In the fight against litter box odors, most cat parents consider the litter they're using, but some may forget about one key component: the litter box itself! The right litter box can help greatly reduce litter odors in your home, whether you choose a covered, automatic, or classic open top litter box. In this article, we'll go over how litter boxes impact odor control, what to look for, and give you our picks for the best odor controlling litter boxes on the market.
Here at tuft + paw, we are cat experts. We're intimately familiar with the litter box features that are most important to cats and cat parents alike. This list is based on consultation with a veterinarian, cat behaviorist, hundreds of online reviews, and our own experience as cat parents to determine which litter boxes offer the best features for improved odor control.
Tip: If you're also searching for the right litter, check out our list of the best cat litters for odor control.
Cheat Sheet: The Best Odor Controlling Litter Boxes
| Best Covered | Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan |
| Best Open Top | tuft + paw Cove Litter Box |
| Best Automatic | Litter Robot 3 |
How Does a Litter Box Control Odors?
There are several ways in which a litter box can help control odors—some directly inhibit the spread of odors, others encourage proper litter box maintenance. The key when shopping is to match the litter box to your cleaning habits. Litter boxes can help with odor by:
- Being easy to clean — The most important factor when trying to control odors.
- Containing/filtering odors — This is how covered litter boxes with carbon filters help with odor control.
- Providing ventilation — Open top litter boxes allow for airflow which helps reduce moisture and prevent the development of extra foul odors in the litter box.
- Encouraging litter box use — A comfortable and accessible litter box keeps cats from doing their business elsewhere.
Are Covered Litter Boxes Better?
Covered litter boxes (a.k.a. hooded litter boxes) are undeniably great for controlling litter box odors, but unfortunately they aren't the most cat-friendly design.* Every time a cat uses a covered litter box, they have to brave the nasty odors inside, which can be stressful for their extremely sensitive noses. This can cause some cats to reject the litter box and eliminate elsewhere in the home, putting strain on your cat-human relationship.
Another weakness of covered litter boxes is that they don't encourage regular cleaning. Intentionally or not, cat parents are less likely to clean the litter box if they can't smell it and can't see how dirty it is. Covered litter boxes make it easy to ignore or forget about scooping, which in turn makes the odors even worse for your poor cat.
The takeaway is that covered litter boxes require extra diligent cleaning from cat parents.
*Note: Every cat has unique preferences, so some may prefer covered litter boxes to open ones.
What to Look For In a Litter Box for Odor Control
When selecting a litter box that effectively controls odors, keep the following factors in mind:
Ease of Cleaning
Regular cleaning is the best and simplest way to control odors, so look for litter boxes with features that make cleaning a breeze. This includes things like removable liners, anti-stick surfaces, and built-in cleaning tools. Automatic litter boxes are a great choice in this department because they literally do the cleaning for you, so you can be sure that waste isn't building up in the litter box. If shopping for a covered litter box, make sure it can be easily disassembled or opened for cleaning.
@tuftandpaw Replying to @✨Gee✨ Think your classic litter box, but elevated! Cove comes with a custom scoop, dustpand and hand brush. They are all nice and compact for all your spaces! #catlitterbox #bestlitterbox #bestlitter #highqualitycatlitter #lowtrackingcatlitter #bestcatproducts #tofucatlitterbenefits #bestlitterbox2023 #litterbox ♬ ladyfingers - chop
Covered Design
Covered litter boxes act as a physical barrier to prevent odors from spreading around the house. Unfortunately, this means your poor cat has to deal with the intense odors inside the litter box, which is why we don't always recommend covered litter boxes. Frequent cleaning is necessary to keep them comfortable for your cat. Still, every cat has different preferences and some may prefer covered litter boxes. Another option is to get an enclosure which acts as a hidden cat litter box.
Air Filters
If you intend to get a covered litter box, we recommend choosing one with a replaceable carbon filter. These filters capture smelly particles and reduce odors both inside and outside the litter box.
What to Avoid In an Odor Controlling Litter Box
While there are features to seek out, it's equally important to avoid certain pitfalls when choosing an odor-controlling litter box:
Small Size
Avoid selecting litter boxes that are too cramped for your cat. Cats need enough room to comfortably enter, turn around, and dig without feeling restricted. If they're uncomfortable in the litter box they may go elsewhere. This is especially important when choosing a litter box for a large cat.
Lack of Ventilation
Avoid litter boxes with poor or no ventilation. Inadequate airflow can contribute to moisture accumulation, creating a smelly and unhygienic environment.
Other Odor Control Tips
In addition to choosing an appropriate litter box, consider the following tips to further control odors:
Regular Cleaning
No matter what kind of litter box you use, always make sure it's cleaned at least once per day to remove solid waste and clumps. This will reduce the spread of odors around the house and make the litter box more comfortable for your cat. Every few weeks, completely empty the litter box and deep clean it to remove any lingering residue and waste. Remember, the only way to truly stop odors is to remove the cause.
Use an Odor-Controlling Litter
The cat litters with the best odor control are usually clumping litters with an added deodorizing agent (e.g. activated charcoal, baking soda). Check reviews to see what other cat parents have to say about a litter's odor control.
Proper Placement
Find an appropriate location for the litter box away from busy areas or food bowls. Cats prefer to eliminate in quiet places where they can see their surroundings.
Add Deodorizers
For an extra dose of odor control, sprinkle a little deodorizing agent in the litter box. Baking soda is the go-to for many cat parents due to it's moisture-absorbing and odor-neutralizing properties. You can also buy deodorizing products designed specifically for cat litter, but we recommend avoiding any with added fragrances.
Multiple Litter Boxes
We always recommend providing one litter box per cat, plus an additional one. This reduces competition and stress, ensures that each cat has easy access to a clean litter box, and slows down waste buildup. This is especially key when you need litter boxes for multiple cats.
Our Criteria For Choosing the Best Odor Controlling Litter Box
- Odor controlling features — Any components that help manage odors like a cover, carbon filter, or waste receptacle in automatic litter boxes.
- Build quality — A good litter box should be sturdy and made from durable materials.
- Size — From a cat's perspective, the bigger their litter box, the better. A good litter box should be as long as your cat from nose to tail and provide enough room for them to easily turn around.
- High sides — Litter boxes with high walls help reduce litter tracking/scatter and help contain urine if your cat has high aim.
- Cat-friendly design — This includes ventilation, visibility, and how accessible the litter box entryway is.
- Ease of cleaning — how easy it is to scoop, change the litter, and clean residue out for the box.
- Style — Cats don't care much about aesthetics, but it sure is nice for cat parents! We love a litter box that does its job well and is easy on the eyes.
- Price point
Deep Dive: The 6 Best Cat Litter Boxes for Odor Control
Best Covered: Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan
Credit: Catit
Price: $73
Rating: 4.5/5 with 20,000 Amazon reviews
Size: 22.4"L x 18.3"W x 19.7"H
Materials: plastic
Our favorite covered litter box for odor control is the Catit Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan. It has pretty much everything you need for odor control without breaking the bank: a roomy cover, replaceable carbon filter, and a hinging lid that makes it easier to scoop than most other covered litter boxes. The top and bottom pieces are connected with a sliding lock mechanism that is both secure and easy to open when it's time for a deep clean. These pieces also overlap to prevent urine leakage when used by cats with high aim. We also appreciate how large and spacious it is for a covered litter box.
However, there are some drawbacks. As with all covered litter boxes, some cats may refuse to use it, especially if they're used to open top litter boxes. Quality-wise, some reviewers have complained about the integrity of the locking mechanism, occasional urine leakage, and value for the price. There were also some concerns about the swinging door not working properly, which makes the litter box less accessible to cats. The majority of reviews are very positive, but there could be inconsistencies with this product.
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Runner Up: Van Ness Enclosed XL Cat Litter Pan
Credit: Amazon
Price: $14
Rating: 4.2/5 with 18,000 Amazon reviews
Size: 21.5"L x 17.5"W x 18.13"H
Materials: polypropylene plastic
If you're looking for a decent covered litter box at a budget price, the Van Ness Enclosed Litter Pan is a great option. It's significantly cheaper than the more deluxe Catit litter box, but offers two of the same advantages: a roomy hood and replaceable air filter, both of which help manage litter box odor. However, with an affordably priced litter box comes a tradeoff in quality, and many reviews mention this. The plastic body is thinner and more prone to cracking than the Catit litter box, which can cause problems with the locks that connect the top and bottom pieces. Easily cracked plastic also leads to a greater risk of leaks and malfunctions with the swinging door. Overall, we think this litter box does the job at a reasonable price, but you may have to replace it sooner than you'd like.
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Best Open Top: tuft + paw Cove Litter Box
Price: $149-$199
Rating: 4.8/5 with 800 reviews
Size: 26"L x 16"W x 6.5"H (+8" with scatter shield)
Materials: Double-walled thick matte plastic, rubber base
Disclaimer: Yes, we included our own litter box here. This is because we truly think it performs excellently compared to other litter boxes on the market. We subjected it to the same scrutiny as every other litter box on this list and asked for honest opinions from experts and cat parents.
The tuft + paw Cove Litter Box is our pick for the best open top litter box for odor control. Cat parents usually associate covered litter boxes with managing odor, but hiding your cat's waste can often result in less frequent scooping and worse odors in the long run. The Cove's strength lies in its ability to encourage frequent cleaning— it has an anti-stick basin and integrated cleaning tools to make scooping as easy as possible, plus its stylish design helps fight the urge to hide it in an obscure corner of the home. We also appreciate the excellent build quality, accessibility, and removable scatter shield to reduce tracking. Its only real weaknesses is the high price tag, which we understand is not within every cat parents budget. Overall, we think it's the best option for cat parents who want to stay on top of cleaning to minimize odor.
Tip: pair the Cove with an odor-controlling pellet litter (like our Really Great Cat Litter) for an unstoppable one-two punch for preventing litter tracking and odors.
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Runner Up: tuft + paw Cubby Litter Box
Price: $69
Rating: 4.8/5 with 81 reviews
Size: 21.2"L x 15.2"W x 6"H (+8" with scatter shield)
Materials: thick matte anti-stick plastic
Disclaimer: Yes, we included our own litter box here. This is because we truly think it performs excellently compared to other litter boxes on the market. We subjected it to the same scrutiny as every other litter box on this list and asked for honest opinions from experts and cat parents.
The tuft + paw Cubby Litter Box provides many of the same benefits as the Cove, but without some of the bells and whistles. This makes it a more affordable—but still high quality—option for cat parents who prefer an open top litter box for managing odor control. As we've said before, the strength of open top litter boxes is that they encourage cat parents to stay on top of scooping. The Cubby makes regular cleaning easy with its sturdy anti-stick basin and modern design, which further encourages cat parents to keep the litter box somewhere they'll see it. Design-wise, the Cubby is constructed from the same thick matte plastic as the Cove, but has a single wall instead of a double wall. It comes with the same removable scatter shield to limit tracking, and has a low entryway for easy accessibility. It doesn't come with included cleaning tools, but you can always get the litter scoop separately if you need to. Finally, the Cubby still pricier than the average litter box, but the quality is noticeably better than the usual options and it will last years longer. If you want to fight odors by scooping regularly, then this litter box is a great choice.
Tip: The Cubby pairs great with an odor-controlling pellet litter (like our Really Great Cat Litter) to help prevent both litter tracking and odors.
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Honorable Mention: PetFusion BetterBox Non-Stick Large Litter Box
Credit: Chewy
Price: $45
Rating: 4.5/5 with 7,300 Amazon reviews
Size: 22.6"L x 18.1"W x 8"H
Materials: ABS plastic
Much like our top two picks, the PetFusion BetterBox helps manage odor by making cleaning as easy as possible. The non-stick basin is made from sturdy ABS plastic and is perfectly smooth to make scooping and deep cleaning a breeze. The dropped entryway helps with accessibility, especially for kittens and senior cats. The price tag is moderate at $45, but two-packs can be purchased for a better value of $65. The only major weakness is the low sides, which don't help much with litter tracking or scatter. Nonetheless, if you want a bare bones open top litter box that's easy to clean, we think this is a good choice.
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Best Self-Cleaning: Litter Robot 3
Credit: Litter Robot
Price: $499
Rating: 4.5/5 with 9800 Litter Robot reviews
Exterior Size: 27"L x 24"W x 30"H
Interior Size: 20"L x 20"W x 15"H
Materials: plastic, metal
If you're looking for a self-cleaning litter box and willing to invest some cash, the Litter Box 3 is arguably the gold standard. We prefer this model over the newer ones because it has better reviews overall and doesn't have the tech issues associated with app and WiFi connectivity. The self-cleaning mechanism is reliable and the enclosed waste compartment keeps odors to a minimum. We also like how spacious the interior is and that it's compatible with most clumping granular litters and crystal litters.
The main risk with the Litter Robot is the high price tag vs the potential for tech problems and cat avoidance. It's a big machine that makes mechanical noises, so understandably some reviewers complain that their cat won't use it. The design is also quite bulky and can be inaccessible for cats with limited mobility. Still, if your cat is comfortable with covered and/or automatic litter boxes, the Litter Robot 3 could be a game changer for reducing odors.
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Runner Up: PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Credit: PetSafe
Price: $200-$230
Rating: 4.0/5 with 17,000 Amazon reviews
Size: 27.6"L x 19.1"W x 6"H (+10" with hood)
Materials: plastic, metal
If you're looking for a self-cleaning litter box but don't have the space or budget for the Litter Robot, we think PetSafe's ScoopFree litter box is a nice second choice. It comes with a bag of PetSafe's own crystal litter which effectively dries out solid waste, absorbs urine, and manages odor. The rake cleaning system pushes solid waste under a lid to contain some of the stink. Unfortunately, some users have found this cleaning mechanism didn't work as intended, whether by breaking, getting jammed, or worst of all, smashing soft poops (yuck!). We also don't like that the crystal litter is scented, but you can easily switch to a different unscented crystal litter brand. The PetSafe ScoopFree litter box seems to be of a lower build quality than the Litter Robot, but for the price it's still a solid alternative.
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Conclusion
Odor control is a complex issue for cat parents, but choosing the right litter box can go a long way towards reducing litter stank in your home. If your cat is okay with covered litter boxes, we think the Catit Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan is the way to go. For cat parents who are serious about cleaning the litter box and want an open top option, the tuft + paw Cove Litter Box is our pick. If you prefer a litter box that cleans itself, then the Litter Robot 3 is about as good as it gets. Any of these three options, when paired with an odor-controlling litter and a consistent cleaning schedule, can help you conquer litter box odor for good. We hope this list has been helpful and wish you the best of luck!
FAQs
How do I keep my litter box from smelling in the house?
Here are several things you can do to minimize litter box odor: 1) scoop the litter box everyday; 2) scoop poops ASAP; 3) get a litter with more powerful odor control; 4) move the litter box to a better ventilated area; 5) buy a covered litter box if the odor problems persist.
How often should I clean the litter box to control odors?
It is recommended to scoop the litter box daily and change the litter completely every 2-4 weeks. Regular cleaning and maintenance are vital for odor control.
Why do vets not recommend closed litter boxes?
Vets don't recommend closed litter boxes because they trap odors and make the litter box unpleasant for cats to use. This is made worse by the limited ventilation. In a multi-cat household, an unsuspecting cat can also be ambushed by others when they leave the litter box.
Are scented litters safe for cats?
Scented litters can be overwhelming or irritating to cats. It's best to choose unscented litter to encourage litter box use and ensure your cat's comfort.
Can I use household products like baking soda to control litter box odors?
Yes, baking soda can be sprinkled on the litter to help neutralize odors. However, avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaning agents as they may be harmful to your cat.
What if my cat refuses to use the litter box?
If your cat consistently avoids the litter box, it's essential to rule out any underlying medical issues by consulting a veterinarian. Additionally, evaluate the litter box setup, cleanliness, and location to ensure they are suitable and appealing to your cat.
Are automatic self-cleaning litter boxes effective for odor control?
Automatic self-cleaning litter boxes can help maintain cleanliness and control odors. However, it's important to choose a reliable and well-reviewed model, and regularly maintain and empty the waste receptacle for optimal odor control.
