The 15 Best Cat Litter Boxes of 2026 [Stop tracking now!]
Updated August 2026: I rechecked every pick in this guide and swapped out anything that had gone out of stock, replacing it with a well-reviewed, currently available option in the same style. The original intro above still applies — picking the right litter box is still mostly about matching the box to your cat’s specific quirks, not just grabbing whatever’s cheapest.
Having litter tracking troubles at home, or perhaps a cat that simply won’t use the cat litter box you’ve purchased? This can be an incredibly frustrating experience, especially given it is likely just as frustrating for your cat!
Selecting the right litter box can be a difficult process, especially given the number of litter boxes on the market and the lack of clarity on what works and what doesn’t. Check out the quick guide to find tips on how to choose a litter box.
If you’d rather get right into it just check out the key highlights and choose from the best litter boxes of 2018.
Best Covered
Catit Airsift Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan
The Catit Airsift Jumbo has been the covered pick on this list for a long time, and it earns that spot the honest way. It is genuinely roomy without turning into a chore to clean.
The paw-safe front door swings open wide enough that even a bigger cat isn’t squeezing through. And because scooping happens right through that door, you never have to wrestle the whole hood off to clean.
The hood itself lifts for a deeper clean when you need one. And there’s a built-in bag anchor that holds your trash bag open while you scoop. This is one of those small design touches you don’t appreciate until you’ve used a box without it.
Add in the carbon-impregnated filter on top and this is a box that handles both the mess and the smell without asking much of you.
- The wide paw-safe front door lets your cat come and go without kicking litter everywhere. And doubles as the scooping access point so you’re never lifting the whole hood.
- A carbon-impregnated odor filter sits right in the top door. And it’s also compatible with Catit’s Ammonia Buster refills if you want extra odor insurance.
- The raised-back, overlapping construction is built specifically to catch spray and won’t let urine seep out the back the way a flat-seamed box can.
- Jumbo interior space gives even bigger cats room to turn around and dig without feeling boxed in.
- BPA-free materials and a bag anchor built into the hood make cleanup faster and a little less gross.
- The locking mechanism gets latches get loose or go missing after extended use in some cases, so it’s worth checking the fit periodically.
Best Top Entry
IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy
Top-entry litter boxes solve one specific problem really well: your cat has to physically climb up and over to get in. This does a great job of knocking loose litter off their paws before they ever set foot back on your floor.
The IRIS USA Top Entry takes that same idea and adds high walls all the way around plus a grooved lid mat right at the exit. Any litter that’s still clinging on gets caught before your cat hops down.
My cat Lexi has always liked to wait outside a top-entry box and pounce on Beast the second she climbs out. She doesn’t bother Beast while she’s actually using it though since the enclosed sides mean she can’t even see her.
Made with smooth, rounded interior edges so litter doesn’t cake onto the corners, this is a solid pick if tracking is your main complaint about your current box.
- The grooved lid doubles as a litter-catching mat, so paws get brushed off right as your cat exits. No separate mat required underneath it.
- Rounded, smooth interior edges keep clumping litter from sticking to the corners, which makes scooping faster and less messy.
- High walls contain scatter far better than an open pan, and most owners report genuinely less litter tracked onto the floor.
- A scoop hooks right onto the lid for storage, so you’re not hunting for it every time you clean.
- The entry opening runs a bit large. Some few cats find it less snug and private than a smaller top-entry design offers.
- The lid doesn’t always lock securely into place for every owner. Some report it popping loose more easily than expected.
Hides in Plain Sight
Good Pet Stuff Original Hidden Litter Box Planter
Ever wished your litter box could just disappear into the room instead of announcing itself the second guests walk in? The Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Box Planter is exactly the trick you’re looking for!
It’s built to look like a genuine ceramic-style planter, complete with a faux plant on top. And the litter box entrance simply turns to face away from the room so all anyone sees is a nice piece of greenery.
This is the “New Generation” version. It is made in the USA with reinforced plastic, an improved locking fit between the top and base, and an upgraded carbon-infused filter for odor control.
The interior is genuinely spacious at 19 inches across. So even in a small apartment it earns its footprint by doing double duty as both a litter box and a piece of decor.
- The furniture-style planter design genuinely disguises the box as home decor rather than an obvious litter box in the room.
- A wide door opening leaves plenty of room to scoop from outside without needing to lift anything off.
- The carbon-infused filter is built into the enclosed top, so it controls odor while still letting air move through.
- The removable top makes a full clean-out simple when it’s time to swap the litter completely.
- Multiple owners report it holding up well in multi-cat households and being straightforward to put together.
- Durability opinions are genuinely split. Some owners get years of solid use out of it, while others find the top piece feels flimsy compared to what they expected for a furniture-style box.
Best Disposable Option
Animaru Disposable Litter Boxes, Jumbo Low Entry (4-Pack)
Disposable litter boxes earn their keep in very specific situations: travel, an unexpected move, a foster kitten who’s only staying a couple weeks, etc. The Animaru Jumbo 4-Pack is built for exactly that kind of short-term convenience.
Made from 100% post-consumer recycled cardboard, it’s plastic-free and fully compostable. So when you’re done with it you just toss it rather than scrub it.
The low 3″ entry is a nice bonus beyond the disposable convenience. It works well for kittens who aren’t confident jumping yet or senior cats who’d rather not have to.
You get four in a pack, so you’re covered for a while before you need to reorder, and Animaru recommends replacing each one every 2-3 weeks.
- No scrubbing required — when a box is done, you fold it up and recycle or compost it rather than cleaning it.
- 100% post-consumer recycled cardboard construction is plastic-free and genuinely compostable, not just plastic dressed up as eco-friendly.
- Water-resistant, leak-resistant design means it’s built to hold up better than a plain cardboard box would.
- The low 3″ entry works especially well for kittens still learning the ropes or senior cats who need an easier step-in.
- Can be used standalone or dropped inside another litter box as a disposable liner, giving you flexibility beyond just travel use.
- Leak protection is a genuine point of disagreement among users. Plenty report zero issues, but others have seen leaking after a couple of days of heavy use. Worth keeping an eye on if you have a particularly heavy user.
Best High-Sided
Pureness Giant High Sides Cat Litter Pan (Van Ness)
If your cat treats every trip to the litter box like an excavation project, a high-sided pan is ideal. The Pureness Giant is the fix — the walls are tall enough on the back and sides that digging and kicking mostly stays contained inside the pan instead of ending up on your floor.
Van Ness built this one specifically with large cats and multi-cat households in mind, and reviewers consistently say it holds up even for cats well over 15 pounds without feeling cramped. The high-polish finish resists staining and odor absorption over time, so it stays easier to keep clean than a duller plastic surface would.
It’s a genuinely open design with no lid, which keeps it simple — no locking mechanisms or hoods to fuss with, just a big, tall pan that does its job.
- Tall back and side walls contain digging and kicking far better than a standard pan, especially for enthusiastic diggers.
- Comfortably fits large cats — owners specifically mention it working well even for cats above 15 pounds.
- The high-polish surface resists odor absorption and staining, so it stays fresher-looking with regular cleaning.
- Litter doesn’t stick to the sides the way it can with a duller plastic finish, which makes scooping faster.
- Widely considered a strong pick among high-sided pans for the space and durability you get.
- It’s an open pan with no hood or lid. Scent stays less contained than a covered box. There’s no disguising what it is if that matters to you.
Best Extra Large
KMNSUN XXXL Extra Large Stainless Steel Litter Box
The KMNSUN XXXL is genuinely one of the largest litter boxes we’ve come across. Built from premium 304 stainless steel with 14-inch walls that keep both litter and urine from spilling over the edges.
Reviewers specifically mention it comfortably fitting four medium-sized cats at once, or one large cat with plenty of room left over to turn around and dig. Because it’s stainless steel rather than plastic, it won’t absorb odors over time the way a plastic pan eventually will. Cleanup is a genuine wipe-down instead of a full scrub.
The 60-liter capacity also means you’re not refilling litter as often as you would with a smaller box.
- 14-inch high walls are tall enough to stop both litter scatter and urine spray from making it over the top.
- Stainless steel construction resists scratches and won’t absorb odors the way plastic can over repeated use.
- The non-stick bottom means cleanup is closer to a rinse-and-wipe than a scrub session.
- A 60-liter capacity holds enough litter that you’re not topping it off constantly, especially useful in multi-cat homes.
- Sized to comfortably fit several medium cats at once or a single large cat with real room to spare.
- Even stainless steel is only rated for about 3-5 years of regular use, so treat it as a durable upgrade. It probably won’t last a lifetime. Not every owner agrees it’s worth the investment at this size and material tier.
Best for Corners
Nature’s Miracle Advanced Hooded Corner Cat Litter Box with Charcoal Filter
Corner placement solves a real space problem, but most rectangular litter boxes waste a chunk of that corner because they’re not actually shaped to fit it. Nature’s Miracle built this hooded corner box specifically to tuck flush into an actual corner. So you get a genuinely enclosed box without sacrificing as much floor space as a standard rectangle would demand.
The hood itself is tall enough to contain both dust and odor effectively, and it’s paired with a built-in charcoal filter for scent control. The opening is wide enough to make scooping comfortable. And one reviewer specifically noted how effectively it keeps litter contained inside the box rather than tracked out onto the floor.
- The corner-specific shape reclaims floor space a standard rectangular box would waste, without sacrificing interior room.
- A built-in charcoal filter works alongside the tall hood to keep both odor and dust genuinely contained.
- The non-stick interior surface resists litter caking, so scooping stays quick even with clumping litter.
- A wide opening makes it comfortable to scoop without having to reach awkwardly around the hood.
- Multiple reviewers confirm it holds up well for multi-cat households, not just a single cat.
- The corner-specific shape is also its limitation. It won’t sit flush against a flat wall the way a rectangular box would. So it’s really only the right pick if you actually have a corner to dedicate to it.
Looks Like Furniture
Amunrbrek Large/Tall Litter Box Enclosure, Sideboard Cabinet (White)
The Amunrbrek enclosure is genuinely one of the larger litter box furniture pieces out there. Built with a full interior big enough to house most standard or high-sided boxes without cramming anything in.
It’s designed as an actual piece of furniture first. A sideboard cabinet with a flat top surface rated to hold up to 150 pounds, so it can double as an accent table or TV stand instead of just hiding a litter box in the corner.
The side-entry design can be installed from either the left or right depending on your room layout. A rear ventilation grille helps keep air moving so odor doesn’t just sit trapped inside.
One reviewer specifically mentioned the hidden upper storage compartment was roomy enough to fit a Litter Genie up there alongside their bags and scoop.
- An adjustable 3-level shelf system lets you set the litter box compartment height to fit what you’re actually using, and the divider can be removed entirely for a top-entry box.
- The flat top surface supports up to 150 pounds, so it genuinely functions as furniture rather than just a box with a lid.
- Hidden upper storage keeps bags, scoops, and even a Litter Genie out of sight but within easy reach.
- A rear ventilation grille helps keep air circulating so odor doesn’t just build up inside a sealed cabinet.
- Surfaces wipe clean easily, which matters given how much surface area a piece this size actually has.
- Assembly takes real time. Expect roughly 35 to 50 minutes to put it together. And with a shelf system involved, there are more pieces to line up correctly than with a basic enclosure.
Best Dome/Igloo
Petmate Booda Clean Step Cat Litter Box Dome, Pearl White
Domes solve covered-litter-box privacy in a slightly different way than a hooded pan. The entrance stays open rather than swinging shut, but the Petmate Booda Clean Step makes up for that with a built-in stairwell that does real work knocking litter off your cat’s paws on the way out.
It comes in this soft pearl white finish and is sized to comfortably accommodate two cats sharing one box. With a charcoal air filter built into the roof to help contain smell you’ll notice visits less.
Several owners genuinely rave about this one, with more than a few calling it the best litter box they’ve used. The stepped exit is the real star here — it traps a meaningful amount of litter before it ever makes it back onto your floor.
- The paw-cleaning steps at the exit genuinely reduce tracking by catching litter before your cat steps back onto your floor.
- A charcoal air filter built into the dome’s roof helps keep odor contained even with the entrance staying open.
- Sized to comfortably accommodate two cats sharing the same box, which is handy in a multi-cat home.
- The lid removes easily for scooping and cleaning without needing to disassemble the whole dome.
- Its round, dome-style shape gives it a distinct look from a standard rectangular hooded box, if you’re after something different.
- The lid locking mechanism is a recurring pain point. Several owners report it not securing tightly to the base, worth double-checking the fit after assembly.
Designed for Senior Cats
KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box
If you’ve got an older cat who’s started avoiding the litter box, there’s a good chance it’s not behavioral — it’s physical.
Climbing over even a moderate ledge gets harder as cats get older or develop arthritis. The KittyGoHere Senior Litter Box exists specifically to remove that obstacle. It’s vet-recommended for seniors!
Built with a low, extra-wide 3-inch front entrance that lets a senior or mobility-limited cat walk straight in rather than jump. The open-top design is a nice secondary benefit too. It gives a clear view of the surroundings, which can help a cat who feels anxious in a fully enclosed space.
It comes in Small, Large, and Jumbo sizes to fit cats up to 20 pounds and beyond, plus a few different colorways if you want it to blend in a little better than a plain white pan.
- The low, 3-inch front entrance means no climbing or jumping required. This is the main reason this box shows up on senior-cat and arthritis recommendations.
- The open-top design gives a full view of the room, which can help cats who feel vulnerable or anxious in an enclosed box.
- It’s sized larger than most standard pans, giving an older or bigger cats more room to position.
- Available in Small, Large, and Jumbo sizes to match cats from small breeds up through 20+ pounds.
- A few different color options are available if you’d rather it not look like a stark white medical accessory.
- Size feedback is mixed. Some owners find it exactly right for their cat, while others (especially with larger cats) find even the largest size runs smaller than expected. Measure your cat before choosing a size.
One final note: Some color options for this box are listed under the KittyGoHere companion product, PuppyGoHere. Yes, that’s a large-breed dog litter box from the same maker. But it shares design and color variants and several folks use it successfully for cats.
Best No-Scoop Sifter
Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box, Scoop-Free with Microban
If scooping by hand isn’t your thing but you also don’t want to deal with rolling a box across the floor, the Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box splits the difference with a simple lift-to-sift design.
You lift the inner sifting pan out and give it a shake. The clean litter falls back through while the waste stays behind. No scoop, no rolling motion required.
It comes with one sifting pan plus two regular pans, so you can rotate a clean one in immediately rather than waiting on anything to dry.
Built-in Microban antimicrobial protection works in the background to help keep odor down between cleanings. And the whole thing is made in the USA from recycled materials.
- The lift-to-sift design separates clean litter from waste in one motion — no scooping and no rolling the whole box required.
- Comes with two extra regular pans in addition to the sifting pan, so you always have a spare ready to swap in.
- Built-in Microban antimicrobial protection works continuously to help inhibit odor between cleanings.
- Multiple reviewers report it takes under a minute to empty once you get the motion down.
- Works especially well with pellet litter, though it’s compatible with pine, crystal, and clumping litter too.
- Size feedback runs mixed. Some find it bigger than expected. Others, with full-grown larger cats find the pan on the smaller side.
- Litter can still scatter somewhat during the lift-and-sift motion itself.
Never Absorbs Scents
iPrimio Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box, XL Open Pan
Plastic litter boxes have a shelf life when it comes to odor. No matter how well you scrub them, they eventually start holding onto smell in a way that never fully goes away. The iPrimio XL Open Pan sidesteps that problem entirely by being stainless steel from top to bottom. Steel simply doesn’t absorb odor or stain the way plastic does over time.
It’s rust-resistant with a quick-clean nonstick surface, rounded edges, and enclosed sides that keep clumping litter contained without a lid. One reviewer specifically mentioned it held up against an unusually destructive cat, which says something about how sturdy the construction actually is.
- Stainless steel construction won’t absorb odor or stain the way a plastic pan eventually will, no matter how thoroughly you clean it.
- A nonstick surface means clumped litter lifts out more easily than it tends to off plastic.
- High, enclosed sides keep litter contained even though there’s no lid, and clumping litter doesn’t stick to the walls.
- Rounded edges throughout mean there’s nothing sharp for your cat to catch a paw or claw on.
- Two corner holes are sized specifically for a custom scooper holder, keeping your scoop within reach instead of propped against the wall.
- It’s an open-top pan, so there’s no lid to help trap odor the way a hooded box would. You’re relying on the stainless material itself for scent control. Not every owner agrees a metal pan is worth switching to over a well-maintained plastic one.
Best Lift & Sift
Van Ness Pets Large Sifting Cat Litter Box with Frame
The Van Ness Lift & Sift uses the same basic two-layer idea as other sifting boxes. One layer sifts, one layer catches. But the framed design adds real height around the pan specifically to cut down on litter and urine spilling over the sides.
Instead of scooping by hand, you lift the inner sifting layer out, give it a shake, and the clean litter drops back through while waste stays trapped on top.
It’s built with a high-polish, stain-resistant finish and is designed primarily for clumping litters, so it’s not the right match if you’re using pellet or powder litter.
- The framed design adds height around the pan specifically to keep litter and urine from spilling outside the box.
- Lifting and shaking the sifting layer replaces scooping by hand entirely, which some owners find faster once they get the motion down.
- Works particularly well with clumping litters, per owners who’ve compared it to traditional scooping.
- A high-polish, stain-resistant finish helps it hold up to repeated cleaning without discoloring.
- Sized a bit larger than some prior sifting models owners have used, giving more room inside the frame.
This video can give you a view of the box in action:
- Cleaning is a genuine mixed bag. A real, recurring complaint is that clumped litter sticks to the underside of the sifting screen. This makes cleanup more of a chore for some owners even though others find it easy.
Best Automatic Self-Cleaning
PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro Legacy Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Uncovered
Automatic litter boxes promise to get you out of scooping entirely. The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro Legacy backs that up with a rake system paired with crystal litter that’s built to go weeks between hands-on cleaning.
Litter tracking is minimal too, since the crystals themselves are marketed as 99% dust-free.
One of the more genuinely useful features here is the built-in health counter. It’s a motion sensor that tracks how often your cat is actually using the box. This can flag a health issue (like a UTI causing more frequent visits) well before it becomes obvious another way.
- The automatic rake and crystal litter system are built to run for weeks without you needing to scoop by hand.
- Crystals absorb urine and dry out solid waste, with PetSafe marketing the setup as offering up to 5x better odor control than traditional clumping litter.
- Disposable, leak-protected trays with lids make disposal simple — you pull the whole tray and drop in a fresh one.
- Low-tracking, 99%-dust-free crystals cut down on the litter dust cloud some other litters kick up.
- A built-in health counter uses motion sensors to log how often your cat visits the box, which can help catch developing health issues early.
- Durability is a genuine point of disagreement. Some owners report years of reliable use. Others say it breaks down closer to the six-month mark.
- The rake doesn’t always capture 100% of solid waste on each pass.
Most High-Tech
BCHARYA Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box with App Control
For anyone who wants the most hands-off litter box option on this list. The BCHARYA app-controlled self-cleaning box runs its entire cleaning cycle through your phone rather than a manual button or a fixed timer.
It skips scooping and sifting entirely in favor of an automated cleaning mechanism. And it includes a dedicated aromatherapy compartment for extra odor control beyond just waste removal.
Presence sensors are built in specifically so the cleaning cycle won’t run while your cat is actually inside. The whole thing is designed to operate quietly rather than startling a nearby cat mid-cycle.
- App control handles the entire cleaning cycle remotely, and the automated mechanism eliminates scooping and sifting.
- A dedicated aromatherapy compartment adds a layer of odor control beyond the automatic cleaning cycle.
- Presence sensors combined with a cleaning-cycle delay keep the mechanism from running while your cat is inside.
- The unit is built to operate quietly so won’t disturb your day when it runs.
- Because everything runs through an app, setup and daily operation depend on your phone and a stable connection. This adds a layer of tech some owners may not want for a litter box.
Additional Information
Frequent Litter Box Q&A
Wrapping It Up On The Best Litter Boxes
Given the wide variety of litter box types and the wide variety of models within each of those types it can be incredibly difficult to choose a litter box that will meet the needs of you and your cats.
Whatever you do be sure to make any changes with the litter box gradually. If your cats are currently using one litter box and you are going to switch it be sure to make the new one available side by side with the old one for a time.
This will ensure your cats can get used to the change before removing what they are used to. Big changes can often make cats very uncomfortable, they are creatures of habit after all.
Which litter box do you use? Do you have a favorite or a recommendation that I didn’t include in my list? If you have any other ideas for please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.comso I can update this article.
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