ConsFirst / Automatic pet feeders

Petlibro

Petlibro Granary Smart Camera Feeder (5 L): the downsides first

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#5 of 8
$$Wi-Fi feederScore 3.4/5
20%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The single-bowl camera listing (B0B5ZGGWBQ) showed 0 ratings. This figure is from the 10,312-rating listing that pools the Basic, Dual Tray with WiFi and 5L (With Camera) variants.

WIRED's best app feeder and Wirecutter's former top pick: a big 5 L hopper, a 1080p night-vision camera and D-cell backup. But Wirecutter dropped it after Petlibro's August 2026 server outage interrupted owners' feeding schedules, and the newer Granary 2 models jammed on larger kibble in its tests.

Top complaints

  • Outage disrupted feeding schedules

    Wirecutter says Petlibro had a major outage in August 2026 and several users reported interrupted feeding schedules, which is why it's no longer a pick. A 1-star Amazon reviewer of a Petlibro feeder describes the same outage.

    Source: Wirecutter, Amazon.com reviews (Polar listing)
  • Glitches and uneven dispensing

    Recent lowest-rated reviews on the pooled Amazon listing describe uneven distribution between bowls on the dual-tray version, glitches after about a year, and extra Wi-Fi equipment bought to keep the camera version connected.

    Source: Amazon.com reviews
  • No overeating control

    WIRED's one con is that it doesn't measure food left in the bowl to prevent overeating. Wirecutter found the successor Granary 2 models, which add a scale, jammed repeatedly with larger kibble.

    Source: WIRED, Wirecutter

What owners love

  • User-friendly app and camera

    WIRED calls it reliable and highly customizable, with up to six meals a day from 1/12 cup to four cups, and finds the app more intuitive than Petkit's. CNN's camera worked with no lag or connectivity issues and night vision.

    Source: WIRED, CNN Underscored
  • Accurate portions

    Wirecutter's former top pick tied the Pawsync for the most accurate large-kibble portions (4% average deviation).

    Source: Wirecutter
  • Sturdy, with battery backup

    CNN calls Petlibro's Granary feeders among the most reliable and robust on the market. WIRED lists three D-cell backup batteries alongside the power cord.

    Source: CNN Underscored, WIRED
Good for
  • Watching your pet eat while you're away
  • Cats or small dogs on dry food
  • Owners who want a big hopper

Scores (tap for why)

  • Reliable dispensing3.0
    Why 3.0?Accurate portions (Wirecutter) and called reliable by WIRED and CNN, but the August 2026 cloud outage interrupted owners' schedules.
    Source: Wirecutter, WIRED, CNN Underscored
  • App & scheduling3.5
    Why 3.5?WIRED's best connected app; offset by the 2026 server outage Wirecutter reports.
    Source: WIRED, Wirecutter
  • Power backup & alerts3.5
    Why 3.5?Three D-cell backup batteries (WIRED); no source reported how it logs or alerts on battery.
    Source: WIRED
  • Pet-proof build3.5
    Why 3.5?CNN calls Granary feeders among the most robust; 20% of ratings on the pooled Amazon listing are 1-2 stars.
    Source: CNN Underscored, Amazon.com product page

What experts say

  • WIRED: Best connected app (updated May 2026): reliable and customizable with a 1080p night-vision camera; con is no leftover-food sensing.
  • Wirecutter (NYT): Former top pick, moved to The Competition (2026-09-22) after the August 2026 Petlibro outage interrupted feeding schedules; still a great feeder if it works for you.
  • CNN Underscored: Tested the two-bowl camera version: camera worked flawlessly, but it lost the camera award to the HHOlove, and vets advise one bowl per cat.
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If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked automatic pet feeders whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in automatic pet feedersWhisker Feeder-Robot Smart Feeder

The Spruce Pets calls it the most impressive feeder it has ever tested, with the best app, 24-hour battery backup and a schedule stored on the device. WIRED found no real faults beyond the plastic bowl. The catches are a $299 price, a big footprint, and a bowl that isn't dishwasher-safe.

Its catch: expensive and bulky#2 in automatic pet feedersPetlibro Air WiFi Smart Feeder (2 L, rechargeable)

CNN Underscored's best overall and WIRED's best cheap app feeder: slim, cordless for about 30 days, and it never missed a meal in CNN's test, even with the power and Wi-Fi off. But 23% of Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars, citing Wi-Fi drops and units dying within months, and Wirecutter questions how long Petlibro will keep supporting it.

Its catch: wi-fi drops and early failures#3 in automatic pet feedersCat Mate C500 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder with Ice Packs

The Spruce Pets' best overall: a simple, battery-run five-tray carousel for wet or dry food with dishwasher-safe parts and a low 11% Amazon low-star share. But its ice packs kept wet food cold only overnight or about four hours on warm days, WIRED and CNN found wet food reaching unsafe temperatures, and some owners say the timer resets itself.

Its catch: ice packs don't keep wet food cold long

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