My Sister Was Hesitant About Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes Until She Tried Bissell’s New Open-Top One

I identify as a dog person, so I know nearly nothing when it comes to cats. When my sister moved into my house with her two daughters, senior dog, and young cat, I was nowhere near prepared for what living with a cat would entail, let alone what it would smell like. My sister was using a standard run-of-the-mill litter box and was nose blind to the overall smell of it (I get it, I can be nose blind to the overall “dog smell” in my home), so we needed to find a solution that would do more than just mask the stinky scent.

When I got the chance to try out Bissell’s new CleanWell Automatic Litter Box, I knew that we needed it. An automatic litter box that self-cleans, seals in odors, and can be controlled by an app? An immediate yes. This was Casper the cat’s first-time using an automatic, self-cleaning litter box, but after a short two-week period of avoidance, curiosity, and then acceptance, he’s been using the litter box without any issue, and my sister and I have found a smart solution we both love.

The CleanWell Automatic Litter Box, a part of Bissell’s new pet care line, is an automatic self-cleaning open-top cat litter box that’s controlled via an app. It features a safety system with advanced sensors, 360-degree radar, six pairs of infrared sensors, and a SmartStop technology to ensure cleaning only begins after your pet has left the device. Speaking of the app, you can also monitor and track your cat’s litter usage, seeing how often they use it, waste levels, etc. in real time. 

Additionally, the Bissell CleanWell Automatic Litter Box seals in odors with a magnetic seal waste bin that can hold up to 20 days’ worth of used litter before needing to be emptied (although you’ll want to do it more frequently, but more on that later). It’s also designed to be quiet when in use, easy-to-clean, and able accommodate small and large cats and multi-cat households.

Setting up the Bissell CleanWell Automatic Litter Box and downloading the app was straightforward, but perhaps the cutest thing about getting the delivery was seeing that the box it comes in can be converted into a plaything for cats (there are instructions on the box). What stood out is that it’s an open-top style litter box, which gives cats an easier time hopping in and out of it, so it made adjusting to a self-cleaning litter box easier for Casper. Using the app to monitor his usage gave my sister some insight on how often he was actually using it, and being able to change the timing of when it self-cleaned gave her peace of mind.

Once it disposes of the used litter in the waste bin, it automatically seals it up so no odor is released. And once it’s full, or when you’re ready to empty the bin, it is very easy to clean out. The litter box is neither bulky nor heavy: measuring 21.18 inches long, 28.43 inches wide, and 24.69 inches high, and weighing 25 pounds. It costs $399.99, comes in just one colorway — black — and there are three add-ons available for purchase: stairs ($44.99), liners ($14.99), and a mat ($25.97).

It took roughly two weeks for Casper to adjust from using a regular litter box to a self-cleaning one. He was apprehensive, as expected, but soon became super comfortable with using it. Initially, my sister said she had fears over self-cleaning litter boxes, hearing tales of cats getting hurt or trapped in them. But the Bissell CleanWell dispelled any fears she had. First off, it’s an open-top so her cat can jump in and out quickly. It also takes several minutes after the cat has left the litter box before it dumps the litter, and it does so very slowly. You can also schedule it to move at a later time. She is definitely a self-cleaning litter box convert and appreciates how she can monitor his usage and see when the tray is full from her phone.

But the biggest selling point has been the fact that she doesn’t have to constantly scoop litter after he uses it. His litter is kept fresh all the time — another selling point, since Casper would frequently complain if it wasn’t clean and ready for him at every use. Although the CleanWell can technically hold up to 20 days’ worth of litter, she empties it every couple of days to avoid any smell buildup (which she notices around the one-week mark). She also changed the litter to a lightweight, deodorizing one to double up the odor-busting efforts and hopefully get him to stop tracking out litter as much as possible. That’s still a battle she has to deal with next, but stinky litter is now a thing of the past.

Yes, if you’re new to automatic self-cleaning litter boxes or looking to upgrade your current setup, then the Bissell CleanWell Automatic Litter Box may be a fit for you. Any automatic litter box will be an investment, but it allows you to monitor your pet’s usage, seals in odors, and allows there to be fresh litter at each use.

Buy: Bissell CleanWell Automatic Litter Box, $399.99