Cleaning out the cat litter box is never any fun, but not doing it enough can lead to bad odors permeating throughout your house, cat litter strewn all over the floor, and an unhappy cat that doesn’t want to use the litter box. Luckily, the popularity of sifting litter boxes has resulted in many different brands and models becoming available on the market.
No longer do we have to painstakingly scoop dirty litter out of the cat box every day just to keep the house from smelling like a urinal. With the help of a sifting cat litter box, there is little effort and maintenance involved when it comes to keeping it clean. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on this technology either, as most options come in at well under a hundred bucks.
But which sifting cat litter boxes are the best? We decided to sift through the most popular options out there and identify the 10 best. We reviewed the best sifting cat litter boxes of this year in hopes that they will help you decide which option will be best for you and your furry feline. Read on to learn more about every sifting cat litter box on our top 10 list!
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
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Best Overall | Omega Paw NRA20 Roll 'n Clean Litter Box |
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Best Value | Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Cat Litter Box |
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Premium Choice | Litter Spinner Cat Litter Box for Small Cats |
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Catit SmartSift Litter Box |
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Frisco Sifting Cat Litter Box |
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The 10 Best Sifting Cat Litter Boxes
1. Omega Paw NRA20 Roll ‘n Clean Litter Box — Best Overall
The Omega Paw NRA20 Roll ‘n Clean litter box is ideal for larger cats or households accommodating multiple cats. That said, this litter box isn’t too big to stow away in a corner, closet, or bathroom where it won’t get in the way of everyday life for the humans living in the household. No electricity is required to use the litter box, so it will work even if the power goes out.
The system works by using a special interior grill to scoop out clumped waste from the main compartment of the box as it gets soiled. By rolling the box over to its top and then back to its base again, the collected waste gets deposited into a small tray that you can easily pull out and discard the contents of. This litter box with sifting tray system comes complete with line measurements, so you know exactly how much clumping litter to put in at any given time. We do wish a handle was built in to make moving the box a little easier, though.
- Accommodates multi-cat households
- No electricity is required
- Easy to clean
- Large size makes it awkward to move
2. Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Cat Litter Box — Best Value
Complete with an odor control system, the Van Ness enclosed sifting litter box is the best sifting cat litter box for the money because it has many cool features without breaking the bank. Not only does it come with a tight-fitting cover, but it also has a flap door to keep litter and odors inside the box. It also features a zeolite air filter that works 24/7 to absorb foul odors so the home never smells like a cat box.
When it comes time to clean the litter box, it is as easy as lifting the sifter out and discarding the waste that the sifter collects on its way out. The litter box is made in the United States and features a heavy-duty build that won’t fall apart after regular use. This isn’t a perfect system by any means. Some waste that is too fine to stay in the sifter will be left behind, so manual sifting may be necessary once a week or so.
To conclude, for the money, we think this is the best sifting litter box.
- Features and enhanced odor control technology
- Affordable compared to other similar products on the market
- Made of heavy-duty materials in the United States
- The system doesn’t always sift smaller clumps of waste
3. Litter Spinner Cat Litter Box for Small Cats
The Litter Spinner is a fun and unique cat litter box for smaller cats weighing up to about 10 pounds. It features an enclosed barrel-like container that stands still so a cat can safely enter and do their bathroom business in privacy. When the container gets soiled, it takes just one turn of the barrel container to sift the litter. Then all you must do is pull the little tray out and empty it.
It should never take more than a minute to clean the cat litter box out, which is an awesome time-saver. It doesn’t require any electricity to function, so it can be set up in any room of the home — even the basement or garage. The container helps control litter dust, but it doesn’t do much to control odor. Some owners may feel the need to put an air freshener nearby.
When it comes to premium choices, we think this is the best sifting litter box out there.
- Features a unique and fun design
- Easy to clean out
- Doesn’t effectively control odor
- Heavier than similar products
4. Catit SmartSift Sifting Litter Box
This is the most expensive sifting cat litter box on our reviews list, but it has bells and whistles that we think make the cost well worth it. Featuring a noiseless hand crank that cleans the clumped litter out of the pan when it’s turned, this litter box has a clear window that makes it easy to monitor the litter inside. The privacy cover has an oversized entryway to accommodate cats of all sizes.
The waste drawer is easy to handle, and the integrated carbon filter ensures optimal ventilation from within. The maintenance door makes it possible to refill litter without taking the box apart completely. It can be used with or without liners, depending on how often you mind cleaning the pan out. The biggest drawback is that at 25 x 19 x 25 inches in dimension, it won’t fit in tight spaces. Also, the clasping design takes some getting used to before the process of taking the hood off is easy.
- Noiseless crank-handle functionality
- Features a see-through window for easy litter monitoring
- The built-in maintenance door allows for litter refilling without taking the hood off
- The large design may not be suitable for apartments and small houses
- The clasp system is not easy to use without practice
5. Frisco Sifting Cat Litter Box
What’s unique about this uncovered cat litter box is that it features a detachable elevated edge frame that helps keep litter from falling out onto the ground. The fine sifter ensures that only the clean litter stays in the box when it comes time to clean it. The litter box is oversized to accommodate large cats and is BPA-free to ensure their health. The box is durable and features a smooth surface that is easy to wash when necessary.
Luckily, there isn’t a need to wash this litter box often because the sifter does such a good job of keeping the litter clean, which in turn, keeps gunk from building up on the box itself. This is one of the less expensive options on our reviews list, making it a great starter choice for those who want to see how a sifting cat litter box will work for them.
- The oversized design keeps messes to a minimum
- BPA-free
- Powerful sifting tray leaves litter extra clean
- Not as heavy-duty as other options on our review list
6. SpeedySift Cat Litter Box With Disposable Sifting Liners
What’s different about the SpeedySift cat litter box is that the box itself doesn’t sift litter, but it comes with disposable sifter liners that fit perfectly in the tray. The idea is to clamp several liners into the pan at once, then when the litter starts to get dirty, you simply pull the top liner up and out while the liner sifts the clean litter into the pan. The process continues until all the liners are used up, at which time the sifting cat litter pan can be washed and re-stocked with liners.
The super high walls do a great job of keeping rogue litter from getting onto the floor. This litter box sifter is made of lightweight yet durable plastic, and the sidewalls are replaceable, which can come in handy for owners with messy cats. Not all cat litter will work with this model, though — only clumping litter should be used.
- Unique design features replaceable extra-high walls to keep litter in the pan
- Durable plastic design is easy to clean
- 15 liners can be stocked in the litter pan at one time
- Requires the purchase of litter bag replacements
- Accommodates only clumping cat litter
7. Trixie Pet Products 40152 Cat Litter Box
Trixie Pet Products cat litter box is uniquely shaped to fit in tight spaces and has a protective wall that securely snaps onto the tray for stability. The protective wall is slightly inclined to catch litter that a cat throws up while going potty. This system works with most types of cat litter on the market, clumping and traditional. The slick surface of the trays makes it easy to wipe them clean with a damp cloth. The design is lightweight, which makes it easy to carry and handle, but it also makes the trays feel a bit flimsy overall.
- Features a unique oval shape to fit in tight spaces
- Protective wall clips into place for stability
- Lightweight yet flimsy feel
8. Arm & Hammer Sifting Cat Litter Box
This three-pan system features antimicrobial protection to ensure that bacteria and odor don’t build up. The bottom tub is super strong, so it doesn’t bend or feel unstable when picking it up to dump the litter out completely. This system comes with two litter pans, so when one needs to be cleaned out, you can fill the other and make sure that a clean bathroom is always available for your cat.
Overall, the system works well, but litter does easily fall out of the pan, which can make the space it sits in smelly and messy as time goes on. Placing a large plastic mat underneath can help control the mess. Also, small clumps of litter can get stuck in the sifter, which requires it to be shaken out in a garbage bin or outside.
- Features a three-pan system for convenience during cleaning
- A super durable bottom tub can handle heavy loads of cat litter
- Low walls allow cat litter to easily fall out of the pan
- Small clumps of litter tend to get stuck in the sifter
9. Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Box
This is a basic cat litter box with the added benefit of not having to scoop the litter out by hand. It doesn’t have a cover to accommodate cats that don’t enjoy using the bathroom in enclosed spaces. The Van Ness sifting cat litter box is taller than the average non-sifting box to help keep litter from scattering around the house, but the litter may still end up on the floor around the box as a cat uses it.
The pan’s polished finish ensures that odors don’t get absorbed into it, but there is nothing incorporated into the design that will keep odors from permeating throughout the house. Therefore, this box is best placed in a space where people don’t frequent. Lifting the sifter out of the cat box can get a little messy too, so it’s a good idea to have a broom and dustpan ready when it’s time to clean the box out.
- An affordable, basic design ideal for cats that don’t like enclosed boxes
- Lightweight and easy to move
- The polished design ensures that the box won’t absorb odors
- No odor control is provided
- Cleaning the box out can get messy
- Does not stop litter from spreading onto the floor
10. So Phresh Sifting Cat Litter Box
The So Phresh sifting cat litter box features a basic three-step system that requires you to pour used litter from the pan through the sifter into another pan. The used pan can then be cleaned and placed under the pan with litter in it so it’s ready for the next cleaning. While you don’t need an additional scooper to clean the box, it is more time consuming to clean this one out compared to some other options on our reviews list. Still, the basic design is affordable, and the litter pan’s size is compact enough to accommodate smaller houses and apartment settings.
- No need for an additional scooper
- Compact size accommodates apartment settings
- A three-step sifting system can be time-consuming
- Protective rim doesn’t do a great job of keeping litter in the pan
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Sifting Litter Box
There is more to purchasing a new sifting cat litter box than simply reading reviews of quality models. There is quite a bit of legwork that you can do to make sure that your investment won’t end up being a waste of money. We put together the following buyer’s guide to make the process of narrowing down your options and ultimately choosing one easier.
Learn What Design Your Cat Prefers
Some cats like enclosed litter boxes and some don’t. If your cat has never used one or the other, it’s a good idea to find out what they prefer before deciding what type of sifting cat litter box to invest in. If you’re already working with an uncovered litter box, place the open-ended side of a box over the litter box and cut an entryway into it. You can use tape to secure the box to the litter pan to secure it.
Then, watch to see if your cat will go into it and, if so, how they react to it. You may find that they won’t even think about entering the litter box. Alternatively, they may show more comfort when using the box. After observing your cat’s behavior in and around the cat litter box for a day or two, you should have a clear idea about whether you should buy a new litter box with or without a privacy cover.
Consider Your Cleanup Options
Not all sifting cat litter boxes function in the same way. Some can be paired with liners to keep the litter pan clean so it rarely needs to be washed. Others don’t accommodate or require the use of liners, in which case the litter pan may need to be washed once or twice a month when all the cat litter is being replaced.
Some litter boxes feature elevated walls to help keep litter inside the pan and off the floor. But that extra surface space might need to be wiped down more often. Others don’t have elevated walls, so less cleaning of the system is involved, but more litter might get on the floor as time goes on. Consider what kind of cleaning and care each component on the litter box will require, not just the pan and the sifting components. Only then you will have a true idea of whether you will want to commit to those maintenance tasks in the coming months and years.
Read What Other Customers Have to Say
Before ordering any sifting cat litter box online, it’s a good idea to read customer reviews to find out what their experiences have been. While you shouldn’t put all your stock in the reviews, you can gain important information that helps you understand the functionality, quality, and usefulness of the litter box you’re looking at.
Don’t just look at how many stars a customer gives the product you’re interested in, as they could be providing a bad rating due to a problem that has nothing to do with the product itself — like the condition of the box that the product was shipped in. Focus on the features and functions that are being reviewed to get an understanding of what you might expect yourself out of the litter box if you decide to invest in it.
Consider making a list of features and functions to focus on, and seek out reviews that offer information about those specific things. This will help ensure that you don’t get sidetracked with other issues that likely wouldn’t affect your satisfaction with the cat litter box in the long run.
Our Sifting Cat Litter Box Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best 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 cat 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.
Conclusion
We understand the importance of taking excellent care of your cat — we make our cats a priority day and night ourselves. Hopefully, our reviews of the top 10 sifting cat litter boxes on the market will make it easier to narrow down your options until you find the best sifting cat litter box for your home. You can’t go wrong with our first pick, the Omega Paw NRA20 Roll ‘n Clean litter box. It’s fun to use, it keeps virtually all the litter off the floor, and it provides privacy for the shy or timid cat.
Not to be overshadowed, our second pick is just as impressive as the first but for different reasons. The Van Ness enclosed sifting litter box features durable clasps to keep the hood firmly in place and an entrance flap to keep litter inside where it belongs, and it has a zeolite air filter to absorb nasty odors. We encourage you to investigate all the options on our reviews list.
What features are you looking for in a new sifting cat litter box? Are there any features that you would prefer to avoid? We’d love to read your thoughts in our comments section below.
Looking for an overall great litter? Try:
- 10 Best Cat Litters: Reviews & Top Picks
- 10 Best Litter Box Liners
- 10 Best Cat Litter Box Furniture & Enclosures
Featured Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock