ELS PET Litter Box Review: Is It Worth It?

Tired of scooping cat litter? The ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box, priced at $380, promises hands-free cleanup with a sleek, app-controlled design. But don’t rush to buy! My experience and countless reviews reveal serious flaws—unreliable mechanics and abysmal customer service. Join me as I unpack my frustrating journey with this litter box, and you’ll see why you’re better off investing in a more reliable brand for your furry friends.

My Experience With The ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Alright, let me take you back to June 2025, a time when the joys of being a 35-year-old cat dad to my two beloved fluffballs, Muffin and Whiskers, in our cozy Seattle apartment were increasingly overshadowed by the less glamorous reality of twice-daily litter box duty.

The repetitive task of scooping had become a genuine source of weariness, prompting me to seek an automated solution that would liberate my mornings and evenings.

My search on Amazon led me to the ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box, a futuristic-looking, white, spaceship-like contraption priced at a hefty $379.99.

Its impressive 60L capacity, coupled with the allure of app control and integrated safety sensors, not to mention the enticing promise of no more scooping and UV odor control, ultimately swayed my decision, despite the mixed bag of online reviews. I placed my order, harboring a hopeful vision of reclaiming my precious time.

The ELS PET litter box arrived within a week, its glossy polypropylene finish lending it a distinctly futuristic aesthetic. Setting it up was surprisingly straightforward, taking only about 20 minutes: plug it in, fill it with the recommended OKOCAT lightweight litter (as suggested in online forums), and download the ELS PET companion app. While the app’s interface felt a bit clunky and less intuitive than I had hoped, it did allow me to schedule automatic cleaning cycles.

To my delight, Muffin, ever the curious explorer, hopped into the new contraption within hours and conducted her business. Moments later, the automated rake smoothly swept her waste into the enclosed 4L collection bin – it felt like actual magic! Whiskers, being the more discerning of the two, took a couple of days to warm up to the new toilet, but eventually, he too made the adjustment. For an entire week, I was genuinely thrilled with my purchase. The daily scooping ritual was gone, the apartment smelled noticeably fresher thanks to the UV odor control, and the litter in the main compartment remained consistently clean.

However, my initial elation was short-lived. On the tenth day, disaster struck. The automatic door closed as usual to initiate a cleaning cycle, but the rake froze mid-sweep, leaving a trail of unpleasant waste stubbornly stuck halfway across the litter bed.

I diligently attempted to troubleshoot the issue by consulting the user manual – I tried resetting the unit, checking the step sensor for obstructions, and adjusting the litter levels, all to no avail. The accompanying app now displayed an ominous purple error light. As instructed in the manual, I promptly emailed ELS PET’s customer support, even attaching a video clearly demonstrating the malfunction. What followed was an infuriating silence.

After receiving no response to my email within 48 hours, I tried calling the customer support number listed in the manual, only to be met with a dead line. Over the next week, I sent two more follow-up emails and left two voicemails, each detailing the ongoing issue and my growing frustration. Finally, after this prolonged period of radio silence, they responded with a suggestion to replace a faulty sensor, which they claimed would take approximately one month to arrive. True to their word, the replacement sensor eventually showed up a month later.

However, installing it required manually moving the frozen rake mechanism, and to my utter dismay, the manual cleaning button on the unit itself had now also ceased to function. Utterly defeated and with a rapidly accumulating pile of un-scooped litter, I was forced to revert to manual scooping.

Adding insult to injury, my neighbor Jen, who had also been intrigued by my initial positive experience and purchased the same ELS PET litter box for her cat, reported experiencing the exact same rake malfunction within just a few days of setting it up. You can only imagine my frustration: a pricey, technologically advanced gadget that ultimately proved to be far more trouble than it was worth

Pros Of The ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box

When it works, this litter box has some perks. Here’s what I liked before it tanked, and why you might be tempted.

• Spacious 60L Capacity: Big enough for my 18-pound Whiskers—fits cats up to 28 pounds. You’ll appreciate the room for multiple cats.
• Hands-Free Cleaning: For a week, it scooped automatically—waste raked into a bag. You’ll love the brief freedom.
• App Control: The app schedules cleanings and tracks usage—cool for monitoring cat health. You’ll geek out on data.
• Safety Sensors: Infrared and door sensors pause cleaning if cats enter—kept Muffin safe. You’ll trust its anti-pinch tech.
• Odor Control: UV light and enclosed bin cut smells initially—my apartment stayed fresh. You’ll notice less stink.
• Modern Design: Sleek spaceship look blends with decor—not an eyesore. You’ll like its style.
• Litter Versatility: Works with clumping litters like OKOCAT—less picky than some brands. You’ll use what you have.
• Easy Waste Removal: 4L bin with bags is simple to empty—takes seconds when it works. You’ll save time briefly.
• Reduced Litter Tracking: A step tray catches stray litter—my floors stayed cleaner. You’ll mop less.

Cons Of The ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box

The downsides are dealbreakers. Here’s why this litter box let me down, and why you’ll struggle too.

• Unreliable Mechanics: The core function of this self-cleaning litter box – the automated raking system – proved to be incredibly unreliable. My unit jammed after a mere ten days of use, plagued by door closure errors and subsequent sensor failures. You’ll likely find yourself reverting to manual scooping much sooner than you ever anticipated.
• Awful Customer Service: The customer service experience with ELS PET was nothing short of abysmal. My emails detailing the malfunctions were largely ignored, and my phone calls went unanswered. Despite initially promising to send replacement parts, they effectively ghosted me, leaving me feeling completely abandoned with a broken and expensive device. You’ll likely face the same frustrating lack of support.
• Frequent Breakdowns: My experience of the unit failing within two weeks appears to be a common theme among other users. Numerous online reviews report similar breakdowns occurring anywhere from one to six months after purchase. You’ll likely come to regret investing in a product with such a short and unreliable lifespan.
• Complex Troubleshooting: Troubleshooting the numerous errors and malfunctions proved to be a complex and time-consuming endeavor. The user manual and accompanying online videos were vague and unhelpful, often requiring hours of frustrating trial-and-error to attempt to resolve issues. You’ll likely feel like you need an engineering degree just to keep this litter box functioning.
• Slow Part Delivery: The replacement sensor that ELS PET eventually agreed to send took a full month to arrive, rendering the litter box unusable for an extended period. Even then, the new sensor ultimately failed to resolve the underlying issues. You’ll likely face agonizingly long wait times for any necessary repairs or replacement parts.
• Heavy Litter Issues: I discovered that using Dr. Elsey’s clumping bentonite clay litter, a popular and effective choice for many cat owners, caused the rake mechanism to clog and jam. The unit seems to function optimally only with lightweight litter, potentially forcing you to switch to a less preferred and possibly more expensive brand. You’ll be limited in your litter choices.
• Noisy Operation: Despite claims of quiet operation, the cleaning cycle of the ELS PET litter box reached a surprisingly loud 60 decibels, which is significantly more disruptive than promised. You’ll likely find yourself being woken up at night or having your peaceful evenings interrupted by its noisy cleaning cycles.
• App Connectivity Woes: The accompanying ELS PET app requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network connection. My home network primarily uses the faster and more common 5GHz band, forcing me to reconfigure my router settings just to connect the litter box, a frustrating and unnecessary technical hurdle. You’ll likely encounter similar connectivity issues.
• High Price, Low Value: At a steep price of $380, the ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box offers incredibly poor value for money, especially considering its high rate of failure and lack of reliable support. Cheaper, non-automated litter boxes will likely last significantly longer and cause far less frustration. You’ll feel like you’ve wasted a substantial amount of money.
• Warranty Hassles: Despite the advertised 90-day guarantee, attempting to obtain a refund or any form of support under the warranty proved to be a major hassle. ELS PET’s unresponsive customer service effectively made the warranty a mirage, leaving me feeling cheated and unable to recoup my investment. You’ll likely face a fight if you try to claim under the warranty.
• Bulky Design: The litter box’s substantial dimensions (approximately 24x24x25 inches) make it a bulky and space-consuming appliance, particularly challenging for those living in smaller apartments or homes with limited floor space. You’ll likely have to rearrange your living space to accommodate its large footprint.
• Door Malfunctions: The frequent malfunctions of the automatic door often resulted in the raking mechanism being blocked, leading to an accumulation of waste within the main litter compartment. Ultimately, I often found myself having to manually clean up these messes anyway, completely negating the supposed convenience of a self-cleaning system. You’ll still end up dealing with unpleasant manual cleaning.

Read more: My Thoughts On Petsboro Bite Buddy

Maintenance Tips for the ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box

• Choose the Right Litter: The box works best with lightweight, clumping litters. Avoid heavy bentonite clay litters, as they can put a strain on the rake mechanism and cause jams.
• Do Not Overfill: Pay close attention to the fill line inside the globe. Overfilling the litter can cause the rake to get stuck and trigger errors. It’s best to measure and add litter carefully.
• Regular Cleaning: A weekly wipe-down of the interior with a damp cloth is essential to prevent dust and clumps from sticking to the surface. This can help prevent future mechanical failures and ensure smooth operation.
• Frequent Bin Emptying: The waste bin has a limited capacity (4L), so it needs to be emptied frequently, especially in multi-cat households. Checking it every 2-3 days will help prevent odors and bin-full errors.
• Troubleshoot Errors: When the purple light flashes, it indicates a jam or error. A simple fix is to unplug the unit, wait for 10 seconds, and then plug it back in to reset the cycle.
• Check Door and Rake Alignment: The self-cleaning mechanism can fail if the door or rake is not properly aligned. Make sure the step is pushed in until it clicks and the rake is seated properly to ensure the unit can scoop effectively.
• Keep the App Updated: The companion app can have glitches that affect the unit’s performance. Regularly checking for and installing app updates can help resolve these issues.
• Clean Sensors: Dust and debris on the infrared sensors can cause the unit to pause or stop working, incorrectly detecting a cat inside. Wipe the sensors with a microfiber cloth monthly to prevent this.
• Monitor Rake Wear: The smart shovel or rake can become dull over time, which reduces its effectiveness. Inspect the rake for wear and have a replacement on hand to ensure consistent performance.
• Store Bags Properly: Keep waste bags in a dry area, like a pantry, to prevent them from warping due to humidity, which can affect their fit in the waste bin.
• Contact Support Early: If you encounter problems, it’s best to contact customer support as early as possible, as a delay in reporting can be an issue

Also read: My Thoughts On Panacur C Canine Dewormer

Comparison With Other Brands

• ELS PET vs. Litter-Robot 4
  • Price and Reliability: The Litter-Robot 4 is a more expensive option, but it is known for its durability and reliable performance over a long period. The ELS PET is a more budget-friendly option, but you have found it to be less reliable and prone to breaking down more quickly.
  • Features: The Litter-Robot has a sophisticated app that tracks cat usage and weight, and it has a proven sifting system to effectively manage waste. The ELS PET’s app and sensors are less reliable.
  • Verdict: You would choose the Litter-Robot 4 for its long-term durability and advanced, reliable features. ELS PET is not a good option if you want a dependable, hassle-free experience.
• ELS PET vs. PetSafe ScoopFree
  • Functionality & Maintenance: The PetSafe ScoopFree uses a raking system with crystal litter, which is very effective at odor control and requires minimal maintenance. The ELS PET’s UV odor control is less effective, and its reliability issues make it a more hands-on device.
  • Verdict: You would choose the PetSafe ScoopFree for its simplicity and effective low-maintenance operation. ELS PET is not a good option if you want a product that is easy to use and maintain.
• ELS PET vs. MeoWant
  • Price and Quality: The MeoWant litter box is more expensive than the ELS PET, but it offers better value for the price. It has a more reliable app and sensors, and its customer support is better.
  • Verdict: You would choose the MeoWant for a better balance of price and performance. ELS PET is a poor choice due to its unreliable sensors and lack of good customer support.
• ELS PET vs. Neakasa M1
  • Design & Usability: The Neakasa M1 has a unique open-top design that makes it easy for cats to access and for you to clean. The ELS PET has an enclosed design, which can trap odors and cause jams.
  • Verdict: You would choose the Neakasa M1 for its accessibility and easy cleaning. The ELS PET is a poor option due to its design, which can lead to frustration

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion: Don’t Buy The ELS PET Litter Box

Here’s the truth—the ELS PET Self-Cleaning Litter Box is a $380 letdown. Its brief hands-free promise crumbles with jammed rakes, ignored support, and flimsy parts. My cats deserve better, and yours do too. Skip this and invest in a reliable brand like Litter-Robot or PetSafe. You’ll save time, money, and stress while keeping your home fresh and your cats happy.