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.
In this article
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2026
| Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall
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Q-Hillstar Top-Entry Cat Litter Box |
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Best Value
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IRIS Top-Entry Cat Litter Box |
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Premium Choice
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ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box |
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Modkat XL Cat Litter Box |
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Frisco Top-Entry Cat Litter Box |
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The 6 Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes
1. Q-Hillstar Large Top-Entry Cat Litter Box & Lid — Best Overall
| 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.
- Both front and top entry
- Removable litter drawer
- Three colors available
- The litter tray isn’t that deep
- Expensive
2. IRIS Top-Entry Cat Litter Box & Scoop — Best Value
| 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.
- Gridded lid
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Included scoop
- Rounded corners make cleaning difficult
- Too tall for kittens
3. ScoopFree Top-Entry Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box — Premium Choice
| 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.
- Self-cleaning
- Disposable litter trays
- Included crystal litter
- Gridded hood for litter cleanup
- 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
| 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.
- Top or front entry
- Suitable for cats of all ages
- Reusable liner
- Swivel lid for easy cleaning
- Expensive
- Unsuitable for multi-cat households
5. 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.
- Gridded lid
- High walls and cover for privacy
- Available in two colors
- Some cats knock it over
- Scoop sold separately
6. Modkat Litter Box
| 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.
- Includes litter and scoop
- Reusable liner
- Modern design
- Unsuitable for older or disabled cats
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.
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.
Our Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best top-entry litter boxes for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about top-entry litter boxes. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
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: Lightspruch, Shutterstock
