Instachew Purrclean vs PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Instachew Purrclean costs $320 and the PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart costs $270, so the PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart is $50 cheaper. The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart scores higher in our ranking (8.8 vs 7.3 out of 10). Pick the Instachew Purrclean for small cats in small spaces. Pick the PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart for owners who like crystal litter. The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart wins 2 of 2 points we can measure.
Who wins, point by point
The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart wins 2 of 2 points we can measure. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Purrclean | ScoopFree Crystal Smart | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $320 | $270 | ScoopFree Crystal Smart |
| Cats supported | 3 | 25 | ScoopFree Crystal Smart |
- Best for small cats in small spaces
- You want to spend less (saves $50)
- You care most about cats supported (25 vs 3)
- Best for owners who like crystal litter
- Cat weight
- At least 2.5 kg
- Litter
- Clumping litters
- Waste drawer
- About 8 L drawer
Compact app connected drum box suited to small cats
Full Instachew Purrclean review, pros and cons →- Max cats
- Single or multi cat
- Litter
- ScoopFree Crystal
- Waste drawer
- Disposable crystal
Wi-Fi version of PetSafe's crystal tray rake box with app alerts
Full PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Instachew Purrclean | PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $320 | $270 |
| 3 year cost | $320 | $270 |
| Our score | 7.3/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Rank in Litter box | #8 | #1 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | n/a | n/a |
| Cat weight range | At least 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) and over 6 months (Chewy listing); no maximum published, reviewers say large cats do not fit | Not published by PetSafe |
| Max cats | Not published; Cats.com found only 3 of 7 cats small enough to use it | Single or multi cat homes (PetSafe); app guidance is a tray change after about 25 days or 60 rakes for two cats (Tom's Guide) |
| Waste drawer | About 8 L drawer with bag liner (Chewy listing) | Disposable crystal litter tray with covered waste trap, changed about once a month (PetSafe) |
| Sensors | 12 safety sensors (Cats.com); infrared cat detection within 50 cm of the opening and a foreign object sensor (TechnoMeow) | Two sensors detect the cat; raking starts 20 minutes after the cat leaves (Tom's Guide) |
| App | Instachew Infinity app for schedules, cat weights and visit logs; 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (TechnoMeow) | My PetSafe app with visit alerts, tray change alerts and activity history; LCD health counter on the unit (PetSafe, TTPM) |
| Litter type | Clumping litters including tofu, soil and mixed (TechnoMeow, Chewy) | ScoopFree Crystal litter only (PetSafe) |
| Size | 19 x 20 x 26 in, 32 lb (TechnoMeow); inner 46 x 42 cm, entry 9 in off the floor (Chewy) | 27.6 x 19.1 x 6.2 in uncovered; 27.6 x 19.1 x 15.6 in front entry version (PetSafe) |
| Noise | 47 dB (figure cited by TechnoMeow) | No dB rating published |
| Power | n/a | Plug in, cord about 10 ft (Tom's Guide) |
| Best for | small cats in small spaces | owners who like crystal litter |
| Skip if | you have cats over about 12 lb | you want to use your own clumping litter |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Instachew Purrclean
- Cats.com (3.6/5): Tested about six weeks in a seven cat home; only three cats were small enough, drum removal was awkward, app pairing was slow and nearby cats set off many alerts. Source
- TechnoMeow (3.5/5): Tested on a friend's unit; a Siamese fit but a Bengal did not, the app disconnected often, some litter went unsifted and odors lingered. Source
PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart
- Tom's Guide: A cat adopted it within a day or two; no extra odor after a month; the tray filled in about 30 days after 20 rakes, and waste sometimes stuck to the rake. Source
- TTPM (4.5/5): Used at home with cats and a dog; liked the automatic raking and activity alerts, but notes the app cannot tell which pet used it and the tray is thrown out each time. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Instachew Purrclean or the PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart?
The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart scores higher in our ranking (8.8 vs 7.3 out of 10). Pick the Instachew Purrclean for small cats in small spaces. Pick the PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart for owners who like crystal litter.
Which is cheaper?
The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart at $270, versus $320 for the Instachew Purrclean, checked Nov 4, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $320 vs $270.
What is the difference between the Purrclean and the ScoopFree Crystal Smart?
Cat weight range: At least 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) and over 6 months (Chewy listing); no maximum published… on the Purrclean, Not published by PetSafe on the ScoopFree Crystal Smart. Max cats: Not published; Cats.com found only 3 of 7 cats small enough to use it on the Purrclean, Single or multi cat homes (PetSafe); app guidance is a tray change after about 25 days… on the ScoopFree Crystal Smart. Waste drawer: About 8 L drawer with bag liner (Chewy listing) on the Purrclean, Disposable crystal litter tray with covered waste trap, changed about once a month… on the ScoopFree Crystal Smart.
Also consider at this price
See all ranked →More comparisons
- Instachew Purrclean vs Whisker Litter-Robot 4
- Instachew Purrclean vs Meowant SC01 Self-Cleaning Litter Box
- Instachew Purrclean vs Neakasa M1 Lite
- Instachew Purrclean vs PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro
- PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro vs PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart
- Catlink Scooper Open-X vs PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart
- PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart vs PetSafe ScoopFree SmartSpin
All self cleaning litter boxes, ranked
See the ranking →Affiliate links. We may earn a commission. It never changes our score. Disclosure