(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (561 ratings) on the Large multi-cat bundle listing; other Open-X listings exist.
Wirecutter's budget pick: an open-top box that cleans reliably and has the same anti-trap gear design as pricier models, for about a third of their price. But the app is glitchy to set up, the warranty is only one year, and some owners report breakdowns and odor from the loosely sealed bin.
Top complaints
- Glitchy app setup
Wirecutter says the Catlink app gave it more trouble than any other pick: setup and 'binding' a cat were glitchy and unintuitive, and some wording is unclear or oddly translated. Its privacy expert called the app's privacy policy very vague.
Source: Wirecutter - Breakdowns and a short warranty
Wirecutter notes user complaints about the machine breaking quickly and a one-year warranty with no extension. Cats.com says some reviewers reported malfunctions and tech issues, and Amazon's summary says some buyers call it one of their worst purchases.
- Odor and stuck clumps
Cats.com rated odor control 3/5 because the waste bin lacks a tight seal. Amazon's summary says some customers report clumps sticking to the bottom. Wirecutter once saw a clump fall outside and behind the box during a cycle.
What owners love
- Reliable, safe design for the price
Wirecutter says it consistently cleans the litter, and its globe gear is missing teeth so it can't close and pinch a cat; its infrared, weight and anti-pinch sensors all worked when triggered. Cats.com notes the drum never closes.
Source: Wirecutter, Cats.com Open-X review - Cats use it and odors drop
A Wirecutter tester said the poop smell they used to notice from a room away had completely disappeared. Cats.com's cats used it more than other self-scooping boxes it tested, and Amazon shoppers praise its quiet operation and odor control.
- Easy to clean, useful data
Cats.com rated ease of cleaning 5/5. Wirecutter says the app logs who used the box, weight and visit length, and a multi-litter sifter handles clay, tofu or mixed litter.
Source: Cats.com Open-X review, Wirecutter
- You want a polished app
- You want a long or extendable warranty
- Odor control is your top priority
- A first automatic box on a budget
- Cats that prefer an open top
- Multi-cat homes with cats of different weights
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Budget pick (2026-06-01): reliable and safe, but with a barebones, glitchy app, occasional cleaning hiccups and only a one-year warranty.
- Cats.com: 4.2/5 (2026-03-12): easy to clean, and cats can't be trapped. Odor control is the weak spot (3/5), and there is no anti-pinch sensor at the back of the waste bin, so supervise while emptying.