%20(white)%20Abstract%20Background%20112024%20SOURCE%20Litter%20Robot.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "8 automatic trash cans we tested and recommended (2025)")
If there is A cat, you know how picky, perfect and simple they will be. Most complaints against cats are people who don’t know they are not dogs. Their behavior may be trickier and less slight. The next big cat complains that the trash can is smelly and you don’t want another creature’s poop to hang out around your home. In any case, automatic cat bins provide solutions to the Smelly bin problem thanks to the ever-evolving and evolving pet technology.
Basic automatic bins have been around since the late 1980s. These earlier models feature automatic rake attachments (very similar to the pet area smart scoop box below), but with issues of reliability and loudness. It wasn’t until the 2010s that trash cans began to incorporate advanced technologies such as Wi-Fi and App Control. The technology has evolved and improved over the decade since then, and most automatic bins have insight into your cat’s habits and health, which really becomes an asset to understand your feline friend.
We (and our cats) tested some of the highest and most advanced automatic litter boxes on the market for a week or more, using standard clay-caking litter unless otherwise noted to see if they are really worth the money, or the hype. Like all pet products, make sure you thoroughly research which automatic litter boxes are best for your lifestyle and cats. We do not recommend a fully closed automatic bin (all bins on our recommended list are opened via cleaning cycles) because the machine cannot sense the cat in an automatic loop and kill it.
Check out our related guides such as the best automatic feeders, our favorite fancy cat furniture, and our favorite cat toys, litter boxes and other cat animals. More dog people? We’ve covered you; see the best accessories and technical elements for our dogs.
Updated February 2025: We added Petkit Probot Ultra and Petpivot Autoscooper 11 and added the entire link and price.
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How does automatic trash bin work?
Automatic bins vary by brand and bin type. Typically, they have sensors of movement or weight that determine when a cat enters or exits the bin. It can usually be customized and controlled on your phone or through an app on a more basic timer system, and the cleaning cycle will begin shortly after the cat uses the box. In a dome-shaped bin, cleaning will be performed through a cycle of the washer rotating and rotating around the inside of the spherical shape. Larger stained clumps will be deposited in the scrap basket while clean garbage passes through the grid and recycles it back into the bin.
For example, Neakasa M1 rotates backwards and then forwards (rather than a rotation period) to sift the clumps from clean garbage, depositing larger clumps into the waste basket. The pet area smart scoop is the most basic on our list, just scooping the larger clumps into the waste container on the back using the rake attachment.
Is automatic trash can safe?
Pet owners should always make research on which box and their cat and make informed decisions. We only tested the automatic litter box that stays open during bike riding and never completely close to make sure that if for some reason the weight sensor doesn’t pick up the cat inside, the cat will jump out. We recommend that the bin never close completely for added peace of mind.
These automatic litter boxes use sensors – some require only 1 pound to detect your cat – and the cycle stops automatically no matter where it is during the cleaning process. Many also have reverse clamp sensors. For added security, the automatic trash on this list has a customizable schedule including the Don’t Disturb mode. If you are a neurotic helicopter cat mom like me, you can only run clean cycles when you choose, such as when you observe cycles in the room (though you do, the bin won’t last long). The Pet Zone Smart Scoop is the only box on this list that does not have a sensor that can automatically stop the cleaning cycle, which is one of the reasons we do not recommend this model.
Where should I place my automatic trash bin?
All of these automatic garbage boxes require electricity, so they need to be near the exit. Since cats usually take a while to get used to the new potty, we recommend keeping your old bin until you use the automatic bin regularly.
Generally, for old-fashioned bins, you should provide one bin for each cat, plus one. With the continuous cleaning of automatic bins, the need for multiple options has decreased, but we recommend keeping the old bins for a long time to ensure the cat is adapted to the new automatic bin. When setting up a new automatic bin, place it near the existing bin to encourage use.
