We also have a litter box for larger cats, like Maine coons and Norwegian forest cats; a litter box that’s easier to lift and empty than traditional models; and a hooded box that looks nice in the corner of a shared room—and all of them are big enough for most cats to comfortably use. Our picks should work great for most people and most cats, but keep your cat’s past behavior and preferences in mind when considering our picks.
Our pick
Nature’s Miracle High Sided Litter Box
The Nature’s Miracle is a simple, inexpensive box with a low entryway, high sides to contain mess, and a smooth interior for easy cleaning.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $11.
The Nature’s Miracle High Sided Litter Box does everything it needs to do. For cats, it offers what our research and experts agree is best: a large enough space to turn around, squat, and stand comfortably, plus an open top so they can keep an eye on their surroundings. The low entryway makes it easier for cats—especially older or less-mobile ones—to get in and out. And humans will appreciate the high sides and back, which help contain messes from urine overspraying and litter flinging. This box also has a smooth interior, with no crevices or corners for waste clumps to get stuck in, making cleaning and scooping easy. The low price is a bonus.
Runner-up
Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box
The Frisco box is as easy to clean as the Nature’s Miracle box. And it’s a little larger—but that also means it requires more cat litter to keep it full.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $16.
Like our top pick, the Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box is a large, simple, open box. But its pan is about 3 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the Nature’s Miracle box, making it great for giant cats like Maine coons. It has a smooth interior with rounded corners that make it easier to clean sticky clumps. The Frisco’s larger pan size requires more litter to keep it full than other boxes need (about 25 percent more litter than the Nature’s Miracle box). If our top pick is unavailable, the Frisco box will work well for a few dollars more.
Also great
Litter Genie Cat Litter Box
The Litter Genie is a basket-shaped litter box that’s easy to lift and empty for deep-cleaning.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $20.
If you like the idea of an easier cleanup when it’s time to deep-clean your cat’s litter box, the Litter Genie Cat Litter Box has the smooth interior and easy-grip handles that humans need, and the open design, large litter pan, and high-sided walls that most cats want. The Litter Genie is shaped like a basket, with handles on either side, so it’s easy to tip it over and toss a pan full of dirty litter into a trash bin before deep-cleaning it. We found this method to be easier than maneuvering the litter into the corner of a traditional litter box before dumping it out. But, like our other picks, the Litter Genie is very heavy when it’s full of litter, so don’t let its easy-to-carry construction tempt you into carrying it across your house—bring the garbage bag to this box rather than bringing this box to the garbage bag.
Upgrade pick
Modkat Flip Litter Box with Scoop
The Modkat Flip is the best-looking option, with seamless sides and a folding, magnetic lid for easy opening and cleaning.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $80.
You should buy the Modkat Flip Litter Box if you’re sick of looking at ugly litter boxes and are willing to pay a lot more to look at a prettier one. (It currently costs about seven times the price of a simple box like the Nature’s Miracle model.) This litter box does offer slight upgrades in functionality—though they are mostly for you, not for your cat. The Modkat Flip is the only closed box we recommend. Its hinged top folds completely back and out of the way for easy scooping and cleaning, and it latches magnetically back in place when you’re done.
As with our other picks, the high sides on the Modkat Flip help prevent messes from escaping the box, and the low front entry makes it easy for your cat to get in and out (although the entry is about an inch higher than the one on the Nature’s Miracle box). The Modkat Flip is made of thicker, sturdier plastic than its competitors, and it’s easier to get clean than the standard dull plastic box. But you’re better off using the brand’s replaceable tarp liners, because without them, litter and waste can get stuck in the box’s corners and angles. Currently running around $30 for a three-pack, the liners are another ongoing expense for an already expensive litter box. Modkat recommends replacing the liner every three months, but we’ve found they can easily last twice as long.
