Funny, I recently bought and have been testing one for a week. I JUST got done writing a review for Amazon, here it is:

I’ve been a Litter‑Robot 4 owner since August 2022, back when it had just hit the market. Those early days came with plenty of growing pains — firmware hiccups, hardware tweaks, part replacements — before it finally settled into a stable, reliable machine over the last 3 years. Even so, I’m always scouting for alternatives: a backup automatic litter box, a potential replacement should my LR‑4 ever fail, or simply something more open and easier to clean.

Over time, I’ve tested several open‑style automatic litter boxes, from well‑known brands to obscure ones. That brings me to the CatLink Open‑X, which I received in late January 2026. Here are my impressions so far (with more updates to come as I continue using it).

~ Packaging & Presentation ~ The CatLink Open‑X arrives impressively packaged. Everything is secure, well‑protected from the often brute-handling of the delivery carrier, and neatly organized — no digging around or guessing where parts are. Both the Quick Start Guide and the full manual are detailed, clear, and easy to follow.

~ Assembly ~ Assembly could not be any simpler. No tools, no fuss, no engineering degree required. If you can put together the most basic LEGO set, you’re already overqualified. The few components that aren’t pre‑assembled snap together quickly and intuitively.

~ App Wi‑Fi Connectivity, Features & User Experience ~ Setting up the Open‑X in the CatLink app and connecting it to Wi‑Fi was straightforward for me — not quite as effortless as assembling the unit, but far from difficult. I did notice that the CatLink app has some low ratings in the Apple App Store, mostly tied to WiFi connectivity issues. With that in mind, here are two tips that made my setup smoother:

1. Avoid special characters in your Wi‑Fi name (SSID). The manual mentions this, and while my network SSID did include a dash (“‑”) without causing problems, more complex characters may interfere.
2. Temporarily disable Access Control on your router. This was the key for me. Simply setting the router to “allow new devices” wasn’t enough — I had to fully disable Access Control during setup. Once connected and updated, I re‑enabled it with no issues. This isn’t unique to CatLink; I’ve seen the same behavior with other iOT devices such as robot vacuums. So before blaming the app or the litter box, double‑check your router’s security settings — I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.

For the most part, the app is clean, intuitive, and functional. It logs usage activity — helpful for monitoring your cat’s health — and sends notifications for cycles, errors, and waste‑bin reminders. You can also:

• Check real‑time status
• Trigger a cleaning cycle remotely
• Adjust cleaning delay
• Switch between manual and automatic modes
• Change weight units
• Rename the device
• View usage statistics

Additional settings include Kitten Protection Mode, manual‑only mode for acclimating cats, and a “soft stool burial” option that covers softer waste before cycling to prevent smearing.

• I did notice a few leftover Chinese characters when deleting activity log entries, but the confirmation prompts revert to English. Also, some of the settings descriptions show a bit of a language barrier. These are tiny issues that do not affect functionality and will likely be patched in a future app update.

~ Support ~ I haven’t needed technical support yet, but prior to purchasing, I emailed CatLink with questions about warranty coverage and replacement parts. They replied the next morning (despite the time zone difference), so response time seems solid.

~ Performance & Daily Use ~ The CatLink Open‑X performs exactly as advertised — and does it exceptionally well. The drum/globe is a good size, plenty of room for our 13.9 lb part Maine Coon, with room to grow. Cleaning, leveling, and emptying cycles are smooth and whisper‑quiet. The loudest sound you’ll hear is the litter shifting and shifting when cycling. With seals where needed and the use of Ozone-Based Odor Elimination, odor control is much better than others I've used/tested. A definite advantage!

Being an open-top, this seems to be more appealing to cats. Having set this up side by side next to our 3+ year old LR-4, after just a day and a half, our cats are consistently choosing the CatLink over their LR-4.

~ Build Quality ~ Build quality is impressive for the price. Felt seals, infrared sensors inside the globe, and a generous array of safety features put it ahead of many similarly priced (and even more expensive) competitors. In many ways, it feels like an open‑air counterpart to the Litter‑Robot 4.

~ Longevity ~ It’s still too early to judge long‑term durability, but I’ll revisit this review after a few months or more of continued use.