Xiaomi Cat Litter Box Review: Affordable Self-Cleaning for the Masses

Xiaomi Cat Litter Box has 200,000+ reviews on JD.com with a 4.4/5 rating at ¥999 ($137). Users appreciate the affordable self-cleaning rake system, the easy Mi Home app setup, and the compact footprint that fits most apartment bathrooms. The main complaints are the small 35L interior is tight for cats over 6kg, and the odor control system isn’t as effective as Petkit’s sealed-bin design. Conclusion: ✅ Worth Buying — the best value self-cleaning litter box for standard-size cats and Xiaomi smart home users.

Introduction

The Xiaomi Cat Litter Box (also marketed as the Mijia Smart Self-Cleaning Litter Box) democratized automatic litter box cleaning in China. At ¥999 ($137), it costs roughly half the Petkit Pura X Max while still offering self-cleaning, app control, and Mi Home integration.

With 200,000+ reviews on JD.com, it’s the most-reviewed automatic litter box on the platform. The simplicity of its rake-based mechanism and Xiaomi’s ecosystem integration have made it the entry-level recommendation for most cat owners.

Specifications

Feature	Xiaomi Cat Litter Box	Petkit Pura X Max	Catlink Pro	Tuya Bot Litter Box
Price (JD)	¥999 ($137)	¥1,999 ($275)	¥1,499 ($206)	¥899 ($124)
Cleaning Method	Rake + conveyor belt	Rotating drum	Rotating drum	Rake system
Interior Space	35L	45L	38L	33L
Max Cat Weight	Up to 8kg	Up to 12kg	Up to 10kg	Up to 8kg
Waste Bin	4.5L	7L sealed	6L	4L
Odor Control	Carbon filter strip	Carbon + ionizer + sealed bin	Carbon filter	Carbon filter
App	Mi Home	Petkit App	Catlink App	Tuya Smart
Litter Tracking Mat	Included (plastic)	Sold separately	Included	Sold separately
Power	DC 18W	DC 24W	DC 20W	DC 15W
Dimensions	520 × 520 × 480mm	580 × 580 × 520mm	550 × 550 × 500mm	510 × 510 × 460mm
JD Rating	4.4/5	4.3/5	4.2/5	4.1/5
JD Reviews	200,000+	30,000+	50,000+	20,000+

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Cat Litter Box has the familiar Xiaomi design: a white cuboid shape with rounded corners and a translucent top viewing window. Unlike the Petkit’s rotating drum, the Xiaomi uses a simpler rake mechanism. A motorized rake drags across the litter tray, scraping clumps onto a conveyor belt that deposits waste into the sealed bin.

This design is mechanically simpler than rotating drum systems, which means fewer potential failure points and easier maintenance. The rake and conveyor belt are relatively easy to access and clean.

The waste bin uses a basic carbon filter strip for odor control. It’s the weakest part of the design — the bin doesn’t seal as tightly as the Petkit, and odors can escape, especially in the first day or two after the cat uses the box.

“For ¥999, I didn’t expect Petkit-level quality. The Xiaomi does what it says: cleans automatically, connects to Mi Home, and my cat adjusted quickly. The rake mechanism is simple and hasn’t jammed in 5 months. The odor control is mediocre though — I can smell the bin if I’m in the same room. I upgraded to a thicker carbon filter off Taobao for ¥15 which helped a bit.” — JD.com user, verified purchase

Performance

The self-cleaning cycle runs on a timer (adjustable: 10/20/30 minutes after the cat exits). The rake takes about 30 seconds to complete a full pass. For safety, IR sensors detect cat entry and immediately cancel the cleaning cycle.

The litter tracking mat included with the unit helps reduce scattered litter, though it’s a basic plastic mat — not as effective as the rubber mats sold separately. The 4.5L waste bin needs emptying every 3-4 days for a single cat.

Litter consumption is lower than drum-based systems since the rake only removes waste clumps rather than displacing all the litter. Users report using about 20-30% less litter compared to drum-type cleaners.

“The Xiaomi litter box works well for my 5kg British Shorthair. He has plenty of room inside. The rake cleaning is actually gentler on litter than the drum-style — I use less litter per month. The Mi Home integration is nice: I get notifications when the bin is full and can check cleaning history. The only downside is the occasional smell from the waste bin. For ¥999, I’m very satisfied.” — JD.com user

User Reviews by Theme

Value for Money

“I was skeptical about a ¥999 self-cleaning litter box, but it’s genuinely worth it. Cleaning a traditional box twice a day was getting old. The Xiaomi does 90% of the work for me — I just empty the bin every 4 days and top up litter weekly. Payback time on not having to scoop is immediate.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: At ¥999, the Xiaomi offers excellent value. It handles the overwhelming majority of daily litter maintenance.

Size Limitations

“My 7.5kg Maine Coon cannot use this box. He barely fits inside and can’t turn around. If your cat is over 6kg or a large breed, look at the Petkit Pura X Max. The Xiaomi is great for standard domestic cats (3-6kg) but genuinely too small for larger breeds.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: The 35L interior is adequate for standard domestic cats but too cramped for large breeds over 6kg.

Odor Management

“The smell from the waste bin is the biggest downside. With my traditional box, I could scoop immediately after the cat went and the smell was contained. With the Xiaomi, the waste sits in the bin for days. The carbon filter helps a little but doesn’t eliminate odors. I empty the bin every 2 days instead of 4 to compensate.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: Odor control is adequate but not great. The bin isn’t sealed as effectively as premium alternatives.

Litter Recommendations

“Not all litters work well with this box. I tried tofu litter — it broke apart and left residue on the rake. Bentonite clay clumping litter works best. I use a 2-3mm particle bentonite and it clumps nicely for the rake to pick up cleanly.” — SMZDM user

💡 Summary: Bentonite clay clumping litter works best. Tofu and plant-based litters can cause issues with the rake mechanism.

Long-Term Reliability

“I’ve had mine for 14 months. The conveyor belt needed replacement after about 10 months (¥39 for the part, easy DIY replacement). The rake mechanism still works fine. The motor makes a bit more noise than when new. Overall, very good reliability for the price point.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: Long-term reliability is good with minor maintenance (conveyor belt replacement) at predictable intervals.

Purchase Recommendations

✅ Worth Buying (¥999)

For standard-size cats (3-6kg) and budget-conscious owners, the Xiaomi Cat Litter Box is the best value self-cleaning option. The 200,000+ reviews and 4.4/5 rating prove its reliability over time.

✅ Great for Multi-Cat Households on a Budget

While the 35L interior is single-cat friendly, the unit itself can handle multiple cats with more frequent bin emptying. At ¥999, it’s affordable enough to buy two units for multi-cat homes.

⚠️ Upgrade to Petkit Pura X Max

If your cat is over 6kg, you care deeply about odor control, or you want a larger waste bin, save up for the Petkit Pura X Max at ¥1,999. The Xiaomi will work, but you’ll be constantly annoyed by its limitations.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Affordable price at ¥999 — half the Petkit	Small interior — tight for cats over 6kg
Simple rake mechanism — fewer failure points	Odor control mediocre — bin isn’t sealed
Mi Home integration with notifications	4.5L waste bin needs emptying every 3-4 days
Lower litter consumption than drum systems	Conveyor belt needs replacement (~10-12 months)
200,000+ reviews — proven reliability	Not all litter types work (tofu/plant litters problematic)
Compact footprint fits small spaces	Basic plastic tracking mat included

FAQ

Q: How often does the Xiaomi Cat Litter Box clean automatically? A: You can set the cleaning interval for 10, 20, or 30 minutes after the cat exits the box. The default is 20 minutes. You can also trigger a manual clean via the Mi Home app or the button on the unit.

Q: What happens if the cat enters the box while it’s cleaning? A: The IR sensors detect the cat and immediately stop the cleaning cycle. The rake retracts and the cycle resumes only after the cat exits and the delay timer expires. This is a critical safety feature.

Q: Can I use tofu or plant-based litter? A: Not recommended. Bentonite clay clumping litter with 2-3mm particle size works best. Tofu and plant-based litters can break apart during rake cleaning, leaving residue and potentially jamming the mechanism.

Q: Does the Xiaomi litter box work with the Mi Home app outside China? A: Yes, but you need to create your account with the server set to Mainland China. The device connects via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. All features including scheduling, cleaning history, and notifications work normally.

Q: How do I replace the carbon filter? A: The filter is located on the top cover of the waste bin. Slide the old one out and insert the new one. Replacement filters cost about ¥29 for a 3-pack on JD.com and should be replaced every 1-2 months for best odor control.