Litter-Robot 3 vs 4: Which is worth your money?

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about Whisker's Litter-Robot by now. If you haven't, it's a self-cleaning litter box that scoops your cat's poop for you, saving you from the dreaded task every pet parent hates.

It's one of the best automatic cat litter boxes on the market, featuring odor control, health monitoring, litter trapping, a bathroom dashboard, and more – ranging between $499 and $699.

As someone who tests pet products for a living, I often get asked whether the Litter-Robot 3 Connect or Litter-Robot 4 is the better choice. My answer? It all depends on the size of your cat, how many you have, and your personal preferences. To help you decide which one is right for you, we put both of them to the test, comparing everything from the specs and set-up to the odor control and user experience.

Here's our full breakdown of the Litter-Robot 3 Connect vs. Litter-Robot 4:

Litter-Robot 3 Connect vs 4: Specs

Litter-Robot 3 Connect vs 4: Setup

Both devices are quite similar in terms of setup and arrive fully assembled – all you need to do is plug them in. Before getting started, there are a few pre-checks: remove the cardboard and tape, check the bonnet tabs, and secure the key at the rear of the device. Then, place it on a flat, dry surface, preferably where your cat’s old litter box used to be.

The devices shouldn’t be pushed against a wall or into a corner – they need to be at least two to three inches away – and should be positioned near a plug socket.

Once it’s plugged in, add some clumping litter, turn it on, and run an initial cleaning cycle. Whisker advises against using litter that is absorbent, non-clumping, loosely clumping, or made from newspaper or wood-based pellets. Finally, turn it off while your cats get accustomed to it and gradually introduce them.

🏆 Winner (Setup): Litter-Robot 3 Connect

Both models are easy to set up, so we would opt for the Litter-Robot 3 Connect to save money. While our tester said the large size is hard to move around, the difference between the two is a matter of a couple of inches, so it's not worth spending extra for this alone.

Litter-Robot 3 Connect vs 4: Odor control

Both models have the following features to minimize odors:

• Sifts within minutes of being used
• Carbon filter
• OdorTrap pack can be bought separately
• Enclosed waste drawer

According to Whisker's website, the Litter-Robot 4's waste drawer has a larger capacity and is tightly sealed, which helps to prevent bad smells. However, our tester, Philip, says he didn't notice any odors with the 3 Connect.

🏆 Winner (Odor control): Litter-Robot 3 Connect

Philip was super impressed with how the Litter-Robot 3 Connect contained bad smells, so it's not worth spending more for the 4.

Litter-Robot 3 Connect vs 4: Litter tracking

One of the worst things about traditional litter boxes is that your cat often drops a trail of litter behind them (which feels impossible to keep on top of!) Both Litter-Robots feature a globe-shaped design and an integrated step that helps prevent this mess from getting outside.

You can also purchase the LitterTrap Mat and ramp to help even further. While both models do a good job at containing litter, the 4 includes a fence to go one step further, but you'll need to buy this separately with the 3 Connect.

🏆 Winner (Tracking): Litter-Robot 3 Connect

Both of our testers rated this feature five stars, so there's no need to upgrade to the Litter-Robot 4.

Litter-Robot 3 Connect vs 4: Size

Both devices are similar in footprint size, with the Litter-Robot 3 Connect measuring 24.25’’ x 27’’ and the Litter-Robot 4 measuring 22’’ x 27’’. Our tester, Philip, was surprised at how large it looked in his home, so it's definitely worth measuring your space before committing to the purchase – especially since it can't be placed flat against a wall.

The Litter-Robot 4 has a larger entryway, measuring 15.75’’ x 15.75’’, making it a better choice for large cats and easier for them to climb into. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect measures 10.25’’ x 15.25’’, but our tester's cats didn’t have any problems getting inside – so it’s down to your preference.

However, it's worth bearing in mind that if you have cats under 3lbs, the automatic cleaning won’t work on the Litter-Robot 3 – but it will on the 4.

🏆 Winner (Size): Litter-Robot 4

The Litter-Robot 4 wins this round, as it’s suitable for both larger cats and smaller kittens.

Litter-Robot 3 Connect vs 4: User experience

Lots of pet parents have concerns about whether their cat would actually use an automatic litter box, but both of our testers say their cats are happy to use these boxes and have adjusted well.

The Litter-Robot 4 features a SmartScale that can identify multiple cats using the box. You can set up profiles for them on the app and monitor their toilet habits, which is very helpful for spotting health conditions early.

For both versions, you can view the waste drawer levels in the app and be alerted when it's time to change, but with the 4, you can also see real-time litter and waste levels.

For safety purposes, both boxes have anti-pinch technology and weight-activated sensors, but the 4 has advanced sensor technology and greater accuracy, which stops cleaning when it detects motion or resistance inside.

Noise is another common question. While both testers were happy with the noise level, the Litter-Robot 4 has QuietSift technology, which makes less noise during cleaning.

Here's a comparison of the two for reference:

Litter Robot 4 VS Litter Robot 3 Connect Sound Comparison - YouTube

Watch On

🏆 Winner (Sound): Litter-Robot 4

If you have a skittish cat or find noises really bothersome, we recommend going for the Litter-Robot 4, which is quieter during cleaning. It's also a better choice for multi-cat households as you can monitor individual pets.

Litter-Robot 3 Connect vs 4: Appearance

Both Litter-Robots feature a modern design that looks (and smells) ten times better than any traditional box. While they do take up a fair bit of space, our testers were happy with the overall appearance of both.

While the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is available in beige or black, the Litter-Robot 4 comes in a range of colors (white, black, lilac, fuchsia, mint, marble, wood grain, grey stone) – something to keep in mind if décor is important to you. The 4 is slightly smaller as well, but it's not enough of a difference to warrant spending more for this reason.

🏆 Winner (Appearance): Litter-Robot 4

The Litter-Robot 4 comes in eight different colors, making it easier to find a style that fits your home. However, the Litter-Robot 3 Connect does come in neutral colors, so we don’t think it’s a total dealbreaker if you want to save money.

Litter-Robot 3 Connect vs 4: Verdict

We recommend the Litter-Robot 4 if...

• You have a particularly large cat who needs a bigger entry way
• You have a kitten who weighs under 5lbs
• You want more color options
• You want a quieter cleaning cycle
• You want to monitor multiple cats' health on the app

If these things don't matter to you and you'd prefer to save $150, then the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is still an excellent choice that we approve of.

Our review panel

If you're wondering who's behind this review, meet our testers below:

Image 1 of 2

Jo, Mollie and Minnie

Jo tested the Litter-Robot 4 with the help of her cats, Mollie and Minnie.

Philip, Ava and Bella

Philip tested the Litter-Robot 3 Connect on his cats, Ava and Bella.

For more information, read our page on how we test.

Other automatic cat litter boxes to consider

PetSafe ScoopFree Clumping Self-Cleaning Litter Box 
If you're looking for something more affordable, this PetSafe model costs considerably less and is still a great choice. Our tester, Alisa, says it controls odors well, is easy to set up, and loves that it only needs cleaning once a week.

View Deal

Neakasa M1 Open-Top Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
If you want smart features like the Litter-Robot but prefer an open-top design, the Neakasa M1 box is an excellent choice. Unlike the Litter-Robot, it’s compatible with cats weighing from 2.2lbs to 33lbs. You can monitor your cat's health via an app, and it comes with a mat to stop litter tracking. Our tester, Henry, says it saves him so much time and effort.

View Deal

Still feeling unsure of what to buy? Read our review on the Litter-Robot 3 and the best cat litter boxes.

Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.