"After a year of another brands automatic cleaner, it's motor died. I believe it was from the strain of pushing all that heavy hard clumping litter. I researched and found this new system that uses the crystals instead. I am in heaven! No more noisy motor (which my cat had to go check out every time), no more tracked litter everywhere, but especially no more smell!!! The crystals absorb the urine and dries it up! Nothing wet for bacteria to grow on and smell. I just stir up the crystals once a week and it has lasted one and a half months. The same with the feces. The rake pushes it into the containment area and the crystals dry it up. No wetness, no smell. I LOVE IT!"