Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes for Apartments
Updated How we research
SuzziPaws Stainless Steel Litter Box Top-Entry, XL Grey Hooded Lid with Filter & Scoop, Anti-Leakage Enclosed Metal Pan
SuzziPaws' XL stainless steel top-entry litter box with a grey hooded lid, filter and scoop, plus an anti-leakage metal pan.
IRIS USA Cat Litter Box Large Top Entry with Lid, Enclosed Covered Hooded Design, Scoop Included, Odor Control, Gray/White
IRIS USA's large gray/white top entry litter box with an enclosed hooded lid, scoop included and odor control.
A top-entry litter box has a lid with the opening on top, so your cat jumps in and out through the roof instead of a side door. For apartment owners, this design fights the biggest small-space litter problem: tracking. The perforated top catches granules off your cat's paws, and the high walls contain litter scatter and splash so it stays out of your living area. It also hides waste from view and blocks curious dogs. The best boxes offer a roomy interior, a grooved lid that traps litter well, and a shape that tucks into a corner. When choosing one, make sure your cat is agile enough for the top entry, pick a size that fits larger breeds, and check the lid lifts off easily for scooping.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.6 to 8.8 out of 10.
- Best overall:SuzziPaws Stainless Steel Litter Box Top-Entry, XL Grey Hooded Lid with Filter & Scoop, Anti-Leakage Enclosed Metal Pan. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.8/10.
- Also great value:IRIS USA Cat Litter Box Large Top Entry with Lid, Enclosed Covered Hooded Design, Scoop Included, Odor Control, Gray/White. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box with Lid, Enclosed Covered, Dog Proof, Odor Control, Scoop Included, White/Beige. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy, Large, Black/Gray | Dog-Free Zone, Mess Containment System, Protected Interior, Secure Lid Access, Reduced Tracking, Odor Trapping. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.SuzziPaws Stainless Steel Litter Box Top-Entry, XL Grey Hooded Lid with Filter & Scoop, Anti-Leakage Enclosed Metal Pan8.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.IRIS USA Cat Litter Box Large Top Entry with Lid, Enclosed Covered Hooded Design, Scoop Included, Odor Control, Gray/White8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box with Lid, Enclosed Covered, Dog Proof, Odor Control, Scoop Included, White/Beige8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy, Large, Black/Gray | Dog-Free Zone, Mess Containment System, Protected Interior, Secure Lid Access, Reduced Tracking, Odor Trapping8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box, Leak-Proof, Liner & Scoop, White8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Petmate Enclosed Cat Litter Box with Hinged Lid and Wide Top Entry Opening, Filter Lid, Brushed Nickel, Made in USA8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Amazon Basics Large Cat Litter Box with High Sides, Top Entry, Odor Control, Includes Scoop, 20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38 inches, Grey7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Arm & Hammer Premium Top Entry Litter Box with Filter to Clean Paws and Microban, Made in USA7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1SuzziPaws' XL stainless steel top-entry litter box with a grey hooded lid, filter and scoop, plus an anti-leakage metal pan.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Stainless steel pan resists scratches that trap urine odor
- + XL size suits large cats who need room to dig
- + Anti-leakage enclosed pan protects floors from spills
- - Steel box is heavier to lift and wash than plastic
- - Costs more than plastic top entry boxes of a similar size
#2IRIS USA's large gray/white top entry litter box with an enclosed hooded lid, scoop included and odor control.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Top entry keeps litter from being kicked out onto floors
- + Scoop included, so the box is ready to use right away
- + Enclosed lid helps contain odor in small apartments
- - Senior or arthritic cats may struggle to jump in from the top
- - Large box needs clearance above for cats to enter
#3IRIS USA's large white/beige top entry cat litter box with lid, dog proof design, odor control and a scoop.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Dog proof top entry keeps curious dogs out of the litter
- + Odor control lid helps in open plan apartments
- + White/beige colors blend with light bathroom decor
- - Light colors show litter dust and stains quickly
- - Top entry is hard for kittens and older cats
#4IRIS USA's large top entry litter box with a hooded lid and 20.75 inch length, made to keep litter and mess inside an apartment.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Top entry design keeps everything inside and out of sight, and high walls help contain litter scatter.
- + Grooves in the lid catch litter from paws, and an included scoop hooks onto the box for tidy storage.
- + Rounded edges help prevent litter from sticking, which makes cleaning easier, in a 20.75 x 16.125 x 14.625 inch footprint.
- - Top entry means your cat has to jump in and out, which the listing does not address for older cats or kittens.
- - A single lidded box of this size may feel tight for very large cats, since the entry is 9 inches wide.
#5Modkat's white leak-proof top-entry litter box with a liner and scoop, a design-focused box for modern homes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Modern Modkat look blends into apartment living spaces
- + Leak-proof design protects floors from urine seepage
- + Liner and scoop included make cleanup quicker
- - Reusable liners wear out and need replacing
- - Premium price compared with plain top entry boxes
#6Petmate's enclosed brushed nickel litter box with a hinged lid, wide top entry opening and filter lid, made in USA.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Hinged lid opens fully for easier scooping
- + Wide top opening is friendlier for larger cats
- + Made in USA and has a brushed nickel look
- - Brushed nickel finish is a style choice, not steel
- - Filter in lid needs periodic replacement
#7A large top-entry cat litter box with a filtered lid, high sides and an on-board scoop, in BPA-free plastic. A lower-priced pick for cats that kick litter.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Top entry with a filtered lid is meant to keep litter off the floor
- + High sides help contain spraying, and the removable top makes scooping simple
- + Scoop stores on the box, and the listing gives dimensions of 20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38 inches
- - Top-entry boxes can be hard for older or arthritic cats to climb into
- - The filter has a limited life, so odor control will depend on replacing it
#8An Arm & Hammer top-entry litter box with a filter and Microban protection, made in USA. Enclosed walls give privacy, and a grated surface catches litter from paws.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Wide top entry with a grated surface to collect litter from paws
- + Microban protection is built in to inhibit box smells
- + Enclosed high walls give privacy and can keep dogs out of the box
- - Priced higher than other top-entry boxes in this guide
- - The listing recommends replacing the box about every 12 months to keep it fresh
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Steel box is heavier to lift and wash than plastic (SuzziPaws Stainless Steel Litter Box...)
- Senior or arthritic cats may struggle to jump in from the top (IRIS USA Cat Litter Box Large Top Entry with...)
- Light colors show litter dust and stains quickly (IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box with...)
- Top entry means your cat has to jump in and out, which the listing does not address for older cats or kittens. (IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded...)
- Reusable liners wear out and need replacing (Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box, Leak-Proof,...)
- Brushed nickel finish is a style choice, not steel (Petmate Enclosed Cat Litter Box with Hinged...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among top-entry litter boxes for apartments?
SuzziPaws Stainless Steel Litter Box Top-Entry, XL Grey Hooded Lid with Filter & Scoop, Anti-Leakage Enclosed Metal Pan is our top overall pick. SuzziPaws' XL stainless steel top-entry litter box with a grey hooded lid, filter and scoop, plus an anti-leakage metal pan. It earns our score of 8.8/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
IRIS USA Cat Litter Box Large Top Entry with Lid, Enclosed Covered Hooded Design, Scoop Included, Odor Control, Gray/White is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. IRIS USA's large gray/white top entry litter box with an enclosed hooded lid, scoop included and odor control.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Apartment Pet Picks independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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