5 Best Litter Boxes for Odor control in 2024

Last updated: July 27, 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 Premium: Litter-Robot 4 Automatic

4.9/5

Purrfect

Best Large: Litter-Robot 3 Connect

4.8/5

Paw-Approved

Best Overall: Nature's Miracle Advanced Litter Box

4.8/5

Paw-Approved

Best Covered: Catit Hooded Cat Pan

 4.6/5

4.7/5

Good

Best Top-Entry: IRIS Round Top Entry Cat Litter Box

 4.7/5

4.7/5

Good

The 5 Best Litter Boxes For Odor Control In 2024

Best Premium: Litter-Robot 4 Automatic

SPECS

This price was taken at the time of this publication.

Why We Chose This Litter Box:

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.

Comparing this litter box 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. In order to enhance their safety precautions and provide a better awareness of their surroundings, they additionally included several modern sensors (thermal, motion, and weight sensors).

Odor Control:

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, mainly noticeable right after their cats have used the box or 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.

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Best Large: Litter-Robot 3 Connect

SPECS

This price was taken at the time of this publication.

Why We Chose This Litter Box:

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. If you’re near enough to the litter box, this process may be a little noisy. When compared to its rivals, it performs admirably nonetheless.

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.)

Odor Control:

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, along with its tightly enclosed waste drawer and carbon filter. You can expect to empty the waste drawer once a week with a single cat. You’ll also need to replace the filter 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.

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Best Overall: Nature's Miracle Hooded Corner Litter Box

SPECS

This price was taken at the time of this publication.

Why We Chose This Litter Box:

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.

Odor Control:

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.

Similarly, this litter box is good at containing liquids. The lid is firmly fastened to the pan, preventing any leakage.

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.

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Best Covered: Catit Hooded Cat Litter Pan

SPECS

This price was taken at the time of this publication.

Why We Chose This Litter Box:

Among the attractive litter boxes available is the Catit Hooded Cat Pan. Indeed, it was one of the best-covered litter boxes that we could find in 2024. The Jumbo size is 19.69″W x 22.44″L. The height of the base pan varies, measuring approximately 6.5″ in the front and 11″ in the back.

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.

Odor Control:

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. It’s important that the litter box is scooped on time and fully cleaned once a month to boost the filter’s performance.

The Catit Jumbo Litter Box has a raised back that contains accidents in case the cat decides to arrange a lovely surprise for you. Not to mention, a good clumping litter will always play a crucial role in neutralizing urine odors and feces. All of these factors combined will make your life much easier when interacting with the litter box.

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Best Top Entry: IRIS Round Top Entry Litter Box

SPECS

This price was taken at the time of this publication.

Why We Chose This Litter Box:

The IRIS Round Top Entry Litter Box boasts an attractive design.It has a small yet functional scoop included with it.

There have been no reports of litter buildup thus far. The top lid has a grooved pattern that you will notice. By collecting any litter fragments left on your cat’s paws, this feature stops litter scattering. And finally, cleaning the interior is pretty easy and hassle-free.

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.

Odor Control:

Top-entry litter boxes are well-known for their ability to manage both odor and litter scatter. It is recommended that you clean it once a month with warm water and mild soap to keep it smelling fresh. The round design may make cleaning the corners a bit tricky. 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. As for the litter particles on the lid, most users recommended vacuuming them off with a hand-held vacuum.

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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.