cat use and big breeds.

Along with this review, you’ll also find information on the wide variety of features available, what to look for in a self-cleaning litter box, how to acclimate your cat to an automatic self-cleaning litter box, and a pros and cons list to help you choose between automatic, smart, or manual self-cleaning litter boxes.

Choosing the Best Self-Cleaning Litter Box for Multiple Cats

I have considered the following factors when evaluating multi-cat self-cleaning litter boxes on the market:

• Size: The bigger the litter box, the more comfortable your cat will be when using it. Also, it will keep fresh for longer.
• Size of the waste receptacle: The bigger it is, the less frequently you’ll need to empty it – so less work for you.
• Practicality: Is it easy to disassemble and put together? Does it have a long cord for plugging? Does it require custom things that you need to buy additionally and continuously? Does it have a battery backup?
• Efficiency: Does the litter box do its job well? Consider whether or not you’ll run into problems such as frequent malfunctions, or the litter box not doing a proper job of scooping. Poop is easy, but how does it handle urine clumps?
• Comfort: Of course, whether or not your cat likes her litter box and can use it comfortably is crucial.
• Litter required: Some self-cleaning litter boxes require a certain type of litter while others are more flexible on the issue.
• Price: As you’ll soon see, there is a wide range in price when it comes to self-cleaning litter boxes. Best value for money is my motto when it comes to price.

So, without further adieu, here is my selection and my reviews for the top 10 self-cleaning litter boxes for multiple cats or large cats on the market. I’ve reviewed them in two separate categories: Automatic (smart automatic & automatic litter boxes) and manual ones.

Best Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes for Multiple Cats

1. PetSafe ScoopFree Original Automatic Cat Litter Box

Automatic self-cleaning litter boxes work with electricity. They have sensors that detect your cat and they can start a cleaning cycle by themselves.

How it works: This litter box has an automatic rake system that moves back and forth along the tray to sift the poop in the litter. The rake starts sifting about 20 minutes after your cat has used it so the waste doesn’t sit there for long. The waste is pushed into a closed compartment where it is kept until you empty it. There is a disposable tray slot underneath the litter box in which you insert the tray filled with litter. When renewing the litter, you just pull out the tray from its slot, cover it up with its lid, and throw it away along with the litter.

This litter box is used with its custom silica gel crystal litter, which has a few varieties. I’d recommend the ScoopFree Sensitive Unscented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter because it is unscented and dye-free. Plus, all versions of the ScoopFree litter are non-clumping and biodegradable. Since it is non-clumping silica, it just absorbs the urine so that there are no urine clumps.

Also, please watch this ingenious promo video – you won’t be sorry!

Overall, this is a solid choice for an automated litter box that is reasonably priced, efficient, and easy to use.

Pros

Cons

2. PetSafe ScoopFree Smart Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box (Remote Control App)

This litter box is the smart version of the PetSafe ScoopFree I’ve introduced above, which means that it syncs with its custom app on your smartphone. The app allows you remote control of the litter box and gives you data on your cat’s litter box activities. However, it can’t differentiate between cats if more than one cat is using it. So everything will appear as the data for one cat. This is why I would recommend you to get the non-smart version of this litter box and save money.

How it works: The system of this litter box is essentially the same as the one mentioned above. It has a rake that goes back and forth in the litter tray and deposits the solid waste into a compartment for you to throw away. It is used with its custom silica crystal litter which is deposited into the litter box with its disposable litter tray through a slot at the bottom. I’ve given you the link to the hooded version of this box. If you’d prefer, here’s the non-covered version which is also a bit cheaper.

Overall, this is a dependable choice for an automated smart litter box that is also affordable.

Pros

Cons

3. LitterMaid Multi-Cat Litter Box and Nature’s Miracle Multi-Cat Litter Box

These two are automatic self-cleaning litter boxes that are specific for multi-cat use. I’ll review them together because they have the same system. In fact, if you compare the designs of the two, you’ll see that their only difference is the logo on the product.

How they work: Like all automated litter boxes, there is a sensor that detects your cat’s use and activates a cleaning cycle a while after that. A rake moves back and forth to separate solid waste into a disposable waste receptacle. If you choose, you may line it up with a plastic bag so that you don’t need to keep on getting new receptacles. Make sure that you don’t overfill it with litter, as this may overwork the motor and result in ineffective cleaning. I’ve given you the link to the hooded version of this box. If you’d prefer, here’s the non-covered version which is also a bit cheaper.

They both have single-cat versions too: LitterMaid Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Nature’s Miracle Single-Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box. These single-cat litter boxes are cheaper than their multi-cat counterparts.

Overall, my joint verdict for these two is that they have a good concept and the fact that they are specific for multi-cat use is great, but they are not the most reliable options out there.

Pros

Cons

4. ChillX AutoEgg Self-cleaning Litter Box (With App + Modern Design)

The ChillX AutoEgg is also a smart litter box that connects to an app on your phone. Like the other smart litter boxes, the app of this one also gives you readings to monitor your cat’s health and also allows you to control the litter box remotely. Additionally, it has a very modern, sleek design – which I like the best out of all the smart litter boxes out there. It resembles a cool, futuristic egg!

How it works: The AutoEgg starts cleaning 5 minutes after it has been used. There is a rake that goes back and forth inside it that collects solid waste and stores it in a receptacle. It works with hard-clumping clay litter.

Overall, I would recommend this litter box if you are looking for a high-end and aesthetic automated smart litter box for a small or mid-sized cat. Even though it is a bit expensive, it has good value for money.

Pros

Cons

5. CatGenie A.I. Self-Washing Cat Box (With App)

This is perhaps the most distinct automatic self-cleaning and self-washing litter box on this list because it has washable granules instead of a conventional litter. This is a literal cat toilet that flushes away the waste.

How it works: So, the raking system is pretty much the same as other automated litter boxes. The sensor initiates a cleaning cycle 10 minutes after your cat’s use which collects the poop. Here’s the interesting part: the litter-like granules are washed with a cat-safe SaniSolution, heat-dried, and the dirty water and the solid waste are flushed out like in a human toilet. To do this, the litter box has to use the drain of your toilet or washing machine.

If you have multiple cats, don’t get this A.I. version of CatGenie, instead, consider the non-A.I. version. This is because the smart app cannot differentiate between cats, so you’ll have inaccurate readings. Save your money and get the non-A.I. model instead!

Overall, I think this is an ambitious product that largely fulfills its job. The promise of never buying litter again is tempting, but special requirements for placement and set up may be straining.

Pros

Cons

6. Litter-Robot 3 Connect (With App)

This is an actual robot – no kidding! It’s designed to look like a little round robot, like something out of Star Wars. It is a smart litter box, so it also links to an app that gives you various readings and allows you remote control. You can use any kind of clumping clay litter with this litter box.

How it works: After your cat exists, the Litter-Robot initiates a countdown after which the inner lining of its round hood starts rotating. During the rotation of this globe, the fresh litter goes through the sift, and the remaining solid waste is collected at the carbon filtered bottom compartment of the Litter-Robot. You can line this compartment with any plastic bag you have. You can throw the full bag away when the litter box notifies you on your phone that it’s full.

I think the best quality of this litter box is that its app lets you keep track of your cat’s litter box use and monitor her health. It gives you readings from your cat and lets you compare those readings to information from other cats’ data.

Overall, I would say that this litter box is a decent automated smart litter box, but I’m not convinced that it is worth its expensive price with regards to practicality and job efficiency.

Pros

Cons

7. Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Litter Box

This is an automatic self-cleaning litter box that works with any hard clumping litter. The way it operates is quite similar to the other automatic litter boxes such as LitterMaid and Nature’s Miracle.

How it works: The automated rate activates 15 minutes after your cat has used it. The rake moves along the litter tray to pick up the solid waste, and lifts it out to drop it into its closed waste receptacle. From there you can collect the waste and throw it away with its plastic liner. You should make sure that you don’t overfill the tray for it to work effectively.

Overall, this is an affordable product but unfortunately, it is prone to malfunctioning and its scooping isn’t very effective.

Pros

Cons

8. PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box

This is also an automatic litter box by PetSafe but it works a bit differently and looks very different too.

How it works: The round base of the litter box rotates once every hour and a half. There is a fixed rake near the entrance of the waste conveyor which scoops out the solid waste and takes it to the closed bin with the carbon filters. You can line the waste compartment with a bag of your choosing and just throw it away when it’s full. This litter box works best with hard clumping litter and you should make sure that you don’t overfill it.

Overall, this litter box has a smart design but unfortunately, it breaks down a lot and doesn’t work as efficiently as it claims.

Pros

Cons

Best Manual Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes for Multi Cats 

Manual self-cleaning litter boxes do not need electricity to work. They work by converting the act of scooping into an easier action on your part such as pulling a lever, tilting the box, etc.)

1. Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box

This is a manual self-cleaning litter box that works with any hard clumping litter of your choice. This is my top choice for a manual self-cleaning litter box.

How it works: You simply begin tilting the litter box on its right side until it is turned fully upside down. As you do this, the unclumped litter goes through a sift and the solid waste is separated into a pull-out tray on the side. Then, you bring the litter box right side up, this time tilting it a little bit further to the left side. This allows for the unclumped litter to collect back into the base of the tray where it is ready for use. You can empty the waste receptacle by pulling it out by its handle. If you wish, you can line the receptacle with a plastic bag so that you don’t need to wash it all the time.

Overall, this manual litter box has a very smart system that works fairly effectively. I would recommend it as my top choice for a manual self-cleaning litter box.

Pros

Cons

2. Catit SmartSift Litter Box

This is a manual self-cleaning litter box that operates with the simple pull of a lever.

How it works: This litter box has a lever on its side that rotates the litter tray on the inside when pulled. The litter falls through a sifter and the collected solid waste is dropped into the waste receptacle from where you can empty it.

Overall, this litter box has a smart operating system but unfortunately, its lever-lock system is prone to malfunctioning.

Pros

Cons

Additional Factors to Help You Determine the Best Self-Cleaning Litter Box

I’ve mentioned above briefly a few essential factors to consider when choosing a self-cleaning litter box: size, size of its waste receptor, practicality, efficiency, required litter, comfort, and price.

Let’s take a look at additional factors to help you determine the best fit for you and your cat(s). Here are some questions you should consider when choosing a self-cleaning litter box for multi-cat use:

Is it suitable for multi-cat sharing?

Yes! But let me elaborate.

We know that the litter box rule of thumb is: litter box number = number of cats + 1. However, not everyone has that much room in their house, and frankly, cats sharing a litter box can be completely fine if the conditions are proper.

If cats are to share a litter box, it is even better for them to share an automated self-cleaning one because it will be cleaned shortly after each cat’s use, keeping it fresh for the next cat’s turn. It essentially does the job of scooping after each use of each cat.

It will also save you lots of time. Think about it – if you were to attempt scooping after each time one of your cats used the litter box, that would mean scooping 6-10 times a day if you have two cats. Imagine how much time and effort it would take. An automated self-cleaning litter box does this for you effortlessly.

Will it be comfortable for my cats?

Yes – if the litter box is large, easy to access, and kept clean, it will be comfortable enough for your cat.

With that said, in some cases, it may be difficult for cats to adjust to a new litter box, especially if it’s an automatic self-cleaning one. This is because the motor will make noise, and she may observe that something’s happening in there (i.e. the rakes moving) that she’s not used to. It may cause distrust in the litter box and she may shy away from using it. However, this shouldn’t be a problem if you introduce the new litter box properly and gradually.

Will it require a special litter?

This depends on the type of litter box you have. For instance, the PetSafe ScoopFree automatic litter box has its custom non-clumping silica crystal litter, while the Litter-Robot can be used with any type of clay clumping litter. There is even a litter box (CatGenie A.I.) that doesn’t require litter at all!

This discrepancy is because each litter box has a different system of cleaning that works better with a specific type of litter. Which litters work with which boxes depend on things like the size of the holes in its sift, the distance between the teeth of its rake, and so on.

If you have a specific preference in the litter you wish to use, I would recommend you to choose your litter box accordingly.

Will it need a special placement?

If your litter box is automatic and needs to be plugged-in, you may need to place it close to an electric socket. Also, you should probably keep it out of your bedroom or any other place where you will be distracted by its noise.

As a special case, the self-washing litter box CatGenie A.I. mentioned in the reviews above needs to be placed where there are a cold water line and waste drain to operate.

Other than these, there isn’t anything else to particularly consider in the placement of a self-cleaning litter box.

Do I need to buy custom parts?

Yes and no, depending on your choice of the litter box.

Manual self-cleaning litter boxes typically don’t require any special parts. However, some automatic ones do. For instance, the Cat Genie A.I. requires you to purchase a cartridge of its custom SaniSolution about every month, which is the special solution that washes its granules. The PetSafe ScoopFree requires you to buy a custom disposable litter tray set every three months. Some automatic litter boxes have custom liners for their waste receptacles too.

How often do I need to clean it out?

Even if these things clean themselves, you still need to replace the used litter with a fresh batch at regular intervals. If the litter box does a thorough job of scooping, the litter will keep clean for a longer period. If not, you may need to replace batches more often. This period may vary between 1-2 weeks to a month, which is something to consider.

If the litter box is used by multiple cats, then the litter needs to be changed more frequently. This period is in proportion to the number of cats. So if a single cat’s litter box requires a litter change once every 20-30 days, the litter box of two cats will require a litter change of 10-15 days, and so on.

Can kittens use it?

Yes, but when unplugged.

You may have noticed that almost all automated self-cleaning litter boxes advise against kitten use. This is because the sensors in automatic litter boxes may not be able to detect kittens. So, the cleaning cycle won’t be activated after your kitten’s use, or worse, the cycle may activate while your kitten’s in there (if another cat has used it a few minutes ago.)

Another possibility is that kitten poop can be too small for the rake or sift in a particular self-cleaning litter box. This will mean that the litter box may not clean your kitten’s waste efficiently enough.

With all these things considered, it is recommended that automatic litter boxes should be kept unplugged for kittens under 6 months old, weighing less than 5 lbs.

Does it make an unpleasant noise?

Automated self-cleaning litter boxes do make some noise as they go through their cleaning process. The ChillX AutoEgg is the quietest one, while the PetSafe ScoopFree can be a bit more vocal. However, if you place the litter box where the noise won’t bother you, it should not be such a big issue. If you think about it, you won’t be subjected to it that much. Typically, a cleaning cycle is complete under 1 minute, and a cat typically uses her litter box 3-5 times a day.

Automatic vs. Manual Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes

As you might have noticed when going through the selection of products above, self-cleaning litter boxes don’t share a standard system of working. There are many ways that self-cleaning litter boxes work but we can divide them into two broad categories based on the way they operate: automatic and manual.

I can’t tell you if one is better than the other because each has its advantages and disadvantages. Also, you may prefer one over the other but another cat parent may choose otherwise.

The two lists below may help you in deciding which one suits you better:

Pros and Cons: Automatic/Smart Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes

Pros

Cons

Pros and Cons: Manual Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes

Pros

Cons

How to Acclimate Your Cat to an Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box?

It may be hard for cats to get used to a new type of litter box, especially if it’s one that makes weird noises or starts doing things on its own all of a sudden!

Like every other area of training your cat, getting her acclimated to an automated litter box requires patience, time, and a positive attitude. Never push your cat and make sure to make it a gradual, smooth transition.

Here are the things you should pay attention to when acclimating your cat to a typical automated self-cleaning litter box:

Keep it unplugged until your cat starts using it

This is a golden rule. If you plug it in from the get-go, the chances are your cat will be frightened of it and won’t go near it, like a vacuum cleaner. This is why you should use the machine unplugged until your cat gets used to it as an object and starts using it. In fact, it’s best if your cat doesn’t see it working before she has already used it a number of times.

Encourage your cat to explore it

You can guide your cat towards the new litter box with toys and treats. You can also bring her to it a while after meals, about when she would need to use a litter box. Don’t force her into it though. Let her do her own exploring and sniffing. You can show her the litter by digging into the fresh litter with your hand.

Place it next to the old litter box

Don’t get rid of your old litter box right away. Getting rid of it all of a sudden will disorient your cat. If she doesn’t acclimate to the new box right away, she may start peeing elsewhere if she doesn’t have her old litter box.

If you place the new and the old litter boxes side by side, your cat will associate the two and won’t need to go looking for it. You can also aid this process by placing some clumps from her dirty litter into the new one so that she feels a familiarity with it.

Stop cleaning the old litter box

When the two litter boxes are next to each other, gradually stop cleaning the old one. Since cats like to use clean litters, she will be encouraged to use the clean, new one. If you keep on cleaning her old litter box, she’ll have no reason to start using another one that she’s not used to.

After your cat shows interest in the new litter box and uses it a few times, you may remove the old one completely.

Don’t switch litters (if you can)

Switching both her litter box and her litter at once is too much of a change for your cat. If you can, keep the litter constant so that your cat feels a familiarity with the new litter box.

With this being said, some automatic litter boxes like the PetSafe ScoopFree and CatGenie have to be used with their custom litters. If you’ve got one of these litter boxes, you’ll have to switch litters whether you want to or not. Also, most automatic litter boxes require hard clumping litter, so if you’ve been using non-clumping pellet litter or silica, you will probably need to switch litters too.

Don’t worry, you can acclimate your cat to the new litter too. Just make a mixture of the new and old litters at the beginning. You may put some of the new litter into the old litter box so that your cat gets used to it in a setting she knows. You can also sprinkle some of her old litter into the new litter box. Since you’ll be using it unplugged initially, doing this won’t cause the automatic litter box problems in cleaning. You can just do manual scooping till your cat starts getting used to the new litter box. Gradually reduce the amount of the old litter in your litter mixture, and you’re set.

In the special case of the CatGenie washable granules, it is advised that you place the washable pellets into your cat’s old litter in her old litter box so that she gets used to their texture beforehand. You may wash the pellets in the CatGenie later on.

CONCLUSION

If you are looking after multiple cats, I genuinely think that you should give self-cleaning litter boxes a chance. I would especially recommend you to try an automated litter box which scoops up waste after each use. Not only will this save you an immense amount of time, but it will also enhance your cats’ litter experience.

Self-cleaning litter boxes are also a great option for cat parents that are busy during the day or are away from their homes for a lot of the time. Smart litter boxes are especially useful in such cases. Imagine your cat’s litter box getting scooped with the push of a button on your phone from miles away! Not to mention getting reports on your cat’s urinary health and litter box activities.

With all these being said, it is wrong to assume that self-cleaning litter boxes are complete wizards and that they won’t need any regular maintenance. Keeping that in mind, I would definitely say that a self-cleaning litter box can make your life as a cat parent a lot easier. You may dedicate all your previous scooping time to cuddling your cat!