If you share your home with a cat (or multiple), it’s important to give them a clean, comfortable space to go to the bathroom. Whether you opt for a high-end self-cleaning model or a basic plastic bin, the best litter boxes help encourage proper elimination behavior, ensuring your cat is happy and healthy. Our top pick overall is the So Phresh High-Back Litter Box, a spacious, reasonably priced pick that reduces litter tracking.
Nowadays, you can find litter boxes that could actually be described as high tech or sleek, such as … [+] these models from Litter-Robot and Modkat.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers
If there’s one factor to play close attention to when shopping for litter boxes, it’s the size of the bin, as many popular options are too small for average-sized felines. “A good rule of thumb is that the litter box should be about one-and-a-half times the length of the cat, from nose to base of their tail,” says Joey Lusvardi, a certified cat behavior consultant at Class Act Cats. “The litter box should also be big enough that the cat can comfortably turn around in it.” In fact, he recommends selecting an extra-large or jumbo litter box (if possible) to give your cat plenty of space. Beyond that, you want to consider accessibility, as not all boxes work for older or less agile cats, as well as ease of cleaning. With those guidelines in mind, here are the best litter boxes in 2024.
Best Litter Box Overall: So Phresh High-Back Litter Box
Best Budget Litter Box: Petmate Open Cat Litter Box
Best Self-Cleaning Litter Box: Litter-Robot 4
Best Litter Box For Odor Control: Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box
Best Litter Box For Multiple Cats: So Phresh King-Size Cat Litter Pan
Best Top-Entry Litter Box: Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box
Best-Designed Litter Box: Tuft & Paw Cove Modern Litter Box
Best Litter Box For Senior Cats: Shirley K’s Senior Cat Litter Box
Type: Front-entry | Dimensions: 24 x 18 x 10 inches | Weight: 2.9 pounds | Special features: High walls
These days, you can find tons of premium cat litter boxes, including self-cleaning models, but we still believe the best option for most cat owners is something relatively basic. In particular, we like the top-rated So Phresh High-Back Litter Box, which is spacious enough to accommodate large cats and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. And thanks to its lowered entry, older cats should have no problem getting in and out. Featuring elevated walls on three sides, this model helps keep litter contained while providing plenty of room for your cat to turn around and dig. And it has perks for you, too: Notably, it’s easy to clean, thanks to its durable plastic construction.
Pros:
Reasonably priced
High walls help contain litter
Low entry for easy access
Can accommodate larger cats
Cons:
Type: Open-top | Dimensions: 22 x 16.5 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 1 pounds | Special features: N/A
Whether you’re on an extra-tight budget or you’re looking for a second litter box to place around the house for your cat (which many vets recommend), the Petmate Open Cat Litter Box is an inexpensive pick you can rely on. Available in five sizes, ranging from giant to small, the box has a standard design with an open top. (In particular, the jumbo size is large enough for most average-sized felines.) The litter box is made from thick plastic, and it has a rim around the edges that makes it easier to lift. Just keep in mind that overweight or senior cats might have trouble climbing over its higher walls.
Pros:
Inexpensive
Wide range of sizes available
Easy access for scooping
Cons:
MOST POPULAR
Type: Self-cleaning | Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 29.5 inches | Weight: 24 pounds | Special features: Self-cleaning, Wi-Fi connectivity
Hate scooping your cat’s litter? Then the Litter-Robot 4, the best self-cleaning litter box that we’ve tested, might be a worthwhile splurge for your home. Every time your cat uses the box, it automatically cycles to remove the waste, dumping it into a collection bag in the base. This ensures your cat always has fresh, clean litter, and you won’t have to scoop ever again.
The Litter-Robot 4 connects to your smartphone, and it sends you notifications when the waste drawer is full. The app also provides insights into your cat’s bathroom habits and has a built-in scale to monitor their weight. Though the litter box is quite large, it has a sleek, modern design and operates quietly, so it won’t disturb your daily activities (or spook your cat).
What the editors say: “If you want a top-of-the-line smart machine, there’s simply no comparison,” says executive strategy editor Lindsay Boyers, who’s owned this model for over a year. (She has three cats.)
Pros:
Automatically removes waste
Operates quietly
Connects to your smartphone
Cons:
Type: Covered | Dimensions: 25 x 19 x 17 inches | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Special features: See-through cover
You can help prevent litter box odors from spreading through your home with the Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box. Unlike other covered litter boxes, which have a dark interior that prevents you from seeing inside, the Petphabet model has a clear lid that lets you see when it needs scooping. Plus, it helps to contain odors and gives your cat a bit more privacy.
This litter box comes in several colors, and its plastic base has a higher back that’s ideal for cats who tend to pee on the wall of their litter box. The door is also big enough for cats to easily climb in and out, and the lid snaps off easily when you need to clean the box.
Pros:
Covered design helps minimize odors
See-through lid lets you monitor litter
Available in several colors
Cons:
Curved inner walls can be hard to scoop
Type: Front-entry | Dimensions: 34 x 19.6 x 7.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Special features: Storage compartment
If you have multiple cats, the So Phresh King-Size Litter Pan provides ample room for them to use so you’re not scooping constantly. Not online is the box is almost 3 feet long, but its walls are high enough that it can hold several inches of litter for your cats to dig around.
This oversized litter box is made from thick plastic that’s made from 50% recycled materials, and it has a rimmed edge and integrated handle for easy lifting. There’s also a handy storage compartment on one end that’s perfect for stashing your litter scoop and trash bags so they’re always in reach when you need to clean out waste.
Pros:
Extra-large design accommodates multiple cats
Storage area for scoop and bags
Made from 50% recycled materials
Cons:
Type: Top-entry | Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 15 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Special features: Includes scoop and reusable liner
If your cat loves to dig aggressively in their litter and ends up kicking the pieces all over the floor, you might want a top-entry model like this one from Modkat. Designed to minimize tracking, this popular pick has extra-high walls and a lid with a hole, through which cats can access the bathroom. Once inside, they can dig to their heart’s content without making a mess of your floors.
When it’s time to clean this litter box, the lid flips open for easy access, and it comes with a matching scoop that you can hang on the back of the box. (It also comes with a liner.) Additionally, the lid has holes through which excess litter can fall back into the box, helping to keep your cat from tracking pieces out on their paws. It really is a top choice if you’re looking to minimize mess.
What the editors say: If you have an energetic and agile cat, as does senior home and kitchen editor Amanda Arnold, this litter box is worth the splurge. “While my floors aren’t completely litter free, I no longer need a litter mat to capture granules that my cat tracks out of the box,” she says. “Plus, for a litter box, it’s relatively good-looking.”
Pros:
Helps minimize litter mess
Flip-up lid for easy cleaning
Includes litter scoop that hangs on box
Cons:
Hard for senior cats to access
Type: Front-entry | Dimensions: 16 x 26 x 6.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Special features: Optional partition, includes cleaning tools
Designed with aesthetics in mind, the Cove Modern Litter Box is more attractive than most standard front-entry litter boxes. It has a sleek white base that includes a compartment for the included litter scoop and cleaning brush. Plus, the main area is six inches deep, so you can provide several inches of litter for your cat. The design is also available with or without an additional eight-inch matte plastic partition, which helps to keep litter contained if your cat likes to kick it around. The litter box has a hidden handle for easy lifting and a rubber bottom that keeps it in place on the floor, and while it is more expensive than most regular litter boxes, the expense is worth it if you’re looking for a more attractive option for your home.
Pros:
Sleek yet functional design
Optional partition to contain litter
Includes litter scoop and cleaning brush
Cons:
Type: Front-entry | Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 9 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Special features: Low-entry wall
As your cat gets older, they may have trouble climbing in and out of litter boxes with high walls. The Shirley K’s Senior Cat Litter Box is designed for cats with mobility issues, as its entry is over three inches high, allowing most cats to walk right into it.
This litter box has an oversized 30-by-30-inch form that gives your cat plenty of space to go to the bathroom, and its back and side walls are nine inches tall to help contain the litter. Plus, the large, open top makes the box easy to clean—though the downside is that you won’t be able to fill it with as much litter as other boxes. Otherwise, it can spill out of the low entry.
Pros:
Extra-low entry wall
Large, spacious design
Easy to clean
Cons:
Doesn’t hold as much litter
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Many members of the Forbes Vetted team own pets, so we understand how tricky it can be to find the best pet products—there are so many options to choose from that it can quickly become overwhelming. To help make your decisions easier, we’ve spent hours researching and testing the a wide range of pet products, including cat litter and self-cleaning litter boxes. Camryn Rabideau, the author of this article, is also a longtime cat owner and has personally tested several of the litter boxes included on the list.
In addition to our own expertise, we spoke with two experts while researching this piece. Joey Lusvardi, a certified cat behavior consultant at Class Act Cats, and Dr. Erin Tate, VP of Clinical Development at CityVet, both offered their insights on what type of litter boxes cats prefer and how you can select a box that will work for your pet.
How We Chose The Best Cat Litter Boxes
There are hundreds of litter boxes out there today, but many of them are too small for the average cat. While looking for the best cat litter boxes, we prioritized models that are at least 20 inches long and 15 inches wide, which give your cat plenty of room to move around and dig. We also selected models with high sides, which can help to prevent litter from being kicked out and ending up all over your floors. Other factors we considered while selecting litter boxes include ease of entry, ease of cleaning and cost.
What To Look For In The Best Cat Litter Boxes
If you have a cat, a litter box is a must-have. (Just imagine living in a house without a bathroom.) And if you want your cat to be comfortable—and you don’t want your floors to perpetually covered in litter—you don’t want to bring home just and old plastic tray. Here are the factors to keep in mind as you shop.
Size
The size of your cat will determine how big their litter box should be, and in general, bigger is better. (That’s why the spacious So Phresh High-Back Litter Box is our top pick.) Your cat should have enough room to turn around inside the box without touching the walls: “For an average sized adult cat, most extra-large litter boxes are going to be the best choice, as many of the regular sized ones are on the small side,” says Lusvardi.
You also want to consider the height of the litter box’s walls. “Your cat’s litter box behavior will determine the best height for the walls,” he explains. “Some cats naturally pee a bit higher and need higher walls. Cats that tend to dig a lot usually benefit from higher walls as well.”
Type
There are several common litter box styles, including standard open-top boxes, as well as front-entry, top-entry and covered models. Top-entry and covered models, such as the Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box, can help contain litter if your cat digs around a lot, but they also can trap odors. “Closed boxes are usually marketed as a way to contain the smell for us, but the trade off is that your cat is stuck in the kitty equivalent of an outhouse,” says Lusvardi. “If you pick a covered box, it’s more important that you scoop it regularly than if you have an open box.”
Experts also caution against top-entry boxes like the Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box if your cat has any type of mobility problems: “The cat has a lot more work to do to use the litter box if they have a top-entry box,” explains Lusvardi. “They need to climb up and then descend into the box in order to use it. After they’re done, they have to climb out of the box again. If your cat is stressed, has mobility issues, or is sick, they’re not going to want to put all that work into using the box.” If your cat is agile, though, a top-entry box can be a great option, as these models cut down on litter tracking.
Features
A simple, no-frills litter box is sufficient for most cats, but there are models that have extra features that make them more convenient for humans. In particular, self-cleaning litter boxes like the Litter-Robot 4 have become popular in recent years; these models automatically remove waste so you don’t have to scoop them, and they can be beneficial if your cat is particular about having a clean box. However, self-cleaning boxes are much more expensive than regular models, and they have lots of moving parts that can break over time.
What Type Of Litter Box Do Cats Like Best?
It’s important to put your cat’s needs first when selecting a litter box. “If you make the litter box how the human likes it, the cat probably won’t like it,” explains veterinarian Erin Tate, vice president of Clinical Development at CityVet. “If you look at the most common litter boxes, a lot of them are tailored to be discrete, but these things that make them discrete are not appealing to cats.”
“Most cats don’t like lids on their litter boxes because it’s like a porta potty and traps odor,” she says. “Cats don’t like the smell any more than we like the smell. Additionally, cats like to dig and slosh around in their litter box, and the lid can inhibit movement.” In general, cats tend to prefer open-top litter boxes that are easy to get in and out of, such as the So Phresh High-Back Litter Box. Be sure your cat has plenty of room to turn around inside the box, and of course, keep the box clean with daily scooping.
