Nature’s Miracle Open Litter Box Review: Is It Worth It?

Disclosure

Links on this page go to Amazon. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, ratings and stock change, so check the listing before you order. Last updated October 7, 2026.

⚡ Quick Verdict

The short answer

Want less scatter and a hidden box? Buy the Hooded Flip Top. Want it open? Pull the hood off that box or buy the stainless pan. Have a cat over 16 inches nose to tail base? Check the length before anything else, because size matters more to your cat than the hood does, and our best open litter box for large cats list has roomier pans.

📋 How We Evaluated

Scores weigh build quality, ease of cleaning, odor control, durability, fit for multi-cat homes and value. They come from manufacturer specs, retailer listings, the pattern in owner reviews and independent write-ups, not lab testing. Where we couldn’t confirm a claim, the review says so, and scores are editorial judgments you can disagree with.

Rating counts and prices come from recent retailer snapshots and will have moved by the time you read this.

Enclosure	Hooded, four snap latches
Filter	Built-in charcoal
Opening	Flip-top front
Dimensions	19.125″ W x 25.125″ L x 11.75″ H (Amazon listing)
Interior	Smooth, non-stick surface
Brand	Nature’s Miracle

What We Found

Out of the box this is a hooded pan with a flip-top front, four snap latches and a charcoal filter holder in the lid. Amazon lists it at 19.125 x 25.125 x 11.75 inches, and recent snapshots show a 4.6 star rating across roughly 13,000 reviews. Chewy prints different numbers (25.25 x 18.75 x 16.5), most likely with the hood on, so tape out the footprint on your floor before you order.

The interior is flat and smooth, which helps urine wipe off instead of pooling in corners. Owners keep coming back to two things: the tall back wall keeps pee in the box, and the flip-top front means you scoop without lifting the whole hood. One reviewer filled it with disinfectant water, scrubbed it, and still found urine came off the sides easily. A tall back wall also helps with spraying, and our best open litter box for high sprayers guide covers open options.

Here’s the open-box angle. Review roundups say the base works with or without the lid. You lose the filter and the privacy, and spray can reach the wall behind it, but the high sides still hold back some scatter. Pair it with a good litter mat and the leftover tracking drops further. If your cat refuses the hood, run it lidless for a week before you write the box off.

The filter is the weak point. A boarding-facility review found the holder shallow enough that the filter shifts when you lift the lid, and buyers on Chewy ask where to find replacements. A roundup adds that rectangular filters are harder to track down than square ones. The brand’s own corner model claims up to 3 months per filter, while that boarding review saw odor control fade after 30 to 45 days. Start monthly and trust your nose. If smell is your top concern, see our picks for the best open litter box for odor control.

Who It’s For

Measure your cat from nose to the base of the tail. A box should run about 1.5 times that length, and 25.125 inches covers a cat up to roughly 16 inches by that rule. Pick it if you have one or two average-size cats, a scatter problem, or a box that sits where guests see it.

Skip it if your cat bolts from enclosed spaces or you have a senior cat with stiff joints, since the entryway is higher than a flat pan (our best open litter box for senior cats list has lower-entry options). Multi-cat homes need one box per cat plus one extra, so a single hooded box won’t cover three cats alone, and the best open litter box for multiple cats page shows how to build out the rest.

Material	Stainless Steel
Surface	Smooth, Non-porous
Design	Open-top pan with 7.87″ walls
Includes	Scoop and Anti-slip Pads
Size	17.3″ x 13.4″ x 7.87″

What We Found

This is the only true open box in our list. The smooth, non-porous surface resists the gouges that claws and metal scoops carve into plastic, and those scratches are where odor-causing bacteria settle. Cleanup is fast because clumps slide off instead of gluing to the floor of the pan.

The walls stand 7.87 inches tall, which handles a gentle digger and stops most urine from running over the edge. A determined digger will still flick litter out, and one buyer noticed more litter outside the pan than with a plastic box. The set ships with a scoop and anti-slip pads, which matter because a bare metal pan slides on tile. If you’d rather upgrade the tool, we compared options in our best litter scoop guide.

Size is the catch. At 17.3 x 13.4 inches, the 1.5x rule puts the pan at about 11.5 inches of cat, nose to tail base. That fits a kitten or a small adult (see our open litter box for kittens page for more small-cat picks), and it’s tight for a Maine Coon or a cat that likes to circle. Check for a 304 stainless grade in the listing, which resists the salts in urine.

Who It’s For

Cat owners who want a pan that outlasts plastic and don’t mind a plain look. It suits one small cat, a kitten, or a spot where a second small box helps a multi-cat household hit the one-per-cat-plus-one target.

Large cats, hard diggers, and cats that panic at the scrape of a scoop on metal should look elsewhere. If your dog raids the box, an open pan puts the temptation at nose height.

Formula	Enzymatic Foam
Usage	No rinse needed
Safety	Safe for pets and home when used as directed
Size	17.5 oz (4 Pack)
Brand	Nature’s Miracle

What We Found

The foam breaks down urine and feces residue with enzymes, and you wipe it dry without rinsing. Spray it on an empty, dumped box, let it sit for the time the label gives, and wipe. The four-pack is a sensible size because a bottle goes quickly if you deep clean every couple of weeks.

Enzymes digest organic residue. They don’t undo odor that has already soaked into scratched plastic, so a heavily worn box can still smell after a good scrub. That’s a limit of the chemistry, and it’s why some owners move to stainless steel.

Who It’s For

Anyone running a plastic or metal box who wants a pet-safe cleaner for the empty-and-wash day. Check the label before using it on parts of an automatic box.

Formula	Enzymatic
Technology	OdorCapture 360
Safety	Safe for pets and home when used as directed
Count	30
Brand	Nature’s Miracle

What We Found

These are single-use scrubbing wipes with an enzymatic formula. The retailer listing says they clean litter boxes, scoops and other hard surfaces, and the brand markets OdorCapture 360 as the part that tackles urine, feces and other organic waste. You flip open the dispensing cap, pull a wipe, scrub and bin it.

Thirty wipes go further than you’d guess for a spot clean and run out fast for a full scrub of a large pan. Treat them as the between-washes tool and keep the foam for the real deep clean.

Who It’s For

Owners who want a fast wipe-down after scooping, or anyone cleaning scoops and the area around the box. Test on a hidden spot before using them on a finished surface.

Formula	Deodorizer Powder
Usage	Automatic and manual litter boxes
Scent	Fresh
Size	20 oz
Material	Made with recycled material

What We Found

This powder goes on top of or into the litter to knock down smell, and the listing says it works in automatic and manual boxes. It leaves a fresh scent. The brand says it’s made with recycled material.

Powder masks and neutralizes. It won’t replace a daily scoop or fix a dirty pan. Some cats dislike scented additives, so start with a light dusting and watch whether your cat still uses the box. Wondering how much smell an open box really gives off? Read do open litter boxes smell.

Who It’s For

Households with a hooded box where odor builds between filter changes, or owners who want a small boost in a multi-cat home. Follow the label for how much to use.

Material	High-quality Plastic
Fits	Nature’s Miracle 2nd Version and Littermaid 3rd Edition
Cleaning	Hassle-free
Count	40 liners
Replacement	Every 2 to 3 days for one cat

What We Found

These liners drop into a permanent waste receptacle and lift out when full. The listing says they fit the Nature’s Miracle 2nd Version and the Littermaid 3rd Edition. The receptacle is a feature of those self-cleaning units, so these look aimed at that line and not at the Hooded Flip Top, which has no receptacle.

For one cat, the listing suggests replacing a liner every 2 to 3 days. More cats or a bigger cat fills it sooner. One Cats.com reviewer quoted an Amazon owner who struggled to find replacement receptacles for the self-cleaning box, so confirm your model and parts before you buy. For standard open pans, see our best litter box liners roundup instead.

Who It’s For

Owners of the compatible self-cleaning units. If you have the Hooded Flip Top or a stainless pan, skip this one.

Open vs Covered Litter Box: What the Research Says

Cat forums treat this like a settled fact, and the studies don’t. Two small tests are worth knowing. A 2012 Ross University study, as reported by Litter-Robot, let each cat choose between an open and a covered box and found most cats had no preference. A 2020 field test by Villeneuve Beugnet and Beugnet, published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, used 13 cats and then 12. With equal floor area the cats leaned covered but not strongly enough to count at the usual threshold. When the covered box was about 17% bigger, the preference cleared the usual statistical threshold.

Read that carefully. The cats weren’t voting for the hood. They were likely voting for floor space. Both samples are tiny, so treat the results as a nudge and not a rule. For the full list of tradeoffs, read open litter box pros and cons, and if you’re also weighing a self-cleaning unit, see open vs automatic litter box.

Stainless Steel vs Plastic: Which Holds Up?

Plastic gets scratched by claws and scoops, and the grooves hold urine residue that cleaning doesn’t always reach. Stainless steel resists that wear, which is the main reason owners cite for switching. The tradeoff is cost, noise and temperature.

A word on 304 grade. Listings that name 304 stainless are describing a type that resists the salts in urine. If the product page doesn’t name a grade, ask the seller before you assume.

What to Look For Before Buying

Match the box to your cat first, then to your room. These are the checks that stop most returns. For a longer walkthrough, see how to choose an open litter box.

Check Size and Build Quality

Measure your cat from nose to the base of the tail and multiply by 1.5. That’s your minimum box length. Then confirm the material holds up: thick plastic with no seams that trap waste, or stainless steel with rounded edges.

Value Ease of Cleaning

A smooth, flat interior beats molded ridges. Look for a front opening you can flip up, as on the Hooded Flip Top, or a pan with no corners where clumps hide.

Rating Odor Control

A hood needs a filter you can actually replace. Check that the filter size is sold before you buy the box. An open pan relies on a non-porous surface and daily scooping.

Verify Suitability for Multi-Cat Homes

Plan for one box per cat plus one, spread across the home. Large cats and timid cats do better with an open or oversized box. If you have a dog, a hood or a raised location helps.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

• ✅ Measured my cat nose to base of tail and multiplied by 1.5
• ✅ Taped the box footprint on the floor to check the space
• ✅ Confirmed replacement filters or liners are sold for this exact model
• ✅ Checked the entry height against my cat’s age and joints
• ✅ Planned a quiet, low-traffic spot away from the washer and the food bowls
• ✅ Counted boxes: one per cat plus one extra Suggested alt text: How to measure a cat for the right litter box size

How to Switch Your Cat to a New Litter Box?

A new box is a change, and cats dislike change. This plan keeps the switch gentle.

1. Keep the old box where it is. Put the new one next to it, or in the same quiet spot once your cat accepts it.
2. Use the same litter at the same depth. Changing the box and the litter together doubles the surprise.
3. Add a scoop of used, clean litter from the old box so the new one smells familiar.
4. With a hooded box, start with the hood off. Snap it on after your cat has used the box a few times.
5. Watch the first few days. If your cat goes outside the box, go back a step instead of pushing on.
6. Scoop daily. A dirty new box loses to a clean old one.
7. Remove the old box after your cat uses the new one consistently for several days.

Litter Box Care Schedule

A schedule beats good intentions. Adjust the timing to your litter and your cat count.

Litter Box Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nature’s Miracle make an open litter box?

Its best-known box, the Hooded Flip Top, is covered. The brand’s Just For Cats Advanced High Sided Corner pan is the open style, and Chewy lists it as a replacement bottom for the hooded corner box. Stock varies by store, so check the listing. If you want an open pan today, the stainless steel box in this review is where we’d start.

Can I use the Nature’s Miracle Hooded Flip Top without the hood?

Review roundups say the base works with or without the lid. You give up the charcoal filter and some privacy, and spray can hit the wall behind the box. If your cat balks at the hood, try it lidless for a week, then decide.

How often should I change the charcoal filter?

The brand’s corner model claims up to 3 months per filter. A boarding-facility review of the flip-top box saw odor control slip after 30 to 45 days. Start at monthly, sniff the filter, and stretch the interval only if the box stays fresh. Follow the instructions in your box if they differ.

Where can I buy replacement filters for a Nature’s Miracle litter box?

Buyers on Chewy ask this often, and a roundup notes the rectangular size is harder to find than the square ones. Measure your filter holder first, then match the dimensions. Universal carbon filter packs for hooded boxes exist, but a loose fit lets air bypass the filter, so fit matters more than thickness.

What size litter box does my cat need?

Measure your cat from nose to the base of the tail. The box should run about 1.5 times that length. By that rule, the 25.125-inch Hooded Flip Top suits cats up to roughly 16 inches, and the 17.3-inch stainless pan suits cats around 11 inches. A cat that can’t turn around comfortably will often go elsewhere.

Do cats prefer open or covered litter boxes?

The research doesn’t crown a winner. A 2012 Ross University study, as reported by Litter-Robot, found no overall preference, with four cats leaning each way. A 2020 field test found cats leaned toward covered boxes only when those boxes were about 17% larger. Size and cleanliness beat the hood.

How often should I clean my open litter box?

Scoop at least once a day. Empty and wash the whole box on a schedule that fits your litter and your cat count, commonly every two to four weeks for clumping litter. Regular cleaning stops waste and odor from building up.

Is a stainless steel litter box better than plastic?

It resists scratches and holds less odor than plastic, which is why many owners switch. It costs more up front, can feel cold, and is loud under a scoop. Neither material makes up for a box that isn’t scooped.

How many litter boxes do I need?

One per cat, plus one extra, placed in different spots. A single hooded box in a two-cat home leaves you one short.

Can I use the Nature’s Miracle Scrubbing Wipes on other surfaces?

The listing says they clean litter boxes, scoops and other hard surfaces. Check the label and test a hidden spot before using them on a painted or sealed finish.

How do I dispose of the litter box liners?

Tie the liner closed, put it in the household trash, and follow your local rules. Don’t flush cat waste.

How often should I replace the litter box liners?

The listing suggests every 2 to 3 days for a household with one cat. More cats or a bigger cat fills a liner faster.

Are replacement receptacles for the Nature’s Miracle self-cleaning box still sold?

Owners have reported trouble finding them, including a January 2025 Amazon review quoted on Cats.com. If you own that unit, confirm parts are in stock before you buy liners.

🎯 Final Verdict

In this Nature’s Miracle open litter box review, the Hooded Flip Top is our top pick. It handles scatter and spray well, it’s easy to scoop through the flip-top front, and it works with the hood off if your cat wants a more open feel. Plan on tracking down a filter that fits, and measure your cat first, because a 25-inch box won’t suit a 20-inch cat.

If you want a true open box, buy the stainless steel pan, with the caveat that it fits small cats only. Add the foam for deep cleans and skip the liners unless you own the exact self-cleaning model they fit.

📚 Related Brand Reviews

• IRIS Open Top Litter Box Review
• Frisco Open Litter Box Review
• Van Ness Open Litter Pan Review
• Petmate Open Litter Pan Review
• Catit Open Litter Tray Review

Sources and Further Reading

• Villeneuve Beugnet and Beugnet (2020), covered vs uncovered litter box preference, Journal of Veterinary Behavior (abstract)
• Litter-Robot: open vs enclosed litter boxes
• Catster: open vs closed litter box
• Chewy listing: Nature’s Miracle hooded flip top box (sizing guidance and buyer Q&A)
• Chewy listing: Nature’s Miracle Hooded Corner Multi-Cat box
• Cats.com: Nature’s Miracle self-cleaning litter box review