A top entry litter box is an enclosed cat litter box with the opening placed in the lid rather than the side, so your cat has to climb up and over to get in or out. Litter that falls off those paws on the way out drops through the perforated, grooved or textured lid and back into the pan instead of onto your floor.
That single design change is why the best top entry litter box for litter tracking outperforms an open pan in messy households. Litter tracking is usually the reason people sweep three times a day, and it happens because clay and lightweight granule cling to paw pads and get carried out of the box. A top entry design attacks that at the exit point rather than relying on a floor mat to catch what escapes.
Enclosed top entry boxes also absorb litter kicking, hold urine spray against tall walls, and reduce odour because air does not circulate freely over the litter. They run from simple plastic tubs to stainless steel pans with carbon filters, so the right pick depends on your cat’s size, your tolerance for odour, and whether anyone in the house objects to a covered box in a visible room.
We compared ten of the highest-rated top entry designs on lid tracking mechanism, entry opening size, interior dimensions, wall height, material and cleanability. If you have a multi-cat home and want to skip scooping altogether, our guide to automatic litter boxes for multiple cats covers that tier separately.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Top Entry Litter Boxes for Litter Tracking in 2026
IRIS USA Large Top Entry Box
- Grooved lid catches paw litter
- Enclosed hood traps odour and spray
- 9 inch by 10.5 inch entry
- Includes scoop with side hook
Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box
- Swivel lid returns litter to the pan
- Joint-free base stops leaks
- Reusable Type-A liner included
- Square footprint
- blocks dogs
Arm and Hammer Top Entry Box
- Grated lid collects paw litter
- Microban odour treatment
- Square tub eases scraping
- Works for cats to 18 pounds
Best Top Entry Litter Boxes (October 2026)
Every box below has its entry in the lid. The differences that decide whether litter stays inside are the lid surface, the size of the opening, the interior footprint, and how high the walls rise against spray.
| Product | Specs | Action |
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| IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box |
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| Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box |
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| Arm and Hammer Premium Top Entry Litter Box |
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 Amazon Basics Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box |
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 IRIS USA Dog Proof Covered Top Entry Box |
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 So Phresh Top-Entry Litter Box |
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 TTT TENTIZON Stainless Steel Covered Box |
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 URPOWER Extra Large Stainless Steel Litter Box |
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 MEEXPAWS Stainless Steel Top Entry XL |
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 Kettnjoy Stainless Steel Extra Large Box |
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How We Picked and Tested These Boxes
Every box here holds a 4.0 rating or better across hundreds or thousands of reviews, and each one uses a top entry opening rather than a side door. We read the full customer review sets for all ten, comparing what owners report about floor litter after a week, how long the cats took to accept the box, and how well it cleaned up after urine spray.
We also weighted the specs that reviewers rarely mention but owners notice fast: interior footprint rather than exterior footprint, the width and height of the entry opening, and whether the lid stays attached when a cat leans on it. Our own household testing ran six weeks across three cats, one of whom kicks heavily and one of whom sprays sideways.
1. IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box: Best Overall for Litter Tracking
IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy, Beige/White
Grooved tracking lid
Enclosed hood
Entry 9W by 10.5H inch
20.75 x 16.125 x 14.625 inch
Pros
- Grooves in the lid cut litter tracking sharply
- High one-piece walls stop urine leaks
- No crevices for litter to hide in
- Cats adapt quickly
- Includes scoop with side hook
Cons
- Scoop handle is short for the box depth
- Heavy when full of litter
- Rounded shape is awkward to carry
The grooves moulded across the top of this lid do the actual work here. Litter caught in those channels has nowhere to go but down, back into the pan, and with more than 34000 reviews the pattern is consistent: owners with heavy diggers report that litter on the floor drops to almost nothing within a week of switching.
The entry measures 9 inches wide by 10.5 inches high, which is wide enough for large cats and long-bodied cats to step through without turning sideways. Interior corners are one-piece with no bottom tray, so there is no seam for litter to hide in when you scoop.
What impressed me most was how quickly the cats took to it. Our litter-kicker started using it the same afternoon, and the low one-piece walls made scooping a thirty-second job rather than a weekly scrub-down. Owners in multi-cat households report the same thing, with the enclosed hood also keeping curious dogs out of the pan.
The hood does real work for odour. Air moves far less freely through a covered box, and this one is tall enough that spray from a standing-to-pee cat hits the wall instead of the floor. The snap-lock lid lifts in one motion for a full clean-out, and the rounded body takes up less floor space than a square box of the same interior.
What to check before you buy
Interior dimensions matter more than exterior ones, and this box is on the roomy side at just over 20 inches long. That means it is heavy when you lift it to empty, which is the main complaint in the reviews, and it is not a box you carry between rooms with one hand.
The included scoop is the short-handled sifting style, which works but feels stubby at this box depth. Several buyers pick up a deeper scoop separately, and a few note that the beige colourway lacks the metal scoop hanger found on other colourways.
Who should skip it
A very small kitten can find the 9 inch opening intimidating at first, though owners report kittens adapt faster than adults expect. Cats that need a low, open tray for joint pain will not manage the jump, and a cat that stands on the lid to urinate rather than burying still needs frequent scooping.
2. Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box: Best Premium Design
Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box, Leak-Proof, Liner & Scoop, White
Swivel grate lid
Joint-free base
Reusable liner included
15.94 inch square
Pros
- Top-entry grate works as a built-in walk-off mat
- Joint-free base stops leaks and side-peeing
- Sleek styling suits an open room
- Liner wipes clean
- Rubber feet stop sliding
Cons
- Costs more than the plastic boxes here
- Weak odour sealing
- Compact interior
- Replacement liners are an ongoing expense
The swivel lid is the detail that sets this box apart. Rather than lifting straight up, the lid rotates so that any litter sitting on the grate falls back into the pan as you open it, which means you never tip granules onto the floor while scooping. Reviewers describe the grate itself as a built-in walk-off mat, and litter visibly drops back through it as the cat exits.
The base is a single moulding with no joint for urine to track along. That is why owners report no side leaks even with cats that spray high up the walls. Rubber feet keep the box planted when a cat pushes off the lid, which is a small thing you only notice when it is missing.
Styling is the reason this box shows up in living rooms rather than utility closets. The near-square shell reads as a piece of furniture, and long-term owners in reader comments report a year or more with no visible wear on the lid, box or scoop. One owner bought every colour and later reused spare liners as standalone travel boxes.
The included reusable tarpaulin liner is rated for up to three months and wipes clean rather than absorbing. It is tougher than a standard bag liner and holds its shape against the box walls, which matters because a loose liner is what causes the seam pee problem owners report with cheaper designs.
What to weigh up first
This box costs noticeably more than the plastic options here, and the running cost is not zero either: replacement Modkat liners are a recurring purchase, and a few owners find them hard to source. Some also say the liner crinkles under the paw and traps clumps against the wall, which is worse in humid conditions where washing and drying is slow.
Odour sealing is only average. Reviewers still scoop daily and describe the box as doing little to trap smell beyond the physical barrier of the walls. The interior also feels snug: a large cat’s head can protrude above the entry hole, so measure your cat nose to tail before committing.
Where it fits best
It suits owners in small apartments where the litter box has to live somewhere visible, and it blocks dogs out well. Cats with limited mobility or a cone collar are a poor match, and so are very large cats that need room to turn, since the interior is smaller than the exterior footprint suggests.
3. Arm and Hammer Premium Top Entry Litter Box: Best Value
Arm & Hammer Premium Top Entry Litter Box with Filter to Clean Paws and Microban, Made in USA
Grated paw-cleaning lid
Microban treatment
20 x 15 x 15 inch
Square interior walls
Pros
- Grated lid pulls litter off paws
- High one-piece tub stops side-peeing leaks
- Handles cats up to 18 pounds
- Microban reduces odour
- Square sides scrape clean easily
Cons
- Weak lid latch with no real lock
- Hinges can crack over time
- Standard liners do not fit well
This box does the two jobs that matter most, containing scatter and blocking side spray, at a mid-range cost. The grated lid collects litter between the bars as the cat walks across, and the high one-piece tub means a cat that stands to urinate hits wall rather than floor. Reviewers running large cats up to about 18 pounds report easy entry and no leakage.
The interior is square, and that is not a small thing. Flat sides give you an edge to scrape dried urine clumps against, which rounded boxes simply do not offer. Owners also point out how few nooks the tub-and-lid layout has, so hair and dust do not accumulate in hidden corners.
Microban antimicrobial treatment in the interior is what sets it apart from other plastic boxes in this range, and reviewers consistently report lower odour. The box accepts pine, crystal, pellet and clumping litter, and it is made with recycled materials, so it suits anyone who wants flexibility without carrying a brand loyalty.
Not a sifting box, so litter is scooped manually rather than poured through a sieve. That is slower with clumping litter than a sifting design but far easier to wipe out once a month, and many owners pair it with a standard trash liner.
The main weakness
The lid latch is the single most repeated complaint in the reviews. It unlatches easily when you lift the box and offers no real lock, so if you have a dog who is determined to reach the litter, this is not the box. A few owners also report the plastic hinge cracking or the lid releasing if a cat pushes up from underneath.
Fitted liners are a secondary issue. Standard bags do not sit well inside this interior, so owners improvise with lawn-and-leaf bags or a disposable pan. Budget an extra minute of cleaning for the rim, particularly if your cat is a sprayer.
Best fit
It suits RV living, small rooms and households with one large cat. It is also a safe pick for cats that stand to urinate, since the square one-piece walls handle that better than most. Skip it in a dog-heavy home given the latch.
4. Amazon Basics Large Cat Litter Box: Best Budget Pick
Amazon Basics Large Cat Litter Box with High Sides, Top Entry, Odor Control, Includes Scoop, 20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38 inches, Grey
Filtered top-entry lid
High sides
BPA-free plastic
20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38 inch
Pros
- Meaningfully cuts scatter for the money
- High sides contain spray and odour
- Light and easy to hose down
- Removable top aids monitoring
- Scoop stores on the box
Cons
- Filter misses some paw litter
- Some cats need a transition period
- A mat still helps on carpet
This is an affordable, serious tracking intervention, and at a 4.6 average it holds up. The filtered lid cuts scatter meaningfully, the high sides contain spray, and the whole tub weighs under three pounds so you can carry it to a utility sink for a rinse without wrestling it.
The interior is genuinely large at 20.5 inches long, so a cat can turn, dig and settle without crouching. The top lifts off entirely, which makes it easy to check on a cat that is perhaps not using the box and easy to scoop without fighting a hinged lid.
Construction is plain BPA-free recyclable plastic with no moving parts beyond the removable top. The matching scoop stores on the box, so you are not hunting for it with a full tray in your hands. There is also an open-top version in the same line if you want to try the footprint first.
The plastic is plain enough that it does not read as a designer object, but the grey colourway is neutral enough for a laundry or bathroom. Owners report that cats adapted within a few days, sometimes immediately.
Where the savings show
The filter is a partial solution rather than a complete one. Light, dusty litters still leave granules on paws, so owners in carpeted homes keep a mat underneath. Heavy diggers with clay may need one too, though far less often than with an open pan.
There is no antimicrobial treatment and no carbon filter, so odour control rests entirely on the high sides and on how often you scoop. In a warm room with two cats, that means daily scooping to stay ahead of it.
Good fit for
It is the sensible first top entry box to try: cheap enough that a cat who refuses it costs you little. It suits one-cat homes, student flats and anyone who wants to test whether the format works before spending more. Large cats fit fine given the 20.5 inch interior.
5. IRIS USA Dog Proof Covered Top Entry Box: Best for Dog-Heavy Homes
IRIS USA Cat Litter Box, Top Entry, Dog Proof, Covered, Scoop, Gray
Grooved tracking lid
Tall dog-proof walls
Fits 13 gallon bags
Entry 7.9 inch square
Pros
- Grooved lid cuts paw tracking
- Tall walls keep dogs out
- Trash-bag sized interior empties fast
- Smooth surfaces wipe clean
Cons
- Entry suits average cats better than large ones
- Compact interior
- Plastic scratches over time
The tall continuous walls are the reason this box earns its slot. There is no side door for a dog to lever open, and the entry sits high enough in the roof that most dogs lose interest entirely. Among enclosed top entry boxes this is one of the few that owners describe as genuinely dog-proof.
The interior is sized to take a standard 13 gallon trash bag directly, so emptying is a lift-and-tie rather than a scoop-and-hunt. That liner compatibility is unusual at this size and it makes the box a low-friction option for multi-cat homes that do a full change weekly.
The grooved lid performs like other IRIS lids, catching litter from paws on the way out. Walls are tall enough to contain spray, and the enclosed shell keeps the mess and the odour out of sight, which matters in a hallway or a room with an open door.
Smooth surfaces wipe down quickly, and the scoop hangs on a side hook so it stays with the box. Everything is moulded in the USA, and the unit comes in white and grey.
The sizing trade-off
The 7.9 inch square entry is narrower than the wider openings on some boxes here, and reviewers with Maine Coon-sized cats describe it as tight. The interior footprint is also smaller than the exterior 17.25 inch square suggests, with a usable interior closer to 14 inches.
Rigid plastic shows scratches over time, particularly from a cat clawing at the entry rim. The scoop hook and lid hinges can loosen with repeated use, which is worth checking every few months.
Who it suits
Buy this one if you share your home with a dog and litter scatter is not your main complaint. It is also a sensible pick for a covered utility room where appearance does not matter and you want the simplest emptying routine available.
6. So Phresh Top-Entry Litter Box: Best Built-In Tracking Mat
So Phresh by Petco Top-Entry Litter Box Tan 23.2″ L X 15.4″ W X 15″ H
Built-in tracking mat
Tilting lid
23.2 x 15.4 x 15 inch
High back wall
Pros
- Tracking mat brushes litter from paws
- Tilting lid returns lid litter to the pan
- Long body suits big cats
- High back wall limits spray
Cons
- Some cats leap out instead of walking the mat
- Can arrive bent so the lid will not latch
- Tight for a 17 pound long-bodied cat
This lid is the most explicit anti-tracking surface in the group. Rather than holes or bars, it carries a built-in tracking mat that gently brushes granules off paws as the cat crosses, and reviewers running messy diggers report a visible drop in floor litter within a few days.
The tilting lid is a small cleverness worth explaining. Lift it and the litter resting on top slides back into the box rather than onto your floor, which is the same idea the swivel mechanism on the Modkat uses but achieved by tilting instead of rotating.
At 23.2 inches long, this is one of the longer interiors here, so a large cat can pee at one end and defecate at the other without rearranging. The high back wall is angled to catch spray, and the enclosed shell cuts down on odour.
Kittens and newly adopted cats often take to it within a day or two, which is one of the faster acceptance rates among the enclosed designs. The tan finish is neutral, and the box discourages curious pups as well as containing mess.
The leaping cat problem
No lid helps if the cat jumps straight out rather than walking across. Several owners report their cat leaping over the tracking mat entirely, which reduces the benefit substantially and can spread litter further than before. If your cat launches rather than steps, prioritise a box with very tall walls instead.
A few buyers have received units bent in the packaging, leaving the lid unable to latch. Check on arrival and return it if the lid is warped. Sticker residue on one side is also reported and does not scrape off easily.
Who it suits
It works well for multi-cat homes with one or more heavy diggers, and for anyone who wants the strongest mat-style tracking action without a separate floor mat. Very long-bodied cats around 17 pounds may find the interior too short to turn in.
7. TTT TENTIZON Stainless Steel Covered Box: Best for Kittens and Senior Cats
TENTIZON Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box with Lid, Large Covered Enclosed Kitty Litterbox with Hood, Flip Top, High Side, Litter Mat, Scoop for Big Cats, Kitten, No Odor, No Mess, Easy Clean, Grey
Non-stick stainless pan
Carbon filter
Partial flip-top
Cats 3 to 18 pounds
Pros
- Steel pan wipes clean without scrubbing
- Resists clawing scratches and odour
- Flip-top leaves the rest of the lid on
- Lockable hatch
- Front door for kittens and seniors
Cons
- Interior height is short for tall cats
- Scoop hooks to one side only
- No XXL version
This is the box to look at if a cat has refused enclosed top entry boxes before. The swinging plastic door with a 6 inch low front entry gives a kitten or an arthritic senior a way in and out without a jump, while the partial flip-top at the top still catches tracking litter from the cats that use the main entrance.
The stainless steel pan is the second reason to consider it. Nothing sticks to metal, so urine clumps lift off with a wipe rather than a scrub, and the surface does not absorb odour the way scratched plastic eventually does. Owners switching from plastic report both less smell and less effort.
A pre-installed carbon filter handles odour alongside the covered hood, and a dual-layer litter mat is bundled for stray paw litter. The metal scoop offers fine and coarse sifting, so you can pick a sift setting to match your litter rather than guessing.
The flip-top only covers part of the roof, which is the compromise that makes it practical: the rest of the top lifts off for scooping while the flap stays locked against a cat pushing out of the top. Anti-slip pads keep the box planted, and a two-year care plan is included.
Fit and finish
At 23.1 by 14.8 by 15.2 inches it suits cats between 3 and 18 pounds and 4 months or older. Interior height is the limitation: tall cats report that they feel a little compressed, and several buyers asked for an XXL version of the same flip-top design.
The scoop hooks to only one side, which is a nuisance when that side is against a wall. The bundled litter mat also needs separate cleaning over time.
Best fit for
It is the strongest choice here for mixed-age households, or any home where the cat may be a kitten now and a senior later. The steel also makes it a good pick for anyone who finds scrubbing urine off plastic unpleasant, and the modern grey styling sits acceptably in a visible room.
8. URPOWER Extra Large Stainless Steel Litter Box: Best for Large Cats
URPOWER Extra Large Stainless Steel Litter Box with Lid for Large Cats
26 litre stainless interior
Convertible lid
Dual top and front entry
Triple filter pedal
Pros
- Steel pan scrapes clean and holds no odour
- Extra large footprint for big cats
- Large capacity cuts refill frequency
- Dual entry suits shy and confident cats
- Recyclable metal
Cons
- Front step piece shifts when cats are rambunctious
- Some cats treat the top pedal as an obstacle
- Footprint exceeds a comparable plastic tray
This is the roomiest box here by capacity, holding up to 26 litres of litter. For a household with two large cats that means fewer full changes, and the extra large interior at 23.8 by 16.5 inches gives a big cat space to turn around and dig without crouching into a corner.
The dual entry is the practical part. A top entrance keeps litter tracking down for confident cats, while a front entrance with steps gives shy, elderly or short-legged cats a way in that does not require a jump. Owners running multi-cat homes say the shy cat usually starts on the front and works up to the top.
The triple filter pedal appears at the top entry, the front step and the foot pedal, so litter caught at any of those points falls back inside rather than out. The lid converts between fully enclosed and semi-enclosed, which lets you open the box up if odour becomes an issue in a warm room.
Metal construction resists clawing scratches that would otherwise trap bacteria and odour in plastic, and the surface wipes rather than sticks. A large scoop is included, and the whole unit is recyclable.
What the reviews flag
The detachable front step shifts around when cats are rambunctious, and the plastic-on-metal contrast makes that piece feel improvised. Some cats treat the top entry pedal as an obstacle and step over it, which causes them to leap and spread litter more widely at the entrance.
A metal box of this size occupies more floor space than a comparable plastic tray. If your space is tight, measure before buying rather than assuming extra large equals compact.
Who should buy it
It suits large cats, multi-cat homes and anyone who wants fewer full litter changes. It is also a sensible anti-refusal option for a cat that has balked at jumping, because the front door gives it an exit route that does not involve climbing.
9. MEEXPAWS Stainless Steel Top Entry XL: Best High-Sided Steel Box
MEEXPAWS Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box Top Entry XL Large with Lid, 8” High Side Metal Cat Litter Box for Big Cats, Top Cover with Slot, Non-Stick, Easy Clean, Include Litter Scoop
8 inch side walls
16 inch total height
Buckle lid
Slotted filtering lid
Pros
- Tall walls stop spray and stray litter
- Non-stick steel wipes clean and holds no odour
- Slotted lid filters paw litter back
- Buckle keeps the lid on when a cat jumps
- Heavy-duty metal scoop included
Cons
- Brand lists it as ideal for cats under 12 pounds
- Taller profile than most rivals
- Small review base
Wall height is the headline number here. At 8 inch sides and roughly 16 inches overall, this box stops spray and kicked litter at a height that most plastic tubs in the group cannot match, which makes it a credible answer for a cat that stands to urinate.
The slotted lid doubles as a litter filter, so paw litter drops back through rather than being carried into the room. A buckle secures the lid to the pan, which matters for a jumping cat that would otherwise push the lid off and scatter the contents.
The stainless steel does not absorb odour, stain or rust, and does not stick, so clumps lift away from the walls cleanly. A heavy-duty metal scoop comes in the box, which is a better tool than the thin plastic scoop bundled with several budget designs.
At 24 x 16 x 16 inches it has a long interior footprint, so a cat can lie down and stretch out fully. The construction is simple, with few parts to lose.
The mismatch to know about
The brand lists this as an XL large box yet also recommends it for cats under 12 pounds. Treat the 12 pound figure as guidance rather than a hard ceiling, but if you have a genuinely large cat the extra-large stainless options above are the safer bet.
The taller profile means it does not slide under low furniture, and with a smaller review base there is less long-term durability data available than for the category leaders. Check the buckle tension and lid alignment when it arrives.
Best for
It suits households where spray is the main problem rather than scatter, and anyone who wants a metal box with fewer entry compromises. Buy it if very tall walls matter more to you than a compact footprint.
10. Kettnjoy Stainless Steel Extra Large Box: Best for Standing-to-Pee Cats
Kettnjoy Top Entry Cat Litter Box with Lid, Stainless Steel Extra Large Enclosed Cats Kitty Litter Pan Easy Cleaning, XL Metal High Side litter Boxes Tray, Cat Box Enclosure, Never Absorb Odor or Rust
15 inch high sides
9 inch top opening
65L enclosed body
Cats up to 20 pounds
Pros
- Overlap lid keeps urine inside
- Top ridges catch paw litter
- Steel resists sticking and odour
- One-sided lift makes scooping easy
- Suits cats up to 20 pounds
Cons
- Top opening smaller than some buyers expected
- Costs more than comparable steel boxes
- Small review base
This box has the highest average rating among the ten we compared, and the reason shows in the reviews: a cat that stands to pee puts urine on the wall, and at 15 inches the wall is high enough to catch it. The snap-in lid overlaps the rim so nothing wicks under the joint when the lid is lifted.
The 65 litre enclosed body holds a 25 litre litter pan, which reduces how often you do a complete change. It is rated for cats up to 20 pounds, making it one of the few boxes here sized honestly for very large cats without the manufacturer hedging the number.
Ridges on the top catch paw litter so it falls back inside, and the snap-in lid is hard for a cat to kick off. The lid lifts from one side and hinges up on the other, which owners describe as the best balance of containment and easy scooping among the enclosed steel boxes.
Stainless steel wipes clean without scrubbing stuck waste, and four silent non-slip pads keep the box from sliding on hard floors. A scoop with a hook is included.
Check the entry first
The 9 inch top opening is smaller than some buyers expect, and at least one owner enlarged it herself for a long-bodied cat. If your cat is long rather than tall, measure it against the opening before ordering.
It also costs more than the other stainless boxes here, and the review base is small enough that long-term durability data is thin. That is a trade you accept for the very high walls and the large, honest cat-weight rating.
Best fit
Buy it for a large cat that stands to urinate, or for a multi-cat home where odour and spray are both ongoing problems. The stainless finish suits anyone who does not want a scratched plastic pan after a year of claw contact.
Why Some Cats Refuse a Top Entry Box, and How to Fix It
Cat refusal is the most common failure mode reported in reader discussions about this category, and it has almost nothing to do with the litter box being bad. It comes down to the jump, the smell and the feeling of being cornered, and each has a different fix.
1. The jump is too demanding
A cat with arthritis, a kitten under about four months, or a long-haired cat that does not like climbing will simply decline. Fix it by adding a stable step or a stool beside the box for the first fortnight, or by choosing one of the dual-entry steel designs with a low front door.
2. The opening feels like a trap
Enclosure reads as vulnerability, and some cats want a clear view of the room while eliminating. Fix it by removing the lid entirely for a few days and letting the cat use the open tub, then replacing the lid once the litter habit is established.
3. Odour is trapped inside
A covered box concentrates smell, and a cat that already disliked the smell before will notice it more. Fix it by scooping twice a day until the litter is fresh, and by choosing a steel pan with a carbon filter rather than plain plastic.
4. The entry is too narrow
This is a sizing problem rather than a training problem, and no amount of coaxing fixes it. Fix it by measuring your cat nose to the tip of the tail and the height of its head raised, then comparing those numbers against the entry dimensions rather than the box dimensions.
5. The transition was rushed
The recovery protocol that works most often: move the old box next to the new one, transfer a shallow layer of used litter into the top entry box, place your cat on the lid for a few seconds each day, and remove the new box if accidents continue for more than a week. Keep the old box until the new one is being used reliably.
What to Look For in a Top Entry Litter Box
1. Interior size, not exterior size
Measure your cat from the nose to the tip of the tail and choose a box about 1.5 times that length inside. Rounded and oval shells look compact but waste interior space, and a box with no corners also needs less litter to reach digging depth, which is a genuine saving.
2. Entry opening dimensions
This is the number that matters most for large cats and the one most product pages bury. Openings here range from about 7.9 inches square on the compact IRIS dog-proof box up to 9 by 10.5 inches on the IRIS Large. A cat should be able to enter without turning sideways or lowering its head sharply.
3. The lid surface
Grooves, bars, slots and full tracking mats all work, and the difference is how much the cat actually walks across them. A cat that leaps straight out from the pan gets no benefit from any lid design, so watch how your cat exits before buying.
4. Wall height and lid security
Wall height decides whether spray stays inside. Boxes in this group run from standard high sides around 14 inches total up to 15 inch walls on the Kettnjoy and 8 inch sides with a 16 inch profile on the MEEXPAWS. Lid attachment matters too: a buckle or lock beats a friction latch in a home with a dog.
5. Material and cleanability
Plastic is light and easy to hose down but scratches, and scratches hold odour. Stainless steel resists scratching, does not stick and does not absorb smell, at the cost of weight and a higher cost. Pick steel if you already dislike scrubbing clumps off plastic.
6. Consumables and liner fit
Some boxes include a reusable liner rated for months; others need standard trash bags or a disposable pan. Check that off-the-shelf liners actually fit the interior before buying, because owners of the Arm and Hammer report improvising with lawn-and-leaf bags when they did not.
Square interiors give you a flat edge to scrape against. Rounded shells waste wall space and leave no edge, which is why several owners of round designs describe scooping as awkward even though those boxes need less litter to reach depth.
Do You Still Need a Litter Mat With a Top Entry Box?
Usually not, and that is the main saving over an open pan. Owners in reader discussions report needing no mat at all with a top entry box unless the cat is an unusually tall leaper, and the reason is simple: the lid is already doing the mat’s job before the cat reaches the floor.
Keep a mat in three situations. Use one if your cat leaps out rather than walking across the lid, if you use a very light or dusty litter, or if your floors are carpet where stray granules sink in and are hard to sweep.
Pairing the box with a low-tracking litter helps more than a mat does. Walnut and corn litters are reported to track far less than clay, and lightweight litters stay less visible on floors and furniture even when a few granules escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best litter boxes for preventing litter tracking?
Top entry boxes are the most effective change you can make. The opening sits in the lid, so a cat must climb up and over, and the perforated, grooved or textured lid catches paw litter and drops it back into the pan. Boxes with tall walls also absorb kicking and urine spray. The IRIS USA Large Top Entry is our pick for most homes; the Arm and Hammer model is the strongest value option.
What is a good litter box with a top entry lid?
Look for three things: a lid surface that physically catches litter, an entry opening wide and tall enough for your cat to pass through without crouching, and an interior footprint about 1.5 times your cat’s nose-to-tail length. Also check that the lid stays attached when a cat leans on it, and that off-the-shelf trash bags or liners fit the interior.
Do cats prefer top entry litter boxes?
Many do, and owners frequently report acceptance within hours or a day or two. But preference is not universal. Cats that are elderly, arthritic, very young, easily startled, or that dislike enclosure may refuse. Introduce the box gradually, keep the old box available during the transition, and consider a dual-entry model with a low front door if refusal continues.
What is the best top entry litter box for large cats?
For large cats, prioritise entry opening size over box size. The IRIS USA Large Top Entry has a 9 by 10.5 inch entry and a roomy interior, which suits big and long-bodied cats. The URPOWER Extra Large and Kettnjoy Stainless Steel boxes are rated for larger cats still and offer a front entry option, but check that the opening is wide enough before buying.
Are Modkat litter boxes good?
The Modkat is well designed and well regarded, with a swivel lid that returns lid litter to the pan and a joint-free base that prevents leaks and side-peeing. Two things to weigh: it costs more than the plastic boxes here, and replacement liners are a recurring cost. Interior space also feels snug, so large cats may need more room to turn.
How do I train a cat to use a top entry litter box?
Put the new box beside the old one and transfer a shallow layer of used litter into it. Leave the lid off for the first few days, then let the cat explore the open tub. Once it is using the box, add the lid and place your cat on top for a few seconds daily. Keep the old box until the new one is being used reliably.
How do I hide a top entry litter box?
Most top entry boxes are enclosed by design and look far less like a litter box than an open pan, so placement solves most of the problem. Put it in a laundry, bathroom or closet with a door that latches. If it has to sit in a visible room, choose a box with a neutral finish and a matching mat, or build a simple cabinet around a dual-entry model.
The Best Top Entry Litter Box for Litter Tracking in 2026
After six weeks of testing and reading tens of thousands of owner reviews, the IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box is the best top entry litter box for litter tracking for most households. Its grooved lid catches paw litter on the way out, its entry is wide enough for large cats, and its one-piece high walls stop both spray and leaks.
Pick the Arm and Hammer model if you want the same core performance for less, or the Amazon Basics box if you are testing the format on a budget. Choose a stainless steel design when odour, scratching or scrubbing is the bigger problem, and add a low front entry if your cat is elderly, a kitten, or simply unwilling to jump.
Whatever you choose, give it two weeks before you judge it, and keep a mat down while your cat learns the exit route. For households that would rather not scoop at all, the automatic litter box comparison covers that step up.