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If you're a cat parent, you're likely familiar with the traditional open litter box that gives your cat a full view of their surroundings. Of course, if your cat tends to eliminate over the box edge or enthusiastically kick litter in every direction, you're probably also accustomed to the mess low-sided litter boxes can leave behind. The best top-entry litter boxes offer one possible solution: Not only do they hide unsightly waste so your home smells fresher, they help keep cat litter in the box where it belongs.
"A top-entry litter box can be a bit easier to clean and certainly reduces the amount of litter the cat carries out of the box on their feet," says Dr. Mark Freeman, a board-certified veterinarian and assistant professor of community practice at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He adds that top-entry boxes are an effective solution for keeping the family pup out of the litter box, too.
Top-entry boxes may not work for every cat, particularly cats with mobility or anxiety issues. To help you decide whether a top-entry box might work for your home and choose the ideal litter box for your cat's needs, we consulted feline behavior and health experts. They emphasized the importance of proper litter box placement and selection, which takes a cat's biological needs into account. With their guidance, we've compiled a list of seven best cat litter boxes with top entries.
Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and evaluates pet products.
Best overall: Modkat XL Litter Box - See at Amazon
Best budget-friendly: Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan - See at Chewy
Best furniture: Qlevo Top Lid Opening Zero Spill Design - See at Etsy
Best self-cleaning: Petsafe Scoopfree Crystal Pro Top Entry Self-Cleaning Litter Box - See at Chewy
Best for a corner: Kitangle Corner Kitty Litter Box - See at Chewy
Best luxury: Omlet Maya Enclosed Cat Litter Box - See at Omlet
Cats need plenty of space to do their business. Unfortunately, top-entry litter boxes can be smaller than traditional litter boxes, says Susan Krebsbach, a veterinarian and practice owner of Creature Counseling. With limited space in the box, your cat may struggle to find a comfortable position to eliminate, which may result in them seeking alternative places in your home.
But the Modkat XL Litter Box does an impressive job of retaining a sleek design while maximizing space for cats. In addition to a spacious interior, it offers both a top entry and an optional side entry with a built-in sliding door you can close. The side entry may be a more accessible option for seniors and mobility-impaired cats. The second entry also allows for a quick escape in households with multiple pets.
Heavy or large breed cats may have difficulty using many top-entry boxes. "A young adult cat that is overweight should be able to use a top-entry litter box, and yes, the increased work required to use it might help with weight loss," Freeman says. However, some top-entry boxes may still be too small or too challenging to access for large cats to use comfortably. Freeman recommends a low-entry box for senior cats who are overweight since these boxes may be easier on arthritic joints.
The box comes with a perforated folding top lid for easy cleaning, a walk-off platform to assist stepping in and out, two rip-resistant reusable plastic liners, and a scoop. It's made of sturdy injection-molded ABS plastic and comes in white, black, and gray.
If you're unsure whether your cat will use a top-entry litter box, the Petmate Top Entry Litter Box is an affordable way to find out. Plus, since you'll need one more litter box than the number of cats in your home, it's reasonable to start with a budget-friendly litter box, says Molly DeVoss, a certified cat behavior specialist.
This litter box isn't just affordable. It also offers a range of features that make it practical and convenient for both cats and their pet parents. As with all of the best top-entry litter boxes, its enclosed design prevents litter from being kicked out of the box. Plus, the top platform has a grated lid that helps capture litter from your cat's paws to minimize scattering. While it's large enough for most medium and average-sized cats, this box may not be a good fit for large breeds, like Maine coon cats.
If one of the best large litter boxes clashes with your aesthetic, you can always try disguising it as a trendy piece of furniture. The best cat litter box furniture doesn't just provide cats with a secure and private space to do their business. It also provides their human counterparts with an inconspicuous piece of furniture that completely hides the cat's toilet.
The Qlevo box is designed to accommodate a large litter box and make cleaning a breeze. The perforated entry and exit platform provides ventilation and helps reduce litter tracking. Plus, the no-slam hydraulic hinges that keep the top lid propped open simplify scooping and cleaning.
While this litter box enclosure is generously sized, the brand can also accommodate custom size requests. The 48-pound enclosure comes fully assembled.
Finding the right litter box setup may take some trial and error. "When determining what will work best for a specific cat, it's a good idea to offer at least two different types of litter, experimenting with various substrates until you find one the cat will use consistently," Freeman says. Your options for the best cat litters vary widely, from clumping clay to the best natural cat litter made of corn, walnut, wood, or grass.
This top-entry box uses crystal cat litter made of non-clumping silica crystals that quickly absorb liquids and neutralize odors. Just 20 minutes after your cat leaves the litter box, the automated rake will sift solid waste into a covered waste trap. The brand says you'll need to replace the disposable crystal litter tray with a fresh refill once a month for single-cat households.
The entry hood is made of semi-transparent plastic, so your cat will have plenty of visibility to spot an approaching furry family member. You can also completely remove the entry hood by snapping it in and out of place, if it turns out your cat doesn't want to use a top-entry box at all. The ScoopFree box also has a built-in smart counter to let you know how many times a day your cat uses the box and when you should refresh the litter. Reviewers recommend changing it after about every 50 uses.
Krebsbach says cats value their privacy while using the litter box. She says that a top-entry litter box can provide extra privacy, but placing a litter box in a low-traffic area is even better. Of course, finding a discreet spot for your cat's litter box can prove somewhat challenging when you share a small home or apartment with cats.
Thanks to its triangular design, the Kitangle top-entry corner litter box fits perfectly into unused, low-traffic corner spaces. Made of sturdy polypropylene plastic, it has a seamless, roomy design. The removable lid simplifies cleaning and the brand says there's no need for a litter liner in this box. Just add your cat's preferred type of litter, and it's ready to use. The litter box weighs about 9 pounds and doesn't require assembly.
Cats need a clean litter box that offers a secure and private place to do their business. We humans, on the other hand, would rather have a box that doesn't show off its contents and can blend in with home décor. Omlet's Enclosed Cat Litter Box with Storage, then, might offer the perfect solution. This top-entry cabinet has plenty of space for your cat.
The design features an anti-tracking platform that minimizes litter tracking. The Omlet litter box includes a reusable litter liner, a folding litter box scoop, and an activated carbon filter designed to absorb and trap offensive odors. You can lift and fold back the anti-tracking platform for easy scooping. When it's time for a deep clean, just slide out the platform and unsnap the anti-slip retention band to remove the litter liner.
Based on our experts' insights, thorough research, and personal experience, we identified the following key features to look for when shopping for one of the best top-entry litter boxes.
Size: If your cat can't easily stand up and turn around in their box, they may find another place to eliminate. We considered litter boxes designed for cats of all sizes, along with boxes that fit well in both small and large spaces.
Accessibility: Accessibility was a crucial factor we considered when choosing the best litter boxes. While some cats can use top-entry boxes comfortably, large breeds, overweight cats, senior cats, and cats with mobility issues may find them more challenging. We chose top-entry boxes designed to accommodate cats of all sizes and weights, including boxes with additional options for entry and exit.
Ease of assembly and cleaning: We chose top-entry litter boxes that come fully assembled or have straightforward assembly instructions. We also looked for easy-clean, user-friendly designs that help minimize litter tracking in your home.
For this guide, we consulted two veterinarians and a certified feline training and behavior specialist to select the best top-entry litter boxes.
Dr. Susan Krebsbach is a veterinarian and practice owner of Creature Counseling. Krebsbach helped us understand the importance of litter box placement and selection.
Dr. Mark Freeman is a board-certified veterinarian and assistant professor of community practice at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Freeman helped us understand the special needs of overweight and senior cats and the lifestyle accommodations they may require.
Molly DeVoss is a certified feline training and behavior specialist (CFTBS), certified cat behavior consultant, and Fear Free certified trainer who specializes in using positive reinforcement to modify and prevent unwanted behaviors in cats. She is the founder and owner of Cat Behavior Solutions. DeVoss helped us understand the basic litter box requirements for cats.
We considered both expert input and our previous testing and experience with top-entry litter pans. We conducted thorough research to establish our selection criteria for the litter boxes and excluded any products with a history of negative reviews.
Certain cats may favor top-entry boxes for increased privacy, particularly those who enjoy hiding in enclosed areas or who live with a curious canine. Features like multiple entryways, slots for light and ventilation, grates, and semi-transparent walls can add visibility, helping cats feel more at ease while using an enclosed litter box. However, less confident cats or those who have conflicts with other pets may prefer an open litter box.
Top-entry boxes are OK for cats to use, though they may benefit you more than your cat. Freeman says top-entry boxes can help reduce litter box messes and the amount of litter cats track outside the box. They also limit a dog's access to the litter box. However, the best top-entry boxes don't offer many advantages to cats, except for helping select cats feel more secure. Our experts advise against using top-entry boxes for senior or overweight cats with arthritis.
The best top-entry litter boxes can reduce litter spills, litter tracking, and the possibility of cats spraying over the edge of the litter box wall. Additionally, they limit a dog's access to the litter box. Certain cats may also like the privacy of a top-entry box.
DeVoss explains that in the wild, cats prefer to eliminate in the open so they can keep track of potential threats. That's why most cats prefer an uncovered litter box, she says. You can help your cat feel more comfortable in an enclosed litter box by choosing one with multiple entryways, slots, grates, and semi-transparent walls. Cats have specific preferences for their litter box, and an aversion to the box can cause issues with inappropriate elimination.
Positive reinforcement, which involves praising your cat for a behavior, is an effective way to encourage desired behaviors in cats. However, DeVoss cautions against using positive reinforcement to encourage your cat to do something that goes against their natural tendencies — like using a covered litter box if it causes stress. If your cat avoids the litter box or eliminates outside of it consistently, they may find it too stressful to use, and no amount of praise may make a difference.
That said, most cats can adjust to using a top-entry box. To encourage a cat to use a new litter box, place it next to their existing one, giving them the choice to switch. When the cat consistently uses the new litter box, remove the old one.
Top-entry boxes are a good option for small living spaces, since they can help minimize litter tracking and odors. They also limit a dog's entry to your cat's litter box, so they may work well in households with both cats and dogs.
Top-entry boxes may not be suitable for very young kittens because they lack the strength and dexterity to access the entry, Freeman says. The boxes may work best for cats between the ages of 5 months old and 8 years old, though they may also work for older cats with no mobility issues. However, Freeman cautions that osteoarthritis is common in older cats and significantly underdiagnosed. Cats who experience pain and limited mobility due to osteoarthritis may find it difficult or impossible to use a top-entry box.
