PUROBOT ULTRA Review: Is this AI-powered auto litter box worth the hype?

TAMPA BAY, Fla (BLOOM) – In a world where AI technology is enhancing every facet of our lives, PETKIT has brought the future of pet care to our homes with its PUROBOT ULTRA. Designed with convenience and health tracking in mind, this smart cat litter box promises to ease the lives of cat owners while providing a safe, clean environment for their feline friends. Here, I dive into its features, enriched by feedback from my sister, a dedicated cat parent who tested the PUROBOT ULTRA with her two cats.

Key Features and First Impressions

The PUROBOT ULTRA arrives in an eco-friendly package that doubles as a cat tunnel—a clever, sustainable touch that adds immediate play value. Setting it up was straightforward; PETKIT includes a comprehensive setup guide, and I received online resources for additional support. The litter box is designed for minimal manual involvement, thanks to its AI-driven self-cleaning feature, which activates after each use.

According to my sister, “The setup was easy, and the app is user-friendly.” She appreciated that the PUROBOT ULTRA seamlessly integrated into her routine, allowing her to check on her cats wherever she was, thanks to the built-in camera.

Smart Health Tracking

One of the standout features is its AI camera, which captures litter box usage, offering valuable insights into cat health. The PUROBOT ULTRA’s camera rotates to monitor litter box activity and identify individual cats through multi-cat facial recognition. My sister found this feature particularly useful, saying, “It tells me my cats’ weight and lets me check on them wherever I am.” The health tracking includes stool and clump analysis to alert owners of potential health issues, providing an extra layer of care.

Advanced Monitoring with Smart Features

The smart camera is a highlight, offering real-time monitoring of your cat’s litter box habits. The camera not only tracks usage but also captures detailed images of stool and urine clumps, enabling owners to monitor waste for abnormalities like diarrhea, constipation, or blood. For multi-cat homes, the facial recognition and weight sensors ensure each cat’s data is recorded accurately. This feature is especially helpful for monitoring health conditions like kidney disease or blockages, providing early warning signs for potential health issues.

For pet parents of cats with conditions like pica (ingesting non-food objects), the PUROBOT ULTRA offers peace of mind by tracking habits that might indicate a blockage. This level of proactive care is unique to the PUROBOT ULTRA and sets it apart from other automatic litter boxes.

Hands-Free Cleaning and Waste Management

Beyond health insights, PUROBOT ULTRA provides exceptional waste management. With a 10L waste bin, it offers up to 20 days of scoop-free usage for one cat, making it ideal for pet owners with busy schedules. Triple odor control, including a sealed ShieldBase, ensures no lingering smells, while its high-density litter pad prevents leaks, keeping the surrounding area clean.

However, my sister noted one minor drawback: “The chute in the second compartment has a gap where litter sometimes falls between the cracks.” While this hasn’t been a significant issue, it’s something to consider for those prioritizing a fully contained setup.

Odor Control That Stands Out

One of the standout features of the PUROBOT ULTRA is its industry-leading odor control. By using a self-sealing waste compartment paired with an N60 deodorizer block, it traps and eliminates up to 97.5% of odors. Unlike other automated litter boxes, the odor remains contained for the entire 16–20 days that waste collects in the sealed bag compartment, a game-changer for busy or multi-cat households.

Ease of Use and Maintenance

The PUROBOT ULTRA is remarkably hands-off. After setup, users only need to:

Add litter occasionally (though the narrow opening can make this tricky).
Replace the waste bag about every 16–20 days.
Initiate the auto-packing process when the waste bin is full by pressing a button.

The unit’s internal heat-sealing mechanism simplifies waste management, ensuring that no odors escape during the removal process. However, users should note that the system requires PETKIT’s proprietary refill rings, which are engineered for compatibility with the auto-packing feature. While this limits flexibility, the rings last approximately 200 days per cartridge for single-cat households, making them cost-effective in the long run.

Size and Placement Considerations

The PUROBOT ULTRA’s larger footprint accommodates its self-packing waste bin and other advanced features, but it may require extra space in your home. Placing it on a hard, level surface is crucial for accurate weight readings, and PETKIT recommends using Stabilizer Pads for placement on carpets. Additionally, it’s best suited for cats over 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg), with a Kitten Protection Mode available for smaller cats to disable auto-cleaning and enhance safety.

Additional Unique Features

Health Tracking in Multi-Cat Homes: Facial recognition and weight tracking allow owners to monitor each cat’s habits individually, even in households with similar-sized cats.
Over-the-Air Updates: Firmware can be updated through the PETKIT app, ensuring the unit stays up-to-date with new features and enhancements.
Eco-Friendly Packaging: The box doubles as a cat tunnel, an environmentally conscious and fun addition for your feline friend.

Day-to-Day with PUROBOT ULTRA

The PUROBOT ULTRA has made a substantial difference in her daily routine. With two cats, maintaining a clean litter box was previously a frequent chore, but the PUROBOT ULTRA’s automatic cleaning and waste packaging have been game-changers. She appreciates the peace of mind provided by the 20-sensor safety system, which ensures the litter box halts if a cat approaches during cleaning cycles.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Effortless cleaning, extended waste capacity, advanced health insights, multi-cat facial recognition, sustainable packaging, strong safety measures.
Cons: Premium price point ($899.99), occasional litter falling between compartments.

Room for Improvement

Despite its strengths, there are a few areas for improvement:

Litter Filling: The narrow opening makes adding fresh litter slightly inconvenient. PETKIT could improve the design to allow for direct pouring from a litter box container.
Litter Level Alerts: The lack of notifications for low litter levels means owners must manually check, which can be easy to overlook in such a hands-free system.
Subscription Requirements: Accessing advanced features, such as in-depth health tracking and live camera feeds, requires a subscription. While the Premium+ subscription offers significant benefits, this additional cost might be a drawback for some users.

Tips and Usage

The PUROBOT ULTRA’s advanced features are designed to provide a hands-free, clean, and safe experience for cat owners. Here are some key usage guidelines and maintenance tips based on PETKIT’s recommendations:

Manual Auto-Packing Activation: While the PUROBOT ULTRA offers automated waste management, initiating the auto-packing process requires user interaction. To start, press the button on the OLED screen next to the device. The process includes auto-packing, sealing, and bag removal. Users must manually remove the sealed bag, then double-click the button to enable auto-bagging for the next cycle.
Exclusive Refill Rings: For optimal performance, the PUROBOT ULTRA uses PETKIT’s exclusive refill rings in the auto-packing system. Using generic trash bags may lead to malfunctions. A single refill ring can last up to 200 days for a single cat, and a three-pack provides approximately 600 days of usage.
Cat Weight and Kitten Protection Mode: Designed for cats weighing between 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) and 10 kg (22 lbs), the PUROBOT ULTRA may not register kittens under 1.5 kg. For smaller kittens, PETKIT provides a Kitten Protection Mode, which disables auto-cleaning to ensure safety.
Litter Compatibility: The PUROBOT ULTRA is compatible with most clumping cat litters, but PETKIT recommends using fast-clumping varieties to reduce streaking and optimize performance. Avoid litters longer than 12 mm or wider than 3 mm.
Placement Recommendations: For accurate weight readings and optimal function, place the PUROBOT ULTRA on a hard, level surface. If using it on carpet, PETKIT suggests using Stabilizer Pads (coming soon) for stability on short-pile carpets. Keep the unit at least 5 cm (1.97 in) from walls to avoid obstruction.
Firmware Updates: PUROBOT ULTRA supports Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware updates, allowing users to receive new features and performance enhancements via the PETKIT app. Updates need to be initiated manually within the app.

By following these tips and guidelines, users can maximize the effectiveness and longevity of the PUROBOT ULTRA, ensuring a cleaner and more convenient litter box experience for both cats and their owners.

Is PUROBOT ULTRA Worth the Investment?

For cat owners looking to streamline litter box maintenance while gaining valuable health insights, the PUROBOT ULTRA is a game-changer. Its smart capabilities and meticulous design deliver an unmatched level of convenience, making it well worth considering, especially for multi-cat households. Although it’s a significant investment, the time and worry saved may make it worthwhile for pet owners looking for advanced, reliable pet care solutions.

For more information and to purchase, visit PETKIT’s official product page here.