Automatic litter boxes promise less scooping, but you still have to refill the litter, empty the waste, and clean the box itself. I put the HomerunPET CS106 alongside my Litter-Robot 5 Pro to see which made those jobs easier in my two-cat household.
My verdict: The CS106 was my pick for everyday maintenance, and my cats used it more often once both boxes were available. The Litter-Robot 5 Pro stood out for its cameras and the flexibility I had when positioning it in my home.
Disclosure: I purchased the Litter-Robot 5 Pro myself. HomerunPET gifted me the CS106 for this comparison. These are my own observations. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Using my links supports SLVRBCK Troop at no additional cost to you.
Watch the full comparison
Jump to: How I tested · At a glance · Cat comfort · Maintenance · Noise and app features · My verdict · Product links
How I tested the two litter boxes
I have two cats: Luna, who weighs about 12 pounds, and Echko, who weighs about 8 pounds. At the time of filming, I had used the Litter-Robot 5 Pro for roughly a month and the CS106 for three or four days. I used the same clumping litter in both—the litter my cats already preferred.
That difference in testing time matters. This is an early comparison of everyday use, rather than a long-term reliability verdict. The results describe my home and my cats; another household may have a different experience.
CS106 vs. Litter-Robot 5 Pro at a glance
| What I compared | HomerunPET CS106 | Litter-Robot 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Placement in my home | Felt larger and needed a more dedicated spot | Gave me more positioning options |
| Automatic litter refill | Included hopper | Optional hopper purchased separately |
| Emptying the litter bed | Separate compartment from cat waste | Uses the same collection drawer |
| Cleaning noise | Quiet in my experience | Similarly quiet in my experience |
| Odor during testing | No noticeable issues | No noticeable issues |
| Cameras | No cameras | Two camera views |
| My cats’ preference | Used more often with both available | Usage dropped after I added the CS106 |
Cat comfort and finding a place for the box
The CS106 advertises a 106-liter dome, but interior volume alone does not tell you whether a cat will comfortably use a litter box. The entrance, litter bed, and room to turn around matter, too. Luna was ready to get into the CS106 as soon as I added fresh litter.
Finding a spot for it was less flexible. In my home, the CS106 felt like it needed a larger dedicated area. It worked where I already kept a litter box, but I felt I had more options for positioning and angling the Litter-Robot 5 Pro. That is my experience with placement, rather than a measured comparison of their dimensions.
Watch the comfort and placement comparison at 1:18
Waste handling made the biggest difference
The CS106 rotates forward and backward during cleaning. Waste travels down a chute into a separate receptacle on the right side. I liked that arrangement because it directs waste away from the drum.
The Litter-Robot 5 Pro rotates sideways and drops waste into its drawer below. I had experienced waste piling high enough to catch against the rotating drum, leaving a mess to clean when I pulled out the drawer. Both boxes provide alerts when they need attention, but I preferred the CS106’s waste-handling arrangement based on what I observed.
See the waste-handling comparison at 2:26
Refilling and completely replacing the litter
The CS106 includes an automatic refill hopper. I refill the hopper, and the box replenishes the litter to its maximum line. The Litter-Robot 5 Pro offers an optional hopper that must be purchased separately. Without it, I pour litter into the front of the box and check the fill lines.
I also liked the CS106’s separate compartment for emptying the litter bed. Cat waste goes into one compartment, while litter emptied during a complete change goes into another. With the Litter-Robot 5 Pro, everything goes into the same drawer, so I needed to check that it had enough room before dumping the litter bed.
The CS106 also has storage for replacement bags, and I could remove its liner for a quick clean without taking the whole unit apart. Those small maintenance details added up for me.
Watch refilling at 4:19 · See bag storage and liner cleaning at 7:49
Noise, odor, and app features
Noise was essentially a tie. Neither box sounded particularly loud to me, and I left nighttime cleaning enabled. I also had not noticed odor issues with either box during this comparison.
Both units offer weight tracking and app notifications. In the app setup I used, the Litter-Robot 5 Pro provided more detailed bathroom information and two camera views: one showing the cat approaching and another showing inside the box. The CS106 did not have cameras.
Some additional Litter-Robot app features required payment. I was not paying for those during this comparison. For my needs, notifications and basic controls were enough. Someone who wants to watch their cats using the box may value the cameras more than I did.
Watch the app and camera comparison at 6:19
Which litter box would I choose?
For my household, I preferred the HomerunPET CS106. Its included refill hopper, separate litter-disposal compartment, bag storage, and removable liner made everyday maintenance more convenient.
My cats also chose it more often once both boxes were available. I could see that in their usage records: the Litter-Robot’s usage dropped after I introduced the CS106. In the video, Echko checks out the Litter-Robot during the night before going into the CS106.
I would give the Litter-Robot 5 Pro a closer look if camera features and positioning flexibility were priorities. The CS106 was my pick from this comparison, but I would want more time with it before making claims about long-term reliability.
Prices and offers change. Check the current listing price, what is included, and any optional accessories before comparing the total cost.
Product and replacement-bag links
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