The Litter Robot 4 (LR4) launched as the smarter, sleeker successor to the LR3, and instantly sparked debate in the cat parent community. Is it worth the $600+ price tag? Does it actually make life easier? Here’s what people are saying on Reddit after months of scooping (or not scooping haha 😼

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The Good

• Game-changer for quality of life “It was a very tough decision to spend that much… If anything happened to my LR4 now, I wouldn’t think for more than a second to replace it.” (19 upvotes)
• Cuts litter costs big time “I used to buy two 42lb bundles of Fresh Step every month. I’m now down to one almost every other month.” (11 upvotes)
• No more cat box stink “I never smell poo unless they literally JUST went. I will sing the praises of the LR4 from the mountain tops.” (11 upvotes)
• Helpful for cat health tracking “Our kitten had FIP… the LR4 plus a camera let us monitor him for signs of relapse.” (7 upvotes)
• It’s quieter than the LR3 “A lot quieter (46db vs 65db).” (15 upvotes)

The Not So Good

• Safety concerns when sensors fail “My heart sank! The LR4 kept cycling with my cat still inside… what if he wasn’t fast enough to escape?” (8 upvotes)
• The liner feels flimsy “I’m already about to ask for a second liner—it’s so thin and flimsy.” (6 upvotes)
• Weird sensor behavior “It detected cat litter dust as a cat… but didn’t register my arm moving inside during a cycle.” (13 upvotes)
• You might still intervene daily “600+ dollars and I’m still scooping clumps with a toilet brush? I intervene daily.” (6 upvotes)

Things You Should Know

• Sensor issues are real “If you’re worried, test the pinch sensors. Throw in a paper towel tube during a cycle and see if it stops.” (6 upvotes)
• Firmware updates helped some “Whisker put out updates and I haven’t seen an issue since… what version are you on?” (13 upvotes)
• Regular cleaning is a must “Deep clean it monthly or you’ll run into problems. It’s not hard—just lift the bonnet, remove the globe, wipe everything down.” (13 upvotes)
• Not humidity-friendly “Don’t put this in the bathroom. Even short showers can bring humidity to 100%, which messes with clumping and the electronics.” (43 upvotes)

How It Compares

LR4 vs LR3, people say the LR4 is:

• Quieter
• Has a wider opening
• Takes up less floor space
• Has new accessories coming (PetID tag, litter hopper)
• Offers weight tracking and better cat detection (15 upvotes)

…but the LR3 still has fans:

• “LR3 is bigger inside.” (10 upvotes)
• “We saw fewer complaints about the LR3 when we were shopping.” (7 upvotes)

LR2 users say it’s still going strong
“My LR2s are still going strong after 10 years. Replaced the gears once. That’s it.” (7 upvotes)

Is It Worth It?

• Some say absolutely “The LR is 100% made and supported in the USA. I’ve owned every model—they’re a godsend.” (8 upvotes)
• And the cost savings add up “With 2 cats, a 19lb box of litter lasts me months now. Before, I dumped it monthly.” (8 upvotes)
• But ongoing costs matter “Replacing liners is going to get excruciatingly expensive.” (6 upvotes)
• Some would’ve just stuck with LR3 “I love my LR4, but honestly, I would’ve been equally happy just replacing my LR3 with another LR3.” (13 upvotes)

Tips from Other Cat Owners

• Avoid Whisker’s litter “It’s the perfect size for the machine… but it has zero deodorizer. Mine smelled awful.” (16 upvotes) Better options: “Try Tidy Cat Clean Feet or Clump & Seal.” (8 upvotes)
• Cleaning hacks “Vacuum and Lysol wipes do the trick.” (6 upvotes) “I take it to a self-serve car wash—just don’t forget towels or you’ll end up with poop water in your car.” (21 upvotes)
• Help your cat adjust “Kept the old box next to the LR for a while. Took weeks, but now my picky cat uses the LR.” (19 upvotes) “Try using a litter attractant.” (6 upvotes)
• Use a camera to track behavior “I use a camera to monitor who’s doing what—one cat has constipation, so I need to know who went.” (41 upvotes)

Final takes

The Litter Robot 4 can be a life-saver—less smell, less scooping, and smarter health tracking—but only if you’re ready to maintain it. Many cat owners love it and wouldn’t go back. Others are frustrated by flaky sensors, flimsy parts, and the need to constantly monitor or clean something that’s supposed to be automatic.

If you’re buying one, expect to clean it monthly, test your sensors, and maybe babysit it with a camera for peace of mind. And grab the extended warranty—just in case.

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