Comparing Litter Robot Models: The Litter Robot 3, Litter Robot 3 Connect, & the Litter Robot 4
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Back in 2020, after being bombarded with tons of sponsored ads of self cleaning litter boxes, and doing months upon months of research, I purchased my first Litter Robot for my cats: the Litter Robot 3 Connect. The rest, as the proverbial they say, is history. I was fully hooked on the no-scoop life and I do firmly believe that Litter Robots are the best automatic litter boxes on the market.
I promptly bought another Litter Robot model a few months later, opting to order the Litter Robot 3 without Internet capabilities in order to save a little money. And then in early 2021, I was gifted a Litter Robot 4 from Whisker to beta test and keep, for which I am extremely grateful!
Long story short, I consider myself somewhat of a Litter Robot connoisseur, and love to answer questions regarding which Litter Robot models do what and which model is best for any particular kitty household.
HOW DO LITTER ROBOTS WORK?
Litter Robots are smart litter boxes that automatically clean themselves after a pre-determined amount of time. You can tell the Litter Robot to wait up to 30 minutes after a cat leaves the machine to cycle, which gives plenty of time for things to harden and clump for cleaning.
Once the machine spins, clumps are deposited in the bottom tray that you then empty when it is full. Depending on how many cats and Litter Robots you have, you may empty the drawer once a day or once a week. Currently with 6 cats, I have four Litter Robots. This ensures I do not have to empty the drawers quite as frequently, and that my kitties never have to wait in line to use the bathroom.
Litter Robots come with a plug-in power supply in the box, but there is also a spot for a battery (sold separately) so that if you ever experience a power outage, the machine can still automatically clean itself.
You can use any clumping litter in the Litter Robot, but it does have to clump so the fence can sift and sort accordingly. I currently use Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented and am happy with it.
Another thing I really like about the Litter Robot automatic litter boxes is that you are not required to use the Whisker-branded bags to collect waste, any bags/receptacles will do. I would love to see Whisker develop a more eco-friendly solution for waste disposal in the future, though!
One of the unsung benefits of Litter Robots is that you will save money on litter in the long run. By only eliminating clumps when they're created, Litter Robots make sure that you're not accidentally throwing away any clean litter. You can truly get the most out of your litter with these Litter Robots, and you'll be amazed at how much you save on the cost of litter (not to mention the time you get back not scooping!)
Safety-wise, the Litter Robot machines do not spin quickly at all and each model utilizes weight sensors to recognize when a cat is inside. Litter Robots are not recommended for kittens or any cat under 5 pounds. If you add a new kitten to your house with a Litter Robot, make sure that the machine stays turned off and is manually cycled until your kitty weighs enough to activate the sensors.
So how many kitties can a Litter Robot handle? The Litter Robot 3 and Litter Robot 3 Connect are designed to handle 1-3 cats, and the Litter Robot 4 can manage up to 4. From my personal experience owning all of the models, however, I think that 1 Litter Robot machine: per 2 cats is the perfect ratio.
And how do you know when it's time to empty your Litter Robot? If you have the Litter Robot 3 Connect or Litter Robot 4, the Whisker app will alert you and a flashing light will begin to blink on the machine. For the Litter Robot 3, you'll only get the flashing light.
If you're worried about maintenance like I was, I do personally recommend purchasing the extended warranty for your Litter Robot. Each Litter Robot model comes with a one year warranty out of the box, but you can extend the warranty up to 3 years for a fee. Considering this is an electric box of spinning... er... liquids, I considered the warranty a no-brainer for such a big investment. Thankfully, I've only had to contact Whisker customer service once in 3 years and they not only sent me replacement parts for free, they sent me a spare set as a backup just in case.
Now that you know a little bit about how they work...
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AVAILABLE LITTER ROBOT MODELS?
THE LITTER ROBOT 3 OPEN AIR
The oldest available model in the Litter Robot lineup is the Litter Robot 3 Open Air and, at $499, it is the cheapest available option, too!
The Litter Robot 3 is more of an automatic litter box, than a smart one. It has a weight sensor to detect when a cat is inside, and has a motor to spin the machine at the set minute interval, but that is where the features end. Because the Litter Robot 3 Open Air does not have Internet connectivity, you will not be able to connect it to the Whisker app which means you will not be alerted (digitally) when the machine is full and you will not be able to tell which cat is using the Litter Robot unless you have a camera trained on it at all times. If you have multiple cats, it's important to know that all of your cats use the litter box regularly as a sign of good health.
The Litter Robot 3 Open Air is perfect for 1-2 cat households and is a more accessible option when it comes to the available Litter Robot models.
THE LITTER ROBOT 3 CONNECT
The Litter Robot 3 Connect is an Internet-connected upgrade from the previous Litter Robot 3 Open Air models, for just $50 more.
The Litter Robot 3 Connect-via the Whisker app-not only alerts you as to when it's time to empty the Litter Robot tray, but will also tell you exactly which cat enters the robot when by measuring their weight, so that you can stay on top of their health.
Even if you only have one cat, this particular Litter Robot 3 Connect feature is useful because you'll be able to easily see if your cat is losing or gaining weight, another key factor to pay attention to in kitty wellness.
The Litter Robot 3 Connect is the ideal litter box for 1-2 cat households and is a great option for cat parents who want to be a bit more hands-on and involved with their cats' health. Save $25 on a Litter Robot 3 Connect by clicking here (discount applies at checkout)!
THE LITTER ROBOT 4
Recently released in the spring of 2022, the Litter Robot 4 is the newest model available in the Litter Robot lineup and features a ton of updates worthy of the increased price tag.
For starters, the updated design of the Litter Robot 4 takes up less physical space while increasing the size of the opening, which is far more inviting for kitties to use. The drawer on the Litter Robot 4 is also significantly larger than previous models, which means it can hold more waste and accommodate more cats. Like the Litter Robot 3 Connect, the Litter Robot 4 also features Internet connectivity so you can see which cat is using the Litter Robot when, how much they weigh, and when to empty the tray--all from your phone.
Whisker has also stated that they plan to release software and hardware updates specifically for the Litter Robot 4, which means that this self-cleaning litter box will be updated for years to come. Already within the last few months (of fall 2023), Whisker released the capability to customize the look of your Litter Robot 4 when you purchase by changing out the front bezel to match your aesthetic. The Litter Robot 4 is really the litter box of the future.
The Litter Robot 4 is the perfect litter box for 2-3 cat households and is THE top of the line when it comes to automatic litter boxes available on the market. Save $50 on a Litter Robot 4 by clicking here (discount applies at checkout)!
IN CONCLUSION...
Having personally purchased multiple Litter Robots, and having been fortunate enough to try all of the available Litter Robot models, I don't regret a single penny I have invested into these literally life-changing machines. Without Litter Robots in my house, I simply would not be able to keep up with scooping for 6 cats. Although there are a multitude of automatic litter boxes out there to purchase, Whisker makes a high-quality product in Litter Robots that are assembled in the United States and come with excellent customer service to back it up. Whether you choose a Litter Robot 3, a Litter Robot 3 Connect, or the all-new Litter Robot 4, you can purchase confidently knowing a great company's got your back!
It's super important to note that Whisker actually offers a 90-day return policy for their Litter Robots, so if you're worried that your cat(s) might not take to it, you can always send it back for a refund. Their return policy is ultimately what convinced me to Litter Robots a try. Three years later, I've never looked back. Let me know if you have any questions and I will be happy to answer them :)
Thanks for reading! Mauren
Cat Lady Tails
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