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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This video can give you a view of the box in action:
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.
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.
Additional Information
Frequent Litter Box Q&A
There are a laundry list of different types of cat litter out there on the market. Which type you choose and the brand you select can't easily be decided without trying them.
The primary reason for this is that in general cats are likely to care more about the litter than you do. A lot of cats simply won't use certain kinds of litter due to the feeling on their paws, the smell associated, or any of 100 other things cats notice that we don't!
That being said, here's a quick rundown of the major types of litter out there.
- Clay Clumping: This is the most common type of litter on the market and it is what most people use on a day to day basis. You'll find this available from most major brands and typically at a pretty cheap price for about a 40 pound bag of it.
- Clay Non Clumping: While not as common as clumping litter, it still ranks pretty highly up there in the overall types of litter available and in use. The key difference is it does a much worse job of controlling odors and making it easy to scoop for your cat.
- Crystals: As opposed to clumping up, crystals essentially absorb urine and control odor for a period of time. While crystals have benefits, you do have to completely replace them quite often (weekly or every two weeks) depending on the number of cats you have. This can get quite a bit more expensive than traditional litter.
- Paper: Paper based litter is similar to crystals in that it is focused on absorbing urine and controlling the scent. It is normally easy to see which bits have been used based on color/size, but you can end up scooping out a lot of it that you don't mean to since it doesn't clump. This can get pricy longer term since you can end up wasting unused litter.
- Pine: Pine litters in general are an alternative to clay, but based on all of the information I've seen to date they have similar tracking problems. If odor control is a higher priority you might consider this.
If you're looking for a specific recommendation on a litter then check out this article from Thriving Cats for the best litter out there. One thing I'd also keep in mind is that if you decide you're going to transition from your existing litter (that is working) to a new one, then you should definitely do this gradually. There are a couple of options available to you:
- The most common is to mix the new and old litters together and slowly change the ratio. You can start with say 80/20 then every 2 or 3 days adjust it another 20% until you've fully switched things over.
- The second most common option is to set down an additional litter box and put the new kind of litter in it to verify your cat(s) will use it. If they immediately make the switch without issue then you're likely good to simply transition to that litter in your existing litter box.
Every cat is different when it comes to their litter box. Some of them are far more lax when it comes to their litter box and some of them are extremely picky.
There are a few core factors you'll want to consider when selecting the litter box that's right for your home:
- Size: If you get a litter box that's too small you're likely to run into problems with your cat using it. Always err on the side of getting a litter box that is a bit bigger as opposed to potentially too small for your cat.
- Covered or Not: Cats are both predator and prey in the wild. Because of this they often prefer to see around them while using their litter box. Covered boxes control litter tracking and also help minimize nasty smells, but they may also cause your cat to simply not use the litter box. This isn't just theory in our house — my cat Lexi developed pretty serious separation anxiety a while back and started having accidents around the house instead of using her litter box, and one of the actual changes that genuinely helped was switching to fully open litter boxes and moving them out of tight, enclosed spots.
- Top or Side Entry: Side/front entry is definitely the traditional format for a litter box, but there are all sorts of new formats out there today. Top entry litter boxes are great for helping to control litter tracking, but they can also be very tough on older cats or arthritic cats. Be sure to take this into account when you purchase.
- Automatic or Not: Some cats are extremely finicky when it comes to using a litter box that is dirty. I guess I can't blame them, I hate using a dirty toilet too. That being said, if you have a cat that won't pee in a litter box that's been used once then you might need to consider an automatic litter box, especially if you work during the day. There's also the fact that some people just want nothing to do with scooping and thus choose an automatic scooping box.
- Shape: Before you make a purchase you'll want to consider the location you plan to place the litter box. Purchasing a litter box of the correct shape will make it far easier for you to fit it in the appropriate location without creating a hassle for your cat to use it. There are two primary shapes, standard rectangles and corner boxes.
- Number of Cats: See below for this question.
There's a pretty simple rule of thumb out there for people with multiple cats. You should have at least one more litter box than the number of cats you have. As a few simple examples:
- If you have 2 cats you should have 3 litter boxes.
- If you have 5 cats you should have 6 litter boxes.
But let's be honest, most of us probably don't want this many litter boxes in the house and many of us probably don't even have the space to scatter this many litter boxes throughout the house. If you live in the city this is even more the case.
I have two cats and I only have one litter box in use right now. But when I first got my second cat we had 3 litter boxes throughout numerous areas in the house. You try numerous areas cause some cats are more prone to use a litter box in one area than another.
We started to realize that they were really only using 2 of the litter boxes so we removed one of them completely. After another few months they started to center on one litter box that was tucked away in our closet. Given this we slowly phased out access to the remaining extra litter box and we've had no problems.
That being said you should explore this gradually if you're introducing a new cat to your household. You don't want to just add a cat and leave your home with one litter box. This can result in all sorts of negative behavior that could result in accidents and messes throughout the house which nobody enjoys.
Litter box placement is typically pretty straight forward, but sometimes it can be a little more complex if you have a cat that is picky. It really comes down to balancing two things:
- Where the humans are willing to have the box
- Where the cats are willing to use the box
Here are a couple key considerations from cats that might help you determine where to put your litter box. Cats generally like the following:
- A place in the home that doesn't have a lot of foot traffic
- Somewhere that random noises don't occur (avoid next to the furnace)
- The ability to see all approaches to the litter box
There are lot of different reasons that cats won't use a litter box, but they usually fall within one of the following three categories:
- Smell / Scent: Did you try a new litter? If so, be sure to make it a gradual change by mixing the old and the new over time.
- Location: As referenced above, be sure to try varying locations if you're having litter box issues. Finding the right spot for your cat(s) is key.
- Cleanliness: Is the litter box being cleaned and scooped consistently? If not, try scooping more times a day so your kitty has a clean bathroom.
There are of course other reasons that a cat might stop using a litter box, especially if they were using it consistently in the past and suddenly stopped. Check out this article for more details on the topic. If you're unable to identify a root cause talk to your veterinarian or a cat behaviorist to find a resolution.
If your cat is sleeping in the litter box then you've likely got a cat that hasn't taken well to a recent change in their life. Generally cats sleep in their litter box for a few key reasons, for example you:
- May have recently moved to a new or unfamiliar space
- Just got another new pet (cat or dog) and introduced it to your home
- Have a new person living your home or staying with you
- Have not realized your cat is sick and needs medical attention
- Have a pregnant cat and she doesn't have a spot to give birth
Check out this article specifically on the topic for more detail and ways you can help get your cat out of the litter box.
This turns out to be one of the more common complaints across hooded and dome-style boxes in general, not just one specific product. Several picks on this list, including the Catit Airsift, the IRIS USA Top Entry, and the Petmate Booda Dome, all have owners reporting the lid or latch loosening or not seating fully after some use.
It's usually not a defect so much as a wear-and-tear reality of any lid that gets lifted and reseated for scooping every day. If you notice a lid isn't locking as tightly as it did when it arrived, check that nothing (a stray clump of litter, a bent tab) is blocking it from seating fully before assuming the part itself has failed.
This is a real, recurring complaint with sifting-style boxes specifically. Both the Arm & Hammer and the Van Ness have owners have this issue. It tends to happen more with clumping litters that are on the finer or stickier side. Pellet-style litters are less likely to have this issue. This is part of why some sifting boxes are specifically marketed toward pellet litter.
If this becomes a recurring headache, switching to a coarser or pellet-style litter with your sifting box. Avoid fine clumping litter.
It varies more than the marketing usually suggests, and it's worth going in with realistic expectations rather than assuming "automatic" means "maintenance-free." The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro Legacy on this list, for example, has genuinely mixed durability reports.
Some owners get years of reliable use, others see it slow down or break around the six-month mark. A recurring complaint is that the rake doesn't always capture 100% of solid waste on every pass.
App-controlled boxes like the BCHARYA add another layer worth considering too. Since their day-to-day operation depends on you it can be more hassle.
None of this means automatic boxes aren't worth it. Plenty of owners are genuinely happy with them. Just budget for occasional troubleshooting rather than expecting to never think about the box again.
Opinions genuinely split on this across every higher-tier pick on this list. The KMNSUN stainless steel box, the Amunrbrek furniture, and the iPrimio stainless all have owners who love them.
Others who aren't convinced they do anything a well-maintained plastic box couldn't. What tends to separate the two camps is what you're actually optimizing for: odor resistance, durability, or blending the box into your decor.
These upgrades solve real problems a basic plastic pan doesn't. If your main goal is just "a working litter box," a good plastic option gets the job done. The higher-tier picks are about solving a specific frustration, not a universal upgrade everyone needs.
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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