ScoopFree Ultra Automatic Cat Litter Box – Full Review

ScoopFree Ultra is an automatic cat litter box that uses disposable litter trays with blue crystals to absorb urine and control feces odor. ScoopFree Ultra’s rake automatically cleans and pushes the waste into a covered compartment 5,10 or 20 minutes after your cat has used the litter box. If your cat re-enters the unit during this time, sensors reset the litter box for another 5,10 or 20 minutes, depending on the programming. Let’s check the features and more details of this automatic litter box.

Features of ScoopFree Ultra

• Automatically scoops the litter box after each use
• It works with disposable trays pre-filled with crystal litter.
• Manual button for cleaning on demand
• Crystals have the capacity to absorb the cat’s urine and feces thus helps to reduce odors.
• Adjustable Rake Delay, and Health Counter.
• Safety mechanism stops the rake in case of a blockage.
• The system uses power Supply UL-rated 120V 60 Hz AC Adapter
• Colors: Purple or Taupe
• Disposable trays come in Original Scent, Lavender or Dye-Free.
• 90-day-money-back guarantee (free shipping cost)
• One year limited product warranty (free shipping cost)
• Requirements to install: Dry, ventilated area and electric outlet.
• Top Entry Lid Option: ScoopFree Ultra offers a top entry lid for cats that create more litter tracking.

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Dimensions & Weight

• Litter Box dimensions: 19″ W x 27-3/8″ L x 7″ H (16-3/4″ H with hood installed)
• Disposable Tray Dimensions: 14-1/2 W x 22″ L x 2-1/2″ H
• Litter Area Dimensions: 14” x 14” square
• Cord length: 10 foot
• Weight: 22.5 lbs (fully assembled)

The Scoopfree Ultra includes

– 1 ScoopFree Ultra Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box
– 1 Privacy Hood or Top Entry Lid (depending of what version you purchase)
– 1 Premium Blue Crystal Litter Cartridge
– 1 Power Supply Adapter
– Owner’s Manual

How ScoopFree Works

When a cat enters the litter box and urinates on it, the blue crystals absorb and deodorize the urine. After 5, 10 or 20 minutes the ScoopFree’s rake runs through the crystals and re-distributes them flat again. As the urine is absorbed by the crystals, it does not create clumps so no waste gets deposited into the ScooFree’s waste trap. ScoopFree’s rake does not get jammed like other brands because it changes the direction it points as it sweeps to the front and back to the rear of the litter box.

If the cat defecates the ScoopFree’s rake pushes the clumps into a waste trap which opens to collect the clumps and closes as the rake gets back into position. The ScoopFree’s purple waste trap cover and the cardboard waste trap are attached by magnets and work together as a unit, opening and closing together to receive the waste. The cardboard waste trap is filled with more crystals so when it shuts down it traps the odor so the blue crystals can absorb it.

Video of ScoopFree in Action

Cat Suitability

The ScoopFree Ultra is suitable for cats and kittens over 6 months of age, weighing between 5 lbs and 12 lbs. The litter area is not that big (14″ x 14″). Also, this system is designed for cats that eat a healthy diet, free of grain or by-products. When cats eat foods that are not healthy they create more waste and the system sometimes can’t handle it. Also, this litter box is not recommended for diabetic cats that urinate much more.

ScoopFree is suitable for multi-cat households with up to 2 cats. However, I think you will get the best of this automatic litter box by using it with a single cat.

When And How to Replace the Pre-Filled Trays

The manufacturer recommends changing the disposable tray every 20-30 days with one cat. I suggest you to change the disposable tray every 10 days with two cats and 20 days with one cat. You will need to empty the waste compartment every 2-3 days in case your cat creates a lot of waste or if using with two cats. To change the cartridge just lean the unit against the wall, slide to remove the old cartridge, slide in a new cartridge, place the plastic back down, pour fresh crystals. Put the old cartridge in a trash bag and dispose of it.

Tricks to Maximize the Cartridges Lifespan

• Keep the unit away from high humidity.
• Trays last shorter when used by cats with a high crude fiber and ash content diet because they defecate more.
• Old cats and cats with diabetes, urinary diseases, or thyroid problems urinate more so the tray lifespan is shorter.
• Kittens will cause a shorter lifespan of trays as well as they urinate and defecate more often than adult cats. ScoopFree is not designed to be used by kittens under 6 months old.
• Stir the litter crystals daily to extend the life of the disposable tray.
• Make sure to mix in the crystals from behind the rake and along the sides of the litter box.

How to Clean the ScoopFree Ultra

You can wipe clean the surfaces of the Scoopfree once a month and clean the sensor every week. To fully clean it, remove the waste trap and rake and wash it with mild soap and lukewarm water.

What are the Pros and Cons of the ScoopFree Ultra?

Check the following Pros and Cons of this unit for full information about this auto litter box:

Pros

• Easy setup
• Convenient disposable system.
• It scoops effectively without jamming like other rake types of litter boxes.
• Crystals offer good odor control, absorbing liquids and drying solids.
• Blue crystals don’t track or create dust as much as clumping litter.
• Adjustable time delay for a cleaning cycle to 5,10 or 20 minutes
• Counter that helps to track how often your cat uses the litter box.
• Privacy Hood for cats that like enclosed litter boxes.
• No need to scrape the bottom of the pan.
• The unit can go on its own for weeks if used with one cat and follow the instructions.
• It makes some noise but is much quieter than other rake-type automatic litter boxes.
• Short cleaning cycle, approximately one minute.
• Long 10-foot electrical cord.

 Cons

• You have to buy cartridges to maintain the system. It gets expensive with more than one cat.
• Occasionally some waste might get caught behind the rake or on the rake.
• If a cat is a digger and creates big piles of clumps, this could block the motion sensors.
• If a cat scratches vigorously after doing its business it could scratch the cardboard bottom.
• The waste trap is not sealed.
• You have to stir the crystals often so the cat doesn’t use the same spot every time.
• Cartridge gets heavy when dirty.
• Not good for cats that use only the corners of the litter box.
• The litter area is not very big (14” x 14”).
• Doesn’t work with cats that urinate against the wall
• Cartridge lifespan could be shorter than advertised, depending on the environment and usage.
• Some cats might not adapt to the crystals.
• Magnets don’t strongly attach to the purple plastic waste trap cover.

Tips & Tricks to Use ScoopFree Ultra

• Crystals are made of silica and they work better with dry and fresh air, with humidity crystals don’t work well and might not cover odors effectively.
• Silica crystals need good air circulation to eliminate odors because it works with evaporation. So a good tip is to place the unit close to a window or door that you can open or put a small fan above the box, blowing air constantly down onto the litter.
• If your cat is a digger, check the green light daily to see if the sensors are blocked by litter piles.
• Mix regular clumping litter with crystal litter to help your cat to adapt if he has never used crystal litter before.
• Some ideas to reduce odors: sprinkle some baking powder on the crystals and under the waste compartment or put an activated charcoal odor absorber.

Alternatives to Pre-Filled Cartridges

If you have several cats and cannot afford to replace the cartridge often, there is an alternative that customers have used to avoid this expense. This alternative is not part of the ScoopFree brand, but it’s made in the USA.

Using the ScoopFree with Forever Tray

You can buy the Forever Litter Tray which is made of hard plastic and it has the advantage that it does not leak and you can refill it with crystals you buy in bags. For this alternative to work, you need to consider 2 things: Make sure the crystals you buy are made from silica so they are safe for your cat, and the crystals need to be the right size for the ScoopFree to work. Check a Forever Tray review to know more details about this alternative.

Conclusion About ScoopFree Ultra

ScoopFree Ultra is one of the best rake-type of automatic cat litter boxes. The unit isn’t as maintenance-free as it is stated, but checking it daily, clearing out the clumps every few days from the waste compartment, and redistributing the crystals is sufficient to enjoy a very reliable machine that will give you freedom from scooping the cat litter box. Some points to consider about the unit:

• The system will cost more than other rake-type brands and especially if you have more than one cat, but on the other hand, it is a convenient system to use with disposable trays.
• The cartridge lasts about 10 to 20 days with one cat but you still might need to scoop the waste trap from the tray every 3 or 5 days.
• The replacement of the trays can be stretched longer if you place the unit in a basement or away from traffic.
• The unit is not suitable for cats that eat by-products because they create soft and very abundant feces.

Bottom Line

√ I recommend using the ScoopFree Ultra:

• With one cat (if you want only use cartridges)
• With small or regular size cats (the litter area is not very big)
• If you have the budget to replace the cartridges
• If you want to be able to adjust the delay cleaning cycle (the Original does not have this feature).
• If your cat is flexible to adapt to new systems or litters
• For two cats using the alternatives to cartridges described above (or using cartridges if you have a budget for that, approx. $75-85 mo.). Get your ScoopFree with fast shipping in Chewy here or get it on Amazon here.

x I don’t recommend using the unit:

• For large cats
• With 2 or more cats using only cartridges (unless you have a good budget for your cats)
• If your budget is tight
• For small apartments or houses with poor air circulation and humidity
• In humid and hot climates
• For kittens under 6 months old
• For cats that urinate excessively or defecate soft feces.
• For cats that usually urinate against box litter’s walls