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7 Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 23, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

7 Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Top-entry litter boxes are aesthetically pleasing and fit in with modern décor more than standard litter trays. They’re tall and hygienic and help keep your house clean from lumps of kitty litter stuck to your feline’s paws.

These litter boxes range in size and shape, making them more or less suitable for cats of varying weights and breeds, along with matching various types of home décor. We reviewed the best top-entry litter boxes to help you decide which one your cat will like using the most. Whichever one you choose, you can be sure that your kitty will appreciate their new privacy.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Q-Hillstar Top-Entry Cat Litter Box Q-Hillstar Top-Entry Cat Litter Box
  • Both front and top entry
  • Removable litter drawer
  • Three colors available
  • Best Value
    Second place
    IRIS Top-Entry Cat Litter Box IRIS Top-Entry Cat Litter Box
  • Gridded lid
  • Non-slip rubber feet
  • Included scoop
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
  • Self-cleaning
  • Disposable litter trays
  • Included crystal litter
  • Modkat XL Cat Litter Box Modkat XL Cat Litter Box
  • Top or front entry
  • Suitable for cats of all ages
  • Reusable liner
  • Frisco Top-Entry Cat Litter Box Frisco Top-Entry Cat Litter Box
  • Gridded lid
  • High walls and cover for privacy
  • Available in two colors
  • The 7 Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes

    1. Q-Hillstar Large Top-Entry Cat Litter Box & Lid — Best Overall

    Q-Hillstar Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box

    Dimensions 19.2″L x 15.2″W x 15″H
    Covered Yes
    Scoop Included Yes
    Self-cleaning No

    The Q-Hillstar Large Top-Entry Cat Litter Box With Lid is the best overall top-entry litter box. Designed with a fold-out structure, this litter box comes flat-packed for easy shipping and storage when not in use. Available in pink, blue, and gray to fit all types of aesthetics, it includes a removable litter drawer for easy clean-up.

    If your cat prefers front-entry litter boxes, this one has both a front and top entrance. The transparent front window only works one way, though, and your cat will have to use the top entrance to leave the box. This way, the litter clinging to their paws is knocked off by the gridded lid texture.

    Along with being expensive, the removable litter tray isn’t that deep and may make a mess when removed.

    Pros
    • Both front and top entry
    • Removable litter drawer
    • Three colors available
    Cons
    • The litter tray isn’t that deep
    • Expensive

    2. IRIS Top-Entry Cat Litter Box & Scoop — Best Value

    IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box & Scoop

    Dimensions 20.5″L x 14.75″W x 14.38″H
    Covered Yes
    Scoop Included Yes
    Self-cleaning No

    Albeit small, the IRIS Top-Entry Cat Litter Box & Scoop combines traditional litter box designs with non-slip rubber feet for a sturdy and private space for your cat to use, whether the box is on carpet or wooden floors. As the best top-entry litter box for the money, this option is simplistic but comes with a litter scoop and a scoop hook to keep things tidy.

    Like other top-entry litter boxes, the cover has holes to act as a walk-off mat, wiping your cat’s paws clean as they leave. The lid is removable for easy cleaning, but the rounded corners of this litter box make scooping a little difficult.

    Some cats, like kittens or seniors, may find the top entrance too high to reach.

    Pros
    • Gridded lid
    • Non-slip rubber feet
    • Included scoop
    Cons
    • Rounded corners make cleaning difficult
    • Too tall for kittens

    3. ScoopFree Top-Entry Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box — Premium Choice

    ScoopFree Ultra Top-Entry Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

    Dimensions 26.5″L x 19″W x 16.5″H
    Covered Yes
    Scoop Included No
    Self-cleaning Yes

    For multi-cat and indoor cat households, litter trays can fill up in no time at all, leading to several kitty litter clean-up sessions throughout the day. The ScoopFree Ultra Top-Entry Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box saves time—and your nose—by cleaning the litter box for you.

    Using sensors to detect when your cat finishes their business and leaves the box, the in-built rake keeps the litter clean. The included crystal litter is dust-free and better at controlling unpleasant odors than ordinary litter, although regular litter also works with this box if your cat doesn’t like the texture of crystal litter.

    As a premium option, the ScoopFree box is expensive. While the price includes several disposable litter trays, replacements are not cheap. You may also find that you go through litter faster because self-cleaning boxes don’t distinguish between dirty or clean litter.

    Pros
    • Self-cleaning
    • Disposable litter trays
    • Included crystal litter
    • Gridded hood for litter cleanup
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Litter tray replacements are expensive
    • Some cats don’t like crystal litter
    • Doesn’t distinguish between clean and used litter

    4. Modkat XL Cat Litter Box

    Modkat XL Litter Box

    Dimensions 17.32″L x 21.26″W x 16.54″H
    Covered Yes
    Scoop Included Yes
    Self-cleaning No

    Unlike some other top-entry litter boxes, the Modkat XL Cat Litter Box can be configured to have a front entry for kittens, senior cats, or those with arthritis. The front-entry option doesn’t have a gridded surface like the hood, however, so you may find that your cat tracks litter over the floor when you use this setup.

    A scoop is included, along with a reusable liner that fixes into place to avoid slipping. The gridded lid also swivels to allow easy access for cleaning.

    Small in size, it isn’t the best option for multi-cat households, and it’s expensive, especially considering that there is no self-cleaning.

    Pros
    • Top or front entry
    • Suitable for cats of all ages
    • Reusable liner
    • Swivel lid for easy cleaning
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Unsuitable for multi-cat households

    5. Frisco Top-Entry Cat Litter Box

    Frisco Top Entry Cat Litter Box

    Dimensions 23.2″L x 15.4″W x 15″H
    Covered Yes
    Scoop Included No
    Self-cleaning No

    The Frisco Top-Entry Cat Litter Box is available in two colors, black or gray, so it is sure to match your décor. Made from BPA-free and recycled plastic, this litter box keeps out prying eyes and curious canines and has built-in handles for easy moving.

    Non-slip and gridded, the lid is removable for easy access and is designed to enable the litter to fall back into the box when lifted, keeping the litter contained in the box and off your floor.

    The height may be too much for kittens and senior cats. It’s relatively light, too, and some cats have been known to knock it over. Although only slightly more expensive than some other options, this one doesn’t come with an included litter scoop.

    Pros
    • Gridded lid
    • High walls and cover for privacy
    • Available in two colors
    Cons
    • Some cats knock it over
    • Scoop sold separately

    6. Modkat Litter Box

    Modkat Litter Box, Top-Entry

    Dimensions 15.94″L x 15.94″W x 14.57″H
    Covered Yes
    Scoop Included Yes
    Self-cleaning No

    If you’re tired of ugly litterboxes, the modern design of the Modkat Litter Box makes a nice change. With its sleek aesthetic, you can offer your cat a private place to do their business and brighten up your home décor in the process.

    To make cleaning easy, the reusable liner is made from a lightweight canvas for durability, and the included scoop hangs neatly on the side of the box. The lid is both gridded to reduce litter tracking and swivels to enable easy access. This purchase includes a supply of litter to get you started, and the boxes come in three colors: white, gray, and black.

    Like most top-entry litter boxes, this one is too tall for kittens, seniors, or disabled cats.

    Pros
    • Includes litter and scoop
    • Reusable liner
    • Modern design
    Cons
    • Unsuitable for older or disabled cats

    7. Aeitc Large Cat Litter Box With Lid

    Aeitc Large Cat Litter Box

    Dimensions 21″L x 16.5″W x 5.3″H
    Covered Yes
    Scoop Included Yes
    Self-cleaning No

    Designed for large cats, the Aeitc Large Cat Litter Box With Lid offers space for all cat breeds. The litter box is also collapsible for easy storage and portability when not in use. Unlike other similarly designed boxes, the pull-out drawer is deeper, giving your cat more space to do their business without making a mess.

    With two entrances, this box can be used as a front or top entry. The transparent door on the front stops litter from being kicked out and is one-way only, making sure your feline uses the top hole to exit, reducing litter tracking with the gridded lid. Some cats aren’t fond of the swinging door, though, and the one-way design may confuse them.

    Pros
    • Collapsible design
    • One-way front entrance design
    Cons
    • Some cats dislike the swinging door

     

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Top-Entry Litter Box

    There is a wide range of reasons that cat owners use top-entry litter boxes. If you’re still on the fence about switching from an open litter tray to a new style, here are a few reasons that enclosed, top-entry boxes can be ideal for your cat.

    Tidy

    Some cats kick litter all over the place every time they use the facilities. They’ll bury their poop, along with half the floor, then proceed to drag clumps of litter over your brand-new rug when they don’t shake it off their paws.

    Top-entry litter boxes target both these problem areas. Enclosed within high walls, the litter stays inside the box, avoiding the inevitable vacuuming of tiny litter clumps. The lids are designed as a built-in mat, so while the initial jump out of the box dislodges most of the litter from your cat’s paws, the holes in the top work to brush off the few stubborn particles that haven’t lost their grip.

    Without litter clinging to your feline’s paws, you won’t find odd lumps halfway across the house.

    Space Conservation

    For smaller households, any nod to space conservation is a plus. Top-entry litter boxes are designed with both aesthetics and space limitations in mind. Along with being cleaner than shallow trays, covered litter boxes can fit into any room in the house and hide odors better.

    maine coon cat standing on top of litter box
    Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock

    Privacy

    Not all cats appreciate open litter boxes. Like humans, they prefer doing their business quietly and in private. Top-entry litter boxes, by design, are covered. Not only do the high walls and lid keep the litter in, but they also keep prying eyes out, letting the kitty relieve themselves in peace.

    Dog-proof

    Dogs stick their noses into everything, including the just-used kitty litter that we haven’t had a chance to clean yet.

    We’ll never understand their fascination with their feline friend’s toilet, but you won’t have to worry about keeping the kitty litter away from our canine friends with a sealed box, which is both accessible to cats and a barrier to dogs. It should deter curious children, too.

    Easier to clean

    Litter boxes are always a hassle to clean. The litter gets everywhere and is either dusty, too clumpy, or just plain stinky. While top-entry litter boxes can’t do much about odors except keep them contained when the lid’s on, the depth enables you to use more litter for your kitty to bury their poop in. That also gives your feline more litter to use, so you don’t have to clean up as often—just don’t forget to check it occasionally.

    This extra depth means you can be less concerned about spilling litter everywhere when you scoop. The high sides also give your floors a shield against unwanted spillages, whether they’re caused by humans or cats.

    Some litter boxes also come with reusable liners that you can lift out, empty, and hang back into place with no problem at all.

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    Final Thoughts

    There are many choices out there, such as the best overall top-entry litter box, the Q-Hillstar Large Top-Entry Cat Litter Box With Lid, which uses a collapsible design for easy cleaning and accessibility. Our best value option, the IRIS Top-Entry Cat Litter Box & Scoop, combines affordability with a simple but effective design.

    Choosing a new litter box doesn’t have to be a chore, and these reviews will hopefully give you a head start in finding the best top-entry litter box for your feline’s needs.


    Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock

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