Neakasa M1 Review: The Open-Top M1 Plus Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Our Neakasa M1 review covers the open-top M1 Plus: cat size limits, odor sealing, the app, owner complaints, and who should pick another box.
By Dave Curtis
Updated October 15, 2026
The Neakasa M1 is an open-top self-cleaning Neakasa litter box. Instead of a hooded globe, the litter bed sits in an open design and rotates to drop waste into a sealed bin, which suits cats that dislike enclosed boxes and big cats that feel cramped in a hood. This review covers the current Amazon listing, the Neakasa M1 Plus, which the maker rates for cats from 3.3 to 33 lb and up to three cats.
Our verdict: it is a strong fit for multi-cat homes and large cats that refuse covered boxes, as long as you have floor space for a 22 by 20-inch unit and are comfortable with app setup over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Owner reviews are more mixed than for some rivals, mostly over sensor glitches. This is a research-based review drawn from Neakasa’s published specifications and Amazon owner ratings, not a home trial.
This guide is general product information, not veterinary advice. If your cat’s litter box habits change, such as straining, going outside the box, or producing much more or less urine than usual, contact your veterinarian.
Prime Neakasa M1 Plus Self-Cleaning Litter Box
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At a Glance
| Model | Neakasa M1 Plus (model PS0120) |
| Design | Open-top, rotating litter bed |
| Cat size (listed) | 3.3 to 33 lb, up to 3 cats; Kitten Mode in the app for kittens under 3.3 lb |
| Waste bin | 11.2 L |
| Litter capacity | 7.2 L |
| Dimensions | 22 x 20 x 26 inches (listed) |
| Weight | 22 pounds (listed) |
| App | Neakasa App, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, per-cat tracking |
What We Like
- Open top. Cats that avoid hooded boxes can see around them while they go, and Neakasa pitches the design at large breeds moving from a traditional box.
- Built for multi-cat homes. The maker lists support for up to three cats, and the app can tell cats apart and log each one’s visits.
- Odor seal without filters. A brush strip seals the gap between the litter bed and the waste bin, so Neakasa says no carbon filters or deodorizing packs are needed.
- Large waste bin. The 11.2 L bin and pull-and-wrap bags mean less frequent emptying; Neakasa says 7 to 14 days depending on use.
- Layered safety design. The gear limits how far the litter bed rotates, and a 6-array infrared system watches for your cat’s position.
What Could Be Better
- Mixed reliability reports. Some owners describe sensor glitches and a bin-full alert that appears early, and its Amazon owner rating sits below several boxes in our roundup.
- Big footprint. At a listed 22 by 20 by 26 inches, it will not fit a narrow bathroom gap the way a standard pan does.
- Open top means more scatter. A hood holds in kicked litter; this design relies on the included mat and its walls.
- Liner cleanup. Owner reviews mention that the liner is hard to clean thoroughly.
- Wi-Fi limits. The app works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only.
Cat Size, Kittens, and Safety
Neakasa rates the M1 Plus for cats from 3.3 to 33 lb, with a Kitten Mode in the app for kittens under 3.3 lb. One caution: the spec table on the same listing shows a 22-pound maximum weight capacity, which conflicts with the 33-pound figure. If your cat weighs more than 22 lb, confirm the limit with Neakasa before you buy.
For safety, Neakasa combines a mechanical stop on the litter bed’s rotation with infrared sensing of your cat’s movement, size, and position. Watch a new box for the first few days, especially with a kitten or a very small cat, and pause automatic cleaning if your cat seems nervous.
Odor, Waste Bin, and Running Costs
Odor control comes from sealing the waste bin rather than from a filter, so there are no carbon packs to replace. The box ships with two rolls of waste bags (30 bags in total, per the listing) and a litter mat. Your ongoing costs are litter and replacement bags, so check what bags Neakasa recommends before you buy.
Rotating self-cleaning boxes generally depend on litter that forms solid clumps. Check Neakasa’s litter guidance for the M1 Plus and switch gradually if your cat is used to a different texture.
Using the App to Track Each Cat
The Neakasa App lets you change modes remotely and log each cat’s visits separately, which helps in a home with two or three cats. A sudden jump or drop in one cat’s visits is worth watching. Straining, frequent trips with little urine, or blood in the urine are reasons to call your veterinarian the same day.
How It Compares
The PETKIT PuraMax 2 is an enclosed drum with a sealed waste bin and a low 7.87-inch entrance, and PETKIT lists individual weight tracking in its app. PETKIT says it is not for kittens under 6 months. Choose it if you want a hood to hold in scatter and odor.
The PetSafe ScoopFree skips clumping litter entirely and uses disposable crystal trays. It needs no app and sits much lower, but you buy its trays for the life of the box. Both are ranked alongside the Neakasa in our best self-cleaning litter boxes guide.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Skip the M1 Plus if your space is tight, if your home Wi-Fi is 5GHz only, or if you want the most consistent owner feedback in the category. If your cat kicks litter hard, a hooded box will keep more of it off the floor. For simpler options, browse our litter box coverage.
Why You Should Trust Us
We do not conduct our own product trials; our picks draw on published specifications, independent reviews, and Amazon owner ratings, which also set each product’s ICL Score. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, but that never affects our verdicts or scores. Read the full method in How We Review.
Final Verdict
The Neakasa M1 Plus is the open-top choice among self-cleaning boxes: roomy, rated for big cats and up to three cats, and sealed against odor without filters. The trade-offs are a large footprint, more litter scatter than a hooded drum, and owner reports of sensor glitches. If your cat refuses covered boxes, it is one of the few automatic options built around an open design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Neakasa litter box good for large cats?
Neakasa rates it for cats up to 33 lb and pitches the open top at large breeds. The listing’s spec table also shows a 22-pound maximum, so confirm the limit with Neakasa if your cat is heavier than that.
What is the difference between the Neakasa M1 and M1 Plus?
The M1 Plus is the version currently sold on Amazon, and this review covers it. Neakasa describes upgrades such as a composite sealing ring, but compare the current listings for exact differences before you buy an older M1.
Can kittens use the Neakasa M1?
Neakasa says kittens under 3.3 lb should use Kitten Mode in the app. Supervise young kittens with any automatic box.
Does the Neakasa M1 need carbon filters?
No. Neakasa says a brush strip seals the waste bin, so no activated carbon or deodorizing packs are needed.
How often do you empty the Neakasa M1 waste bin?
Neakasa says every 7 to 14 days, depending on use. With three cats, expect the shorter end of that range.
About the author
Dave Curtis covers litter boxes for IndoorCatLab, including self-cleaning models, standard boxes, enclosures, and accessories. Each guide compares manufacturer specifications, owner ratings, and published independent reviews to show which box suits which home.