Best Litter Box for Small Apartments: 6 Space-Saving Picks
Reader-supported: if you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read our affiliate disclosure.
The best litter box for small apartments controls odor well, fits into tight corners or cabinets, does not look like a litter box to guests, and prevents tracking. For most small apartments, the Modkat Flip Litter Box is the best first choice because it is compact, tall, has a lid that flips up for easy cleaning, and looks clean enough to leave in a living area without an eyesore.
In a studio or one-bedroom apartment, the litter box is always in the same room you live in. That changes what matters: odor control is more important than size, looks matter more than in a house, and a box that is easy to clean in a small space makes a huge difference. We picked these from owner reviews, apartment dweller feedback, and dimensions that actually fit in bathrooms, closets and corners, then sorted them by odor control and footprint.
| Product Name | Best For | Key Feature | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modkat Flip Litter Box | Best overall | Flip-top lid, compact, clean look | Check Price |
| IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box | Best top entry | Top entry, small footprint | Check Price |
| Petphabet Top Entry Litter Box | Best value top entry | Affordable top entry with lid | Check Price |
| Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Planter | Best hidden | Looks like a potted plant | Check Price |
| Petmate Booda Dome Litter Box | Best enclosed | Dome shape, step, good odor | Check Price |
| New Age Pet Habitat n Home Litter Loo | Best furniture style | Looks like a small cabinet | Check Price |
For more litter picks see our best top entry litter box, best litter box for large cats and best self cleaning litter box for multiple cats. For reducing the smell in a small space see our how to get rid of litter box smell in an apartment guide and best air purifier for cat litter smell.
📋 In This Guide
Best Litter Box for Small Apartments: Our 6 Picks
Modkat Flip Litter Box
The Modkat Flip is a compact rectangular litter box with a hinged lid that flips up for easy scooping without detaching anything, a tarpaulin liner that hooks over the rim, and a front entry opening with a paw-cleaning step to reduce tracking. It is about 20 by 16 by 15 inches externally and comes in white, black or gray.
It held a 4.4 star rating when we checked. It is the best balance of clean modern looks, compact footprint and easy cleaning for studio apartments.
✅ Why we picked it
- The flip-up lid makes daily scooping easier than any other covered box, and it looks clean enough that guests do not immediately register it as a litter box.
👍 Pros
- Compact rectangular footprint
- Flip-up lid for easy scooping
- Modern clean look in multiple colors
- Reusable tarpaulin liner
- Paw-cleaning entry step reduces tracking
👎 Cons
- More expensive than basic boxes
- Not large enough for cats over 14 pounds
IRIS Top Entry Cat Litter Box
The IRIS Top Entry is a 20 by 16 inch rectangular litter box with a lid on top that the cat jumps into through a round opening, a grooved top that knocks litter off paws, and a small hook for a litter scoop. It is one of the smallest-footprint boxes you can buy.
It held a 4.4 star rating when we checked. Top entry boxes are particularly good in small apartments because they contain litter kick-out, control odor well, and cats cannot throw litter sideways.
✅ Why we picked it
- Top entry is the most space efficient design — the lid doubles as a litter-catching mat, and the footprint is one of the smallest available.
👍 Pros
- Very small footprint
- Grooved top catches litter
- Contains kick-out completely
- Good odor control
- Affordable
- Scoop included
👎 Cons
- Senior cats and kittens may struggle jumping up
- Less modern looking than Modkat
Petphabet Top Entry Litter Box
The Petphabet Top Entry is an affordable top entry litter box with a large top opening, lid that detaches for cleaning, and a rounded rectangular shape. It is slightly larger than the IRIS (about 20 by 15 inches) and comes in multiple colors.
It held a 4.3 star rating when we checked. It is the best budget top entry option.
✅ Why we picked it
- It is the cheapest functional top entry box, with a slightly larger top opening than IRIS that some cats prefer.
👍 Pros
- Affordable top entry
- Large top opening
- Detachable lid for cleaning
- Multiple colors
- Good odor control
👎 Cons
- Grooves on top are less effective at catching litter than IRIS
- Plastic is thinner
Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Planter
The Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Planter is a covered litter box that looks like a large terracotta plant pot with a fake plant on top. The litter box lives inside the base, and the cat enters through a side opening. It is about 19 inches in diameter and 20 inches tall.
It held a 4.1 star rating when we checked. It is the best option if you want the litter box to look like decor.
✅ Why we picked it
- It is the only litter box that genuinely looks like home decor — guests see a plant, not a litter box, which is perfect for studio apartments.
👍 Pros
- Looks like a real planter
- Hides litter box completely
- Filtered vent for odor
- Works in living areas
- Works for most cats
👎 Cons
- Fake plant looks slightly fake
- Round footprint is less corner-friendly
- Heavier and bulkier than flat boxes
Petmate Booda Dome Litter Box
The Petmate Booda Dome is a rounded dome-shaped covered litter box with a stepped entry that helps remove litter from paws, a carbon filter for odor control, and a wide interior despite a relatively small circular footprint (about 21 inches diameter).
It held a 4.3 star rating when we checked. It is a classic enclosed option that has been popular with apartment dwellers for years.
✅ Why we picked it
- The stepped entry catches a lot of tracked litter before the cat reaches your floor, and the dome shape keeps odor contained very well.
👍 Pros
- Step entry catches litter
- Carbon filter for odor
- Rounded dome shape
- Wide interior despite small footprint
- Affordable
👎 Cons
- Dome shape looks more “litter-boxy” than furniture style options
- Large plastic dome takes vertical space
New Age Pet Habitat n Home Litter Loo
The Litter Loo is a wooden cabinet style litter box enclosure that looks like a small end table or nightstand. The litter box sits inside behind a hinged door, and the top surface holds plants, books or decor. It comes in multiple finishes and sizes.
It held a 4.2 star rating when we checked. It is the best option if you want the litter box to double as furniture next to a couch or bed.
✅ Why we picked it
- It doubles as an end table, so it doesn’t waste space — in a small apartment every piece of furniture needs to earn its footprint.
👍 Pros
- Looks like a real piece of furniture
- Doubles as an end table or nightstand
- Door closes for total odor containment
- Multiple finishes (espresso, white, rustic)
- Contains tracking inside
👎 Cons
- More expensive
- Requires assembly
- Heavier to move for cleaning
- Must be sized to fit your litter box inside
What matters most in a small apartment litter box
- Odor control. In a small space you will smell the box. Covered boxes, carbon filters and good litter matter more than in a house.
- Footprint shape. Corner-friendly rectangular shapes fit better than round shapes in small bathrooms and closets.
- Litter tracking. Any litter that comes out stays in your living area. Top entry or step entry cuts tracking dramatically.
- Looks. If the box has to be in your living area, furniture-style or modern designed boxes are worth the money.
- Ease of cleaning. In a small space you are cleaning closer to where you live. Easy-open lids and removable liners make daily scooping faster.
- Noise of lid. Plastic lids that clatter wake you up at night if the box is near a bedroom. Rubber seals and slow-close lids help.
See our litter box smell apartment guide for odor control tips that make any box work better.
Quick Buying Guide
- Measure your space before buying. Boxes range from 16 to 24 inches wide.
- Add a litter trapping mat — see our best cat litter trapping mat. Even a good box benefits from a mat.
- Carbon filters on covered boxes need replacing every 2–3 months.
- Scoop daily — odor in small apartments is 80% about frequency of cleaning.
- Use good litter. Premium clumping litter (like Dr. Elsey’s Ultra) controls odor better than cheap litter, which matters more in a small space.
FAQ: Best Litter Box for Small Apartments
What is the best litter box for a small apartment?
The Modkat Flip is the best all-around pick for small apartments because it is compact, modern, easy to clean, and controls odor well. For hidden furniture style, the New Age Pet Litter Loo doubles as an end table.
Where do you put a litter box in a small apartment?
Common good spots: bathroom corner, inside a closet with the door propped open, inside a cabinet/bench, under a side table, or in a corner of the entryway. Avoid putting it directly next to your bed, next to food bowls, or in a windowless unventilated closet.
Do covered litter boxes contain smell?
Yes, they contain odor better than open boxes, but only if scooped regularly. A dirty covered box smells worse than a clean open box. Carbon filters help for the first month.
Is a top entry litter box good for apartments?
Yes — top entry boxes contain kick-out litter completely, have a small footprint, and the grooved lid catches tracked granules from paws. They are one of the best designs for apartments.
Final Verdict: Which Box Should You Buy?
- Best overall: Modkat Flip. Compact, clean, easy to scoop.
- Best top entry: IRIS Top Entry. Small footprint, affordable.
- Budget top entry: Petphabet Top Entry. Cheapest functional option.
- Best hidden planter: Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Planter. Looks like decor.
- Best dome: Petmate Booda Dome. Classic step entry, good odor.
- Best furniture style: New Age Pet Litter Loo. Doubles as an end table.
The right litter box transforms a small apartment from “cat owner smell” to “guest ready.” Pair a good box with a quality litter, a trapping mat, daily scooping, and occasional deep cleans, and you can absolutely have a cat in even a studio without any smell. See our best cat cave beds and best pet stairs for senior cats for more small-space cat gear picks.
Product details are based on manufacturer information, Amazon listings and published reviews at the time of writing and may change. Always check the current product listing before buying.
Written by Jason
IndoorCatGear helps cat owners choose products with confidence. We compare specifications, study independent testing and read through large numbers of verified owner reviews, so you don't have to. Brands can't pay for placement in our guides.
