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The Best Cat Litter Boxes to Keep Your Feline Happy

The Pet Institute Review Team
Written By The Pet Institute Review Team
Last updated: Mar 8, 2025, 12:35 PM
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Cat litter box

Litter boxes are an essential accessory in any pet household. They help your pet know where to relieve themselves, and they can save you from cleaning out nasty stains from your furniture and carpeting. Most people use a flat tray or container as a litter box. Cats are particular about things like height and space, and a litter box that’s too small or shallow might lead to your cat scattering litter outside the box. From a litter box’s shape to its depth, navigating the online market can leave you feeling overwhelmed by the number of choices you have. To help you stay on top of your cat’s hygiene routine, we’ve curated a list of some of the most popular litter boxes for cats on the market.

View all Contents
  • Finding Your Next Cat Litter Box: A Buyer’s Guide
    • What Types of Litter Boxes Are There?
    • What Materials Are Litter Boxes Made Of?
    • What To Consider When Buying a Litter Box?
    • Other Features to Consider
  • People Also Asked
  • Your Pet’s Best Interest, Always
  • Contributors
  • Related Reads

Our Top Picks of Cat Litter Boxes

  • Van Ness Cat Litter Box: Best Overall (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this Litter Box for Cats ↓
  • iPrimio Cat Litter Box: Easy to Clean (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this Litter Box for Cats ↓
  • Petmate Cat Litter Box: Larger Size (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this Litter Box for Cats ↓
  • Nature’s Miracle Cat Litter Box: Odor Control Technology (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this Litter Box for Cats ↓
  • IRIS USA Cat Litter Box: Best Bundle (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this Litter Box for Cats ↓

Comparing Our Favorite Cat Litter Boxes for 2025

Van Ness Cat Litter Box

Best Overall
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The Van Ness Odor Control Cat Pan is a unique litter box that ensures privacy and comfortability for your cat. With the handle and air holes making it portable and easy to carry, its stain and odor-resistant properties make cleaning a breeze for multi-cat pet owners. The added odor door helps keep the smell inside, and when cleaning day comes around you can easily detach the lid when removing clumped litter.

Product Pros
  • Enclosed for better privacy
  • Stain-resistant and easy to clean
  • Ensures your pet doesn’t scatter litter
  • Odor control to prevent your house from smelling
Product Cons
  • Not high enough for larger cats

iPrimio Cat Litter Box

Easy to Clean
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Championing with its wide, stainless steel pan that works to prevent litter scatter, the simple yet patented design makes iPrimio easy to clean. Aside from its non-stick coating, its deeper dimensions make it a great choice for those with larger cats.

The detachable enclosure provides another six inches of height to the product.

Product Pros
  • Long-lasting, rust-proof stainless steel
  • Enclosed sides prevent messes
  • Non-stick coating resists residue
  • Has two holes for the custom scooper
  • Does not cause any odor
Product Cons
  • Is prone to scratches over time

Petmate Cat Litter Box

Larger Size
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If you’re looking for litter boxes for cats that allow your pet to dig through the litter, then the Petmate Doskocil Litter Pan is perfect for you. With its broad base allowing your cat enough room to do its business, the bent corners make it easy for any owner to pick the box up and clean it. 

This particular product can be used for bigger cats as it comes in various sizes. Since the sourced materials are durable, it’s a good product to invest in.

Product Pros
  • Easy to lift due to bent edges
  • Perfect for all sorts of pets to use
  • Comes in large and jumbo sizes
Product Cons
  • Does not have odor-control

Nature’s Miracle Cat Litter Box

Odor Control Technology
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Favored for its order control technology, the streamlined design of Nature’s Miracle allows it to fit in even the narrowest of corners. Large enough for adult cats, if your cat is fussy about enclosed pans the lid is detachable for an open experience. 

Since it has a non-stick surface, cleaning is a breeze! If you’re tight on space but big on odor-control, this is the litter box for you.

Product Pros
  • Can fit in tight corners 
  • Has a built-in charcoal filter 
  • Non-stick surface makes it easier to clean
Product Cons
  • Does not have a handle for carrying

IRIS USA Cat Litter Box

Best Bundle
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Coming to you with a convenient litter scoop that helps pick up any clumped litter or feces without much of a hassle, IRIS USA’s litter box has a polished interior that does not allow the clumped litter to stick to the balls. You can easily fit this litter box into any room without an issue. 

Another plus? Since the top of the litter box is detachable, if your cat prefers open spaces they’ll be satisfied!

Product Pros
  • Polished interior makes cleaning easy
  • Comes with a custom litter scoop
  • Molded rims for extra stability
  • Can fit into any space or room
Product Cons
  • Ridged design not efficient for clumping litter

Finding Your Next Cat Litter Box: A Buyer’s Guide

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the top litter boxes for your cat’s needs. Some people might prefer a covered container to keep their cats from being disturbed, while others might want an open-air box that’s easy to clean. There are also a variety of materials and designs to choose from.

To help you figure out which litter box is suitable for you and your cat, we’ve put together a buyer’s guide with all the information you need to know.

What Types of Litter Boxes Are There?

The first thing you need to consider is the type of litter box you want. There are three main types of litter boxes: covered, semi-enclosed, and open-air.

Covered litter boxes

Covered litter boxes are the most popular type because they offer your cat privacy and help keep the litter contained. They also usually have a built-in scoop, which can be handy. On the downside, covered litter boxes can be more challenging to clean – and some cats don’t like being enclosed.

Semi-enclosed boxes

Semi-enclosed litter boxes are a good compromise between covered and open-air boxes. They offer more privacy than an open-air box but aren’t as enclosed as a covered box, and they’re a good option for cats who like some privacy but want to see their surroundings.

Open litter boxes

Open-air litter boxes are the simplest type of box as they’re easy to clean. Because they don’t offer much privacy for your cat, however, the chances of your litter spilling is far higher. Open-air litter boxes are suitable for cats who don’t mind having their business out in the open spaces.

What Materials Are Litter Boxes Made Of?

Some are made of plastic, while others are made of metal or wood. Plastic is the most popular type of litter box, lightweight, and easy to clean. Metal and wood litter boxes are more expensive but more durable.

What To Consider When Buying a Litter Box?

Height of the box

Choosing the right height for your cat’s litter box is necessary and should be based on your cat’s size and needs. A high litter box allows for a more excellent range of movement for cats and is essential for larger breeds. A low litter box, however, may be difficult for cats to use.

The height of the litter box can also affect the price. A taller litter box will cost more than a shorter one due to increased materials and labor. On the flip side, the extra cost may be worth it if your cat is comfortable using its litter box.

Width of the box

The width of the litter box is another crucial factor to consider. A wider box will give your cat more room to move around and can be helpful for larger cats. On the other hand, a narrower box may be more accessible for smaller cats and save you money on litter.

It is vital to choose the correct width for your cat’s needs.

Your litter box’s width also depends on the number of cats using it. If you have multiple cats, you will need a broader box to accommodate all of them. Conversely, if you only have one cat you may be able to get away with a narrower box.

Your cat’s breed

Additionally, one of the most important things you need to decide when purchasing a litter box is whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat. If you have an indoor cat, you’ll want to buy a litter box that’s easy to clean and maintain. On the other hand, if you have an outdoor cat, you’ll want to purchase a litter box that’s waterproof and durable.

Your cat’s size

Another thing to consider when purchasing a litter box is the size of your cat. If you have a large cat, you’ll want to buy a litter box that’s big enough for your cat to move around in. Conversely, if you have a small cat, you’ll want to purchase a litter box that’s small enough for your cat to access quickly.

The type of litter you use

You’ll need to decide what type of litter you want to use. The most common types are clumping, non-clumping, and biodegradable. Clumping litter is the most popular because it’s easy to use and easy to clean. Non-clumping litter is less popular because it’s more challenging to clean. Meanwhile, biodegradable litter is the least popular because it’s more expensive.

Other Features to Consider

There are quite a few additional features that you can find if you are willing to pay the price for them. Some of these features might be a good investment, while others might not.

It all comes down to your preferences as a cat owner, and what your cat’s needs are. Here are some of the most popular additional features that you can find in a litter box:

Automatic litter boxes

These types of litter boxes are gaining popularity because they offer a high level of convenience. An automatic litter box will do all of the scoopings for you. All you have to do is empty it out every once in a while.

Self-cleaning litter boxes

Self-cleaning litter boxes are similar to automatic litter boxes because they offer a high level of convenience. The main selling point is that self-cleaning litter boxes don’t require you to empty them. Instead, they have a built-in mechanism to clean the litter box for you.

Litter boxes with built-in fans

Some higher-end litter boxes come with built-in fans. The purpose of the fan is to circulate the air and keep the litter box area smelling fresh.

Litter boxes with built-in heaters

Like litter boxes with built-in fans, some models come with built-in heaters. The purpose of the heater is to keep the litter box area warm. This can be especially beneficial during the winter months.

People Also Asked

How often do I have to clean my cat’s litter?

When it comes to removing waste from the litter box itself, it’s good to clean it at least once a day. Cleaning your litter box often–or on a schedule–ensures fewer chances of odor becoming noticeable, keeping your cat from transmitting germs. Not cleaning your litter box on a regular basis can result in a buildup of bacteria. In the long term, this can lead to a potentially costly vet visit. While your primary concern would be parasites in this case, another risk is a bladder infection (or feline UTI).  Aside from this, an unclean litter box will also make the room and surrounding hallways smell.

Is it common for cats to reject litter boxes or materials?

If a cat does not like the chemicals used in the litter or finds the litter box too high or too low, it may reject it. Therefore, always check your cat’s comfortability with the litter box and change it accordingly. If changing the litter doesn’t work, consult your vet. Your cat may be dealing with an unannounced health issue.

Will it make a difference if I use scented litter in my odor-free box?

Some cats are sensitive to smells and can be repelled by scented litter. Therefore, try and use non-scented litter if possible.

How do I make sure my cat’s litter box is disinfected?

You can use materials like a disinfectant or bleach to disinfect your cat’s litter box when you clean it. Because these chemicals have pungent smells, you’ll want to keep the cleaned box in the sun or wash it thoroughly with water again before using.

Your Pet’s Best Interest, Always

At Pet Institute, we take pet care seriously. We're dedicated to transparency, impartiality, and the well-being of your pets in every article, review, and recommendation we provide. Our unwavering commitment to these principles ensures that you, our valued reader, always receive reliable and unbiased information. Let us be your trusted guide in the world of pet care and companionship.

Contributors

The Pet Institute Review Team
The Pet Institute Review Team
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