(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 571 ratings (White listing; a Black listing, B0F3P55FHZ, also exists).
PetSafe's clumping-litter spinner is quiet, easy to clean and uses a side-to-side spin that is less likely to trap a cat. But its 12-inch entry is hard for kittens, seniors and big cats, tech glitches are the top complaint, and over a quarter of its Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars.
Top complaints
- Tech glitches and value doubts
Cats.com says technology issues are the most common customer complaint, along with a sifter that falls out of place and noise. Amazon's summary says many owners don't think it's worth the price.
- High entry and small inside
Cats.com says the entry is about 12 inches off the ground with no step, so kittens, seniors and cats with disabilities may struggle, and the box is too small for large cats. Amazon owners are split on size, with some calling it too small inside.
- Mess, stuck clumps and odor
Amazon's summary flags leakage, with bits of waste flying out of the front. Cats.com lists clumps sticking to the sides and litter kicked out as complaints, and a few owners said it smelled worse than a regular box. The drum doesn't self-empty for a full litter change, which Cats.com calls a 'major oversight'.
What owners love
- Quiet and easy to assemble
Amazon shoppers say it takes under 20 minutes to set up and praise its quiet operation. Cats.com also calls it quiet and easy to take apart and clean.
- Safer side-to-side spin
Cats.com says the open front spins side to side rather than front to back, so cats are less likely to get trapped. It also has entry/exit sensors, a child lock and a delay until the cat leaves.
Source: Cats.com SmartSpin review - Sealed drawer with deodorizer
Cats.com's roundup says the sealed drawer and built-in deodorizer help control odor and hold about two weeks of waste; the app tracks weight and habits.
- Your cat is a kitten, senior, large or has mobility issues
- You want the box to sense cats approaching
- You want a box you never have to empty by hand
- Agile, average-size cats
- Clumping-litter users who want a mid-priced PetSafe
- Small spaces (compact footprint)
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Cats.com: 3.6/5 (2025-10-03): attractive, quiet and easy to clean, but not for large cats, can't sense approaching cats, needs manual litter dumping, and has reported technical issues.
- Cats.com roundup: Best budget pick (2026-09-09). It doesn't auto-empty, and the roughly 12-inch entry may deter some cats.