![]() Whisker (formerly known as Auto Pets) has been leading the world of automatic cat litter box innovation since 1999, when founder Brad Baxter developed the first Litter-Robot. In the Litter-Robot 4, Whisker’s introduced several improvements upon the Litter-Robot 3 (left), most of them focused on sleeker design, better ease of use, and more cat-friendliness. Now, let’s talk about how the Litter-Robot 4 works and how it’s different from the older Litter-Robot model. Keep reading to get the details on the Litter-Robot 4 and find out whether or not I think it’s a smart choice. In total, over 100 hours of research and testing went into this review. And because hands-on testing is essential to fully understand how any product works, we also received a beta unit and spent over three weeks trying it in-home with two feline testers. In order to review the Litter-Robot 4, we spent hours researching the Litter-Robot brand and their newest automatic litter box model. Whether they spin, scrape, or flush, we’ve evaluated these automatic litter boxes’ performance in all key areas, including cat-friendliness, cleaning efficiency, odor control, affordability, and more. Over the last three years, we’ve spent dozens of hours testing automatic litter boxes of every kind. Wessie, one of our product testing superstars, lounges next to the Litter-Robot 4. In this review, I’ll share the details on the Litter-Robot 4, including my experience and analysis of whether or not the newest automatic litter box from Litter-Robot is worth the almost-$650 price tag. I took notes on how my cats responded to the design, how well the new sensor system worked, and how effectively it sifted. To understand how the new Litter-Robot 4 works and whether or not it’s worth it, I spent a month testing the unit with my two cats, Wessie and Forest. With a larger entryway, additional sensors that make it accessible to cats of all ages and sizes, and an improved app interface that gives you real-time updates on your litter and waste drawer level, the most significant changes to the Robot’s design revolve around cat-friendliness and ease of use.Ĭonsidering that these changes solve some of the most common complaints about the older model, this release demonstrates Whisker’s commitment to innovation and meeting users’ needs. These models are all better at mopping than standard mop / vacuum hybrids.After a month of in-home testing, the Litter-Robot 4 has proven its worth as a high-performing, more cat-friendly improvement on the previous Litter-Robot 3. You will need to refill the water tanks and empty the dirty water about once a week as well as clean out the dock’s sink occasionally (which gets grubby quickly). ![]() Most robot vacuums have the option of mopping now, too, and some of these smart stations can drain and fill the bot’s water tank and clean and dry the mopping pad. If you don’t get a robot with an auto-empty dock, look for one with a large capacity bin - 600 to 800ml - to avoid having to do the dirty work too often. Instead, you’ll have to replace the bag when it gets full - about once a month on average. (Warning: this process is very loud!) This saves you from having to pull out the bin after every few runs and empty it yourself. This turns the charging base for your robot into a motorized emptying station that sucks out the dirt from its bin. It also means you don’t have to tidy up before the robot runs, as it can navigate around shoes, socks, and other common clutter. ![]() Robot vacuums with AI avoidance are much less likely to get stuck when cleaning, meaning you’re more likely to come home to a clean floor. These models use cameras (worth noting) to see objects in their path and decide how to approach them. This adds some souped-up smarts to your robot, helping it “intelligently” avoid clutter (and a potential poop apocalypse if it encounters pet waste). Every bot I’ve tested struggles around the legs of my swivel armchair, so I create a no-go zone there. These are also useful for keeping it out of areas where it gets stuck. Mapping can also add “virtual” no-go zones - digital walls to prevent your bot from going where you don’t want it to. Using variations on a technology called simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), the bot will map your home to make sure it doesn’t miss spots and allow you to tell it where you want it to go (in the app or with a voice assistant). A robot that can map your house allows for precision cleaning and avoidance (crucial if you have delicate objects or areas in your home).
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