How to Pick a Top Entry Litter Box That Fits Your Cat
Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box suits most single-cat homes with a leak-proof base and reusable liner. Modkat XL fits large or aging cats through a widened 10.25-inch top hole and an optional front door. Arm & Hammer Premium Top Entry adds embedded Microban protection for multi-cat odor control.
Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box suits a single cat under about 15 pounds best, pairing a leak-proof base with a reusable liner that lowers long-term litter costs. Its entry hole narrows fast for bigger breeds. Modkat XL and the JOISTOON stainless steel box take over from there, and households juggling odor across multiple cats lean toward the Arm & Hammer or the steel option instead.
Every top-entry box blocks dogs and contains digging in roughly the same way. Real differences hide in entry-hole size, wall height and what the lid is made from. Cats that dislike jumping, including seniors and very young kittens, do not always adapt to any top-entry design. We compared listed dimensions, entry opening size, material and filter claims against what owners report about durability and odor control.
Our top picks
Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box
A seamless, leak-proof base pairs with a 9-inch entry hole to keep this compact box tidy without a liner tearing loose. Reusable liners and a sifting scoop ship inside the box, cutting ongoing costs. Its 16 by 16 by 15-inch footprint fits most single-cat bathrooms and laundry closets, though larger cats may need the XL version instead.
Pros
- Leak-proof base keeps litter and moisture off the floor
- Reusable liner lowers long-term litter box costs
- Compact footprint suits small bathrooms and closets
Cons
- 9-inch opening feels snug for cats over about 15 pounds
- No front-entry option like the XL model offers
Modkat XL Cat Litter Box, Top or Front-Entry
This box switches between a 10.25-inch top opening and an 8.25-inch front doorway, giving an oversized or aging cat an easier route in. A 30-pound lid rating means a large cat can stand on top without it flexing underfoot. Two bamboo charcoal filters ship inside for the front-entry setup.
Pros
- Configurable top or front entry suits big or aging cats
- 30-pound lid rating tolerates large cats standing on top
- Charcoal filters cut odor between litter changes
Cons
- 21-inch footprint needs more floor space than standard boxes
- Reusable liners cost more upfront than loose litter alone
Arm & Hammer Premium Top Entry Litter Box with Filter
Microban antimicrobial protection is molded into the plastic itself, not sprayed on, limiting odor-causing bacteria for the life of the box. A grated lid strips litter from paws on the way out, while 15-inch walls contain digging and spray. It works with clumping, crystal, pellet or pine litter.
Pros
- Microban protection is built into the plastic, not a removable pad
- Tall walls contain digging cats and side-spraying males
- Works with clumping, crystal, pellet or pine litter
Cons
- No charcoal filter for airborne odor beyond the antimicrobial plastic
- Single top entry only, with no front-door option for older cats
JOISTOON Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box, Top Entry XL
Stainless steel does not absorb odor or stain the way plastic can after months of heavy use, which matters most in two- or three-cat households. A 65-liter capacity and a 24 by 16 by 15-inch footprint hold enough litter to space out full changes. Its lid snaps down firmly enough that a startled cat cannot flip it open jumping out.
Pros
- Steel resists odor absorption and staining better than plastic over time
- 65-liter capacity suits homes running two or three cats on one box
- Lid snaps securely, so it will not pop open when a cat jumps out
Cons
- Heavier and pricier than the plastic boxes on this list
- 9-inch opening still limits access for cats over 20 lbs
IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box with Scoop
A perforated lid doubles as a paw-cleaning mat, knocking loose litter back into the box before a cat reaches the floor. It holds up to 20 pounds of litter and ships with a scoop that hooks onto the side for storage. Among the seven boxes here, it undercuts both Modkat models while covering the same core job.
Pros
- Perforated lid removes litter from paws on the way out
- Costs less than the Modkat or Arm & Hammer options here
- Scoop hook keeps cleanup tools off the floor
Cons
- 20-pound litter capacity trails the JOISTOON and Modkat XL
- Lid is not independently filtered for odor
IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Rounded Kitty Litter Pan
A rounded body tucks into a bathroom corner or against a curved cabinet where square boxes leave dead space. Interior dimensions run 17 by 11.5 inches, close to the squared IRIS model despite the smaller visual footprint. The same 9.25-inch top entry and included scoop carry over from the rest of the IRIS lineup.
Pros
- Rounded shape fits corners that square boxes waste
- Interior floor space nearly matches the squared IRIS model
- Comes with a scoop at the same price point
Cons
- Rounded walls hold slightly less litter volume than a square box
- Still requires the same jump-in entry as every box here
Amazon Basics Large Cat Litter Box with High Sides, Top Entry
This is the plainest box in the group: high sides, a top opening and a scoop, with no filter or charcoal insert included. Dimensions match the IRIS models almost exactly, so it slots into the same footprint for less money. Odor control depends entirely on the litter used, not the box itself.
Pros
- Lowest cost among the seven boxes compared here
- Dimensions match the pricier IRIS models
- Scoop included at no extra cost
Cons
- No filter or antimicrobial treatment for odor
- Fewer configuration options than the Modkat or JOISTOON boxes
Compared at a glance
| # | Model | Dimensions | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box | 16 x 16 x 15 inches | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Modkat XL Cat Litter Box, Top or Front-Entry | 21 x 16.3 x 17 inches | Best for large cats | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Arm & Hammer Premium Top Entry Litter Box with Filter | 20.3 x 15 x 15 inches | Best for odor control | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | JOISTOON Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box, Top Entry XL | 24 x 16 x 15 inches | Best for multiple cats | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box with Scoop | 20.5 x 14.75 x 14.5 inches | Best value | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Rounded Kitty Litter Pan | 20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38 inches | Best for small spaces | 8.2 | Check price |
| 7 | Amazon Basics Large Cat Litter Box with High Sides, Top Entry | 20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38 inches | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
How to choose
What changes when litter box entry moves to the top A hole in the lid blocks dogs and toddlers from reaching the litter. It also keeps a digging cat’s mess inside the box instead of scattered on the floor. Privacy matters to cats that spray or startle mid-use in an open pan. The tradeoff is effort: every cat has to jump up and drop in, rather than walk through a floor-level door. That single design choice shapes almost every other decision on this list.
Sizing a top entry box for big cats and multi-cat homes Entry opening width matters more than overall box length for a large cat. A 9-inch hole feels the same whether the box below runs 16 inches or 24 inches long. Modkat XL and JOISTOON both widen that opening or add a front-door option, helping cats above roughly 15 pounds. Multi-cat households should also weigh capacity in liters or pounds of litter, not just footprint, since more cats mean more frequent scooping regardless of size.
Does material change how well a box controls odor? Plastic boxes rely on a filter, an antimicrobial additive like Microban, or nothing at all. Odor compounds can work into scratched plastic over months of use. Stainless steel resists smell in a way plastic cannot, which is the main reason the JOISTOON box costs more than its plastic rivals. A charcoal filter, like the ones in the Modkat XL, still needs replacing every month or two to keep working.
Which cats should avoid a top entry box Senior cats with arthritis, very young kittens still learning coordination, and any cat recovering from injury often struggle to jump in and out reliably. None of the seven boxes here solve that, including the Modkat XL, whose front-entry mode still requires a 6.25-inch step over the base. Owners of those cats are usually better served by a low-sided open pan or a hooded box with a floor-level door instead.
Common questions
How do I get my cat to use a top entry litter box?
Keep the old box available alongside the new one for a week or two, and add a step or ramp for kittens if the jump looks difficult. Cats that never adapt to jumping in usually do better with a floor-level door instead.
Are top entry litter boxes good for large cats?
Only if the opening is wide enough. Modkat XL widens the top hole to 10.25 inches and adds an 8.25-inch front door, both larger than the roughly 9-inch openings on the IRIS and Amazon Basics boxes.
Do top entry litter boxes actually reduce tracking?
Owners report noticeably less scatter, since a grated or perforated lid knocks loose litter off paws before a cat steps onto the floor. It will not eliminate tracking entirely, especially with fine clumping litter.
Can senior cats use a top entry litter box?
Cats with arthritis or mobility issues often struggle with the jump-in design, even on shorter boxes. A low-sided open pan or a hooded box with a floor-level door usually works better for aging cats.
Modkat vs IRIS USA top entry litter box, which is better?
Modkat includes a reusable liner and a leak-proof base, which lowers ongoing costs but raises the upfront price. IRIS USA costs less and includes a scoop, with a perforated lid that does the same paw-cleaning job.
Is stainless steel better than plastic for a litter box?
Steel resists odor absorption and staining better over years of use, which is why the JOISTOON box costs more than the plastic options here. Plastic boxes with a filter or antimicrobial coating close some of that gap for less money.
What size top entry litter box do I need for two cats?
Look for at least 20 to 24 inches of length and a litter capacity above 20 pounds, like the JOISTOON’s 65-liter tray, and plan on one box per cat plus one extra regardless of size.
Are top entry litter boxes good for kittens?
Small kittens can struggle to clear a 9-inch entry hole until they are a few months old. A shallow, floor-level pan is the safer choice until a kitten is jumping onto furniture confidently.
What is the best top entry litter box for odor control?
Arm & Hammer Premium Top Entry molds Microban antimicrobial protection into the plastic itself, limiting bacteria growth for the life of the box. JOISTOON’s stainless steel body avoids odor absorption entirely, at a higher price.
The bottom line
Modkat Top-Entry Cat Litter Box remains the strongest default for one average-size cat, since a leak-proof base and reusable liner pay for themselves over time. Large or multiple cats are better served by the Modkat XL or the JOISTOON stainless steel box, both of which widen the opening or resist odor better under heavy use. Anyone with a senior cat, a kitten under six months, or an injured cat should skip top-entry designs entirely and choose a floor-level door instead.
