The Best Sifting Litter Boxes

Scooping litter is one of the worst parts of parenting cats, but sifting litter boxes can help with their built-in trays that do most of the work for you. Instead of finding the clumps yourself, you just lift the liner, dump it in the trash, and replace it. Many versions even come with extra stackable litter boxes, so you don't have to waste fresh litter when you remove the clumps. Read on to learn about the best versions on the market today.

What to Look For

Taking size, ease of use, and sanitary features into consideration, we researched and reviewed the best sifting litter boxes on the market today. From the start, Petmate’s Arm & Hammer box stood out due to its odor and bacteria-reducing Microban liner. We were also impressed by the Van Ness version for its high sides and affordable price. You can learn more about each of these awesome products, as well as our other top picks, in the list below.

Petmate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box

Stink no more

This sifting litter box is easy to use, and it has built-in Microban to fight odors and germs.
Best Overall

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This sifting litter box makes cleanup a breeze while also helping to control the odor of your pet’s waste. There are two litter boxes, so you can easily set one up for next time without having to dump the clean litter into an extra container. The recycled plastic material is infused with Microban to reduce the potential for odor and bacteria buildup. Since the bins are larger than most, this product makes the perfect bathroom for big pets and multi-cat homes.

Pros:

  • We love that the design of the sifter works well with all types of cat litter, clumping and non-clumping included.
  • If you end up preferring the traditional scooping method, you can forgo the sifting liner and use the two litter boxes on their own. 

Cons:

  • Unlike a self-cleaning litter box, you will still need to see the clumps during the clean-up process.

Van Ness High-Sided Sifting Litter Box

Affordable function

This well-built sifting litter box performs just as well as those with higher prices.
Runner Up

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If your cat likes to bury their waste, and consequently makes a litter mess all over the floor, this high-sided sifting litter box could be a good solution. It has two solid layers and a sifting tray for easy clump cleanup, as well as to make sure you’re not wasting fresh litter at every change. The high-sided lid not only protects your floors from flying litter but also locks the other layers into place for added stability. The well-polished finish is also stain-resistant and easy to clean.

Pros:

  • This sifting litter box is much more affordable than other versions on the market today.
  • The materials are all FDA-approved for your pet’s safety.

Cons:

  • The high-sided top adds a little bit of extra work during your cleaning process.

Kitty Sift Disposable Sifting Litter Boxes

Use and toss

These innovative sifting liners can be thrown right in the trash with the waste they catch.
Best Disposable

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These innovative trays stand out for more than just their ability to sift clumps from cat litter. They are also disposable, so you can toss the whole tray in the trash with your pet’s waste when you’re cleaning up. They come in a set of 6 to keep you going for several weeks before you need to purchase more. They’re also made of 100% post-consumer waste recycled cardboard, so you don’t have to worry about adding to your carbon footprint when you throw them away.

Pros:

  • We love that the trays are coated to prevent the buildup of ammonia and bacteria.
  • It’s convenient that they can be used in almost any litter box, including hooded varieties.

Cons:

  • Since these are disposable, there will be recurring costs if you want to keep using them in the future.

So Phresh Lift-to-Sift Sifting Litter Box

Room for two

This sifting litter box is large enough to keep up with two or more household cats.
Best For Multi-Cat Homes

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This sifting litter box stands out because it’s durable and easy to clean. The separate layers lock together for complete stability while your pet relieves itself. High sides protect your floors from flying litter when your cat buries his waste. The extra-large size makes it a great choice for multi-cat homes, too.

Pros:

  • This box has the versatile advantage of working with almost every type of cat litter.
  • It comes with cleaning instructions, so you can be confident that you’re taking good care of the product and your pet when you wash it. 

Cons:

  • Due to the high-quality design, the price is higher than most sifting litter boxes.

SpeedySift V2 Lined Sifting Litter Box

Simple and sweet

This unique litter box uses sifting liners to make the cleanup process even easier.
Best With Liners

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This sifting litter box makes cleanup even easier with plastic sifting liners. Instead of sifting clumps and pet waste with a plastic tray, you’ll use a bag that can go straight into the trash can. The box itself has high, durable plastic sides to prevent litter messes around your home. The material is smooth and easy to clean as needed, too. At this price, it’s hard to beat this box’s convenience.

Pros:

  • This box must be washed less often than other versions since it’s always covered with a plastic bag.
  • 56 bags are included, so you won’t have to purchase more for quite some time.

Cons:

  • The replacement bags do require future purchases, but they are reasonably affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sifting litter boxes sanitary?

As long as you clean your litter box regularly, these versions are no less sanitary than the traditional styles. The sifting pan should be cleaned as often as you normally clean your litter scoop since it’s doing the same job. Some products also have built-in bacteria protection if you want more peace of mind in this area.

How often do sifting litter boxes need to be cleaned?

With one cat, these boxes should be cleaned at least once per week. With multiple cats, you may need to empty them every few days. The nice part of sifting litter boxes is that you can still reuse the fresh litter, just like you can in a traditional box.

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.

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