5 Awesome Top Entry Litter Box To Contain The Mess

After extensive research, the IRIS Top Entry Litter Box takes the prize for the best rated top entry litter box.

Why? It’s got a magic combination of modern design and great value. With a space-saving footprint, it still provides plenty of room for your cat.

The top entry has grooves to catch the litter. This keeps cat litter from tracking all over your floors. It also comes equipped with a litter scooper and holder.

Read on for an in-depth review of the IRIS Top Entry Litter Box plus 4 stellar runners up.

The best top entry cat litter boxes reviewed

1. IRIS Top Entry Litter Box

First on our list, and our winner, is a neat little top entry litter box from Iris. This stylish option is designed to provide your cat with lots of space and less clean up for you.

IRIS Top Entry Litter Box

Pros

Neat round opening
Top grooves that clean cat paws
Keeps dogs from messing with the litter
Non-slip rubber feet
Round edges that are easier to clean

Cons

It doesn’t trap litter dust

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It features a smooth circular opening, which helps reduce the amount of litter ending up on the floor. Your kitty can kick and dig to their heart’s content.

The opening is roomy, measuring 10.5 by 9 inches. Large enough for most cats but not large enough for a small dog to get into and wreak havoc.

On top of the lid, grooves work as a mat to brush your cat’s paws before they walk on the floor. These grooves are great for reducing tracking and stray litter clean up.

The box has durable non-skid rubber feet that help keep it in place. On the side of the box is a handy holder for the included litter scoop.

The litter box is made from heavy-duty BPA-free plastic. It’s designed with smooth round edges, making it easier to clean. It measures 20.47 by 16.14 by 14.56 inches.

2. Modkat Top Entry Litter Box

The Modkat Litter Box is an innovative design, working to make your cat comfortable and clean up duties quicker.

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Modkat Top Entry Litter Box

Pros

Attractive modern design
Built-in mat to reduce tracking
Lid features a swivel and lock mechanism
Includes a reusable liner
Comes with a large hanging scoop

Cons

The opening might be too small for some large cat breeds

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If we were scoring on looks, the Modkat litter box wins. The Modkat design reduces tracking by providing your kitty with a walk-off mat. This removes any dust and litter stuck to paws. The patented top lid features a locking mechanism, keeping it in place while your kitty dusts off its feet.

When it’s time for cleaning, the lid has a cool swivel function. This gives you full access to the inside of the box without having to remove the top lid. The Modkat litter box uses a reusable liner which makes cleaning effortless. The rip-resistant liner fits the box like a glove and lasts up to 3 months.

It measures 16 by 16 by 15 inches with a 9-inch in diameter opening. It’s durable too—the base is seamless and prevents leaks. Included is a large hanging litter scoop.

3. AmazonBasics No-Mess Hooded Cat Litter Box

If you want a simple economical litter box, check out the AmazonBasics No-Mess Cat Litter Box with top entry. This is a very basic box, providing your feline friend with privacy when nature calls.

AmazonBasics Hooded Cat Litter Box

Pros

Simple, neutral design
Keeps dogs out
Wide top opening
Textured top
Easy to maintain—comes with a removable liner

Cons

The interior isn’t as roomy as others

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The AmazonBasics No-Mess Cat Litter box contains messes from litter scatters and spraying. It’s durable and made to be leak-proof. It’s ideal for multi-pet households and keeps curious dogs out.

The best feature of this box is the generous top opening that will let even large cats get in and out easily. The top is textured and helps to catch and remove stray litter from your cat’s paws as they exit.

Another feature we appreciate is the secure snap-on mechanism for the top. This allows the top to snap on and off for cleaning. On the inside, a litter liner holds the litter. It’s easy to remove and replace with a fresh one which reduces cleaning and odors.

4. Petmate Top Entry Litter Box

The Petmate top entry cat litter box is perfect for large cats. It features high walls, providing both privacy and less chance of stray litter.

The tall design lets your cat scratch and dig without getting litter on the floor. It makes cleaning up a lot easier and may save you on wasted litter. Furthermore, the top includes grates, collecting litter and dust from paws as they exit.

What we appreciate is the large opening. It’s plenty large for big kitties to enter. Sadly, though, it isn’t dog-proof, so your canine might still be able to get into the cat litter.

Another impressive factor is the material used for the box. Made of consumer recycled plastic, it’s a tad kinder to the environment.

Maintenance of the box is a breeze. It’s compatible with Petmate Top Entry Litter Liners that make it quick to remove litter without having to scrub the box vigorously.

Pros

Ideal for larger cats
Tall sides that contain messes
A grated top lid removes litter from paws
Made of recycled plastic

Cons

Not dog-proof
The lid is flimsy and prone to falling off

5. PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Automatic Self Cleaning Litter Box

The PetSafe ScoopFree UltraTwo is a high tech automatic litter box. It features both a health counter and motion sensors. These track your cat’s litter box routine, keeping track of how many times they go.

The PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra top entry litter box needs no scooping or cleaning for up to several weeks. The litter box comes pre-filled with crystal litter, great for odor control.

The crystal litter traps smell by absorbing urine and dehydrating solid waste, keeping odor at bay for longer. It’s also dust-free and low-tracking. Crystal litter is rated to be up to 99% free of dust.

Another benefit of this litter is that it doesn’t stick to your kitty’s paws. This reduces litter tracking and unsightly evidence on the floor. The top has a grated surface, cleaning paws as your cat leaves.

Pros

Smart features that track your cat’s habits
Great odor control
Dust-free cat litter included
A grated lid to remove litter

Cons

The self-cleaning function isn’t as efficient as hoped

Why use a top entry litter box?

Top entry litter boxes are great for several reasons. The main one is cat litter containment. They might look weird but cats love the privacy they offer. Here are the 5 reasons having a top entry litter box is awesome:

Contains the mess

After pooping and peeing in the litter box, cats bury the evidence. In traditional cat litter boxes that have a large opening or shallow walls, this leads to cat litter scattered all over the floor.

Stray cat litter is annoying and gross. Especially when it gets under your bare feet. If you have a regular side-entry litter box, chances are you’re vacuuming up litter as often as your scooping the box.

With a top entry litter box, your cat enters and exits through, you guessed it, the top of the box. Once inside, they can go crazy kicking litter at the sides of the box without any getting out onto the floor. Because the entry point is from above, top entry boxes can have taller sides that trap cat litter.

Another way this style of litter box contains messes is by reducing tracking. After your cat has done its business, litter sticks to its paws. As they walk out, they’ll leave a trail of dust and grains behind them.

The grated lid of the top entry litter box works like a doormat. When your kitty exits, the grates remove some of the dust and litter from their paws.

It holds more litter

Because top entry litter boxes have taller sides and 4 versus 3 sides, they hold significantly more litter. More litter gives your cat more spots to hide their poop.

BUT, don’t take this as a reason to slack off on litter duty. Try your best to remove solid clumps often. Cats are naturally clean animals and won’t use a dirty litter box. A cat litter disposal system is handy to help with clean up frequency.

Better odor control

Although it’s hard to outperform a covered litter box in terms of odor control, top entry types come close. Even though the top is open, smells are less likely to accumulate.

One of the reasons for this is that you’re able to have more litter in the box. This lets your cat better cover up their waste which reduces odors. Still, if smells are a significant issue in your home, try a different type of cat litter (1). We recommend using clumping cat litter.

Smaller footprint

A top entry cat litter box has a smaller footprint and uses a lot less space than a traditional litter box. Your cat can get into their litter box even if it’s placed up against the wall or furniture.

Better looking

This might not be a determining factor for everyone, but top entry litter boxes generally look better than regular ones.

Do all cats like top entry litter boxes?

When it comes to cats, it’s hard to predict what they’ll like and what they won’t. The reason why lots of cats prefer this type of litter box is because of privacy. Mother nature programmed cats to be wary of their surroundings when in vulnerable situations, like pooping out in the open.

An enclosed space provides your kitty with the privacy that they need (2). They’re covered from all angles, giving them time to discretely finish their business.

But not all cats like top entry litter boxes.

Some kitties feel intimidated about going inside the box. For others, like kittens and senior cats, it could be too challenging for them to climb inside. Older felines are prone to arthritis, which makes their joints stiff (3).

How to get your cat to use a top entry litter box

If your kitty doesn’t seem interested at first, they might just need some encouragement. Here are some tips on how to get your cat to use a top entry litter box:

Place the new litter box in the same location as the old one. This may make it easier for your cat to discover their new toilet.
Show them the new box. Allow them to sniff and investigate it on their terms (4). Don’t force them into it. This could scare them off from using it.
Use the same litter. Although the box is different, at least the cat litter is familiar.
Take the lid off until your cat understands how to use a box with taller sides. This will help them get used to it (5).
Last, remove the old litter box altogether. Giving your cat the option to choose for too long could leave the new one unused.

Things to consider before buying a top entry litter box

Before we get to our reviews, these are the guidelines we used for our search criteria:

Litter box size

Litter box size is one of the most important factors to consider. You don’t want your cat to feel cramped. A large cat litter box has plenty of space for cats to dig, kick, and squat without feeling confined.

Consider your cat’s size, from nose to tail, and aim for a box that will accommodate these measurements.

Height

Top entry litter boxes are taller than regular cat litter boxes. However, some are higher than others. If your kitty is small, old, or disabled, you need to consider if they can jump up high enough to get in.

If your cat sprays or tends to kick litter out of the box, high sides are best. This way, they can’t do damage outside the litter box.

Durability

Whether you have a large cat like a Maine Coon cat or a tiny little kitten, your litter box should be made of durable materials. Generally, heavy-duty BPA-free plastic works best.

Final thoughts

Stray litter is never fun. Especially when it’s scattered around the floor near the litter box. The best top entry litter box, however, works to contain messes and odors while providing your cat with the privacy they need.

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Alina Prax

Alina is a Siamese cat mama, blog writer, and content creator with a passion for felines, travel, and great food. When not writing, Alina enjoys curling up with a good book and her cat Bowie.