One of the latest entries into the world of self-cleaning cat litter boxes is the Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Litter Box. As the market for these self-cleaning cat litter boxes keeps growing, it’s essential to keep an eye on new contenders.
The Instachew Purrclean is gaining attention for its competitive pricing and the features it claims to offer, often compared to high-end models like the Litter Robot 4 and Leo’s Loo Too.
Although I didn’t receive this product from the manufacturer, a close friend purchased it, and I had the chance to put it to the test at their home. As a fellow cat parent, I was eager to explore what this self-cleaning litter box brings to the table. I also reached out to my friend and the broader cat community to gather their insights on the product.
Even though it’s marketed as a cost-effective alternative to high-end cat litter boxes, the real question is, does it live up to the hype?
In this comprehensive review, I’ll delve into the Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Litter Box, examining its features, pros, cons, and overall performance as a self-cleaning litter box.
In our comprehensive review of the Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Litter Box, we found it offers features similar to higher-end models, however its affordability comes at a cost. The unit’s design and material quality, coupled with size constraints, left room for improvement. The accompanying app faced issues with connectivity and notifications, impacting its overall efficiency. Furthermore, the litter box’s odor control and cleaning cycle performance did not match up to its competitors. While the Purrclean may save you money upfront, the potential for inefficiency and inconvenience during use may outweigh the cost savings.
Instachew Purrclean Product Highlights
The Instachew Purrclean offers features that are on par with premium models like the Litter Robot 4 and Leo’s Loo Too.
It has an app connectivity feature with GHz compatibility.
The Instachew Purrclean offers features that are on par with premium models like the Litter Robot 4 and other popular smart litter boxes. One standout feature is its app connectivity, compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks.
Much like other smart litter boxes, Instachew Purrclean provides an accompanying app, enabling you to effortlessly scoop or initiate automatic cleaning. During our testing, my friend and I discovered that we could either command immediate cleaning or set a specific schedule. This not only saves time but ensures our feline friends have a pristine and comfortable place to do their business.
The app also offers valuable insights into your cat’s health, tracking details like their weight and litter box usage. Although it claims compatibility with both 5GHz and 2.4GHz networks for reduced latency, based on my friend’s experience, she faced frequent disconnections and encountered issues with the app.
It has safety sensors.
Instachew Purrclean has multiple sensors to ensure our kitty’s safety. The infrared sensors can detect the cat within a 50 cm diameter of the litter box’s opening.
Even if my friend’s cat felt a bit reluctant to go inside the box during our initial test, the device detected him. The Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Litter Box also has a sensor that detects foreign matter during scooping. This feature is essential, as it ensures that the device will stop immediately if anything in the litter box could harm the cat.
It operates in ultra-quiet mode.
One of the standout features of this self-cleaning cat litter box is its ultra-quiet operation, emitting a mere 47 dB of noise. The device operates so quietly that it can be placed anywhere in the house without causing any disturbance.
I appreciate that this litter box can reside in a central location, allowing your cats to use it at their convenience without being startled by loud noises. Noise sensitivity was a significant concern for my friend’s cat, who had been frightened by the operational sounds of other litter boxes he had encountered. In fact, the Purrclean initially startled him as well, but he eventually acclimated to it.
Compared to Litter Robot 4 and Leo’s Loo Too, the Purrclean isn’t as noiseless, but it’s certainly a considerable improvement over many other options.
How Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Self Cleaning Litter Box Works
I was genuinely eager to test this smart cat litter box, and my friend’s willingness to try it out with me was a bonus. I couldn’t wait and headed to her house as soon as she mentioned unboxing her Purrclean.
The Instachew Purrclean operates in a similar manner to other smart cat litter boxes. Here’s a quick overview of how this unit functions:
- Plug in your Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Self Cleaning Litter Box; there’s no cumbersome assembly required.
- Insert a garbage bag into the waste drawer for hassle-free cleanup.
- Connect the app to the litter box by following the instructions provided in the manual.
- Add your preferred cat litter, ensuring an adequate amount.
- Allow your cat to enter and use the litter box.
- Once your cat departs, a cleaning cycle is initiated.
- The sifting mechanism efficiently separates soiled clumps from the clean litter.
- These clumps are discreetly deposited into a waste drawer located beneath the litter box, offering a generous capacity and secure sealing.
- When it’s time to empty and clean the waste drawer, simply remove the liner and replace it. The app will conveniently notify you when this task is due.
Purrclean Design
The Instachew Purrclean is a shining example of minimalist design. While it may not boast the extravagance of higher-end models, its sleek appearance makes it an unobtrusive addition to any room. Although, I must admit, it appeared rather large for my liking.
The LED touchscreen control panel is conveniently situated on the top left side of the unit, making it incredibly user-friendly. The inclusion of a carrying handle adds to its portability, allowing you to effortlessly relocate it around the house.
Purrclean – Keeping it Clean
Maintenance is a breeze with the Purrclean. There’s not much to dismantle or remove, simplifying your cleaning routine. However, my friend noted that the waste drawer occasionally gets stuck, making it a bit of a challenge to pull out.
Purrclean – Size
The Purrclean boasts dimensions of 19 x 20 x 26 inches and weighs in at 32 pounds. While its exterior exudes a compact charm, the interior space leaves something to be desired. It accommodates an average-sized Siamese cat comfortably, yet it may feel a tad cramped for some. On the other hand, my Bengal cat cannot fit in this litter box.
Purrclean – Navigating Smart Features
Purrclean’s app offers an array of features, though connecting to it proved a bit finicky. My friend, along with other cat parents using the Purrclean, frequently experienced disconnections from the device. Some even reported not receiving notifications when the waste drawer reached capacity.
On the topic of cleaning cycles, we noticed that not all litter is successfully sifted, making Purrclean less efficient in this regard compared to the Litter Robot 4 and Leo’s Loo Too.
In another concerning scenario, a fellow cat parent reported issues with her cat’s urine leaking, resulting in a puddle beneath the unit.
Purrclean does have an odor control feature to neutralize unpleasant smells, but during our test, it wasn’t particularly effective. Lingering odors persisted during and after our cats’ visits to the litter box, an issue we discovered is shared by the online cat parents’ community.
As a cat owner, I’m particularly discerning when it comes to odor control, so this revelation was a significant drawback for me.
Purrclean – Material and Pricing
Material-wise, the Purrclean is evidently constructed from more affordable resources. While it boasts a sleek and classy appearance from a distance, upon close examination, the difference in materials becomes palpable. I’m hopeful that my friend’s Purrclean will endure at least a year of use.
When it comes to pricing, the Purrclean is incredibly budget-friendly compared to other renowned smart cat litter boxes like the Litter Robot and Leo’s Loo Too. Priced at $399.99, it’s exclusively available on Instachew’s website.
Purrclean Cat Litter Compatibility
Some self-cleaning litter boxes can be a source of frustration for cat owners and their feline companions alike. The Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Litter Box, however, accommodates your cat’s existing litter preferences without fuss. Whether your cat prefers tofu, soil, or mixed litter, Purrclean is flexible and welcomes your cat’s litter habits. This is particularly advantageous for cats that are sensitive to changes in their environment or routines.
Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Litter Box Drawbacks
If you scour independent online reviews, you’ll quickly stumble upon a laundry list of drawbacks associated with the Purrclean. While our initial testing unveiled some issues, the broader consensus highlights several key limitations of this cat litter box:
- Inconsistent App Connectivity: The Purrclean’s app connectivity left much to be desired during our evaluation.
- Unreliable Cleaning Cycle: The cleaning cycle frequently exhibited inconsistencies and failed to deliver a seamless performance.
- Compact Dimensions: The size proved to be too snug, making it less than ideal for some cats’ comfort.
- Mediocre Material and Design: The construction and materials fell short of expectations, garnering mixed reviews from cat parents.
Reviews and Opinions From Cat Owners’ Community
To provide a more comprehensive perspective, we gathered opinions and reviews from fellow cat parents within the online community. Here’s a snapshot of their feedback:
- Terrible customer support. Many users encountering issues with their Purrclean cat litter boxes expressed frustration with the level of assistance from customer support.
- Poor manufacturing. Some cat owners were unimpressed by Purrclean’s material quality and overall design, labeling it as poorly constructed with substandard materials.
- Difficult app setup. Several customers faced difficulties during app setup, citing connectivity problems, frequent disconnections, and a lack of reliable notifications.
Conclusion
While the Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Litter Box attempts to offer comparable features to high-end counterparts at a lower price point, our evaluation leads us to advise caution. It appears that the utilization of cost-effective materials has introduced a degree of unreliability into both the features and overall efficiency of this litter box. In our assessment, it falls short in comparison to Leo’s Loo Too and doesn’t hold a candle to the Litter Robot 4.
While opting for the Purrclean may initially save you money in contrast to pricier brands, you may ultimately find yourself expending more due to its inefficiency and the inconveniences you’ll likely encounter during use.
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Instachew Purrclean Smart Cat Litter Box Review
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