3 Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes: Compact, XL and Simple Plastic Picks
Compare three top-entry litter boxes by size, lid and entry style, plus who should skip one and how to choose a box that fits your cat and your home.
By Emily Carter
Updated November 15, 2026
A top-entry litter box can suit a healthy, agile adult cat, and the listings pitch the top opening as a way to keep scattered litter inside the box. The tradeoff is access. According to the ASPCA, senior cats, cats with arthritis and very young kittens can have trouble with top-entry or high-sided boxes, and they do better with low sides.
Claims about less scatter come from the product listings, not from independent evidence, so read them as the maker’s intent. If tracked litter is your main complaint, see our guide on how to stop cat litter tracking, and think about adding one of the best cat litter mats by the box. Below are three top-entry options, a list of cats who should skip this style, and a short buying guide.
Our Top Picks
All specs below come from the Amazon listings, so check the listing before you buy in case a model has changed. These picks are ordered by how well they fit common situations, not by any score.
Pros
- Top-entry lid with swivel opening for scooping
- Compact 16 x 16 x 15 in square footprint
- Full-height seamless base
- Reusable liner, sifting scoop and toy included
Cons
- Smallest footprint of the three, less room for long cats
- Top entry only, not for kittens, seniors or stiff cats
Pros
- Sets up as top entry or front entry
- Larger 21 x 16.3 x 17 in size for big cats
- Swivel lid that can be fully removed for cleaning
- Two reusable liners, charcoal filters and scoop included
Cons
- Heaviest and tallest of the three (10 lb, 17 in)
- Replacement liners sold separately
Pros
- Perforated top lid meant to keep litter in
- 20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38 in with high sides
- Light plastic box, about 2.8 lb
- Removable top and on-board scoop storage
Cons
- No liner or filter system
- Top entry and high sides, not for cats needing an easy step in
Best compact top-entry box: Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box
This one suits average-size, agile adult cats in homes where a compact, square footprint matters. The listing describes a top lid that works as a walk-off surface so litter falls back into the box, plus a swivel lid that opens for scooping without lifting off a hood.
Key specs (per the Amazon listing):
- Top-entry only, with a swivel lid
- Plastic, 16 x 16 x 15 inches (L x W x H), about 5.3 lb (2.4 kg)
- Full-height seamless base
- Includes one reusable liner (the listing says it lasts up to 3 months), a sifting scoop and a toy
Consider: The 16 inch square footprint is smaller than the other two boxes here, which matters for longer cats (see the sizing advice below). It is top-entry only, and if your cat starts avoiding the box, try removing the liner.
Best for large cats, top or front entry: Modkat XL Litter Box (MKXL104)
This is the pick for bigger cats, or for owners who want to start with a top opening and switch to a front opening later, for example if a cat’s mobility changes. The listing says it ships with parts for either setup and markets it for larger cats and multi-cat homes.
Key specs (per the Amazon listing):
- Set up as top-entry or front-entry; in front-entry mode the listing says a built-in step catches stray litter
- ABS plastic, 21 x 16.3 x 17 inches, 10 lb
- One-handed swivel lid with 3 positions that can be fully removed for cleaning
- Includes Type C (top-entry) and Type D (front-entry) reusable liners and charcoal filters, plus a scoop that hangs on the side
Consider: It is the heaviest and tallest of the three at 10 lb and 17 inches high, so it takes more room and is harder to move for cleaning. The listing says replacement liners are sold separately.
Best simple plastic top-entry box: Amazon Basics Large Top Entry Litter Box
This suits owners who want a light, no-frills plastic box with a longer footprint than the standard Modkat. The listing describes a perforated, filtered lid on top meant to keep litter in, along with high sides and a removable top for monitoring and scooping.
Key specs (per the Amazon listing):
- Top-entry only, with a removable perforated top
- Plastic, 20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38 inches, about 2.8 lb
- High sides
- Matching scoop that stores on the box
Consider: There is no liner or filter system, and it is top-entry only. Because the sides are high, it is a poor match for cats that need an easy step in (see the next section).
Quick comparison
| Box | Entry | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Material | Included | Lid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modkat Top-Entry | Top only | 16 x 16 x 15 in | Plastic | Reusable liner, scoop, toy | Swivel |
| Modkat XL (MKXL104) | Top or front | 21 x 16.3 x 17 in | ABS plastic | 2 reusable liners, charcoal filters, scoop | Swivel, removable |
| Amazon Basics Large Top Entry | Top only | 20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38 in | Plastic | Scoop | Removable perforated top |
Who Should Skip a Top-Entry Litter Box
Skip this style if your cat is a kitten, a senior or has any trouble jumping or climbing. Cornell’s Feline Health Center says kittens and elderly cats need boxes with low sides. International Cat Care adds that cats with arthritis or reduced mobility benefit from trays with lower sides for easy access.
Very large cats need a roomy box (see the sizing advice below). The sources here give no weight or age cutoff for top-entry boxes, so watch how your cat actually moves. If it hesitates, perches on the rim or avoids the box, a low-sided box is the better choice, and our roundup of large litter boxes for big cats covers roomy options without a climb.
If a cat that used to use the box starts going elsewhere, talk to your veterinarian, since a medical cause is possible.
How to Choose a Top-Entry Litter Box
Size against your cat
International Cat Care says the ideal tray is about 1.5 times the length of your cat, measured from nose to the base of the tail. It also notes that large cats may find boxes with small lids hard to use. Measure your cat first, then compare against the dimensions in the table.
The ASPCA states that the majority of cats prefer large boxes they can enter easily. A top opening is the opposite of easy entry for some cats, so a roomy box with a generous opening is a better fit than a tight one.
Lids and liners
Cornell says most cats prefer an uncovered box that lets odors escape and gives a 360-degree view of their surroundings. It also says a liner may help keep the box cleaner, but many cats don’t like them. Makers say reusable liners make cleanup easier, so both views are worth weighing. If your cat avoids the box, remove the liner and any cover as a first step. Our covered vs uncovered litter box guide goes deeper on this choice.
One practical idea is to offer a covered box and an open box side by side and see which one your cat picks.
Placement and number of boxes
Pick a quiet spot where your cat will not feel cornered, away from busy, noisy areas. Leave space around a top-entry box so the lid can open and the cat can hop in and out without bumping into walls or furniture. If you share your home with a dog, a baby gate or a closed door is another way to keep it away from the box, since claims about keeping dogs out come from the listings. For how many boxes you need and where to put them, see how many litter boxes per cat.
Cleaning
Look for a lid that opens wide or comes off, so scooping does not turn into a wrestling match. Both Modkat models in this list have a swivel lid, and the Amazon Basics box has a removable top.
Stainless steel and furniture-style options
Stainless steel top-entry boxes and furniture-style enclosures with a top opening also exist. We did not include picks from these types here, and we have no source showing that one material is better than another for odor or cleaning. Judge them the same way as the plastic boxes: size against your cat, ease of entry, and how simple they are to scoop and wash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do top-entry litter boxes really reduce litter scatter?
The listings say the lid is meant to catch litter from paws, and the Modkat listing describes it as a walk-off surface. We found no independent evidence on this, so treat it as the maker’s design goal. A mat outside the box can help either way.
Are top-entry boxes good for large cats?
Only if the box is big enough and the cat can climb in and out comfortably. Aim for a tray about 1.5 times your cat’s length, and consider a model that can switch to front entry, such as the Modkat XL.
Can kittens or senior cats use a top-entry box?
It is usually a poor fit. The ASPCA and Cornell both point to low sides for kittens, older cats and cats with arthritis. If you are unsure about your cat’s mobility, ask your veterinarian.
Is a stainless steel top-entry box better?
We have no source that says so. Material is a matter of preference for cleaning and look, so focus on size and ease of entry first.
What if a cat refuses a new top-entry box?
Remove the liner and lid, or switch to a front-entry setup if the box allows it. You can also place a low-sided box beside it so your cat can choose. If your cat keeps going outside the box, talk to your veterinarian.
Conclusion
For an average-size, agile adult cat in a small space, the Modkat Top-Entry box is the compact choice. Larger cats, or homes that may want to switch to a front opening later, are better served by the Modkat XL. If you want a simple, light plastic box with a longer footprint, the Amazon Basics Large Top Entry box fits. Kittens, seniors and cats with stiff joints should use a low-sided box instead.
Sources
- ASPCA, Litter Box Problems
- Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling
- International Cat Care, Choosing a litter tray for your cat
About the author
Emily Carter writes about litter boxes and setting up a litter area cats will actually use, from box size and style to placement and how many boxes a home needs. Her guides draw on the Cornell Feline Health Center and International Cat Care, and direct health concerns to a veterinarian.