The Best Sifting Litter Boxes Reviewed

Key Points

• The #1 Best Overall sifting litter box is the Van Ness Sifting Cat Pan with Frame.
• Sifting litter boxes are a great way to eliminate the need for scooping out your pet’s waste every day.
• There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing a sifting litter box — such as the type of cat litter that you use and whether you need a box with a covered design.
• We have provided a detailed buyer’s guide to outline the pros and cons of sifting litter boxes as well as reviewed a selection of those that we think are the best.

Cats are very interesting creatures and I’m sure you know how finicky they can be. Whether they’re being picky about their food or only want to be stroked on their terms. Cat’s are also obsessive about cleanliness. My other cat (yes, I have two) sometimes coughs up a fur ball in the middle of the night. And do you know what he will do? Scratch at the fibers in my throw rug incessantly, in his dire need to cover that accident up. Cat’s have an inherent need to cover their messes. Enter, the litter box. But….what about us humans? We long for cleanliness just as much as our feline friends do, and let’s face it, scooping out that litter box can be a real chore!

Sifting litter boxes are here to save the day. They feature a unique multi-layer design with slots on one layer. Cat owners can lift out the top layer to sift and remove the waste and save the clean litter. You can find sifting litter boxes available in a variety of types, including top entry, high-sided, covered, extra-large capacity for multiple cats, and odor control models.

If you’d like to find the best sifting litter box for your cat, you’re in the right place. We’ve reviewed some of the best models to help make your selection easier. Continue reading to determine which of our picks catches your eye!

The Top Picks for the Best Sifting Litter Box: Ranked

#1 Best Overall: Van Ness Sifting Cat Pan with Frame

We think you’ll like the design and function of our overall best pick, the Van Ness Sifting Cat Pan with Frame.

This three-layer sifting litter box is designed to be easy to use and easy to clean. Simply lift out the top tray to sift the litter and remove waste, then put the litter box back together for your cat to use again. A great feature of this box is the two locking latches which fasten the top and bottom pans together to keep it stable and safe for your pet.

This litter box is made from durable plastic which has a high polish finish to make it stain-resistant and keep it looking clean for longer. The box also has a frame that helps give it additional height around the sides to keep messes contained in the box. The frame is also ideal for keeping liners in place.

This litter box is 19 inches long, 15.13 inches wide, and 8 inches tall. It is also available in assorted colors.

Although this litter box undoubtedly has a lot going for it, some customers have reported that it is not suitable to use with woo-chop pellets as the holes are just the right size and shape for them to drop through.

Pros and Cons of the Van Ness Sifting Cat Pan with Frame

Best Overall

Van Ness Sifting Cat Pan with Frame

• Plastic framed pan contains litter sifter for easy cleaning
• Dimensions 19 x 15.13 x 8 inches
• Stain resistant high polish finish

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2. Best for Pine Pellets:Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Pan

For pet owners who prefer to use pine pellet cat litter we have chosen the Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Pan.

This is a three-layer litter box which includes two regular boxes and a sifting pan. The holes are the ideal size to use with pine pellet cat litter. All you need to do to clean it is to lift the sifting pan to remove the soiled waste and separate the clean litter. Then, dispose of the waste, place the sifting pan back on top of the empty pan, and pour the clean litter back on top of it.

Pet Mate designed the sifting pan with a reinforced bottom to make sure it was up to the task of holding heavy waste without buckling or breaking. They also added antimicrobial protection to the pans for odor control. The litter pans themselves are also made from recycled, eco-friendly material. Although we think this is the pest for pine pellet litter, it is suitable to use with any type of cat litter.

There are several sizes available, but customers have reported that they are smaller than expected — specifically that the large size is suitable only for a medium-sized cat and not multiple pets.

Pros and Cons of the Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Pan

Best for Fine Pellets

Petmate Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Pan

• Large sifting litter box includes 2 regular boxes and a sifting box, which lets litter pass through for easy sifting, leaving clumps behind
• Litter pans made with recycled, eco-friendly, sustainable materials
• Built-in Microban odor control to prevent odor-causing bacteria
• Works for all kinds of litter, including pine, crystal, and pellets

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3. Best Covered: Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box

If you have a cat that is particularly enthusiastic about digging in their litter box then the Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box is a great choice as it massively cuts down on the amount of litter that gets kicked out.

This large enclosed litter box offers plenty of space for cats to take care of their business while also helping keep odors contained. An additional layer of odor protection is even included with the removable door by the entryway. It also has a Zeolite air filter to help eliminate odors for 60 to 90 days. Replacement filters are available too, so you don’t need to worry about it getting stinky!

In addition to keeping odors at bay, the covered design also helps to reduce messes and cut back on litter tracking since more litter stays in the box. When you’re ready to scoop your cat’s litter, simply remove the cover to lift the sifting tray and discard the waste.

This litter box is made from durable BPA-free plastic. The plastic has a high-polish finish which makes it stain-resistant and easy to clean.

Unfortunately, some customers have found that the door comes off quite easily, even when pets are going in and out of it. They also found that the sifter doesn’t work very well with wood pellets which just drop through the holes.

Pros and Cons of the Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box

Best Covered

Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box

• Extra-large size for large or multiple cats
• Zeolite air filter helps to eliminate odors for 60-90 days (replaceable filters available)
• Durable high polish design is odor and stain resistant
• Removable enclosed top to sift; 3-pan system

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4. Best Splurge: SpeedySift Cat Litter Box with Disposable Sifting Liners

If you’re willing to spend a bit more on a sifting litter box then the SpeedySift Cat Litter Box is a great choice.

This box has an interesting design. It has the appearance of an elevated cardboard box — very square in it’s dimensions and corners. However, it’s actually made from durable, lightweight, and waterproof plastic. The sides are high to block litter from spilling onto the floor, while the upper part of the litter box (side walls) are replaceable if you hate the idea of cleaning them periodically.

The best feature of this sifting litter box is the off-set stacked liners which are disposable. Each one acts as a sieve, and when you’re ready to sift, you simply lift the sidewall, pull up the sides of the top liner (containing the litter), and the holes in the bottom allow the un-clumped litter to sift through onto the new liner underneath. Then you tie and throw away the bag of clumps, put the lid back on, and you’re good to go! However, it should be noted that this litter box works best with clumping cat litter.

This litter box suits cats up to 20 pounds which means its great for larger pets or owners with multiple cats.

This box runs right around $60, which is more than your standard, and you’ll need to order subsequent SpeedySift Sifting Liner Refills, at a minimum price of $20 for 56. If you like to sift daily, the price of liners will eventually add up to more than your investment in the box. But it’s a great, no-fuss choice if you’re willing to pay for it.

Pros and Cons of the SpeedySift Cat Litter Box

Best Splurge

SpeedySift Cat Litter Box with Disposable Sifting Liners

• Light-weight, durable, waterproof corrugated plastic side wall box
• Includes offset-stacked liners to prevent leakage; clamps up to 15 liners
• Side walls are replaceable
• Requires clumping clay litter that is non-lightweight
• For cats up to 20 pounds

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The Different Types of Litter Boxes: Pros and Cons Compared

If you’re still on the fence about whether to choose a sifting litter box or to stick with a standard one then check out the pros and cons of each below.

Standard Litter Boxes

Sifting Litter Boxes

Our Criteria: How We Chose the Best

Before we wrote this review, we researched many different sifting litter boxes and narrowed the choices down to our top picks featured below. We looked for features like odor control, durable materials, size, and convenience for the cat owner who is seeking no-fuss cleaning. Here are some observations we made on these products:

• Our overall best choice for a sifting litter box is very affordable, lightweight, and easy to clean. It also does a good job of removing all the clumps of waste when the litter is sifted. However, at times a fair amount of waste can get stuck on the sifter and will need to be wiped off.
• Out of all the sifting litter boxes we have reviewed, we think that our #2 pick is the best with pine pellets. However, many customers wished that the pan came in an extra large size to better accommodate multiple cat households.
• A covered cat litter box is always a good option to prevent spillage onto the floor. The covered design on our #3 model is great for reducing odors and messes made by cats. The problem with this model is that the litter and urine can clump in the corners, so an extra step may have to be taken in cleaning the corners properly.
• If you’re willing to invest, the #4 sifting litter box is perfect for no-fuss sifting. The litter is already sitting on an innovative liner which contains cut-out holes for easy sifting when you pull the bag out. We love the story of one woman who fosters cats, who found that the previous scooping she had to do was torture! When she discovered these boxes, she found it well worth the investment, and her cats loved the roominess of the design. This one is a winner!

The Best Sifting Litter Boxes: Summary

There are a vast number of litter boxes available today of all different types. Although there are pros and cons to both sifting and standard litter boxes, sifting litter boxes are a great way to eliminate the need for scooping. However, ultimately you should consider your own needs and those of your pet before choosing one. This includes taking into consideration the type of litter that you use, the size of your pet, and whether you need a covered design or not.

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