Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Unless you’re willing to shell out a couple hundred bucks for a self-cleaning litter box, you’re going to have to do some scooping as a cat owner.
While scooping might not be a chore you can avoid entirely, you don’t necessarily need to spend time elbows deep in an empty litter box with a scrub brush. Don’t get me wrong – cleaning the litter box is important, but there’s another option: replacing it entirely.
Disposable litter boxes provide a convenient alternative to cleaning the litter box week after week while still providing your cat with a clean, comfortable place to do his business.
In this guide we’ll explore the pros and cons of disposable litter boxes. We’ll talk about the important features to look for when shopping for these litter boxes and introduce you to our top picks.
At a Glance: 5 Best Disposable Litter Boxes To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? 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.
Kitty Sift Disposable Sifting Litter Box
- Made from 100% recycled cardboard
- Multi-layer sifting system
- Lasts up to 4 weeks for a single cat
Litter One Biodegradable Cat Litter Box Kit
- Includes sifting litter box, litter, and scoop
- Pine pellets help reduce odor and tracking
- High walls help contain litter and urine spray
Kitty Poo Club
- Recyclable cardboard with a cute pattern
- FDA-certified food-grade waterproof coating
- Fold-flat design for travel and disposal
Ten Second Litter Box
- Simple fold-up design with carry handles
- Made from recyclable cardboard materials
- Portable, fold-flat design great for travel
Frisco High-Sided Jumbo Disposable Cat Litter Box
- Made from recycled cardboard materials
- Comes in a two-pack
- High 8-inch sides help contain litter and urine spray
Why Trust Cats.com
Over the last three years, we’ve spent a lot of time figuring out what it takes to make a great litter box. We’ve researched the types of litter boxes available, read hundreds of customer reviews, and performed real-world tests on over a dozen top boxes. We spent over 40 hours testing these Disposable litter boxes’ sturdiness, cat-friendliness, and appropriateness for smaller living spaces.
Drawing from my own experience as well as countless hours of market research and consultation with veterinarians and cat behavior experts, I’ve learned what it takes to make a great litter box. I also spent time reading customer reviews to see what other cat owners thought of these litter boxes.
What Are the Qualities of the Best Disposable Litter Box?
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
A great litter box offers strong odor control and protection from litter scatter and urine spray. It’s easy to scoop and appropriately sized for your cat’s comfort.
So, what makes a disposable litter box different? And are they worth it?
Disposable litter boxes are designed for temporary use – generally up to four weeks. When it’s reached the end of its lifespan, you can simply compost or recycle it instead of scrubbing it clean.
These litter boxes are typically designed for function rather than form, so they may not look as attractive as a traditional cat litter pan. What they lack in aesthetics, however, they make up for in convenience. If a litter box gets the job done and makes your life easier in the process, it might be worth it.
If you’re considering making the switch to disposable litter boxes, there are a few things to look for. Here are the five criteria I used to determine my top picks.
The Best Disposable Litter Box Is Made From Biodegradable or Recycled Materials
Most of the traditional litter pans you find on the market are made from plastic. It’s an affordable, lightweight material that resists moisture which makes it the perfect container for cat litter.
Disposable litter boxes are typically made from biodegradable and compostable (landfill-friendly) materials. Cardboard and recycled paper are some of the most common materials used to make these litter boxes.
Before recycling or composting a disposable litter box, it should be emptied of all litter and clumps.
The Best Disposable Litter Box Prevents Leaks, Scatter, and Spray
While cardboard and paper aren’t nearly as moisture resistant as plastic, many disposable cat boxes are thick enough to contain liquid or have a leak-proof coating.
Leakage isn’t the only mess you should be concerned about, however. Some cats like to dig around in the litter box before they do their business, kicking litter all over the floor. Others tend to spray the sides of the litter box when they urinate.
Disposable litter boxes come in a variety of sizes, so choose one that’s appropriately sized for your cat and his toilet habits.
A larger, high sided and deeper litter box will typically be more effective in containing litter scatter. To contain urine spray, choose a disposable box with higher sides.
The Best Disposable Litter Box Works With All Types of Cat Litter
Every cat owner has their own preferences for the best cat litter.
Clay cat litter is the most popular option for its affordability and clumping convenience. Cat owners on a budget often opt for non-clumping litter but, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, there are alternatives like crystal cat litter cat litter made from natural, biodegradable, or recycled materials.
The good news is most disposable cat litter boxes work for any type of cat litter. The type of cat litter you choose may affect how often you need to scoop or how long the box will last, but the choice is yours.
Some disposable litter boxes even come with cat litter. Just be sure the included cat litter is one that is cat-friendly.
The Best Disposable Litter Box Is Easy to Scoop
Disposable litter boxes are great because you don’t have to clean them for reuse. That doesn’t free you from scooping duty, however.
Frequent scooping not only keeps the litter box clean and comfortable for your cat, but it helps prevent odor. It’s best to scoop at least once daily, but you can never really do it too often.
When shopping for disposable litter boxes, the size and shape of the box will be the factors that influence scoop-ability. If the box is too small, a large litter scoop might be tricky to use. Rounded corners can trap damp litter, especially if you’re using a non-clumping variety.
Some disposable litter boxes have a coating on the inside which not only protects against leaks, but helps prevent litter from sticking.
The Best Disposable Litter Box Is Economically Priced
Convenience is one of the primary benefits of disposable litter boxes over traditional litter pans. You get to save yourself the hassle of scooping, but you’re going to pay a premium for it. While disposable litter boxes don’t have to be pricey, it’s a recurring expense you’ll have to work into your budget.
Prices run the gambit from the ultra-affordable Kitty’s Wonderbox disposable litter box, sold in a 3-count for under $10, to the $40 Kitty Sift sifting litter box set. Consider how many litter trays you’ll get with each option and how long they’re going to last to determine the best value.
Here are a few other factors to consider when shopping for disposable litter boxes:
- Size – A large litter box is going to be more cat-friendly than a small one. The bigger and deeper the litter box, the better it will be at containing scatter and you’ll be able to pour a thicker layer of litter for your cat to dig around in.
The size comparison between the Nature’s Miracle Jumbo Disposable Litter Box and Kitty’s Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Portability – Traveling with cats can be tricky but disposable litter boxes offer portable convenience. Look for a disposable litter box that folds down for transport or has handles so you can move it easily.
- Height – A shallow litter box won’t contain scatter or urine spray very effectively, but if the walls are too high it might not be practical for kittens or older cats. Some boxes have dropped entries with higher walls to provide the best of both worlds.
- Odor Control – Because the whole point is to avoid deep-cleaning the litter box, you want it to do a good job containing odor on its own. Moisture-resistant coatings help keep urine from soaking into the material and may help prevent odor from lingering as well.
Looking for a more traditional, reusable litter box? Check out our top picks for the 10 best litter boxes in this in-depth round-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are disposable litter boxes worth it?
It depends on your priorities. If you’re traveling, a disposable litter box is a great option because you can pick one up at your destination and toss it before you head home. They work well for people who don’t want to perform the necessary in-depth cleaning of a litter box.
They’re also a good solution if you find that ammonia odor tends to leech into the plastic of your standard litter box, creating a permanent odor you can’t get out. It’ll cost more to keep replacing your cat litter pan, but the convenience may outweigh the cost for some cat owners.
How long do disposable litter boxes last?
Most disposable litter boxes are designed to last for up to four weeks, but their longevity depends on several factors. Sturdy litter boxes made from compressed fibers tend to last longer than cardboard, as do cat boxes with moisture-resistant linings.
Regardless which type you choose, a disposable litter box will generally last longer in a single-cat household than a home with multiple cats.
What type of litter should you use with disposable litter boxes?
Disposable litter boxes are generally designed to accommodate all types of cat litter. A disposable sifting litter box works best with clumping cat litter while a litter box with a leak-proof lining is recommended for non-clumping litter.
Crystal cat litter is a good option for disposable boxes because it is highly absorbent and may help prevent moisture from soaking into the bottom of the box.
Thanks for this review. I have a large male Flame Point Siamese, and have found that the Jumbo boxes work best for him. I place two, side by side, in our garage with a Monster litter mat next to them, and he scratches around to his heart’s content without leaving a big mess because of the size of the boxes. If I clean them morning and night, the litter and boxes last for a few weeks without any problems whatsoever.
Thanks Lynn! It’s definitely a challenge to find litter boxes appropriate for large cats, so it’s good to hear that the Jumbo works well for yours!
My sister uses Kitty Poo Club. I showed her your ratings. She said that Kitty Poo Club comes with litter. All the other boxes did not.
You indicated that Kitty Poo Club was more expensive than others, which is not true when you add the litter.
Even considering that litter is included, the Kitty Poo Club subscription exceeds the price of a typical cat litter and box. You can easily find cat litter that costs $10 or less each month, and a $10 litter box can last you for 5 years, so paying $25.99 or more each month is definitely expensive compared to the budget alternatives.
They sell the boxes without the litter & they’re still the most expensive
Just an fyi for people who use Nature’s Miracle jumbo box. Nature’s Miracle is getting out of the litter box market. I got this straight from Nature’s Miracle customer service. I’m searching for a similar size disposable that is hopefully as good or better.
Thanks for the info, Sonja! Let us know if you find a good replacement!
You should update your damned site. You are still showing this as available.
Hi Candace, thank you for flagging these. I’m sorry that the article implies that it was updated in 2023, as this is not true. I’ve created a task to replace the Kitty’s WonderBox and Nature’s Miracle disposable litter boxes with alternative products. We aim to keep everything up-to-date, but it’s not a process that happens instantaneously. We have hundreds of articles like this on the site, and real people are doing all of the testing, writing, and updating jobs. I hope you can understand. – Mallory
Yes, searching for a replacement for Nature’s Miracle disposable boxes is how I came across this article. There was No box better than Nature’s Miracle, it could last for 4 months and have No odor. NO ODOR and no sagging, no staining, no leakage, no rips, never ever fell apart. I used the jumbo size so that I only had to scoop every 2 days. (I did always pile up extra litter up tall in corners for my corner loving cat) And it came tall enough for my cat the litter- kicker. …..I still haven’t found one that matches it. IF I had known they would stop making it? I would bought several hundred dollars worth of them to last forever.
When did you try these boxes? Two of them are discontinued and have been for a while.
This site is worthless.
I’ve been using Petco brand So Phresh for a long time. it meets everything people praise in the description of Nature’s Miracle-sturdy, long-lasting, doesn’t leak, easy to clean etc. My girls like to scratch & it even holds up to that. I don’t know how the price compares because it’s the only one I’ve bought for years.