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The best cat litter boxes we tested

Best cat litter box: ExquisiCat High-Sided Litter Box

Best covered cat litter box: Frisco Covered Cat Litter Box

If you have a cat, you need a litter box — in fact, you should have more than one. While not the most exciting or glamorous purchase, the best litter boxes are important for keeping your cat happy and healthy and can help prevent bad bathroom behaviors. However, it can be tricky to choose the right one for your pets, as there are dozens of options available, many of which look quite similar.

To help you find the right option for your cat, we consulted cat experts and tested 11 popular litter boxes, including both open-top and covered models. We evaluated them on factors like size, design, mess prevention and cleanliness, as well as their appeal to our feline friends.

Best cat litter box

This simple, open-top litter box provides plenty of space for cats to go to the bathroom, and its high walls keep litter from being kicked out as your cat digs around. It’s made from sturdy plastic and its built-in handles make it easy to lift and clean. 

Best covered cat litter box

Big enough for even the largest cats, this covered litter box has a flip-up lid that makes it quick and easy to scoop. The box has enough ventilation to prevent it from smelling like a porta-potty, and it includes a convenient snap-on holder where you can stash a litter scoop. 

Best cat litter box: ExquisiCat High-Sided Litter Box

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The ExquisiCat High-Sided Litter Box is simple and affordable, and it proved to be the best open-top litter box in terms of size, mess prevention and ease of cleaning. My cat, Piper, started using the box immediately after I set it up, and after testing it for around a week, it met our requirements for a great litter box. For her, it’s easy to enter and holds plenty of litter for digging. For me, it keeps litter tracking to a minimum and is easy to scoop and empty.

This litter box is 24 inches long and 18 inches wide, providing plenty of room for average-sized cats to do their business. Piper weighs around 9 pounds and is roughly 15 inches long, and she had enough space to turn around in the box without touching the sides. The opening at the front of the box is just under 6 inches high, making it easy for her to enter and exit without having to jump, and the box’s 10-inch walls allowed me to fill the bottom with 3 inches of litter with plenty of room to spare. The walls are high enough to prevent litter from being kicked out when Piper digs around, and the design would also be beneficial if your cat is prone to peeing on the sides of their litter box.

This open-top litter pan is made from thick plastic, and unlike many other boxes we tested, it has built-in handles that make it easier to pick up and empty without the lip digging into your fingers. Even when the box was filled with a few inches of litter, the plastic only flexed a small amount when I picked it up, so I was never worried about it cracking (a problem I’ve encountered with litter boxes in the past). The ExquisiCat box was also easy to scoop, thanks to its smooth bottom, and I noticed that litter clumps released easily and left less residue behind compared to other pans.

It’s worth noting that this litter box is identical to the Frisco High-Sided Cat Litter Box in terms of size, design and material. While they’re different colors, the two models performed the same during testing, and ultimately, we chose the ExquisiCat as our top pick because of its lower price. However, if you prefer to shop at Chewy, you can’t go wrong with the Frisco version.

Best covered cat litter box: Frisco Covered Cat Litter Box

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Some cats prefer covered litter boxes which give them more privacy, and if your cat is particularly messy, a covered design may help keep litter contained. Among the covered options we tried, the Frisco Covered Cat Litter Box stood out as the best, thanks to its generous size and ease of cleaning. Unlike several other models, it didn’t become unpleasantly smelly inside either.

At just shy of 30 inches in length and 17.5 inches wide, this litter box was the largest of all the products we tested, making it a top choice for larger cats. You can purchase it with an inner tray that takes up about half the space, but to give your cat as much room as possible, we recommend simply filling the entire bottom of the enclosure with a layer of litter. It took almost a full bag of litter to fill the box, but I was impressed by how much space it offered Piper. The opening has a 6-inch lip that was easy for her to walk over, yet it still was high enough to accommodate a few inches of litter in the bottom of the box and prevent pieces from being scattered around the floor as she exited.

Unlike other covered litter boxes, which have lids that have to be fully removed for cleaning, this one’s cover hinges open, and I was able to rest it against the wall behind the box while I scooped out waste. The box has a smooth floor that makes for easy scooping, though some people may have trouble bending over the 17-inch walls to reach into the box. I also like that this litter box comes with a litter scoop and holder that snaps into one of the side handles, so it’s always within reach. The two open handles make the large box easy to lift, and they also serve as ventilation points. While other covered options retain smells that could be off-putting to your cat, the Frisco was never overly stinky when I lifted the lid.

Because this box is so large, it’s harder to deep-clean than smaller open-top options. It’s very heavy to lift while full, and I was worried about the plastic cracking under the weight, so I ended up shoveling most of the litter out by hand when I needed to change it. It’s also too large to fit in my tub for scrubbing, so I had to take it outdoors to clean it with the garden hose.

How we tested

To find the best litter box for cats, we tested a total of 11 different models. With the help of my 1-year-old cat, Piper, we put each box through a series of tests, evaluating it on factors like size, cleanliness, mess prevention and design. The following is a list of all the tests we ran and what we looked for during the testing process:

Performance

  • Cleanliness: We tested each litter box for at least three or four days, scooping out waste daily. While cleaning each box, I considered how easy it was to access the box, whether it was easy to scoop out clumps or if any features got in the way of scooping. After testing each box, we emptied the litter and washed it out. I noted how much litter residue was stuck to the material and how easy it was to deep-clean the pan.
  • Mess prevention: If your cat likes to dig around before using the litter box, they may kick litter all over the floor. During testing, I noted if each box did a good job keeping litter contained and how much, if any, litter spilled onto the floor around the box. I also noted if the walls were high enough to prevent cats from urinating outside the box.
  • Durability: I closely examined the materials on each box, recording what they were made of and if they felt sturdy. I also lifted each box while it was filled with litter, noting if the box could easily support the weight. During and after testing, I assessed any damage to the box and potential weak spots that might break with extended use.

Design

  • Size: Because size is one of the most important factors when choosing a litter box, we carefully considered the dimensions of each box. I noted if Piper, who is a smaller cat, had enough space to fully enter the box and turn around without touching the walls and if the box could accommodate larger cats.
  • Ease of entry: I recorded how easy each box was for Piper to enter and leave, as well as if it would be accessible for senior animals or those with limited mobility.
  • Cover usability: For covered boxes, I considered how easy it was to remove and attach the cover. I also assessed if the covered boxes were more challenging to scoop and if they had any ventilation.
  • Extra features: I noted any special features, such as storage compartments, odor-reducing filters, liners or built-in litter scoops.

What type of litter boxes do cats prefer?

Litter boxes aren’t a one-size-fits-all product, so you may need to try a few options to see what your cat likes best. “Every cat is unique and typically has their own personal preference,” says Dr. Preston Turano, who has a doctorate in veterinary medicine and is a veterinary advisor at Felix Cat Insurance. “If your cat is not using the litter box, they are letting you know they don’t like the setup. There can be numerous reasons, from location to size, covered versus open and litter type, to name a few.”

Most experts recommend an open-top litter box, which will be easily accessible for your cat. Many of these boxes have high walls to contain litter as your cat digs around, but they must be able to get into the box easily. For this reason, most products have one wall that’s lower than the others. “For senior or disabled cats, a low entry is the most important factor,” Turano says. “If you notice your cat is struggling to get in and out of the box, you need one that is lower.”

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If your cat tends to be messy when using the litter box, a covered model can help contain the mess. These boxes have an opening for your cat to climb in and out, and some even have swinging doors. “Not only are they more effective in containing litter scatter and urine spray but these litter boxes also help contain the odor,” says Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado, certified cat behavior consultant at Feline Minds.

However, there are a few downsides of covered litter boxes to keep in mind. “While covered litter boxes help with smell as far as your own nose is concerned, your cat’s experience may differ. Research has shown that cat owners are much less likely to clean covered boxes regularly, so they can be a much less pleasant experience for the cat.” If you opt for a covered litter box, look for a model with ventilation that allows odors to escape, and be sure to scoop out waste daily.

Covered litter boxes may also pose problems if you have multiple pets. “In multicat households, your cat may feel concerned if they can’t see if anyone is approaching,” Delgado says. “If there is conflict between cats, a cat can easily feel cornered or trapped in a covered box.”

How big should a litter box be?

Many commercial litter boxes are too small for average-sized cats, so you’ll want to carefully consider dimensions as you compare options. “A good rule of thumb regarding litter box size for a single cat is 1.5 times their body length and two to three times the width of their body,” Turano says. “The box needs to be large enough that the cat can circle and dig because that is what they like to do when taking care of business.”

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An article on Hill’s Pet Nutrition notes that an average-sized house cat is around 18 inches long, which means their litter box should be at least 27 inches long. If your cat is a larger breed, such as a Maine Coon, you’ll need to find a box that’s large enough to accommodate them. If you can’t find one large enough, Delgado recommends purchasing a high-sided plastic storage bin and cutting an opening into the side. Just be sure to smooth out any rough edges to protect your pet.

How many litter boxes do cats need?

It’s best to have multiple litter boxes located throughout your home, even if you have only one cat. The general rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus one extra. In one-cat households, you’ll want to provide two litter boxes, and for two cats, you’ll need three boxes and so on.

The boxes should be in different rooms around the house and, in general, you’ll want to place them in a quiet location where your cat won’t be disturbed. “If you have a dog in the home, I recommend using a baby gate with a cat door to create a dog-free zone where your cat can go to the bathroom,” Delgado says.

Other litter boxes we tested

Very similar to our winner, it's just a few dollars more expensive. But if you can find this box on sale, it's worth it.

As mentioned above, the Frisco High-Sided Cat Litter Box is virtually identical to the ExquisiCat High-Sided Litter Box, our top pick. They’re the same size and shape, and their performance was similar as well. It’s another great choice for your cat but costs a few dollars more than the ExquisiCat version.

This box is durable but heavy. The metal tub also meant that clumps of litter stuck to the bottom.

The iPrimio Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box is the most durable product we tested, thanks to its sturdy metal base, which resists scratching, stains and odors. It’s slightly narrower than most other open-top boxes and comes with a three-sided plastic attachment that helps keep litter contained. While the metal construction stands up to vigorous scratching, I found that the box is awkwardly heavy to lift when filled with litter. Clumps of litter stuck to the bottom more than they did on plastic pans as well, which made it a bit more time-consuming to scoop. It’s also quite expensive.

Piper kicked more litter out of this box than our winner, and it's much more expensive.

The Smart Paws Litter Box is similar in size to the ExquisiCat, and it’s made from thick, sturdy plastic with small handles on the ends that make it easier to lift. The main difference is that the Smart Paws box has its opening on the longer wall, and Piper kicked a lot more litter out of it while using the bathroom. It’s also more than double the price of the ExquisiCat for a very similar product.

This box is big enough for most, but its walls are lower, meaning more litter could scatter out.

The So Phresh King-Size Litter Pan was the largest open-top model we tested, but its side compartment, which can be used to store liners or your litter scoop, takes up 6 inches of the box’s overall length. So, while the whole thing is 34 inches long, the usable space for your cat is closer to 28 inches. Still, it’s a big litter box that’s well-suited for large cats, and it has a convenient handle that makes it easier to pick up and empty. However, its walls are lower than many other boxes, so your cat may be able to kick litter out if they dig aggressively.

This box comes in various sizes so you can select the right one for your cat, but it doesn't have handles and its opening is quite high.

The Petmate Cat Litter Box is one of the few options we tested that comes in various sizes, allowing you to select the the best option for your cat. We tested the “Giant” size and it was a little bigger than what Piper needed. The plastic is thick and sturdy, but this litter box doesn’t have handles, making it harder to lift. Its front opening is also quite high off the ground, forcing Piper to jump into it, and the ridges on the sides of the box made it more difficult to scoop.

This open-top litter box was too small for Piper, and it was hard to scoop out of.

While inexpensive, the Iris litter box was the smallest of all the open-top boxes we tested, and even Piper, who’s a small cat, was cramped inside it, with barely enough space to turn around. There are also several ridges on the bottom of the litter box, which makes it much more difficult to scoop out clumps.

This box provides tons of privacy and didn't smell too bad, but it was a real pain to scoop.

I wasn’t sure how Piper would like the Catit Airsift Litter Pan, which has a swinging plastic door that covers its entry, but once she figured out how to use it, she seemed to like the privacy it gave her and often chose to use it instead of her open-top box. The Airsift is made from thick, sturdy plastic, and I like that it has a carbon filter integrated into the top to help reduce odors. It seemed to be fairly effective, as the box didn’t smell nearly as much as other covered options.

However, this was one of the more challenging boxes to scoop. Part of the lid flips back to provide access to the interior, but I felt like I was sticking my whole arm into the box to scoop clumps out of the back. It’s also a process if you want to remove the lid, as the latches that hold it in place don’t always move smoothly.

Even for my smaller cat, this litter box wasn't big enough.

While this box’s flip-up lid and reusable liner make it easy to clean, the Modkat is just too cramped for most cats to be comfortable inside. Piper barely had enough room to maneuver around, and she actively avoided using this litter box.

The lid of this covered litter box trapped too many scents, and my cat didn't want to use it after a while.

The Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box has a rounded base that’s wider than many other boxes we tested, but the plastic lid is noticeably flimsy and didn’t clip into place properly. The lid also kept odors trapped inside the box. Piper used it a few times and then started avoiding it, likely due to the unpleasant smell.