A Cat Lady’s Honest Review of Whisker’s Litter-Robot 4 (and How to Save Some Big Bucks on It)

• Value: 18/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Quality & Ease of Use: 20/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Cat Approval: 18/20

TOTAL: 95/100

Since the Litter-Robot 3 Connect changed my life (no, seriously, just read my full review), I was ecstatic to try Whisker’s newest model, the Litter-Robot 4 ($699). Just like the original, the updated version is an automatic self-cleaning litter box that connects to WiFi so I can track all of my cats' comings and goings conveniently via app. My two cats have happily used their first Litter-Robot since December 2021. Even though they were comfortable with it, I worried switching things up might disrupt their routine. But here we are, more than a year later, and they're still obsessed with their Litter-Robot 4.

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So, of course, I couldn't gatekeep the appliance's impressive bundle deals currently up for grabs. For a limited time, you can save $50 on a ton of Litter-Robot's most coveted packages (including this 3-year warranty bundle, $799; $749 or this starter bundle, $939; $889), which have everything you need to start using it like a pro. Read on for my honest review of the Litter-Robot 4, which, spoiler alert: I love—and I’ll tell you why.

The Litter-Robot 4’s QuietSift™ technology is said to be “near-silent,” and I fully vouch for that description. The first time the robot cycled I wondered if it was working because it was so sneaky quiet! We used to be able to hear it humming from down the hall, and now I don’t know the cats have used it until I get the notification. This will be especially good news for folks with cats who spook easily at loud noises. 

Beyond the reduced decibel level, the weight sensors are more sensitive to kitty paws—at least it seems that way to me. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect definitely has a SafeCat system that prevents cycling while a cat is in the box. But the Litter-Robot 4 seems to sense even a slight paw on the step and stops any action to prevent injuring or scaring cats. 

Whisker says both models weigh the same and have the same depth. To me, this new model feels significantly smaller—in a good way. It doesn’t look as bulky, and the design is much sleeker. The Litter-Robot 4 is a few inches narrower, though the entrance for kitties is way larger, almost 16” x 16”, a full five inches wider than the previous version. Not only that, but the step is slightly lower to the ground and the box entrance itself is about an inch lower, making it easier for cats to climb in. 

The waste drawer is also larger and better contains smells. Again, at first glance, this fooled me. Because the unit’s base is designed to take up less space (yay!), the waste drawer looks smaller (why?). Au contraire! The drawer holds just as much as before because it’s deeper. Whisker offers an add-on OdorTrap™ System pod that can help reduce any stinky scents, though we’ve had no issues with smells thus far. 

Another huge design improvement? The buttons are on the top of the bot instead of at eye (and nose) level with the litter. Instead of squatting down to hit reset after cleaning the waste drawer, I just lean in a bit (if you’re 6’7” this doesn’t matter much, but it does to me!). I also love how the button panel lights up to indicate what’s going on with the machine. Is the drawer full? Flashing blue light. Is there a cat inside? Red light. Did I successfully put it into sleep mode? Purple light (yes). 

Set-Up Is a Cinch

The quick-start guide was all I needed to get the Litter-Robot 4 up and running in about ten minutes. (Huge tip: Plug the adapter into the back of the machine before positioning it and pouring litter into it.) I consider myself a semi-tech literate human being and the instructions were intuitive and easy to follow, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. On a new episode of Testing TikTok, PureWow content creator Kate Kesselman also tried out the viral Litter-Robot 4, and as she mentioned, "The robot comes completely assembled," so the setup process should be the least of your worries.