5 Best Litter Boxes for Odor control in 2024
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Most cat owners have to deal either with litter scattering or with unpleasant smells that the litter box exhibits over time. Both are frustrating, but the odor can be far more irritating than most.
Luckily, there are litter boxes that are equipped to neutralize any bad odors inside. In fact, most of these litter boxes have a built-in filter for the sole purpose of maintaining fresh airflow for cats.
This post holds the key to unlocking a world free from scooping woes and unpleasant odors.
Our Top Picks
- Best in the market.
- Large entry.
- Calm cleaning process.
Purrfect
- Minimal maintenance.
- Odor free.
- Optimal litter consumption.
Paw-Approved
- Compact design.
- Contains spillage.
- Easy litter replacement.
Paw-Approved
- Flap door entry.
- Smooth inside.
- Efficient at containing odors.
- Appealing design.
- Litter scatter control.
- Ease of cleaning.
The 5 Best Litter Boxes For Odor Control In 2024
Best Premium: Litter-Robot 4 Automatic
SPECS
- Dimensions: 27"L x 22"W x 29.5"H
- Price: 699$ At Chewy
- Ideal For: All Cats
- Compatible with: Clumping litter
Notably, the Litter-Robot 4 is the best-performing litter box available. They essentially updated the Litter-Robot 3 Connect with more sophisticated features and more solutions by taking consumer input into account.
Compared to the previous model, it is much smaller. It does, however, have an expanded waste drawer, a quieter cleaning cycle, and a wider opening for increased comfort. They also added several modern sensors (thermal, motion, and weight sensors).
The Litter-Robot 4 excels in odor control with its tightly enclosed waste drawer and the use of a carbon filter. Users typically experience minimal odors, barely noticeable during weekly waste drawer emptying.
To maintain freshness, it is recommended to clean the inside of the globe every one to three months with water and a mild soap. Some users mentioned using wipes such as Nature’s Miracle Litter Wipes to clean the interior of the Litter Robot 4. Not to mention, it is crucial to use a high-quality clumping litter like Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Litter, which plays a great deal in minimizing odors.
- Quiet cleaning cycle
- Wide opening
- The best in the market
- Luxurious
- Occasional reports about sensors issues
Best Large: Litter-Robot 3 Connect
SPECS
- Dimensions: 27"L x 22"W x 29.5"H
- Compatible with: Clumping litter
- Price: 549$ At Chewy
- Ideal For: Cats over 5lb
This is the second-best litter box on our list. Although it takes up a lot of room, it is more robust than its successor, the LR4. The globe rotates to clear the litter bed and direct any clumps to the garbage compartment as soon as the cleaning cycle starts.It comes with an app that lets you monitor the trash can and follow the activities in your litter box in real time, even when you’re not home.
On one side, this high-performing litter box is very expensive. On the other side, in the long term, this litter box is light in maintenance and will cost less than most other automatic litter boxes that require additional costs (Proprietary Litter, disposable litter trays, etc.)
The Litter Robot sifting system does a fantastic job at removing waste clumps and preserving clean litter. That is why it excels at odor control with its tightly enclosed waste drawer and carbon filter that needs replacement every three months. Multiple users recommend using high-quality, hard-clumping litter and wiping the interior of the globe weekly to further reduce odors and preserve the litter box.
- Low Maintenance
- Efficient odor control
- Advanced sensors
- Needs Space
- Expensive
Best Overall: Nature's Miracle Hooded Corner Litter Box
SPECS
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 26”L x 23”W x 20”H
- Made In: China
- Price: 44.49$
This litter box has an exceptional triangular shape. It can perfectly fit in corners while saving a lot of space. Essentially, this litter box measures 18 inches from front to back. Whereas the entrance is 12.6 by 12.2 inches and the pour point is 6.5 inches off the ground.
We listed this litter box as one of the best large litter boxes in 2024. And that is for a reason. This litter box is huge and compatible with all cats. Moreover, it has a wide opening that helps you scoop without removing the top.
Despite its size, Nature’s Miracle Hooded smells significantly less than most covered litter boxes. The charcoal filter in particular is quite efficient for about 3 months. And the interior is coated with a non-stick surface that inhibits litter caking and buildup.
Finally, cleaning the litter box on a regular basis and replacing the litter as needed is critical to improving the filter’s effectiveness and thereby reducing undesirable odors.
- Antimicrobial interior.
- Space-saving design
- Efficient odor control.
- Easy to clean.
- Very low entry.
- Needs a handle on top.
Best Covered: Catit Hooded Cat Litter Pan
SPECS
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 22"L x 18"W x 19.7"H
- Made In: Malaysia
- Price: 39.99$ At Chewy
One of the top-performing litter pans available is the Catit Hooded Cat Pan. It is still so far among the best-covered litter boxes in 2024.
A great feature missing from many litter boxes is the front bag anchor. You can scoop without taking off the entire top thanks to the flap door’s ability to fold all the way. It is lightweight, strong, and simple to maintain. And the reason for that is the interior, which is especially loose at the corners.
The Catit Jumbo Litter Box has superior odor control compared to most covered litter boxes. A carbon filter installed above captures unpleasant smells and neutralizes them in order to keep the atmosphere fresh for our feline companions. Finally, it has a raised back that contains liquids in case of poor aiming, preventing thus any leakage.
- Easy litter replacement.
- Smooth inside.
- Sturdy structure.
- The 4 locks on the lid can be difficult a bit to work with.
Best Top Entry: IRIS Round Top Entry Litter Box
SPECS
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 20.7"L x 16"W x 14.6"H
- Made In: USA
- Price: 33.98$ At Chewy
The IRIS Round Top Entry Litter Box has more than just good looks. There have been no reports of litter buildup so far. Also, the top lid has a grooved pattern that collects any litter fragments left on your cat’s paws.
This litter box is ideal for dog-owning households. They can’t get to the litter inside, thanks to the design. Not to mention, it looks great and does a great job of keeping smells and litter particles to a minimum.
It is recommended that you clean it once a month with warm water and mild soap to keep it smelling fresh. When replacing the litter, you may find the lack of handles to be inconvenient. To minimize this, one user advised using the Modkat XL top entry liners, type C, which fit the large size.
- Appealing design.
- Efficient odor control.
- Smooth inside.
- Design needs handles.
- Small scoop included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which litter has best odor control?
We recommend Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Cat Litter for odor control. It is well known among pet parents for its high effectiveness in controlling odors. This cat’s litter was made and formulated by vets. It has a strong clumping ability and liquid absorbency, which traps any unpleasant odor even when scooping.
How do I keep my litter box from smelling in the house?
A consistent cleaning schedule is a good start. Litter boxes should be scooped at least once a day. Using the right type of litter is also key, with a generous amount to overcome any strong smell within. By following a set of practical tips and understanding them, you’ll be able to overcome this issue in no time.
Is it okay to put baking soda in cat litter?
There are a lot of agents you can use to control odors. Baking soda and charcoal are very effective in this case. They effectively neutralize odors by absorbing bad odors. For better use, sprinkle a small amount at the bottom of the litter box and mix it further with the litter.