Last updated Jan 23, 2024
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Sifting litter boxes save you the hassle of chasing down every clump and piece of waste with a handheld scoop. They make an unpleasant task just a little bit easier and may even help minimize litter waste. The theory behind sifting litter boxes is sound but not all of them live up to the promise of simplifying litter box maintenance.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how different types of sifting litter boxes work and what design features to look for. We’ll also cover our top recommendations for the best sifting litter boxes on the market.
At a Glance: Best-Rated Sifting Litter Boxes to Buy in 2024
Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System
- High-sided design reduces litter spills
- Extremely easy to sift and clean
- 99% dust-free and anti-tracking
Frisco Sifting Cat Litter Box
- Affordably priced
- Antimicrobial protection
- Reinforced bottom pan
Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan with Frame
- Framed design reduces scatter
- Made from 20% recycled material
- Polished finish to resist stains and odor
Litter-Robot 4
- Fully automatic and self-cleaning
- Sealed waste compartment contains odors
- Monitor litter box usage from your smartphone
KittySift Disposable Cat Litter Box Kit
- Made from biodegradable recycled cardboard
- Consists of one solid and five sifting pans
- Great option for travel
Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box
- Lightweight design made from stain-resistant material
- Enclosed design helps control litter box odor
- Ideal for large cats and multiple cats
Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box
- Self sifting feature is easy to use
- No special liners or filters required
- Available in two sizes, works for large cats
Why Trust Cats.com
I’ve spent the past few years testing and reviewing over two dozen of the most popular litter boxes on the market. More than that, however, I’ve spent the last 14 years as a cat owner learning what works and what doesn’t. With three cats, I’m always on the lookout for a product that makes scooping the litter box even a little bit easier.
Drawing on my personal experience, conversations with cat behaviorists, and market research, I selected an assortment of sifting litter boxes to try for myself. I then spent several weeks testing the litter boxes at home with the help of my cats to assess their durability, effectiveness, and convenience.
In addition to my own testing, I read hundreds of customer reviews to get a feel for what other cat owners think of these products. This gave me an idea of potential issues to look for during testing and helped me narrow down my final list of recommendations.
The 7 Best Sifting Litter Boxes
In a multi-cat household, I find that sifting litter boxes significantly reduce the amount of time I spend scooping and scraping. One of my personal favorites is the Tidy Cats BREEZE system from Purina for its reusable pellets and slide-out tray. But it’s not the best choice for every household.
Every cat has their own preferences and some sifting litter boxes are more convenient in certain situations. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, a high-sided litter box to minimize mess, or a model that takes cleaning the litter box out of your hands completely, one of the recommendations below might be the perfect fit.
#1 Overall Best: Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System
The Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter Box System features a bed of reusable pellets instead of litter with a disposable pee pad in a pull-out tray underneath. I personally like this system because my cats use different litter boxes for urine and solid waste. Cleaning the litter box involves little more than replacing the disposable pee pad every few days.
Tidy Cats BREEZE pellets are low-tracking and virtually dust-free. They’re designed to dehydrate solid waste, making it easier to separate from the pellets with the included scoop. Urine passes right through the litter bed into the disposable pad below. When the pad becomes saturated, simply discard it then replace it with a fresh one.
Though the BREEZE system helps cut down on litter costs, there’s the cost of replacement pee pads to consider. Depending on how many cats (and how many other litter boxes) you have, you may need to replace the pad several times a week. Some cats may also dislike the texture of the large reusable pellets.
What We Like:
- High-sided litter box to help control scatter and spills
- Reusable pellets are low-tracking and dust-free
- Liquid passes through to a pee pad under the system
What We Didn’t Like:
- Pee pad may become saturated quickly in multi-cat households
- Some cats dislike the texture of the pellets
#2 Budget Pick: Frisco Sifting Cat Litter Box
Featuring two solid pans and one sifting pan, this sifting litter box from Frisco is an economically priced option. It’s made from BPA-free recycled plastic and it’s fairly large, measuring about 17 inches wide and 22.4 inches long.
With its 6.5-inch walls, this sifting litter box is easily accessible for cats of different ages and mobility levels. Because the sides are low, however, it may not contain litter scatter as well as other models. Consider placing it on a litter mat.
This Frisco sifting litter box is simple to use and the plastic materials are easy to clean. Some users comment that wet litter sometimes sticks in the corners because the sifting slots don’t extend all the way to the walls of the pan. Shaking the pan a few times a day may help keep wet litter from sticking.
What We Like:
- Affordably priced under $20
- Short walls are accessible for most cats
- Easy-to-use design
What We Didn’t Like:
- Low walls may not contain scatter well
- Wet litter may stick in the corners
#3 Best High-Sided: Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan with Frame
For cats that spray urine or scatter litter, a high-sided litter box is a must. This Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan with Frame fulfills the function of a sifting litter box but a removable frame adds several inches to the height of the walls.
This sifting litter box has a polished finish that is both odor- and stain-resistant, making it easy to clean. The frame snaps securely to the top solid pan, leaving the one underneath free for when it’s time to sift. All three pieces feature molded handles.
With its simple design, this litter box is easy to use and it is affordably priced under $20. Some users note that certain types of litter may get stuck in the small holes in the sifting pan. This litter box may also be a little small for bigger cats.
What We Like:
- Framed design helps reduce litter scatter
- Made from 20% recycled materials
- Affordably priced under $20
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some types of litter may get stuck in the sifting holes
- May not be big enough for large cats
#4 Best Automatic: Litter-Robot 4
If you’re looking for a litter box that goes beyond sifting, an automatic self-cleaning model like the Litter-Robot 4 might be what you need. It’s an electronic, WiFi-enabled litter box that automatically separates clean and dirty litter, depositing waste in a discrete sealed compartment.
The Litter-Robot 4 is a pricy piece of pet tech but it has a strong reputation for consistent performance. A system of laser and weight sensors detects your cat’s presence, starting a clean cycle after your cat leaves the litter box and stopping it if they approach the unit while it’s running.
With its sealed waste compartment and internal sifting mechanism, the Litter-Robot 4 is incredibly effective in containing litter box odor. Pair it with your smartphone to monitor your cat’s litter box usage and to track key metrics like litter level and waste drawer fullness.
What We Like:
- Fully automatic and self-cleaning
- Sealed waste compartment contains odors
- Monitor litter box usage from your smartphone
- Reliable and consistent performance
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive
- Takes up a lot of floor space
#5 Best Disposable: Kitty Sift Disposable Cat Litter Box Kit
Sifting litter boxes simplify the task of separating waste from clean litter, but they can be tricky to clean. If you’d rather skip that step entirely, a disposable option like the Kitty Sift system may be an appropriate choice. It consists of one solid litter pan and five sifting liners.
The Kitty Sift system is made from post-consumer recycled cardboard, so it’s lightweight and biodegradable. The individual trays may be less durable than non-disposable models, but that’s where having five sifting liners instead of just one comes in handy. After sifting the litter, you can place the liner under the stack to improve stability.
Because it’s disposable, the Kitty Sift system is a great option for travel and short-term use. It may absorb odor more than nonporous materials, however, so be sure to sift it often to prevent one pan from becoming too saturated.
What We Like:
- Made from biodegradable recycled cardboard
- Consists of one solid and five sifting pans
- Great option for travel
What We Didn’t Like:
- Recycled materials may absorb odor over time
- May be too small for large cats
#6 Best Covered Litter Box: Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box
The Van Ness Sifting Enclosed Cat Litter Pan features an enclosed design with a clear door and a sturdy carry handle. It is generously sized and plenty deep to accommodate the amount of litter your cats like.
This covered litter box is made from lightweight materials with a stain-resistant coating. An integrated zeolite air filter helps absorb odors inside the box, keeping the litter box fresh for your cat, while the enclosed design keeps your space odor-free. It is also effective in containing litter scatter and urine spray.
With two solid pans and a sturdy sifting pan, the Van Ness sifting litter box is convenient and easy to use. Some customers comment that the materials could be more durable, but we found this litter box worked well for the task it is designed to accomplish.
What We Like:
- Lightweight design made from stain-resistant material
- Enclosed design helps control litter box odor
- Ideal for large cats and multiple cats
What We Didn’t Like:
- Limited durability, plastic materials could be sturdier
- Large volumes of liquid may become sticky
#7 Best Self-Cleaning: Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box
The Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box is a self-cleaning litter box, though not fully automatic. It features an internal grill that scoops clumped waste when you tilt the box on its side, depositing it in a pull-out waste collection tray.
Because this litter box comes in two sizes, it’s perfect for larger cats and for multi-cat households. It does a great job of controlling dust and litter odor as well as spillage and scatter. It works best with high-quality clumping cat litter or crystal litter.
If you’re looking for a low-tech self-cleaning litter box that does most of the heavy lifting, this is a great option. That said, it seems to work best with hard-clumping clay litter. Some users also comment that the internal mechanism is prone to breakage, so use it with care.
What We Like:
- Self sifting feature is easy to use
- No special liners or filters required
- Available in two sizes, works for large cats
What We Didn’t Like:
- Works better with some litters than others
- Should be used gently to prevent breakage
What to Look for When Shopping for a Sifting Litter Box
A great sifting litter box streamlines the chore of cleaning the litter box but a poorly designed model may make more work for you in the end. If the holes in the sifting pan are too large, you might find yourself having to scoop the pan after sifting. Holes too small may cause reusable litter to be discarded along with waste.
After scouring the market and reading countless customer reviews, we’ve learned what features make a sifting litter box effective and easy to use. Here are some things to look for when shopping for a sifting litter box.
Durable Materials
In a standard litter pan, solid materials ensure durability against the rigors of daily scooping and scraping. With a sifting model, sturdy materials are even more important because the pan does the work for you. The sifting litter tray should be strong enough to hold the weight of a full box’s worth of litter as well as the tilting and shaking needed to loosen litter stuck to the sides.
Convenient Design
Look for a sifting litter box that comes with multiple solid pans. This design enables you to place the sifting tray directly into a clean pan after disposing of collected waste. Then you simply pour the reusable litter in and tuck the extra solid pan underneath.
If you’re going with a covered litter box or a self-cleaning model, make sure any additional features don’t hinder the use of the sifting aspect. Some sifting litter boxes are made from recyclable or disposable materials which makes them a convenient option for travel.
Easy To Clean
Though a sifting litter box will cut down on the time you spend scooping, you’ll still need to clean the litter box now and then. Look for features like ergonomic handles that make the litter box simple to hold and move. For covered models, the top should snap securely in place for transport but be easy to remove for cleaning purposes.
Some sifting litter pans are coated with a nonstick finish to prevent litter from sticking. Consider the size and shape of the openings in the sifting pan—some designs are easier to clean than others. In many cases, a quick spritz with the hose does the trick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do sifting litter boxes work?
Yes! Sifting litter boxes can greatly reduce the time and effort it takes to scoop the litter box, as long as you use the right kind of litter. Most sifting litter boxes work best with regular litter (ideally clumping litter), though some may work with crystal litter. The key is to find a litter that makes it no problem for the sifting mechanism to separate waste from clean litter.
How do I clean a sifting litter box?
Most sifting litter boxes feature a 3-pan system including two regular pans and one sifting pan. To clean the box, lift the sifting pan to separate the soiled litter from the clean litter. Dispose of the clumps then place the empty sifting pan into the empty solid pan. Then, simply pour the clean litter back into the sifting pan and store the extra solid pan underneath. Depending how dirty the sifting pan gets, you may need to rinse it off between uses.
Are sifting litter boxes really worth it?
It depends. If you’re looking for a new litter box to reduce the time and effort it takes to clean the litter box then yes, definitely! If you use an alternative litter or non-clumping litter, however, it may not work as well as it could, and you might end up being disappointed.
This is a great article and very helpful. Thank you
I use pine pellets as litter. I’ve used the Van Ness sifting litter box, it was a great box and my cat would use it. She still sometimes kicked litter to the edges and corner of the box and she often would try to dig outside the box or on the rims of it. She’s a small 8-9lb cat and I took her doing this as her needing more room. I’ve now been using the Breeze litter system XL (for its size) and with pine pellets. I would say that it’s a perfect size box for bigger cats as well as smaller ones. It sifts pine dust nicely in the pee pad. A small issue is I would recommend still using the pee pads because if your cat digs and pees closer to the grates then the pee will go through. I like it’s sleek design and modern colors. I think I love it more than my cat does, I love going to go look at it and glee at how much more room she has to dig.