Low-cost open-top auto litter box with strong app control and safety sensors

Is the Gimars Open Top Design Self Cleaning Litter Box worth buying? Yes — at £169.89, with a 4.5/5 rating from 107 reviews and the current price at an all-time low, it looks like good value if you want an open-top automatic tray for multiple cats or senior cats. It is not the cheapest option in the category, but it undercuts premium rivals sharply while keeping the features that matter most: app control, 12 safety sensors, a large 8L sealed waste bin, and a 37cm wide open entry.

First impressions: practical, not gimmicky

The Gimars is clearly designed around comfort and accessibility rather than a flashy enclosed robot look. The open-top format and 37cm wide entry should feel less intimidating for older cats and larger breeds, and the product description explicitly positions it as suitable for 1.5–10kg cats. That matters because many automatic litter boxes can be too cramped, too enclosed, or too noisy for hesitant cats. The included litter mat and trash bags are a useful bonus at this price, especially for first-time buyers who want to get started without extra purchases.

What does the Gimars do well?

The headline feature is the smart app remote control, which supports both auto and manual cleaning. That gives owners flexibility: you can trigger a clean remotely, or let the unit run on its own. For busy households, that is a genuine convenience rather than a novelty. The 12 smart sensors are another key point. The listing says they are designed for safe detection and quiet operation, which is exactly what you want in a self-cleaning box: reliable cycling without risking a cat being caught in the mechanism.

The 8L sealed waste bin is one of the strongest practical features. Gimars claims up to 12 days of use, which should reduce daily scooping and help with odour control. For multi-cat homes, that capacity is especially useful because smaller bins can fill too quickly and undermine the whole point of an automatic tray. The sealed design should also help keep smells contained better than an open waste drawer.

How does it perform for real households?

Based on the feature set, this looks best suited to owners who want a balance of accessibility, capacity, and safety rather than maximum luxury. The open-top design is a major welfare plus for senior cats, and the stable body size of 56.8 x 54.4 x 50 cm suggests a footprint that should feel substantial rather than flimsy. The product’s XXXL positioning also indicates more internal room than many compact automatic trays.

The biggest performance question is noise, because the listing promises quiet operation but gives no decibel figure. That means buyers should treat the “quiet” claim cautiously until more user feedback confirms it. The same applies to app quality: remote control is useful, but the listing does not provide detail on WiFi bands, alert reliability, or how polished the app is. In other words, the fundamentals look strong, but the software experience is still something to verify through ownership rather than assume.

Build quality and safety

The presence of 12 sensors is reassuring, especially in a product type where safety should come before convenience. For cats that dart in and out, or for homes with multiple pets, sensor coverage is one of the most important features. The open-top layout also lowers the risk of a cat feeling trapped, which can make a big difference to acceptance.

On the downside, the listing does not provide material details, motor specifications, or cleaning cycle timing. That makes it harder to judge long-term durability from the product page alone. At this price, that is not unusual, but it does mean the Gimars is best viewed as a value-focused purchase rather than a premium engineering showcase.

Is it good value for money?

At £169.89, the Gimars sits very close to the £169.99 RRP and is currently at its all-time lowest price. That is strong timing for buyers who have been waiting for a discount, even though the stated savings are effectively 0% off list price. The value case comes from the feature mix: app control, open-top access, 12 sensors, 8L sealed waste storage, and included accessories.

Against competitors, it looks particularly competitive. The PETKIT PURA MAX 2 is far more expensive at £379.98 and has a slightly lower 4.3★ rating, though it does bring a larger 76L tray and 11 safety sensors. The PetPivot is cheaper at £167.94 but has a lower 4.1★ rating, while the Devoko 90L costs £186.99 and has a 4.4★ rating. Gimars lands in a sweet spot: not the cheapest, but rated higher than all three competitors listed here and priced well below the premium PETKIT.

Final verdict

If you want an open-top automatic litter box for multiple cats or senior cats, the Gimars is a sensible buy at £169.89, especially while it is at its lowest recorded price. I would recommend it to owners who prioritise safety sensors, accessibility, and a sealed waste bin over premium app extras. If you want the most proven high-end platform, or need detailed app and noise performance data before buying, you may prefer to look elsewhere.