Sifting cat litter boxes are a great way to reduce the workload of cleaning out your cat bot, and it eliminates the need for a scooper that can spread germs around your home. However, many brands are available, and it can be challenging to find the best one for your home. So, we’ve chosen ten different brands to review for you so you can see the differences between them. For each brand on our list, we’ll give you the pros and cons we experienced as well as how our cats liked them. We’ve also included a short buyer’s guide to discuss how sifting litter boxes work and what you should look for if you continue shopping.
Keep reading while we look at the size, cleaning, ease of use, and more to help you make an educated decision.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
| Image | Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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SpeedySift Cat Litter Box |
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Best Value
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Pet Mate Sifting Litter Pan |
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Premium Choice
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VETRESKA Sifting Cat Litter Box |
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| Best for Pine Needles |
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HUAXIAO 3 Sifting Cat Litter Box |
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SKEMIX Sifting Cat Litter Pan |
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The 10 Best Sifting Cat Litter Boxes
1. SpeedySift Cat Litter Box with Sifting Liners – Best Overall
SpeedySift Cat Litter Box with Disposable Sifting Liners is our pick as the best overall cat sifting litter box. It uses corrugated plastic in its construction to help keep it lightweight and add a bit of flexibility. It’s also highly customizable, and it allows you to adjust the entrance height for your cat. Lower entrances are better for older cats, while a higher entrance will help keep the litter in the box while your cat uses it. The sidewalls are also replaceable, and the system is easy to use and uses liners to catch and dispose of the waste.
All of our cats enjoyed using the SpeedySift, and we found it effective and easy to use. The only problem we had was that if your cat is a digger, it might dig down too deep and scratch the liners.
2. Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan – Best Value
Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan is our pick as the best sifting cat litter box for the money. Arm and Hammer is a well-established brand that’s been making useful products for many years. This litter pan uses durable plastic and comes with two standard pans and a sifter. It’s easy to use, and the pans stack together, so it doesn’t take up much space. In addition, the plastic construction is antimicrobial, so it will help prevent the spread of bacteria.
The only thing we didn’t like about Pet Mate Arm & Hammer was that it’s a little small and not well suited to larger cats. A few of our bigger boys had difficulty turning around while using it.
3. VETRESKA Sifting Cat Litter Box with Lid Scoop – Premium Choice
VETRESKA Sifting Cat Litter Box with Lid Scoop Set is our premium choice sifting cat litter box. It features a highly attractive design that resembles a watermelon, so it looks amazing anywhere in your home, and it’s covered, so you won’t need to worry about guests seeing a dirty litterbox. The cover will also help keep odor under control. In addition, the durable construction features redesigned hinges for maintenance-free operation, and it has an easy-to-pull-out tray that makes it easy to clean. A litter-catching platform catches litter stuck to your pet’s feet as it leaves the box, helping to keep your floors and home cleaner, and it also comes with a handy scooper set that makes it easy to spot clean between sifts.
We felt that the VETRESKA was one of the most attractive little boxes we’ve seen. But unfortunately, it’s a little small and is not suitable for larger cats. Some of our cats were also afraid to go through the door at first, so you will want to keep a spare nearby while your cats get used to it.
4. HUAXIAO 3 Sifting Cat Litter Box – Best for Pine Needles
HUAXIAO 3 Sifting Cat Litter Box is our pick as the best sifting box for pine needles. It has wide slots that allow larger media to fall through while still catching uses a unique three-tray system that removes the need to dump one tray into another. The trays stack in different directions. When you remove the top one for sifting, you will dump the clumps into the trash and place the tray on the bottom of the stack. You can continue sifting indefinitely, and it’s easy to clean one tray at a time. The plastic construction feels sturdy and durable and should last quite a while.
The biggest downside to Cat Litter Box is that it isn’t very big, and some larger cats will not have room to turn around. Another problem we had was that the short four-inch sides allow the cats to kick plenty of litter onto the floor.
5. SKEMIX Sifting Cat Pan Litter Box with Frame
The SKEMIX Sifting Cat Pan Litter Box with Frame features two identical litter boxes and one frame that sifts the litter and also acts to raise the sides to help reduce how much litter ends up outside the box. This brand is available in multiple colors, so you can get something that matches your décor. Its construction is a durable plastic with a polished finish that is resistant to scratches, so it will be easy to clean and won’t absorb odors.
The downside we experienced while using SKEMIX was that clumps would often stick to the holes as we sifted. The sifter also takes up room inside the box, so some larger cats may have trouble moving around with it attached.
6. Luuup Cat Litter Box
The Luuup Cat Litter Box is another that uses the three-tray interlocking system to eliminate dumping litter from one box to the other. The three sifting trays fit together in opposite directions, so any two of them make a solid bottom. When you use the top one to sift the litter, you place it back on the bottom in the proper direction. Special smart stacking tabs make sure you stack in the correction to maintain a solid floor. A spill guard also comes with it that connects to the top box and increases the height of the sides to help keep litter inside the box.
We liked the three-tray system used by Luuup. However, we felt that the plastic was too soft and scratched easily. These scratches can collect dirt and absorb odor. Since you need to clean the tray every time you use it for sifting to avoid placing a dirty tray on your floor, it will start collecting scratches after only a few days.
7. Omega Paw EL-RA15-1 Elite Roll’ n Clean Cat Litter Box
The Omega Paw EL-RA15-1 Elite Roll’ n Clean Cat Litter Box features a unique design that takes the work out of cleaning your litter box. With this system, you roll the entire litterbox on its seat to sift it and put it back in its normal position to spread the clean litter, so it’s ready to use again, and it catches the clumps in a special compartment that is easy to empty. It’s covered, so it gives your cat some privacy and helps control odor. The system disassembles quickly, and so it’s easy to clean.
We liked the idea behind the Omega Paw and found that it works flawlessly. However, the sifting mechanism takes up a lot of the space on the inside, leaving little room for a cat. Even some of our medium size cats couldn’t use it. We also found that a lot of urine and feces can get on the sifting mechanism causing you to break down and clean it every few days.
8. Petco Brand – So Phresh Sifting Cat Litter Box
The Petco Brand – So Phresh Sifting Cat Litter Box is another sifting system that uses two standard litter boxes with a third box for sifting. There’s no risk of leaks with this system, and the durable plastic is sure to last several years. All three pans fit together to create a large area for litter with high sides that will help keep the litter inside the box.
The downside to Petco Brand is that urine clumps frequently stick to the bottom of the pan you are emptying, and you will likely need to scoop them out with a scooper to throw it in the trash. Since so much waste product sticks to it, you will find yourself cleaning it frequently, reducing its usefulness.
9. Van Ness CP77 White Enclosed Sifting Cat Pan
The Van Ness CP77 White Enclosed Sifting Cat Pan is a covered version of the two standard and one sifting trays we’ve seen before. We like that it’s fairly large and should be suitable for most cats. It uses all FDA-approved materials, and it’s extremely to set up and clean. A front door helps keep odors inside, helping to make it smell nicer in your home.
We liked the Van Ness CP77, and the polished surface was easy to clean and didn’t allow clumps to stick to it. However, the plastic is very flimsy and bens under the weight of too much litter, so it’s prone to cracking. Another problem we had was that it is easy to assemble incorrectly, resulting in a door that lets the cat in but traps it inside. It’s easy to correct, but our trapped cat wouldn’t use it again.
10. Van Ness CP5 Sifting Cat Pan
The Van Ness CP5 Sifting Cat Pan is the second product on our list by the Van Need company. This model is simar to others on this list and features two standard litter boxes and one sifter. This model also comes with a detachable framing pan that you can use to add height to the side to help reduce litter spillover. It also has a polished finish that helps reduce sticking and odor absorption, and you can purchase it in several colors.
The Van Ness CP5 Sifting Cat Pan looks appealing when assembled, but it can use several upgrades to make it more useful. It could be just a little larger to help accommodate our fat cats. We also felt the plastic construction is flimsy and feels cheap, so we are not sold on its durability. Finally, the holes in the sifter are too small and frequently get clogged.
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Sifting Cat Litter Box
In this section, we’ll discuss what makes a good sifting litter box and what you should look for if you continue to shop.
Sifting Type
Standard Sifting Litter Boxes
The standard sifting litter box uses two regular boxes and one sifting pan. There are two ways two use this type of litter box
Method 1
Place the sifter inside a standard box and pour a few inches of litter on top. When the box gets soiled, lift the sifter out, removing the waste along with it. Dump the waste in the trash, place the clean sifting box inside the second box, and dump the litter from the first box to prepare it for your cats. Repeat as needed.
Method 2
Place a few inches of litter in the first box and allow your cat to use it until cleaning. Place the sifting pan into the second box and pour the soiled litter over it. Remove the sifter to remove the waste and prepare it for your cats. Repeat as needed.
Both methods may seem similar, but they are very different. The manufacturer usually recommends the first method and it has you leave the sifting pan in the litter while your cat uses it. In our experience, the first method allows urine to get into the sifter slots, which will clog it as it clumps. Stopped and dirty holes make it less effective and increase the amount of cleaning you need to do. When you use the second method, the urine and feces have a chance to clump and dry before you attempt to sift out the litter, so there is much less mess with no clogging.
The downside to both methods is that they require you to pour a large amount of litter from one box into the next, creating an enormous amount of dust.
Interlocking Sifting Litter Boxes
Interlocking style sifting litter boxes use three sifting boxes stacked opposite each other. You create a solid floor when any two sifting boxes are stacked. You add litter to three stacked boxes and allow your cat to use it until it’s time to clean it. Lifting the top box out will allow you to sift out the waste, while the two remaining pans will create a solid floor. Once you dispose of the waste, you place the box on the bottom of the pile facing the correct direction. Repeat as needed.
Sifting litter boxes eliminate the dumping, so they create a lot less dust than the standard style. It also requires less back work than other methods. However, in our experience using them, the slots tend to get dirty and might even clog sift holes, making it less effective. Since these holes are dirty, you will need to clean them before placing the box on the bottom of the stack on your floor, creating more work. If your cat urinates often, or the litter is not effective, urine can work through the layers and reach your floor, so it’s best to use these with a mat or liner.
Automatic Sifting Litter Boxes
Automatic litter boxes are often covered and have a lever to sift the litter or allow you to roll the entire box. Automatic boxes can be great, but they will often increase your workload too. These large boxes will be harder to clean and will require disassembly. The trapped odors are nice for your home, but they may create an uncomfortable outhouse environment for your cat that can be dangerous, especially if you use a litter containing fragrance. Another problem with automatic sifting boxes is that the sifting mechanism often takes up a lot of space, making it more cramped for your cat.
Liners
Sime sifting litterboxes require using liners, but you can use them with almost any box to help create a barrier between the litter and the floor. You can use them with standard boxes to keep the urine off the plastic, so it doesn’t absorb odor and is easier to clean. You can also use them on the bottom box of interlocking sifting boxes to prevent urine from working through the layers and reaching the floor.
Size
Another important concern when choosing your litter box is the size. Larger litterboxes are always better because you don’t know how big your cat will get or if you’ll get another that may be larger. Cats like to have room to move around, so it won’t waste the space, and a larger area means less will get kicked out while they are scratching. We recommend choosing a brand where at least one of the dimensions is at least 18 inches.
Final Thoughts
When choosing your next sifting cat litter box, we recommend our pick for the best overall. SpeedySift Cat Litter Box with Disposable Sifting Liners is a large box that uses a simple but effective design to sift the litter. It includes liners, so there is very little mess, and it’s customizable. You can adjust the height of the entranceway and replace the walls if needed. Another smart choice is our best value. The Pet Mate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Pan is inexpensive, easy to use, and durable.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over these reviews and found a few models you want to try out. If we have helped make it easier to keep up with your cat, please share these ten sifting cat litterboxes on Facebook and Twitter.
You may also be interested in:
- 10 Best Cat Litter Box Liners – Reviews & Top Picks!
- 10 Best Cat Litter Boxes in the UK – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Van Ness, Amazon
