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 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!
Related: 10 Best non tracking cat litter on Amazon & Chewy
Cat Litter box for odor control 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
In a rush and need something right away? Check out our top picks on the table below!
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 Jumbo Hooded 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. | |
| 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.
- Easy Access: Large opening with a paw-safe front door that’s easy...
- Designed for Efficient Cleaning: The large hood lifts for easy access...
- Odor Filter: The filter on the top door effectively traps and removes...
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! Check these top entry litter box liners instead. |
| 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.
- TOP OR FRONT ENTRY: The Modkat XL is purr-fect for larger cats and...
- PREVENTS LITTER TRACKING: The Modkat XL top-entry configuration nearly...
- SWIVEL LID FOR EASY CLEANING: The Modkat XL swivel lid provides quick...
3. PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box
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.
- Automatically removes waste: No scooping, cleaning or refilling your...
- Unbeatable odor control: Crystal litter removes smell by absorbing...
- No more messy floors: Low-tracking crystals are 99% dust free and...
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.
- STAINLESS STEEL & ERGONOMIC STRUCTURE - Crafted from rust-resistant...
- STAIN- & RUST-FREE - Unlike plastic litter boxes that have unpleasant...
- SIZE & DESIGN - This XL cat litter box stainless pan meausres15.5"L x...
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!
- The perfect way to prevent litter scatter and contain spraying
- Large top entryway for easy entry and exit
- Small holes on the lid to help remove litter particles from the...
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 versus 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 still stink like crazy when you’re sitting right next to it 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 Recommendation
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!
- Automatically removes waste: No scooping, cleaning or refilling your...
- Unbeatable odor control: Crystal litter removes smell by absorbing...
- No more messy floors: Low-tracking crystals are 99% dust free and...
Do you have any of these best cat litter boxes for odor control? Share your thoughts below!
Nicole is one of the writers here on CatVills. She’s been a cat lover most of her life and-at one point- counted five felines as part of her family. Today, she’s proud cat mom to two indoor kitties and caregiver for a slew of ferals.
Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is such a great resource for any cat owner. Cats are wonderful pets, but their littler boxes can get pretty darn ripe no matter what you do.
PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box, Covered, Automatic with Disposable Tray, Purple seems like the best choice for me. I like purple too so it will suit my kitten very well.
I have a friend with cats who is going to love this. She is obsessive about cleaning, but she still has a bit of an odor in her little box area. She’ll love these.
I agree with you on the self cleaning Petsafe option. That seems like the best.
I’m allergic to cats but I love them and both my SILs have them. I’m definitely going to shoot them the link to this post because it is very informative information for cat owners like them. 🙂
I was struggling to get my cat little box this post help me to choose which one is best to my cat and I’m buying it right away.
My friends who have cats might find this interesting to read. There is nothing more unpleasant than walking into someone’s house who has cats, and their place smells like cat odor.
I remember hating the odor when I had a cat. I wish I knew about these options way back when!
This sounds like a magnificent resource for cat owners like my brother. Will share with him. Cats are amazing!
Most of these look so fun and stylish! I have a friend who is struggling in finding the perfect litter box. Will definitely recommend this!
Hhhhhmmmmm….the Catit! Looks like it can get the job done for me, easiest and also, for a long time.
I have been cat-less for eight years. Since my cat died, my husband does not want to deal with the litterbox and I am unable to, but this has given me some hope. CAn’t wait to share the chart with him.
I have the litter box with the sifter in the bottom. Best thing I’ve ever bought concerning my cat!
Anything that helps control odor is great. I’m sure many will benefit from this information.
This was so helpful for my family! We have a cat we are doing “hospice” with we’ve had to move him upstairs so we have been looking for a litter that holds in odor!
Appreciate these suggestions! I’m needing a new one so this is nice!
I was too young to know what we used with our cat when I was growing up. My hubby refuses to allow me to buy a cat now.
I want to try a hooded liter box. I haven’t yet!