Shopping

The 7 Best Cat Litter Boxes For Odor Control

We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

by Shayna Murphy
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Amazon

When it comes to shopping for litter boxes, there's one thing that virtually all cat owners can agree on: It better be good at keeping odors away. Thankfully, the best cat litter boxes for odor control are made of odor-absorbing materials, have enclosed designs that keep odors from escaping, or are self-cleaning to ensure smells never enter your space.

The truth is, certain highly-rated litter boxes — especially those that are covered — can be better about containing smells because of a carbon filter. Automatic litter boxes can also be better at odor reduction but tend to be pricier. Litter boxes serve an important function for cats, obviously, but for owners, they're a crucial way to contain messes and keep smells from wafting throughout the entire house. While a completely odorless litter box may be the dream, keep in mind your budget as well. There's a litter box for every budget on this list.

In addition to choosing a good litter box, there are plenty of other things you can try out to eliminate cat smells, like cleaning your cat's box every day, using a litter deodorizer, and keeping your box in a well-ventilated area. Plus, it always helps to start with a great odor-reducing litter.

In a hurry? These are the best cat litter boxes for odor control:

1. The Best Overall: Modkat Flip Litter Box with Scoop And Reusable Liner

2. The Best Top Entry: Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box

3. The Best Disposable: Kitty's Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box

4. The Best Budget Self-Cleaning: Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box

5. The Best Automatic Self Cleaning: PetSafe Self-Cleaning Hooded Cat Litter Box

6. The Best With Reduced Litter Tracking: Petmate Booda Dome Cat Litter Box

7. The Most Affordable Hooded Litter Box: Van Ness Corner Enclosed Cat Pan

If you're eager to find the best option for trapping and containing smells, scroll on. Whether you're looking for a disposable box or a self-cleaning version that does all the work for you, you'll be sure to find the right one below.

1

The Overall Best Litter Box For Odor Control

There’s a lot to like about this Modkat litter box. For one, it’s high — which means that cats who often pee on the sides of the litter box won’t damage any walls or flooring. That, alone, helps with odor control. It’s also both user-friendly and cat-friendly. It’s easy to clean, and also has an adjustable level of privacy. Since every cat has different preferences, it’s safe to assume this box can be fitted in some way they may feel comfortable.

One helpful review: “This litter box is genius and my cat now prefers this one to any others in the house. I live in a condo with minimal areas to place litter boxes. I HAD to put one in the dining room as my cat had decided to start peeing in there. This box is compact (but not too small!) and discreet and fits in the corner of my dining room with no problem! My wood floors are now saved! Worth every penny!”

2

The Best Top-Entry Litter Box

This top-entry litter box from Modkat is a great option if you're trying to minimize messes and reduce odors. Since cats have to get out of it vertically, more litter is dropped back into the box and not on your floors, saving you a lot of tidying-up time. Other smart design features also go the distance to make cleaning up less of a job for you like a locking swivel lid, which will also help keep litter in the box instead of scattered on your floors. While it's a pricier pick, it's won quite the following (over 1,100 five-star ratings and climbing) for its innovative features and sleek, modern design, which is a bonus if your litter box is pretty visible. To use this, you'll likely want to grab reusable liners from Modkat, since they're tailored to fit it directly and also last for up to three months at a time.

One helpful review: “I was actually pleasantly surprised. My husband and I have both noticed that the urine clumps don't stick to it and pop right out without breaking apart. It has actually made scooping easier which I did not expect. Since I'm not having clumps explode as I attempt to chisel them off the bottom of the pan, the scooper (despite the large holes) has been fine and makes it quick and easy to sift.”

3

The Best Disposable Litter Box

You're probably thinking that this disposable litter box would be terrible at containing odors. After all, it's so... open and exposed, right? But, you’d be wrong. This box is a game-changer when it comes to reducing and preventing odors from forming because of the added baking soda, which provides extra protection against tough litter- and ammonia-related smells. It's made of recycled paper that doesn't shred or leak (and is designed to be landfill-safe), which helps counteract its disposable nature. Reviewers say that each box is good for about a month at a time. Compatible with all types of litter, these are also a great pick for liners or for use while traveling.

One helpful review: “It is waterproofed on the exterior. It’s very high-walled, so no missing by kitty. The paper construction is very thick and the interior surface is adsorbent and ‘backs up’ the litter. These are superb. They worked for #1 and #2. I can recommend these highly.”

4

The Best Budget Self-Cleaning Litter Box

There's a lot to love about this self-cleaning litter box from Omega Paw. One of the biggest reasons? It scoops itself. Just tilt the box and say goodbye to soiled litter — it's that easy. It comes equipped with a grill inside that separates waste and deposits it into a pull-out tray. While it doesn't have the ridiculous convenience of a fully automatic litter box, it's significantly cheaper and definitely a great mid-way point in terms of price if you're looking to up your litter box game without dishing out a fortune in the process. Amazon reviewers also say that it helps conserve litter and reduce odor saturation into the air because of its unique self-cleaning method.

One helpful review: "This awesome litter box is so easy to clean, the design seems to also help contain odors. My cats really like using the Omega Paw litter box compared to standard litter boxes. Not to mention that the design of the box keeps the litter inside the box when they are scratching away in the litter [...]”

5

The Best Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box

The PetSafe ScoopFree Self Cleaning litter box is a favorite among many cat owners, since it’ll let you rest easy when it comes to scooping litter. Cleanup is especially easy — instead of shoveling clumps into a trash bag, you’ll just be throwing out the full tray when it’s time to refresh the box. But, one huge bonus when it comes to this model is that it can also help you keep track of your pet's health in terms of elimination — its health counter will keep track of how often your cat uses the box.

One helpful review: “I've considered an automated litter box for years but kept putting it off. I'm so glad I finally got one! It sets up easily, both the litter box itself and the phone app. Our cat adapted to it immediately. Actually, she was climbing inside while I was putting it together and started using it regularly right away. The app shows when it detects the cat entering the box and when it rakes the box clean 20 minutes later. There has been absolutely no smell at all!”

6

The Best With Reduced Litter Tracking

The design of this dome litter box prevents odors and litter particles from traveling across your home. The igloo shape traps odors, while the dome’s carbon filter absorbs any smells so both you and your cat are comfortable. The plastic litter box has a ramp with lots of grooves to trap litter as your cat makes its way down, and you’ll see significantly less tracking through the house as a result. It’s easy to clean too, and the dome can be lifted off to dump used litter and wipe down the insides. The litterbox has an incredible 10,000 five-star reviews and is also available in brushed nickel and pearl white.

One helpful (and funny) review: "If your cat wants to poop in a covered box, this is a pretty great covered box. It will last you a while, it looks kind of alright as far as litter boxes go, and there are stairs so your cat can pretend they're in, I don't know, Santorini, or wherever cats would like to vacation for their poops. I've never been a cat, but this is what I would want to poop in.”

7

The Most Affordable Hooded Litter Box

This compact hooded litter box measures 21 by 19 inches, which is still adequate for a one-cat household. It has a cat door that both creates privacy for your kitty and contains smells in the box, rather than in your home. It also comes with a replaceable air filter for even better odor control and has a unique shape that’s a perfect fit for a corner that’s out of sight. The top half is easily removable for cleaning and the box has a polished finish that’s resistant to staining. It’s also earned more than 6,800 five-star reviews from Amazon customers.

One helpful review: "I loved this litter box so much I bought another one a few days later! Doesn’t take up much space, fits perfectly in the corner. Easy to clean by unfastening the three-hinged latches. Great value for the price! Well-made construction with easy to use clear door for your cat to have some privacy. Comes with a filter on top and it has a sturdy carrying handle.”

This article was originally published on