Litter-Robot 4 vs Neakasa M1
Litter robot 4 vs Neakasa M1 is a choice between a $699 enclosed globe rated for cats up to 25 lbs and a $429.99 open top box rated up to 33 lbs. Over 3 years with one cat, the M1 costs about $553 less including supplies.
Researched by Riley Hart · updated Oct 21, 2026 · How we research
Buy the Neakasa M1 if your cat is large, dislikes hooded boxes, or you want to spend less: it costs $429.99, is rated for cats up to 33 lbs, and runs about $482 over 3 years against about $1,035 for the Litter-Robot 4. It is the top scored box in our litter ranking at 8.9/10. Buy the Litter-Robot 4 ($699) if you have a senior cat, a dog or small children, or up to 4 cats: its enclosed globe keeps waste out of reach, its step is lower, and Whisker gives a 90 day in home trial.
| Feature | Litter-Robot 4 | Neakasa M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 at Whisker (Oct 21, 2026) | $429.99 at Neakasa (Oct 14, 2026); list $549.99 |
| Design | Enclosed rotating globe with sealed drawer | Open top, tilting tray |
| Cat weight range | 3 to 25 lb | 2.2 to 33 lb |
| Max cats | Up to 4 | Not stated; marketed for multi cat homes |
| Entry | 15.75 x 15.75 in opening | 13.86 in high entry; step sold separately |
| Size and weight | 22 x 27 in footprint, 29.5 in tall, 24 lb | 23.26 x 20.67 in footprint, 20.2 in tall, 22.81 lb |
| Waste storage | Sealed drawer with carbon filter, as little as every 8 days (maker claim) | 11.23 L bin, up to 14 days (Catster) |
| Sensors | Laser and weight sensors, SafeCat system | 6 sets of infrared sensors and 4 weight sensors |
| Litter | Clumping clay recommended; not tofu or pellets | Clumping granular litter such as clay |
| Noise | No dB rating published | 50 dB (maker claim) |
| Warranty | 1 year, 3 year plan $129, 90 day trial | 1 year (per Cats.com) |
| 3 year supplies, 1 cat | $336 (filters $180, liners $156) | $51.97 (waste bags) |
| 3 year total with box | $1,035 | $481.96 |
| Our score | Not scored | 8.9/10 |
Specs, prices and supply costs from our robot profiles, the Whisker and Neakasa stores and Catster, checked October 2026. The Litter-Robot 4 is not scored because the reviews we track give no numeric score; our score is 70% independent reviews and 30% value.
Price and 3 year cost
The Litter-Robot 4 costs $699 at Whisker as of October 21, 2026. The Neakasa M1 is $429.99 at Neakasa's store, down from a $549.99 list price.
Supplies widen the gap. For one cat over 3 years, the Litter-Robot 4 needs about $180 of carbon filters (one $5 filter a month) and about $156 of drawer liners (about one a week). The M1 needs only its own waste bags: at one bag every 14 days, that is 78 bags or about $52.
That puts the 3 year total at about $1,035 for the Litter-Robot 4 and about $482 for the M1, a difference of about $553. Neither box needs a subscription. Whisker+ is optional at $79.90 a year.
Cat size and entry
The M1 takes bigger cats. Neakasa rates it for 2.2 to 33 lbs, the widest range in our list. Whisker rates the Litter-Robot 4 for 3 to 25 lbs, and Cats.com notes its smaller litter bed may not suit large cats.
The catch is height. The M1's entry sits 13.86 inches off the floor and the step costs extra. Catster called it fairly high and said it may not suit cats with mobility problems. Whisker's comparison chart lists a 6.9 inch step for the Litter-Robot 4, so it is the safer pick for senior or arthritic cats.
Open top vs enclosed globe
The open top is the M1's main draw. Cats that refuse hooded or globe boxes often accept it because it looks like a normal tray, and Catster's cat adapted quickly. The downside is that dogs and children can reach the litter.
The Litter-Robot 4 hides waste in a sealed drawer under the globe. That keeps it away from dogs, and The Irish Times found no smells in its home test. Catster found the M1 held odor well but noticed smell after about seven days without emptying.
Safety and reliability
Both boxes stop when a cat steps in. The Irish Times saw the Litter-Robot 4's sensors halt the drum when a cat climbed in mid cycle. Catster's cat interrupted the M1's first cycle about 30 times, and the box paused every time without pinching.
Each has a known weak spot. Cats.com reports early Litter-Robot 4 units had fairly common sensor faults that firmware and app updates later fixed, plus a urine leak point between globe and base. For the M1, Cats.com saw the bin report full too early and shut the unit down, and it notes user reports of urine leaking at the mat seam.
What reviewers found
- Cats.com named the Litter-Robot 4 Runner Up in its October 2026 roundup and called it reliable and well built.
- CNN Underscored emptied the Litter-Robot 4 drawer about once a week with two cats and found it quieter than the Litter-Robot 3.
- Catster scored the Neakasa M1 4.9 out of 5. The 11 L bin usually lasted about two weeks with one cat.
- Cats.com scored the M1 4 out of 5, praising easy cleaning and a good app but noting dust buildup on the surface.
- CGMagazine gave the M1 8.5 out of 10, found setup easy and the cycle quiet, but said the box is very large and awkward to move.
Which to buy
Pick the Neakasa M1 for big cats up to 33 lbs, cats that avoid hooded boxes, or if you want to save about $550 over 3 years. Add the step if your cat is older.
Pick the Litter-Robot 4 for senior cats, homes with dogs or toddlers, up to 4 cats, or if you want a long track record, a wide parts network and a 90 day trial.
Full profiles with 3 year cost
Questions people ask
Is the Neakasa M1 better than the Litter-Robot 4?
For large cats and lower cost, yes: it is rated to 33 lbs against 25 lbs and costs about $482 over 3 years against about $1,035. The Litter-Robot 4 is better for senior cats, homes with dogs, and buyers who want a sealed waste drawer.
Is the Neakasa M1 good for big cats?
Neakasa rates it for cats up to 33 lbs, and its open top gives large cats room to turn. Its entry is 13.86 inches high, so a heavy or older cat may need the step that is sold separately.
Can dogs get into the Neakasa M1?
Yes. The open top means dogs and children can reach the litter. The Litter-Robot 4 keeps waste in a sealed drawer under the globe.
Which is cheaper to run?
The M1. Over 3 years with one cat it needs about $52 of waste bags. The Litter-Robot 4 needs about $336 of carbon filters and drawer liners.
Do either need a subscription?
No. Both work with their apps without a paid plan. Whisker+ for the Litter-Robot 4 is optional at $79.90 a year.
Which has the better warranty?
Both give 1 year. Whisker adds a 90 day in home trial and sells a 3 year WhiskerCare plan for $129.
Related
- Best self cleaning litter boxes, ranked
- Best self cleaning litter box for large cats
- Litter-Robot 4 vs 5
- Litter-Robot 4 vs PETKIT PuraMax 2
- How to choose a self cleaning litter box
- Litter-Robot Black Friday deals
- Litter-Robot 4 profile
- Neakasa M1 profile
Sources
- Whisker: Litter-Robot 4
- Whisker: Litter-Robot comparison chart
- Neakasa: M1 Automatic Cat Litter Box
- Catster: Neakasa M1 review
- Cats.com: Neakasa M1 review
- CGMagazine: Neakasa M1 review
- Cats.com: Best automatic litter boxes (updated October 2026)
- CNN Underscored: Litter-Robot 4 review
- The Irish Times: Litter Robot 4 review