3 new Litter-Robots were just announced, including one geared toward small spaces
PRE-ORDER NOW: Whisker announced the Litter-Robot 5 ($799), Litter-Robot 5 Pro ($899), and Litter-Robot Evo ($599) on Oct. 21. You can pre-order any of the new litter boxes now and save up to $150 on select launch bundles. Shipping begins Nov. 3.
It's been three years since a new Litter-Robot came out, but the iconic self-scooping litter box lineup is finally evolving once again.
Whisker unveiled the Litter-Robot 5 lineup on Oct. 21, consisting of three different models that provide more variation for budget, home size, and number of cats. Prices range from $599 to $899, and you can pre-order any model now before the Litter-Robot 5 officially starts shipping on Nov. 3. Select bundles are available for early shoppers — save up to $200 when you buy two of any new Litter-Robot or combine your litter box purchase with a Whisker+ membership.
Litter-Robot 4 vs. Litter-Robot 5: What's new?
The Litter-Robot 5 has one key upgrade over the Litter-Robot 4, first released in summer 2022 — it comes in three different variants. While the Litter-Robot 4 was a single device, the Litter-Robot 5 is really three new automatic litter boxes, the Litter Robot 5 ($799), Litter-Robot 5 Pro ($899), and Litter-Robot Evo ($599).
Let's unpack the changes, starting with the most budget-friendly of Whisker's new litter boxes.
A major W for apartment dwellers: The Litter-Robot Evo is the most compact Litter-Robot to date, standing 27.6 inches tall with a 20.6 x 24.3-inch footprint. In many instances, that could technically squeeze into the same spot that your current large pan litter box resides (as long as there's some free space above).
I'd argue that a self-cleaning litter box is just valuable in a small space with one or two cats as it is in a large home with multiple cats. Stench travels quickly within the confines of a tight-knit space, and no one wants to be That Person whose apartment smells like litter box the second a guest walks in.
Compared to the Evo, both the Litter-Robot 5 and Litter-Robot 5 Pro stand 29.9 inches tall with a 22 x 27-inch footprint. While the opening is nice and spacious on each model, a ramp can be purchased separately to make entry easier for senior cats.
From there, you can tell the difference between the 5 and the 5 Pro by the camera mounted at the top of the 5 Pro's opening — that's one of two AI-powered cameras added to improve the litter box's health tracking capabilities. Designed for homes with at least two cats, the front-facing exterior camera uses facial recognition to note which cat is currently doing their business. The second interior camera keeps an eye on the litter bed.
Both the Litter-Robot 5 and 5 Pro use Whisker's new WasteID technology to differentiate between liquid and solid waste. This adds an extra level of detail to bathroom behavior tracking, and helps to optimize the sifting of clumped litter after a cat exits. The new waste draw system should also help mask odors even better than previous generations.
You can make the most of the Litter-Robot's health insights with a Whisker+ membership. For $7.99/month, pet parents will get daily updates about their cat's daily habits, any bathroom pattern or significant weight changes, and a head's up if there's ever a cause for concern.
Are Litter-Robots worth it?
While I don't yet have hands-on intel about the Litter-Robot 5 (my test unit is on the way), I can already vouch for how worthwhile robot litter boxes are in general. I live in an apartment with two cats, and we have two self-cleaning litter boxes: a PetSafe ScoopFree and a Leo's Loo Too. And they have made my life so much easier.
As Mashable's resident vacuum reviewer, it probably goes without saying that I'm a freak about chores — and it's such a relief to not have litter box duty on my long daily to-do list. The Leo's Loo Too looks and operates very similarly to the Litter-Robot lineup, and I only have to switch liners and wipe down the waste drawer once a week or so. To my surprise, both of my cats assimilated to automatic litter box life much more smoothly than I anticipated — even the skittish one.
