Litter-Robot 3 Open Air Review: No More Scooping Poop!
Litter-Robot 3 Review – Automatic Litter Box Product Review
Meet a monster of a litter box. Meet the self scooping Litter-Robot 3 Open Air litter box.
UPDATE – November 2019 – When we reviewed this litterbox, it was called the Litter-Robot Open Air, now it is known as the Litter-Robot 3. It is the same machine being sold today, just a different name and no shield on the inside like there was for us.
We still have this litterbox, but have removed the shield. You can see my most recent YouTube video that features this LR3 that appeared in this review. I have not altered the review. My brother’s cat (this will be explained below) would not take to it – because I think it smelled like my cats – so I brought it back home.
The Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box is a self-cleaning litter box that is very sophisticated. It has a self-adjusting weight sensor that knows when your cat is inside using it (so you don’t have to worry about it cycling when your kitty is inside of the litter box).
After each use, a timer counts down until it cycles, which is great because it allows the kitty to be way finished with their business before it cycles. It is also good for clumping litter, so that the clump has time to set. After that, the sifting system cycles automatically and dumps the clumps and waste into a drawer below.
Once the drawer is full of waste, an indicator light lets you know that it’s time to empty it. Someone was thinking when they designed this puppy. It’s made in the USA and comes with a 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 18-Month warranty.
As an aside – in one of our recent newsletters, I asked readers if they had an automated litter box and one of our readers had the Open-Air and wrote a detailed testimonial about her experience. She let me post it on the site here.
Quick Litter Robot Open Air Review Run-Down (for those who are short on time):
- 4.9 out of 5 stars – mostly because of it’s size – it’s super bulky, but it’s size is also what makes it work for large breed cats like Ragdoll cats.
- We love this thing.
- We’ve had it since Dec 3, 2015 and it’s still going strong – no issues!
- It makes keeping your litter box clean super easy
- It keeps litter box odor smells to a minimum
- It’s really bulky – so it needs a decent amount of space (you can see in our review video that it overwhelmed our original 1940s bathroom) – I have since moved it to our basement
- Super easy to set up and easy to introduce the cats to it with Litter-Robot’s thorough instructions on how to do so.
- Super easy to troubleshoot with Litter Robot‘s superior customer service
Our Experience with the Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box
Now for my experience with this beast. This thing is a beast – it’s huge. But it makes sense why it is huge – so that your kitty will fit and that it’ll rotate. I call it, “The Spaceship”, mostly because of it’s appearance, but also because it’s out of this world.
I have never wanted an automated litter box. When Auto-Pets, the maker of the Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box, asked if I would be interested in reviewing their newest creation, I was interested, but also bluntly honest that I would not remove any of my current litter boxes to force my cats to use this one, nor would I ever buy one myself.
I had seen it at Super Zoo in Vegas this past summer and watched it in action. It seemed “cool” and huge – but I knew very little about automated litter boxes, as I had never had the need for one.
But, I fell in love with this thing.
I had such a bad attitude going into it, thinking things like, “This is ridiculous – why are people so lazy that they can’t scoop poop?” – however, as you can listen to in my final review video, I serendipitously met people that would need such a litter box.
Like a firefighter who can be gone for 48 hour shifts and wants his cat to have a clean place to go the bathroom, etc. My brother does not like to scoop litterboxes, and I realized that this automatic litter box would be a beneficial tool in his home for his cat and for him. Or think about pregnant women who are not supposed to scoop litterboxes – this could be ideal for that.
But, I love that it is always clean! It’s like seeing something cleaned up and you didn’t have to do it – woot, woot. So even someone like me that doesn’t mine scooping but likes things clean, can appreciate this automated litter dome.
We did have a problem with it – well, two problems. The first one was that one of the cat’s pee clumps was too big and fell in a spot that wouldn’t allow it to drop to the drawer below. However, after 2 more cycles, it finally did. And the other problem was that I overfilled the amount of litter on the inside, causing it to get stuck in cycle mode (see photo to the right) – and therefore I had to do some troubleshooting with the Litter Robot Open Air not cycling.
I did not know that could happen – but was pleased it did. I had to call Litter-Robot’s customer service to troubleshoot what the problem was. There is a litter fill line inside of the dome that shows you were to stop filling the litter. But clumping litters all weigh differently, so you just have to figure out which amount is right. For this reason, I would suggest cycling the Open Air every time you add litter to it to make sure it is not too much litter.
And because of it getting stuck in cycle mode, I would recommend ALWAYS having a regular litterbox available to your kitties. I can’t imagine being the firefighter guy, coming home after a 48-hr shift, seeing that the dome stopped, so his cat had no where else to go. It’s just better to be safe and have that regular litter box around.
As far as the amount of litter that is allowed – when I saw it in Vegas, I thought the litter level was ridiculous and definitely not enough – however, the litter amount was never a problem (I am humbled by my bad thoughts!).
I had anxiety that neither cat would use it once it started being automated. I have made the promise to my cats that I would never sacrifice their well-being for the sake of a product review. So I had anxiety that I would have to report back to Auto-Pets that we couldn’t do the review. However, that was not the case! Neither cat had a problem using it.
They used it first for peeing – and then finally started going number 2 in it. I don’t know about you, but I have to have an entirely different level of comfort to go #2, so I saw the fact that they pooped inside of it as a really good sign – especially since we have 5 litter boxes in the house and this was the 6th. In other words, they always have plenty of options, but chose the Spaceship to go in. Hey, who wouldn’t want to go the bathroom in a Spaceship?
This automated self-cleaning litter box comes with an awesome instructional manual and also information with tips and tricks about how to get your kitties to use it. I followed their suggestions – I introduced the cats to it (you can see footage of that in the arrival video below) and then filled it with litter from one of their other litterboxes (this is because the litter from one of their other boxes smells like their litterboxes – that way, they know what the Litter-Robot III Open Air is for).
Within minutes of putting the litter in it, one of them used it. For two days, I allowed them to use it as they would any other litterbox. After the two days, I finally plugged it in and let it cycle for the first time. They both shot up the stairs (it’s on our second floor) to see what the new noise was. Trigg has remained being fascinated by it, whereas Charlie gave up on it’s fascination after the 5th or 6th time.
Chiggy still watches the thing when it cycles and for that reason, I am sad that we aren’t keeping it for him. Our Litter-Robot III Open Air will be headed to my brother’s house, so that Boots, his Tuxedo Cat, will finally have a litter box that is always clean.
A sincere thank you to Auto-Pets for allowing us to review this litter box – it really changed my tune about automated litter boxes and opened my mind to new ways of seeing things – which is something I will always have gratitude for.
Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box Specifications:
- Litter Robot Dimensions: 29”H x 22”W x 24”D (74cm x 56cm x 61cm)
- Waste Drawer: 6”H x 11”W x 16”D
- Oval Entryway: 9”H x 6.5”W
- Litter Bed: 14”W at maximum
- Internal (globe): 13”-15”H (depending on litter level) x 20”W x 15”D
- Weight: 24 lbs.
- Shipped: 33”H x 23”W x 23”D, 28lbs.
Buy the Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box
- Buy the Litter Robot Open Air on their website and save $25 through our link. Free Shipping within the contiguous 48 United States. Additional shipping costs to AK, HI, and PR.
- Live in Australia 🇦🇺 or New Zealand 🇳🇿? Click here for your distributor.
Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box Arrival Unboxing Video:
[youtube]https://youtu.be/LRBmBaNwhLY[/youtube]
Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box Product Review Video:
[youtube]https://youtu.be/IAoRFmnRkmQ[/youtube]
My sister’s cats took to it immediately – here is the unboxing video of the Litter Robot with her kitties:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=istaOFLK3iw[/embedyt]
How to Clean the Litter Robot Open Air:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SP7GbGVp5Y[/embedyt]
Tech Update to the Litter Robot Open Air – Litter Robot Connect:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0KFq-rEl1g[/embedyt]
UPDATE! 2 Years LATER!
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mMOao7rdXk[/embedyt]
Litter-Robot 3 Problems – Problems we have had in the 4 years we have had it!
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqpHiKkiWwg[/embedyt]
See more of our cat product reviews.
We received the Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box for review from the manufacturer and also asked that they pay a small review fee. Receiving the free product and the review fee did not influence this honest post.
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
In three weeks I will be bringing 2 Ragdoll kittens home!!!!
Is the litter robot safe for kittens, is there a kitten mode. I understand that kittens like sleeping in the litter and I wouldn’t want it to start spinning with them sleeping in it. Thanks in advance
Theresa
Congratulations to you! Yes, the LR is safe for kittens – but will not recognize weights under a certain # – I can’t remember what that is at the moment, though. I will ask LR to comment with that info! In the mean time, you might enjoy this blog post by a reader who also got two kittens and a LR – Litter Robot Open Air Reader Review
Congratulations on your new kittens!
Kittens and small cats that weigh less than 5 pounds may not be heavy enough for the sensor to detect. Until they weigh enough, we recommend using your Litter-Robot in “semi-automatic” mode to keep your cat safe and relieve you from litter box scooping.
For “semi-automatic” mode, leave the Litter-Robot switched off or unplugged. When you see your cat has used it, wait about 7 minutes for the waste to clump, then turn it on/plug it in. The Litter-Robot will automatically perform a cleaning cycle (takes about 2 ½ minutes), then turn it off/unplug it again. Continue this supervised, semi-automatic mode until your kittens have gained sufficient weight to activate the cat sensor.
Hello Jenny!
Thanks for the video and review. Several months have past already since you first reviewed Litter Box III… So I wonder, do you still use it? And if so, is it the only litter box available in the house?
Thank you!
Patricia
Yes, they still use it (I don’t use it). And I have 5 regular litterboxes plus the Litter Robot.
I have used litter robot for years. I never had trouble with bag slippage. You can use 13 gall kitchen bags too. You do want to dump the bag on a regular schedual. If the bag gets overfull it will smear on the side of the globe & that is not a pretty sight.
The company has wonderful & prompt customer service. My cats used it right away. I believe it saves on litter too. I would highly recommend them.
that’s for the input – i appreciate it!
I would love to have this. We occasionally go for long weekends and this would be great as my 2 are fussy about litter box cleanliness. This will be on my “need to save up for” list.
My solution for the accidental missing of the bag would be to put carpet tape – it’s sticky on both sides and came be cut to size – on top of the sides of the waste tray to adhere the bag to the tray and also tuck in the bag using those clippy thingies. I’m guessing the tape will last a while before it has to be replaced. Some people use duct tape as a fix-all, but I use carpet tape for all sorts of stuff. Wish I had learned about it earlier.
Thanks for the great review!
sounds like i need to look into carpet tape – where do you buy it?
I get mine at Kmart, Home Depot, places like that. It’s usually where they keep duct tape.
Let’s see…
1) Put a bra on, do my hair, put on make-up, get dressed, drive to store and pick up bag o’ food OR
2) Stay in pajamas and order food
1) Pick up multiple STINKY poos a day OR
2) Pick up one non-smelly poo every 1-5 days
1) Put a bra on, do my hair, put on make-up, get dressed, drive to vet to deal with UTI, breath or a myriad of other issues OR
2) Stay in pajamas and research
I choose #2 all day every day and happily wear my the crown** of the Lazy Pants club (** there is no actual crown since that would mean that I would have to make one!).
Not important but I want to clarify that I feed whole prey not franken prey. The distinction is important because with franken prey there actually is more work – finding & buying a variety of meat, organ & bone, then portioning all of that. With whole prey I order critters, put those critters whole into smaller baggies and feed – ahh, the luxurious life of a lazy person (typed in pajamas!!).
thanks for making that distinction as i totally thought it was called frakenprey – that’s why my video is titled as such – need to change that.
we’ll agree to disagree on your “laziness”
Most importantly, I love your bathroom floor!
If automatic litter boxes are great for lazy people, as the President/Queen/Monarch of the Lazy Pants Club I certainly should have one!
I don’t have room for this in my current tiny abode but with it being made in the USA & appealing to both my laziness as well as my intense disdain for cat waste, I would certainly make room for one if I move! However if that were to happen I would have two concerns:
1) the clump not making it into the trash the first go-around – seems like there should be a sensor there (look at me sounding like an engineer!) to prevent the need for a manual cycling. Seems to kind of defeat the purpose to have to check and manually cycle if it’s not disposed of properly.
2) the waste ending up on the side of the bag – as a full-fledged Lazy Person the whole point of this for me would be to minimize work and having to move, reposition or otherwise touch the waste – seems to defeat the purpose (for those keeping score, that would be 2 for defeating purposes!)
Not a fan of litter out of the box or a need for a litter mat (love my Tidycats Breeze system – the pellets are large and easy to toss back in if they make their way out), but I don’t see how any system that uses traditional litter can get around that so that wouldn’t factor heavily for me.
It’s hard to tell in the video, is the step useful for large cats? I think about Prossimo as he ages and getting up and down.
I seem to remember Jackson Galaxy stating something about enclosed litter boxes that rotate are not a good choice since the odor coats the entire enclosed space which is awful for a cat. Is this a concern with these types of boxes or did I totally misremember or butcher what his thoughts were?!
One final note, I think the length of the video and showing the cycling was necessary so thank you for that!
thanks for your input – i especially appreciate the comment on the length of the video as i know it was super lengthy! it was longer and i cut a lot.
#1 – i think that had to do with size of our pee clumps – they are bigger from wet food only. i am sure your kitty’s are the similar on a frankenprey diet.
#2 – well, that might have been my fault of how i inserted the bag too – live and learn.
and dude, you are NOT lazy – look at how you feed your cat – if you were lazy it would be dry food as that’s the easiest.
i am glad you like your Breeze and have found a solution that works for you and Prossimo.
both charlie and trigg used the step and the step has a little litter collection dealio – more evident in the arrival video. i think there has to be something step wise for them to get in comfortably without leaping into it.
you might be right on the jackson galaxy statement – we didn’t have this issue with this one though and charlie and trigg continued to choose to use this one even though they have 5 other boxes that are nearly always clean. so if it would have bothered them, they could have chosen not to use it.
“and dude, you are NOT lazy”
Oh, you’re sweet and OH SO wrong!!
Actually feeding raw in general, especially whole prey (which is what I feed), is perfect for lazy folks like myself. Feeding includes:
1) dumping baggie contents onto a towel
2) throw away baggie
If I had a couple of hundred extra square feet & dollars I’d certainly give the robot a shot!!
feeding frankenprey is not lazy – we are going to disagree on this – you spent the time to research, etc. and dry food, oh so much easier – cut open bag and pour into the bowl. also you dont have to order multiple things online – just grab a bag at the store.