Automatic litter box: choosing by “Litter box type”

Enclosed tray

7 models8.1/10 at the median$431 median recorded price

Who it's for

For anyone who wants litter and odors fully contained, the enclosed tray design is the most represented type in our selection, with a strong satisfaction level measured across its models.

Avoid if

Skip this design if you want to see your cat clearly during use, or if your cat is anxious in enclosed spaces.

Our advice

Our advice: enclosed designs can be bulkier, so check the footprint against your available space before buying.

Top rated

1. PETKIT Purobot Max Pro 2 8.1/10

Open tray

5 models8.3/10 at the median

Who it's for

For anyone who wants full visibility of the litter box at all times, the open tray design remains a smaller share of our selection, with a solid satisfaction level measured across its models.

Avoid if

Skip this design if odor containment is your top priority: enclosed designs handle that better.

Our advice

Our advice: open designs make cleaning and monitoring easier, a point worth weighing against the odor control of enclosed models.

Top rated

1. Neakasa M1 Plus 8.9/10
2. PETLIBRO Luma 7.6/10

Partially enclosed tray

2 models

Who it's for

For anyone wanting a middle ground between visibility and odor control, the partially enclosed design covers a small part of our selection.

Avoid if

Skip this design if you have a strong preference for one extreme or the other: fully enclosed or fully open designs may suit you better.

Our advice

Our advice: with few models in this category, compare the exact enclosure coverage of each one before deciding, since it can vary a lot between products.