As the pet tech writer here at WIRED, I test a whole lot of automatic litter boxes (My cats and I have tested over a dozen so far). In fact, a giant box is staring at me right now, demanding I film the unboxing and set up of the newest automatic litter box I’ve received. Because I test so many, I have a lot of opinions. Although there are AI-enabled models with built-in cameras, I still think the best model for most people is the Petkit PuraMax 2.
If you don’t need to watch your cat take a poop, but want a hygienic litter box that keeps odor at bay and cuts down on your cleaning time, look no further than this mid-priced model.
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Photograph: Molly Higgins
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Photograph: Petkit
Petkit
PuraMax 2
I think this is a great option for most people. I recommend it to those who aren’t full-on insane helicopter cat parents, but want a cheaper model than some of our other picks. It’s easy to use, compact, and actually smells great. It’s especially good for neat freaks like me: with triple odor control, a sealed waste bin, an odor eliminator attachment that sits in the waste bin, and a citrusy deodorizing spray that goes off after every cleaning and randomly throughout the day to ensure the litter box stays fresh.
When the cat enters the box, their weight is displayed on the front for easier viewing, and the app logs every time it was used, for how long, when the cleaning cycle begins, ends, and when the deodorizing spray was emitted. Plus, if you don’t want to be reliant on the app to change settings or start a manual cycle, pet parents can also change settings manually via the buttons on the front.
After testing so many of these, I notice their quirks. Many boxes I test don’t rotate upward, and so filling with clean litter can be cramped and awkward. So, perhaps best of all, when it’s time to refill with clean litter, the box rotates so the hole is on top for easier filling (trust, it’s a back saver).
Most automatic litter boxes hover in the $500-ish range (although I’ve tested models that are a grand), and I think this model is super fairly priced at its normal $500. However, it’s made much more affordable with this sale, lowering the price to less than $400. It’s an investment for sure, but it will make your home so much cleaner (and you and your cat much happier, promise!).
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