This vs. That features a comparative analysis of two trending products, offering a technical review of both items and cutting through internet discourse with authority. For this installment, we compared the viral Litter-Robot 4 against a bestselling self-cleaning Meowant litter box from Amazon. Read the full review below.
Believe it or not, the first automatic litter box was patented in 1991, prompting a long history of research to imagine and design the best possible model. And naturally, as soon as the idea of a scoop-free lifestyle hit the internet, cat moms like me advanced a self-cleaning litter box to the top of our wish lists. The Litter-Robot, engineered by Brad Baxter in 1999 and owned by Whisker, sparked a fair amount of innovation from other brands as well, such as Amazon’s top-selling Meowant, making for viral products that are now touted as must haves on the likes of TikTok and Instagram.
The newest model of the Litter-Robot is the Litter-Robot 4, an advancement on the Litter-Robot 3 Connect, which is highly rated thanks to its quiet operating system, advanced sifting technology, and spacious design. In short, I’d always imagined it like a high-end designer bag for my cats, Trish and Kit – they could easily go without it, but upgrading would be such an incredible luxury. So of course there’s a high price point to match. The Litter-Robot 4 ($699) is pricey, and that’s without the accessories such as the LitterTrap mat (+$40) or carpet tray (+$15) – plus, you can customize the circular bezel in gorgeous colorways such as mint, marble, and gray (+$50). Naturally, I understand the holdup many cat parents have in making such a big purchase, when scooping litter is not the most gruesome, time-consuming task in the world.
But in 2024, there are also alternative models on the market advertised to be just as revolutionary at a fraction of the price. The question is: do they measure up? In an effort to find a similar-quality gadget that qualifies as small-apartment furniture (since I just moved into a new space that’s lacking in square footage), I researched the dimensions, ratings, and reviews of Amazon’s bestselling self-cleaning cat litter boxes and landed on the Meowant Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box ($380, originally $700), which qualifies for Prime’s fast, free shipping and is currently marked down.
Ahead, I provide insight into which litter box is right for you and your space, highlighting key differences between the models as well as the standout features you may want to take into consideration. One thing’s for sure – regardless of which brand you choose, upgrading to a self-cleaning litter box is life-changing in that it eliminates the daily task of scooping and makes the act of cleaning up after your cats a weekly to-do.
Differences Between the Litter-Robot 4 and the Meowant Litter Box
The most glaringly obvious difference between the Litter-Robot 4 and the Meowant litter box is the size. The footprint of the Litter-Robot 4 is 22″ by 27″, and it stands at 30″ and weighs 24 pounds, whereas Meowant’s design is 21″ by 21″, stands at 22″, and weighs 21 pounds. Maybe it’s because I’d already unpackaged the Litter-Robot when the Meowant box arrived, but I was decidedly more taken aback by the sheer existence of the Litter-Robot in the corner of my small apartment. It really does look and feel like a spaceship for your cats – a gateway through which they may crossover into another world. This could also be because the opening to the bathroom (or should I say portal?) is more visible.
It really does look and feel like a spaceship for your cats – a gateway through which they may crossover into another world.
You can watch every bit of the action as the Litter-Robot 4 operates through its cycle, sifting through the clean litter to expose the clumps subsequently discarded into the waste bin, then leveling back out. This was particularly exciting for my curious cat, Kit, who managed to regularly stop the Litter-Robot 4 in its rotation as it sensed her nearby (this is also a safety feature of the Meowant box – more on that to follow). Being that the Litter-Robot 4 is a larger, more “open” device, my partner and I also both felt it was louder than the Meowant.
Unsurprisingly, Kit also happens to be a more energetic litter box user than most cats I’ve come across (which is many), shoveling, spraying, and tracking the particles in a chaotic fashion each time she uses the bathroom. This led to a much bigger mess with the Litter-Robot 4 given its wider entryway, though both brands do stock a trap mat with a heavy-duty top mesh layer ($40 on the Litter-Robot, and included with the Meowant).
Another huge factor to consider? The Litter-Robot 4 waste bin is an under compartment that pulls out like a drawer, doubling as a step for the cats to climb into the device (which has a higher entry point), whereas the Meowant trash is stowed on the top right-hand side of the drum. You have to squeeze the snap lock to lift the cover upward, then proceed to remove the garbage bag from the slim chamber that’s built in vertically.
I definitely found the cleaning process to be tidier with the Litter-Robot 4, as the plastic bag engulfs the entire base where the litter is discarded, whereas there are spaces surrounding the waste compartment in the Meowant design where damp or excess litter tends to stick during the process. Of course, this can be wiped away with a wet paper towel every three to five days when it’s time to empty out the bin. The Meowant litter box, which comes with a gel deodorizer that you need to install (plus two replacements), releases a bit more odor than the Litter-Robot 4, which has a built-in OdorTrap system with a carbon filter. However, it’s important to note that both products reduce or eliminate odors within the household drastically, and the stench is really only noticeable when the trap doors are open.
What’s Worth Noting About the Litter-Robot 4 and the Meowant Litter Box
Both self-cleaning litter boxes come with unbeatable WiFi-enabled technology that can be controlled through an app. Both systems allow you to track or schedule cleaning cycles, keep tabs on the weight of your cat(s), apply a child lock, set up “do not disturb” mode, and more. You can also manually trigger some of these functions on the button panels.
If you follow the manuals step-by-step, both litter boxes are extremely easy to set up, taking about 20 minutes at most. The contraptions come with automatic sensors that trigger them to halt their cycles when a cat is nearby, for safety purposes. They’re extremely efficient in that they operate mere minutes after your cat has gone to the bathroom, which thereby prevents lingering odors in your space. When it comes time to wipe down the structure, which is recommended every month or so, you can use a sanitary wipe on the interior surface (made of rubber in the Litter-Robot 4 and plastic in the Meowant litter box).
From a visual perspective, both self-cleaning litter boxes are a bit sleeker in appearance than your standard scooping box, but they by no means double as decor, and it’s important to note that it’s harder to hide a self-cleaning operating system in your home, whereas compact boxes can often be slid beside a toilet or even tucked away into shelving or a cabinet. If the appearance of a litter box is important to you, this is a significant consideration that should be taken into account before splurging on such a big purchase.
Both litter boxes are compatible with any type of clumping litter. Trish and Kit were ready and willing to use both models, proceeding to enter without any issues when it was time to go to the bathroom.
Who Are the Litter-Robot 4 and Meowant Litter Boxes Best For?
Self-cleaning litter boxes are best for busy cat parents who may not always have time to scoop daily and want to track their pet’s weight and bathroom routine. It’s very important to note that cat parents are oftentimes encouraged to monitor the consistency and quality of their cat’s stool, especially if the pet may be sick, so in this case, scooping litter could be best. Of course, you should ask your veterinarian for advice.
Because of the dimensions of the products, I would also recommend the self-cleaning litter boxes for those who live in a larger space and have extra room to fit the devices comfortably.
Additional Details:
- The Litter-Robot 4 is offered in a total of eight different bezel colors, whereas the Meowant litter box comes with a yellow or gray base.
- The Litter-Robot 4 and the Meowant litter box both come with a one-year warranty.
- There is no weight limit on the Litter-Robot 4, whereas the Meowant litter box is recommended for cats 3.3 to 18 pounds.
Where Are the Litter-Robot 4 and Meowant Litter Boxes Available to Shop?
The Litter-Robot 4 is available to shop at Best Buy, Chewy, and litter-robot.com. The Meowant litter box is available to shop at Amazon and meowant.com.
Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of commerce at POPSUGAR. With plenty of experience in the shopping market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at POPSUGAR, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in her work.
