Litter-Robot 4 Review: My Real Experience After Months of Use

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading to a more advanced automatic litter box, the Litter-Robot 4 is Whisker’s newest widely available model. It promises quieter cycles, better sensors, and an overall smoother experience. Since I’ve used the LR3 for years, I was curious whether the LR4 actually feels different in a real home with real cats — and after months of daily use, it definitely does. It’s calmer, quieter, and more polished, though it still has a few little quirks worth knowing before you spend the money.

In this hands-on Litter-Robot 4 review, I’ll walk you through setup, performance, smart features, what I genuinely like, what could still be better, and whether the LR4 makes sense as your next step.

Quick Summary

The Litter-Robot 4 is a next-generation self-cleaning litter box designed to keep the litter bed fresh after every use with almost no effort from you. It sifts waste into a sealed drawer, resets the litter bed, and does it all with one of the quietest motors I’ve ever heard in an automatic box. The wider entry, better odor control, and upgraded sensor system make it feel noticeably more modern than older models.

The real-time app updates — litter level, waste level, and each cat’s weight — are surprisingly useful. If you want the most refined, user-friendly automatic litter box right now, especially for a multi-cat home, the LR4 really does deliver a smoother experience from day one.

Key Features at a Glance

• One of the quietest cleaning cycles of any automatic litter box
• OmniSense™ system using both laser and weight sensors
• Wide entry that feels open and less intimidating for most cats
• Live litter and waste readings inside the Whisker app
• Works with OdorTrap® packs for extra odor control
• Built for one or multiple cats

What You Get With the Litter-Robot 4

The LR4 arrives in one big piece — no major assembly required. Just unbox it, plug it in, and add litter. Inside the box you’ll find:

• The globe and base
• Carbon filter
• Waste drawer liner
• Power supply
• User guide

The build quality feels solid right away. The buttons sit flush, the exterior has fewer seams, and the wide entry makes the inside feel roomier than you’d expect from the outside. Even though it looks compact, the interior feels surprisingly open once your cat steps inside.

There’s nothing special you need to buy before using it — no custom litter, no complicated assembly. If you’ve used the LR3 or any automatic litter box before, the LR4’s setup will feel extremely familiar.

How the Self-Cleaning System Works

The LR4 uses a gentle rotation system to clean the litter after each use. Once your cat leaves and the sensors give the all-clear, the globe slowly turns, sifting clean litter through a screen while clumps fall into the waste drawer below. When it finishes, the litter bed resets and smooths itself out again.

The first thing I noticed was just how quiet the cycle is. Instead of the mechanical hum I’m used to from the LR3, the LR4 has more of a soft, steady sound that barely stands out during the day. If noise has ever been a concern for you or your cats, this upgrade is one of the biggest improvements.

The waste drawer also seems to trap odor better. Even when I’ve let it go an extra day, the smell stays contained thanks to the tight seal and airflow design.

Setup & First Week Experience

Setup was quick. I placed it in the laundry room, plugged it in, added litter to the line, and let it run the first test cycle. The app pairing took about a minute. From unboxing to fully running, the whole process was maybe five minutes.

Where to Put It

The LR4 does best on a firm, flat surface. I keep it in the laundry room because the space works well for an automatic box, and the wider entryway makes the front feel open enough for easy access. As long as your cat can step into the box without squeezing around obstacles, you’re good.

How Cats Adjust the First Week

My cats adjusted a lot faster to the LR4 than they did to the LR3. Instead of watching it from a distance for days, they approached it with more curiosity than hesitation. The wider entry and quieter cycle help a lot — there’s nothing sudden or loud to scare a sensitive cat.

One of my cats stepped inside within minutes just to explore. The other watched it cycle once, then used it the same day. If your cats have never used an automatic box at all, keeping the old box nearby for a day or two still helps, but most cats warm up faster to the LR4 than older models.

Learning the Routine

This first week is also when you learn how often you’ll empty the drawer. With two cats, mine fills every three to four days. What makes this easier is that the LR4 tracks everything — litter level, waste level, and recent cycles — so you’re never guessing.

Smart Features

All LR4 units include Connect features, so you get the app automatically. The app shows litter level, waste level, cycle history, and even individual cat weights. It’s simple but genuinely helpful — the drawer-full alerts have been spot-on.

The app interface is clean, and the updated sensors seem more accurate than they were with the LR3. It’s one of those features you don’t think you’ll use much until you find yourself checking it during the day.

Build Quality & Durability

The LR4 looks sleek and modern, but it also feels sturdy. The base stays solid, the motor has a steady, consistent sound, and the entire globe lifts off without any wiggle or awkward angles.

The smooth interior surface is much easier to wipe down than the LR3’s slightly textured globe. And since all major components are modular, you can replace individual parts down the road instead of dealing with the entire unit.

Performance: Odor, Noise, and Tracking

Odor Control

The LR4 handles odor extremely well. The drawer seals tightly, and the airflow system keeps scent from rising into the room. With two cats, I usually empty the drawer every few days, and even at that point the smell is still mild. Adding OdorTrap packs helps even more.

Noise Level

This is one of the biggest improvements over the LR3. The LR4 has a soft, quiet hum that blends into the room easily. My cats barely noticed the sound after the first day.

Tracking & Mess

You’ll still see some tracking — that’s true with any litter box — but the LR4’s wider entry helps. In my home, the biggest improvement came from adding the ramp. It catches loose litter so it doesn’t scatter across the floor.

If you already know you want the ramp, there’s an LR4 bundle that includes it, which makes setup easier.

Maintenance: Cleaning & Long-Term Care

Once you understand its rhythm, the LR4 is very low-effort. I empty the drawer every few days, wipe the interior weekly, and do a deeper cleaning about once a month. The globe lifts off easily, and the smooth walls make the whole process quick.

For deep cleaning, just keep water away from the electronic base. Everything above that can be rinsed or wiped clean without any trouble. Once you settle into a routine, the LR4 is one of the easiest automatic boxes to maintain.

Best Litter to Use in the Litter-Robot 4

The Litter-Robot 4 works best with a medium-weight clumping clay litter. It sifts smoothly, forms solid clumps, and prevents sensor errors that sometimes happen with lightweight or pellet litters.

I’ve tested a lot of litters in both the LR3 and LR4, and some definitely perform better than others. If you’re curious what works best, check out my top litter recommendations.

What I Love After Using It Daily

The quieter cycle is easily my favorite upgrade — it runs several times a day here, and I barely notice it. My cats also warmed up to it quickly because the entry feels open and less confined.

I rely on the smart features more than I expected. Seeing the waste level, litter level, and cat weights at a glance actually helps keep everything on track without guessing.

What Still Annoys Me (Honest Take)

The LR4 isn’t perfect. It still takes up a good amount of floor space, especially if you use the ramp. The cycle is quiet, but you can still hear it in a silent room. And like every automatic box, some tracking still happens depending on your cat’s digging style.

It’s also an investment. The base unit isn’t cheap, and accessories add up. But in day-to-day life, it does make things easier.

Troubleshooting & Common Problems

Here are the issues I’ve personally run into, along with the quick fixes that almost always work:

1. Drawer Level Reading Incorrectly

Smooth the liner snugly against the sides. A loose liner is usually the culprit.

2. Litter Level Errors

Lightweight litters trigger this most often. Medium-weight clumping clay stopped all errors for me.

3. Cycle Pausing

Usually caused by a cat approaching mid-cycle. Press reset to continue.

4. Weight Sensor Variations

Make sure the LR4 is on a level surface. Even slight unevenness can affect readings.

The good news is that most issues are quick to fix, and Whisker’s customer support is easy to reach if you need help.

Who the Litter-Robot 4 Is Best For

The LR4 is ideal if you want the quietest, most polished automatic litter box available. It works especially well in multi-cat homes because the upgraded sensors and app tracking make daily care easier.

If you want a long-term, low-maintenance setup and like having accurate updates on litter and waste levels, the LR4 fits that lifestyle perfectly.

Who Should Skip It

If you’re tight on space, the LR4 may feel large once you factor in the front clearance and optional ramp. It’s also not completely silent, so if total quiet is important, that’s something to consider.

The LR4 is also not recommended for kittens under 3 lbs, since they may not trigger the sensors consistently.

If you’re trying to decide between the LR3 and LR4, I compare both models here: Litter-Robot 3 vs Litter-Robot 4.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extremely quiet cycle
• Excellent odor control
• Wide, open entry most cats like quickly
• Accurate app tracking
• Smoother, easier-to-clean interior

Cons

• Larger footprint with the ramp
• Premium price
• Some litter tracking still happens
• Weight sensor needs a level floor

Is the Litter-Robot 4 Still Worth Buying?

The Litter-Robot 4 is one of the most refined automatic litter boxes available right now. The quieter cycle, smarter sensors, and smoother interior design make daily care easier, and the app adds genuinely useful information.

If you want a reliable, long-term solution that keeps the litter box fresh with almost no effort, the LR4 is absolutely worth the investment. It’s consistent, cat-friendly, and genuinely simplifies daily care — which is exactly what an automatic box should do.