On this page you will discover the differences between the ScoopFree vs LitterMaid self-cleaning litterboxes. These machines are very similar in the basic functionality. However, the differences in how they operate and clean will have a big impact on operation cost and performance. Continue reading below to discover which one of these self-cleaning litterboxes is right for you.
ScoopFree – Click here to check price
LitterMaid – Click here to check price
ScoopFree vs LitterMaid: Which of these Automatic LitterBoxes is Right for You...?
Size
PetSafe’s ScoopFree is larger and consequently more spacious than Broad Spectrum’s LitterMaid. Though smaller in design, the LitterMaid is taller than the ScoopFree. Between the two of them, the ScoopFree litter box is heavier.
Colors
The ScoopFree litter box comes in two color designs: white and purple or white and taupe. The LitterMaid comes in either white or sage.
Cleaning System
ScoopFree Automatic LitterBox
The rake system comes with an automatic timer. For the ScoopFree, 20 minutes after the cat leaves the box, the rake starts its cleaning cycle. The cleaning cycle is always started 20 minutes after the box is empty, nothing more, nothing less. However, if during the cleaning cycle, the cat steps back into the box, a sensor is activated and the cleaning put on hold till the cat exits the box. The same goes for the LitterMaid, however with a shorter wait period of about 10 minutes.
Some users have complained that the nature of this timer makes it virtually impossible for these litter boxes to adequately cater for multiple casts. There are other complaints regarding the rake system of the LitterMaid with accusations being centered on the rake itself. A decent amount of customers claim the waste clumps usually stick to the rake, necessitating the manual removal of the clumps from the rake by the users themselves.
Litter Type
PetSafe’s ScoopFree uses a crystal litter while the LitterMaid makes use of clumping litter. The ScoopFree’s crystals act as a urine-absorbent. They are blue in colour when fresh and turn yellow or green when soiled. As a result, they have to be continually replaced. The clumping litter of the LitterMaid on the other hand doesn’t need to be totally replaced; just refilled when the litter level gets low.
Several users complained that the ‘absorbing’ powers of the ScoopFree’s litter were not evident as their litter boxes frequently leaked the urine on their floor. Others claimed the litter absorbed urine well as long as only one cat uses the box, thus emphasizing the general consensus that the ScoopFree box cannot accommodate multiple cats.
Litter Tray
The ScoopFree comes with its own disposable litter tray. The tray can collect waste for 2-3 weeks before it needs to be disposed of and replaced. The disposal process is very easy and quite sanitary: All you have to do is slide out the tray from the litter box, cover it with the lid it came with and throw everything in the garbage can. Then, a replacement tray can be placed into the litter box and used for the next 2-3 weeks. The replacement trays however are not cheap by any means. More than a few users are of the opinion that this automatic self-cleaning litter box is definitely not budget-friendly. Others even claim that the trays didn’t last for the 2-3 weeks advertised by the manufacturer with some users disposing their trays after few days. The general consensus was that the more your cat uses the box, the less each tray lasts and the more money spent in purchasing replacement trays.
The refill trays come in several versions: the unscented version, the lavender-scented version and the recycled version.
Reusable Receptacle
Unlike the ScoopFree that uses disposable trays, the LitterMaid makes use of a closed receptacle. When the rake runs through the clumping litter, the solid waste is collected and deposited in the closed receptacle. Once full, the receptacle can be removed via easily-accessible buttons, the waste disposed of and the receptacle placed back into the litter box. Several users recommended lining the receptacle with bags to make the receptacle last longer.
However, the receptacle is not capable of longer storage like the ScoopFree’s disposable trays and so, users have to empty it quite frequently. Some customers have expressed their dissatisfaction with LitterMaid’s low storage feature.
Click here to get more details on the PetSafe ScoopFree
Click here to get more details on the LitterMaid
Odor Control
The blue-crystal litter of the ScoopFree absorbs urine and in the process, eliminates any stench. Both litter boxes are designed with active carbon filters that are also effective in eliminating odors.
Convenient Features
The LitterMaid comes designed with a ramp. Several users claim this makes it easy for older cats to easily access the litter box. The ramp has a cleaning pad attached to it to prevent your cats from tracking litter all over the house. It also comes with higher walls than the ScoopFree. These high walls prevent litter or waste from flying around the room in the event that your cat likes to dig before or after relieving himself.
The ScoopFree comes in two versions: the hooded and the hoodless versions. The hooded version comes with an ’optional’ privacy hood. If your cat likes privacy when doing his business, then the ScoopFree’s hooded version is just what you need. But if he hates hoods, then the privacy hood of the ScoopFree is a big no-no. The ScoopFree litter box also comes designed with a health counter that notes how many times your cat visits the box in a given time period and helps identify possible problems with your cat.
Power and Motor
LitterMaid Automatic Litter Box
They both come with an AC adapter for connection to a power outlet. The LitterMaid can also run on batteries. The batteries serve as back-up in case of power outages.
The ScoopFree has a more powerful and durable motor, making its rake cleaning system more efficient and effective than LitterMaid’s. Some users claim the LitterMaid’s motor is quite weak and barely durable with reports of the litter box breaking down after a year. However, the ScoopFree’s more powerful motor makes it a lot noisier than the LitterMaid.
Pros and Cons of the ScoopFree
Pros
- Powerful motor
- More durable than the LitterMaid
- Comes with an optional privacy hood
- Has an absorbent crystal litter
- More effective cleaning system
Cons
- Not as budget friendly
- Noisy
- Some issues accommodating multiple cats
Pros and Cons of the LitterMaid
Pros
- Cheaper than the ScoopFree
- High-walled design to prevent the spread of litter
- Ramp for easy access
- Can run on batteries
Cons
- Motor isn’t so strong
- A number of durability complaints
- Some issues accommodating multiple cats
Summary and Recommendation
If I were choosing between the ScoopFree and the LitterMaid, I’d definitely go with the ScoopFree. Taking into consideration durability, price, and performance, I think that the ScoopFree is the better choice despite it being more expensive at list price (although you never know what a sale might do for the prices). I believe that the ScoopFree will last longer and will have better overall performance.
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