Look, I’ve tested a lot of self-cleaning and automatic litter boxes, and I mean a lot. After five months of rigorous, long-term use, the Neakasa M1 has solidified its place as my favorite open style self-cleaning litter box.
This might seem like a small detail, but open machines are generally the easiest for most cats to get used to, especially if they have only ever used a standard litter box.
I test these machines incredibly thoroughly, and it really helps having seven amazing cats to validate the experience.
Key Takeaways
- The Neakasa M1 is the best open top self cleaning litter box tested over five months, with excellent usability and cat acceptance.
- Its large waste bin and easy cleaning process make daily maintenance simple, though first generation flaws remain.
- App controls and sensors work well, but weight tracking and waste detection need improvement.
- Urine leakage and trapdoor design issues are notable weaknesses, but the manufacturer is actively releasing fixes.
- Ideal for owners who want an open design, high capacity bin, and are comfortable with early product kinks.
Overview of the Neakasa M1 Design and Core Functionality
The Neakasa M1 has an interesting looking design and consists of two main parts: the drum and the base upon which it sits. Setting it up is super easy, all you do is put on four legs, and you’re set to go.
Like all the best machines I’ve tested, the Neakasa M1’s cleaning cycle is rotational, using gravity rather than brute force to separate the clumps and waste from the clean litter.
The clean litter filters through holes into a temporary storage area. I noticed it uses a distinct staccato motion, this is done specifically to make sure that the cleaner litter really gets filtered out before the waste is dumped into the bin.
The waste management system is key. It features an over 11 L waste bin, which is honestly one of the biggest I’ve used. The waste is completely contained in the bin, partly because the system uses a trap door that covers the waste compartment.
That door opens at the start of the cleaning cycle and closes at the end. The Neakasa M1 is quiet, though I should stress it is not the quietest one I’ve tested, but it is definitely far from the loudest.
Smart Features App Controls Sensors and Safety Functions
The Neakasa M1 relies heavily on its app for main options. The app is essential because without it, you simply cannot change any setting.
One of the key settings is the time delay after a cat uses the box before the cleaning cycle starts.
I highly recommend setting a good 10 minutes at least to let the urine clumps dry out, which makes them fall more easily into the bin.
Safety is good. The machine uses infrared and weight sensors to detect cat use. If a cat is still near the bin during the return part of the cycle, a pinch detector is triggered, which stops the cycle.
The machine also attempts to take a weight reading of the cat for the app. While it’s better than some machines, I found that the weight measurements aren’t always spot-on.
I really think they need to improve their weighing algorithm for more accurate results.
The app shows the amount of litter left, which works by you calibrating it after you first fill it. It also has an indicator for the waste bin, but this only shows “Normal” or “Full”, it cannot actually measure the quantity inside.
One common issue with the ‘Full Bin’ warning is that often when it says it’s full, it’s not actually full, it’s just that waste builds up at the back and breaks the sensor beam. To clear it and get the cycle working again, you often just need to pull the drawer out and give it a shake.
Maintenance Routine and Deep Cleaning Process
Routine waste disposal is simple. The rubber expandable waste bin pops right out. It comes with bags, and all you do is pull the little strap when you’re done, and you don’t have to touch anything at all.
And a pro tip from my long-term testing: you don’t have to use their official $20 for 30 bags, any 10g bag will do.
For deep cleaning, I found the Neakasa M1 to be very easy, with a couple of minor caveats. First, make sure you press the empty button to dump all the litter into the bin. Then you remove the side ‘ears,’ and the cylinder lifts out.
I clean the drum outside in my patio using a hose, liquid, and a brush (you can use a bath or shower, but be extremely careful not to let clay litter go down the drain as it’s bad for plumbing). I sprayed mine down with stain and odor remover and then let it dry for 10 to 20 minutes before adding litter back in.
You absolutely should not clean the base the same way, as it contains electronics, you just wipe that down with a damp cloth.
The main dirty spot I encountered was that some litter will collect underneath the drum, which I had to vacuum out because the trapdoor prevents it from just dropping into the dirty drawer.
Gunk also tends to get stuck around the trapdoor. The only awkward bit during cleaning is behind the filter, which hasn’t enough flex to get behind it, requiring you to unscrew the top part of the cylinder, something I wouldn’t recommend doing often due to potential plastic thread wear.
Expert Critique and Neakasa Answers
Despite how much I like the Neakasa M1, it’s a textbook example of problems you get with first-generation products. Thankfully, Neakasa has been incredibly receptive to my feedback.
One of my biggest gripes is urine leaks. You’d think an expensive machine would be watertight, but unfortunately, many have bad seals where the mats clip into the cylinder.
For the Neakasa M1, it was only when my Chief tester started using it that the leaks appeared. The small gap at the front of the mat was enough for urine to go through.
The good news is they are making a new mat that fits much better and has rubber edges.
Until then, they made free stickers available for M1 owners to place around the mat edges to prevent leakage, which for me, totally stopped the leaks.
The trapdoor system presents a significant design flaw. If urine leaks through or if litter debris falls onto the top of the trap door, when the door opens, that debris or liquid can be dragged inside the machine itself rather than going into the bin.
This is the Neakasa M1’s most significant design floor, and I understand they are bringing out a version without the trapdoor.
Another issue occurs when the drum tilts towards the front during the cleaning or leveling part of the cycle.
If a cat jumps in at this point, they have a good chance of causing a mess, either peeing straight into the gap or kicking out litter.
I asked Neakasa to add an app feature to temporarily disengage the sensor during this tilt, so it won’t stop if a cat jumps in, and they told me they are working on it.
The problem of litter being kicked out and peeing over the side really highlights that the Neakasa M1 needs a litter guard or shield to stop this. They confirmed they are working on a shield, and it should be available now.
Litter Compatibility Color Options and Long Term Durability
In my testing, I’ve had the best results with clumping clay litter. The filter holes aren’t big enough for standard tofu litter, which just gets chucked straight into the bin.
However, I tested a new granular tofu specifically designed for self-cleaning boxes that works well because the pellets are about half the size of standard tofu, making them small enough to pass through the filter gaps.
When it comes to color, I find the gray tends to show dirt and litter dust, a cream one is available, and honestly, most competitor machines are white for a reason.
Neakasa M1 vs Litter Robot 4 Feature Comparison
My two main boxes are the Whisker Litter Robot 4 (LR4). After over two years of using them, they are still my favorite despite issues like my immense frustration with their smart scale pet tracking feature, which has been mostly useless for the last year.
Here is how the Neakasa M1 stacks up against competitors mentioned in my testing:
| Feature/Model | Neakasa M1 | Litter Robot 4 (LR4) |
| Style | Open-Top | Closed/Enclosed |
| Cleaning Mechanism | Rotational/Gravity | Rotational/Gravity |
| Waste Bin Capacity | Over 11 L (Biggest used) | Smaller area to seal |
| Weight Tracking Status | Needs improved algorithm | Mostly useless for the last year |
| Litter Compatibility | Best with finer clay/granular tofu | Smaller filter holes, throws out some unused granules |
Who Should Consider Buying the Neakasa M1
Despite the first-generation product kinks, I really like the Neakasa M1, and my cats do too.
The fact that Neakasa manufactures the M1 themselves, unlike many other machines which are OEM, means they can implement feedback and make fixes much quicker. This makes me optimistic about the future of the M1.
There are just so few good open machines on the market, and I stated at the beginning: this is the best open machine that I’ve used. I am going to keep using this one.
Pros Cons and Ideal Users for Neakasa M1
Pros:
- Best open-style machine currently available.
- Large waste bin capacity (over 11 L).
- Easy setup and deep cleaning.
- Good safety sensors, including infrared, weight, and pinch detection.
- Manufacturer is highly responsive to feedback and implementing fixes.
Cons:
- Urine leakage occurs due to mat seals, requiring manufacturer stickers or waiting for the new rubber-edged mat.
- Trap door mechanism is a significant design flaw that can drag debris inside the machine.
- Litter kicking/peeing over the side is a potential problem; a litter shield is still needed (currently being worked on).
- Weight sensor accuracy needs improvement.
- No current offering for extended warranty or spare parts.
Applicable Users:
- Cat owners who specifically prefer or require an open-top design for their cat’s comfort or accessibility (especially helpful for transition from a standard box).
- Users looking for high waste capacity (>11 L) to reduce emptying frequency.
- Owners who are comfortable with minor first-generation issues, knowing the manufacturer is actively working on fixes and improvements.
