Neakasa now has a real three-model buying story. M1 Plus is the established open-top choice, M1 Lite Plus delivers essentially the same core cleaning and safety system with a leaner accessory bundle, and the upcoming M9 is the new-generation flagship designed around more space, a lower entry, structural safety and stronger odor control.
Our current recommendation is M1 Plus for most buyers who want a complete package today. M1 Lite Plus is the better value when accessories and color do not matter. M9 is the model to wait for if you want Neakasa's newest platform and are comfortable delaying your purchase until its October 9 launch.
SmartRobotReviews may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability can change. M9 specifications are based on Neakasa's pre-launch information and should be rechecked after retail launch.
M1 Plus is the safest buy today; M9 is the model to watch
M1 Plus remains the easiest Neakasa recommendation if you need an automatic litter box now. Its open-top design is already a strong fit for large, cautious or enclosure-shy cats, and the Plus bundle includes the litter mat and more waste bags.
M1 Lite Plus uses the same upgraded core technology but trims the bundle and switches to white. That makes it the smarter value purchase when you do not care about the extras.
M9 is more than a cosmetic refresh. Neakasa has announced a 96L Open-View Cabin, 10.2-inch entry, TILT-SAFE Rotation, PureTower odor control and easier-to-remove cleaning parts. But it is still pre-launch, so we would not replace a working M1 just for the promise of newer hardware.
Quick Picks: Which Neakasa Should You Buy?
Neakasa M9 vs M1 Plus vs M1 Lite Plus: Detailed Comparison
| Feature | M9 | M1 Plus | M1 Lite Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Upcoming; official launch announced for Oct. 9, 2026 | Available now | Available now |
| Position | New-generation flagship | Established premium bundle | Value bundle |
| Design | Open-view, open-top concept | Open-top | Open-top |
| Cat space | 96L Open-View Cabin | Spacious open-top bed | Same core size as M1 Plus |
| Entry | 10.2-inch low entry | 13.86-inch entry | 13.86-inch entry |
| Safety approach | TILT-SAFE structural rotation + smart system | Upgraded sensor system and controlled rotation | Same core safety technology as M1 Plus |
| Odor control | PureTower with activated carbon + desiccant | OdorSeal / sealed-bin approach | Same core odor-sealing approach |
| App | Remote control, activity tracking, status notifications | Monitoring and activity tracking | Monitoring and activity tracking |
| Color / bundle | Final retail bundle to confirm at launch | Grey; mat + 30 bags | White; 15 bags, no mat |
| Best for | Buyers waiting for the newest Neakasa platform | Most buyers shopping now | Value-focused buyers |
Neakasa M9: The New Generation
M9 is the first Neakasa model that gives us a real reason to separate “current value” from “new-generation flagship.” Neakasa unveiled it at IFA 2026 and says it will officially launch across channels on October 9, 2026.
Why M9 matters
- 96L Open-View Cabin: more usable room and visibility for the cat.
- 10.2-inch entry: meaningfully lower than the M1 family's 13.86-inch entry.
- TILT-SAFE Rotation: keeps the chamber open during the cleaning cycle and reduces pinch/trap areas through the physical design.
- PureTower odor control: uses activated carbon plus a desiccant layer.
- Detachable components: designed to make deep cleaning easier.
- Litter-shield ring: intended to reduce tracking.
- App management: remote controls, cat activity and product notifications.
Why we are not naming it the winner yet
M9 looks like the better platform on paper, especially for lower entry and odor control. But a pre-launch model does not automatically beat an available product.
We still need final US price, retail bundle details, Amazon availability and real ownership feedback before replacing M1 Plus as the default Neakasa recommendation.
Neakasa M1 Plus
The easiest Neakasa recommendation if you need an open-top automatic litter box now.
đź›’ Check AmazonWhy buy it
M1 Plus already solves Neakasa's core problem well: it gives cats an open, visible litter area instead of asking them to enter an enclosed globe. That is why it remains especially compelling for large, cautious and enclosure-averse cats.
Safety and daily use
The upgraded M1 Plus platform uses six sets of infrared sensors, weight sensing, controlled rotation and improved sealing. The design is still open enough that owners can visually inspect the litter area easily.
What you get over Lite Plus
You are primarily paying for the charcoal-grey finish and the fuller accessory package: a litter mat and two rolls of waste bags (30 bags total).
- Open-top cat acceptance
- Strong choice for larger cats
- Complete accessory bundle
- Available now
- Established M1 ownership base
- Higher price than Lite Plus
- Same core cleaning tech as Lite Plus
- Higher entry than upcoming M9
- Open-top design contains odor less aggressively than enclosed rivals
Neakasa M1 Lite Plus
The smarter value pick when you want the M1 platform without paying for the fuller bundle.
đź›’ Check AmazonWhy it exists
M1 Lite Plus is not a stripped-down cleaning machine. Neakasa says it shares the same upgraded core motor, sensors, sealing and logic with M1 Plus.
Where it saves money
The Lite Plus is white and includes one roll of 15 waste bags instead of two rolls. The litter mat is not included.
Why it may be the better purchase
If you already have a litter-catching mat or do not care about the grey finish, paying extra for M1 Plus does not buy a different cleaning engine.
- Same core M1 Plus technology
- Usually the lower-cost option
- Open-top access
- Good large-cat fit
- Available now
- No litter mat included
- Half the included waste bags
- White finish shows dirt differently
- No M9 lower-entry redesign
Who Should Buy Which Neakasa?
Buy it if you need one now
Best for buyers who want the established Neakasa experience, the full accessory bundle and less launch uncertainty.
Buy it for value
Best when you care about the M1 hardware more than included accessories or color.
Wait if access and odor matter most
The stronger choice on paper for senior cats, easier entry and buyers who want Neakasa's next-generation odor-control system.
What Matters More Than the Model Name
Open-top access is Neakasa's real advantage
Neakasa makes the most sense when your cat dislikes enclosed spaces. If your cat already uses a covered box happily and your biggest problem is odor containment, an enclosed automatic litter box may still fit your home better. See our open-top vs enclosed automatic litter box guide.
Large-cat comfort should drive the decision
M1 Plus is already one of our favorite automatic litter boxes for large cats because the cat does not have to enter a globe. M9 may improve that use case further with its 96L open-view cabin and lower entry, but we want final retail testing before moving it above M1 Plus. See our best automatic litter boxes for large cats.
Do not overpay for M1 Plus if you do not need the extras
The core M1 Plus and M1 Lite Plus technology is the same according to Neakasa. If the price gap is large, compare the value of the mat, additional waste bags and color preference before paying more.
Think about acceptance and waste capacity
Open access can help when several cats have different preferences, but no automatic litter box is maintenance-free in a busy multi-cat home. Check the drawer frequently during the first few weeks and keep a backup box during the transition. Our multi-cat litter box guide covers the broader alternatives.
M9 is a reason to wait, not a reason to panic-upgrade
If your M1 already works well, there is no strong reason to replace it before M9 has launched and proven itself. The clearest M9 upgrade cases are lower entry, structural safety, odor control and easier deep cleaning—not simply owning the newest model.
Neakasa vs Litter-Robot: Which Direction Makes More Sense?
Your cat dislikes enclosed boxes, you have a larger or cautious cat, or you value an open and highly visible litter area.
Your cat already accepts enclosed boxes and stronger odor containment, a mature accessory ecosystem and established premium support matter more.
For most cats that already accept enclosed boxes, Litter-Robot 5 remains the stronger all-round premium choice. For large, cautious or enclosure-averse cats, Neakasa M1 Plus is often the better fit.
Should You Wait for Neakasa M9?
| Your situation | What we would do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You need an automatic litter box now | Buy M1 Plus | Available now, complete bundle, known open-top design |
| You want the lowest current Neakasa cost | Buy M1 Lite Plus | Same core M1 technology with fewer accessories |
| You have a senior cat or need easier entry | Wait for M9 | 10.2-inch entry is the clearest hardware upgrade |
| Odor is your biggest complaint with open-top boxes | Wait for M9 reviews | PureTower is promising, but real-world performance still needs validation |
| You already own M1 and it works well | Keep it | Upgrade only if M9 solves a real problem in your home |