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Our reviews are based on extensive research and, when possible, hands-on testing. Each time you make a purchase through one of our independently-chosen links, we’ll receive a percentage of the proceeds. Read more about how we’re supported here.Every cat owner knows the value of a good litter box. More than being just a receptacle for your cat’s waste, however, a good litter box should make your job of scooping and cleaning the box easier.
That’s where sifting litter boxes come in.
We’ve scoured the reviews and tested some of the most popular litter boxes ourselves to bring you our top 7 picks for the best sifting litter boxes.
At a Glance: Best Rated Sifting Litter Boxes To Buy
In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System
- High-sided design reduces litter spills
- Extremely easy to sift and clean
- 99% dust-free and anti-tracking

PetMate Arm & Hammer Sifting Cat Litter Pan
- 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

Hagen Catit SmartSift Litter Box
- Simple and super easy to use
- Scoops cat litter with the pull of a lever
- Sealed design, keeps everything inside

Van Ness Enclosed Sifting Litter Box
- Sleek design, stain resistant material
- Closed box for more odor control
- Great for one or more cats

Omega Paw Roll’N Clean Cat Litter Box
- Available in two sizes
- Patented grill scoops clumped litter
- Controls dust and odor very well

PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
- Crystal litter dehydrates solid waste
- Automatically rakes after 20 minutes
- Waste is kept in a covered compartment
Why We Like Sifting Litter Boxes?
All of us dedicated cat parents know just how much time it takes to clean up after your pet.
Scooping clumps and throwing away dirty litter is a daily necessity, especially in a multi-cat household. In some households, it may even feel like a part-time job.
If you invest in a high-quality cat litter, scooping the box is fairly straightforward and you can reuse the clean litter for another few days at least. That being said, it’s not exactly one of the cleanest jobs on the planet and certainly not one of the most pleasant.
Cat owners who are tired of the hassle of scooping the litter box by hand will be glad to know there’s an alternative option – sifting cat litter boxes.
With a sifting litter box, scooping clumps is a cinch because you don’t have to do it yourself!
How Does a Sifting Litter Box Work?
Sifting litter boxes come in several different designs but the main idea is the same.
Rather than consisting of a single litter pan, sifting litter boxes include an additional sifting pan you place inside the solid pan. You fill the pan with litter as you normally would but when it comes time to scoop, you simply lift the sifter pan to collect clumps and allow the clean litter to fall back into the pan.
Most sifting litter boxes come with two solid pans so, after sifting, you can place the sifter in the second pan then pour the clean litter back into it. Then you simply store the extra pan underneath.
Some sifting litter boxes incorporate features you’d normally find in automatic or self-cleaning litter boxes. Some feature a lever you pull to automatically sift the litter and one sifting litter box even features a special rolling design that sifts the litter when you tilt the box on its side.
Also Read: Best Cat Litter Mats – Stop Tracking and Scattering with These Top-Rated Mats
The Advantages of Using a Sifting Litter Box:
- Saves time. Cleaning up after your kitty becomes quick and easy.
- Ease of use. No more fiddling around with your cat’s mess – just pour out the clumps and add some clean litter, if needed.
- Reduce litter waste. When you use the sifting pan to gather clumps, clean cat litter will fall through so it can be reused.
- Additional features. Many sifting litter boxes have useful features such as covers for odor control or raised sides so that litter doesn’t get spread around.
Also Read: 15 Best Cat Litter Boxes – Give Your Cat the Perfect Litter Box
What To Look For in a Sifting Litter Box?
A sifting litter box can make your job infinitely easier when it comes to cleaning the litter box, but not all sifting litter boxes are created equal. There are many different options to choose from which makes your task tough, but we’ve reviewed some of the most popular models on the market to help you narrow down your choices.
Before we get into our recommendations, however, let’s review some of the things you should consider when shopping for a sifting litter box.
Durable Materials.
A litter box won’t do you much good if it doesn’t stand up to your cat’s claws and daily scooping. Look for a sifting litter box made from sturdy materials in a size that can comfortably accommodate your cat. If the litter box is too small, your cat may end up breaking it or he’ll avoid using it altogether.
Convenient Design.
The whole point of choosing a sifting litter box is for the convenience, so make sure the model you choose is actually convenient and easy to use. If you’re going with a traditional litter pan design, make sure there’s an extra bottom pan to place the sifter in so you can pour the clean litter into it. If you’re going with an enclosed litter box, make sure it’s easy to use the sifting feature.
Easy To Clean.
Though a sifting litter box will cut down on the time you spent scooping the litter box, you’ll still need to clean it now and then. Make sure the sifting tray has a nonstick finish so dirty litter won’t get stuck in it and look for features like ergonomic handles that make the litter box easy to hold and move.
Strong Odor Control.
No matter which litter box you choose, odor control is an important thing to look for. Hooded litter boxes are typically better at controlling litter box odor than open pans. If you go for a hooded litter box, however, you may want to make sure it has a filter to keep things fresh for your cat. This is particularly important if you have multiple cats.
Related Articles:
- 5 Best High-Sided Litter Boxes
- Why Is My Cat Peeing Outside Of The Litter Box?
- Best Litter Box For Multiple Cats
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.