Selecting a new litter box for your cat or kitten (or multiple cats) isn’t exactly a glamorous task, but 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.
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, 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.
Our Criteria
Cats are some of the best pets as they love to play, snuggle, and lounge. One downside of owning a cat is the litter box. More often than not, cats are indoor pets only and 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 guests. Luckily, litter boxes on the market today are engineered to reduce odor and to 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.
Some general guidelines for homes with cats is that there should be a box for each cat plus one. So, if you have one cat, they should have two litter boxes. If you have two cats, they should have four, and so on. 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.
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.
From automatic litter boxes to disposable, we have reviewed them all. Take a look below to see what we think!
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
LitterMaid Disposable Cat Litter Box
• 3-count disposable litter boxes
• 100% biodegradable, recycled paper
• Traps odor, prevents leakage
Top Picks for the Best Litter Boxes: Ranked for 2022
#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. Having an easy-to-clean litter box means less odors for you and a sanitary box for your cat.
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.
Choose from a single pack or a 2-pack, which is perfect for homes with multiple cats.
- 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 but that are 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 in wherever you choose to place it, with non-slip action.
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!
•Odor-holding litter box
•Raised transparent sides
•Scoop provided
•Fits easily in spaces
#3 Best Self-Cleaning: LitterMaid® Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box
While somewhat a splurge, the LitterMaid Single Cat Box is self-cleaning and will make your life a whole lot easier.
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 not able to kick litter out of the box.
•Single-cat self-cleaning litter box
•High walls
•Carbon filter for odors
#4 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 the disposable boxes and for waste cleaning, simply throw the liner away when it’s time!
Not only are the disposable boxes 100% biodegradable, but the design helps trap odors and prevent leakage when your cat uses it. Litter remains fresher for longer, so you won’t need to change the pan or the litter as often.
Biodegradable, disposable boxes are perfect for travel if you are bringing your cat on the road with you. They can also be used for day-to-day litter boxes. Each purchase comes with 3 individual litter boxes.
• 3-count disposable litter boxes
• 100% biodegradable, recycled paper
• Traps odor, prevents leakage
Best Litter Boxes: Summary
| Rank | Best for | Product |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overall | PetFusion BetterBox |
| 2 | Odor Control | IRIS USA Cat Litter Box |
| 3 | Self-Cleaning | LitterMaid® Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box |
| 4 | Disposable | Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box 3 Count |
Up Next…
- The Best Flushable Cat Litter for 2022 – Litter of the future! Check out this degradable, flushable cat litter.
- Best Cat Litter Mats: Rated and Reviewed for 2022 – If your cat can’t keep the litter in the box, these mats will make your clean up easier.
- The Best Cat Litter for Odor Control in 2022 – 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 for 2022 – Having more than one kitty in your home means extra clean up, especially in the litter box. Luckily, these boxes will make your life easier.
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 a litter box. 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 box is the PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box. We like that this model is very easy to use. We also found the special crystal litter that comes with it to be excellent at controlling dust and odors.
What is the best litter box for multiple cats?
Self-cleaning litter boxes, such as the PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box, are often a popular option 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 or multiple litter boxes if you have more than one cat.
Do cats prefer open or closed litter boxes?
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.
