PETKIT Pura Max 2 review: Is it still a good buy?

The PETKIT Pura Max 2 makes the most sense as a lower-cost way to stop scooping. Its appeal is simple: a covered drum, a waste bin, and app controls without a camera built into the box.

It is also a purchase worth slowing down for. Similar product names can hide different models. Owner reports raise real questions about leaks. And a self-cleaning litter box still leaves you with parts to wash.

At about $400, this older model can be a fair buy for the right cat. We would pass if your cat sprays against the sides, dislikes covered boxes, or needs a very low step. We would also pass on a seller with unclear returns.

PETKIT Pura Max 2 review: the key facts

Detail	What to know
Model	Pura Max 2, model P9902 in the manual.
US price checked	$399.99 at Chewy on September 28, 2026.
Outer size	24.41 by 21.18 by 21.73 inches, per the manual.
Entry height	7.87 inches.
Wi-Fi	2.4 GHz.
Camera	No built-in camera.
Waste bag	You remove and tie it yourself.

The Pura Max 2 listing at Chewy showed the box in stock at that price. Stock and offers can change. Check the model name and seller's terms on the day you buy.

First, make sure it is the right model

PETKIT uses several names that look close at a glance. Do not buy from a title alone. Check the photos, model number, box contents, and product description together.

A link in an old review may now lead to a newer box. That does not mean the new box has the same parts or features. The Pura Max 2 reviewed here is the model without a built-in camera.

If a listing mixes names or shows more than one design, ask the seller to confirm the exact item before paying. Save the listing and receipt. It is much easier to settle a mismatch when you have a clear record of what was offered.

For an older automatic litter box, a small price cut is not enough on its own. The deal needs to make sense after you check returns, spare parts, and what comes in the box.

Who is the PETKIT PuraMax 2 best for?

We see it as a choice for one or two adult cats that already use a covered litter box. You want less daily scooping, can make room for a large drum, and do not mind taking parts out for deep cleaning.

It is less suited to a cat that stands high to pee or backs tight against the wall. That does not mean every such cat will cause a leak. It means the reports below matter more for your home.

It is also a poor match if you want to avoid all contact with used litter. The box gathers waste for you. It does not carry the bag outside, wipe the liner, or wash the drum.

For a home with multiple cats, plan around the shyest one. A bold cat may use a new box at once. A timid cat may avoid it, or avoid the route to it when another cat is nearby.

Cat fit matters more than the outside size

PETKIT's model guide gives a cat weight range of 3.3 to 22 pounds. It also lists a 7.87-inch entry. Neither figure tells you whether your cat will feel at ease inside.

Watch your cat in its regular litter box. Does it need a wide turn? Does it stand with its head high? Does it step over a rim with ease? A cat's shape and habits can rule out a box even when its weight fits the label.

The manual sets a minimum age above six months and advises against use below 3.3 pounds. Kitten Mode does not remove those limits.

If an older cat has trouble stepping up, do not judge the entry from a photo. Measure the rise and compare it with the box your cat uses now. A lower tray may be a better choice than a more complex setup.

Leave space around the unit for care, too. You need to pull the waste bin out and lift the drum. A box that fits between two cabinets may still be awkward to clean.

How this automatic litter box handles cat litter

The drum turns to separate clumps from loose litter, then puts the waste into a bin. The clean litter returns to the bed. That removes the usual scoop-and-sift step from each day.

The result depends on the litter forming firm clumps. If clumps break apart, small bits can stay in the bed. If they stick, the drum may need a wipe. The word automatic does not make the litter choice unimportant.

Match the sifter to your clumping litter, follow the manual's grain-size limits, and stay below the fill line.

After a change of litter, watch a few normal cycles from a safe distance. Look at the litter bed and waste after the cycle has ended. That tells you more than a clean-looking picture in the app.

Odor control starts with the waste bag

PETKIT promotes a sealed waste bin and layered odor control. Containing the waste can help, but no litter box stays fresh just because its drawer has a lid.

Change the waste bag when needed. Do not wait for a fixed number of days if you notice odor or see that the bin is filling fast. Two cats can make a one-cat storage claim far less useful.

The brand's guide lists up to 15 days for one cat under its test conditions. We would treat that as a capacity claim, not a care schedule. A bag can deserve changing before it is full.

Odor can also come from outside the bin. Check the liner edges and the area under the drum if the room still smells after a bag change. Spraying scent into the box will not remove waste trapped elsewhere.

We would start with the simplest setup your cat accepts. Do not buy a larger bundle just to collect add-ons. If a kit includes scent products, check what they are and whether you want them before you pay.

The leak reports deserve attention

In a Pura Max 2 owner's report, the cat was filmed peeing toward the liner seams. The owner found urine beneath the drum. Other buyers report good results, so this is not proof that every box leaks.

It is a reason to be careful with broad leak-proof claims. A cat does not follow a lab script. Where it stands and where the urine lands can matter.

During the return period, check under the drum as well as inside it. A dry floor does not prove the base is dry. Notice any smell that returns soon after cleaning, and trace the source before adding more scent.

If you find liquid near the base or electrical parts, stop using the unit and contact support. Do not keep running a cycle to see if it clears. Do not alter seals or disable sensors based on a forum tip.

For a brand-new litter box, we would seek a proper fix or a return rather than start a home repair project. The saving is not much of a saving if you end up cleaning hidden waste every day.

Deep cleaning the PETKIT PuraMax 2

The Pura Max 2 comes apart for cleaning. Its liner is removable, which is useful, but careful reassembly is part of the job.

The current Pura Max 2 manual says to turn it off before cleaning. Keep water off the base. Treat the coated pad gently and dry parts before refitting them.

Before you buy, picture where you would do that work. Do you have room to set the drum down? A place to let parts dry? An easy way to carry waste without spilling it?

Those small details shape whether an automatic litter box feels easier to own. A large drum in a tiny sink can turn a rare chore into a long one.

Keep a regular litter box ready while the parts dry. Your cat needs somewhere to go even when the smart litter box is in pieces.

Set aside enough time to put it back together without rushing. The easiest part to skip at the end of a chore is the final check.

What is the magnetic cat litter remover?

The magnetic cat litter remover helps empty the drum through the sifter. Use it as directed, then take it out before normal use.

It is useful, but easy to overlook among the parts in a new box. Keep it in a known place with the manual. Losing a small tool should not turn a routine clean into a search through drawers.

PETKIT PuraMax 2 app controls and cat weight

The PETKIT app lets you check box status and use cleaning controls. Pura Max 2 needs 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Check that your home network can support that before you choose a spot far from the router.

The lack of a camera may be a plus if you want fewer connected features. It also means you cannot use this model to watch a visit inside the drum.

Do not treat a visit count or cat weight reading as a health verdict. It is one piece of context. If your cat acts unwell, contact your vet rather than wait for an app alert.

In multi-cat households, do not assume each entry belongs to the right cat. Similar weights can make any weight-based guess less useful. Check what the current app actually shows for your pets.

Remote control is most useful when you understand what will happen at the box. Learn each setting while you are home. Avoid changing safety-related settings just to reduce alerts or pauses.

What will it cost after the purchase?

Budget for clumping litter, waste bags, and parts that wear out. A low upfront price does not make those costs vanish.

Look up the exact replacement liner and sifter before buying an older model. Check stock, delivery cost, and model fit. A spare part with a similar name may still be the wrong one.

Waste bags should fit without getting caught in the lid or drawer. Do not judge a bag only by its total volume. Its shape and the way it sits in the bin matter, too.

If you already own the Pura Max 2 and it works well, there is little reason to replace it just for a newer name. Keep up with care and address a worn part before it turns into a larger problem.

Is it better value than Litter-Robot?

A lower price is a strong reason to consider PETKIT, but it is not the whole choice. Cat fit, cleaning access, and the return terms can matter more than a discount.

Our Litter-Robot 4 vs 5 guide compares two other approaches to the same chore. Use it to compare what you would gain for the extra cost, rather than assume the higher-priced box must be right for your cat.

If your current tray works and scooping is a minor task, you may not need a smart litter box at all. The strongest case for one is a chore you want to change, not a feature list you want to own.

Moving from a regular litter box

A new automatic litter box changes several things at once: the entry, the feel of the floor, the sound, and the smell. Let your cat get used to the shape before expecting it to use the box each day.

Keep the old litter box clean and available during the change. Do not make it dirty to force your cat into the new one. A cat needs a good place to go while it makes up its mind.

Use a familiar, suitable cat litter at first if the manual allows it. Changing the box and the litter on the same day makes it harder to tell what your cat dislikes. Wait before changing another part of the routine.

Keep the room calm. Do not crowd the entrance or place food beside the waste drawer. Give your cat room to approach, sniff, and leave. A first look that ends in retreat is not a failed purchase.

If your cat will not use the automatic litter box, use the return window. You do not need to win an argument with a cat. The best litter box is one it can use with ease.

What to check in the first week

Start with a simple record of how the litter box works in your home. Note when you add litter, empty the waste drawer, and need to wipe a stuck clump. You will soon see whether the new routine saves work.

For multiple cats, watch each cat use the box if you can. One cat may love it while the other keeps using the old tray. Total visits alone will not tell you whether both pets have settled in.

Check odor control in the room, not just at the open waste bin. A brief smell during a bag change is different from a smell that hangs around all day. Track the source rather than judge the whole box from one moment.

Look at cat litter on the floor as well. A litter mat can catch some grains, but it cannot fix a poor entry fit or a cat that digs litter out of the opening. Allow enough room for your cat to step out without landing on a sharp corner.

Finally, check how you feel about deep cleaning. Some cat owners would rather scoop a plain tray each day than take a machine apart. Others gladly trade a larger task now and then for less daily work. Either choice is fair.

Our buying advice

Consider the PETKIT Pura Max 2 at a good price if your adult cat likes a covered box and you can handle regular deep cleaning. Check the exact model, parts, and returns before buying. Then use the return window to watch how your own cat uses it.

Skip it if your cat aims at seams, needs a lower entry, or avoids enclosed spaces. A bargain is not a bargain if it creates a new litter-box problem.

For cats that need time with any new gear, keep the change slow. Our guide to cat harnesses uses the same rule for first walks: start with comfort, then add the next step.

Common questions

Can I use crystal litter?

Do not assume that any cat litter will work. This model sifts clumps. Check the manual's litter rules and particle sizes, then choose a suitable clumping type.

Can I leave it for a long trip?

We would not use an automatic litter box as a reason to leave cats without daily care. A bin can fill, power can fail, or a cat can stop using the box. Have someone check the pets and their setup.

Does it seal the waste bag for me?

No. You take out and close the bag. The sealed bin and the bag are different parts of waste handling.

Is Pura Max 2 still worth buying?

Yes, for a cat that suits it and a buyer who gets a fair price with clear return rights. We would choose it for less scooping, not for a promise of no work.