If you are a cat owner, you know how tedious and unpleasant it can be to scoop litter from your cat’s litter box every day. Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue with automatic litter boxes that do the dirty work for you. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best one for your furry friend?
In this article, we will compare two of the most advanced and popular automatic litter boxes: the Litter-Robot 4 and the Leo’s Loo Too. Both of these machines use a similar design: a rotating barrel that sifts the litter and separates it from the waste, which is then deposited into a drawer at the bottom. Both also have smartphone apps that let you monitor your cat’s activity, schedule the cleaning cycle, and track the waste and litter levels.
But which one is better for you and your cat? Let’s take a look at some of the key features and differences between these two automatic litter boxes.
Size and Appearance
The first thing you will notice about these machines is their size. They are both quite large and bulky, so you will need to have enough space in your home to accommodate them. The Litter-Robot 4 measures 29.5 x 24.25 x 27 inches and weighs 24 pounds, while the Leo’s Loo Too measures 28 x 23 x 26 inches and weighs 22 pounds.
Both machines have a circular opening for your cat to enter and exit, but the Litter-Robot 4 has a wider entryway than its predecessor, the Litter-Robot 3, making it more comfortable for larger cats. The Leo’s Loo Too also claims to fit cats up to 20 pounds, but some users have reported that their cats find it too cramped.
As for the appearance, both machines have a sleek and modern look, but Leo’s Loo Too offers more color options than the Litter-Robot 4. You can choose from black or white for the Litter-Robot 4, or from avocado green, baby blue, Leo gray, or pretty pink for the Leo’s Loo Too.
Cleaning and Maintenance
One of the main advantages of automatic litter boxes is that they reduce the amount of cleaning and maintenance you have to do. Both the Litter-Robot 4 and the Leo’s Loo Too are designed to make this process as easy as possible.
Both machines use a weight sensor to detect when your cat has used the litter box and wait for a few minutes before starting the cleaning cycle. This ensures that your cat is never inside when the barrel rotates and that the clumps have enough time to form. You can also adjust the wait time or manually start the cleaning cycle using the display panel on the machine or the app on your phone.
The cleaning cycle consists of rotating the barrel and sifting the litter through a grate or a sieve, depending on the machine. The Litter-Robot 4 uses a rubberized grate that is quieter and more durable than metal grates, while the Leo’s Loo Too uses a stainless steel sieve that is easier to clean and less prone to clogging.
The waste is then dropped into a drawer at the bottom of the machine, where it is stored until you empty it. Both machines have filters and liners to reduce odor and mess, but they differ in their capacity and frequency of emptying.
The Litter-Robot 4 has a smaller waste drawer than the Leo’s Loo Too, which means you will have to empty it more often. However, it also has a feature that lets you customize
the amount of waste that triggers a full notification, so you can decide how often you want to change it. The app will also alert you when the waste drawer is full and needs to be emptied.
The Leo’s Loo Too has a more significant waste drawer than the Litter-Robot 4, so you can go longer without emptying it. However, it also has a feature that uses UV rays to kill bacteria left in the waste, reducing odor and germs. The app will also remind you when it’s time to change the filter and liner.
Features and Functionality
Both Litter-Robot 4 and Leo’s Loo Too are designed to automatically clean themselves after each use, saving you time and hassle. They also use clumping litter, which means you don’t have to replace the entire litter every time. Instead, you just need to empty the waste drawer when it is full.
However, there are some differences in how they work and what they offer. Here are some of the main features of each product:
- Both machines have night lights that help your cat find its way in and out of the litter box in low-light conditions.
- Both machines pair with Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices, allowing you to control them with voice commands.
- Both machines have companion apps that allow you to schedule cleaning cycles, track your cat’s activity, monitor waste and litter levels, adjust settings, and receive notifications.
- The Litter-Robot 4 has a feature that tracks your cat’s weight and usage and can even distinguish between different cats if you have more than one. This can help you detect any changes in your cat’s health or behavior.
- The Litter-Robot 4 has a feature that adjusts the litter level automatically, ensuring that there is always enough litter for your cat to use. It also tells you when the litter needs to be replenished.
- The Leo’s Loo Too has a feature that allows you to choose between two cleaning modes: normal and eco. The normal mode cleans the litter box after every use, while the eco mode cleans it once a day, saving energy and litter.
Automatic self-cleaning
Litter-Robot 4 uses a patented sifting system that separates the waste from the clean litter and deposits it into a carbon-filtered drawer. The sifting process takes about 3 minutes after your cat leaves the unit. You can also adjust the cycle time from 3 to 15 minutes, depending on your preference.
Leo’s Loo Too uses a rotating mechanism that scoops the waste into a sealed compartment. The scooping process takes about 10 seconds after your cat leaves the unit. You can also set a delay of up to 20 minutes if you want to give your cat more privacy.
Clumping litter
Both products are compatible with any type of clumping litter, which makes them convenient and cost-effective. However, they have different recommendations for the amount and quality of litter you should use.
Litter-Robot 4 requires a minimum of 8 pounds and a maximum of 10 pounds of litter in the globe. It also recommends using premium clumping litter that forms hard clumps and does not stick to the walls of the globe.
Leo’s Loo Too requires a minimum of 6 pounds and a maximum of 8 pounds of litter in the basin. It also recommends using natural clumping litter that is biodegradable and flushable.
Multiple sensors
Both products have multiple sensors that detect when your cat enters and exits the unit, as well as when the waste drawer is full. They also have safety features that prevent the cleaning cycle from starting if your cat is inside or near the unit.
Litter-Robot 4 has a weight sensor that can accommodate cats from 5 to 20 pounds. It also has an anti-pinch sensor that stops the rotation if anything obstructs the movement of the globe.
Leo’s Loo Too has a motion sensor that can detect cats of any size. It also has an anti-jam sensor that stops the rotation if anything gets stuck in the mechanism.
Night light
Litter-Robot 4 has a night light feature that illuminates the globe with soft blue light at night. This can help your cat find the unit in the dark, as well as provide some ambient lighting for your room.
Leo’s Loo Too does not have a night light feature, but it has a transparent lid that allows some natural light to enter the basin.
Timer
Litter-Robot 4 has a timer feature that allows you to set a sleep mode for up to 8 hours. During this time, the unit will not start the cleaning cycle, even if your cat uses it. This can help reduce noise and power consumption at night.
Leo’s Loo Too does not have a timer feature, but it has a quiet mode that reduces the sound of the motor by 50%. You can activate this mode by pressing a button on the control panel.
Design
Another aspect to consider when choosing an automatic litter box is how it looks and fits in your home. Both products have a futuristic and sleek design, but they differ in size, shape, color, and material.
Litter-Robot 4
Litter-Robot 4 has a spherical shape that resembles a space capsule or a giant egg. It measures 29.5 inches high, 24.25 inches wide, and 27 inches deep. It weighs 24 pounds without litter and comes in two colors: beige or gray.
The globe is made of durable plastic with ventilation holes and rubber lining. The base is made of metal with rubber feet and a control panel with buttons and indicators. The waste drawer is made of plastic with a carbon filter and a handle.
Leo’s Loo Too
Leo’s Loo Too has a cylindrical shape that resembles a trash can or a drum. It measures 26 inches high, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches deep. It weighs 12 pounds without litter and comes in one color: white.
The basin is made of plastic with a transparent lid and a handle. The base is made of metal with rubber feet and a control panel with buttons and indicators. The waste compartment is made of plastic with a lid and a handle.
Price
Of course, price is also an important factor when buying an automatic litter box. Both products are not cheap, but they offer different value propositions and payment options.
Litter-Robot 4
Litter-Robot 4 costs $499, which includes free shipping within the US, a 90-day money-back guarantee, and an 18-month warranty. You can also pay in installments with Affirm, starting from $42 per month.
Litter-Robot 4 also offers some accessories that you can buy separately, such as a ramp, a fence, a backup battery, and a WiFi-enabled app that allows you to monitor and control the unit remotely.
Leo’s Loo Too
Leo’s Loo Too costs $399, which includes free shipping within the US, a 60-day money-back guarantee, and a 12-month warranty. You can also pay in installments with Klarna, starting from $34 per month.
Leo’s Loo Too does not offer any accessories, but it comes with a free starter kit that includes natural clumping litter, biodegradable waste bags, and a litter scoop.
Customer reviews
Both products have received mostly positive feedback from customers who have tried them. However, they also have some drawbacks and limitations that you should be aware of before buying them.
Litter-Robot 4
Litter-Robot 4 has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on its official website, based on over 10,000 reviews. Customers praise its efficiency, reliability, quality, and customer service. They also report that their cats love it and use it without any problems.
However, some customers complain about the noise, the size, the smell, and the maintenance of the unit. They also report some issues with the sensors, the rotation, the litter tracking, and the waste drawer.
Leo’s Loo Too
Leo’s Loo Too has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, based on over 300 reviews. Customers appreciate its simplicity, affordability, functionality, and design. They also say that their cats adapt to it quickly and easily.
However, some customers criticize the durability, the capacity, the leakage, and the cleaning of the unit. They also report some problems with the motor, the mechanism, the lid, and the waste compartment.
Which one is right for you?
As you can see, both Litter-Robot 4 and Leo’s Loo Too have their pros and cons. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal preferences, budget, and cat’s needs.
Here are some questions to help you decide:
- How much space do you have in your home?
- How much noise can you tolerate?
- How much litter do you want to use?
- How often do you want to empty the waste drawer?
- How much do you want to spend?
- How many cats do you have?
- How big are your cats?
- How picky are your cats?
Pros and Cons: Litter-Robot 4 Vs. Leo’s Loo Too
To help you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each machine, here is a summary of their pros and cons:
| Litter-Robot 4 | Leo’s Loo Too |
|---|---|
| + More features and options | + Larger waste drawer |
| + Wider entryway | + UV light |
| + Rubberized grate | + Color choices |
| – Smaller waste drawer | – Smaller entryway |
| – More expensive | – Stainless steel sieve |
Conclusion
As you can see, both the Litter-Robot 4 and the Leo’s Loo Too are impressive machines that offer a lot of convenience and functionality for cat owners. They are both easy to use, reliable, and smart. However, they also have some differences that may make one more suitable for you than the other.
If you value customization, data, and durability, you may prefer the Litter-Robot 4. It has more features and options that let you tailor it to your preferences and needs. It also has a wider entryway and a rubberized grate that make it more comfortable for your cat.
If you value simplicity, hygiene, and capacity, you may prefer the Leo’s Loo Too. It has fewer features and options but still does the job well. It also has a larger waste drawer and a UV light that make it more sanitary and less frequent to empty.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Both machines are great investments that will save you time and hassle while keeping your cat happy and healthy. Whichever one you choose, we hope this article has helped you make an informed decision.
Price Comparison
The Litter-Robot 4 is priced at $699, while Leo’s Loo Too is slightly cheaper at $650. Although the prices of both products are mentioned, there is no discussion of potential discounts, promotions, or long-term cost savings. However, some retailers may offer bundles or seasonal discounts that could provide additional savings.
User Experiences
User experiences with Litter-Robot 4 and Leo’s Loo Too are generally positive. For example, one Reddit user mentioned that they have been a happy Litter-Robot 4 owner since December 2022, and both of their cats love it and use it without any issues. Another user highlighted that the Litter-Robot 4 has been a game-changer in their household, despite its large size and hefty price tag. On the other hand, some users have reported that the cleaning noise of Leo’s Loo Too scared their cats initially, but they eventually got used to it. Detailed user experiences or testimonials are limited, but overall feedback is favorable for both products.
Environmental Impact
There is no specific discussion on the environmental impact of using these automatic litter boxes, such as energy consumption or waste management. However, both products are designed to reduce litter box waste by only sifting out the clumps, preserving a maximal amount of clean litter for the next use. This can help reduce the environmental footprint by minimizing the amount of litter that needs to be disposed of.
Alternative Products
Several alternative automatic litter boxes are available on the market. For instance, the PETKIT PuraX uses a similar internal cylinder mechanism to rotate the litter reservoir fully and remove clumps of cat waste. Other notable alternatives include the CATLINK self-cleaning litter boxes, which offer features similar to those of the Litter-Robot. These alternatives provide various levels of convenience and price points, allowing cat owners to choose the best option for their needs and budget.
