Litter-Robot 5 Review: Smart Litter Box Features & Comparison to Litter-Robot 4

The Litter-Robot 5 is a new automated cat litter box with updated safety, design, and smart features like WasteID & enhanced sensors. It improves on the LR4 with smoother cycling and easier cleaning. While promising, some features are unreleased, and early users report WiFi and smell issues, suggesting the LR4 might be a safer bet for now.

Enhanced Safety & Design Improvements

Like all Litter-Robot models, one more vital safety attribute is its X-axis rotation. If the safety and security sensors fail, Automatic clutter boxes that turn on the Y axis (front to back instead of side to side) can develop pinch points and endanger your pet cat. With the Litter-Robot 5, you’ll obtain an alert from the application of any functional errors or cycle interruptions.

When raising the Litter-Robot 5 out of package, it becomes clear that it has a stronger develop than the Litter-Robot 4. The base has actually been fully redesigned, making it compatible with carpet along with tough flooring, and the inside has less holes for less complicated cleaning. The Litter-Robot 5’s waste cabinet is a little larger too, and it breaks into the pull-out step for boosted stability.

Like previous Litter-Robots, the Litter-Robot 5 just features a conventional sifter that works best with fine-grained clumping cat litter. The flexible weighted lining is likewise a little smaller than the Litter-Robot 4’s, expanding just a few inches above the max clutter line instead of midway up the inside of the globe. It’s still very easy to spot-clean but I discovered that litter sticking to the side of the world really did not constantly diminish during the cleaning cycle.

Testing Experience & Performance

I evaluated the Litter-Robot 5 for a number of weeks before assembling my monitorings and research to compose this review. The Litter-Robot 5 was not the only litter box readily available to my felines throughout the screening period, yet I used it in place of the already-familiar Litter-Robot 4 to motivate my felines to select it over other alternatives in your home.

In general, the Litter-Robot 5 done equally as well as I ‘d expected. The biking process appeared a little smoother and the within the world had less hard-to-clean nooks and crannies. I had not been able to check several of the new functions like WasteID because they hadn’t been launched yet, however this function won’t need a Whisker+ subscription to use.

The Litter-Robot 5 had only just been launched when I got my unit for testing, so customer testimonials were still pretty limited. Hair’s previous Litter-Robot model seems consistently favored, though reviews of the brand itself (including customer support) are mixed. On Trustpilot, Hair has a typical score simply over 3 out of 5 celebrities with around 400 testimonials.

In the beginning glimpse, the Litter-Robot 4 and Litter-Robot 5 look nearly identical. They have the same footprint and huge, rounded opening with a step up into the litter bed. If you look a little closer, nonetheless, you’ll discover that the Litter-Robot 5 has advanced sensing units inside the indication and the bezel lights along the side have been replaced with a large, full-color LCD display on the front.

I put the Litter-Robot 5 to the test for 3 weeks with the assistance of my 2 pet cats, Munchkin and Biscuit. Figure out how it executed (and how it compares to previous Litter-Robots) in this thorough testimonial.

Unchanged from the previous version, the Litter-Robot 5 attributes an advanced selection of safety and security features. Laser sensing units in the top of the bezel paired with a weight range in the base stop the device from cycling if a feline goes into while it’s moving. There are also squeeze guards in the waste bin opening which create the unit to turn around and quit if an obstacle is discovered.

New Features & Connectivity

Not presently offered at the time of this testimonial (however offered at the time of publishing), the Litter-Robot 5 is also geared up with WasteID– a feature that distinguishes between pee and feces. The bonnet is likewise already made to approve the LitterHopper automatic trash refill device. When the Litter-Robot 5-compatible LitterHopper appears, you’ll have the ability to mount it without needing to replace the hood.

Usual issues regarding the Litter-Robot 5 frequently associate with WiFi connectivity concerns, smell control, and room. Consumers with bigger cats have actually expressed dissatisfaction with the measurements of the litter bed in contrast to the size of the unit. Others have had problems with smell dripping from the waste drawer and some weren’t able to connect the device to WiFi because it needs a 2.4 GHz connection.

Whisker Company & Product Evolution

These functions, as part of a new-and-improved design, made their launching in the Litter-Robot 2 in 2005. The following Litter-Robot model remained in advancement for a years before its launch in 2015, the same year Jacob Zuppke signed up with the group as its brand-new head of advertising. In 2019, an investment of $31 million by Pondera Holdings supplied the gas for even more fast development, leading into the company’s official rebrand as Whisker.

The Litter-Robot 5 is created for form as well as function. Rather of scooping the clutter box on your own, the Litter-Robot 5 immediately sorts waste from clean trash each time your pet cat uses it.

The fourth-generation Litter-Robot was introduced in 2022, featuring an extra small design along with improved connection, improved safety attributes, and a new mobile application. Just 3 years later on, in October of 2025, Hair introduced 3 additions to the Litter-Robot schedule: the Litter-Robot 5, Litter-Robot 5 Pro, and Litter-Robot EVO. This release also coincided with the launch of the Whisker+ subscription program which offers members access to sophisticated insights and tracking data.

No Litter-Robot is entirely hands-free, and emptying the waste drawer regularly is vital if you want to control smell. Hair plans to make the Litter-Robot 5 LitterHopper-compatible in the future, which will certainly enable automatic refills of the litter bed, but hand-operated refills were still needed at the time of this testimonial. Considering that the hood is already made to suit it, installment will certainly be simpler than with the Litter-Robot 4.

User Reviews & Common Issues

“I likewise assume it will be a little bit valuable for those that have tinier or larger felines, which I have one of each, or those with nervous or strong pet cats, which I likewise have among each … In conclusion, when I ask myself if my life has been enhanced, I can say yes.”– Kittytoebeansquisher on Reddit, November 25, 2025

There weren’t any customer evaluations of the Litter-Robot 5 on Whisker’s web site at the time of this evaluation, and the product wasn’t being sold on Chewy yet. Despite a lack of customer reviews, there’s been some negative feedback on social networks bordering Hair’s shift to a membership model for advanced tracking functions.

“This product is one of the finest financial investments I’ve ever before made for my cats and for myself. It has turned a unpleasant and repetitive job right into a very fast and simple way to maintain our cat pleased and us.

Pleased customers like the new Litter-Robot 5 for a lot of the very same reasons as the Litter-Robot 4. Favorable reviews commonly mention the device’s dependable efficiency, silent operation, and sleek style. Many pet cat owners say their pet cats seem to such as the Litter-Robot which it significantly minimizes litter box upkeep.

While the Litter-Robot 5 doesn’t aesthetically vary a lot from the previous version, it supplies numerous updated features. Each time your pet cat uses the can, the LCD screen displays your cat’s weight, the size of their browse through, and a countdown to the start of the cleansing cycle. The Litter-Robot 5’s built-in weight range (SmartScale) is extra accurate, which boosts the accuracy of the wellness and usage understandings offered in the Whisker app as well.

Kate Barrington is an author with over twelve years of experience in the pet dog industry. She is an NAVC-certified Pet Nourishment Train and has actually finished coursework in healing nutrition, raw feeding, and the solution of homemade diets for pets at an approved university. Kate appreciates cooking, reading, and doing do it yourself jobs around the house. She has 3 pet cats, Bagel, Munchkin, and Biscuit … Sight more

Setup & Practical Usage Notes

Establishing the Litter-Robot 5 was exceptionally simple (considering it comes practically completely set up) and my felines had no concern adapting to the new design. One distinction with the Litter-Robot 4 is that you need to break the waste drawer into the action however the instructions are extremely clear. I additionally liked the redesigned waste cabinet liners which are better fitted to the dimensions of the drawer.

In order to examine the most up to date enhancements to Whisker’s Litter-Robot lineup, the brand sent me a Litter-Robot 5, Litter-Robot 5 Pro, and Litter-Robot EVO. Prior to testing the items myself, I placed a couple of hours of research right into the advancements that distinguish the Litter-Robot 5 from its earlier versions. I also performed research study on the Hair brand and scoured the net for early evaluations of the Litter-Robot 5 to identify potential worries to watch for throughout my testing.

Whisker (initially Automated Animal Care Products, or AutoPets), the brand name behind one of the world’s most preferred automated can, was started by Brad Baxter in 1999. The initial Litter-Robot went to market in 2000 and Baxter spent the following numerous years developing a few of the developments for which Litter-Robots are still known today– things like the versatile heavy liner and cat-specific safety and security sensing units.

Overall Assessment & Recommendation

If you’re seeking an automatic litter box backed by years of research study that provides trusted performance, Litter-Robots are a solid selection. The Litter-Robot 5 is built on the same strong foundation of previous versions with updated modern technology and a somewhat taller interior. While the Litter-Robot 5 functions a number of recognizable enhancements over the Litter-Robot 4, however, there are still bugs to be exercised and some of the style imperfections from previous designs still exist.

“It would certainly not connect to my higher speed 6ghz router– just works with 2.4 hhz. While the unit is significant– the internal space for a cat is so little!

Backed by over twenty years of r & d, the Litter-Robot 5 is one of three current additions to Whisker’s schedule of automated, self-cleaning litter boxes. It guarantees sophisticated smell control, real-time wellness tracking, and scoop-free benefit. How does it hold up in real-world testing?

Till Whisker works out the twists in the Litter-Robot 5 and makes all of the assured functions completely functional, it might be worth sticking with the tried-and-true Litter-Robot 4. That being claimed, if smart technology is what attracts you to Litter-Robot to begin with, think about skipping the Litter-Robot 5 and go right for the Litter-Robot 5 Pro. You may still need to wait on a few features (and pay a little bit more for them) however it’s set to be one of the most innovative automatic litter box on the marketplace.

In regards to performance, the Litter-Robot 5 worked similar to the Litter-Robot 4. The sensing units operated effectively but weren’t over-sensitive and I discovered the built-in weight scale to be a little bit much more exact. Both the application and the switches on the unit were simple to determine and I appreciated the text notifications that scrolled throughout the LCD display in addition to the globe.

“My 5 is glitching a lot … Said my cat deposited a waste of 108 oz, the trash is getting kicked all over despite the fact that I have a floor covering, the front guard piece is not completely protected, maintains doing cycles also if the feline has not gone in it … It maintains acting up. I was delighted to get it today I’m dissatisfied in my acquisition.”– Emmalovescats22 on Reddit, December 5, 2025

Not only have I been a feline owner for over 15 years, however I’ve been actively screening and examining litter boxes (and various other feline products) for nearly one-third of that time. When I examined the Litter-Robot 3 Link and proceeded with the launch of the Litter-Robot 4 in 2022, my intro to Litter-Robot came in 2021. I have actually had the Litter-Robot 4 running constantly in my home for the past 3 years and it’s come to be Munchkin’s favorite litter box.

My intro to Litter-Robot came in 2021 when I tested the Litter-Robot 3 Attach and continued with the launch of the Litter-Robot 4 in 2022. In order to check the latest additions to Hair’s Litter-Robot lineup, the brand name sent me a Litter-Robot 5, Litter-Robot 5 Pro, and Litter-Robot EVO. Simply three years later, in October of 2025, Hair released three additions to the Litter-Robot schedule: the Litter-Robot 5, Litter-Robot 5 Pro, and Litter-Robot EVO. Like previous Litter-Robots, the Litter-Robot 5 just comes with a basic sifter that works finest with fine-grained clumping cat trash. That being claimed, if smart modern technology is what attracts you to Litter-Robot in the first place, consider avoiding the Litter-Robot 5 and go straight for the Litter-Robot 5 Pro.

Keep in mind: The Litter-Robot 5 has an available bezel guard you can install in place of the fencing to aid maintain fluid and clutter from seeping right into the mechanical components however I didn’t have a possibility to examine it.

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She is an NAVC-certified Animal Nourishment Train and has actually finished coursework in therapeutic nutrition, raw feeding, and the solution of homemade diet plans for pet dogs at an accredited college. She has 3 felines, Bagel, Munchkin, and Biscuit.

After placing the Litter-Robot 5 into place, I chose not to set up the detachable fence due to the fact that Munchkin seemed to find it hard to navigate on the Litter-Robot 4. Rather than tipping over it when leaving the litter box, she had a tendency to leap over the fence right to the flooring, missing the action completely. The quantity of trash spread throughout this process seemed equal to the quantity spread without the surround area, so I simply didn’t utilize it.

I discovered the arrangement process for the Litter-Robot 5 to be also quicker than the Litter-Robot 4, though I did need to remove and reinstall the Hair app for it to situate my gadget. Setup took much less than 5 mins and my tool instantly updated its firmware as quickly as it was linked. What I suched as most regarding the configuration is that the application uses your smart device’s video camera to check the QR code on the back of the system, saving you the inconvenience of keying in an identification number.