When it comes to caring for our cats, few chores are more annoying than daily litter scooping. That’s why self-cleaning litter boxes have gained popularity — they promise a cleaner experience with less effort. But if you’re considering one with a rake-style system, there’s something you should know: Most rake-based automatic litter boxes don’t work the way you expect. I recently tested the Lalahome Realscooper, a smart litter box with some unique features — including one major innovation most other brands don’t offer. But despite its tech-forward design, it falls into the same traps as many rake systems on the market. Let’s break it all down. 🟢 What the Lalahome Realscooper Gets Right Before we dive into the issues, it’s only fair to highlight what Lalahome did well. In fact, there are features here that other premium models — even the popular Litter-Robot 4 — don’t include. ✅ 1. Auto-Litter Refilling This is one of the few self-cleaning litter boxes that can automatically refill litter without manual intervention. It uses a five-zone refill compartment and dispenses litter when levels get low, then uses the rake to level it out. It's an impressive concept, and one that truly helps reduce the frequency of refills. ✅ 2. Enclosed Waste Management The footstep-to-trash-bin design is well-executed. When it’s time to change the waste bag, you simply tilt and dump the debris. It’s clean, simple, and thoughtful in its layout. ✅ 3. Built-In Cleaning Features Each cleaning cycle includes raking, sanitizing, and deodorizing, which most other boxes skip. These extras contribute to odor reduction and hygiene — especially if you have multiple cats. 🔴 Where It Falls Apart: The Rake System Unfortunately, all that innovation can’t fix the core problem with the Realscooper: the rake system itself. I’ve tested several rake-style litter boxes, and the issues are consistent across the board. Here's what went wrong with the Lalahome unit: ❌ 1. Clump Breakage Clumping litter, while effective for absorption, tends to become brittle. As the rake pushes waste toward the bin, the clumps break apart, leaving small waste particles scattered in the litter bed. This defeats the purpose of "self-cleaning" — because eventually, you'll need to scoop it manually. ❌ 2. Sticky Rake Syndrome Soft or uncovered waste often gets stuck to the rake. And while the box tries to sanitize it afterward, it doesn't fully clean itself. I found myself needing to wipe down the rake frequently — something no one wants in an automated system. ❌ 3. Poor Waste Handling Logic Here’s an example of a flawed cleaning scenario:If the box detects your cat mid-cycle, it stops the rake — a good safety feature.But if your cat leaves more waste behind the rake before the cycle completes?That clump stays there, uncollected, until you remove it manually. ⚠️ Other Frustrations: Buttons and the App Unresponsive Buttons: The physical controls are clunky. Presses sometimes double-trigger or fail to register properly. App Limitations: The companion app is extremely basic. You can’t override pet detection, change timer intervals, or customize the litter level settings. These would be expected in a premium product. 💵 High Price, Low Return The Realscooper originally retailed at $600, occasionally discounted to $550, with an MSRP of $700 — making it one of the priciest options on the market. For comparison: Litter-Robot 3: $600 Litter-Robot 4: $900 Popur X5: ~$300–$400 depending on sales Despite its cool features, the Realscooper’s overall performance doesn’t justify the cost — especially when maintenance is still high. 🟡 A Better Option: Popur X5 I normally don’t make direct recommendations in reviews, but after trying multiple systems, one stands out: the Popur X5 (or the upcoming S7). While it lacks auto-refilling, it: Uses gravity to drop waste into a deep bin Has a gentler rake that flattens the litter, not shoves waste Holds a larger amount of litter, requiring fewer refills Rarely gets messy, because it doesn’t scrape through clumps For me, it’s been the most practical and low-maintenance solution — even if it doesn’t have the tech bells and whistles. 🧠 Final Verdict The Lalahome Realscooper had real potential.Its refill system is ahead of its time, and the idea of a sanitized, touch-free litter cycle is appealing. But like most rake-style automatic litter boxes, it fails where it matters most:✅ Reducing time✅ Reducing effort✅ Reducing mess If you’re investing hundreds into a litter robot, your biggest payoff should be convenience — not more cleaning tasks disguised as automation. Until rake systems evolve, they’re more “semi-automatic” than self-cleaning. 📣 Have you tried a self-cleaning litter box? Drop your experience in the comments — I’d love to hear what worked (or didn’t) for you.And if you're curious about how the Popur X5 compares in detail, let me know. A full review may be coming soon.

See my preliminary comparison video that also covers the three main buyer scenarios! Popur is back with their second Kickstarter campaign, introducing the S7 automatic litter box —a supposed upgrade to their previous model, the X5 . But is it worth your money? In this post, I’ll break down whether the S7 is a smart buy for three different types of buyers: Current Popur X5 owners People with other automatic litter boxes First-time buyers looking to go automatic Let’s dive in! 🔁 If You Already Own the Popur X5 If you’ve owned the X5 for a while (like I have for over 3 years), you probably value: A touchless experience Simplicity when it comes to maintenance An open design that cats actually like So, is the S7 worth upgrading to? Ask yourself these 3 questions: Are you having any issues  with your X5 (e.g., motor failures, creaking, or screen glitches)? Did you buy your X5 at a major discount —maybe through the original Kickstarter? Has it been over 2 years  since you bought it (aka, outside warranty)? ✅ If you answered yes to all three: You’re a great candidate for an upgrade. The S7 aims to fix several hardware and usability problems seen in the X5. 🤔 If your answers are mixed: If your issues are minor and not affecting performance , you may be fine sticking with the X5. If performance is declining  (slow motor, glitchy display), the S7 could restore peace of mind. If you paid under $250 for the X5 , moving to the S7 keeps your total spend lower than high-end options like the Litter-Robot 4. The S7 also features easier-to-replace parts and smarter construction for long-term use—something the first-gen X5 lacked. 🔄 If You Own a Different Brand of Automatic Litter Box Thinking of switching from your current litter box to the Popur S7? Here are 3 key questions  to consider: Is your current unit showing signs of wear  that are starting to impact performance? Was it cheaper than the S7's Kickstarter price  (~$349)? Do you prefer practical, functional design  over flashy tech features like UV cleaning or poop tracking? ✅ If you answered yes across the board: The S7 might be a big upgrade in your day-to-day cat care routine. 🤔 If you’re un sure, consider: If your current box still works well and doesn’t need constant attention, you may not need  to switch yet. If you’re coming from a basic or cheaper solution  like the PetSafe ScoopFree, the S7 offers much better value over time. If you like simple, low-maintenance designs over apps and sensors, Popur’s design-first approach may be more your style. The S7 focuses on: A large litter pad  that holds more litter (less refilling) A spacious waste bin  (less bag swapping) A smart open-top tilt design  that reduces mess and breakage Popur doesn’t chase gimmicks—they’re focused on real-life usability. 🆕 If You’re a First-Time Automatic Litter Box Buyer New to automatic litter boxes? Awesome—you’re about to save time, reduce odor, and make your cats happier. But is the Popur S7  the right one to start with? Ask yourself these 3 questions: Is one of your goals to go longer between cleanups and maintenance ? Are you willing to pay more upfront for longer-lasting performance ? Do you care about the safety and reliability of the machine  for your cats? ✅ If yes to all three: The S7 could be a fantastic first purchase—especially during the Kickstarter campaign when the price is lower. Here’s what makes the S7 beginner-friendly: Extended waste bin capacity  = fewer bag changes Simple internal design  = easier to clean and maintain No disposable trays or crystal litter  = budget-friendly over time Improved safety  over older Popur models, especially for kittens and small cats Some cheap litter boxes (like the ScoopFree) may seem affordable upfront but have hidden costs and hygiene issues over time. With the S7, you buy once and use your own clumping litter and bags—giving you full control over ongoing costs. 🔒 And about safety: Popur redesigned the S7’s sifter mechanism to avoid the risks seen in some drum-based units, which have tragically harmed pets . Popur’s demo even shows the sifter safely interacting with a banana—yes, a banana. For more info on litter box safety, check out the One Man Five Cats  YouTube channel—he's done deep dives on this topic. ⚠️ Should You Wait or Back the Kickstarter? Like all Kickstarter projects, there’s some risk . You’re essentially funding a product that hasn’t been mass-produced yet. Even though Popur successfully delivered the X5, that model still had flaws like plastic parts that wore down early. The Good News: Popur includes a 1-year warranty You can buy up to 3 years of extended coverage Their support team (in my experience) has been quick and responsive If you’re risk-averse, you could wait until retail launch—but you’ll likely pay more  and miss early discounts . 💡 Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Popur S7? It depends on your situation: X5 owners with aging units?  → ✅ Yes, consider the upgrade Users of cheaper or unreliable boxes?  → ✅ Great time to switch First-time buyers who want quality and longevity?  → ✅ Worth backing on Kickstarter Already own a premium box that’s working fine?  → ❌ Maybe hold off I personally plan to buy the S7 with my own money  and will post a full hands-on review once it ships. Stay tuned for that! 💬 Have Questions or Thoughts? Drop them in the comments! If you’ve used the X5 or are considering the S7, I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences. 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