Best Cat Litter Boxes 2024: Reviews & A Detailed Buying Guide
I work in a dispensary and attending emergency calls is my daily routine. In this hectic routine, I found it difficult to take care of Oliver, my two-year-old ragdoll cat. At one point I gave up, and I thought I cannot handle this anymore. The most challenging task was coming home and finding Oliver's poop all around the home. Then, a friend of mine introduced me to best cat litter boxes, and I still thank her for that day.
Cats are genuinely particular about cleanliness. You can leverage this trait of your feline pet to make them habitual of pooping in a litter box. It will ensure hygiene, and you will also be able to monitor the frequency of your cat's bowel movement which is an important indicator of the health of your cat. In this article, I have reviewed some of the best cat litter boxes, and I have also described a complete buying guide for it.
More...
Top 10 Best Cat Litter Boxes
Rank | Litter box | Image | Automatic | Multiple Cats? | Our Score | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes |
| 96 /100 | |||
2 | Yes | Yes | 94 /100 | |||
3 | Yes | Yes. Great for large cats | 92 /100 | |||
4 | Yes | Yes. Great for large cats | 98 /100 | |||
5 | Yes | Yes. Also great for kittens | 96 /100 | |||
6 | No | Yes. Perfect for multi-cats | 92 /100 | |||
7 | No | Yes. Easy for corner storage | 90 /100 | |||
8 | No | Yes. Ideal for large cats | 96 /100 | |||
9 | No | No. Just great for a large cat. | 88 /100 | |||
10 | No | Yes. Great for kittens | 88 /100 |
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Best Cat Litter Boxes Reviews
1. Editor’s Pick – ScoopFree Ultra, Best Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
Editor's Rating:
If you are leaving out for a week and are worried about who is going to clean your cat's litter box, then we have a perfect solution for you. The ScoopFree Ultra Self Cleaning Litter Box is designed to perfection.
It's affordable, the best quality in the self-cleaning product line and owning many automatic time-saving features made us choose the litter box as the Editor’s pick.
One of the most striking features of this litter box is the adjustable timer for automatic rake which has three timing options. The sensor is smart enough to reset the timer if your cat re-enters the box.
It uses disposable litter trays to get rid of the foul odor of your cat's poop, and you don't even need to touch it. The offered litter box comes with crystal litter which is five times efficient than other litters in absorbing the odor. Keeping in mind the shy nature of cats, it is provided with a privacy hood which offers the required privacy to your cat while he/she is doing it.
Personally speaking, I despise looking after litter box, and this has been a boon in my life, helping me to live life freely without worrying about the task of cleaning my cat's litter box.
Pros
Cons
2. Runner Up- PetSafe ScoopFree Self Cleaning Litter Box
Editor's Rating:
If our pick is out of the stock or if you feel that it is too expensive to buy the product, then you can go for this runner-up product. PetSafe is a world-renowned company known for their superior quality and highly efficient pet products. The PetSafe ScoopFree Self Cleaning Litter Box is the Runner Up in our list because of its ample of feature and effortless operation.
It comes with crystal litter which absorbs litter within no time and dehydrates the residual to eliminate the odor instantly. Owing to its self-cleaning feature, you don't need to manually clean, scoop and refill it for weeks.
This litter box is ideal for people who are caught up with their schedule and don't have time for cleaning the litter box. You can opt for it if you are not fond of a cat litter with hood.
With all the given features, positive reviews evident of customer satisfaction and value for money this deserves to be the runner-up in this list. Undoubtedly, one of the best automatic cat litter box reviews you can grab.
Pros
Cons
3. Budget Friendly Pick, Best Covered Litter Box- Omega Paw, Best Semi-Auto Cat Litter Box
Editor's Rating:
If you are running on low budget and want to buy an automated, feature rich litter box, then Omega Paw Self Cleaning Litter Box should be your ideal choice. It is a value for money product, and you get all the features you would find in an expensive counterpart.
The reason why we have added this as a budget pick because it is cheaper than the products of its segment. It has been priced low because it is not a fully automatic litter box instead this is a semi-automatic litter box which does not require electricity, filters or liners to use. The design of this best covered litter box makes cleaning the litter box easier. You just need to roll this yourself rightly and keep rolling until the top portion reaches the floor and after that roll it back to its normal position.
This roll-away self-cleaning litter box comes with a specially patented grille which separates the clumped waste into a pull-out tray which can be easily disposed of. This litter box is ideal for big cats and for owners who own more than one cat.
You should use clumping and silica litters for effective results. Far better than other expensive litter boxes, this comes well under your budget and offers a hassle free litter box cleaning solution.
Pros
Cons
4. Upgrade Pick- Litter Robot III Open Air- Best Automatic Cat Litter Box
Editor's Rating:
Have you ever been in a mood where you just want the litter box to clean itself, and you are even ready to shell out a good amount to do away with this irritating task? If yes, then this is the litter box you should own.
It's a bit on expensive side, but with a plenty of useful features and ease of usage, the price is fairly reasonable. As soon as your cat gets out of the box, a timer starts and a cleaning cycle begins automatically. It is loaded with advanced features such as Full Drawer Indicator which indicates. It also alerts you that the drawer is full so that you don't have to rely upon your guess.
It has a control panel lockout feature which locks buttons so that your kids or pets are not able to change the settings with the accidental pressing of buttons. An automatic night light is also there which illuminates the litter chamber in darkness to help elder cats locate the box easily. One of the best litter boxes for multiple cats, the Litter Robot III Open Air has tonnes of useful features which justify its price.
Pros
Cons
5. Also Great- Cat Genie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box
Editor's Rating:
One of the best self-cleaning cat litter boxes, Cat Genie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box comes with permanent granules which eliminate the need of changing cat litters. Also, these litters are 100% dust free. This litter box can easily be used for three average sized cats of 6 months or older.
When you feel like the granules are getting dirty, you can easily wash them. Cat Genie boasts of maintaining completely clean litter box with the help of its self-cleaning mechanism. Ideal for multiple cats as well as kittens, this litter box requires hook-up to cold water and electricity.
You get a recyclable Sani Solution cartridge and a box of washable granules with this litter box. With this box at your home, you don't have to scoop, wipe poop and wash the litter box, as the box does it all by itself. The presence of self-washing and self-flushing features in a litter box of this price range makes it a great product.
Pros
Cons
6. Best Litter Box For Multiple Cats-Best Covered Litter Box- Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan- Warm Grey
Editor's Rating:
This beautiful Gray-colored cat litter box is a good choice with cheap price and high positive reviews. The reason I have included this product on my list is the presence of carbon filter in it. It features a door which can be closed to prevent the odor of the poop from spreading in the whole home.
Ideal for homes with multiple cats, three average sized cats can use this at the same time and can enjoy a group poop. It measures 22.4”x18.3”x17”(LxWxH) in size and the size of the door opening is 10.4”x9.6” (HxW).
Also, the provided carbon filter absorbs the foul smell and renders the air clean. The large hoods of this cat litter box provide the required privacy to your cat while she/he is moving her/his bowels. The easily liftable panels make it easy to clean. Another interesting feature of this litter pan is that you can attach a bag on the door so that the waste material does not spill to the floor while scooping.
The hard plastic used to manufacture this litter box promotes its long working life. Ideal for multi cat households, this is must have product if you own a cat and you don't want to mess up your hands while cleaning up.
Pros
Cons
7. Easy For Corner Storage- Best Covered Litter Box- Nature's Miracle Advanced Corner Hooded Cat Litter Box
Editor's Rating:
It is not easy to select a spot for keeping the litter box. Nature's Miracle Advanced Corner Hooded Litter Box is specially designed for keeping it in a corner away from the sight of your guests. It features a sleek and stylish design which makes it look aesthetically appealing. It comes with a removable top which is attached on the each side with the help of clips. To remove the top, you can simply flip it up.
Specially provided charcoal filters contain odor and fought with bacteria to maintain a clean and hygienic litter box for your feline friend. The built-in odor neutralizing system further helps in subsiding the foul smell. Owing to its non-stick surface, it is relatively easy to clean and maintain this.
There is nothing fancy about this litter box, but it is just a litter box which works efficiently and is priced reasonably for cat owners. Its innovative space saving design motivated me to include this in the list.
Pros
Cons
8. Best Litter Box For Large Cats- Pet mate Giant Litter Pan
Editor's Rating:
If you are tired of scooping the poop many times a day, then opt for Pet mate Giant Litter Pan which has the litter holding capacity of 30 lbs. It is a large sized container with high walls for storing litter. The built-in storage compartments can be used for storing cleaning supplies.
This litter box is suitable for large or multiple cats as it measures 34.7x19.8x10 inches (L x W x H) making it comfortable for 2 large cats weighing 18 lbs or four small cats can also comfortably use this big litter box.
This litter box for cats is designed in America and by the set rules and regulations laid by the supervising authority. The special micro ban anti-microbial protection prevents the growth of bacteria on the surface. It’s raised back and deep pan ensures that fluid remains well inside the pan even when your cat is peeing by sitting on the edge. Without a doubt, it deserves a place on the list of best litter boxes for large cats.
Pros
Cons
9. Just Great For A Large Cat- Iris Open Top Cat Litter Box Kit with Shield and Scoop
Editor's Rating:
One of the best litter boxes for large cats, Iris Open Top cat litter box, has a removable litter shield to prevent the spray of litter and specially designed deep pan helps in keeping the litter in and dirt away from the box.
It is a large sized box measuring 19x15x11.8 inches (L x W x H) making it suitable for a large cat which weighs 7 lbs. If you own a kitten, this litter box will not serve its purpose as it is too high above the ground for them. If your cat weighs more than 9lbs, then we recommend you not to buy this as it will become compact and your cat won't feel comfortable.
This is an open type cat litter box which makes it easy and convenient for cleaning purposes. It comes with a matching litter scoop used for scooping out the poop. The side and back shields are designed in a manner which prevents pee from spilling out of the box even if your cat tries to be naughty at times.
Molded-in feet make the box comfortable for cats which start liking it soon. With all the desired features you would want in a good litter box, this box is available at a pocket-friendly price.
Pros
Cons
10. Best Litter Box For Kittens- Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System
Editor's Rating:
Now stop considering cleaning your cat's litter box a task anymore. Use Purina Tidy Cats which is undoubtedly one of the best kitty litter boxes owing to its efficient power control feature. The reason why it is in this list is the cat-friendly litter pallets that come with it.
These pellets last for a long time and the accompanying absorbent cat pads ease the task of picking up poop after it has been used by multiple cats. With just one cat in your home, the pallets will last for a month and there is no need of frequent maintenance which eats up your precious time.
Also, the offered pallets are 99.9% dust free and help you in eliminating the tracking of poop around your home. It is a small litter box designed especially for kittens and measures just 16.5x21x10.5 inches (L x W x H) making it comfortable for at most three kittens.
This minimizes the litter which is dragged by cats making your home dirty. Pee is quickly absorbed by the absorbent pads on the bottom which keeps the whole system clean and free of fluid. Its affordable price and offered features make it one of the best litter boxes for cats out there in its segment.
Pros
Cons
How To Choose The Best Cat Litter Box
Now that you have read some of the best cat litter boxes reviews, it is time to buy one for your furry friend. Choosing the right litter box for your cat is not as easy as it sounds. With a host of choices available in the market, one is bound to get confused but choosing the right litter box is paramount. To ease up this situation, here are few factors which must be considered before buying a litter box.
Size
Most cat owners will agree with the fact that bigger the box, better it is. You must consider the size of your cat before buying a litter box. Although, a bigger litter box paves the way for the ease of usage which is important if you want your cat to use litter box every time he/she poops. If you have space related constraints, then you can opt for a compact litter box. Otherwise, go for a big one.
Color
Choose a vibrant colored litter box for your cat. Since most cats prefer privacy while pooping, therefore, you can also go for discreet color options which are not particularly attractive, or you can also opt for a litter box which matches with the interior of your home. You can try getting the color similar to the other belongings of your cat. For example, if your cat's toys and the house is of pink color then you can choose a litter box of pink color to bring about a sense of belonging to your feline friend.
Hooded
It is better to get a hooded litter box for your cat as it has several benefits such as rendering privacy to your cat while he/she is defacing, less odor as the hoods can be closed, and it prevents the spilling of urine and poop if your cat accidentally misses the aim. This type of litter box also keeps your dog out of cat poop. In the products reviewed above, you can find many decent hooded cat litter boxes.
Ease of cleanliness
The idea of implementing a litter box revolves around maintaining cleanliness. It is important to keep the litter box clean otherwise you might not use it. There are several cat litter boxes out there which are easy to clean.
You can choose from both automatic as well as a manual mode of cleaning. Many boxes have the mechanism of cleaning itself, and the waste is deposited in a disposable container which you need to replace once it is full. This minimizes the maintenance requirements and also prolongs the life of a litter box.
Material
According to a clinical observation conducted by Dr. Peter Bolchet in 1990, texture, granularity and coarseness of a litter box plays a significant role in how often a cat uses it. Litter boxes are available in a variety of materials including plastic, biodegradable material, clay, etc. Out of the given choices, I would personally prefer a litter box made of biodegradable grass as it easily absorbs and contains odor making it convenient to use.
Your cat will feel comfortable on grass granules and be made of a biodegradable material; it will not produce as much dust as produced by a litter box made of clay particles.
How To Clean Litter Box
Litter box clean-up is assuredly the most dreaded task of cat lovers everywhere. Nevertheless, it is essential to clean the cat's litter box regularly for 2 good reasons: a clean house and a healthy pet. It is vital to scoop the clumped-up feces or urine at least once a day from the cat's box and clean the litter box once in a week.
It's crucial to keep in mind that the excretes in the litter box can be detrimental to the one cleaning it. Hence, it is essential to have the apt tools at hand. Before cleaning, ensure to grab a rubber gloves pair and a mask for reducing the contamination risk through the feces.
Cleaning involves throwing out old litter, washing the cat litter box clean and putting fresh, litter in it. If you’re using a liner inside the litter box, pull off the liner from every corner and lay the bag contents in a waste bag. If you’re not using litter liners in the box, you must dump the unlined box contents directly into the waste bag. You may have to bring your scooper into play for scraping off the dried litter from the box. A mask is vital here as the litter dust begins to scatter. Ensure that the waste bag is sealed or tied, and any debris on the ground is swept into the carrier too.
The ideal place to dispose off your cat's excretes is in the out-of-doors receptacle where the litter will get shipped by the weekly garbage truck. We need to dispose of cat litter properly or use the flushable cat litters which are eco-friendly as well as biodegradable.
Now it is time for cleaning the litter box. Using the gloves, wash down the box thoroughly with warm water, sponge, and detergent. Wash the lid as well if it has one, along with the scooper. Harsher cleaning items than this can be dangerous to your cat. Do not clean the litter box in the kitchen, tub, or bathroom sink. You can make use of the laundry sink, or simply take the litter box outdoors and make use of the house bucket. Following the scrubbing course, rinse the entire soap. You can follow back on the scrubbing and rinse process if desired.
If the litter box is outdoors, it is okay to allow it to air dry or else, dry it using a towel. Use a fresh liner or add just 2-3 inches of fresh litter to the unlined litter box. The box is now fresh and ready for use again!
How Many Litter Boxes You Should Keep?
According to a general rule of thumb, the number of litter boxes you should have at your home is the number of cats you have plus one. In simple term, if you have three cats then you should have four litter boxes. This is an important point especially if your cats are not used to litter boxes. You can find great cat litter trays at Petclever - check it out.
Where Should You Keep The Litter Box?
The location of the litter box is equally important. Ideally, you should keep the litter box somewhere discreet and easily accessible. Owing to the shy nature of cats, it is unlikely that they will use the litter box if it is kept in a crowded place or in a place where you have to climb on to something to poop and pee. You can also put the litter box near your feline friend's favorite place where he strolls and spends most of his time.
Some important points which you must keep in mind to make your cat used to the litter box:
Conclusion
After reading the best cat litter boxes reviews, you must have got an idea about the various types of litter boxes available and the features you can expect in a great litter box. Apparently, ScoopFree Ultra Self Cleaning Litter box tops the list with all the advanced features such as high-quality crystal litters and long lasting refills. Several other factors like quick operation and sturdy build quality make it better than the others.
Choose your litter box wisely while considering all the factors mentioned above and inculcate the habit of using the litter box every time your cat poops/pees. This will not only keep him hygienic but will also keep your home neat, clean and free of odor.
If you like this article, then please share it with your friends and family. You can share your thoughts and opinions on the topic by writing a comment in the comment section.