Article
The Best Cat Litter Boxes From Budget to Self-Cleaning (2024)
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The right litter box can be the difference between a happy home environment, or a stressful one.
If you're a pet parent who wants the best for your cat, but also wants a clean floor or convenience, read on to see what cat litter solution is best for you. Whether you're looking for a self-cleaning litter box, an affordable option, or a discreet design that blends seamlessly with your home decor, you've got options.
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The right litter box is critical
There is nothing worse than coming home from a hard day of work to find poop on your floor, or worse...carpet! Did you know that litter box issues are among the top reasons why people return cats back to shelters?*
It's a sad fact, but true.
It's critical to get your litter box set up right, not just for your sanity, but for your cat's well-being. According to PetMD, cats poop outside of their litter box due to medical, behavioral or environmental reasons. Environmental issues can be attributed to these factors and are often within your control to fix:
- Litter box location
- Wrong litter box type
- Wrong litter
- Wrong amount of litter
- Box is not clean enough
Cats are very clean and particular, so choosing the right one for their needs is critical for avoiding litter tracking, unpleasant odors, and behavioral issues.
How to choose a litter box
When choosing a cat litter box, there are a few factors to consider:
- Type. Does your cat prefer an open-top litter box, or the privacy and security of a covered litter box?
- Size. The litter box should be large enough to accommodate your kitty comfortably, with plenty of room for them to turn around and dig.
- Material. Plastic litter boxes are the most common, but there are also options made of stainless steel, ceramic, and even eco-friendly materials like bamboo.
- Entrance design. Some litter boxes have a low entrance, making it easy for kittens and older cats to access. Others have a high entrance, which can help contain litter and prevent it from being tracked outside the box. Some litter boxes have a ramp or steps leading up to the entrance, making it easier for cats with mobility issues to enter and exit the box.
Litter box features
everyone
wants
The most sought after features in a cat litter box is a self-cleaning mechanism. Self-cleaning litter boxes use sensors or timers to automatically remove waste, keeping the litter clean and fresh without the need for constant scooping. This feature is especially convenient for busy feline parents or those with multiple cats.
Another desired feature is odor control. Some litter boxes come with built-in carbon filters or deodorizers that help neutralize unpleasant smells. This can be particularly useful if you live in a small space or have sensitive noses in your household.
And finally, pet parents also look for design elements such as high sides or a hood to prevent litter scatter and messes.
But remember, just because a product may be convenient for you, that doesn't mean it's the right fit for your cat. The right fit is one that makes your life easier, but more importantly, makes your cat feel safe and comfortable enough to eliminate in.
Self-cleaning litter boxes: benefits and best options
Self-cleaning cat litter boxes can be expensive, but it might be a small price to pay for the convenience of never having to scoop again!
These litter boxes provide a clean environment, since waste is automatically removed, and fresh litter is constantly available. This can help reduce stress and anxiety in cats which are naturally clean.
One of the most popular and highly rated self-cleaning litter boxes on the market is the
Litter-Robot 4 Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box By Litter-Robot. It touts itself as “The World’s Smartest Litter Box” with Never Scoop Again® technology.
- Price: about $700
- Chewy 5 Star Review: “I love the Litter-Robot 4!!! Yes, it is very expensive and I had to put a lot of thought into it before making the purchase. The 90 day return policy was a good incentive because I wasn't sure how my cats (2) would take to using one litter box. Well, they took to it like a charm. And me, I couldn't be more happy. No more messy scooping and no odor! I would definitely recommend this product. One of the best purchases I have made in a long time!” - Kelliejo
Less expensive alternative
We found the
PetSafe ScoopFree
Complete Plus Self-Cleaning Cat Litterbox to be a good lower-priced self-cleaning litter box option.
- Price: about $160
- Amazon 5 Star Review: “The BEST litter box ever! Overall, this litter box has been a life saver! My cats love it, and as a busy college student it is much more practical than manually scooping every day like I used to. The dome top helps a lot with the smell, and 95% of the time, you wouldn’t tell that I had any animals based on smell!!” - Madison
Best odor control cat litter boxes
Getting on top of litter odors can be a giant pain. Boxes with odor control can make this process easier. Great odor control litter boxes can help by:
- Being easy to clean. When the litter box is easy to clean, a fur parent is more likely to clean it more often, which helps with controlling odors.
- Containing odors. Covered litter boxes with carbon filters help sequester odor.
- Motivating litter box use. A comfortable and easy-to-use litter box keeps cats from doing their business elsewhere.
- Providing ventilation. Open top litter boxes allow for airflow which helps reduce moisture and ward off the growth of awful smells in the litter box.
If odor control is a top priority for you, several cat litter boxes excel in this area. One of the top options we found is the Catit Airsift Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan.
- Price: about $40
- Chewy 5 Star Review: “exactly what we needed! We needed a litter box that would help with the smell because the ones we had just didn’t cut it, even with cleaning it. Our house constantly smelled (my cat doesn’t understand the concept of covering her tracks). Between regular cleanings, the box being enclosed and the filter, the smell has mostly gone away.” - Taylor
- Price: about $80
- Why People Love It: This features a furniture-like appearance and doubles as a functional side table. It’s easy to clean and resistant to moisture, warping, cracking, and splitting.
- Chewy 5 Star Review: “Great enclosure! Thus far, I have been very happy with this litter box solution for my cat. It looks nice, the quality is good and it was easy to assemble. I like the material the box is made out of because it should be easy to clean. I am extremely happy with it!” - Happy
- Amazon 5 Star Review: “Sturdy, looks nice, decreased litter!! Perfect!!” - Jana Wilson
- Price: about $80
- Chewy 5 star Review: “Wow! Awesome Sauce!” - KristenQ
- Amazon 5 star Review: “Excellent Quality Cat Box! This is the best hidden cat box I have ever purchased. The quality, style, and amount of room make it an excellent product. Company no longer sees the litter box. It is very sturdy to sit on while I put my shoes on in the morning. I could not be more pleased with this product.” - Mountain Heartbeat
Cats can be picky and territorial. If you have multiple cats, it's best to use more than one litter box, but if you can't, it's essential to choose one that can accommodate all of their needs.
One of the best options for multi-cat households is the Modkat® XL Litter Box, Top or Front-Entry Configurable. This litter box stood out to us in this category, but it did well in others too.
- Price: about $180
- Why People Love It: The top-entry almost eliminates litter tracking, and the swivel lid provides quick access for easy cleanup. Cats have the option to enter on top or in the front, depending on their preference. The box uses custom-fit, reusable liners,making them an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution.
- Amazon 5 star Review:
“Best litterbox ever. We have both the regular and XL. They are game changers. Not only are they super functional they are also modular and amazingly compact for how much they hold by size. The XL is big enough for our 3 cats to share cleaning daily and whoever thought of built-in liners of that style/quality is a genius one lasts us a year easy. Highly recommend.” - Jon
Budget-friendly cat litter box options
If you're on a budget, here are some affordable options that provide good basic quality and functionality.
The Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra Large litter box came out on top as a basic, easy-on-the-pocket pick.
- Price: about $25
- Why People Love It: simple, straightforward design, with high sides to prevent litter scatter. It’s easy to clean and its extra-large size offers plenty of room to move around comfortably. PBA-free and made of recycled plastic.
Another affordable option is the Petmate Cat Litter Box - High Capacity Cat Litter Box.
- Price: about $25
- Why People Love It: It holds 30 pounds of litter, and its deep design keeps the mess inside. This litter box rates very high in being easy to clean, its sturdiness, and value for the money.
- Amazon 5 star Review: “Our cats prefer this Petmate Open Cat Litter Box, Extra Large Nonstick Litter Pan” – Winters Icy Grip
Wrap Up
Choosing the right cat litter box is critical l for both your sanity and your cat's comfort and well-being. The top cat litter boxes discussed offer a range of features and designs to suit every cat parent's needs. Whether you're looking for a self-cleaning litter box, an odor-control solution, or a stylish option that seamlessly blends with your home decor, there's a litter box for you.
References:
* https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9854428/
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