This could be the bestseller among self-cleaning litter boxes (not)
21/8/2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Darina Schweizer
Nothing has come close to my favorite litter box so far. But now, the Galaxus bestseller has landed on my test table. Can the UBPet C20 knock my current number one off its throne?
I actually found my self-cleaning litter box a long time ago: the Neakasa M1. It is open at the top, has a huge waste container, and reliably traps odors.
The only drawback: sometimes I have to shake the waste container because the contents pile up and block the litter flap. That's why I'm always interested in other test products – and I agreed immediately when offered the chance to test the UBPet C20 model. The Galaxus bestseller is about 100 francs cheaper and is bought even more frequently than my previous favorite, the Neakasa M1.
My expectations are high.
Light, compact, and quick to set up
When I carry the litter box up the stairs to my apartment, I am surprised: 7.5 kilograms is quite light for a self-cleaning litter box, even though it is in the mid-range with a size of 50 x 49 x 54 centimeters. It is the little sister of the UBPet C41.
Assembly is easy for me. I only have to realign the drum once or twice so that it clicks correctly into the gear and can rotate. It gets sticky with the deodorant that I slide into a compartment next to the waste container. The packaging is not well thought out; I have to touch the slippery piece. With my favorite, the Neakasa, there is no deodorant. Instead, a flap closes after every visit and lets (almost) no odors through.
I am still skeptical: when litter boxes have an odor neutralizer, they usually don't close the waste container completely. The UBPet C20 does have two flaps (one with a snap closure), but they don't look completely airtight. So it could get smelly.
But I don't want to jump to conclusions yet.
App surprises with curious cat breeds
First, I pair the litter box with my smartphone via the UPET app. That is easy. In the app, I can name my cats and enter their weight, age, and health notes. I have to chuckle at the selection of breeds. For example, I find a «Thai pussy» (excuse me?). My European Shorthair cats are not listed. I only find the «European Burmese cat» (presumably a Birman cat). The translations sound like someone created them after three glasses of wine.
At least I have many options: I can set the cleaning start time after the cat has left the litter box. I can also select a Do Not Disturb mode, a child lock with key lock, and a shake mode. The latter helps with longer, coarser litter. A big plus for the C20: the Neakasa M1 and many other litter boxes only work with fine litter.
Many features, but cumbersome emptying
The «hardware» of the UBPet C20 is also kept simple. There are only two buttons: for cleaning and for leveling. I wonder how I empty the box? The Neakasa M1 has a dedicated button for that. In the manual, I read that the UBPet C20 uses a separate cleaning board. I hang this in front of the cleaning sieve. This way, the litter doesn't disappear into a collection container when rotating, but tips directly into the waste container. Afterward, I have to unhook the board again. Rather cumbersome.
The description of the litter fill level is also somewhat unclear. According to the instructions, I should fill it «up to below the anti-stick pad». This apparently refers to the lower edge instead of the upper edge of the light gray rubber coating. However, I only realize this after some of the litter ends up in the waste container. Damn.
My cat thinks the litter box is a basket
Time for the stress test! I plug in the litter box and wait for my house tigers to sneak up. Jasper is, as usual, on the spot immediately. He climbs into the low-threshold, 17.3-centimeter-high drum without any hesitation and... lies down. Seriously?! Apparently, he mistakes it for a basket. Could it be because of the low litter level? In the C20, it is about 5 centimeters high; in the M1, it is 8 centimeters. Cats can therefore scratch more extensively in the Neakasa than in the UBPet litter box.
After Jasper has slept in it for half an hour and only relieved himself mentally, nothing happens for a long time. Then Joy climbs into the litter box. That surprises me, because the noble lady doesn't like every throne – especially not those from which she cannot look out all around. Apparently, she likes this one. The entrance is relatively large. One minute after she has climbed out again, the cleaning mode starts. It is very quiet at 40 decibels. I peek into the drum: except for a few crumbs, everything is clean; nothing is smeared. That's how it should be.
By the way, regarding safety: the waste container always rotates together with the drum. According to the instructions, the litter box cannot crush any cats this way. Not even in the unlikely event that the motion sensors were to fail. However, UBPet writes that the C20 should only be used for cats from six months of age.
Waste container and odor as weaknesses
Three days later, a strong scent hits my nose for the first time – despite the deodorant. I look into the waste container. It is filled to the top. With a 4.2-liter capacity, that happens much faster than with the 11.3 liters of the Neakasa box. It is also a pity that the UBPet does not automatically indicate when I need to empty it. I only have my nose as a sensor. What I do find very convenient, however, is that the waste container is located at the top and I can simply pull it out. With the Neakasa, it is more cumbersome; it is located at the bottom. But I only have to empty that one every seven to 14 days.
The replacement products remain within a reasonable price range. The waste bags are about 8 francs, about as expensive as those for other self-cleaning litter boxes. The deodorants cost about 5 francs each and are considerably cheaper than comparable products, for example from Petkit, Litter Robot, or PetSafe.
Good, but not unbeatable
After two weeks, I can say: I am satisfied with the UBPet C20. The cats like using it, it cleans flawlessly, and it remains mostly clean. However, I find it rather elaborate that I have to clean it about every three days with two cats and hook the cleaning board in and out. Also, the odors are not optimally neutralized despite the deodorant.
For 100 francs less than the Neakasa M1, that is acceptable. I consider it a good, fairly inexpensive self-cleaning litter box. For me, however, there is still only one number one: the Neakasa M1.
Which litter box do you think is the best? Let me know in a comment.
In a nutshell
A bestseller for a reason, but not my favorite
The UBPet C20 is quick to set up and cleans reliably and quietly. It also handles coarser litter without any problems. The cats accept it well thanks to its low and large entrance. It shows weaknesses with the small waste container, which fills up quickly with two cats. This requires more frequent bag changes, and odors escape relatively quickly despite the deodorizer. It also requires a separate cleaning board for emptying. Therefore, it does not beat my favorite, the Neakasa M1. However, given its attractive price, it is a good overall package.
Pro
- fast setup
- flawless cleaning
- hardly any signs of wear
- good app
- quiet
- compact
- coarser litter can also be used
Contra
- small waste bin
- moderate odor neutralization
- separate cleaning board required for emptying
Cat litter trays + Cat litter boxes
EUR369,–
UBPet Selbstreinigende Katzentoilette
Self-cleaning litter tray
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love everything with four legs or roots – especially my rescue cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. I’m happiest following the scent of stories about police dogs and cat groomers – or cultivating thoughtful tales in garden flea markets and Japanese gardens.
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