Is It Worth Upgrading From Litter-Robot 4 to Litter-Robot 5?

If you already own a Litter-Robot 4, the arrival of Litter-Robot 5 naturally raises a question: is the new model different enough to justify upgrading?

For many LR4 owners, the answer will depend less on the fact that LR5 is newer and more on whether its additional features solve a problem you actually have.

Litter-Robot 4 already provides automatic self-cleaning, Whisker app connectivity, cat activity monitoring, waste and litter level tracking, quiet cycling and multi-cat functionality. Litter-Robot 5 keeps those core benefits while adding features such as WasteID™, a larger waste drawer, expanded activity insights, an enhanced LCD display and support for households with up to five cats.

So, should an existing LR4 owner upgrade? Here is what to consider before making the move.

Quick Answer: Should You Upgrade From LR4 to LR5?

If your Litter-Robot 4 is working well and already meets your household’s needs, upgrading simply because a newer model exists may not be necessary.

LR4 remains a capable automatic litter box with features including Whisker app connectivity, real-time litter and waste monitoring, SmartScale™ functionality, quiet operation and a design suitable for up to four cats.

An upgrade to LR5 may make more sense if you specifically want:

• WasteID™ technology
• A larger waste drawer
• More detailed litter-box activity information
• An enhanced on-unit LCD display
• Additional interior space
• Support for a household with up to five cats
• The newest generation of Litter-Robot technology

Those are the areas where LR5 adds the most meaningful differences.

What Do You Already Get With Litter-Robot 4?

Before deciding whether to upgrade, it is worth considering how much functionality LR4 already provides.

Litter-Robot 4 automatically separates waste from clean litter after use, reducing the need for daily scooping. It also connects to the Whisker app, allowing owners to monitor usage and receive information about litter and waste levels.

Its OmniSense® system tracks cat activity, while SmartScale™ can help record individual cat weight information through the app. LR4 also uses QuietSift™ technology to minimise cleaning-cycle noise.

For multi-cat households, LR4 is positioned for use with up to four cats.

That means existing owners are not upgrading from a basic automatic litter box. They are moving from an already feature-rich system to a newer generation with additional monitoring, capacity and interface improvements.

What Does Litter-Robot 5 Add?

Litter-Robot 5 builds on the same self-cleaning concept rather than replacing it with an entirely different approach.

The main additions include:

LR5 therefore represents an evolution of the LR4 experience, with the biggest changes focused on waste identification, capacity, monitoring and usability.

1. Is WasteID™ Worth Upgrading For?

WasteID™ is one of the most distinctive new features in Litter-Robot 5.

The technology is designed to distinguish between urine and solid waste. According to the current LR5 product information, the system can use this distinction to optimise cycle timing and provide more detailed litter-box activity information through the Whisker app.

LR4 already tracks litter-box usage and waste drawer levels, but it does not identify waste in this way.

Whether WasteID™ alone justifies upgrading depends on how much value you place on more detailed information.

For an owner who mainly wants their litter box to clean itself reliably, LR4 already performs that core job.

For someone who actively follows their cats’ litter-box routines and wants more granular data, WasteID™ could be a more meaningful reason to consider LR5.

2. Does the Larger Waste Drawer Make a Real Difference?

The redesigned LR5 waste drawer may be one of the most practical improvements for busy or multi-cat households.

Cat Evolution states that LR5 provides greater waste capacity and improved waste distribution, with the possibility of up to seven days between emptying in a two-cat household. Actual frequency will naturally vary according to the cats and how often they use the unit.

If you already find yourself emptying your LR4 waste drawer more frequently than you would like, this improvement could make day-to-day ownership more convenient.

However, if your existing LR4 emptying schedule already works comfortably for your household, extra capacity may be useful rather than essential.

3. Is LR5 More Useful for Multi-Cat Homes?

LR4 is designed to accommodate households with up to four cats, while LR5 extends that positioning to homes with up to five cats.

For a one- or two-cat household, this difference may have little practical impact.

For homes approaching LR4’s recommended multi-cat limit, the combination of additional waste capacity and five-cat positioning may make LR5 more attractive.

The decision should therefore be based on your actual household rather than simply assuming that a higher number automatically means a better experience.

4. Are LR5’s Monitoring Features a Big Upgrade?

LR4 owners already have access to meaningful connected functionality.

The Whisker app can help track usage, and LR4’s SmartScale™ functionality can record weight information for individual cats when the system can distinguish them appropriately.

LR5 expands this connected experience with additional litter-box activity information, including data from WasteID™, along with weight history, waste monitoring, litter usage tracking, visit information, notifications and maintenance reminders.

For owners who regularly use their Whisker app and pay close attention to usage trends, the increased data may be valuable.

If you rarely open the app beyond checking whether the waste drawer is full, the difference may be less important.

5. What About the New LCD Display?

LR4 has an on-unit control panel with five buttons and an LED display.

LR5 introduces a brighter LCD interface designed to provide clearer status information, guided setup and easier direct control from the unit.

This is primarily a usability improvement.

If you frequently control or troubleshoot your Litter-Robot directly from the unit, a clearer display may improve the experience.

If most of your interaction happens through the Whisker app, it may not be one of the strongest reasons to upgrade on its own.

6. Does LR5 Offer More Space for Cats?

LR5 is designed with an expanded interior and additional headroom, and Cat Evolution currently positions it for cats from approximately 1.4 kg to 13.6 kg.

LR4 already has a relatively generous 40 cm × 40 cm entryway and an internal globe approximately 38–43 cm high, 48 cm wide and 45–46 cm deep.

Because cats differ in body shape, posture and litter-box habits, owners of larger cats should consider physical fit rather than relying on weight alone.

If your cat already uses LR4 comfortably, extra space may not create a major reason to upgrade. If fit or headroom has been a concern, however, LR5’s expanded interior becomes more relevant.

7. What If Your Litter-Robot 4 Is Already Working Perfectly?

This may be the most important question for current owners.

If your LR4:

• cleans reliably
• comfortably accommodates your cats
• has enough waste capacity for your routine
• provides the monitoring information you need, and
• remains in good working condition

then LR5 may offer additional convenience rather than an essential replacement.

A newer model does not automatically make the previous generation unsuitable.

LR4 continues to provide automatic cleaning, odour management, multi-cat functionality, app connectivity and connected monitoring.

In that situation, the decision becomes less about necessity and more about whether LR5’s specific improvements are valuable enough for your household.

When Upgrading to Litter-Robot 5 May Make Sense

Moving from LR4 to LR5 may be worth considering if several of the following apply to you:

• You want WasteID™ and more detailed litter-box information.
• You regularly use Whisker app data to monitor your cats.
• Your household would benefit from a larger waste drawer.
• You have a larger multi-cat household.
• Your current LR4 feels limited in capacity.
• You value LR5’s larger interior or additional headroom.
• You prefer the updated LCD interface.
• Your LR4 is older and you were already considering replacing it.

The more of those factors apply, the more meaningful the upgrade may become.

When Keeping Your Litter-Robot 4 May Make More Sense

Continuing with LR4 may be perfectly reasonable if:

• Your cats already use it comfortably.
• You are happy with its current waste capacity.
• You do not need WasteID™.
• Existing app and weight-monitoring functionality is sufficient.
• You have four or fewer cats and LR4 handles the household well.
• Your unit is still performing reliably.
• The new LR5 features would not materially change your daily routine.

In other words, upgrading should ideally solve a need, not simply replace a product that is already doing its job well.

Should You Replace a Working LR4 Just to Get LR5?

For most owners, it makes sense to look at the specific features you would actually use.

WasteID™, greater waste capacity and expanded monitoring are genuine differences. But if those features are not important to you, continuing to use an existing LR4 can still provide the main benefits of automatic litter care.

If you are also comparing specifications and features in more detail, read our Litter-Robot 4 vs Litter-Robot 5 comparison before deciding.

What About Buying LR5 Instead of LR4 for the First Time?

The decision is slightly different for someone who does not already own LR4.

A new buyer is choosing between two models rather than deciding whether to replace an existing investment.

LR5 offers the newer feature set, while LR4 already delivers the established core Litter-Robot experience and currently has a substantial base of customer reviews on Cat Evolution.

New buyers should compare both models according to their budget, household size and feature priorities.

Existing LR4 owners, however, should focus primarily on whether the incremental benefits of LR5 would materially improve their experience.

Litter-Robot 4 to Litter-Robot 5: The Bottom Line

So, is Litter-Robot 5 worth upgrading to from Litter-Robot 4?

For some households, yes, particularly those that will genuinely benefit from WasteID™, greater waste capacity, expanded monitoring, a newer interface or support for a larger multi-cat household.

For others, a well-functioning LR4 may already provide everything they need.

Litter-Robot 5 should therefore be viewed less as a mandatory replacement for LR4 and more as a next-generation option for owners who value its specific new capabilities.

Before upgrading, consider which LR5 features would actually change your day-to-day experience. If several solve real limitations you currently experience with LR4, the upgrade becomes easier to justify. If not, continuing to use your existing LR4 remains a practical option.

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