Cats are about as low-maintenance a pet as you could have. They’re independent, self-sufficient, and do things on their own terms.
Unfortunately, like most other pets there is one huge pain to owning them that every cat owner dreads. And that’s cleaning out their litter pan on a daily basis.
Fortunately, cat litter boxes have come a long way. Long gone are the days of having to trudge and sift through cat litter looking for the present they leave behind. And there’s no better product to ease the burden of cleaning than a sifting cat litter box.
They’re great for odor control, as they alleviate trapped odors through a waste compartment. They accommodate cats to an extent with a self-cleaning mechanism.
Let’s discover how sifting litter boxes work and why it might be the perfect choice for your feline friend.
Product
Details
Best Filter System
Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System
- Size: Original
- Item Weight: 10 pounds
Most Affordable Option
PetMate Arm & Hammer Sifting Cat Litter Pan
- Size: Large
- Item Weight: 2.29 pounds
Best Innovative Design
Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan with Frame
- Size: Large
- Item Weight: 1 Pounds
Best Litter Box Accessory
SiftEase Litter Box Cleaner Sifter
- Size: 1 Pack
- Item Weight: 2 Pounds
Best-covered Litter Box
Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box
- Size: Extra-Giant
- Item Weight: 6.3 Pounds
Best Liner Design
SpeedySift Cat Litter Box with Disposable Sifting Liners
- Size: Open-Top Litter Box
- Item Weight: 20 pounds.
Best Ease of Use
Hagen Catit SmartSift Litter Box
- Size: LARGE
- Item Weight: 18 Pounds
Most Efficient Cleaning
Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box
- Size: Large
- Item Weight: 6.5 pounds
Best Sifting Litter Box
We’ve tried and tested the best sifting litter boxes on the market to bring you the top-ranking products that are perfect for you and your adorable furballs.
1. Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System
The Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System is basic, but don’t assume that means it doesn’t get the job done efficiently. This sifting cat litter box makes keeping everything clean more than a breeze.
The Breeze litter pads help to prevent odors from your cat’s waste for up to a week – as long as it’s just one cat that’s using it. These disposable sifting liners allow for a cleanup free of messes by absorbing waste. This means you can spend more time with your cat instead of cleaning up after it.
Tracking is always a concern, but not with the low-tracking litter pellets used by the Breeze. They wick moisture so the litter box stays dry. It also separates clumped waste, making removal a… breeze!
The convenient size makes it a great choice for a single-cat household, though it’s best for smaller to “normal” size cats. The filters slide out easily through a drawer on the bottom. The scoop attaches to the back, so you don’t have to worry about losing or misplacing it.
Pellets only need to be replaced monthly. The combination of powerful odor control, absorbent pads, and easy pellet concept make this a really convenient cat litter box, and one of the best sifting litter boxes on the market regardless of the type your cat prefers.
Pros
- Perfect for cats that prefer an open litter box
- Waste collection tray slides out for easy cleaning
- Scoop attaches to the rear so you don’t have to worry about losing it
- Pellets only need to be replaced about once per month
Cons
- Some cats might not like that it requires pellets instead of standard litter
- Not the ideal choice for multi-cat households that all use the same litter box
Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System
The price of “Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System” varies, so check the latest price at
2. PetMate Arm & Hammer Sifting Cat Litter Pan
Arm and Hammer’s take on sifting cat litter boxes is a little different. Instead of using a filter, it uses a sifting tray to separate the good from the bad. This means there’s no hunting for what to scoop.
Unlike most sifting litter boxes it uses a 3-pan system (two regular pans and a sifting pan) with sifting holes that let clean litter fall through, leaving only the soiled litter that needs to be discarded in the sifter tray. This means no shaking, less scooping, and a faster cleaning process overall.
You don’t have to worry about structural integrity. It’s built with a reinforced bottom to support heavy cat litter or the heaviest of contents. Odor control and stains are kept in check through the antimicrobial protection design.
Considering it uses sifting pans, it does require a little more work than some other options. But if you’re looking for a sifting tray model to help expedite cleanup, you’ve found your match!
Pros
- Great for cats that prefer an open litter box
- Ideal for households with multiple cats
- Easily sifts litter to separate the good from the bad
- One of the most affordable sifting litter boxes if you want to see how your cat likes it
Cons
- Requires a little bit more work to sift out dirty litter
- Not as clean as other sifting litter boxes
PetMate Arm & Hammer Sifting Cat Litter Pan
The price of “PetMate Arm & Hammer Sifting Cat Litter Pan” varies, so check the latest price at
3. Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan with Frame
Some cats are messier than others. This slightly angled, high-sided option from Van Ness is designed to help prevent litter scatter.
The framed pan adds height and angle to the sides so that what needs to stay in the litter box does. It also keeps the liners in place. The litter box plastic is made from 20% recycled content.
This sleek, rectangular, sifting litter box is great for the cat owner that wants to make the cleaning process as headache-free as possible. You simply pick up the top portion, the clean litter flows through the grates, and you’re left with what needs to be thrown away.
We all know how picky cats can be so it’s important to keep yours comfortable when they’re using the litter box. This sifting litter box is a great semi-open design. So your cat will feel comfortable using it without feeling cooped up.
Pros
- Angled, high-side design is great for cats that like to dig and kick at litter
- Open design is ideal for cats that don’t like confined spaces
- Polished plastic resists stains and odors so you can keep it in any room of the house
- Eco-friendly design made of 20% recycled materials
Cons
- Takes a little more effort to make sure the litter box remains clean
- Smaller size means that large or overweight cats might not fit comfortably
Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan with Frame
The price of “Van Ness Sifting Cat Litter Pan with Frame” varies, so check the latest price at
4. SiftEase Litter Box Cleaner Sifter
The Siftease sifting litter box works much differently than the standard sifting litter boxes. For starters, this isn’t a sifting litter box or a litter box at all. This is an additional accessory you use to help make the cleaning process more streamlined.
A lot of people have complaints about sifting litter boxes, and the SiftEase is designed as an answer to some of them. The biggest issue most have with a sifting cat litter box design is that the dirty litter cakes when it meets solid waste, clogging the sifting slots.
This leads to a lack of odor control, an unpleasant sifting process to clean it up, wasted cat litter, and a lack of litter contained where it should be as spills happen during the cleaning process. So how does the SiftEase work, and how can you integrate it into your cat’s litter box routine?
You simply pour out the contents of your litter box into it. The waste stays in the upper sifting pan while the clean litter falls below into the litter tray. Dispose of the waste and return the clean litter to your litter box.
It’s great if you want to cut down on litter box cleaning time, if you have health issues that prevent you from being able to bend down, or if you simply don’t want to deal with scraping clumping litter anymore.
It’s a great tool for sifting litter. You can also save money by wasting less clean litter. Have more than one cat or litter box? No worries. The SiftEase system makes the process as easy as possible so you can save precious time and money while keeping your kitty family happy.
Pros
- A unique litter box accessory designed to make cleaning and upkeep easier
- Allows you to use whatever litter box your cat loves
- Easily discard waste into the SiftEase receptacle
- Large storage area is perfect for use with multiple cats
Cons
- Additional step to filter litter might turn off some cat owners
- Requires an additional step to return litter to the original litter box
SiftEase Litter Box Cleaner Sifter
The price of “SiftEase Litter Box Cleaner Sifter” varies, so check the latest price at
5. Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box
Some cats prefer a covered litter box. The sense of privacy and comfort is something that cats with certain personalities want. Van Ness created a covered sifting litter box that has a lot of benefits for both the cat and the owner.
The makeup is what you’d expect – a square box with an entrance flap. The door prevents odors from cat urine and feces from escaping until the next cleaning. It’s got an integrated carbon filter for even further protection from unpleasant smells.
Changing things out is relatively easy. You remove the sifting pan by releasing the four side claps that attach the top and bottom sections. By lifting the black sifting pan, you separate the litter inside between the soiled portions and the remainder that is still usable.
Simply dispose of the solid waste and soiled litter inside, refill with however much clean litter is needed, and reattach the enclosed litter pan top. The easy cleaning process makes it great for multi-cat households. And the roominess makes it a terrific choice for larger cats.
This might be one of the best-covered litter boxes for cat owners that need a sifting litter box. It comes in two sizes – extra-giant for households with larger cats or multiple cats and a large size for smaller cats.
Pros
- Enclosed design is great for cats that prefer privacy when they use the litter box
- Multi-pan design aids in the cleaning process with one sifting pan to catch waste
- Top is easy to remove and replace via durable snaps
Cons
- Some cats might not like feeling closed in when they use the litter box
- Not as easy to clean as some other sifting boxes
Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box
The price of “” varies, so check the latest price at
6. SpeedySift Cat Litter Box with Disposable Sifting Liners
This option from SpeedySift cat litter box is another accessory to make cleaning out your cat’s litter box quick and easy.
The design is built on patented offset liners that stack to prevent as much leaking, litter scatter, and spillover as possible. This makes catching solid waste easy and reduces scooping as much as possible.
Some cats are scratchers. If yours is one of them and they happen to tear the liners you’ll only have to discard one at a time thanks to the offset pattern.
A high-sided, corrugated cardboard top means it’s easy to lift without sacrificing sturdiness. The top comes in open and enclosed styles too. So whether your cat prefers an open or closed design there is a model for yours. The enclosed option even provides a solid top where your cat can rest!
With such a unique design topology there are some considerations that owners have to take when using it. You can only use lightweight, clumping clay litter. Ideally, it’s made for cats up to 20 pounds. So if yours is one of the larger cats that happens to weigh more then this might not be the best option.
All in all, it’s a mechanism to keep your cat’s litter box area as clean and odor-free as possible. Changing out the litter is easy, and it’s sturdy enough to handle larger cats and scratchers. It comes in four different types, and covered and uncovered models.
Pros
- Comes with its own litter box and high-sided sifting lid
- Can be used with any litter box as long as the dimensions fit
- Open design gives a sense of space while preventing litter from spilling onto the floor
- High-quality corrugated plastic is durable and easy to clean
- Meet your cat’s preferences with open or closed design options
Cons
- Some cat owners might not like the unique design
- A little pricier than other options
SpeedySift Cat Litter Box with Disposable Sifting Liners
The price of “SpeedySift Cat Litter Box with Disposable Sifting Liners” varies, so check the latest price at
7. Hagen Catit SmartSift Litter Box
This automatic sifting litter box really is a unique idea. You refresh your litter box through a noiseless push-and-pull process to make discarding waste as hands-free as possible.
As the litter clumps with waste, it falls into the pull-out drawer. The entire box is covered and provides an entrance that’s suitable for cats of all sizes. The door is a transparent plastic that makes it easy to when it’s time to empty it and provides you a clear view of when it’s time to add more litter.
One of the best parts is that there aren’t any restrictions, so you can use all kinds of clumping litter with it.
The lever mechanism aims to take scooping completely out of the cleaning equation.
The entire unit is made of BPA-free plastic materials that are easy to clean and wicks odor.
Pros
- Integrated carbon filter keeps things odor-free and provides clean ventilation
- Maintenance door makes adding in clean litter easy and efficient
- Large entrance door maintains odor and is suitable for cats of all sizes
Cons
- Well-built, but one of the most expensive sifting litter boxes on the market
- Might not be the best choice for cats that don’t like enclosed litter boxes
Hagen Catit SmartSift Litter Box
The price of “Hagen Catit SmartSift Litter Box” varies, so check the latest price at
8. Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box
Some cats like to be covered when they’re doing their business. Not entirely closed in, but enough to feel cozy. It’s a cat thing! If your feline friend falls into this category, a semi-closed sifting litter box might be the best choice.
This litter box from Omega Paw couldn’t make your (or your cat’s) life easier. The intuitive design reduces mess, stress, and cleaning time to make for one of the best sifting litter boxes on the market.
The hood can swivel down and become a mechanism for refreshing litter into the sifting pan. This reduces mess and gets it right where it should be – in the litter box and not on the floor. But how you clean out the dirty litter is its most unique feature.
In order to clean out the contents you just roll the litter box over, onto its top then roll it back to its upright position. The motion of this action causes the waste to collect in the removable tray that can then be easily discarded. Hey, it’s called the Roll n’ Clean for a reason!
Refilling the litter is just as easy. You just pull down the swivel hood and pour clumping litter into it. Once you hear it click you’ll know that everything is ready to go! The tray also collects waste for efficient cleanup.
With all this said, there are some aspects to be aware of. The entrance is small by design to reduce the amount of litter that’s traced out and odors that can escape. While it should be fine for cats of most sizes, big or overweight cats might find getting in and out a little bit difficult.
Luckily, it comes in two sizes (regular and large) so no matter if your cat is big or you have multiple cats that will be using it you don’t have to miss out on this innovative design. It’s an efficient and unique idea that’s great for all types of cat households.
Pros
- Rolling design is one of the most unique ways to clean a litter box
- Cuts cleaning time and effort for cat owners
- Doesn’t require filters or liners to keep things clean
Cons
- Cleaning mechanism might not be the best choice for certain cat owners
- Enclosed design not ideal for cats that like an open feeling when they’re going to the bathroom
Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box
The price of “Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box” varies, so check the latest price at
Best Sifting Litter Box for Easy Cleaning & Quick Disposal
Let’s find out what it takes to make the best sifting litter box to make your search more streamlined and efficient.
Size
Litter box size is important to take into consideration. You want your cat to be comfortable, but you also have to think about where you keep it in the house and make your purchase decision accordingly.
Durable Materials
Since a litter box sees such high use, you want one that’s made of materials that can stand up to it. Luckily, most sifting litter boxes are made of high-quality plastic. Keep in mind that how it functions factors into wear and tear.
Ease of Cleaning
Making the cleaning process easy is the primary reason people look into getting a sifting litter box. So pick one that works with your lifestyle and household so make things as hassle-free as possible.
Cleaning Mechanism
There are a number of ways the cleaning element works, from sifting pans to collection trays to separate accessories altogether. Do your research and pick the one that’s best for you and your cat(s).
Convenient Design
The point of investing in a sifting litter pan is convenience. And since there is such a varied way that they all work you’ll need to do a little homework to find the one that’s most convenient for you.
But regardless of the model you choose, it will make litter box cleaning and upkeep much more convenient for you and your cat.
FAQs
Do Sifting Litter Boxes Work?
Yes! They are a great choice to cut down on litter box maintenance time and effort. Many sifting litter boxes use their own design mechanisms for cleaning, so it’s important to do some research and find the best one for you and your cat.
Are Sifting Litter Boxes Really Worth It?
Are you looking to make the litter box cleaning process easier and less messy? Then absolutely! They work in a variety of ways depending on the model. But all of them provide an easy and clean method for changing out your cat’s litter and keeping things neat and tidy.
How Do I Clean a Sifting Litter Box?
This really depends on the type that you purchase. Some use a large sifting litter pan that separates the good litter from the bad. Some utilize unique ideas, like the Omega Paw Roll n’ Clean, which you roll onto its top and the waste collects in a tray for disposal.
Regardless of the type you choose, they provide a much tidier cleaning process and less headaches than standard litter boxes. But at the end of the day, it’s all about having a clean litter box that your cat feels uninhibited to use.
How Often Should You Sift a Litter Box?
This really depends on the model. The good thing is that with a sifting litter box a lot of the work is done for you. This means you spend less time (or no time at all!) scooping and hunting for what needs to be discarded.
Since cats use the litter box so often, daily cleaning is probably the best interval. But there are some variables here and it’s best to consult the manual as each of the sifting litter boxes uses its own mechanism for collecting waste.
Final Thought
Nobody likes to clean out their cat’s litter box, especially if you have multiple cats. But it’s a reality that cat owners have to live with. But sifting litter boxes make life much easier.
They come in a variety of types, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding the best one for your cat. Regardless of the sifting litter box you choose, cleaning it and keeping it clean will be much easier.
