We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Pet Products The 12 Best Cat Litter Boxes, Tested by Real Cats The Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan is our top pick By Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito is a former contributing writer at PEOPLE who specializes in lifestyle, wellness, and home improvement topics. People Editorial Guidelines and Katherine Alex Beaven Katherine Alex Beaven K. Alex Beaven is a writer who covers pet and travel products. She has also worked as a travel journalist for over a decade, covering destinations, hotels, cruises, and food and drink. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 9, 2025 07:45AM EST In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Tried What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People/Kaya Abrahamson Your cat might think they’re the center of the universe, but they still need you to clean out their litter box. If you’re a devoted cat parent, you’ll want to find a cat litter box that’s easy for your favorite felines to do their business and easy for you to clean. It might be a bit of trial and error when it comes to finding the best litter box for your feline’s needs, says Dr. Bryce Zietz, DVM, and Team Veterinarian at Fuzzy, a digital pet care company. He suggests setting up a range of options in box styles, sizes, and litter types for two weeks. “Think of it as a litter box buffet,” he says. Need some assistance in creating your own litter box buffet at home? Our PEOPLE Tested team has done a lot of the leg work for you. We tested 43 litter boxes to find the best cat litter box that’s purr-fect (we had to say it) for your pet. We looked at ease of assembly and cleaning, box design, odor control, and overall value to pinpoint the best cat litter boxes. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan at Amazon $54 $40 Jump to Review Best Value: iPrimio Cat XL Litter Box at Amazon $63 Jump to Review Best Budget: Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Box at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best for Senior Cats: Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan at Amazon $45 Jump to Review Best Automatic : SALE PetSafe ScoopFree Complete Plus Litterbox at Amazon $200 $170 Jump to Review Best Large: Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box at Amazon $60 Jump to Review Best for Odor Control: Frisco Multi-Function Covered Cat Litter Box at Chewy $70 Jump to Review Best with High Sides: Smart Paws Cat Litter Box with High Sides at Amazon $59 Jump to Review Best Hooded: Frisco Hooded Cat Litter Box at Chewy $33 Jump to Review Easiest to Clean: Litter Genie Cat Litter Box at Amazon $30 Jump to Review Best Overall Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan PHOTO: Chewy $54 $40 at Amazon $33 at Chewy $40 at PETCO Star Qualities Privacy door to keep cats comfortable Handle for easy carrying Built-in bag anchor makes cleaning easy Red Flags Cats may need to adjust to door Pricier than others we tested Overall, the Catit Hooded Cat Pan litter box received top scores across the board during our testing due to its high quality, great value, and privacy features. A hood and a door work wonders to give your cat privacy on the inside and hide interior contents from the outside. It’s also a cinch to clean, has a built-in bag anchor for easily depositing scooped waste, and sports a carbon-filter option for added odor control. One of our tester kitties took a bit of time to get used to having an entry door to go through, but they eventually worked it out. Trust us, the front door does an excellent job of keeping litter in the box and not on your floors. We also loved how easy the litter box was to pick up and move around thanks to its carry handle. Type: Covered pan | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 22.44 x 19.69 x 18.31 inches | Weight: 1.7 pounds People / Maddy Newton Best Value iPrimio Cat XL Litter Box PHOTO: Amazon $63 at Amazon Star Qualities Intuitive design with quick setup Controls odors and reduces litter tracking Removable rim and large pan for easy scooping and changing Clean, sleek appearance isn’t an eyesore Red Flags Removable rim tray can be knocked off by cat No place to hang scoop Setting the iPrimio Enclosed XL Litter Box up was seamless, thanks to its clear instructions and intuitive design. Plus, it has a clean, sleek appearance with high walls that reduce litter tracking. The removable rim makes cleaning and changing the litter a breeze, but we wish it was more secure, as it occasionally gets knocked off by the cats using it. And although the large pan makes scooping easy, it would be nice if there was a hook or mount to store the scoop. This litter box really stood out for odor control, masking the unpleasant scent of cat waste in the home. Seeing as it’s big enough for multiple cats, low maintenance for pet owners, and quite functional, the value is undeniable. Type: High-sided pan | Material: Plastic, stainless steel | Dimensions: 23.5 x 15.5 x 6 inches | Weight: 6 pounds PHOTO: People / Tracy Allison PHOTO: People / Tracy Allison PHOTO: People / Tracy Allison PHOTO: People / Tracy Allison PHOTO: People / Tracy Allison Best Budget Arm & Hammer Sifting Litter Box PHOTO: Amazon $20 at Amazon $30 $27 at Walmart $25 at Wayfair Star Qualities Sifting pan for easy cleaning Made from recycled materials Excellent value for multi-cat households Red Flags Learning curve for sifting pan Lower walls could results in scattered litter We love that this Arm & Hammer sifting pan allows you to skip the manual scooping. Instead, this litter box uses its tri-level pan design to sift out waste. We were surprised at how easy it was to clean this box and we did not experience any clogs in the sifting tray (pro tip: you must use clumping sand litter for the system to work properly). However, one feline tester did seem to kick out more litter than usual after jumping out of the box. There’s a bit of a learning curve if you’re not used to sifting or having this many pans, but overall, we found it to be functional and a good value. The whole system is made from recycled materials, so this is an eco-friendly option for cat owners. It has Microban protection to prevent bacteria from forming and causing odors, so it’s a win for your household, too. Type: Sifting | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 19 x 15 x 8 inches | Weight: Not listed PHOTO: People / Katie Begley PHOTO: People / Katie Begley Best for Senior Cats Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan PHOTO: Amazon $45 at Amazon Star Qualities Low entry good for cats with limited mobility Rubber grips make lifting and carrying easy Back high enough to contain litter with minimal kickback Red Flags No cover; not as discreet as others This low-entry cat litter pan is a particularly good choice for cats with limited mobility or smaller cats. The easy entry and exit space was ideal for our tester’s senior cat, but it was also perfect for their younger cat. We liked how the front is low enough for your cat to step into the box rather than needing to jump, but the walls remained high enough to contain the litter when kicked. The pan is large and easy-to-clean, and rubber grips on the side make it easy to move the box when needed. There’s no lid for this cat litter box, and the tester did note with some dismay that the plastic is shiny, so it might not work if you’re looking for something more discreet. Type: Pan | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 25 x 16.75 x 9 inches | Weight: 3.31 pounds PHOTO: People / Lesly Bernal PHOTO: People / Lesly Bernal Best Automatic PetSafe ScoopFree Complete Plus Litterbox PHOTO: Amazon $200 $170 at Amazon $150 at Chewy View on PETCO Star Qualities Automatically scoops litter with full-length comb Remained entirely odor-free throughout testing period Performance rivals more expensive options Red Flags Tricky to take box apart for monthly cleaning The PetSafe ScoopFree Smart Covered litter box is a game changer — if you thought you had to spend big to find a decent automatic litter box, then this fairly-priced model might change your mind. Our tester cat quickly felt comfortable using the automatic box, even in the presence of the low hum the box emitted. And, best of all, our sensitive human noses detected zero smell. An automatic scooping comb takes care of the usually disgusting daily task of scooping litter. It senses when your cat is using the box and cleans up once they’ve finished and safely exited. Keep in mind that It will only work with crystal litter (but any kind of crystal litter), and the monthly cleaning process is somewhat of a hassle — you may spill a bit of used litter. Type: Automatic | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 20.38 x 7.13 x 28 inches | Weight: 16 pounds People / Vicky Wasik Best Large Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box PHOTO: Amazon $60 $55 at Amazon Star Qualities Spacious enough for big cats to use comfortably Keeps litter contained in box Easy to clean with soap and water Red Flags Clear lid; could be more discreet The Petphabet litter box does a great job at containing the litter, and the spacious jumbo size makes it a good choice for larger cats because they’ve got plenty of room to move around. Plus, it’s easy to clean this Petphabet cat litter box with soap and water once you remove the lid from the base of the box. This litter box comes in bright colors like teal and purple or a more subtle light gray, all with clear plastic lids. Depending on how much your cat likes his or her privacy and how much you want to keep your litter box hidden, the clear lid might not work for you. At the end of the day, this is really just a large plastic box with a clear lid, so it might be a bit pricey unless your cat is super picky. Type: Covered | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 25 x 19 x 17 inches | Weight: 3.12 pounds People / Alicia Long Best for Odor Control Frisco Multi-Function Covered Cat Litter Box PHOTO: Chewy $70 at Chewy Star Qualities Contains spray well; drastically reduces litter tracking Lidded design contains odor Easy to remove lid and change out litter Low entry point accommodates cats of all sizes Red Flags Likely not large enough for multiple cats At first glance, the Frisco Multi-Function litter box might appear to be just a standard box-shaped litter box with a lid, but it’s actually a sneakily genius product that reduces the amount of litter tracking and limits odor. Inside the litter box is a litter tray and an exit area that helps to catch the litter stuck on a cat’s paws before they exit the box. During testing, this proved to be a game changer when it came to keeping the space around the litter box clean. We also appreciated the thoughtful design included a scoop and scoop holder. Plus, stepping into and out of the low-entry box was no problem for our large cat. Our only gripe with the box is that the litter tray isn’t super big, so while it works well for one large cat, it probably wouldn’t be suitable for multiple felines. Type: Covered | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 29.7 x 17.5 x 17.6 inches | Weight: 8.28 pounds PHOTO: People / Ashe Purscell PHOTO: People / Ashe Purscell The 10 Best Cat Brushes, Tested by Our Cats Best with High Sides Smart Paws Cat Litter Box with High Sides PHOTO: Amazon $59 $51 at Amazon Star Qualities Tall walls prevent tracking without obstructing cleaning access Can easily reach in to scoop and empty litter Single-piece design requires no setup Red Flags Doesn’t eliminate odors Basic design with no special features Even without a lid, the Smart Paws Cat Litter Box has higher-than-average 13-inch sides that make it great at containing kitty litter by preventing kickback and tracked litter on your floors. The absence of a lid also means less ability to control odors, and, sadly, this model doesn’t do anything to contain or neutralize the stink (we recommend using odor-absorbing clay litter). The lidless design makes changing and scooping the litter a fuss-free process. We also like that the box is ready to go right out of the packaging and appreciate the relatively compact design and rectangular shape which can fit almost anywhere. This litter box seems durable, too. If high sides are your top priority, we think this one’s worth buying. Type: Open pan | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 25.2 x 16.3 x 13 inches | Weight: 3.2 pounds PHOTO: People / Henry Yung PHOTO: People / Henry Yung PHOTO: People / Henry Yung PHOTO: People / Henry Yung PHOTO: People / Henry Yung Best Hooded Frisco Hooded Cat Litter Box PHOTO: Chewy $33 at Chewy Star Qualities Hooded and swinging door help contain odor Privacy for cats helps them feel more comfortable using box Large enough to comfortably fit 13-pound cat Red Flags Doesn’t completely prevent litter-tracking Hooded litter boxes can help contain cat odor and also give your pet a sense of privacy (yes, even cats want privacy when they do their business!). That’s why we love the Frisco Hooded litter box, with a flap door that helps to contain any smells or litter spray. This hooded litter box performed exactly as we hoped it would, and our large tester cat was able to get in and out of the swinging door design easily. We were surprised with just how large the box is (comfortable enough for a 13-pound cat), and the swinging cover can also be removed if your cat prefers a box without a door. Our only gripe with this box is that our cat tracked litter out of the box after using it, but that’s not unusual, even among the best litter boxes. Overall, the Frisco Hooded cat litter box is an incredible value and works for cats of all sizes. Type: Covered | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 26 x 18.1 x 19.3 inches | Weight: Not listed PHOTO: People / Emily Woodruff PHOTO: People / Emily Woodruff PHOTO: People / Emily Woodruff Easiest to Clean Litter Genie Cat Litter Box PHOTO: Chewy $30 $26 at Amazon View on Chewy Star Qualities Easy to pour out used litter without spilling Bucket-like design with handles for easy moving and transport Spacious enough for two large cats Red Flags Doesn’t do anything to prevent litter tracking At first glance, the Litter Genie looks more like a laundry basket than a place for your cat to do their business, but that unique design is what makes this lightweight litter box so effective and easy to clean. Two side handles slope down to a flexible curved base, making it easy to lift up and empty the box without spilling any of its contents. We also found the Litter Genie Cat Litter Box surprisingly easy to empty thanks to the box’s wide opening (which is also a plus for entry). By the end of our testing period, both of our cats preferred this litter box to any other that we had set up around the home. Unfortunately, because this is an open-air box, it doesn’t really prevent litter tracking. But, if you’re looking for a litter box that’s remarkably easy to lift and clean and will make your cat feel comfortable right away, then the Litter Genie is a great choice at a competitive price. Type: Open | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 22.3 x 17.6 x 16 inches | Weight: 1.49 pounds PHOTO: People / Kelynn Lane PHOTO: People / Kelynn Lane PHOTO: People / Kelynn Lane Best with Pellets Purina Tidy Cats Breeze Litter Box System PHOTO: Amazon $43 at Amazon $60 at Chewy $43 at PetSmart Star Qualities Liner pads absorb liquids for simplified cleaning Pellets trap waste without absorbing odor and create less kickback mess Whole system is a game changer for cat litter odor Red Flags Only one of the three versions is covered Price of disposable liner pads will add up After thoroughly testing this cat litter system, we think it’s worth every dollar. While cleaning out your cat’s litter box might not be high on your list of favorite household tasks, this litter box is much easier to clean than others. We found that the litter box stays cleaner longer, and the pellets are great at preventing odor without absorbing it. And, though it’s easier to clean, you might find that you won’t have to clean it nearly as often, which is indeed a great value. This Purina system features a BREEZE System Starter Kit that comes with a litter box, litter pellets, and pads. The pads are disposable and lock in moisture well enough to last for up to a week per cat, so you’ll have to buy more when the included pack of four pads runs out. The litter pellets are anti-tracking, so you can expect to see far less dust and tracking around the box, which means less time dragging out the vacuum cleaner. It has a drawer that easily slides out so you can remove the pad. This system comes in three different versions — an open model, one with a hood, and a larger open model that has higher walls. Type: Open | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 16.5 x 21 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 9.3 pounds People / Kaya Abrahamson Best Investment Whisker Litter-Robot 4 PHOTO: Litter-Robot $799 at Amazon $700 at Target $699 at Litter-robot.com Star Qualities Automatically scoops and empties into plastic bag-lined bin Senses and records cat’s weight and sends to synced mobile app Saves pet owners time and energy Red Flags Among the most expensive on the market Setup and user education takes an hour The Whisker Litter-Robot 4 eliminates the need to manually scoop your cat’s litter box. This automatic system uses a motorized rotating chamber to filter out clumped litter and waste at a safe interval after your cat has exited the device. Waste is dropped into a plastic bag-lined chamber that’s easy to tie up and throw away (about once every three weeks). The smart components automatically senses when your cat enters and exits the box and also records your cat’s weight automatically and then sends the data to an app on your phone. It’s a great way to monitor your cat’s health. PEOPLE shopping writer Cai Cramer has been using the Litter Robot 4 for months with multiple foster cats and says it has transformed the way she cares for her pets. Including the connected app and smart features, this litter box took about an hour to set up and get familiarized with. So, while the price might automatically inspire a healthy dose of sticker shock, there’s definite value in never having to clean a litter box again and being able to keep an eye on your pet’s health. Editors Say “I can’t overstate how much time and energy this robotic litter box saves me. Not only do I no longer need to scoop out cat poop by hand constantly, but I also feel confident leaving my cat home throughout the day while I’m at work, knowing that the Whisker box will keep the litter fresh and my cat comfortable (and my home odor-free!).”—Cai Cramer, shopping writer Type: Robotic | Material: Not listed | Dimensions: 22 x 15.75 x 29.5 inches | Weight: 24 pounds PHOTO: People / Vicky Wasik PHOTO: People / Taylor Fox PHOTO: People / Taylor Fox PHOTO: People / Taylor Fox Others We Tried Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box: We’ve tested this simple-but-affordable litter box with several cats and kittens and noticed less litter outside the box than with most other boxes. We appreciated that the design presented higher-than-usual sides while keeping a low entry door that allowed our senior cat to move in and out without having to jump. The only area where this litter box underperformed was in the odor control department. ModKat Flip Litter Box: This was one of the most expensive manual litter boxes we’ve tested. We were big fans of the discreet design that makes the litter box look more like a storage bin than a toilet. Both the high sides and the removable litter box liner make for a less messy experience, but this box’s non-traditional entry points may not vibe with some cats. Tuft + Paw Cove Litter Box: This high-sided manual-scoop litter box impressed us most with its minimalist design aesthetics and how easy it was to clean out during litter changes. We liked how the high sides limited litter tossing and caught streams that might have otherwise gone outside the box, but the price was also high for your basic scoop-style plastic litter box. Arm & Hammer Rimmed Cat Litter Box with High Sides and Microban: This affordable, two-piece litter box took almost no time to assemble, though the construction seemed a bit flimsy. We like how the high sides offer privacy, but the low, wide entry point means litter can still be kicked out. And unfortunately, it’s too small for most adult cats, let alone two cats. What to Know About Cat Litter Boxes Type There are a few types of litter boxes: open, hooded, and covered. Some also include doors or cut-outs for easy entry and exit. Cats like privacy, so hooded or covered litter boxes are a fan favorite, as long as they’re not too small — after all, your kitty does need room to turn around and comfortably do their business. Open litter boxes tend to be more affordable, but you may find yourself cleaning up litter from the surrounding floor. Many cat owners prefer a hood, like the one on the Catit Hooded Cat Pan, to keep their cat’s business discreet. However, your cat will ultimately call the shots with the type of litter box he or she prefers. The good news is that with a bit of practice — and some patience on your part — your cat can get acclimated to a new litter box. Material All of the litter boxes on our list are made of plastic, which is easiest to keep clean. Our testers found that soap and water were all it took to get these boxes clean and smelling fresh again. Some litter boxes, like the ModKat Flip Litter Box, come with a liner to make cleanup even easier. The Arm & Hammer Sifting Cat Litter Pan comes with a sifting pan that can also make it easy to keep things clean on a daily basis. Size and Shape You’ll want a roomy enough box so that your cat won’t feel cramped when doing its business. It should be tall and wide enough so that it can easily get in and turn around. In general, you want one with high sides to contain litter, with a lower entry for ease of getting in and out. The size of the Petphabet Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Box should be big enough for your cat's liking. If your cat is smaller or has limited mobility and a litter box with a lower entry is required, try the Lucky Champ Cat Litter Pan. You should also consider the size and shape of the box as it relates to how it fits in your home. People / Kaya Abrahamson Behind the Scenes Our testers evaluated 46 of the best cat litter boxes on the market. They were scored based on ease of assembly, ease of cleaning, mess prevention, box design, scoop design (if one was included), and overall value. Ease of Assembly: Our testers noted how easy the litter box was to unbox and set up. For those that had apps or other special features, we noted how user-friendly they were and how long it took to get accustomed to them.Mess Prevention: The testers filled the litter box with cat litter per the box’s guidelines. They acclimated their cat(s) to the litter box. Each week, they scooped or sifted the litter at least one or two times, though the actual schedule depended on the type of litter used and the cat involved. They noted odor control and how much litter was tracked outside of the box.Design: Testers noted the box's design and if the cat used it right away or took some time to warm up to it. They looked at the entry points (top entry or side entry), whether it was open or closed, and the height of the walls. They also looked at the style and design and how the box fit in the decor of their home.Ease of Cleaning: After a month of using each litter box, the testers cleaned the box as if they were going to pack or move it and recorded their findings. People / Kaya Abrahamson Frequently Asked Questions What size litter box does a cat need? “The general rule for box length is 1.5 times the length of the cat from tip of nose to tip of tail,” says Dr. Zietz. He adds that when in doubt, a wider box is usually better so that there’s room for your cat to turn around and bury things effectively. However, be careful if you’re choosing one that has high walls. “Some smaller cats, kittens, and even older cats with mobility problems will not be able to climb into the box easily if it is too tall,” he adds. Do cats prefer open or closed litter boxes? “Most cats generally prefer larger open-type boxes,” says Dr. Zietz. “For some, they will be the better option if a cat tends to have increased anxiety when forced to go into a cornered space with only one exit point.” How many litter boxes are needed for multiple cats? “The general rule for total number of boxes is the number of cats in the home plus one,” says Dr. Zietz. So if you have two cats, you should have three litter boxes — and if you have one cat, it’s still a good idea to have two litter boxes on hand. Why Trust PEOPLE? The original version of this story was written by, Barbara Bellesi Zito, a freelancer with more than 18 years of experience as a writer, editor, and social media consultant specializing in home improvement and lifestyle topics. For this story, Barbara used insights collected from extensive testing by the PEOPLE Tested labs, with a methodology that was informed by research and real cat owners’ experiences. This story has been updated by Cai Cramer, a staff writer at PEOPLE who fosters two cats, and PEOPLE contributors Theresa Holland and K. Alex Beaven. Meet Our Expert Dr. Bryce Zietz, DVM is a team veterinarian at Fuzzy, a digital pet care company. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval—because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.