| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | PetFusion BetterBox Non-Stick Litter Box |
| Best Odor Control | IRIS USA Cat Litter Box |
| Best Splurge | Whisker Litter-Robot WiFi Enabled Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box |
| Best Self-Cleaning | LitterMaid® Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box |
| Best Disposable | Kitty’s Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box |
Key Points:
- The #1 Best Overall litter box for cats is the PetFusion BetterBox.
- As any cat lover knows, our feline friends can be picky when it comes to their potty habits. If you want to avoid accidents and keep your home clean and fresh-smelling, you’ll need to choose your litter box wisely. The right design, size, shape, and features can make all the difference in a cat’s bathroom routine.
- We’ve created a helpful guide to help you choose the right litter box for you and your cat. We’ve also rounded up some of the top picks for cat litter boxes for every budget, based on size, location, ease of cleaning, and how many cats are in your home.
Cats are some of the best pets around because they love to play, snuggle, and lounge. However, one downside of owning a cat is the litter box. If your cat is an indoor-only cat, this can especially be a problem, since cats require one or more litter boxes in different spots around the house. This can lead to a smelly situation in your home, unpleasant for you and your guests. Luckily, many litter boxes on the market today are engineered to reduce odor and make cleaning the box easy and mess-free.
Deciding which litter box is best for your cat is always tricky to figure out at first. Will they use a self-cleaning box? Are they messy litter kickers? Luckily, we have done our research to find the best of various types of litter boxes for you to choose from.
Urinary issues in felines are no joke. If for some reason you think your cat is having trouble using the litter box, going outside of the litter box, or going irregularly, get an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. It could be due to a medical issue. However, just like humans don’t like using dirty bathrooms, cats don’t like messy litter boxes. Your cat may be having potty troubles because they don’t have the right box for them, so it’s important to find the litter box that works best for your cat.
We’ll help you zero in on the right litter box whether you’re looking for something that will help with odor control for small apartments, prefer a covered or high-sided litter box, or have large cats that need a larger space to take care of their business, need a budget-friendly model, or want to splurge a bit with an automatic, self-cleaning litter box. Your messy cats will be no match for the litter boxes we have picked out below, so keep reading to discover our overall top recommendation as well as our other favorite options.
- PetFusion BetterBox Non-Stick Litter Box
- Low entry for pet access
- Premium ABS material; anti-microbial, non-stick coating
- Curves simplify cleaning
- High walls contain litter
- Whisker Litter-Robot WiFi Enabled Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
- Carbon-filtered waste drawer reduce odors
- Self-cleaning
- Big enough for up to four cats
- Dog-proof
- Kitty's Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box
• 3-count disposable litter boxes
• 100% biodegradable, recycled paper
• Traps odor, prevents leakage
Top Picks: The Best Litter Boxes
#1 Best Overall: PetFusion BetterBox
We chose the PetFusion Better Box because of its simple, effective design. It has a non-stick coating to reduce how much cat litter sticks to the bottom or sides of the pan by as much as 70% compared to other boxes (of course, that does mean that sometimes litter may stick, but definitely not as much as other boxes!). Having an easy-to-clean litter box means fewer odors for you and a sanitary box for your cat. In addition, there are no indentations along the bottom of the box, which means that litter won’t get stuck there and cause bacteria growth.
Open litter boxes are the most recommended choice by veterinarians. With these boxes, cats are able to look out around them as they take care of their business, as they would in the wild, and without fear of ambush.
You’ll love the functionality of this litter box’s design. It is a high-sided model that works to reduce the amount of litter a cat may kick out. The edges of the box are also curved to make cleaning the box easier. Additionally, it is larger than many standard litter boxes, measuring 22.6 inches long, 18.1 inches wide, and 8 inches tall, to provide more space for your kitty to do their business and more easily accommodate large cats. However, if you have kittens or very small cats, this box may be a little too big for them.
Choose from a single pack or a two-pack, which is perfect for homes with multiple cats.
Pros and Cons of the PetFusion BetterBox
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The non-stick surface of the box’s interior reduces how much litter sticks to the bottom by as much as 70%. | The size of the litter box may be too large for some tiny cats or kittens. |
| It is an open-litter box design, which makes the process of using it more natural for cats. | It is not 100% non-stick, although it is pretty close. |
| The sides are high to reduce the amount of litter a cat may kick out. | Enthusiastic cats may still be able to kick some litter over the edges. |
| The corners and edges of the box are curved to help with keeping litter from sticking. | |
| It is much larger than many standard litter boxes (22.6 inches long, 18.1 inches wide, and 8 inches tall). | |
| Its large size makes it a better option for big kitties. |
- Low entry for pet access
- Premium ABS material; anti-microbial, non-stick coating
- Curves simplify cleaning
- High walls contain litter
2. Best Odor Control: IRIS USA Cat Litter Box
Smelly litter boxes can really bring a damper to your home’s atmosphere. The IRIS USA Cat Litter Box has raised walls designed to contain odors from the box. The walls are also transparent enough that your cat doesn’t mind them.
The walls of the box cover three out of four of the sides, with a deep, easy-access opening for your cat to climb into on the open side. The box is engineered to fit wherever you choose to place it, with non-slip action. However, unlike our first choice, the bottom of this box has ridges that can be difficult to clean when wet litter gets stuck in them. In addition, some customers had trouble with the lid not snapping into place correctly.
A matching litter scoop is provided along with the box. The box itself comes in either blue or black — your choice to fit your home!
Pros and Cons of the IRIS USA Cat Litter Box
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The walls are much higher than other boxes, helping to keep odors and litter inside the box. | The bottom of the box has ridges in the design, which makes cleaning wet litter more difficult. |
| The box has non-slip action to help keep it in place. | Some customers reported problems with the lid not snapping into place correctly. |
| You can choose between blue or black designs. | |
| The box comes with a scoop. | |
| Even though the three sides are taller, the front and top are open to give your cat more freedom. | |
| The walls are partially transparent so your cat can see and feel safe while doing their business. | |
| The front of the box is open and easy to enter. |
- Odor-holding litter box
- Raised transparent sides
- Scoop provided
- Fits easily in spaces
3. Best Splurge: Whisker Litter-Robot Wifi Enabled Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
If you want to take your litter box game up to a whole new level, you definitely need to check out the Litter-Robot Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box.
Yes, this one is definitely a splurge, but if you’ve got the money, it might just be the best investment you make. The Litter-Robot is a self-cleaning litter box that cleans the box automatically each time your cat leaves the box, leaving the box with a fresh pan within seconds! Although the cleaning process is fairly quiet, it may take time for your cat to get used it. However, the company offers a 90-day in-home trial so you can see if the Litter-Robot is right for you and your cat.
The Litter-Robot features an enclosed waste drawer with carbon filters to reduce odors. All you have to do is clean out the waste drawer when it gets full — but guess what, you know longer need to scoop your cat’s litter box! In addition, the Litter-Robot is incredibly efficient, and since it cleans the litter box each time your cat uses it, it actually reduces litter usage by 50%. That means that over time you’re actually saving money!
The Litter-Robot is not your grandma’s litter box. This unit is not only high-tech, but it actually looks high-tech and has an awesome, spherical design. However, this is not a small litter box by any means and it does take up quite a bit of room compared to the other options on our list.
You can connect the Litter-Robot to an app on your phone for notifications about the waste levels in the box as well. It also has a trouble-shooting feature if something isn’t quite right.
Pros and Cons of the Whisker Litter-Robot Wifi Enabled Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Litter-Robot automatically cleans the litter box each time your cat uses it. | This is by far the most expensive option out there. |
| The waste drawer is enclosed and has carbon filters to reduce odors. | It’s much bigger than the other options on our list and takes up quite a bit of room in your house. |
| It reduces litter usage by 50%, which is nice for your bank account. | Since it is automated, some cats may be nervous to use the box. |
| The Litter-Robot looks super cool with its high-tech, spherical design. | |
| You can connect it to an app on your phone and receive waste-level notifications. | |
| You can also troubleshoot problems using the app. | |
| The company offers a 90-day in-home trial so you can see if the Litter-Robot is the right litter box for your cat. |
- Carbon-filtered waste drawer reduce odors
- Self-cleaning
- Big enough for up to four cats
- Dog-proof
4. Best Self-Cleaning: LitterMaid® Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box
While still somewhat of a splurge, the LitterMaid Single Cat Box is self-cleaning and will make your life a whole lot easier (and it’s much cheaper than the Litter-Robot).
The unit will automatically scoop the box using the rake and place waste in the waste trap. The waste trap is covered to eliminate odors and hold waste until you’re ready to empty it out. Carbon filters also help retain odors for further freshness. This model also features safety sensors that prevent the rake from moving if your cat is using the litter box. With an open design and high walls, your cat will be able to keep watch but will be unable to kick litter out of the box.
However, if you do not use enough clumping litter, the rake does not clean quite as well. In addition, you will still need to clean the box every now and again, as the rake and track can get clogged up.
Pros and Cons of the LitterMaid® Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is a self-cleaning box, so you don’t have to manually scoop the litter. | You’ll need to use good clumping litter and make sure there is plenty in the box, otherwise, the rake will not work as well. |
| The waste trap is covered to help eliminate odors and hold waste until you’re ready to empty it out. | The rake and track can get clogged occasionally or move slowly. |
| The box has carbon filters that also help to reduce odors. | You will still need to clean the box overall from time to time. |
| There are safety sensors, so the rake will not move while your cat is in the box. | |
| This box has an open design with high walls, allowing your cat to see out but also keeping them from kicking litter out of the box. |
•Single-cat self-cleaning litter box
•High walls
•Carbon filter for odors
5. Best Disposable: Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box 3 Count
Disposable litter boxes? We were surprised, too! The Wonderbox Disposable Litter Boxes are some of our favorites for disposable boxes.
Made of recycled paper, these eco-friendly boxes can be used as stand-alone litter boxes or as litter box liners. All litter types can be used in disposable boxes and for waste cleaning — then simply throw the liner away when it’s time to clean it out!
Not only are the disposable boxes 100% biodegradable, but the design helps trap odors and prevent leakage when your cat uses them. Litter remains fresher for longer, so you won’t need to change the pan or the litter as often. However, if you have a larger cat, these boxes may be too small for them.
Biodegradable, disposable boxes are perfect for travel if you are bringing your cat on the road with you. They can also be used as day-to-day litter boxes, and are perfect for fostering kittens since you can throw them out when you’re done, rather than having to take the time to disinfect them. Each purchase comes with three individual litter boxes.
Pros and Cons of the Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box 3 Count
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Disposable boxes are great for when you’re traveling with your cat. | These boxes may not be big enough for some larger cats. |
| You can scoop the litter daily to prolong the box’s use. Then when the box gets too dirty, you can just throw it out. | |
| They are also great for kitten fosters since you can throw them out instead of having to disinfect them. | |
| They are biodegradable and eco-friendly. | |
| The design is sturdy, helps to trap odors, and prevents leakage. |
• 3-count disposable litter boxes
• 100% biodegradable, recycled paper
• Traps odor, prevents leakage
What to Look for in a Litter Box
Although selecting a new litter box for your cat or kitten isn’t exactly a glamorous task, it is certainly an important one. Litter boxes are essential for any cat owner and finding one that will meet your specific needs and preferences is important. Not that long ago, there weren’t that many different options to consider when shopping for a litter box, but now the style and design options abound. Here are a few of the important things to consider when selecting a litter box for your cat:
- Number of cats in the home
- Size
- Location
- Ease of cleaning
Let’s look at each of these in more detail.
Number of Cats in the Home
The guidelines for cats and litter boxes are there should be one litter box for each cat plus one. So, if you have one cat, you should have at least two litter boxes. If you have two cats, you should have at least three, and so on. In addition, if you have a more dominant cat and/or one that is more timid or shy, you may need to add an extra box to prevent guarding and bullying.
Also, while a covered litter box may seem a better option for your cat because it allows them privacy and may also keep your other pets (such as dogs) out of the box, covered boxes are actually not a great option. Veterinarians recommend an uncovered litter box because it replicates a bathroom-time experience of cats in the wild. Evolutionarily, cats are used to going in the open where they can scan around themselves for predators or other threats. So, if you have a covered box and notice your cat is going outside of the box, this may be the reason why.
Size
The size of the litter box is another important factor. If you have tiny kittens, one of the larger boxes may be too intimidating, or they may not be able to get into it. On the other hand, if you have a large cat, like a Maine Coon, some of the traditionally-sized boxes will not be big enough, and your cat will find other places to take care of business (often your bed or in piles of laundry). You want to try to get a litter box that is big enough for your cat to enter and be able to turn around in.
Location
The rules of real estate apply to litter boxes in the home as well: it’s all about location. While you probably don’t want a litter box to be the focal point of your living room, if you hide the box in a back closet or garage your cat may not want to go that far to use it. Many people like putting litter boxes in their laundry room, but make sure that your cat is comfortable with that (some cats will be too nervous due to the noise of the washer and dryer).
In addition, if you have more than one litter box, do not put them right next to each other. Again, while this may be more convenient for us humans, it causes problems for cats. Cats naturally want to hide their droppings, so putting two boxes side-by-side means they can still smell what’s in the first box. In addition, one cat can intimidate another cat when the boxes are that close (and even ambush them after using the box), causing them to stop using the box altogether.
Ease of Cleaning
You wouldn’t want to keep using a dirty toilet over and over again, day after day, right? Well, neither does your cat! That’s why it’s so important to clean your cat’s litter box frequently. Daily scooping is ideal, especially if you have more than one cat. However, that can be time-consuming, which is why it’s important to consider how easy different boxes are to clean. If you don’t have the time, you may want to invest in a self-cleaning litter box. On the other hand, these can be very expensive, so you may want to find a box that has a non-stick coating to help with cleaning.
Up Next…
- The Best Flushable Cat Litter — Check out this degradable, flushable cat litter.
- Best Cat Litter Mats: Rated and Reviewed — If your cat can’t keep the litter in the box, these mats will make your cleanup easier.
- The Best Cat Litter for Odor Control — Smelly cat litter can overpower your entire home. These litters are what we think to be the best odor-eliminating litters on the market.
- The Best Litter Boxes for Multiple Cats: Reviewed — Having more than one kitty in your home means extra cleanup, especially in the litter box. Luckily, these boxes will make your life easier.
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | PetFusion BetterBox Non-Stick Litter Box |
| Best Odor Control | IRIS USA Cat Litter Box |
| Best Splurge | Whisker Litter-Robot WiFi Enabled Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box |
| Best Self-Cleaning | LitterMaid® Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box |
| Best Disposable | Kitty’s Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box |
Best Litter Boxes for Cats FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the best cat litter box?
The best cat litter box will look different for each pet and pet owner. For example, people with one cat living in small apartments may need to search for a different style than individuals with multiple cats with more space for litter boxes. Some cats may also prefer different designs than others when it comes to litter boxes, such as a covered design for more privacy.
Your priorities can also help in choosing the right litter box for your cat. Messy cats may do best with a high-sided or covered litter box that will keep them from throwing litter all over the place.
Finally, consider your overall budget. Are you looking to splurge on your furry friend and get them an automatic, self-cleaning litter box, or are you looking for a more economically-priced option?
We chose the PetFusion BetterBox as the best litter box, but we also really liked the Petmate Booda Dome Clean Step Cat Litter Box and the PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box.
What is the best self-cleaning litter box?
Our favorite self-cleaning litter boxes are the LitterMaid® Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box and the Whisker Litter-Robot Wifi Enabled Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box. We like that these models are very easy to use and save you time and energy.
What is the best litter box for multiple cats?
Self-cleaning litter boxes, such as the LitterMaid® Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box and the Whisker Litter-Robot Wifi Enabled Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box, are often popular options for multiple cats. These models can help cat owners stay on top of keeping the litter box clean. If you don’t want an automatic litter box, consider choosing a larger box, and making sure that you have multiple litter boxes in your home if you have more than one cat.
Do cats prefer open or closed litter boxes?
In general, cats usually prefer open litter boxes. However, each cat’s preferences can vary. Some seem to prefer open litter boxes, while others like covered boxes better. You could try setting up one of each type to assess your kitty’s preferences.
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