Petkit Pura Max 2 vs Neakasa M1 UK (2026): Which Should You Buy?

If you’re choosing between the Petkit Pura Max 2 and the Neakasa M1, you’re not really choosing between two similar products.

You’re choosing between two different philosophies.

Petkit is built for homes: quiet operation, stronger odour control, and less mess.

Neakasa is built for cats: especially the ones who won’t go near an enclosed robot.

We tested both in a small Manchester flat for 6-8 weeks with two cats (one anxious, one confident). They both eliminate scooping. The question is which trade-offs you can live with.

This comparison is for UK cat owners deciding between the Petkit Pura Max 2 and Neakasa M1 before buying. If you’re trying to choose which automatic litter box fits your home and your cat, this guide focuses on real-world differences that affect daily use.

Quick Navigation

• Side-by-Side Comparison Table
• Category Winners
• Key Differences
• Detailed Feature Breakdown
• Which Should You Buy?
• FAQ

Quick Verdict

✅ Buy Petkit Pura Max 2 if:

• You want the quietest automatic litter box available
• Odour control is your top priority (small flats, living spaces)
• You have 2-3 cats
• Your cats aren’t anxious about enclosed spaces
• You’re willing to pay £80-£230 extra for premium features
• Minimal litter tracking matters to you

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

✅ Buy Neakasa M1 if:

• Your cat refuses enclosed automatic litter boxes
• You’re on a budget (under £450)
• You have 1-2 cats (or very large cats like Maine Coons)
• Litter tracking doesn’t bother you
• You need the largest waste capacity (11.23L)
• Easy setup and cleaning matter more than premium features

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Category Winners: Where Each Model Excels

🔇 Quietest Operation: Petkit Pura Max 2

The Petkit Pura Max 2 is the quietest automatic litter box we’ve tested. It produces a gentle mechanical hum similar to a bathroom extractor fan — you can run it at night in a bedroom without disturbing light sleepers.

The Neakasa M1 is also quiet, but it’s noticeably more audible during cleaning cycles. If you live in a studio flat or share a bedroom with the litter box, the Petkit’s whisper-quiet operation is genuinely impressive.

👃 Odour Control: Petkit Pura Max 2 (decisively)

In real life, this is the biggest gap.

Petkit’s enclosed design and odour system make the “litter corner smell” largely disappear, even in a small flat.

Neakasa is still a big upgrade over manual scooping, but because it’s open-top, smell escapes sooner, especially after a few days with two cats.

Real-world impact: The Petkit kept our small flat smelling fresh even with two cats. The Neakasa was fine in a bathroom or utility room, but noticeably more smell in open-plan spaces.

We tested both models for smell across multiple rooms — see our odour control guide for the full breakdown.

🐱 Cat Acceptance: Neakasa M1 (for anxious cats)

Milo, our anxious British Shorthair who normally treats new litter boxes like they’re personally offensive, walked straight into the Neakasa M1 on day one. No hesitation. No suspicious sniffing for three days. Just immediate acceptance.

The 43cm (17″) wide opening eliminates the claustrophobia that stops anxious cats from using enclosed automatic boxes. For context, Milo needed 3 days to accept the Litter-Robot 4 and adapted within 24 hours to the Petkit Pura Max 2.

If your cat refuses enclosed boxes: The Neakasa M1 is the most reliable solution we’ve found — because it doesn’t ask your cat to tolerate an enclosed space in the first place.

💰 Best Value: Neakasa M1

At £359-£449, the Neakasa M1 is £80-£270 cheaper than the Petkit Pura Max 2. You’re getting automatic cleaning, large waste capacity (11.23L), and the “Pull and Wrap” waste system that’s genuinely clever.

The trade-offs? Weaker odour control, worse litter tracking, and a more basic app experience. But if you’re on a budget or simply don’t want to spend £600+ on a litter box, the Neakasa delivers solid value.

🧹 Litter Tracking: Petkit Pura Max 2 (by a mile)

The Petkit’s enclosed cylinder design contains litter effectively. We found litter scattered maybe 30-50cm around the unit even without the included mat.

The Neakasa M1’s open-top design means litter gets kicked out easily. Even with the included mat, we found litter 1-2 meters around the unit. The optional pedal step (£35 extra) helps significantly, but it’s sold separately and you’ll still be sweeping daily.

If you have carpeted floors near the litter box: The Petkit causes significantly less mess.

📱 App Experience: Petkit Pura Max 2

The Petkit app is polished, functional, and provides useful tracking (waste bin level, litter level, individual cat tracking, health insights). The WiFi setup can be frustrating initially (we needed three attempts), but once connected it’s stable.

The Neakasa app works fine for core functions, but it’s constantly pushing marketing notifications about sales, accessories, and promotions. You can disable some notifications, but it feels more like a shopping app than a pet care tool.

🗑️ Waste Capacity: Neakasa M1

The Neakasa M1’s 11.23L waste drawer is the largest of any automatic litter box we’ve tested — 60% larger than the Petkit’s 7L bin.

Real-world impact:

• With one cat: Neakasa lasts 10-14 days; Petkit lasts 7-10 days
• With two cats: Neakasa lasts 6-7 days; Petkit lasts 5-6 days

The difference isn’t massive, but if you travel frequently or hate emptying waste drawers, the Neakasa’s extra capacity matters.

⚙️ Easiest Setup: Neakasa M1

The Neakasa M1 is genuinely foolproof. 10 minutes, no tools, even our least technically-minded friend managed it. The detachable bowl design makes sense immediately.

The Petkit takes about 15-20 minutes to set up, and the WiFi pairing can be frustratingly temperamental (required router restart for us). Once it’s working it’s fine, but that first hour tested our patience.

🧼 Easiest Cleaning: Neakasa M1

Monthly deep cleaning takes about 10 minutes with the Neakasa (detachable bowl, simple wipe-down). The Petkit takes about 15 minutes due to more crevices where litter collects around the rotating drum.

Weekly waste emptying is faster with the Neakasa’s “Pull and Wrap” system — genuinely clever design that takes about 10 seconds vs fiddling with standard bin liners.

🏠 Best for Small UK Flats: Petkit Pura Max 2

The Petkit’s compact round design fits better in tight UK bathrooms, and the significantly quieter operation + superior odour control make it better for small, enclosed spaces where noise and smells matter more.

The Neakasa works fine in small flats if it’s placed in a bathroom or utility room, but the weaker odour control becomes more noticeable in studio flats or open-plan living spaces.

🐾 Best for Large Cats: Neakasa M1

The 43cm (17″) wide opening and spacious design make the Neakasa M1 perfect for Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest Cats, or any cat over 5kg. The open-top design means large cats never feel cramped.

The Petkit’s 76L capacity is also spacious, but the enclosed tunnel entrance can feel tighter for very large breeds.

What Are The Key Differences?

1. Design Philosophy: Enclosed vs Open-Top

This is the fundamental difference that drives everything else.

Petkit Pura Max 2: Enclosed cylinder design prioritises odour control, quiet operation, and minimal litter tracking. The sealed 360° base prevents leaks completely.

Neakasa M1: Open-top design prioritises cat acceptance and ease of use. The 43cm wide opening eliminates anxiety but lets smells escape and litter scatter.

The trade-off: Better for humans (Petkit) vs better for anxious cats (Neakasa).

2. Price Gap: £80-£270

The Neakasa M1 costs £359-£449. The Petkit Pura Max 2 ranges from £479-£679 depending on bundle.

Price comparison:

• Basic units: £80 difference (£399 vs £479)
• Mid-range bundles: £150-180 difference
• Premium bundles: £230 difference (£449 vs £679)

What the extra £80-£230 gets you with the Petkit:

• Significantly better odour control
• Quieter operation
• Minimal litter tracking vs high tracking
• Better app experience
• Works with more litter types (two sifter options)

What you give up by saving £80-£230 with the Neakasa:

• Anxious cats won’t use enclosed boxes (the Neakasa solves this)
• Largest waste capacity (11.23L vs 7L)
• Easier setup and cleaning
• “Pull and Wrap” waste system

3. Odour Control: Why the Gap Matters

Petkit Pura Max 2:

• Triple odour control system (sealed bin + N50 eliminator + optional spray)
• Enclosed design traps smells during cleaning
• Near-eliminates odour in small flats
• N50 eliminators last 2-3 months (£40/3-pack)

Neakasa M1:

• Sealed waste drawer only
• Open-top design lets smells escape
• Reduces odour noticeably, but not fully
• No filter replacement costs

Why it matters: In our small flat, the Petkit kept the bathroom odour-free even with two cats. The Neakasa became noticeably more smell after 3-4 days, though still better than manual scooping.

4. Litter Tracking: Design Drives the Difference

Petkit Pura Max 2:

• Enclosed design contains litter well
• Litter scatter: 30-50cm radius
• Included mat helps significantly

Neakasa M1:

• Open-top design = litter kicked out easily
• Litter scatter: 1-2 meters radius
• Included mat barely helps
• Optional pedal step (£35) helps significantly
• Daily sweeping necessary

Why it matters: Carpeted floors or white rugs near the litter box? The Petkit causes significantly less mess.

5. Waste Capacity: 7L vs 11.23L

The Neakasa’s 11.23L waste drawer is 60% larger than the Petkit’s 7L bin.

Emptying frequency (based on our testing):

Cats	Petkit Pura Max 2	Neakasa M1
1 cat	7-10 days	10-14 days
2 cats	5-6 days	6-7 days
3 cats	3-5 days	4-5 days

The difference isn’t massive, but the Neakasa’s extra capacity means slightly less frequent drawer emptying.

6. Noise: Whisper-Quiet vs Quiet

Petkit Pura Max 2: Whisper-quiet, barely audible
Neakasa M1: Quiet but noticeable

The difference is perceptible. The Petkit can run at night in a bedroom without disturbing anyone. The Neakasa is similar to a dishwasher on quiet mode — not loud, but you’ll hear it.

7. Cat Entrance: Enclosed Tunnel vs Wide Opening

Petkit Pura Max 2:

• Enclosed tunnel entrance
• 20cm height from floor (low, good for seniors)
• Most cats adapt within 24-48 hours
• Some anxious cats hesitate initially

Neakasa M1:

• 43cm (17″) wide open-top opening
• No enclosed tunnel to navigate
• Anxious cats accept immediately
• Large breeds have more space

Real-world testing: Milo (anxious British Shorthair) used the Neakasa immediately but needed 24 hours to accept the Petkit. Bella (confident tabby) used both within minutes.

Detailed Feature Breakdown

Design & Build Quality

Petkit Pura Max 2:

• Enclosed cylinder with 360° sealed ShieldBase
• 76L litter capacity
• 7L waste bin
• Compact round footprint (62cm W x 55.2cm H x 53.8cm D)
• Good quality materials (not premium-tier)
• 360° sealed base prevents leaks (major upgrade from v1)

Neakasa M1:

• Open-top rotating drum design
• 76L litter capacity (same as Petkit)
• 11.23L waste drawer (60% larger)
• Round footprint (58cm W x 56cm H x 55cm D)
• Good quality materials
• Detachable bowl makes cleaning simple

Winner: Tie on build quality; design philosophy is too different to compare directly. The Petkit’s sealed base is clever engineering; the Neakasa’s detachable bowl is practical.

Odour Control

Petkit Pura Max 2:

• Triple odour control system:
  • Sealed 7L waste bin with carbon filtration
  • N50 2.0 odour eliminator (replaceable cartridge)
  • Smart Spray (optional add-on, we disabled it)
• Near-eliminates odour in small flats
• Replacement N50: £40/3-pack (every 2-3 months)

Neakasa M1:

• Sealed waste drawer only
• No filter system
• Reduces odour noticeably, but not fully
• No recurring filter costs

Winner: Petkit Pura Max 2 (decisively) — the triple system delivers significantly better odour reduction. Critical in small flats or living spaces.

Noise Level

Petkit Pura Max 2:

• Extremely quiet
• Gentle mechanical hum
• Similar to bathroom extractor fan
• Can run at night without disturbing sleep
• Quietest automatic litter box we’ve tested

Neakasa M1:

• Quiet operation
• Slightly louder than Petkit but still quiet
• Similar to dishwasher on quiet mode
• Fine for daytime, acceptable at night
• Noticeably quieter than Litter-Robot 4

Winner: Petkit Pura Max 2 — if whisper-quiet operation is your priority, the Petkit is unmatched.

App & Smart Features

Petkit Pura Max 2 (Petkit App):

• Good functionality, clean interface
• Waste bin and litter level alerts
• Individual cat tracking by weight
• Cleaning schedule customisation
• Usage logs and health insights
• WiFi setup can be frustrating (required 3 attempts for us)
• Occasional connection drops (requires reopening app)
• Some marketing notifications (can be disabled)

Neakasa M1 (Neakasa App):

• Basic tracking and alerts work fine
• Individual cat tracking
• Remote cleaning triggers
• Usage frequency logs
• Very pushy with marketing notifications (sales, accessories, promotions)
• Feels more like a shopping app than pet care tool
• Core functions work without issues

Winner: Petkit Pura Max 2 — better overall experience despite WiFi setup issues. The Neakasa app is functional but annoying.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Petkit Pura Max 2:

• Weekly: Empty 7L waste bin (5 min)
• Monthly: Deep clean drum (15 min due to crevices)
• Every 2-3 months: Replace N50 eliminator (£40/3-pack)
• More crevices where litter collects

Neakasa M1:

• Weekly: Empty 11.23L waste drawer using “Pull and Wrap” system (10 seconds)
• Monthly: Deep clean detachable bowl (10 min)
• No filter replacements (no recurring costs)
• Simpler disassembly

Winner: Neakasa M1 — easier cleaning and no filter costs. The “Pull and Wrap” system is genuinely brilliant.

Litter Compatibility

Petkit Pura Max 2:

• Works with most clumping litters
• Two interchangeable sifter meshes:
  • Fine mesh (grey) — bentonite, mineral, clay
  • Large mesh (green) — tofu, wood pellet, mixed
• Flexible litter choices

Neakasa M1:

• Works with most clumping litters
• Single sifter mesh
• Fast-clumping litters work best
• No mesh options

Winner: Petkit Pura Max 2 — the two sifter options give you more flexibility. See our guide: Best Cat Litter for Automatic Litter Boxes UK

Cost of Ownership (3 Years)

Petkit Pura Max 2:

• Unit: £479-£679 (let’s use £579 mid-range)
• Waste bags: ~£180 (3 years)
• N50 eliminators: ~£240 (3 years)
• Total 3 years: £999
• Annual average: £333/year

Neakasa M1:

• Unit: £399-£449 (let’s use £424 mid-range)
• Waste bags: ~£165 (3 years, using official bags)
• No filter costs
• Optional pedal step: £35 (one-time)
• Total 3 years: £624
• Annual average: £208/year

Winner: Neakasa M1 — saves £375 over 3 years (£125/year average). The lack of filter costs adds up significantly.

Which Automatic Litter Box Should You Buy?

✅ Buy Petkit Pura Max 2 if:

• Quiet operation is your top priority (studio flats, bedrooms, thin walls)
• Odour control matters more than anything (small flats, living spaces)
• You have 2-3 cats and don’t mind emptying weekly
• Your cats aren’t anxious about enclosed spaces
• Minimal litter tracking is important (carpeted floors, white rugs)
• You want flexibility with litter types (two sifter meshes)
• You’re willing to pay £80-£230 extra for premium features
• You can handle WiFi setup frustration initially

Bottom line: The Petkit Pura Max 2 is the smart buy for most UK cat owners who live in small flats where noise and odour matter. It’s the quietest automatic litter box available, with excellent odour control and minimal mess. The extra £80-£230 buys genuine quality-of-life improvements.

Check today’s price on Amazon UK →

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

✅ Buy Neakasa M1 if:

• Your cat refuses enclosed automatic litter boxes (this is the most reliable option we’ve found for cats who refuse enclosed boxes)
• You’re on a budget under £450
• You have 1-2 cats (or very large cats like Maine Coons)
• Litter tracking doesn’t bother you (or you’ll buy the £35 pedal step)
• You want the largest waste capacity (10-14 days for single cat)
• Easy setup and cleaning matter more than premium features
• Your litter box is in a bathroom or utility room (where weaker odour control is acceptable)
• You want to avoid recurring filter costs

Bottom line: If your cat refuses enclosed automatic litter boxes, the Neakasa M1 is the most reliable solution we’ve found — because it doesn’t ask your cat to tolerate an enclosed space in the first place. Yes, you’ll be sweeping litter more often. Yes, the odour control could be better. But none of that matters if your cat actually uses it.

Check today’s price on Amazon UK →

🤔 Still Unsure?

If your main concern is cat anxiety: Choose Neakasa M1. The open-top design eliminates the problem completely.

If your main concern is noise in a small flat: Choose Petkit Pura Max 2. It’s noticeably quieter.

If your main concern is odour control: Choose Petkit Pura Max 2. The difference is perceptible in small spaces.

If your main concern is budget: Choose Neakasa M1. Saves £80-£230 upfront plus £80/year in filter costs.

If your main concern is litter tracking: Choose Petkit Pura Max 2. The enclosed design contains litter significantly better.

If you want guaranteed cat acceptance: Choose Neakasa M1. The wide opening means even anxious cats adapt immediately.

⚠️ Important: Both models have minimum weight requirements. The Petkit requires cats 1.5kg+ (roughly 4-5 months old), while the Neakasa works with cats 1kg+ (around 3 months). If you have kittens, keep a manual box available until they reach the minimum weight for sensor detection.

Problems We Encountered (Real Testing Issues)

Petkit Pura Max 2 Issues

WiFi setup was genuinely frustrating: Initial pairing took three attempts and required restarting our router. The app wouldn’t detect the unit despite following instructions perfectly. Once connected, it’s been stable — but that first hour tested our patience.

App occasionally loses connection: About once every 10 days, the app shows “offline” despite the unit working normally. Closing and reopening the app usually fixes it. The unit continues cleaning automatically regardless.

Smart spray too strong: We disabled the automatic spray feature after week two. The scent was more “cheap air freshener” than “fresh linen” and filled the entire flat. The sealed bin and N50 eliminator handle odour perfectly well without it.

Monthly deep cleaning more involved: The rotating drum has more crevices where litter gets stuck compared to simpler designs. Takes about 15 minutes vs 10 minutes for the Neakasa.

Neakasa M1 Issues

Litter tracking is a real issue: The open-top design means litter gets kicked out easily. Even with the included mat, we found litter scattered 1-2 meters around the unit. The optional pedal step helps significantly, but it’s sold separately (£30-40).

Odour control average at best: Without an enclosed lid, smells escape more readily. It’s still better than a manual box, but if you live in a studio flat or have the litter box in a living area, you’ll notice odours more than with the Petkit.

App marketing is annoying: The Neakasa app constantly pushes notifications about sales, new products, accessories, and “limited-time offers.” You can disable some notifications, but it feels more like a shopping app than a pet care tool.

Waste bin “full” alert blocks usage: When the bin reaches ~90% capacity, the M1 stops cleaning entirely until you empty it. We experienced this once when away for the weekend — the unit became completely non-functional rather than just alerting us.

Real UK Buyer Experiences

What UK Owners Commonly Say About the Petkit Pura Max 2

Across UK owner discussions, the same feedback comes up again and again.

People living in flats often say odour control improves more than they expected — the litter area simply stops smelling like a litter area. Many describe the switch from manual scooping to automatic cleaning as one of those upgrades that quietly removes daily friction from life.

The most frequent complaint isn’t about cleaning performance, but about Wi-Fi setup. Several owners mention that pairing the app can test your patience at first. Once connected, though, the system tends to run reliably in the background.

The built-in deodorising spray is another mixed point. Some like it, but a sizeable group prefer to turn it off because the scent feels artificial. Fortunately, most report that the sealed waste drawer handles odour well enough on its own.

What UK Owners Commonly Say About the Neakasa M1

Across UK owner discussions and user reports, feedback about the Neakasa M1 tends to cluster around a few consistent themes.

Setup is widely described as straightforward and beginner-friendly. Many owners mention having the unit running within minutes, with cats often starting to use it the same day. The cleaning cycle is generally considered quiet enough that it doesn’t disturb pets.

The open-top design is a major selling point for multi-cat homes. Owners frequently say at least one hesitant cat accepts the Neakasa immediately, especially cats that dislike enclosed litter boxes. Several people highlight that their cats appear more relaxed with the open layout.

Ease of cleaning gets a lot of praise. The detachable bowl design is repeatedly mentioned as a practical advantage. Users like that it can be removed and rinsed quickly, making deep cleaning feel simple rather than tedious. The round footprint is also appreciated for fitting neatly into corners.

Most cats tolerate the cleaning sounds without stress. Owners commonly report that their cats ignore the cleaning cycle after a short adjustment period. Even younger cats above the minimum weight tend to adapt without hesitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

After 6-8 weeks testing both models in a Manchester flat with two cats, here’s the honest truth: these are fundamentally different products serving completely different needs.

The Petkit Pura Max 2 is the better all-around litter box. It’s quieter, smells better, tracks less litter, and offers a more polished experience. The enclosed design makes it better for small UK flats where noise and odour matter. If your cats aren’t anxious about enclosed spaces, the extra £80-£230 buys genuine quality-of-life improvements.

The Neakasa M1 solves one specific problem: anxious cats that refuse enclosed automatic boxes. If that’s your situation, this is the most reliable solution we’ve found — because it doesn’t ask your cat to tolerate an enclosed space in the first place. The open-top design means immediate cat acceptance, and the £80-£230 savings + no filter costs make it excellent value if you can live with the trade-offs (weaker odour control, more litter tracking).

Our household experience:

Milo (anxious British Shorthair) used the Neakasa M1 immediately on day one but needed 24 hours to accept the Petkit. Once adapted, he uses both happily, but his initial hesitation with the Petkit’s enclosed tunnel was noticeable.

Bella (confident tabby) used both within minutes and has no preference.

If we had to choose for our household: We’d pick the Petkit Pura Max 2. The quieter operation matters in our small flat, and the superior odour control justifies the £80-£230 premium now that both cats have adapted. But if Milo had refused the Petkit entirely, the Neakasa M1 would’ve been the only option that worked.

Compare All Options

Want to see how these compare to other models?

For a full ranking of all tested models, see our guide to the best automatic litter boxes in the UK.

Ready to Stop Scooping?

Choose based on your priorities:

• Quiet + odour control in small flats → Petkit Pura Max 2
• Anxious cats + budget under £450 → Neakasa M1
• Premium quality + 2-year warranty → Litter-Robot 4

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This comparison contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products that offer real value to cat owners.

Our rankings are not influenced by commission rates. We recommend the best product for each use case based on 6-8 weeks of real-world testing with our own cats. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure.