I have to say I am really super pleasantly surprised with how good it is. I was worried the top being open would still leave a smell, but it's kept the smell really well, most likely due to the liner.
My cats took some time to get used to it, in fact one of them was just howling outside it for the first day, most likely she missed her old one - but now it's been no problem and cleaning it has even been a breeze! I really used to hate cleaning the litter box because of un-attaching the roof, putting that somewhere, getting sand everywhere - but cleaning this box really feels super smooth.
There is one design flaw that I think is quite important and yet easy to fix for the future - the hooks that attach the liner to the box. I've noticed I'm not the only one who's had a problem with these hooks. For such an expensive and well-thought out design, you would think the hooks would actually *click* into place. The reason for this is, my cats like to scratch the side of the litter box after doing their business - a common habit from cats. When they do this, the hook slides off very easily, and either falls in the sand or in between the liner and the box. It is then not easy to slide it back into place, as you have to crane your neck into a specific angle to see where the slot is. In fact, just reading above, I can read here: "The XL liners hang on hooks at each corner to ensure they stay put. Kitties can scratch all they want, these liners won't come down." Well, simply not true. They slide off quite easily.
My issue now is that while I was away, my cat sitter wasn't aware of how sensitive the hooks are and one of them is now missing, most likely scooped up with the poop and put into the bin bags, so I have one corner of the liner always folding in. This is a real pain, and I'm not sure why there wasn't just a *click* mechanism with these hooks, as now I have to make sure it is not folded in or else my cats struggle to use the box.
Unfortunately it seems my only option is to now order a set of extra hooks for €7, and even pay shipping. This is really not ideal considering the massive price already of the litter box. Also when giving this feedback by email, I was surprised that the issue was not really 'acknowledged' - I simply got some tips, such as "ensure the liner hooks are slid/pushed all the way into the allotted slots before installing the liners" or " switching the hooks around to see if they fit tight".
And after mentioning that I didn't order directly from Modkat but through a third-party supplier in my country, the next reply was "I hope it'll work out:)"
To be honest, a bit disappointed with that customer service for such an expensive designer litter box. Yes, I will just push the hooks harder into the plastic, and hope it'll work out ...
In the meantime, I hope the next production batch releases hooks that click into place. Besides that design flaw - super excellent litter box.