The Best Litter Bins For Cats

Are you tired of deciding between daily walks to the outside trash can and a cat litter odor lingering in your home? Quality litter bins can solve this dilemma, keeping your space odor-free for several days at a time with almost no effort on your behalf. Simply empty your cat's bathroom box daily and toss the clumps into the litter bin. Lock the lid and let it contain the smells until you're ready to empty it. Sound too good to be true? Scroll down to find the best litter genies on the market today.

What to Look For

Taking odor control, cleanliness, and ongoing costs into consideration, we put together a well-thought-out list of the best litter bins on the market today. We were first intrigued by the Litter Genie Plus for its odor-blocking lever and airtight design. We also loved the PetFusion container for its eco-friendly, compostable bags. Which litter bin will work best for you and your furry friends? Scan through the following products to find out.

Litter Genie Plus Silver Pail

Original odor blocker

This device has been trusted to keep kitty smells at bay for years, and with good reason.
Best Overall

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This litter genie can hold up to 10 weeks’ worth of kitty cleanup at a time, saving you an equal number of trips to the outside trash can. It not only keeps used litter in an airtight compartment but also offers microbial protection to avoid allowing unwanted scents to sit on the bin itself. The bag refills offer 18 feet of material, and you simply tie the bottom to make a bag when you need a new one. The entire bin can fit in a cabinet or closet if you want to keep it out of sight between cleanup sessions. Plus, a litter scoop is included and conveniently sits on the side of the container until it’s needed.

Pros:

  • Lever to tighten bag/lock in odors
  • Airtight lid
  • Lightweight design
  • Also works for other small animals
  • Affordably priced

Cons:

  • Bag refills can be somewhat costly

Litter Champ Odor-Free Disposal Bin

Tidy and trendy

This item looks good and smells good thanks to its sleek, modern style and airtight design.
Runner Up

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This litter bin has a foot petal for easy opening when your hands are full. It features a second lockable lid on the inside, so you don’t have to worry about kids or pets getting into the messy contents. Its multi-layer, airtight design is where its odor-proof capabilities come from. You’ll need to use a continuous bag liner with it, but the bags offered by the company are worth the trouble due to their durable, lightly-scented design. Even better, the bottom half of the bin opens up for easy bag tying.

Pros:

  • Smooth, modern design
  • Easy-to-clean material
  • Arrives pre-assembled
  • Handle for easy carrying
  • Holds 4 gallons of waste at a time 
  • A litter scoop is included, as well as a convenient hook

Cons:

  • Requires branded bag use 

PetFusion Portable Litter Bin

Stay green

This box is easier on the environment thanks to its use of compostable bags.
Most Eco Friendly

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This litter bin makes kitty cleanup a breeze. It holds in odors with the help of an upper airtight seal, a locking handle, and a charcoal filter. This bin also stands out because it can be used with bags of all kinds. The company sells biodegradable and compostable options to lower your carbon footprint. Ten of these eco-friendly products come included with the purchase of your litter bin. Each bag holds up to two weeks’ worth of cat waste.

Pros:

  • Bags are certified to be compostable under US and EU standards
  • Inner bin removable for cleaning and sanitizing as needed
  • Bag snaps are built in to hold contents in place
  • Fits in cabinets and closets for storage between uses
  • Can also be used for other smelly garbage, not just cat waste

Cons:

  • The filter will need to be replaced after about six months for ongoing odor control 

Litter Genie XL Disposal System

More cats, no problem

This product is much larger than most, making it great in multi-cat homes.
Largest Container

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The extra-large Litter Genie is ideal for multi-cat homes since it’s 50% larger than the average can. It can hold up to 21 days’ worth of waste for one cat, and you can divide that number by how many pets you have to see how long it could last in your house. It comes with its own scooper for easy cleanup. And both the refill bags and the airtight can prevent odors from escaping into your living space. A bag-lock lever increases the scent-blocking abilities once your pet’s waste is in the bin as well.

Pros:

  • Works with standard Litter Genie refills
  • Easy to wipe clean as needed
  • Compartment to store the scooper on the side of the bin
  • Two-step opening can prevent kids from playing with the lid
  • Reasonable price point

Cons:

  • May be too large to store inside cabinets

Litter Genie Easy Roll Bin

Pull and go

This bin comes with roll-style bags so you can tear off the old one and have the new one waiting for you.
Easiest To Use

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If you’re not a fan of tying litter bags, this easy roll bin could be a good fit. The refills that work with this device are more similar to small trash bags with perforations between each piece. Simply tear off the old one, and the new one will be ready to go. Other than the bag differences, this is a typical Litter Genie. It offers the same quality of odor control thanks to the bag-locking canister and airtight lid. The included scoop sits on the side of the can for easy access as well.

Pros:

  • Compact design
  • Washable material
  • Made of 99% recycled plastic
  • Holds 8 days of litter at a time
  • Ongoing costs can be lower than the tie-close refill versions

Cons:

  • Slightly higher price upfront

Frequently Asked Questions

Do litter bins really lock away all cat litter odors?

When used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, yes. These containers are airtight and often come with other odor-fighting features like filters and scented bags. You can trust them to stop litter smells from entering your home for a number of days at a time.

Can I use my own bags with litter bins?

Some brands allow this, and some do not. Look for versions that have bag rolls or bags that go in one at a time. The tie-off refills are the type that will likely not work with your own garbage bags.

About the Author

Jessica has two kids, but she's a parent to numerous pets, including cats, dogs, and even reptiles. Needless to say, she's an animal lover. She admits to spoiling her furry friends, and now wants to share her decades of experience in pet care with the rest of the world to help others find the best products for their four-legged families.

Why Trust Us

Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.