In this post, I will be reviewing a controversial self-cleaning cat litter box. This is a unique experience because I will be testing it because of its bad reviews on Facebook which were written by previous users.
I am referring to the Petree Automatic Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box 2022 Wifi Version. This cat litter box has terrible reviews about the product itself as well as their customer service. Nonetheless, I am here to find out if I will have the same experience with my fellow cat owners.
In this review, we will consider the same factors in other cat litter box reviews I have done which are: design, ease of cleaning, material, size, smart features, and price.
Product Highlights – Petree Automatic Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
- A gravity sensor in the device detects cats inside the bin.
- In the front, there is a panel button.
- It has wifi and can be controlled with a mobile app.
- The waste bin has a 4L capacity.
- It can monitor your cats’ toilet habits in real-time.
- When the waste bin is full, the app sends a notification.
- It runs quietly, at about 40-60 decibels.
Design
The design of the Petree automatic litter box is almost the same as other brands e.g. Litter Robot 4 or Leo’s Loo Too of litter boxes in spherical shapes. Generally, the look of this cat litter is minimalist and sleek. You can easily put it anywhere around your house, even in your living room, without the worry that it will be an eyesore.
The chamber looks spacious in photos but I was a bit disappointed that in reality, it is actually a bit crampy inside.
Ease of Cleaning
So far, I was able to empty and clean the waste bin but it’s a bit tricky as the waste bin is located at the back. The Petree also lacks a feature that removes the clean litter for cleaning, so you’ll need to remove the globe with a screwdriver. But once it’s disassembled, cleaning with a hose is simple.
I receive notifications when the waste bin is full though there was a time that it failed to. I clean the bin thrice a week which is actually way more frequent compared to other litter boxes I tried. Probably because the waste bin has only a 4L capacity. You can purchase a 7L waste bin though.
Material
This product is made of Polypropylene (PP) resin which is thermoplastic. This material is somewhat durable plastic. The entire device is sturdy enough to carry a cat weighing not more than 20 lbs.
I have read reviews that their machines are literally falling apart after a few weeks of use. So far, I have not experienced any falling parts and I might see this coming.
The motor is still working fine in my 4 weeks of use but I saw some people had the issue with the motor as well.
Size
The Petree Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box has dimensions of 23 inches by 21 inches by 25 inches. It has an igloo shape and a front entrance that your cat can access. It might be a big downside for large or even medium-sized cats.
The entranceway is large, standing 7 inches above the ground and measuring 14 inches high. This automatic litter box has a sturdy base, a spinnable globe, and a detachable top.
As I may have mentioned earlier, the inside tray is a bit cramped as I expected. I wouldn’t recommend it for large cats. While it is said that it can accommodate cats weighing 3lbs to 20lbs, I think it would be tough for a cat weighing more than 16lbs to fit comfortably inside. My Bengal huge kitty was not able to fit inside properly.
Smart Features
With Petree, the litter box is automatically sifted after your cat uses it thanks to an automatic timer that collaborates with the gravity sensor. Although Petree claims it is a 30-second timer, it seems to be 60 seconds.
According to Petree, clumping clay cat litter must be used with their self-cleaning litter box. Owners are free to use any type of clumping clay litter they like. Without clumping litter, the sifting system in the litter box will simply not function.
The maximum fill line for cat litter is well below the top of the litter container, which presents a problem for some users of the Petree litter box.
When it comes to its sifting system, I did observe some clean litter slipping through the gaps inside the box, but this didn’t appear to have an impact on how well it worked in general.
Connectivity-wise, there were some occasions when I encounter errors and delayed notifications on my app. There was one time when the app failed to notify me when the bin is already full. Luckily, I was curious that day and I thought of examining the litter box and that’s when I found out that the waste bin was already full!
It would also be nice if the litter box is 5G compatible. I look forward to some enhancements in this area.
Price
You can purchase the Petree Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box Non-Wifi, for $399.00, while the wifi version costs $449.00. It includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty.
For an additional $26, you can add a gray or brightly patterned curtain to cover the opening if your cat wants a bit of privacy when using the litter box.
Along with a 30-day supply of waste compartment bags, the litter box also includes a honeycomb litter mat that you can put on the floor in front of the litter box.
I would say that Petree does its job, but with the said amount, you can actually purchase other established brands of cat litter boxes.
Conclusion
The Litter Robot 4 was way more impressive, but the Petree Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box generally does its job. I found that the litter box performed as intended and valued the self-cleaning feature. It offers every essential component that you would anticipate finding in an automatic self-cleaning litter box.
Overall, I didn’t have many serious issues with the Petree Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box, but I don’t believe the price tag of close to $449 is justified. It functions reasonably well, but there aren’t many extra features or opportunities for customization, and the company’s customer satisfaction rating isn’t great.
If you are looking for a self-cleaning litter box, check my rating where I researched over 20 models based on several factors.