Litter-Robot 3 Connect Review: Should You Buy It?

Cat lovers of the world unite! It is time for us to stop dealing with cat poop the traditional way. I mean, it is 2020 and we are still using plastic, analog trays with a tiny shovel? That is something from the past.

At first, it made me laugh out loud because I think it looks like Kenny from South Park.

Once I started using it, though, the laughter stopped but it drew a big smile upon my face.

In case you are wondering if you should get a litter robot for your cat, I´m here to tell you everything about my experience and hopefully help you make an informed decision.

Not as a spoiler, but just saying that my cats love me more now than they did before I bought them this fancy litter box.

Seat tight and read on because here is my honest take on the Litter-Robot 3 Connect.

What Is the Litter-Robot 3 Connect?

The Litter-Robot 3 Connect is a self-cleaning, automatic litter box for cats.

It happens to be the best-reviewed unit in the market as for today as well.

Also, I think it looks like a space-age humongous machine that mechanically separates litter from poop for you.

This means that the Litter-Robot 3 Connect will take care of the most tedious, annoying chore of all time.

According to the company, the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is the ultimate one-stop solution for all pooping-related issues for your cats.

It even comes with an instruction manual on how to make your cats love it.

Let´s begin the Litter-Robot 3 Connect review by understanding how it works.

How Does It Work?

At the beginning of the article, I mentioned that it looks like Kenny from South Park in a weird mash-up with Stanley Kubrik´s “2001: A Space Odyssey” and some Soviet space age manufacturing.

This, in a house like mine where there is memorabilia of many kinds, is very welcome.

If you are after a more traditional-looking litter box for your cats, you have to keep on searching because “unique” is a fancy way to say it looks odd… in a good way.

Now, back to Kenny (I named mine that way and I giggled for two weeks on every notification), it´s all about his head.

The big sphere with the opening for the cats to jump in is basically the most important part of the apparatus.

Every time it senses that a cat has gone in to do its business, it will self-clean afterward rotating and separating unused litter from the cat´s depositions.

All depositions go to the bottom part of the unit where they sit inside a bag that you set on the tray.

They sell special bags, but any bag that fits the size will do the trick.

Once the deposit is full you´ll get a notification on the app advising you to empty it.

Taking out that bag and installing a new one is what I call the “new normal” at home.

Yes, I finally got rid of one of the chores I hated the most.

I mean, I am a cat lover, but still, for more that I love them so dearly, I hated getting rid of poop with that awful smell.

The one drawback in my case, living in a two-bedroom apartment, was fitting it in.

It is a very big home appliance that is curvy enough not to fit in most places.

If you are thinking about replacing that good-old, last-century litter tray, with something that fits the same space, then think again, you need to get creative.

Bear in mind that it not only is curvy but also rotates, so nothing can be on top of it or even touching the surface.

Our bathroom couldn’t cope with the size, so now it is dressing up our living room.

What Are the Benefits of It?

Now that you know how it works and what it actually looks like, it´s time to talk about the benefits it can bring to your cat-loving life.

The following list is based upon what I think are the strongest points of the apparatus for me.

Night Light

You can switch this on and off with the simple flick of a switch on the app.

The night light goes on when the machine senses it is night time but you can turn it on and off whenever you want to from the app.

I have my model in white and think that the blue light in the interior just looks great.

My cats don´t mind it either.

Sleep Mode

Some people put this appliance in their bedrooms which is, for me, a little too much.

Nevertheless, being in the living room of a two-bedroom apartment, I could hear it rotate at four AM and it was beyond annoying.

With the sleep mode on, the machine will not start a cleaning cycle for about eight hours.

This is enough in my case to enjoy a good night of sleep.

I wouldn´t say it is a noisy unit, but it isn´t silent either; Kenny likes making noises when turning his head.

Adjustable Waiting Time

This, I think, was a great addition to the controls available.

My cats love going for it but each takes their own time to do it.

Hence, by adjusting the time to seven minutes, I make sure they are not inside when the thing starts spinning.

Nevertheless, there is a weight sensor that stops the cleaning cycle if a cat goes inside when it´s happening.

Cats are very curious animals and mine are especially jumpy and playful; they love to see it spin as much as I like to watch Netflix.

The three of them understood in the first month they shouldn´t go inside when the fun noise starts but run to watch it as if it was the premiere of a Game of Thrones episode.

Unexplainable?

Definitely; but also super funny.

Odorless Filter

The carbon filter inside the unit makes odor go away.

I mean, when using the regular litter tray, we put it in the bathroom but still, the house smelled like cats.

With this giant unit in our living room, it is more evident than ever that we have three cats but odor-wise you could never tell.

In fact, my partner has a very sensitive nose and the smell of cats became a discussion topic over time.

This was almost a relationship-savior for us.

Insights (The App)

The app that comes with the apparatus is quite spectacular.

I love the fact that I can get stats from which to come up with insights about eating habits, different types of food, and the overall health status of my cats.

I´ve shown these insights to our trusty veterinarian and she agrees that it can help to treat conditions before they get severe.

Reduce the Litter You Normally Use

Litter-Robot promotes the Connect by saying that you save money and time in the long run because it uses less litter.

Well, that is absolutely true; the economy of the operation is positive.

On the other hand, it will pay off in the long, long run because the price tag is on the hefty side.

That being said, I´ve noticed that my litter expenses dropped the past three months.

Clean Less, Play More

The small, removable mat from the front part of the trail turns into a litter reservoir you can easily clean.

In fact, the total amount of litter wasted by spilling is very, very low.

You will have to clean the surrounding areas of the machine every couple of days, but you will not dispose of anywhere near as much litter as you used to.

You will clean less with the Litter-Robot 3 Connect; so if that is your goal, this machine is for you.

Panel Lockout

The “panel lockout” feature in the app is great.

It wasn´t until one of my cats discovered the buttons that I had to start using it, but it came very handily.

Cats are curious, buttons make noises with lights… you know the story.

Availability

Finally, I think that the one thing that separates the Litter-Robot 3 Connect from the rest is the fact that it has been around for some time.

This important fact allowed the company to do some trial and error to find the best version yet.

Many other similar products are currently on Indiegogo for example, trying to get funds for version 1.

A product that went through two or three incarnations will be perfected upon user feedback making it essentially better, more useful.

The Future Is Here: Litter-Robot 3 Connect and Internet of Things

I didn´t want to list this item as one of the benefits because not everyone will consider it so.

I happen to have a carpet in my living room.

We live in a very cold area and carpets are a must to keep our house warm enough during winter.

I connected my robot vacuum cleaner to the Litter-Robot 3 Connect and every time a cycle ends, the robot will vacuum clean all around it.

Other times and just for fun, I would have the Star Wars Theme playing on the Bluetooth speakers when the tray was full.

There is even a chance of ordering Domino´s Pizza when the tray is full, for example.

It can be thought of as the celebration of a productive pooping week?

I don´t know, but it is a tasty way to consent myself for doing the annoying chore of changing that plastic bag full of litter-covered cat feces.

Wait! What If They Don´t Want To Use It?

This was one of my main concerns when I was doing the research before buying the unit: what if they just don´t like it?

I mean, it happened before that I bought them a toy from one of the fanciest shops in town and they are more entertained by a box than by it.

Well, the company works with a 90-day money-back guarantee in case you are unsatisfied with the product.

They will only ask you to pay for the shipping back and refund you.

I think this is important because not all cats get used to doing depositions inside a giant turning robot that looks like a cartoon character.

In my case, mine love it to the point they rush to watch it work whenever they hear a cycle is starting.

They also offer an 18-month warranty extendable for another 18 months for any mechanical or electrical imperfection.

Talking To an Owner, Why Did I Get One?

Before sitting down to write this Litter-Robot 3 Connect review I had to go back in time inside my head to remember why I got one in the first place.

I had two main reasons:

• I hate cat poop, period — This was my number one goal: avoid the poop collection and disposal moment.
  
  I can´t say I don´t dispose of cat poop anymore, but now it is almost effortless to do it.
  
  
• I was done with smells and litter all over the house — My boyfriend has a very, very sensitive nose and the smell of cat poop was driving him insane.
  
  In fact, we had countless arguments about it.
  
  Also, stepping on the loose litter and taking it everywhere in the house was an annoying thing.
  
  With the Litter-Robot 3 Connect I think I have been able (at least for now) to make our lives way more harmonious and beautiful than ever.

Although now we have some space occupied with a big machine in the corner of the living room in our small apartment, there is no bad smell, cat poop, or loose litter around anymore.

All the reasons I bought the machine for were a fulfilled promise and I´m very happy with it.

Are Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes Worth the Money?

This is a question I get a lot when I tell my friends we finally went for it and got it.

My answer is not unique, it is variable because it did have a very positive impact on our life, but it might not be everyone´s case.

Thus, what I usually answer to them is that it is worth it if what it does really has a big impact on your life.

In my case, we were in desperate need of this solution and it worked just like magic (thanks Kenny).

We have three cats, a sensitive-smelling boyfriend, and a house full of carpets.

It helps us keep the house tidy and odor-free with three cats.

If these are game-changers for you too; then the price tag is worth every penny.

On the other hand, if you have, let´s say, one cat and live in a one-bedroom apartment, space might be more significant than cleaning the tray to you.

In that case, you´ll go back to the tray almost immediately; there is no small or mid-size unit in this price range in the market (yet).

What Benefits Did I Find in the First Month?

When we first bought the Litter-Robot 3 Connect, we were very anxious.

I mean, unboxing it and getting it ready to use takes about ten minutes.

Then, it is all up to them.

Two of our three cats loved the Litter-Robot 3 Connect right away.

The third little guy that goes by the name of Ray (Bradbury, my favorite sci-fi writer of all time) took a little longer to use it and is still slightly reluctant.

After the adaptation period for all of us and once I got a hand on the “Sleep mode”, I think it is safe to say that this machine changed our lives in a good way.

Three months into having it, we are spending less on litter, having a cleaner, odor-free house, and an extended family of happy cats.

So, when I sat down to write this Litter-Robot 3 Connect review I thought to myself that honestly, I hope it doesn´t malfunction because I don´t know how we can go back to the “old normal” of smells and cleaning.

I guess we would just buy another.

Is the Litter-Robot 3 Connect Worth It?

In my humble, cat-loving opinion, the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is totally worth it.

The price tag is a little intimidating, but it really does deliver what it says it does.

The latest version with the Wi-Fi connectivity and the app makes it easier than ever to keep track of how things are going at home while you are away.

I can imagine a not-so-distant future of interconnection of different apparatus in which I´ll be out on a weekend somewhere and checking on how much my cats ate, drank, and pooped on the app alone.

In fact, even sending that data to the vet with a photo of the cat might be enough and we can forget about forcing them into those small bags for transportation.

Back to planet Earth, 2020; the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is a great, smart purchase in my opinion.

Buying Specifics

Before buying the Litter-Robot 3 Connect I went through every Litter-Robot 3 Connect review I could find online.

Hey, that´s me; I obsess over things to make the most informed decision I can.

Here are some of the questions I had back then (with their answers).

How Much Is the Litter-Robot 3 Connect?

The price tag for the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is $499 from the company itself.

Where Can I Buy It?

This, as I mentioned before, is one of the good things about buying a Litter-Robot 3 Connect: it is mostly available for immediate delivery.

Whether you are in North America (the USA and Canada) or Europe (the UK included) you can buy it from all major platforms such as Amazon (currently unavailable) or the company`s website as well.

The price in the UK after taxes goes up to £523.

For those who pay with Canadian currency, the price is CAD 660.

Litter-Robot 3 Connect FAQs

Before we come to a verdict about it, a Litter-Robot 3 Connect review couldn´t go by without an FAQ section.

Here you´ll find all the answers to all the questions that might be lingering in your head still.

Perhaps you are like curious little Ray and just need some further exploring before making your decision about the Litter-Robot 3 Connect.

Why Does My Litter-Robot 3 Connect Smell?

This is directly related to cleaning it.

How often are you cleaning your unit?

The procedure is utterly simple: just detach the head out of Kenny (quite a common South Park moment, I know) and clean it thoroughly.

There are no cables attached to this upper part meaning that you can use as much soap and water as you like.

Clean it thoroughly at least once a week and say goodbye to any bad smell.

How Often Do You Empty a Litter-Robot 3 Connect?

When we first bought the Litter-Robot 3 Connect, we were following instructions and doing this once a week.

Lately, we figured out that as long as we can keep it to the inside level marked in the rubber, we can just add some and remove it all only for cleaning purposes.

This happens once every two weeks.

How Do I Connect Litter-Robot 3 Connect To WiFi?

This is a very simple operation; we got it up and running in about ten minutes including the unboxing.

Just install the app, go to “Settings”, go to your Wi-Fi, and search for the Litter-Robot 3 Connect SSID.

Tap on it; enter the password on the manual and voilà it´s connected.

Welcome to the future.

Does the Litter-Robot 3 Connect Need To Be Plugged In?

I guess this, along with the size, are the unit´s biggest flaws.

Besides needing a big space to put it; you need an electrical socket nearby to plug it in.

How Do You Empty the Litter-Robot 3 Connect?

The Litter-Robot 3 Connect has got a dedicated button for this labeled “Empty”.

Simply press on it and Kenny´s head (the sphere) will turn in the opposite direction it always does, dropping all the litter in the bottom compartment.

Yes, it really is that easy.

What Litter Works Best With Litter-Robot 3 Connect?

There is no special type of litter you need to use with the unit as long as it is clumping litter.

The key is that it needs to pass through the screen; otherwise, it will be disposed along with the poop.

Verdict

This is the moment, the crucial moment of the Litter-Robot 3 Connect review in which we come to a verdict.

In our experience, it really did change our lives in more than a positive way.

For a small apartment with three cats, the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is a massive game-changer.

On the other hand, if you have space restrictions or are on a budget, you can keep on searching or settle on an affordable tray.

To sum it up, the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is a well-designed, good-working unit that solves several problems cat-lovers have.

If the price tag is affordable for you, it will take away some of the stress in your life.

My verdict as owner and user is that I recommend it thoroughly for mid to large-sized spaces with more than one cat.

Happy cat-loving week!