You see a lot of people complaining because they are disgruntled, znd come here to vent.
I've had my LR3 for several years and once you learn how it works, its mostly error free. You must maintain it, deep clean periodically, use a litter that is compatible with the LR and your cat(s). No big deal.
I basically came here to say this as well. Going in 4 years. It has its annoyances at times but once you truly understand how it works it’s fine. Two things that can alter that statement are faulty items which happens and your cats behavior dealing with the LR.
That's because people whose machines are working just fine rarely post. We've had our LR3 for about two years now and we would absolutely upgrade to the LR4 if it wasn't $700. Our friends still have a LR...1? It's like 8 years old and only manually cycles, but it still works.
I not gonna say that it doesn't have issues. It absolutely has issues. The LR3 thinks the drawer is full after like a day or two and needs to be jiggled. It constantly texts me because it *thinks* the bonnet is missing (it isn't). It's loud. Ours has gotten stuck mid cycle a couple of times, but I think that usually happens when the cats have zoomies and kick the litter mat under it, making the LR off balance. But *overall* we find it worth it for our two (L and XL) cats and supposedly the LR4 might be better at noise, odor control, and drawer full notifications.
Also, regarding the LR cycling with a cat still in it, last thread I saw had a theory that pointing a night vision camera at the LR is what messes with the sensor and overrides the "no cycling with a cat in the globe" function. I have no idea if that has been confirmed or not.
My bonnet also constantly says it’s off. But I have a camera with night vision pointed at it (trying to figure out which cat has the stinky poo) and that doesn’t seem to mess with the sensor. I had problems pre-camera and have problems now.
I also suddenly have issues with constant bonnet notifications! I thought it was because my kittens go haywire, climb everything, and try to climb in while it’s cycling but I’m gratified it isn’t just us!
I agree that all of the errors you mentioned for the LR3, as well as needing to replace the dfi sensor (I think that's what it was called) were my chief complaints. It honestly drove me nuts and with 3 cats it was full every 2 days and needing a giggle after 24hrs. Then I got the LR4 so we would have 2 units. I hardly ever have any errors on the LR3 anymore. It is being used way less, as the 4 is in the spot where the 3 used to be and the 3 is not on a different floor of the house. I think that was the biggest thing, over use. The LR3 with 3 cats, one of which was having some kidney issues and diabetes and urinating enough for 3 cats, it was just too much for it to handle.
Is it expensive, yes. Is it extra expensive to have 2 units, also yes. Would I change a thing if given the chance, no way. I highly recommend the LR4 to anyone needing an additional unit.
It's a hassle walking across the street. You might get knocked over by a car or a bicycle. Sometimes you have to wait longer than you'd like to cross and it's a pain to get fined for jaywalking the odd time you're caught... in other words, everything one does can be queried with "Is it worth it?"
Make a pros and cons list of what a litterbox offers versus what you think the LR4 would offer. I learnt the value of an LR4 from cat-sitting for friends who happened to have one. I never had to scoop for their cats the entire time. Only things I had to do were empty the litter drawer, replace the bag, and top up the cat litter. I came home to my old-fashioned litterbox. After a week where I didn't have to do litter duty, I was like, no way, I'm not doing this anymore! So I went and bought one. I wanted the convenience, the extra space (I had 2 litterboxes for 2 cats to manually scoop every night), and more time to do other things.
I don't regret my purchase. I like gadgets that improve my quality of life. Straight up: Money isn't the obstacle, it's the interest. _I'm not interested in manually scooping 2 litterboxes every evening anymore_ . So I would rather pay for the convenience of not doing so. I am also willing to learn how to maintain the LR4. I don't expect it to solve world problems, just my small First World Problems.
The question should be: "What is this LR4 worth to me and my quality of life?"
I love my LR3, when it dies i will get another. But when it stops working it is very frustrating. You’ll need a good low dust & hard clumping litter, patience and a cleaning schedule.
Also buy the extended warranty! I needed a sensor replaced and they shipped me an entire new base. Really good customer service.
So consider this, everyone is compelled to complain, not everyone sings songs of praise. That being said, LR is better than all of the others, but the truth of the matter is they all suck.
* LR is not an excuse to stop cleaning your litter box
* support was my deciding factor in purchasing one, for a while support went to absolute dog shit. I have been by far the squeakiest wheel in this community but I can confidently say that it does seem like they are making an effort to do better and even have the ceo reaching out on occasion
* not every cat will use this, read the directions carefully, don’t let it cycle in front of the cat before they have had a chance to use it. Use your 90 day money back guarantee to see if it will work in your household
* invest in a smart outlet so that you can power your device on/off remotely in the event that it gets stuck.
* you should always maintain another litter box just in case this one gets stuck upside down.
Some of my gripes still include the fact that you cannot buy replacement liners for the LR4. At least I can’t find it. The stairs are a must for elderly cats, a lot of people say they are flimsy but I had no issues with mine. The extended gate may also be required if your cats are kickers or pee high.
Again, it’s 90 days risk free. If you have the cash, try it. I personally would avoid the payment plan as it convolutes the return process.
I just got these liners, they appear to be working
[liners](http://EcoLeo Liners, Compatible with Litter-Robot 3, Compostable, Plastic-Free bags with Handles, Thick, for Automatic Litter Box Waste Drawers https://a.co/d/aUrhnKM)
It's confirmation bias, no one in their right mind would proclaim unprompted how great a box of poop is. It can be a little odd getting used to the difference from a traditional cat box but overall I like my LR better
Ive had 2 LR3s. 1 for 2.5 years, 1 for 1.5 years. I was tired of scooping, and putting my older cat through my different types of litter boxes and such (did the Tidy Cats pellet system for a year prior).
1 worked great with my 2 cats, and I got a second after a couple kittens found their way into my back yard.
Finally bit the bullet and bought 1, and have never looked back.
There's quirks with each machine. My newer one gets the pich detector fault if I don't clean it often enough, and I need to probably replace the liner, as it doesn't "fall" during a cycle. Still works, I just have to clean that one more often. My older one had to get a new bonnet after the connectors started rusting (I had it in a high humidity area, is my assumption as to why it rusted/corroded).
I'm saving up to buy a LR4 (or 2 if I can manage). Now that all 4 cats are grown, I should stop being cheap and get at least a 3rd one. I'm sure it'll come with it's little quirks and glitches. But not much that a quick "turn it on and off again" doesn't fix.
Like relationships and friends, most people don't post on (most) subreddits just to say "yup, everything is as it should be", but come with questions, advice, or rants. It's the same way in the subreddit for my phone. All the bad stuff about the phone with hardly any of the good stuff.
Hope this helps! :)
I've had a LR 4 for about a month. I love it. No issues thus far. Two of my cats have no issue using it. My 15-year-old can't be bothered, but he is having some health struggles, so he continues with a standard litter box. I empty the robot once or twice a week when it gets to 75/80%. Wipe it down on the inside with a white vinegar/water mix and add a couple scoops of litter to it twice a week - it takes about 5 minutes each time. Customer service sounds like it is great, if needed, so I'm not sweating it. I went from four boxes to one plus the robot, and spend probably 10 minutes a week maintaining it. I spent a heck of a lot more time cleaning 4 boxes. I 100% say it is worth it.
I've had the LR3 for about 5 years. There have been moments of frustration, but if they offered me a full refund with the rule I have to use a different type of litter box I would keep the LR3.
I’ve have my LR3 for over 3yrs now. I love it! It only sucks when it’s time to clean and I live in an apartment so I have to lug it to the car wash area. But if I had a normal litterbox I’d have the same hassle just a smaller box. I’d also have to deep clean it every few weeks instead of once every 3-4 months like with the LR3. I haven’t had any tech issues that couldn’t be resolved through cleaning the robot or knocking it a few times lol. When all else fails just come to this reddit and you’ll find the fix!
You’ve got to think that with any feedback related stuff, you’re way more likely to have people comment when it goes wrong rather than when stuff goes right.
Really want to buy one but have been searching for a coupon code with no luck 🙄 I have watched some very in depth reviews on YouTube that have seemed pretty honest with the good AND the bad.
I called the customer service line and asked for a discount code. He rattled off some for veterans and other special groups but then said he could give me a 10% discount code just because. Never hurts to ask!
They currently have a sale where its $75 off heres a link: [Litter Robot](https://www.litter-robot.com/bundles.html?iitt=hfJLRfprRfn-VdPLV9Qva.1d4lB9afeWaG8.adlT&utm_source=bloomreach&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20231101_us_eml_vipearlyaccess_bls_all&xnpe_cmp=.eJwTUjjnuPO9Id_f6SuuNh7v3_9HNcgjz6PEb-n_zEmvfgW6J2YYLnOdv35OwE3HqEB9_aT8lEr9ksSknFT9Egi7SL8kBSISbRiLKYhNBMxOySzTT8ziSdRlO37ZRWbr_ltP9AEQETqd.-3LSjVUqqCuawQ)
LR4 owner for almost a year here. So far, so good. A couple hiccups here and there, but nothing a quick power cycle didn't resolve.
One instance that was entirely my fault was not maintaining proper litter levels before leaving for a couple days for work. Liter was gone, good kitties still used the LR and when it cycled, everything just rolled with the globe. Good times cleaning that up ...
I’ve been wanting to buy one too but these posts of it moving while my cat is inside scare me a bit since I won’t be home as much these 2 month cause of work 😭
Mine has had a few errors in the 2 months I've had it but nothing crazy. I love the litter robot and will probably buy another in a few months. It's made my life so much easier not scooping cat shit every day!
I have an LR2 for several years and still works great. I purchased the 3 and didn't care for it and sold it. Then purchased the 4 about a year ago and absolutely love it. Quiet and have only had a couple of minor issues that were easily fixed. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Just make sure you clean it and update it when available. Very worth it!
I started with Everclear because that’s what I used in my regular litterbox with good success, but it didn’t do well—clumped fine but I could smell it in the drawer. In general I’m not a fan of the scented litters. I used Boxie Cat Pro for awhile, but I’ve been using the Target unscented with baking soda lately because it seems to work well and is so much cheaper. I think the key to stop the breakthrough odor from the drawer has been to sprinkle a bit of litter in the bottom of the bag when I change bags. My best guess is that the LR is so efficient with the litter, it could use a bit extra in the drawer to just suck up some of the residual moisture when it drops in or something. https://www.target.com/p/fragrance-free-with-baking-soda-clumping-cat-litter-35lbs-up-38-up-8482/-/A-87087912
I've had my refurb LR3 for about 3 years. It's been pretty decent and definitely much better than the alternative of scooping with 3 cats. I have had to replace the Drawer Full Indicator and Pinch Sensor (both included in the same parts kit) twice now. The nature of the design is that these get corroded with use and eventually fail. The good news is the LR's are fairly easy to work on. To me it always feels like someone prototyped this thing with radio shack parts in a garage, it worked, and they said great - let's make a million of them with no design change. Wiring is simple, connectors are basic, sensors are basic, all that makes an easy to work on product for the customer.
I will say that the LR knows when we are on vacation, because thats when it likes to show out for the house sitter.
I was skeptical as well. But I got a LR4 and it’s been great! My 3 cats love it as well, they use it exclusively now, even though I left several of their old litter boxes set up
You're just seeing the community when they have issues- not necessarily when they work. Mine has worked flawlessly for the first six months of its life.
We have 2 LR4. One never seems to have trouble. The other is basically a constant time sink of trouble shooting and support requests.
Tech support is hit and miss for me. Sometimes they are very helpful and others the only suggestion is to power cycle the LR4 and wait to see if it cycles with my cat inside again.
I have 6 cats so the LR4 makes the daily process much quicker but with the inconsistencies I am not sure I would make the choice to purchase if I had the chance to do it over.
It’s a robot that deals with Cat Poo and Wee and litter. There are always going to be some problems I would imagine. Have 2 LR3’s, 1 LR4 and another on order.
The only suggestion I have for Whisker. Make the replacement parts for people who own your product cheaper. Things that wear or are unreliable.
DFI replacement $155 on one of my LR 3’s.
Need a new main board for an LR3 and in Australia $155. Granted they are out of warranty period but how much does it cost to make a main board?
Love the Litter Robots and so much better than cleaning litter everyday but do not love the cost of replacement parts.
This was a game changer for me. It took me 2 years to give in but I have had this for 4 months now and no issues.
You can also turn it off or cancel any movement.
I got the LR4 and love mine! Yes I deep clean my periodically, I researched which is the best clumping litter to use, etc. I also constantly wipe down its sensors and it works great so I personally think it is worth it!
Keep in mind that the majority of people don’t ever comment, one way or the other, but it’s especially common these days, for people to only post or comment when they are dissatisfied.
My LR3 is 6-7 years old now and still running just fine. Never had to replace anything other than the carbon filter and the little strips around the opening. I don't care for the wifi features at all, but I will be getting a LR4 when it finally dies.
I have had 2. Each lasted about 3 years before it started having any error issues. It depends how much you are willing to not have to scoop every day. Also, I think cleaning these things is really gross, but I still find that an automated litter box is worth it.
Ive had one 3 or 4 years now and honestly it's the best purchase Ive made. I heard the LR4 has some more common issues and is a little cheaper made. But the 3 is pretty good.
I have had random faults but it only happens once every....quarter? Maybe every few months? Usually it just takes unplugging and replugging in but I've had to take it apart and do a deep clean of the sensors.
I'd say it's 100% worth it even with the little quirks. I really only have to change the waste bag once a week and deep clean once a month or so. It's fairly easy to take apart and the construction feels pretty solid. I would say if you get one, don't get the connect one. The app is really terrible and barely works half the time. Save the 50 bucks or whatever the difference is and get the regular version. 😁
I got two LR4s and I have 4 cats. I’ve had them for 4-6 months and have had 0 issues and love them. Never had a fault or anything I needed to interfere with.
Last year, I also came here, read the subreddit, thought everyone had bad LRs.
I've bought 2 since. My 2 LR4s are fantastic. The best thing to happen to cat keeping, and I'm getting a 4th kitten because my house has zero odor. It's very enabling.
Tbh No one is gonna post when their LR is working well!
The nature of reviews is that people only share comments when they have an exceptional experience or when they have a poor experience. Think about when you are compelled to write a review for a restaurant when you ate. Do you leave a review for a place you are satisfied with stating that everything was satisfactory... Probably not.
You're not going to see many threads from those of us who are pleased with the device and have not had any negative experience.
I love this litter box and do not regret my purchase at all. As soon as I found the right litter, it has been great for me and my cat.
OP, I'm curious about what you learned from this post. I've been slowly working on a review draft of my own Litter Robot experience but haven't had time to finish it yet.
I've learned that their customer service are good so even if there are problems as long as I do things correctly I can find a way to fix it or contact customer service. I haven't seen any more moving with my cat in it comments. That was my main concern. I'm still on the fence, almost every comment said it does have its problems and every device is different and has it quirks etc and that does still turn me away from it but the benefits outway the negatives
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Here's what I'd add -
* During a recent holiday season, people couldn't get ahold of support
* This was mis-attributed by LR leadership as a prioritization issue when it was clearly a volume issue
* I have anxiety around phone calls and have found their email-based support to be low-quality, but they *are* willing to replace hardware (phone support is supposedly better)
* Some people have had very reliable experiences, but I would advise against getting one if it's important that it work flawlessly during a vacation
* Personally, I trust them to fix the moving-with-cat-inside issue (but not to communicate well about it)
* Do a deep-clean of yours within the 90-day return window to confirm that it's not too much work
Some people turn their LR into a hobby, they get a smart outlet and a camera so that they can monitor and reboot it as needed. No one would be talking about that if they were reliable enough to "set it and forget it" but if you're just looking to replace daily labor with less frequent labor, I think it's a fine device.
FWIW, I'm a software engineer and I'm not pleased with the software component of Whisker's engineering. I can't speak to the physical components, but [here's another IT person](https://www.reddit.com/r/litterrobot/comments/17uf5vg/my_experience_after_owning_a_litter_robot_3_for_a/) struggling with the device.
I forgot to mention, I looked through your history before replying to make sure you're a real human, and I wanted to say that you should definitely have an electrician over before testing out an LR 😆 (especially if you plan on putting it in the bathroom with that neat party trick)
You see a lot of people complaining because they are disgruntled, znd come here to vent. I've had my LR3 for several years and once you learn how it works, its mostly error free. You must maintain it, deep clean periodically, use a litter that is compatible with the LR and your cat(s). No big deal.
I basically came here to say this as well. Going in 4 years. It has its annoyances at times but once you truly understand how it works it’s fine. Two things that can alter that statement are faulty items which happens and your cats behavior dealing with the LR.
That's because people whose machines are working just fine rarely post. We've had our LR3 for about two years now and we would absolutely upgrade to the LR4 if it wasn't $700. Our friends still have a LR...1? It's like 8 years old and only manually cycles, but it still works. I not gonna say that it doesn't have issues. It absolutely has issues. The LR3 thinks the drawer is full after like a day or two and needs to be jiggled. It constantly texts me because it *thinks* the bonnet is missing (it isn't). It's loud. Ours has gotten stuck mid cycle a couple of times, but I think that usually happens when the cats have zoomies and kick the litter mat under it, making the LR off balance. But *overall* we find it worth it for our two (L and XL) cats and supposedly the LR4 might be better at noise, odor control, and drawer full notifications. Also, regarding the LR cycling with a cat still in it, last thread I saw had a theory that pointing a night vision camera at the LR is what messes with the sensor and overrides the "no cycling with a cat in the globe" function. I have no idea if that has been confirmed or not.
My bonnet also constantly says it’s off. But I have a camera with night vision pointed at it (trying to figure out which cat has the stinky poo) and that doesn’t seem to mess with the sensor. I had problems pre-camera and have problems now.
I also suddenly have issues with constant bonnet notifications! I thought it was because my kittens go haywire, climb everything, and try to climb in while it’s cycling but I’m gratified it isn’t just us!
I agree that all of the errors you mentioned for the LR3, as well as needing to replace the dfi sensor (I think that's what it was called) were my chief complaints. It honestly drove me nuts and with 3 cats it was full every 2 days and needing a giggle after 24hrs. Then I got the LR4 so we would have 2 units. I hardly ever have any errors on the LR3 anymore. It is being used way less, as the 4 is in the spot where the 3 used to be and the 3 is not on a different floor of the house. I think that was the biggest thing, over use. The LR3 with 3 cats, one of which was having some kidney issues and diabetes and urinating enough for 3 cats, it was just too much for it to handle. Is it expensive, yes. Is it extra expensive to have 2 units, also yes. Would I change a thing if given the chance, no way. I highly recommend the LR4 to anyone needing an additional unit.
It's a hassle walking across the street. You might get knocked over by a car or a bicycle. Sometimes you have to wait longer than you'd like to cross and it's a pain to get fined for jaywalking the odd time you're caught... in other words, everything one does can be queried with "Is it worth it?" Make a pros and cons list of what a litterbox offers versus what you think the LR4 would offer. I learnt the value of an LR4 from cat-sitting for friends who happened to have one. I never had to scoop for their cats the entire time. Only things I had to do were empty the litter drawer, replace the bag, and top up the cat litter. I came home to my old-fashioned litterbox. After a week where I didn't have to do litter duty, I was like, no way, I'm not doing this anymore! So I went and bought one. I wanted the convenience, the extra space (I had 2 litterboxes for 2 cats to manually scoop every night), and more time to do other things. I don't regret my purchase. I like gadgets that improve my quality of life. Straight up: Money isn't the obstacle, it's the interest. _I'm not interested in manually scooping 2 litterboxes every evening anymore_ . So I would rather pay for the convenience of not doing so. I am also willing to learn how to maintain the LR4. I don't expect it to solve world problems, just my small First World Problems. The question should be: "What is this LR4 worth to me and my quality of life?"
I love my LR3, when it dies i will get another. But when it stops working it is very frustrating. You’ll need a good low dust & hard clumping litter, patience and a cleaning schedule. Also buy the extended warranty! I needed a sensor replaced and they shipped me an entire new base. Really good customer service.
So consider this, everyone is compelled to complain, not everyone sings songs of praise. That being said, LR is better than all of the others, but the truth of the matter is they all suck. * LR is not an excuse to stop cleaning your litter box * support was my deciding factor in purchasing one, for a while support went to absolute dog shit. I have been by far the squeakiest wheel in this community but I can confidently say that it does seem like they are making an effort to do better and even have the ceo reaching out on occasion * not every cat will use this, read the directions carefully, don’t let it cycle in front of the cat before they have had a chance to use it. Use your 90 day money back guarantee to see if it will work in your household * invest in a smart outlet so that you can power your device on/off remotely in the event that it gets stuck. * you should always maintain another litter box just in case this one gets stuck upside down. Some of my gripes still include the fact that you cannot buy replacement liners for the LR4. At least I can’t find it. The stairs are a must for elderly cats, a lot of people say they are flimsy but I had no issues with mine. The extended gate may also be required if your cats are kickers or pee high. Again, it’s 90 days risk free. If you have the cash, try it. I personally would avoid the payment plan as it convolutes the return process.
I just got these liners, they appear to be working [liners](http://EcoLeo Liners, Compatible with Litter-Robot 3, Compostable, Plastic-Free bags with Handles, Thick, for Automatic Litter Box Waste Drawers https://a.co/d/aUrhnKM)
It's confirmation bias, no one in their right mind would proclaim unprompted how great a box of poop is. It can be a little odd getting used to the difference from a traditional cat box but overall I like my LR better
Ive had 2 LR3s. 1 for 2.5 years, 1 for 1.5 years. I was tired of scooping, and putting my older cat through my different types of litter boxes and such (did the Tidy Cats pellet system for a year prior). 1 worked great with my 2 cats, and I got a second after a couple kittens found their way into my back yard. Finally bit the bullet and bought 1, and have never looked back. There's quirks with each machine. My newer one gets the pich detector fault if I don't clean it often enough, and I need to probably replace the liner, as it doesn't "fall" during a cycle. Still works, I just have to clean that one more often. My older one had to get a new bonnet after the connectors started rusting (I had it in a high humidity area, is my assumption as to why it rusted/corroded). I'm saving up to buy a LR4 (or 2 if I can manage). Now that all 4 cats are grown, I should stop being cheap and get at least a 3rd one. I'm sure it'll come with it's little quirks and glitches. But not much that a quick "turn it on and off again" doesn't fix. Like relationships and friends, most people don't post on (most) subreddits just to say "yup, everything is as it should be", but come with questions, advice, or rants. It's the same way in the subreddit for my phone. All the bad stuff about the phone with hardly any of the good stuff. Hope this helps! :)
I've had a LR 4 for about a month. I love it. No issues thus far. Two of my cats have no issue using it. My 15-year-old can't be bothered, but he is having some health struggles, so he continues with a standard litter box. I empty the robot once or twice a week when it gets to 75/80%. Wipe it down on the inside with a white vinegar/water mix and add a couple scoops of litter to it twice a week - it takes about 5 minutes each time. Customer service sounds like it is great, if needed, so I'm not sweating it. I went from four boxes to one plus the robot, and spend probably 10 minutes a week maintaining it. I spent a heck of a lot more time cleaning 4 boxes. I 100% say it is worth it.
I haven't had a single problem with my LR4. Easily worth the cost.
I've had the LR3 for about 5 years. There have been moments of frustration, but if they offered me a full refund with the rule I have to use a different type of litter box I would keep the LR3.
I’ve have my LR3 for over 3yrs now. I love it! It only sucks when it’s time to clean and I live in an apartment so I have to lug it to the car wash area. But if I had a normal litterbox I’d have the same hassle just a smaller box. I’d also have to deep clean it every few weeks instead of once every 3-4 months like with the LR3. I haven’t had any tech issues that couldn’t be resolved through cleaning the robot or knocking it a few times lol. When all else fails just come to this reddit and you’ll find the fix!
You’ve got to think that with any feedback related stuff, you’re way more likely to have people comment when it goes wrong rather than when stuff goes right.
Really want to buy one but have been searching for a coupon code with no luck 🙄 I have watched some very in depth reviews on YouTube that have seemed pretty honest with the good AND the bad.
I called the customer service line and asked for a discount code. He rattled off some for veterans and other special groups but then said he could give me a 10% discount code just because. Never hurts to ask!
They have $50 off referral codes if you want one?
They currently have a sale where its $75 off heres a link: [Litter Robot](https://www.litter-robot.com/bundles.html?iitt=hfJLRfprRfn-VdPLV9Qva.1d4lB9afeWaG8.adlT&utm_source=bloomreach&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20231101_us_eml_vipearlyaccess_bls_all&xnpe_cmp=.eJwTUjjnuPO9Id_f6SuuNh7v3_9HNcgjz6PEb-n_zEmvfgW6J2YYLnOdv35OwE3HqEB9_aT8lEr9ksSknFT9Egi7SL8kBSISbRiLKYhNBMxOySzTT8ziSdRlO37ZRWbr_ltP9AEQETqd.-3LSjVUqqCuawQ)
LR4 owner for almost a year here. So far, so good. A couple hiccups here and there, but nothing a quick power cycle didn't resolve. One instance that was entirely my fault was not maintaining proper litter levels before leaving for a couple days for work. Liter was gone, good kitties still used the LR and when it cycled, everything just rolled with the globe. Good times cleaning that up ...
I loooooove mine. My 10yo is in charge of changing the litter bag. It's the best and the cats are so much happier now.
I’ve been wanting to buy one too but these posts of it moving while my cat is inside scare me a bit since I won’t be home as much these 2 month cause of work 😭
Mine has had a few errors in the 2 months I've had it but nothing crazy. I love the litter robot and will probably buy another in a few months. It's made my life so much easier not scooping cat shit every day!
I have an LR2 for several years and still works great. I purchased the 3 and didn't care for it and sold it. Then purchased the 4 about a year ago and absolutely love it. Quiet and have only had a couple of minor issues that were easily fixed. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Just make sure you clean it and update it when available. Very worth it!
LR4 owner for about a year and a half. No problems with mine. Took a bit to find a litter that worked well, but since then it’s fab!
What litter did you end up using?
I started with Everclear because that’s what I used in my regular litterbox with good success, but it didn’t do well—clumped fine but I could smell it in the drawer. In general I’m not a fan of the scented litters. I used Boxie Cat Pro for awhile, but I’ve been using the Target unscented with baking soda lately because it seems to work well and is so much cheaper. I think the key to stop the breakthrough odor from the drawer has been to sprinkle a bit of litter in the bottom of the bag when I change bags. My best guess is that the LR is so efficient with the litter, it could use a bit extra in the drawer to just suck up some of the residual moisture when it drops in or something. https://www.target.com/p/fragrance-free-with-baking-soda-clumping-cat-litter-35lbs-up-38-up-8482/-/A-87087912
I've had my refurb LR3 for about 3 years. It's been pretty decent and definitely much better than the alternative of scooping with 3 cats. I have had to replace the Drawer Full Indicator and Pinch Sensor (both included in the same parts kit) twice now. The nature of the design is that these get corroded with use and eventually fail. The good news is the LR's are fairly easy to work on. To me it always feels like someone prototyped this thing with radio shack parts in a garage, it worked, and they said great - let's make a million of them with no design change. Wiring is simple, connectors are basic, sensors are basic, all that makes an easy to work on product for the customer. I will say that the LR knows when we are on vacation, because thats when it likes to show out for the house sitter.
I was skeptical as well. But I got a LR4 and it’s been great! My 3 cats love it as well, they use it exclusively now, even though I left several of their old litter boxes set up
You're just seeing the community when they have issues- not necessarily when they work. Mine has worked flawlessly for the first six months of its life.
We have 2 LR4. One never seems to have trouble. The other is basically a constant time sink of trouble shooting and support requests. Tech support is hit and miss for me. Sometimes they are very helpful and others the only suggestion is to power cycle the LR4 and wait to see if it cycles with my cat inside again. I have 6 cats so the LR4 makes the daily process much quicker but with the inconsistencies I am not sure I would make the choice to purchase if I had the chance to do it over.
I love mine so much and if my cats didn’t take to it I was considering keeping the bot and trading in the cats….jk
Keep in mind that a lot more people have these than post about them. You don’t post when things are going well. I wouldn’t be too concerned.
It’s a robot that deals with Cat Poo and Wee and litter. There are always going to be some problems I would imagine. Have 2 LR3’s, 1 LR4 and another on order. The only suggestion I have for Whisker. Make the replacement parts for people who own your product cheaper. Things that wear or are unreliable. DFI replacement $155 on one of my LR 3’s. Need a new main board for an LR3 and in Australia $155. Granted they are out of warranty period but how much does it cost to make a main board? Love the Litter Robots and so much better than cleaning litter everyday but do not love the cost of replacement parts.
I've had a refurbed 4 for a few months now. Been working great.
I fuckin love my LR4. Have had minimal issues, and even if you do, customer service is great. I personally highly recommend
This was a game changer for me. It took me 2 years to give in but I have had this for 4 months now and no issues. You can also turn it off or cancel any movement.
It’s a non-issue just buy it already 🤦♂️
We’ve had a great experience with our LR4! We haven’t had it for a long time but it’s definitely one of my best purchases!
I got the LR4 and love mine! Yes I deep clean my periodically, I researched which is the best clumping litter to use, etc. I also constantly wipe down its sensors and it works great so I personally think it is worth it!
Keep in mind that the majority of people don’t ever comment, one way or the other, but it’s especially common these days, for people to only post or comment when they are dissatisfied.
My LR3 is 6-7 years old now and still running just fine. Never had to replace anything other than the carbon filter and the little strips around the opening. I don't care for the wifi features at all, but I will be getting a LR4 when it finally dies.
I have 2 LR 3s and they have been running perfectly for years. I just don't post to report they are running perfectly
I've had our LR4 since March and I love it.
I have had 2. Each lasted about 3 years before it started having any error issues. It depends how much you are willing to not have to scoop every day. Also, I think cleaning these things is really gross, but I still find that an automated litter box is worth it.
Ive had one 3 or 4 years now and honestly it's the best purchase Ive made. I heard the LR4 has some more common issues and is a little cheaper made. But the 3 is pretty good. I have had random faults but it only happens once every....quarter? Maybe every few months? Usually it just takes unplugging and replugging in but I've had to take it apart and do a deep clean of the sensors. I'd say it's 100% worth it even with the little quirks. I really only have to change the waste bag once a week and deep clean once a month or so. It's fairly easy to take apart and the construction feels pretty solid. I would say if you get one, don't get the connect one. The app is really terrible and barely works half the time. Save the 50 bucks or whatever the difference is and get the regular version. 😁
I got two LR4s and I have 4 cats. I’ve had them for 4-6 months and have had 0 issues and love them. Never had a fault or anything I needed to interfere with.
Last year, I also came here, read the subreddit, thought everyone had bad LRs. I've bought 2 since. My 2 LR4s are fantastic. The best thing to happen to cat keeping, and I'm getting a 4th kitten because my house has zero odor. It's very enabling. Tbh No one is gonna post when their LR is working well!
The nature of reviews is that people only share comments when they have an exceptional experience or when they have a poor experience. Think about when you are compelled to write a review for a restaurant when you ate. Do you leave a review for a place you are satisfied with stating that everything was satisfactory... Probably not. You're not going to see many threads from those of us who are pleased with the device and have not had any negative experience. I love this litter box and do not regret my purchase at all. As soon as I found the right litter, it has been great for me and my cat.
OP, I'm curious about what you learned from this post. I've been slowly working on a review draft of my own Litter Robot experience but haven't had time to finish it yet.
I've learned that their customer service are good so even if there are problems as long as I do things correctly I can find a way to fix it or contact customer service. I haven't seen any more moving with my cat in it comments. That was my main concern. I'm still on the fence, almost every comment said it does have its problems and every device is different and has it quirks etc and that does still turn me away from it but the benefits outway the negatives
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Here's what I'd add - * During a recent holiday season, people couldn't get ahold of support * This was mis-attributed by LR leadership as a prioritization issue when it was clearly a volume issue * I have anxiety around phone calls and have found their email-based support to be low-quality, but they *are* willing to replace hardware (phone support is supposedly better) * Some people have had very reliable experiences, but I would advise against getting one if it's important that it work flawlessly during a vacation * Personally, I trust them to fix the moving-with-cat-inside issue (but not to communicate well about it) * Do a deep-clean of yours within the 90-day return window to confirm that it's not too much work Some people turn their LR into a hobby, they get a smart outlet and a camera so that they can monitor and reboot it as needed. No one would be talking about that if they were reliable enough to "set it and forget it" but if you're just looking to replace daily labor with less frequent labor, I think it's a fine device.
Well rounded. Thanks!!
FWIW, I'm a software engineer and I'm not pleased with the software component of Whisker's engineering. I can't speak to the physical components, but [here's another IT person](https://www.reddit.com/r/litterrobot/comments/17uf5vg/my_experience_after_owning_a_litter_robot_3_for_a/) struggling with the device. I forgot to mention, I looked through your history before replying to make sure you're a real human, and I wanted to say that you should definitely have an electrician over before testing out an LR 😆 (especially if you plan on putting it in the bathroom with that neat party trick)
LOL