Whisker Litter-Robot 4 vs Neakasa M1 Plus
The Neakasa M1 Plus detects lighter cats: 2.2 lb against 3 lb for the Whisker Litter-Robot 4, which matters most in a home with a kitten on the way. For a large cat, the Neakasa M1 Plus is rated to 33 lb and the Whisker Litter-Robot 4 to 25. Every other published figure for both is in the table, with the rows where they differ tinted.
Whisker
Whisker Litter-Robot 4
~$699
Four years on, this is still the reference point everything else in the category gets measured against.
Best for: Two or three average cats in a home that already uses clay clumping litter
The maker publishes no drawer volume, so the days cannot be worked out. Its own claim is up to 8 days for one cat.
Neakasa
Neakasa M1 Plus
~$380
Neakasa's current M1 keeps the open top that made the original popular with owners of big cats, and rates it for cats from 2.2 to about 33 lb.
Best for: Maine Coons and other large cats, or cats that avoid covered boxes
- 1 cat
- ~16
- days
- 2 cats
- ~8
- days
- 3 cats
- ~5
- days
| Specification | Whisker Litter-Robot 4 | Neakasa M1 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$699 | ~$380 |
| Type | Rotating drum | Open-top |
| Kitten gate | Automate from ~3 lb / ~3 months | Automate from ~2.2 lb / ~3 months |
| Min. detection weight | 3 lb | 2.2 lb |
| Max. cat weight | 25 lb | 33 lb |
| Big-cat fit | Rated for large breeds (to 25 lb) | Rated for large breeds (to 33 lb) |
| Entry opening | 15.75 × 15.75 in | not published |
| Entry step | 6.9 in off the floor | 13.86 in off the floor |
| Interior height | 16.5 in | not published |
| Footprint | 22 × 27 in × 29.5 in tall | 22.83 × 19.69 in × 26.83 in tall |
| Drawer volume | not published | 11.23 L |
| Days between emptying | not published | ~16 / 8 / 5 days for 1 / 2 / 3 cats |
| Maker's drawer claim | Up to 8 days, one cat | Up to 14 days, one cat |
| Cats supported | Up to 4 | not published |
| Litter system | Clumping litter | Clumping litter |
| Litters listed | clumping clay | clumping clay |
| Litters to avoid | tofu, clumping wood/pine, non-clumping, paper, pellets, silica crystal | non-clumping, paper, pellets |
| Weight sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-pinch protection | Stated by the maker | Stated by the maker |
| Infrared / radar | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | No |
| Noise | not published | 50 dB (maker's rating) |
| Wi-Fi app | Yes | Yes |
| Running cost | No required consumable | No required consumable |
| Bags / liners | Standard trash bag or Whisker's custom-fit drawer liners | Neakasa pull-and-wrap bags (from $19.99 for 2 rolls) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
| First listed | 2022 | 2024 |
Whisker Litter-Robot 4: what it gives up
- Whisker publishes no drawer volume, only an 'about every 8 days for one cat' estimate
- Needs 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; 5 GHz networks are not supported
- Plant-based, pine, pellet and white crystal litters are all on the do-not-use list
- At 22 by 27 inches it wants a floor spot bigger than most ordinary boxes
Neakasa M1 Plus: what it gives up
- Rated at up to 50 dB, the loudest published figure among the boxes that give one
- Clay and mineral litters only; wood pellets and paper jam it
- Neakasa's own sealing bags cost extra
- Open design lets litter scatter over the rim
Full pages: Whisker Litter-Robot 4 · Neakasa M1 Plus