Which automatic litter box is best? We tested Litter-Robot’s range

As the pet technical writer on the Reviews team at WIRED, I have many opinions about which automatic litter box you should get I’ve tested nearly 20 models, but I keep going back to one of the first models my cats ever used, the Junk Robot 4. Among all the brands I’ve tested, Whisker’s connected phone app is leagues above the rest. The app design is clean and easy to use and understand, it allows you to monitor usage and control settings while you’re away, and it keeps you connected to your cat’s important health metrics.

In the fall of 2025, Litter-Robot released a whole new series of upgrades automatic litter boxesand we tested them all. From the technologically advanced Junk Robot 5 Pro with dual cameras and AI-powered insights to the wall-down, compact Junk Robot EVOthere is a Litter-Robot model for every home and budget. All models below are available in black or white. (If you keep the litter box in an enclosed area, note that black litter dust will show.)

After years of testing, here are our thoughts on the Rommel Robot automatic litter box models.

In this guide

If you want all the bells and whistles

Whisker Litter Robot 5 Pro

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A model that refills litter for you

Mustache Junk Robot 4

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If you want all the bells and whistles

Photo: Molly Higgins

Mustache

Junk Robot 5 Pro

This is the Litter-Robot model to choose if you’re a helicopter pet parent like me, concerned about your pet’s health, or just want the most luxurious model on the market. It has dual AI-enabled cameras that capture activity outside and inside the litter box. The new AI system can recognize up to five cats to determine which one used the box when, and WasteID technology determines what type of visit your cat had based on weight—Litter-Robot is the only brand on the market with this capability. If you decide to go with this model and have several cats, I recommend going for the Mustache+ paid subscription plan ($80 per year) to unlock this feature and enable the system to distinguish between them reliably and consistently.

The connected app also charts trends over time to help you better understand your cats’ health and habits, so you know if something is amiss. Using the WasteID technology, the 5 Pro automatically adjusts odor control based on the type of waste, driving immediately for solid waste and waiting longer after urination to ensure it is completely clumped for a more effective cleaning. The drawer is also more tightly sealed and larger than previous Litter-Robot models, with up to 10 days of litter storage per cat so you can empty less often.

Along with the new built-in camera, the LR 5 Pro uses a more contemporary touchscreen rather than physical buttons for manual control; a wider, shallower boot than previous models; and a workshop, removable lip at the entrance. With AI-enabled recognition to monitor multiple cats, a camera to observe their habits, and WasteID technology to identify visit types and adjust cleaning, the 5 Pro is an invaluable tool for tracking pet health right from your phone.

Best for most people (and cats)

The Litter-Robot 5 is the latest iteration of my beloved Junk Robot 4now with WasteID to identify waste types based on weight (if you have a Mustache+ subscription), easier assembly and disposal, and a new LCD control panel instead of buttons. Rather than using an AI-enabled camera like the aforementioned 5 Pro model (because it doesn’t have one), this machine determines which cat is using the box using the built-in scale. The 5 model works for up to five cats and can store waste for 10 days for a single cat, and the connected app provides insight into cats’ usage habits and weight changes. It also has a slightly larger interior globe space than the LR 4. Plus, when you order directly from Whisker, you get a 90-day trial, one-year warranty, free shipping, and HSA/FSA eligibility.