Cheap Self Cleaning Litter Boxes: 2026 Affordable Options & What to Expect

Cheap self cleaning litter boxes appeal to cat owners who want basic automation without paying the high prices associated with premium models. While these budget options can reduce daily scooping, they usually come with trade offs in features, odor control and long term reliability.

In this guide, we focus specifically on affordable self cleaning litter boxes, explaining what “cheap” really means in this category, what compromises are common at lower price points, and which types of cat owners are most likely to benefit from entry level automation. If you’re looking for more advanced features, better odor control, or higher end performance our full guide to the best automatic litter boxes covers premium and mid range options in more detail.

This article is designed for budget focused buyers who want realistic expectations before choosing a lower cost self cleaning litter box.

Quick Picks: Cheap automatic cat litter boxes

Here’s a quick look at how each affordable self cleaning litter box compares, focusing on basic automation, ease of maintenance, and how well each model fits budget focused households.

Model	Best For	Main Highlights	Buy
PetPivot Self-Cleaning Litter Box Best Budget Pick	Most budget buyers (single-cat homes)	Basic automation • Compact footprint • Simple controls • Good starter option	Check price (Amazon)
Fumoi Automatic Cat Litter Box Best for Small Spaces	Apartments & tighter layouts	App control • Scheduling • Removable waste bin • Compact design	Check price (Amazon)
UPFAS Automatic Cat Litter Box Lowest Price Option	Lowest-cost entry to automation	Basic self-cleaning • Anti-pinch design • Simple setup • Good for testing	Check price (Amazon)
Mintakawa Automatic Litter Box Best for Medium Cats	Average to medium-sized cats	Roomier interior (budget tier) • Easy controls • Basic automation • Straightforward maintenance	Check price (Amazon)

Cheap Self Cleaning Litter Boxes Reviewed

Below you’ll find our top picks for affordable self cleaning litter boxes, selected for their budget friendly pricing, straightforward automation, and practicality for everyday use, especially in single cat homes and smaller spaces where premium features aren’t a must.

#1 ⭐ 8.3/10 Best Budget Pick

PetPivot
Self Cleaning Litter Box

Affordable self cleaning design aimed at budget conscious cat owners.
Automatic cleaning cycle reduces daily scooping for single cat homes.
Compact footprint works well in apartments or smaller living spaces.
Includes basic safety sensors and a simple control interface.

❌ Build quality and odor control are more basic compared to premium automatic litter boxes.

Perfect For: Budget buyers, first time automatic litter box users, and single cat households with average sized cats.

Check Price on Amazon

#2 ⭐ 8.0/10 Best for Small Spaces

Fumoi
Automatic Cat Litter Box

Compact automatic litter box designed for apartments and small homes.
App controlled cleaning cycles with basic scheduling and notifications.
Removable waste bin makes maintenance simpler for daily use.
Entry level safety sensors help prevent cleaning during use.

❌ Smaller interior space and lighter construction make it less suitable for large cats or multi cat households.

Perfect For: Single cat homes, apartment living, and budget buyers who want app control without premium pricing.

Check Price on Amazon

#3 ⭐ 7.8/10 Lowest Price Option

UPFAS
Automatic Cat Litter Box

One of the most affordable automatic litter boxes currently available.
Basic self cleaning cycle helps reduce daily scooping.
Anti pinch safety design prevents movement while a cat is inside.
Simple setup with minimal configuration required.

❌ Limited automation features and weaker odor control compared to higher priced models.

Perfect For: Price sensitive buyers, first time users testing automatic litter boxes, and temporary or secondary setups.

Check Price on Amazon

#4 ⭐ 7.7/10 Best for Medium Cats

Mintakawa
Automatic Litter Box

Budget friendly automatic litter box with a slightly roomier interior.
Self cleaning cycle helps reduce daily scooping for single cat homes.
Designed to accommodate average to medium sized cats more comfortably.
Simple controls and straightforward setup for first time users.

❌ Fewer smart features and basic odor control compared to higher- nd automatic litter boxes.

Perfect For: Single cat households, medium sized cats, and buyers who want basic automation without paying premium prices.

Check Price on Amazon

How we picked the affordable automatic litter boxes?

This list focuses specifically on budget friendly self cleaning litter boxes rather than premium or feature heavy models. We prioritized products that offer basic automation at lower price points, while still meeting minimum safety and usability expectations. Models that required premium subscriptions, complex installation or luxury pricing were excluded.

Buying guide: choosing a cheap self cleaning litter box

When shopping for a cheap self cleaning litter box, it’s important to set realistic expectations. Budget models are designed to reduce daily scooping, not fully replace manual cleaning or deliver the advanced features found in premium systems.

Cat size & household count: most affordable models work best for single cat homes and average sized cats.
Odor control: expect basic waste containment rather than advanced sealing or deodorization.
Maintenance: lower cost units usually require more frequent emptying and occasional manual cleaning.

If you need stronger odor control, multi cat support, or quieter operation, a mid range or premium automatic litter box may be a better fit.

If you have a larger breed or a multi cat household and need more interior space and capacity, our guide to the best self cleaning litter boxes for large cats covers models designed specifically for heavier use and bigger cats.

Conclusion

Cheap self cleaning litter boxes can be a practical choice for cat owners who want basic automation without paying premium prices. While budget models come with limitations in capacity, odor control, and features, they can still reduce daily scooping and simplify routine maintenance for the right household.

For single cat homes and first time buyers, an affordable automatic litter box may be a reasonable starting point before deciding whether a more advanced model is worth the investment.

Frequently asked questions

Are cheap self cleaning litter boxes safe for cats?

Most budget self cleaning litter boxes include basic safety sensors that stop the cleaning cycle when a cat is detected. However, they may use fewer sensors than premium models, so careful setup and monitoring during the first weeks of use is recommended.

Do affordable automatic litter boxes work well for multiple cats?

In most cases, budget models are best suited for single cat households. Multiple cats can overwhelm smaller waste bins and increase odor issues, which are common limitations at lower price points.

How often do cheap self cleaning litter boxes need cleaning?

While they reduce daily scooping, most affordable models still require regular maintenance. Expect to empty the waste bin several times per week and perform a deeper clean every one to two weeks.

Tags:

Cheap Self Cleaning Litter Boxes: Affordable Options & What to Expect

Quick Picks: Cheap automatic cat litter boxes