Neakasa M9 Automatic Litter Box Review 2026: Our Expert’s Opinion

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Automatic litter boxes are not just a serious time saver for cat owners; they’re also hugely beneficial for cats, particularly those that refuse to use anything but a fresh bed of cat litter. Yet, some cat parents are hesitant about the idea of bringing home a self-cleaning litter box.

For cats accustomed to an airy, open litter tray, a compact, closed-in automatic litter box might seem like too much of a change. But it’s not always just the cat that has to be convinced. For those accustomed to the simplicity of a basic litter tray, the idea of one with a power cord and moving parts may feel a bit overwhelming. 

Whether your hesitation for buying an automatic litter box comes from your fears or your cat’s, the Neakasa M9 Automatic Litter Box has you covered. This unique self-cleaning litter box is designed with an open-air feel to accommodate both large and claustrophobic kitties, and its “safe by structure” will give nervous owners total peace of mind.

I had a chance to test the new M9 with my big kitty, Makoa. Keep reading to find out if the clever design of this litter box really makes a difference in my full Neakasa M9 Automatic Litter Box review below.

If You’ve Hesitated to Switch to an Automatic Litter Box, You’re Not Alone

In my experience, there are two big reasons cat parents hesitate to make the switch from a traditional litter pan to a fancy self-cleaning litter box.

The first reason is all about the cat. Many owners fear that their cat won’t be able to adjust to the design of an automatic litter box. While traditional tray boxes are wide open on top and allow plenty of room for big cats to turn around, dig, and stand tall as they do their business, most automatic boxes are more compact. 

These boxes typically have hoods or are fully enclosed. Many also have smaller litter areas, which can be difficult for larger cats to navigate.

The second issue that keeps many parents scooping manually rather than investing in a box that can do it for them is about safety.

Automatic litter boxes have a lot of moving parts. Many turn completely upside down while cleaning, so it’s natural to be worried that your cat could be frightened, pinched, or trapped by the mechanism. Of course, these boxes have

sensors and safety controls to minimize the risks of an accident, but no technology is foolproof.

What Makes the Neakasa M9 Automatic Litter Box Different

With their new automatic litter box, Neakasa listened to the most common concerns of hesitant cat parents and used them to inspire their design.

For the big or claustrophobic kitty, the M9 offers a wide-open, spacious design. The bowl-shaped hood isn’t as open as a traditional pan without a roof, but the tilted angle and wide mouth make it much easier for large cats to navigate. And plenty of headspace means even big kitties like Maine Coons and Ragdolls can stand up tall while they do their business.

For the claustrophobic kitty, the M9 has another trick up its sleeve: the hood and “cabin” of the litter box are translucent. This means plenty of light gets inside, and your cat has the ability to see all around them while they assume that oh-so vulnerable position.

The Neakasa M9 Automatic Litter Box also has plenty of reassuring features for even the most nervous owner.

This box has many of the same safety sensors that most other automatic boxes do. These work to prevent cleaning while the cat is present and stop cleaning if your cat leaps inside mid-cycle. But what makes the M9 different is that it is structurally designed to be safe even if those sensors fail.

Thanks to the spherical design and “tilt-safe” rotation, even if the box were to somehow enter cleaning mode while your cat was inside, they would just get a bit of a ride (like a kitty in a hamster ball). Because the M9 cabin is free of pinch points and the opening does not close or shrink during cleaning, it would be virtually impossible for a cat to be harmed.

This is exactly the kind of fail-safe design nervous cat parents need.

About Neakasa

Founded in 2017 as Neabot, Neakasa is a smart home and pet-care technology brand headquartered in Shenzhen, China, with offices in Los Angeles and Tokyo. 

Its products aim to simplify everyday cleaning and pet care. Beyond automatic litter boxes, Neakasa offers pet grooming kits with vacuum technology, smart pet water fountains, and even air-purifying litter box steps.

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Which Cat Is the Neakasa M9 Best Suited For?

As you can guess, the Neakasa M9 Automatic Litter Box is a great option for larger kitties and those who aren’t likely to enjoy the cramped quarters of traditional automatic litter boxes. It’s also great for safety-conscious owners.

But plenty of other cats and cat owners are likely to find something to love about this auto litter box option.

Thanks to the extra-large 1-liter odor control system, this litter box is a great choice for owners who want premium odor control in addition to automatic cleanup. The connected phone app and weight monitoring built into the box help track litter habits in single- and multi-cat households. Plus, the relatively compact footprint makes this box a good option for smaller spaces.

Neakasa M9 Automatic Litter Box Product Specs (the boring bits) 

Features

The M9 includes a long list of features that make it especially cat- and owner-friendly, including:

• Automatic separation of clumped waste from reusable litter

• Tilt-Safe Rotation cleaning mechanism

• Open-view design that provides visibility of the surroundings

• Spacious cabin intended to accommodate a range of cat sizes

• Easily removable components for routine cleaning

• App-based waste-bin status monitoring

• App-based litter-level monitoring

• Remote control operation

• Multi-cat recognition and individual habit tracking

• Automatic operation according to selected settings

• Continued operation using previous settings if the internet connection is interrupted

• Noise rating of 45 dB or less

• Transparent odor filter housing for visual inspection of filter condition

• PureTower filter with desiccant and activated carbon that changes color when it’s time to replace

• Kitten protective accessory included

Measurements

• Overall dimensions: 26” long × 22” wide × 25.7” high

• Floor footprint: About 20” by 20”

• Cabin volume: 96 liters

• Entry height: 10.2”

• Opening size: 16.5” by 17.5”

• Maximum litter capacity: 7 liters

• Waste bin capacity: 6 liters (approximately 7- to 10-day capacity for one cat)

• PureTower odor-control system capacity: 1 liter.

• Activated carbon and desiccant weight: 1.6 lb

• Recommended clearance behind the unit: about 1.2”

• Height needed for operation: about 27.2”

• Product weight: 20.9 lb

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Litter Compatibility

The Neakasa M9 works best with fast-clumping bentonite clay or mineral cat litter featuring uniform granules measuring approximately 2–4 mm. This size helps the machine sift clean litter from waste and collect clumps effectively. Crystal litter, tofu litter, and mixed litter are not recommended, as they may interfere with the automatic cleaning process. 

What’s Included in the Box

The Neakasa M9 comes with everything needed to get started, including the litter box, a PureTower odor-control filter, a roll of 16 waste-drawer liners, five litter-emptying bags, and a power cord and adapter. It also includes a protective kitten guard, a quick-start guide, and a user manual.

Comparison

Our Experience with the Neakasa M9 Automatic Litter Box

My 12-pound Domestic Shorthair, Makoa, and I have tested a lot of automatic litter boxes in our time, and I can say with all honesty that the M9 from Neakasa is a true standout.

The litter box arrived in a rather large box with a somewhat overwhelming number of parts. But I promise you that it looks much harder than it is to put this together. Following the quick installation guide, I had it up and ready to go in less than ten minutes.

Insider tip: The installation instructions don’t mention that the orange fixing ring (waste guide) at the back of the cabin must first be removed before the cabin can fit into the base.

I did have a bit of a problem getting the litter box to connect to my WiFi, which was interesting because I recently tested the Neakasa Riko Automatic Cat Feeder in the same room, using the same app, and had zero issues. But this could have just been an anomaly, because the next day I tried again and it connected right away.

Once the app was connected, everything was straightforward to set up. From there, it was hands-off—and Makoa’s time to test.

I set the M9 up in the laundry room next to his current automatic cat box, which is a more typical robot cat box with an enclosed cabin and full roof design. I know for a fact that Makoa prefers a more open design because he tends to stand up while he does his business and is a fairly large cat. Anytime he has a traditional litter pan available, he will always choose that over his current automatic litter box.

So it was no surprise to me that he immediately started using the M9 and didn’t once use his old box during the testing period.

The step up into the M9 is a bit high. For smaller cats or those with mobility problems, I recommend checking out the Neakasa Air Step. I have one of these and ended up putting it in front of the M9 to catch litter, but Makoa definitely liked using it as a step as well.

In terms of odor control, cleaning prowess, and ease of use, this litter box performed exceptionally well.  As expected, the cleaning cycle stops if it senses weight or movement in the cabin, but I still really appreciate the smart design that makes it virtually impossible for a cat to get pinched or trapped if the safety sensors somehow failed and the cleaning cycle started while they were inside. 

Overall, I have been really happy with this litter box, both in terms of its design and how well it cleans and reduces odors. More importantly, Makoa loves the larger space and open feel.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often do you need to empty the Neakasa M9?

The 6-liter waste bin is advertised to last approximately 7–10 days for one cat, which I found to be pretty accurate. Households with multiple cats will likely need to empty it more frequently.

Is the Neakasa M9 safe for kittens?

Yes, but for kittens under four months old, under 4.4 pounds, or shorter than 9.8 inches, the kitten guard (included) must be put in place to prevent them from getting into the waste bin area.

Does the Neakasa M9 control litterbox odors?

Yes. The PureTower system combines activated carbon and desiccant to help manage odors and moisture. Of course, regular waste removal and cleaning are still necessary for effective odor control.

Conclusion

If you’ve been hesitant to get an automatic litter box because you think your cat might not use it because it’s too cramped, or you’re worried about safety, I highly recommend looking into the Neakasa M9.

The thoughtful design eliminates both those concerns with an open, airy cabin and a unique structural design that removes pinch points and prevents trapping. Equally important, this smart litter box features powerful odor reduction, easily removable parts for cleaning, and an effective scooping system that gives you up to 10 days of hands-off operation.