Oneisall Ease S1 review: Finally, a smart litter box that doesn't cost an arm and a paw

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As ZDNET's Deals & Shopping Editor, I am particularly intentional about the products I buy for myself, as well as the ones I ultimately decide to write about. After my colleague reviewed the new Litter-Robot 5 Pro, litter pans were on my mind more than I care to admit, leading me to investigate a similar product.

The Oneisall Ease S1, fist announced at CES earlier this year, seemed to be exactly what I (and I think many other cat parents) are looking for: a smart litter box that can scoop, sift, and sort clean litter from waste for you.

Also: Whisker Litter-Robot 5 Pro review: This $900 litter box may be almost too high-tech for me

In theory, robot litter boxes sound great, but this market is so small, there are few options to compare. Also, they are usually pricey. Whisker's Litter-Robot 5 Pro retails for $899, and the older Litter-Robot 4 for $699. My cats are spoiled beyond belief, but those prices were out of the question -- even for me.

The Oneisall Ease S1, however, is on sale on Amazon for $229, a much more accessible price.

The inside "scoop"

Here's the thing. I love my pets, but I have no desire to track their individual bathroom habits or weights, which are some of the more advanced features offered by the Whisker Litter Robot 5 Pro and other models.

That's not to say these tools aren't helpful for some cat families or for disabled or ill kitties, but it's not a necessity for me, so there's no reason to consider a $600+ robot litter box when, at the end of the day, I just want a reliable box to scoop and sift so I don't have to. I think that's what the market had been missing -- a fairly priced, functional robot box that just scoops and sifts -- no extra bells and whistles or app setup required.

Also: This smart pet fountain is like a Brita for cats - here's why

The Oneisall Ease S1 sifts and sorts clean litter from waste, either on manual command or automatically, five minutes after a cat uses the box. And it really sifts. The hinged compartment swings all the way upside down to get everything out. The first time I saw the sifter in action, I felt like I was watching a rocket launch. It was a modern marvel, for me at least, and my cats were enthralled, too. It's quiet (less than 45 dB), quick, and, most importantly, clean.

Note the open-box design.

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

The most obvious pro of this design is the open-box setup. My cats are sometimes skittish around enclosed bins, and the potential for snuggness in the Whisker Litter-Robots always worried me. These more rounded designs can also trap waste during cleaning. Oneisall doesn't have that problem.

While I can't personally compare it to other auto-boxes, the tilt on the Oneisall is a beautiful design choice. Rather than the upper unit being enclosed and rotating to remove waste, the Ease S1's tilt moves waste toward the center, helping prevent residue from sticking. My littlest cat, an eight-month old named Louie, took no time to adjust, either. He was ready to jump-in before I even had litter added. My older cats took to it with more suspicion, but ultimately took the plunge.

Louie taking a cheeky look at the action.

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

A large gripe with other auto-boxes is the cleaning process. Even though these boxes can scoop for you, they still need regular cleaning and maintenance. And it can be tricky to clean such large, heavy boxes with electrical components. Oneisall's open design makes this process quite easy.

Also: Everything you need for a smart pet setup

The stainless steel sifter can be hosed off, and since the rest of the box is modular, every crevice and corner can be cleaned. Elevated touches like the silicone pan liner help make cleaning easier, too. Another bonus of the Oneisall S1 system is replacements of all the accessories can be purchased, including the litter sifters and silicone liner.  This is great news for consumers who want longevity out of their purchases.

Intentional pieces like a stainless-steel sifter and a silicone pan liner elevate the system.

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

It's also easy to setup, and the technical writers did a fantastic job with the instructions, which include large, step-by-step photos and a detailed product manual.

"Sifting" out the woes

The Oneisall box features 9 motion sensors and 3 radar sensors, and the cleaning cycle stops in 0.3 seconds when a cat approaches. This is great, but can be problematic for some multi-cat households as these sensors are very sensitive, and my cats corral the boxes together, for whatever reason. Sometimes, the liner bag itself triggers the full-waste-bin sensor, too.

Oneisall says you can go about 14 days without scooping before the waste bin needs to be changed, but this depends on how many cats you have and how many other litter boxes are available. I find the maintenance time window gets much smaller with multiple cats, but I typically deep-clean cat boxes once a week anyway -- a painless process with the Oneisall.

The Oneisall Ease S1 features a higher profile that may not suit some cats.

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

The robot box sits high off the ground and may not be ideal for senior or limited-mobility cats. You can buy a litter step for $50 or the Step-Up Litter Access bundle on sale for $260 at Oneisall. I will have to purchase a step for my senior cat. Replacement bags for the waste pan are also 40 bags for $20 at Oneisall.

Additionally, while this litter box is rated for cats older than six months or weighing more than 2.6 pounds, I find it to be a small pan size for my largest cat, who is almost 20 pounds. I'd love to see an XL version down the line that's a bit roomier for the chunkier felines. It's manageable for my other cats, who range from 10 to 13 pounds, but it's still a bit small, in my opinion.

Louie weighs about 10 pounds, and the pan itself isn't the roomiest.

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

The item itself is also about 35 pounds, and may require an extra set of hands, especially if you need to transport the delivery box to an apartment or up flights of stairs.

Pricing

The Oneisall Ease S1 is available now for $230 at Amazon or for $200 for a limited-time at Oneisall. This offer will run from March 31 to April 30, 2026. Other bundles, including the senior setup and the double-box pair, are available at Oneisall, as are accessories.

ZDNET's buying advice

After multiple weeks of use, I find the Oneisall Ease S1 so good, I'm going to buy a second (especially at the limited-time $199 price). The Ease S1 is for the no-fuss cat owner who wants reliable performance and consistent automated scooping, without elevated add-ons or a smart app setup.

It's thoughtfully designed for both cats and owners, and I remain impressed by its capabilities. It's exactly what I was looking for in a smart-box setup. Just be prepared for a line at the litter box if you're a multi-cat owner. This swanky setup really turns heads and gets a 4/4 paws rating from me (and my cats).