Over the past few years, our reporters have tested nine automatic litter boxes in search of the best ones. No model is perfect, and only four boxes have earned our recommendation. We hold the best automatic litter boxes to high standards because a faulty safety mechanism can injure cats and, in general, the noise, smaller, cave-like interiors, and high entry points common among these machines can create stress for cats. But when an automatic litter box works well, it saves you time, is comfortable for cats to use, and keeps the litter box cleaner, which makes everyone happier.
One of the most affordable options is the PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro Self-Cleaning Litter Box, and it's the one we recommend for budget-conscious cat owners. While smart self-cleaning litter boxes can cost as much as $700, the ScoopFree offers reliable performance with some caveats for around $160. I tested the ScoopFree with my two cats, carefully evaluating its safety features, ease of use, and overall effectiveness in keeping their litter box tidy.
With a simple design that prioritizes basic functionality, this litter box didn’t intimidate our tester cats.
What we like
What we don't like
How it works
The ScoopFree litter box is available in three designs: open, covered with a front entry, and a top-entry design. The open design caught our attention because it aligns with what veterinarians recommend in the best cat litter boxes. Open litter boxes don't trap odors inside, and they provide cats with a full view of their surroundings, helping them feel more secure.
Veterinarians say a litter box should also be spacious enough for your cat to step inside, turn around comfortably without touching the sides of the box, and dig without feeling cramped. The ScoopFree offers an interior measuring 15.5 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 6 inches high — roughly the length of an adult cat from nose to tail — and holds about an inch of litter. While the box is on the smaller side and a minimum of 2 inches of litter is ideal, my 11-pound cats were still able to use it without issue, with enough room to turn around and dig. However, larger cats might feel cramped, and enthusiastic diggers could struggle to find a spot to go and cover their waste.
The rim of the ScoopFree litter box has two sensors that detect when a cat enters and leaves. Once your cat exits, a 20-minute countdown begins. So long as they, or another cat, don't reenter and reset the timer — a built-in safety feature — a metal rake sweeps across the box, collecting solid waste and depositing it into a covered waste tray, which is an area of the main litter box tray that has a snap-on cover. It conceals the waste from view but doesn't fully lock in odors. A built-in counter tracks your cat's visits. This litter box only works with PetSafe's non-clumping crystal litter, which absorbs liquids but doesn't remove them, so urine remains in the box until the litter is changed.
Setup took less than 10 minutes. Just slide the disposable litter tray into the base, place the rim on top, and plug it into a standard wall outlet. There are no apps to sync or settings to customize
Our review of the PetSafe ScoopFree litter box
Atlas and Lyra were immediately drawn to the ScoopFree litter box — not just to use it, but to curiously watch the rake sweep through the crystal litter after each visit. I often found Atlas with her front paws resting on the rim, waiting for the cleanup to begin. Their fascination with the automated cycle, while really cute, skewed the built-in counter's readings. Some days, they were in and out of the box just to check it out, rather than actually using it.
Still, I was glad the automated cleanup was a hit with them, rather than intimidating, and I equally appreciated the break from daily scooping. While the sound of the rake wasn't disruptive in our home, even with the box placed in our bedroom, some reviewers said it initially startled their cats. Using a decibel meter on my phone, I measured the ScoopFree's cleaning cycle at about 44.7 decibels, which is roughly as loud as a refrigerator hum.
PetSafe recommends replacing the litter tray every 10 to 15 days in two-cat households, but how long it lasts depends on your cats' habits. In my experience, there was a slight odor after about five days to a week, though in homes with heavier litter box use, fewer boxes, or cats with digestive issues, you could notice it sooner. PetSafe's proprietary crystal litter is somewhat absorbent. It soaks up a majority of urine and dehydrates solid waste, which reduces odors and makes raking up solids tidier.
Atlas and Lyra mostly used the box for peeing, and sometimes in the same spot. Because the rake only scrapes solids into the waste compartment and doesn't remove liquid, the wet litter just sits in the tray, sometimes getting dragged around a bit. By day 10, some areas of the litter were noticeably yellowed and oversaturated. Stirring the litter helped distribute moisture and extend its use, but even then, waiting the full 15 days might be a stretch. I also tried scooping out the saturated crystals, but since they're non-clumping, it was difficult to remove them completely without making a mess or leaving some behind.
I didn't notice any strong odors when I was within a couple of feet of the box, though an odor was noticeable when I was close enough to stir or maintain the litter. Still, cats have a much more sensitive sense of smell than we do, so even if I didn't notice it, my cats likely did. You can avoid this by scooping out the saturated crystals and topping off the box with fresh litter. Besides defeating the purpose of a self-cleaning litter box, I found most of the non-clumping crystals slipped through the grates of my scoop.
When it was time to change the litter, I lifted off the rim and slid out the disposable litter tray, swapping it for a fresh tray pre-filled with PetSafe's crystal litter. The process was quick, and I liked not having to scrub the box with soap and water each time. However, it did create extra waste. For a more sustainable option, you can purchase a plastic reusable tray and bags of crystal litter, but our experts recommend deep cleaning it with mild soap and water each time you toss the old litter and refill it with fresh.
Cons to consider
While the ScoopFree does a good job at removing solids and a pretty good job at absorbing liquids, it still leaves some urine-soaked litter behind, meaning your cat has to step on, dig through, and smell soiled litter every time they use the box. Stirring the crystals between cleanings can help distribute moisture and control odors, but even then, some cats may refuse to use a litter box that isn't clean. Other automatic litter boxes, such as the Litter-Robot 4, use clumping litter to remove solid and liquid waste after each use. Atlas and Lyra didn't seem to mind that the litter box always had some moisture in it, but this may not be true for every cat.
Another downside is the use of crystal litter. Our experts say the best cat litters are soft, sand-like, and clumping, and some cats may refuse to use anything else. While my cats had no problem stepping in and digging through the crystals, my sore feet disagreed. The crystals tracked surprisingly far — sometimes as much as 20 feet from the box. They felt uncomfortable to step on, and they're likely even harsher on sensitive cat paws, especially for cats with arthritis and declawed cats prone to paw sensitivity. Because of this, I recommend pairing the ScoopFree with a litter mat. The best cat litter mats catch loose litter as your cat exits their box.
My cats are healthy adults without mobility issues, so they had no trouble climbing in and out of the box. However, its 6-inch high sides might not be ideal for senior cats or those with mobility limitations. Kittens could also struggle to climb in, and the self-cleaning mode shouldn't be used for cats under 6 months old. In noise tests, the PetSafe ScoopFree was no louder than other top-performing models. However, if your cat is particularly sound-sensitive, it might be worth reconsidering automatic litter boxes.
The bottom line
In a market saturated with automatic litter boxes that are very costly or worse, unsafe, the PetSafe ScoopFree self-cleaning litter box strikes a balance between affordability and safety. While it doesn't come with all the fancy features of more expensive smart litter boxes, it delivers the basics: removes solid waste, absorbs most liquids, and frees you from daily scooping. However, it does have its trade-offs that you should consider before making a purchase. If you're unsure whether this litter box is the right choice for you and your cat, your veterinarian can provide personalized guidance.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
