5 Best Cat Litter Boxes for Odor Control

Last Updated: 4 months ago

If you’re on the hunt for the best cat litter boxes for odor control, I’ve got you covered (or uncovered, as the case may be).

Today, we’ll check out the top 5 boxes that do a great job at controlling or concealing the stinkier side of cat parenting.

From the highest rated self cleaning litter box to space-saving setups for apartments, you’ll find the perfect solution below!

First, though, let’s check out a few things to look for when shopping for the best odor-free litter box!

Top Picks at a Glance

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

• Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan
• MODKAT XL Litter Box
• PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box
• iPrimio Ultimate Stainless Steel Litter Box
• IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box

5 Best Cat Litter Boxes for Odor Control

Now that we know what to look for, let’s check out my top five picks!

1. Catit Cat Litter Pan

The Catit is a fantastic “no-frills” odor-controlling litter box for those who need a budget-friendly hooded option.

benefits & Drawbacks of Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan

Benefits	Drawbacks
The hooded system gives your cat privacy and conceals the mess inside.	Not great for high-spraying cats, since urine can leak out the seams.
When they say “jumbo,” they mean it! It’s roomy enough for two cats!	While it’s durable for the most part, even the best plastic gets brittle or breaks down over time, so it’s not a “lifetime” box.
The added swinging door also helps trap odors inside the box	A couple of users complained that the swinging door trapped their cat inside the box.
Uses a carbon filter to remove odors.
It comes with a free sample of the Magic Blue Litter Box Filter, and replacements are inexpensive.

Recommendation

You would be hard-pressed to find a basic hooded litter box with a higher overall rating than Catit! People absolutely LOVE this litter box.

When my current litter box bites the dust, this is the one I’m going with. It’s budget-friendly and large enough for my multi-cat household.

2. MODKAT XL Litter Box

The Modkat is probably one of my favorite litter boxes of all time because it’s so stylish and high-configurable.

benefits & drawbacks of modkat xl litter box

Benefits	Drawbacks
Thanks to the patent-pending design, you can make it either a top of a front-entry box.	It’s not the most budget-friendly litter box. Since it’s a larger box, it might not fit in your apartment.
Roomy enough for most cat breeds.	Replacement liners aren’t cheap!
Swivel lid makes it easy to clean.
When used as a top-entry box, there’s virtually no litter tracking.
The enclosed system helps keep odors inside the box.

Recommendation

I really love this litter box, mostly because you can switch it from front to top entry in a flash.

It’s also relatively stylish considering it’s basically a cat bathroom! If you have the budget for it, I highly recommend it.

3. PetSafe Cat Litter Boxx

If you’re looking for the best automatic odor-free box, the ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box is a great choice!

There’s a reason why it’s one of the most popular self-cleaning boxes on Amazon!

benefits & drawbacks of petsafe self-cleaning litter box

Benefits	Drawbacks
Uses dust-free crystal litter instead of traditional clumping litter.	You can only use their brand of crystal cat litter.
Disposable tray makes it easy to clean.	Replacement trays can be pricey if you have multiple cats.
The tray system and crystals combine to make it virtually odorless!	The rake system that moves the litter is prone to rusting.
You can get it with or without a hood, depending on your preferences.	The cardboard tray isn’t really durable when you have a cat that furiously digs in his box.
Extra-long 10-foot cord makes it easy to put it just where you want it.

Recommendation

The ratings on the PetSafe ScoopFree system pretty much speak for themselves.

Even with the cons, it’s still a great self-cleaning system for those who put odor-control at the top of their “must have” list.

4. iPrimio Ultimate Stainless Steel Litter Box

The iPrimio Ultimate Stainless Steel Cat XL Litter box is pretty basic, but don’t let that fool you! It does a great job at controlling odors!

benefits & drawbacks of iprimio cat litter box

Benefits	Drawbacks
Ergonomic design has no sharp edges to endanger your cat.	No cover, so your cat’s business is right there in the open.
Since it’s made of stainless steel, it won’t absorb odors at all.	Only comes in one size, so if you have a petite cat and a small space, it’s not the best option.
It also stays free of residue and rust.	Short “walls” make it a bad choice for high-peeing cats.
The XL size is big enough even for the Maine Coon.
Nonstick coating on the stainless steel makes it a cinch to clean.

Recommendation

If you want a plastic-free option or prefer an uncovered box, the iPrimio is definitely your best choice.

While there are a couple of other stainless steel litter boxes out there, this is the most highly rated option.

5. IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box

If you love everything about the Modkat except the price and you’re willing to forgo the option of making it top OR front entry, try out the IRIS!

benefits & Drawbacks of iris cat litter box

Benefits	Drawbacks
Like the Modkat, the enclosed system traps odors inside where they belong.	The lid accommodates larger cats but it’s not made for heavy kitties.
The top-entry system is ideal for high-spraying cats.	Elderly cats may have a hard time jumping up into it.
Entry is roomy enough for large cats (as long as they’re not too heavy).	Cats who are used to front entry may not use it.
The holes on the lid knock litter back into the box so you don’t end up with stinky tracks all over the place.

Recommendation

If you want a top-entry box but have a small budget, I definitely say grab this one!

Just remember, the lid doesn’t really support fat cats, so keep that in mind!

How to Choose the Best Odor-Free Litter Box

As you’re shopping around for the best litter box for odor control, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind.

Is it hooded or uncovered?

First things first: hooded or uncovered?

This answer usually depends entirely on your cat, as some strongly prefer one over the other (and by “strongly” I mean they won’t even use the other).

While a covered box is ideal for obvious reasons, don’t worry if your cat will only use an uncovered box. I’ve got a solution just for you below!

Does it have a filter?

Ideally, you want a litter box with a charcoal filter, as the charcoal actually eliminates odors rather than just concealing them.

Some of the most popular litter boxes for odor control don’t have a filter, though.

Instead, they rely on good proprietary litter, odor-resistant materials, or an enclosed system.

That’s fine, as long as they have some way of “filtering” the odors.

What kind of litter does it use?

Years ago, we really only had two options for litter: clumping and non-clumping. That’s it.

If you wanted the best cat litter for odor control, you went with the clumping.

Now, we can choose between everything from clumping and clay to old newspapers to corncob litter to crystals to…well, the list goes on and on.

When you’re shopping for your odor-free litter box, pay attention to the type of litter that it uses.

Some will take just about any kind of litter while others use one very specific type!

Where will you put it?

The best litter box for odor control depends quite a bit on exactly where you plan to put that box.

Some boxes do a great job of concealing odor when they’re placed in the bathroom, yet they still stink like crazy when you’re sitting right next to them in your tiny apartment.

Yet I put the same boxes down in my office when I still had my elderly cat, and it was all I smelled all day long!

Bottom line: if you have a tiny apartment and need to share a room with the litter box, you definitely want the best of the best.

Final Word

In my opinion, the best cat litter box for odor control is the self-cleaning PetSafe option because it’s constantly removing waste

That said, I know not everyone wants an automatic box- especially one that uses proprietary litter.

If that’s the case for you, I love either the Modkat or the Iris, depending on your budget!

Do you have any of these best cat litter boxes for odor control? Share your thoughts below!

Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API