The 7 Best Cat Litter Boxes of 2020

• 01 of 07

  Best Overall: Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan

  

  Buy on Chewy

  

  If you’re looking for a basic and affordable litter box, we recommend the Van Ness High Sides Cat Litter Pan. It's made of plastic and other recycled materials, and the polished finish is odor and stain-resistant, which makes cleaning a breeze.

  Available in two generous sizes (large or giant), this litter pan can accommodate cats of all different sizes. The high sides give cats with messier bathroom habits plenty of space and it prevents litter from scattering. And despite the high sides, the slight dip in the front allows easy access for cats that are older or have arthritis.

  Reviewers say that this box is great to leave for their cats when they go on vacation because it holds a lot of litter. They also enjoy the affordable price point and design.

• 02 of 07

  Best Design: IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box with Scoop

  Excellent

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  We never thought we’d say it, but the IRIS Litter Box proves that litter boxes can look sleek and stylish. Its modern design, in gray and white, can seamlessly blend into any room. It measures 20 x 14.75 x 14-inches, so it won’t take up too much floor space either.

  The unique design of this litter box helps contain spraying and eliminates litter tracking; its top-entry design and small holes in the lid help remove litter particles from your cat’s paws (and help keep your house nice and clean). Plus, the rounded shape and included litter scooper allow you to dispose of waste in no time at all. The best part? It traps unpleasant odors inside the box, so if you’re a bit overdue for a litter change, it won’t be so noticeable.

  Reviewers can't say enough positive things about this litter box. Many note that the design keeps their dogs out, and keeps bad odors contained so their house doesn't smell.

  IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box with Scoop Review
• 03 of 07

  Best Budget: Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan

  Buy on Amazon

  

  Reviewers tout its budget-friendly price tag, massive size, and durability. Plus, several reviewers shared that it contained their cats’ messes—that means no litter tracking.

  Because this litter box is so large—its dimensions are 22.4 x 18.3 x 17-inches—it’s best for households with multiple cats, very large cats or cats that appreciate a little extra space while they’re doing their business.

  Despite its massive size, this litter box is super simple to clean and refresh with new litter. The hood lifts for easy access and the built-in bag anchor helps keep bags of litter open, so your hands are free to scoop. Plus, it’s carbon filter traps and reduces litter box odors.

  If your cat doesn’t like this litter box’s hood or attached door, both can be removed to fit his or her preference.

  The 7 Best Cat Litters of 2020
• 04 of 07

  Best Automatic: ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box

  Very Good

  Buy on AmazonBuy on Chewy

  

  If you're looking for a litter box that's easier to maintain, an automatic litter box may be a good option for your home. PetSafe's Scoop-Free Litter Box is one of the most popular automatic litter boxes on the market and for good reason. Rather than scooping waste every day, this self-cleaning litter box does the work for you—all you have to do is remove and replace the disposable tray every few weeks.

  The silica crystal litter is five times more effective in eliminating odors than clay or clumping litter but is also the only type of litter that can be used with this box—a major downside for our reviewer, whose said her cats didn't like it. "We recommend acquainting your kitties with PetSafe’s crystal litter before purchasing this product to make sure they use it," our reviewer advised. Also note that, since the litter trays are disposable, you'll incur additional costs (and waste) after purchase.

  The 7 Best Automatic Litter Boxes of 2020
  Continue to 5 of 7 below.
• 05 of 07

  Best Hidden: ecoFlex Litter Loo

  Buy on AmazonBuy on Chewy

  

  Want a more discreet litter box? Your guests won’t know the ecoFlex Litter Loo is actually your cats’ litter box. The easy-to-clean enclosure keeps litter boxes hidden away, prevents litter tracking and can save floor space if you choose to use it for an additional storage surface in the living room, office, laundry room or bathroom.

  Reviewers say this enclosure will work with most litter boxes but warn that spills over the sides can result in odors. Try pairing it with a litter box of nearly the same dimensions or just be sure to check for misses on a daily basis.

• 06 of 07

  Best Disposable: Nature’s Miracle Disposable Litter Box

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  Designed for use as stand-alone litter boxes or litter box liners, Nature’s Miracle Disposable Litter Boxes are a hassle-free way to keep your litter box clean and fresh. Available in three sizes—small, regular, and jumbo—and completely disposable, they’re ideal for simple clean-up at home or during travel.

  These litter boxes are manufactured with super sturdy materials, so they won’t leak or shred, but they’re totally safe for landfills. The breathable design allows air to pass through the box; the increased airflow reduces moisture and odors and keeps litter drier for longer. Plus, it contains built-in baking soda to further reduce odors.

  Bonus: Using these as liners for your plastic litter box eliminates the need to scrub the plastic box—just throw it away and replace it. The manufacturer recommends changing every four weeks for maximum freshness and odor control.

• 07 of 07

  Best Self-Flushing: Cat Genie Self-Washing, Self-Flushing Cat Box

  

  Buy on Catgenie.com

  

  Although it comes with a heftier price tag, you never have to touch or change litter again with the CatGenie Self-Washing and Flushing litter box. Simply connect the CatGenie to a cold water line in your bathroom or laundry room and program it for easy, hands-free waste disposal and litter cleansing.

  Here’s how it works: During the cleaning cycle, the CatGenie removes and liquefies solid waste, then transfers it to your toilet or utility sink drain—however you decide to hook it up—for disposal. Then, it uses clean water and veterinarian-approved cleaning solution to wash, scrub, and dry the reusable litter granules. Not only does the CatGenie dispose of the waste for you, but it recycles the litter, so you’ll reduce waste and save cash.

  The manufacturer recommends the CatGenie for households with one to two, but no more than three average-sized cats. This may not work for super trained or older cats either—some reviewers said their trained and older cats wouldn’t transition to using the CatGenie.

Products Tested by The Spruce

How We Tested

We bought two top-rated litter boxes and our reviewers (and their cats) tested them daily for weeks on end. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these litter boxes, from their design to their size. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Cat Litter Box

Size Not all cats are the same size, which means not all litter boxes should be, either. Larger cats will need larger litter boxes — otherwise, they might be cramped and end up doing their business right outside the box.

Height Similarly, you’ll want to consider the height of a litter box. In general, litter boxes with five- to seven-inch sides are fine for most cats. However, if yours has bad aim or tends to kick litter around, you may need an option with taller sides  or even a cover, which will save you the hassle of cleaning up litter and pee off the floor.

Style While not the most important consideration, you may also want to think about the design of your litter box, especially if you plan to place it in a central area of your home. Many people prefer sleek, modern styles, as they’re less of an eyesore. If you really don’t want to see the litter box, you can also find “hidden” options, which enclose the box inside a side table or other piece of furniture.

Test Results: IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box with Scoop, Gray and White (Best Design)

Excellent

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What We Like

• Attractive design

• Easy to clean

• Cat loves it

What We Don't Like

• Basic features

• Sticky packaging

“My cat loves this litter box,” reported one of our testers. “I was skeptical of the top entry at first, but she's used it without any issues.” In particular, our reviewers thought it was easy to clean and well designed: “I keep my cat's litter box in my room because I have a roommate,” one tester explained, “and its modern design blends in with my decor much more seamlessly than the ones I've used prior.” On the other hand, our reviewers noted that although it does come with a scooper, it doesn’t have any other special features (like an odor control charcoal filter). One tester also thought it was annoying to unbox: “The litter box arrived taped shut,” she said, “which makes sense, but the tape stuck to the plastic so much that it was hard to remove and also left a sticky residue.”

Test Results: ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box (Best Automated)

Very Good

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What We Like

• Convenient automation

• Easy to clean

• Neutralizes odors

What We Don't Like

• Crystal litter is expensive

• Large

This litter box was an immediate hit with one of our testers because its automation features made it very easy to use and clean: “It automatically scoops the cat poop into an enclosed area,” he said. “I don't need to clean it at all — just leave it for a few weeks and then throw out the entire disposable tray and replace it with a new one.” Our testers also thought it did a great job neutralizing odors. In terms of negatives, one reviewer cautioned that it was very large and also pointed out that your litter options are very limited: “You can only use crystal litter, because clumping litter will get stuck in the metal scoop,” he explained. “The crystal litter is fairly expensive, especially when purchasing it with the disposable tray.”