Entry size and interior space decide whether the cat will use it at all. Larger cats need checking first, and an overly enclosed feel can cause immediate refusal.

Litter compatibility affects jam risk: clumping clay, tofu and mixed litter behave differently. Confirm the officially supported types before buying.

Manual use during a power cut or fault, waste-drawer capacity and how easily the unit disassembles decide the long-term experience, more than app features.

For a first unit, keep a standard box as a transition and backup, and consider replacing it only after the cat uses the machine reliably.