I've had one of these for about six months and have mixed feelings about it. I can say one thing for sure, though: If you have a large male cat (or possibly any male cat), do not buy this thing. Seriously. It will only lead to wrack and ruin. This catbox will eat your Cheetos, date your daughter, and leave your house smelling terrible at some very inconvenient moment.
If all your cats squat, on the other hand, then this is a great box. Nearly perfect. Go for it.
Here's the problem: As you can see from the photo, the tray is low across the back. So that's bad -- most male cats will hit the hood rather than the tray. At best, you have to clean the hood every time you change the litter. Not a big deal; it's just annoying because it shouldn't have happened. At worst, you get leaks. What you can't see from the picture is that there is actually a HOLE in the back of the box, meant to accommodate a holder for the useless toy scoop Bionaire provides. Add a tall cat who pees standing up, and you have a recipe for disaster.
I've been putting up with the box's defects because the filter really does work, and I like the clear retractable lid. The fact that it folds back is so convenient for quick scoops, and I think my scaredy female feels more comfortable than she would in an opaque box that puts her at a defensive disadvantage.
Today, I had a catastrophic leak. When I left for work, the box was clean. When I came home, I could smell ammonia from the front door. The litterbox, it turns out, had funneled at least half a cup of urine onto the bathroom floor. Thanks, Bionaire!
I'm going to try some shenanigans with contact paper and weatherstripping, but my gut feeling is that this thing can't stay in my house. (Update added below.)
Pros:
- Filter really does manage odors well (as long as everything else goes right)
- Rollback top makes in-between cleanings easy
- Half-transparent top works well for cats not used to hooded boxes
Cons:
- Low-backed tray is unsuitable for male cats, especially large ones
- Hood has large and pointless hole in the back
- Cheap-feeling plastic absorbs odors over time
- Not compatible with plastic liners
This box could be a lifesaver with just a couple of simple changes. If Bionaire introduces a less boneheaded version of this product, I will be first in line to buy it. This product does a great job with things Bionaire knows (odor control), and if they pay attention to user feedback and do their research, they can overcome its shortcomings in areas they know nothing about (feline anatomy).
UPDATE: I trimmed a flexible kitchen cutting mat to fit inside the back of the box, such that the top is taller than my big cat and the bottom hangs 1" below the stupid gap. I attached it to the the hood with industrial Velcro, since I'll want to replace it when it gets scratched up. This has stopped 90-95% of the leakage, and it only slightly obstructs the hinged hood. The box can stay, but I'm still annoyed.