CATLINK Open-X (automatic litter box open design for large cats): our review

A larger cat needs a litter tray chosen around their size, rather than whatever happens to fit beside the washing basket. CATLINK describes this open model as intended for large cats, with a maximum cat weight of 15 kg. That gives owners of bigger cats a useful manufacturer limit to work with. Your cat still needs room to use the tray comfortably; weight alone cannot settle that.

The open tray is central to its appeal. Does your cat prefer to keep their surroundings in view while using the tray? This format belongs on your shortlist. We like the combination of an open layout and automatic cleaning for a cat already accustomed to an uncovered tray. Their bathroom need not become a private capsule simply because you would welcome less scooping.

The waste drawer holds 12 L, making it a large receptacle for what the cleaning process removes. In practical terms, that may mean longer gaps between emptying, particularly useful when the tray chore keeps colliding with an evening that refuses to organise itself. The scoop rarely checks your diary.

Capacity needs context, though. How quickly the compartment fills depends on your cats and the litter used. A shared tray creates a different routine from a tray serving a solitary cat, so leave room in your plans for checking the drawer rather than treating its volume as a holiday timetable.

The waste bin is removable, which means you can take the collected waste away for disposal. Automatic cleaning can take over part of the routine; somebody still has to carry away the contents. That distinction matters when deciding how much help you actually want from an appliance.

The Open-X measures 53,4 cm wide, 58,5 cm deep and 59,2 cm high. Translate those dimensions into the spot you have available: width along the bathroom wall, depth projecting towards your feet, and height beneath any shelving. A corner that currently accommodates a simple tray may need a fresh look before this appliance arrives.

Think about the bathroom on a busy morning, with the laundry basket out and the cat arriving just as somebody wants the sink. Measure the space left for everyday life around the appliance. You also need a workable route for removing the waste bin and handling the detachable globe.

We would mark out the footprint before ordering, then walk through the room normally. A litter box can earn its place by reducing a chore, but it should not make getting to the towels a daily negotiation.

The stated odour control feature is an airtight waste compartment. Its purpose is easy to appreciate in a flat where the bathroom opens straight onto the hallway: containing collected waste addresses the smell you would rather guests did not meet at the door. We would not turn that feature into a promise of a home without litter smells.

The distinction is between containing collected waste and removing the need to deal with it. That compartment still needs emptying, and the appliance still needs cleaning. For anyone hoping to put the scoop away and forget the whole subject, this is the part of ownership to keep firmly in view.

The detachable globe gives access for cleaning, while the removable bin lets you deal with collected waste separately. Those are practical provisions for the chores that remain. Before allocating the bathroom corner, think about where you will handle those components as well as where the appliance will stand.

At 35 cm, the entrance threshold is high enough to make access harder for an older or stiff cat. This is the physical detail we would put ahead of cleaning convenience. An appliance can take a chore off your hands while still asking too much of the animal using it.

For that situation, the UBPet C41 is better suited to an older cat because its lower entrance step measures 20,3 cm, reducing the climb into the tray. The UBPet C41 has a lower waste bin capacity of 6,7 L, leaving less room for collected waste. That is a clear trade-off, although emptying frequency still depends on the cats and litter.

CATLINK specifies presence detection among the safety features; this is a manufacturer-stated feature, not a guarantee of safety. Weight monitoring is also included; any concerning changes in weight should be discussed with your vet. For a mobile larger cat that prefers an open tray, the Open-X offers a practical combination. Comfortable access must come first.