After testing over 30+ products, we have reviewed the best top entry cat litter boxes to help keep your house litter-free and allow your cat to shed in privacy.
Every feline household needs to have a litter box. However, having to see dirty litter everywhere around the house is not only disgusting but harmful. Your cat may dig excessively into the litter or spray urine, which may cause the dirt and pellets to spread outside the box. This can be dangerous as well as pathogenic to the entire household.
In order to avoid such problems, you can use a top entry cat litter box. Top entry cat litter boxes have a wide opening from the top for easy access inside the box. Meanwhile, your cat’s dirt and shedding activities remain private and confined within her box.
We help you choose the best top entry cat litter boxes for your feline to carry out her activities in an enclosed space while your house and surroundings remain clean and litter-free.
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2023)
Best Overall
IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box
- Gives ample space to your feline
- Lid has holes which helps in brushing the kitty’s paw
- Comes with scooper and space for storage
Editor’s Pick
Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box
- Unique design help to eliminate tracking
- Suitable for multi-pet homes
- High sided walls prevent litter scattering
Affordable Pick
The 5 Best Top Entry Cat Litter Boxes of 2023 (Reviews)
1. IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box
Clean floors and a happy you, this is why IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box is one of the best top entry cat litter boxes of all. It is spacious and contains dust very effectively, reducing your clean-up time and giving you a cleaner, litter-free house.
The box has a unique circular top entrance giving ample space for your feline to enter and exit. The lid has holes that help in brushing your kitty’s paws to clean all the stuck litter. It has durable rubber feet that help keep the box in place on any type of floor or carpet.
Features
- Size: 20.5” x 14.7” x 14.3” (L x W x H)
- Material: Plastic
- Type: Enclosed, Top Entry
- Lid with circular entry
- Litter scooper included
The box comes with a scooper that can be hung at the side for convenience of storage and immediate scooping and cleaning. The high walls not only keep the litter enclosed but provide enough privacy to your kitty during her shedding business.
To conclude, we think this is the best top entry cat litter box.
Pros
- Large space for entry
- Comes with a scooper and space for storage
- Small holes on top to prevent litter tracking
- Anti-slip rubber bottom
Cons
- The lid is too tight and not easy to remove
- The box is too small and not spacious
2. Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box
Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box is our best and the most premium choice of the top entry litter box as it helps in containing litter, controlling odor, and preventing litter tracking. If your cat loves spraying urine or spilling litter out of the box, this is the perfect accessory for her.
The top entry box has a partially covered opening to contain dust as well as keep it ventilated and reduce odor within the box. The container also helps in keeping other pets and animals away.
Features
- Size: 20.2” x 15.2” x 15” (L x W x H)
- Material: Plastic
- Type: Enclosed, Top Entry
- Partially covered lid
The height of the litter box may not be very suitable for large and elderly cats. However, it does not require major efforts or training to access the box, making it easy to use for your cat. It has a removable lid and provides enough private space for your cat to poop and pee.
Pros
- Unique design that helps in eliminate tracking
- Partially covered top helps in reducing odor
- Suitable for multi-pet homes
- High sided walls contain litter effectively
Cons
- The product is not true to size
- The top hole is not suitable for convenient entry
3. Petmate Top Entry Cat Litter Box
Petmate Top Entry Cat Litter Box keeps litter and dirt contained inside the box efficiently and makes for the best top entry cat litter box under a budget. It has a wide top opening for easy access inside the box and it is quite spacious for comfortable movement and digging.
The high walls keep the dirt inside the box no matter how vigorously your cat digs or moves. The non-slip textured lid prevents the litter from tracking. The box is suitable for all litter types and is made from 95% pre-consumer recyclable materials making it eco-friendly and safe for your kitty.
Features
- Size: 20.2” x 15” x 15.2” (L x W x H)
- Material: Recyclable Plastic
- Type: Enclosed, Top Entry
- Snap On Type Attached Lid
The top entry cat litter box also has built-in handles for ease of carrying and moving the box. The box comes with a separate space for scoop storage and a snap-top lid for easy access and cleaning within the box.
Pros
- Non-slip textured lid to trap litter and prevent tracking
- Made of recyclable materials, eco-friendly
- Rounded edges and built-in handles for easy lifting
- Wide opening suitable for small to large cats
Cons
- The product is not true to size
- The box is not leakproof
4. AmazonBasics Top Entry Hooded Cat Litter
The AmazonBasics Top Entry Hooded Cat Litter is the top pick as a sanitary solution to keep your house and surroundings clean. The top entry is wide-mouthed which makes it suitable for cats of all sizes. It is made of non-porous plastic and has a convenient snap-on top.
The box is ideal for any corner of your house. It effectively contains the litter while giving your cat the much-needed privacy for her shedding business. The leak-proof design prevents urine spraying and the spreading of dirt around the house.
Features
- Size: 20.1” x 15.4” x 15” (L x W x H)
- Material: Non-Porous Plastic
- Type: Enclosed, Top Entry
- Snap On Type Lid
The maintenance of the top entry cat litter box is very easy and the nonporous surface keeps it odor and pathogen-free. You simply need to throw the bin bag containing dirty litter and replace it with fresh reusable liners and litter. The cover is removable for daily scooping.
Pros
- Spacious box
- Wide mouth for easy entrance and exit
- Textured design on top for litter tracking
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- Poor design
- Difficult to clean around the crevice
5. Frisco Top Entry Cat Litter Box
The perfectly private space for your cat’s shedding activities, Frisco Top Entry Cat Litter Box offers a comfortable entry with a covered design. The high-sided walls of the box help contain the litter and are ideal for kitties who spray urine or dig into their litter.
The box keeps your cat’s activities as well as the dirty litter hidden perfectly. It prevents tracking and comes with a lid on top to keep the dirt and odor enclosed. The box is very spacious to allow your feline to move inside freely.
Features
- Size: 23.2” x 15.4” x 15” (L x W x H)
- Material: Plastic
- Type: Enclosed, Top Entry
- Built-in handles
- Includes lid
The box helps keeps other pets away and is also quite easy to clean. It comes with built-in handles for carrying and features a very simple and basic design. The box is made of durable, recyclable plastic which is BPA-free.
Pros
- Made of BPA free plastic
- Inbuilt handles for ease of carrying
- Enclosed design prevents litter spilling and urine spraying
Cons
- The lid is not sturdy and does not fit well
- Not effective in preventing litter tracking
How Do Top Entry Cat Litter Boxes Work?
Top entry cat litter boxes have high walls and provide entry inside the box from the top which prevents the spreading of litter outside the box.
Top entry cat litter boxes offer a great solution for containing the dirty litter inside the box and reducing the amount of mess your cat makes. Each time your cat moves in and out of their litter container, they cause a certain amount of litter to spill out of the box. Moreover, while digging their poop and sheddings, litter is bound to spill and spread outside the box.
Top entry boxes have raised walls and an opening at the top. These high walls make sure the litter does not spread around, thereby keeping your house and floors clean. Since the box is enclosed, it also makes sure to contain the odor within and prevent it from spreading around the house.
These boxes usually come with a lid on top to keep them closed when not in use, or when it needs to be covered. Additionally, if you use it alongside a litter tracking mat, most of the litter gets trapped on the mat leaving you with clean and protected surroundings and carpets.
Your cat would have to jump in order to get access to the point of entry. If she is too tiny, too old, or too heavy to jump to the top, then top entry boxes are best avoided.
What Are The Advantages Of Using Top Entry Cat Litter Boxes?
While we know that top entry cat litter boxes help in containing cat litter inside the box, there are various other benefits of using one. We help you by listing the advantages of using top-entry cat litter boxes for your feline.
Looks Neat
Top entry litter boxes are always better to have than open boxes when it comes to maintaining neatness. All your cat’s pee and poo business remain covered within the four walls of the box. It gives a neat appearance than having to see an open and dirty litter box which looks very unpleasant.
These top entry boxes are also available in multiple designs and colors which gives it a good and attractive appearance.
No Dirt
Top entry boxes have high walls that contain the litter and dirt within the box. It has no scope of spreading the mess even if your cat digs or plays with the litter inside the box. The walls help in enclosing the dust and preventing the litter from tracking through your cat’s paws.
This is especially good for households that have multiple family members, pregnant ladies, and small kids who are sensitive to allergies due to cat litter and dust. The high-walled top entry box keeps the litter and dust from spreading across the house and causes respiratory problems.
No Odor
Since these boxes are a closed system and have high walls, they can keep the odor within them and not allow it to spread around the house. Additionally, these boxes also come with a lid on top to keep the dust and smell contained within the box when not in use.
Saves Space
While open type litter boxes are wide and big-sized boxes eat up a lot of floor space, these top entry cat litter boxes are usually tall and bigger in terms of length or height. Therefore, they do not occupy floor space and stand tall in a suitable corner of your house.
This helps in saving on a certain amount of area in your home for movement and other related activities. It does not cause a space crunch for your cat’s movements as well.
Light and Convenient
Top entry litter boxes are easy to carry about, lift, clean, and assemble. They have a very simple and basic design, which is usually made of plastic and is very light in weight and easy to carry from one place to another in the house.
While cleaning, all you need to do is, turn the box upside down and all the litter and waste is out of the box just like you would empty your dustbin. Make sure the plastic is of high quality to not have the odor remaining inside the box. This also depends upon the frequency of cleaning.
Dog Proof
While cats are tiny and light as compared to dogs, they would easily jump on the top of the box and access it. The same is not possible in the case of dogs as they are heavier.
Therefore, if you have a household that includes a dog and cat both, top entry litter boxes would ensure that your canine is not tampering or interfering with your feline’s litter box.
Privacy
Cats require their own space while carrying out their shedding business. They prefer staying away from the hustle and bustle of the house or disturbance caused due to other pets. Felines prefer shedding in peaceful and quiet places. Therefore, their litter boxes are usually placed in the corner of the house.
If you have a top-entry litter box, the high walls make sure that your cat gets an enclosed secure place to pee and poop without being disturbed by the people and surroundings.
Features to Consider for The Best Top Entry Cat Litter Box
While a litter box is a must in every cat household, top entry litter boxes offer a unique design that helps maintain privacy and contain litter. Here are a few features to consider before choosing the best top entry cat litter box for your fur-friend.
If you are a traveler person then it’s important to keep one travel litter box with you so that you can take your kitty with you. Check our article on a portable litter box for travel for future reference.
Size
The size of the litter box is one of the most important features to consider before purchasing one for your feline friend. This is because they should have enough space to dig and move inside the box as well as sit comfortably for their shedding activities.
The size of the box depends on the size of your cat. As a thumb rule, the length of the box should be the length measured from their nose to the tail when stretched. Whereas, the width of the box should be the length of the cat from nose to their tail when not extended.
Read more related to litter box for large cats.
Height
When choosing a top-entry kitty litter box, the height is of primary concern. Top entry containers are available in various sizes and height options. However, it’s upon you to choose the best and the most comfortable dimensions. This also depends on your cat’s nature.
If your cat has a routine habit of kicking litter out of its container or spraying urine out of the box, then you need a tall container that has high walls to keep their litter and urine contained within the box.
Generally, such high-walled boxes have 3 tall sides to prevent poop, pee, and litter from spilling out of the box. These are about 8”-12” in height. For cats who face difficulties in climbing to the high entry, there is smaller boxes available at 5”- 6” height.
We recommend you to check this article on litter boxes with high sides for better knowledge.
Odor-Proof
Since top entry cat litter boxes possess high walls, they help in containing the dirty smell and odor within the box and prevent it from spreading across the house.
Moreover, it should not be so, that the box smells disgusting enough for your cat to not enter it. This is usually the case with cat litter boxes made of cheap materials or plastic that retain the odor. Make sure you buy a cat litter box made of good quality materials that help in effectively reduce the odor in the box.
Regular cleaning and scooping as well as buying an odor control litter also help in keeping the litter box clean and odor-free.
Ventilation
Top entry cat litter boxes usually have sides high enough, that the box is too deep on the insides. There should be enough tiny openings and spaces for your cat to breathe and not feel suffocated inside the box.
Cats need a peaceful and comfortable space to shed and pee. This means enough ventilation and airy space without much disturbance from the surrounding.
If they feel discomfort, they would avoid using the litter box, which can lead to another chain of problems. Therefore, a spacious and well-ventilated litter box with a wide top entry or tiny holes does the trick.
Cat’s Age
When choosing to buy a top-entry cat litter box, your cat’s age is very important. If she is too tiny, she would certainly not be able to climb the top of the box unless there is support. Similarly, aged cats can suffer from various joint problems and arthritis. Cats who are heavy may not be able to jump high.
Your cat will refrain from using the litter box if the entry is not accessible enough. Therefore, choosing a litter box as per your cat’s age and convenience is important.
There are various litter boxes that have multiple entry points and high walls. This helps in containing the litter inside while also allowing your cat to enter easily. Alternatively, you can also choose to buy an open litter box or a box with a top entry and small height.
Ease of Cleaning
It is also important to consider your convenience of cleaning before choosing a comfortable litter box for your cat. High-sided litter boxes have a very simplistic and basic design. A single tall container with a lid on the top can be easily turned upside down in order to clean the waste and litter from the box.
If the box is not too deep, you can easily scoop the dirty litter from the box daily. Regular and efficient cleaning ensures that the litter box is suitable for use and odor-free for your kitty. However, the entire litter box needs to be rinsed once a week.
FAQs
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Do cats like top entry cat litter boxes?
Once your cat gets accustomed to using a top entry cat litter box, they would definitely like it as it offers them privacy to carry out their shedding activities.
If your cat is heavy or old, or too tiny, it would be difficult for them to jump and access to the top of the box and use it comfortably.
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Are top entry litter boxes suitable for large cats?
Yes! Top entry cat litter boxes are available in various dimensions which are suitable for small to medium to large-sized cats as well.
However, if your older cat finds it difficult to adjust to the new litter box, then you must prefer an open box for them.
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How to clean top entry cat litter boxes?
In order to clean top entry cat litter boxes, you simply have to remove the lid, tilt and remove the contents inside the box, and rinse it with soap and warm water.
You can also use vinegar or baking soda in order to remove odor from the box. It is advisable to clean them at least once a week and scoop the litter daily.
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What is the cost of top entry cat litter boxes?
Top entry cat litter boxes cost anywhere between $15-$45. This depends upon the quality, size, and various other features. The best budget-friendly top entry cat litter box would be Petmate Top Entry Cat Litter Box which is priced around $15-$20.
For a premium and high-quality cat litter box, you can opt for the Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box which costs around $40 – $42.
The best top entry cat litter box would be the IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box which costs around $30-$35.
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What is the best top entry cat litter box?
According to us, the best top entry cat litter box would be the IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box which offers a comfortable top opening for cats to move in and out and use the box with total privacy.
For a premium quality cat litter box, the best option would be Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box which comes with an attached lid and also prevents litter tracking.
The most budget-friendly top entry cat litter box would be the Petmate Top Entry Cat Litter Box.
Final Note
Top entry cat litter boxes offer various advantages. They prevent litter from getting out of the box and spreading around your floors or house, they help in containing odor and make your cat’s favorite corner of the house look neat and tidy.
Most importantly, your cat can carry out her shedding business peacefully without any disturbance from family members and other pets. The best top entry cat litter boxes that we have reviewed are easy to access and would not require much training or effort. However, they are best avoided for cats who are old, heavy, or injured.
Choose the best top entry cat litter box for your feline mate to pee and poop within her private space while your house remains free of dust and litter.
After all, top entry cat litter boxes help keep the litter where it belongs!!
References
- Why Multiple Cats Need Multiple Litter Boxes — PetMD
- Litter Box — Wikipedia
- Tips to Stop Litter Tracking — Arm & Hammer