This $600 Automatic Litter Box Changed My Life

NBC News

29-01-2025

I received endless amounts of ridicule from my friends when they learned about my cat's $600 litter box. I'll spare you an exhaustive rehash of the sneers (you can use your imagination) and instead share that, without hyperbole, this magnificent machine transformed my relationship with my cat, Opie.
I acknowledge the insanity of the price tag, but this litter box is a marvel. The Leo's Loo Too is a smart litter box that self-cleans and keeps you updated on when it needs cleaning through a corresponding app on your phone. You can also pair it with Alexa or Google voice control systems.
Why we like this automatic litter box and how it works
Looking straight out of a science fiction movie, the outside of the machine is 22 inches wide and 27.5 inches tall. The entire thing weighs in at 37.4 pounds.
The litter box comes in white, but the drum is where you can customize; you can choose from blue, green, gray or pink.This drum is where you put the clay clumping litter and senses when your cat is inside or nearby. As soon as your cat is finished, it rotates, and once it's upside down any clumps fall through a hole in the top of the drum.
The clumps fall into a waste drawer at the bottom of the machine, which is lined with custom-sized heavy-duty drawer liner bags. Once the drawer is full (which takes about seven to nine days for my cat), the machine sends you an alert or notification. Then you can simply slide it out, pull the drawstrings of the trash bag and toss it away — no scooping or sifting (a godsend for cat owners). The litter itself stays fresh for about three weeks.
Strong olfactory? Don't worry —he machine is equipped with a three-step odor-reduction system which includes heavy-duty waste bags, carbon filters and an EPA-certified UV light that goes off every time waste is deposited into the drawer (and throughout the day). You can even hit a button on your phone if you want it to go off more often.
Thanks to a radar system that detects when your cat is nearby, your cat is safe from the drum accidentally rotating. This radar system is why the brand recommends placing the box at least one inch from the wall, however in our tight New York City apartment, the box is wedged pretty securely between the wall and the guest bed. I have witnessed the rotating drum stopping in its tracks when Opie gets near or puts his paws up to look inside at the movement.
Other products to consider
PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro
While this litter box isn't completely closed-in, it is much less expensive and the one we had before upgrading to the Leo's Loo. I still love the crystal litter better than clay clumping litter, and even find it smells way less. The only downside with this box is that clumps tend to get stuck in the rake, and we went through two of them and each one broke or malfunctioned after about 6-months of use. That said, it still got the job done even with minor malfunctions.
PETKIT Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
This litter box looks like one of the old iMac computers, but it's highly-reviewed. Like Leo's Loo, it's closed-in and features a drawer that's easy to empty. Instead of a UV light for sanitizing, it uses a spray.
PAWBBY Self-Cleaning Litter Box
This litter box gets points for presentation, as it's the only one I've seen that looks cool. It has a retro style reminiscent of a record player from the 70s. It also uses gel beads that absorb odor, which I trust since I love the crystal-style litter. Finally, it also has a deodorizing pod inside to prevent smells from developing.
Why trust NBC Select?
I've reviewed hundreds of products during my 10-year career, but it's rare that I've spent as much time or been as directly invested as I was for this review. My husband and I have had this litter box for over six months now and I feel incredibly confident recommending it, especially since we've tried other products.