Best Cat Litter Boxes (2026): Open and Covered Picks
Litter boxes Wirecutter and The Spruce Pets recommend after testing dozens: the high-sided Frisco, covered Catit Jumbo, Modkat Flip and Litter-Robot 4.
Quick answer: my top pick is the Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra Large (best overall). Wirecutter's top pick since 2020 and The Spruce Pets' best high-sided box.
- Best covered: Catit Airsift Litter Pan Jumbo (Jumbo Hooded Cat Pan)
- Best-looking / easiest to clean: Modkat Flip Litter Box
- Best automatic: Whisker Litter-Robot 4
Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are based on published research, not hands-on testing. Read my affiliate disclosure.
At a glance
| Product | Type | Size | Entry height | Price at retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra LargeBest overall | Open, high-sided | 24 x 18 in | 5.6 in | Check price for Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra Large at Chewy |
| Catit Airsift Litter Pan Jumbo (Jumbo Hooded Cat Pan)Best covered | Covered (hooded) | 22.4 x 19.7 in | 6.75 in | Check price for Catit Airsift Litter Pan Jumbo (Jumbo Hooded Cat Pan) at Amazon |
| Modkat Flip Litter BoxBest-looking / easiest to clean | Covered, flip-top | 20.5 x 15.75 in | 6.75 in | Check price for Modkat Flip Litter Box at Amazon |
| Whisker Litter-Robot 4Best automatic | Automatic, self-cleaning | 29.5 x 27 x 22 in (The Spruce Pets) | n/a (step entry) | Check price for Whisker Litter-Robot 4 at Amazon |
Prices aren't shown because they change often; “Check price” opens the current listing. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
The short answer
For most cats, get the Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra Large. It’s Wirecutter’s top pick (one since 2020) and The Spruce Pets’ best high-sided box: a big, cheap, smooth pan with 10-inch walls and a low entry. If your cat sprays high or you want the mess out of sight, the Catit Airsift Jumbo (also sold as the Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Pan) is the covered box both outlets recommend. If it’s going in your living room, the Modkat Flip looks better and is easier to deep-clean thanks to its reusable liner. And if you never want to scoop again, the Litter-Robot 4 is the top automatic box at both Wirecutter and The Spruce Pets, though it costs far more.
What to look for
- Size first. Experts Wirecutter interviewed say cats need room to turn in circles before and after they go, ideally a box about 1.5 times the cat’s length. When in doubt, buy the bigger box.
- High walls, low entry. High sides contain kicked litter and high pee, and a low entry is easier on kittens and arthritic seniors. The Frisco (10 in walls, 5.6 in entry) and the So Phresh corner box Wirecutter also likes both follow this pattern.
- Add a mat for scatter. Even high walls won’t stop litter stuck to paws. A cat litter mat in front of the exit catches most of it.
- Smooth interior. Ridges and divots trap clumps. All four picks have smooth pans, which is a big part of why reviewers rate them easy to scoop.
- Covered only if you’ll keep scooping. A hood hides smell from you, not from your cat. Wirecutter suggests removing the Catit’s clear door flap if your cat won’t push through it.
- Skip gimmicks unless you’ll pay for them. Wirecutter avoided boxes that roll to sift litter because the design often malfunctions. Automatic boxes work, but cost hundreds and take up much more space.
- Location matters as much as the box. Keep it somewhere your cat can reach easily and away from loud appliances like a washing machine.
Complete the setup
If you’re setting up a cat-friendly home, see my automatic cat feeders, quiet cat water fountains, a litter mat to stop tracking, cat carriers for vet visits, a scratching post placed away from the litter area, and a cat tree for a small apartment.
My picks in detail
1. Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, Extra Large
by Frisco
- Type
- Open, high-sided
- Size
- 24 x 18 in
- Entry height
- 5.6 in
Wirecutter's top pick since 2020 and The Spruce Pets' best high-sided box. It's a big, simple open pan with 10-inch walls to contain scatter and high pee, plus a low 5.6-inch entry so kittens, seniors and cats with stiff joints can step in easily. The smooth interior and rounded corners make scooping quick.
- Large 24 x 18 in pan (Wirecutter's measurements)
- 10 in walls with a low 5.6 in entry
- Smooth, crevice-free interior is easy to scoop
- Inexpensive
- Sold mainly through Chewy (The Spruce Pets notes it's only available there), so Amazon listings may be third-party
- Wirecutter's sample cracked once at the entry lip in stress tests
- Standard liners don't fit because it's so big
Opens the Chewy site in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
2. Catit Airsift Litter Pan Jumbo (Jumbo Hooded Cat Pan)
by Catit
- Type
- Covered (hooded)
- Size
- 22.4 x 19.7 in
- Entry height
- 6.75 in
The covered box both Wirecutter and The Spruce Pets pick. The hood wraps over the pan's rim so urine from high-peeing cats stays inside, a top flap flips open for scooping without lifting the hood, and a built-in bag anchor and carbon filter help with cleanup and odor. Many stores still list it under its older name, Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan.
- Hood seals over the rim to contain spraying
- Flip-open top for scooping
- Bag anchor at the entry
- Roomy enough for large cats and multi-cat homes (The Spruce Pets)
- Wirecutter recommends removing the clear door flap, which some cats won't push through
- Latches can be finicky; never lift it by the top handle when full
- Covered boxes make it easier to forget daily scooping
Opens Amazon in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
3. Modkat Flip Litter Box
by Modkat
- Type
- Covered, flip-top
- Size
- 20.5 x 15.75 in
- Entry height
- 6.75 in
Wirecutter's upgrade pick since 2017 and The Spruce Pets' best box with a lid and liner. Thick plastic, high walls and a magnetic lid that folds back in sections make it tidy enough to leave in a living room, and the reusable tarp liner makes dumping and deep-cleaning easy.
- Folding magnetic lid, can be left half or fully open
- Reusable custom-fit tarp liner included
- Thicker, sturdier plastic than most (Wirecutter)
- Front or top entry (The Spruce Pets)
- Much pricier than a basic pan
- Replacement liners are an ongoing cost
- Front entry may be too high for some senior cats
- Smaller footprint (20.5 x 15.75 in) than the Frisco or Catit
Opens Amazon in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
4. Whisker Litter-Robot 4
by Whisker
- Type
- Automatic, self-cleaning
- Size
- 29.5 x 27 x 22 in (The Spruce Pets)
- Entry height
- n/a (step entry)
If you want to stop daily scooping, this is the self-cleaning box both Wirecutter and The Spruce Pets rank first. Wirecutter calls it spacious, repairable and easy to clean; The Spruce Pets highlights its quiet operation, the app that tracks each cat's visits and weight (up to four cats), and the included entry step that cuts tracking.
- Top-ranked automatic box at Wirecutter and The Spruce Pets
- App tracks usage and weight for up to four cats
- Repairable, with replaceable parts (Wirecutter)
- Step at the entry reduces tracking
- Costs many times more than a regular box
- Much larger than a standard litter box and needs a power outlet
- Wirecutter found its sensors can be oversensitive, and accessories are expensive
Opens Amazon in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
Frequently asked questions
How big should a litter box be?
Bigger than most people buy. Experts Wirecutter interviewed recommend a box about 1.5 times your cat's length from nose to base of tail, and few commercial boxes meet that. That's why my picks lean toward extra-large pans like the Frisco XL and Catit Jumbo.
Covered or open litter box?
Wirecutter's vet and behaviorist sources say size, cleanliness and location matter more to cats than whether the box is covered. A hood helps with high-peeing cats and hides the mess, but it can also trap odor and make it easier to forget to scoop. If you choose covered, make sure it's ventilated and keep scooping daily.
How often should I clean the litter box?
Wirecutter cites the Humane Society's advice to scoop at least once a day and fully change the litter and wash the pan at least every two weeks. The ASPCA suggests replacing litter and rinsing the box with soap and warm water weekly.
Is an automatic litter box worth it?
Only if daily scooping is a real problem for you. Wirecutter points out that automatic boxes cost hundreds of dollars, are harder to set up and deep-clean, and often have smaller litter areas than experts recommend. If you do go automatic, the Litter-Robot 4 is the top pick at both Wirecutter and The Spruce Pets; see my automatic litter boxes guide.
What about senior or arthritic cats?
Look for a low entry. The Frisco's entry is 5.6 inches, per Wirecutter. The Spruce Pets warns that the Modkat Flip's front entry may be too high for some seniors. For very limited mobility, Wirecutter suggests a low, shallow tub.