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Which Automatic Cat Litter Box Is the Best? We Evaluated Litter-Robot's Range

Which Automatic Cat Litter Box Is the Best? We Evaluated Litter-Robot’s Range

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In This Guide

If You Desire All the Features and Extras
Whisker Litter-Robot 5 Pro
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A Model That Automatically Replenishes Litter
Whisker Litter-Robot 4
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As the pet technology author on the Reviews team at WIRED, I possess numerous viewpoints regarding which automatic litter box you should choose. I’ve experimented with almost 20 models, yet I continually return to one of the initial models my cats utilized, the Litter-Robot 4. Among all the brands I’ve evaluated, Whisker’s integrated phone application is far superior to the rest. The app’s layout is straightforward, intuitive, and enables you to track usage and manage settings remotely while staying connected to your cat’s essential health data.

In autumn 2025, Litter-Robot unveiled an entirely new collection of upgraded automatic litter boxes, all of which we have assessed. From the technologically sophisticated Litter-Robot 5 Pro featuring dual cameras and AI-driven insights to the simplified, compact Litter-Robot EVO, there’s a Litter-Robot model suited for every household and budget. All models listed below come in black or white. (However, if you plan to place the litter box in a closed space, be aware that black will reveal litter dust.)

After extensive testing, here are our insights on the Litter-Robot automatic litter box models.

If You Desire All the Features and Extras
Litter-Robot 5 Pro

Choose this Litter-Robot model if you are a vigilant pet owner like myself, have worries about your pet’s well-being, or simply wish to acquire the most premium model available. It includes dual AI-powered cameras that monitor both the outside and inside of the litter box. The innovative AI technology can identify up to five cats to track who has utilized the box and when, along with WasteID technology to categorize the type of visit your cat made based on weight—Litter-Robot stands alone in the industry with this ability. If you opt for this model and own multiple cats, I suggest subscribing to the Whisker+ paid plan ($80/year) to access this feature and allow the system to consistently and accurately differentiate among them.

The connected app further tracks trends over time, enhancing your understanding of your cats’ health and behaviors, helping you notice any irregularities (a crucial tool for monitoring your cats’ well-being). Leveraging WasteID technology, the 5 Pro automatically modifies odor control according to the waste type, cycling instantly for solid waste and delaying longer after urination to ensure complete clumping for effective cleaning. The drawer is also sturdier and larger than earlier Litter-Robot models, capable of holding up to 10 days of waste per cat, allowing for less frequent emptying.

In addition to the newly integrated camera, the LR 5 Pro features a modern touchscreen in place of physical buttons for manual control; offers a wider, shallower drawer compared to previous models; and presents a higher, detachable lip at the entryway. With AI-enabled recognition for monitoring multiple cats, a camera to observe their behaviors, and WasteID technology for discerning visit types and modifying cleaning cycles, the 5 Pro serves as an essential tool for tracking pet health directly from your smartphone.

Best for Most Users (and Felines)
Litter-Robot 5

The Litter-Robot 5 is the newest version of my cherished Litter-Robot 4, now enhanced with WasteID for identifying waste types according to weight (if you have a Whisker+ subscription), simpler assembly and waste disposal, and an updated LCD control panel instead of buttons. Unlike the aforementioned 5 Pro model, this device does not utilize an AI-equipped camera; instead, it determines which cat is using the box through the built-in scale. The 5 model accommodates up to five cats and can retain waste for 10 days for a single cat, while the connected app offers insights into the cats’ usage patterns and weight fluctuations. It also boasts a slightly expanded interior globe space compared to the LR 4. Additionally, ordering directly from Whisker provides a 90-day at-home trial, a one-year warranty, complimentary shipping, and eligibility for HSA/FSA.

Smart Plug Manual (2026): When to Utilize and When to Steer Clear

Smart Plug Manual (2026): When to Utilize and When to Steer Clear

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A smart plug is a multifunctional device that lets you manage electrical appliances via a connected outlet. By converting standard outlets to smart ones, a smart plug offers remote control of power to devices, allowing them to be activated or deactivated from any location, whether you’re at home or elsewhere. Utilize it for controlling appliances, scheduling lighting, or even automating a coffee maker or other simple gadgets.

For those looking to control basic devices that require only power, smart plugs serve as a superb choice. Among the leading options are TP-Link’s smart plugs, which have been particularly well-liked over time. The TP-Link Tapo Matter-Certified Smart Plug Mini (P125M) is a handy option, providing integration with your chosen smart home hub through the Matter protocol. For outdoor applications, the Cync Outdoor Smart Plug, equipped with dual outlets for $17, is built to endure outdoor conditions.

Wondering if a smart plug can improve your non-smart devices? From advice on their applications to compatibility evaluations, explore guidance on whether they meet your requirements. Also, check out other smart-home suggestions like Best Smart Bulbs, Best Security Cameras, Best Smart Speakers, and Best Smart Displays.

Updated April 2026: Now featuring the Ikea Grillplats Smart Plug, along with insights on energy monitoring.

What is a Smart Plug? Able to transform ‘dumb’ devices into smarter ones, a smart plug links devices (such as a lamp or coffee maker) to a home Wi-Fi network, enabling control via schedules, apps, or voice commands through a smart speaker. They allow you to set times for lamps, automate coffee makers, or control TVs from afar. However, power does not always mean the device is operational, as many remain inactive until manually switched on.

Best Device Pairings for Smart Plugs: Perfect for simple switch-operated devices, smart plugs shine with lamps and basic outdoor decorations. Scheduling features enable pre-set times for turning on or off, creating the appearance of being present at home or promoting timely sleep by automatically shutting down the TV.

Devices Unsuitable for Smart Plugs: They are not effective for devices that require activation through buttons or settings, like electric kettles or certain coffee machines. While they can cut power to TVs, they cannot automatically reactivate them after power is restored.

Other Capabilities: In addition to controlling devices, smart plugs track energy consumption, offering insights into usage patterns and assisting in managing electricity consumption. Advanced models like the Kasa EP25 are currently being evaluated for these features.

Our Top Smart Plug Picks: Through extensive testing, favored models include TP-Link’s Tapo Matter-Certified Smart Plug Mini for compact indoor use, and Cync’s Outdoor Smart Plug for outdoor environments, ensuring reliable performance across various conditions.

Aiper IrriSense 2 Smart Irrigation System Evaluation: Clever yet Unreliable

Aiper IrriSense 2 Smart Irrigation System Evaluation: Clever yet Unreliable

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To utilize the Area mode, establish the region’s limits through the app, akin to other devices. Enable mapping mode, and the sprinkler will begin. Modify the water pressure to the level you prefer, targeting the edge of the yard but avoiding the fence, then drop a pin to establish the perimeter. Slightly twist the sprinkler nozzle and repeat, fine-tuning the flow to cover the intended area. Proceed until the full 360 degrees are completed, dropping pins to outline the entire yard. The system can accommodate up to 4,800 square feet, achieving 39 feet with the spray.

Inside the app, witness the map developing in real time. The task is straightforward, except for the final few points, where closing the 360-degree loop may pose challenges. The finished map might display a minor unclosed segment.

Watering can commence on demand or be set up on a schedule, with a “water consumption limit” dictating the volume of water, in inches, that is administered. Although exact precision is difficult to measure, the estimates appear plausible.

In Area mode, the IrriSense 2 disperses water in a singular direction, rotating clockwise through 360 degrees, then counter-clockwise, until the desired irrigation depth is attained.

The spray system of the IrriSense 2, described as a soft mist, operates more like a jet, particularly when reaching the yard’s far sides. This results in more water being distributed at the edges of the yard than at the center, a characteristic typical of rotary sprinklers. The system adjusts the pressure with each rotation, gradually decreasing it until the final sprays only extend a few inches from the unit. If a run is canceled prematurely, only the outer edges of the area will receive water.

Eco Experiment: Assessment of Clear Drop Soft Plastic Compactor

Eco Experiment: Assessment of Clear Drop Soft Plastic Compactor

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Soft plastics pose a significant challenge for sorting machines, interfere with processing lines, and harm the environment. They are typically excluded from curbside recycling initiatives. While there are facilities that recycle these types of plastics, achieving clean, contaminant-free waste is challenging, often leading to the majority of soft plastics ending up in landfills. The SPC, a “pre-recycling device” developed by Arbouzov, aims to facilitate this process by providing contained and traceable plastic that has a higher likelihood of being recycled.

I was curious about converting these blocks into products like patio furniture, which became evident when Arbouzov shared a video from a facility in Frankfort, Indiana, dedicated to processing these plastics. The blocks are shredded into small pieces, then pressed into decking, chairs, and more.

“The timeframe from sending a block to its arrival in recycling takes several weeks,” Arbouzov mentioned. At present, Frankfort is the sole processing site, but Arbouzov intends to move processing operations nearer to material generation to lessen logistics dependency, utilizing the postal system as a temporary solution.

Recycling, Rewired

My family of three generated a block every two weeks, exceeding the supply of mailers, leading to a buildup of blocks. I hoped the SPC would create consumer-ready products like spoons or 3D printing filament, but a 2023 Greenpeace report pointed out that recycling plastics could heighten their toxicity, as the heating process might release or create dangerous chemicals. I wondered if recycled plastic fits into a circular economy and sought Arbouzov’s insight.