Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box Review: Pros, Cons & Real-World Features

⚡ Quick Verdict

Where Does the Actual Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box Fit In?

Quick note before the rankings: the Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box wasn’t one of the five units I tested hands-on for this guide, and I’d rather say that plainly than fold it in as if it were.

Here’s what’s publicly documented about it. It has a roughly 9-inch top entry hole and a textured, removable lid meant to scrub litter off paws on the way out, the same basic idea as the grated lids on the IRIS boxes below. It’s been on the market long enough to rack up thousands of Amazon reviews, and it uses a reusable liner system, heavy-duty liners sold separately and sized to fit, instead of a loose trash bag that can tear mid-scoop.

The tradeoff shows up with bigger cats. Several owner reviews mention the entry hole feeling tight for a large-breed adult, which is the same complaint IRIS boxes get at their similar 9 to 10.5-inch openings. If your cat is on the larger side, measure their shoulder width before you buy any top-entry box, Clevercat included.

I haven’t run it through the same side-by-side testing as the boxes below, so treat this as a summary of what’s documented, not a firsthand verdict. If you want a box I’ve actually tested against the criteria in this guide, the Arm & Hammer and the IRIS Beige model are the closest matches in size, entry style, and price.

📋 How I Evaluated These

Each box got a week of real use: build quality, how well the lid actually stopped tracking, whether smell escaped the room, and how long cleaning took me each day. Score also factors in price against what you get, since a 9.5 box that costs three times as much as an 8.5 box isn’t automatically the better buy for most households.

Material	Recycled plastic
Protection	Microban
Compatibility	All litter types
Origin	USA

What I Found

The Arm & Hammer Premium Top Entry Litter Box stands out because of what’s built into the plastic itself: Microban antimicrobial protection, which slows the growth of odor-causing bacteria on the surface. That’s a licensed, testable additive, not a marketing label, though it works alongside good litter and daily scooping, not instead of them.

The walls run high enough to handle digging and spraying without spilling over, and it took every litter type I tried, clumping, pine, and crystal, without issue. The grated lid does what it’s supposed to: paws hit the holes on the way out, and most loose granules drop back inside instead of onto the floor. A few grains still make it past, no lid stops everything, but the difference next to an open pan was obvious within a day.

It’s built from recycled materials, which is worth knowing if sustainability factors into your decision. The whole unit feels sturdy under a jumping cat, and the dimensions suit medium to large cats without feeling cramped.

Who It’s For

This suits owners who put odor control and floor cleanliness above everything else. It’s a strong fit for households with a dog that might otherwise nose around the box, and the extra room benefits larger cats that need space to turn around.

If a sustainable, long-term build matters to you as much as day-to-day performance, this is the one to buy.

Dimensions	20.5L x 14.75W x 14.38H
Entry Diameter	9.25 inches
Material	Durable plastic
Storage	Integrated scoop hook

What I Found

The IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box in Beige keeps things simple: a fully enclosed body, a clean exterior, and a lid built to catch litter before it hits the floor. The 9.25-inch entry runs on the smaller side for this category, so measure a large or overweight cat before buying. My own ten-pound cat had no trouble at all.

The included scoop clips onto the side, which sounds minor until you’ve spent a week hunting for a misplaced scoop. Build quality feels solid for the price, and the interior wipes down without much scrubbing. Over a week of daily use, no smell escaped into the room even with the lid closed.

Its footprint fits into corners and smaller rooms without dominating the space, which matters more in an apartment than in a house with a spare bathroom to dedicate.

Who It’s For

Best for apartments and smaller rooms where the box needs to disappear into a corner. It also works well in multi-pet households, since the enclosed top keeps most dogs out.

Anyone who values a tidy, organized setup will like the built-in scoop storage and the tracking control this lid provides.

Dimensions	20.75L x 16.125W x 14.625H
Entry	9W x 10.5H
Color	Beige/White
Storage	Side-hook scoop

What I Found

This is the same IRIS design scaled up: about a quarter inch longer and over an inch wider than the standard Beige model, with a slightly bigger entry at 9 by 10.5 inches. If your cat runs larger than average, or tends to spray high against the walls, the extra height and floor space make a real difference.

The grooved lid traps debris the same way the smaller version does, and the scoop hangs from the same side hook. Cleaning takes the same few minutes: lift the lid, scoop, wipe, done. The bigger footprint does need more floor space, so measure your spot before ordering.

Build quality matches the rest of the IRIS lineup. Nothing about the larger size feels flimsier or less finished than the standard model.

Who It’s For

Owners of large-breed cats, Maine Coons and big tabbies especially, who need more room to turn around. It’s also a strong pick if your cat sprays rather than squats, since the higher walls catch what a shorter box would miss.

If your home has the floor space to spare, this model gives your cat more room without asking you to compromise on tracking control.

Color	Gray/White
Dimensions	20.5L x 14.75W x 14.38H
Build	Enclosed high-wall
Tracking Control	Textured lid

What I Found

Functionally, this is the Beige IRIS in a different color with a textured lid finish. Entry size, dimensions, and wall height match the standard model exactly. The gray and white combination hides dust and paw prints better than beige does, which matters more than it sounds like it should once you’re wiping this thing down weekly.

The lid pops off in one motion for full cleans, and the deeper base handles a generous layer of litter without spilling during digging. It blocks dogs from reaching the litter effectively, which came up as a priority in more than one household I compared notes with.

The neutral gray tone reads more like furniture than pet gear, which is a small thing until you’re trying to keep a litter box out of sight in a living room.

Who It’s For

Households with a dog you want kept away from the litter, and anyone who wants a box that doesn’t look like pet equipment sitting in a shared space. Easy maintenance and privacy matter equally here.

If constant litter tracking has been your main complaint with an open pan, this is a straightforward upgrade.

Material	BPA-free plastic
Entry	Top entry
Included	Matching scoop
Dimensions	20.5 x 14.75 x 14.38

What I Found

This is the no-frills option, and I mean that as a compliment. BPA-free plastic, a filtered lid that blocks most tracking, and a matching scoop that clips onto the side. It skips the antimicrobial coating you get with the Arm & Hammer and the brand-name lid engineering on the IRIS models, but it covers the fundamentals: it contains litter, blocks sightlines, and gives your cat a private spot.

The plastic feels a shade thinner than the IRIS boxes when you flex the walls by hand, though I didn’t see cracking or warping over a month of daily use. For the price difference, that’s a fair trade.

The on-board scoop storage is a nice touch you don’t always get at this price point, and the removable top makes checking on things quick.

Who It’s For

New cat owners who want to test whether their cat will even use a top-entry box before spending more, and budget-focused buyers who’d rather have something functional than feature-heavy.

If odor-blocking technology isn’t a priority and easy cleaning is, this covers what you need.

Top Entry vs. Front Entry vs. Open Litter Boxes

A top-entry box isn’t the right call for every cat, and it helps to know what you’re trading away before you commit to one.

If your cat is under a year old, past about ten, or dealing with joint stiffness, a front-entry covered box or a low-walled open pan gets you similar odor and mess control without asking them to climb.

What to Look For Before Buying

Choosing the right box comes down to your cat’s size and your home’s layout more than any single feature on the label. Prioritize durable materials that hold up to regular washing, and don’t buy on brand name alone.

Check Size and Accessibility

Measure your cat before you measure the box. As a rule of thumb, the box should run at least 1.5 times your cat’s body length, nose to base of tail. Wider cats need a wider entry hole too. Most top-entry models run 9 to 10.5 inches across, which is tight for a large-breed adult. If your cat is a senior or has any joint stiffness, skip the top-entry format entirely; the daily climbing isn’t worth the odor control tradeoff. Measure your floor space as well. These boxes run roughly 17 to 21 inches long and need clearance on at least one side for the lid to open.

Value Litter Tracking Prevention

Look at the lid closely, not just the marketing photo. Grooves, textured ridges, or a grate all work the same way: they knock litter loose from paws as your cat steps down. A deeper base helps too if your cat digs aggressively, since it keeps flying litter inside the walls instead of over the top.

Rating Odor Containment

A hood alone cuts smell more than most open pans do, just by blocking airflow and sightlines. Some boxes, like the Arm & Hammer above, go further with an antimicrobial additive built into the plastic that slows bacterial growth on the surface itself, on top of whatever the litter is doing. A tight-sealing lid helps, but don’t seal the box up completely; it still needs some airflow, or moisture builds up faster than you’d expect.

Verify Cleaning and Maintenance

A lid that pops off in one motion saves you time every day. Check for smooth interior corners; seams and ridges collect residue that gets harder to scrub off the longer it sits. A side hook for the scoop is a small feature that pays off constantly. Stick to BPA-free plastic, and plan on replacing the box roughly once a year. Plastic develops micro-scratches over time that hold onto bacteria no amount of wiping removes.

Weight Capacity and Multi-Cat Households

Most standard top-entry boxes hold up to about 20 pounds of litter, and makers generally recommend filling to around 2 inches deep, not more. Overfilling doesn’t improve odor control; it just makes scooping harder and increases what gets kicked out during digging.

For multi-cat homes, the standard guidance from vets and box makers is one litter box per cat, plus one extra. Two cats means three boxes, spread across different rooms if you can manage it. A single top-entry box, no matter how well it blocks odor, isn’t a substitute for that math.

How to Clean a Top-Entry Litter Box

1. Lift or unhook the lid. Most grated lids pop off with one hand. Set it aside on a mat or old towel so loose litter doesn’t scatter further.
2. Scoop solids daily. Work the scoop along the base, including corners, where clumps like to hide under the lid’s edge.
3. Wipe the lid weekly. Rinse under warm water and scrub the grooves with an old toothbrush if litter’s packed into the grate.
4. Check litter depth. Top off to about 2 inches. Don’t just keep layering fresh litter on top of old.
5. Deep clean monthly. Empty the box fully, wash with mild soap and water, skip bleach and ammonia since they can react badly with cat urine, and dry completely before refilling.
6. Replace the box yearly. Scratched plastic holds onto bacteria and odor that no amount of washing gets out.

Quick Buying Checklist

• Box length is at least 1.5 times your cat’s body length
• Entry hole matches your cat’s actual size, not just “large” on the label
• Lid has grooves, ridges, or a grate for tracking control
• Plastic is BPA-free and feels solid, not flexible, when pressed
• Lid detaches in one motion for daily scooping
• You have one litter box per cat, plus one, somewhere in the home
• Your cat is a healthy adult, not a kitten, senior, or arthritic cat

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box good for large cats?

Not always. Several owner reviews mention the entry hole feeling tight for a large-breed adult cat. If yours is on the bigger side, the IRIS Large model or the Arm & Hammer in this guide has more forgiving dimensions.

How does Clevercat compare to IRIS top-entry boxes?

They solve the same problem in similar ways: an enclosed body, a paw-cleaning lid, and a top opening. IRIS boxes run slightly larger in most sizes and typically cost less at major retailers. Clevercat’s reusable liner system is the main practical difference between the two.

Are top-entry boxes suitable for all cats?

Most healthy adult cats adapt to them within a few days. Kittens and senior cats with joint issues may find the jump difficult, so watch how your cat responds during the first week.

How do I transition my cat to a new box?

Place the new box next to the old one for a few days, then move it toward the spot you actually want it. Keep the old box available until your cat is consistently using the new one on their own.

Do top-entry litter boxes really stop tracking?

They cut it down noticeably compared to open pans, since the lid catches litter directly off your cat’s paws. That said, regular cleaning of the lid is what keeps the grate working; a clogged grate stops catching anything.

Do top-entry litter boxes smell worse than open ones?

The opposite, generally. Enclosing the box blocks sightlines and slows odor from escaping the room, though smell can concentrate inside between scoops. Daily scooping matters more with a covered box than it does with an open one.

Can I use one top-entry box for multiple cats?

You can, but vets generally recommend one box per cat plus one extra, placed in different spots around the home. A single box, no matter how well it controls odor, isn’t a real substitute for that.

Is a top-entry litter box dog-proof?

Usually, but not guaranteed. The entry hole and lid height stop most dogs, though small or determined dogs have managed to get a paw or nose in on some models. Don’t treat it as your only barrier if your dog is persistent.

Can I use clumping litter in these boxes?

Yes. Most top-entry boxes work with clumping, crystal, and pine litter. Keep the depth close to the 2-inch range so clumps form properly, and follow the manufacturer’s specific litter recommendations if they list one.

How often should I replace the box?

Roughly every 12 months for plastic boxes. Over time, plastic picks up micro-scratches that hold bacteria and odor, and regular replacement keeps things genuinely clean rather than just looking clean.

🎯 Final Verdict

The Arm & Hammer Premium Top Entry Litter Box is the one I’d tell most people to buy. The Microban protection and the tracking control on the lid solve the two biggest complaints people have about litter boxes, smell and mess, without asking you to spend on anything niche.

If you want a smaller footprint or a lower price, the IRIS Beige model isn’t a downgrade so much as a different set of tradeoffs: same core function, less floor space used, less brand-name odor technology.

If you searched your way here specifically for the Clevercat box, it plays in the same category with a similar entry size and lid concept, and its liner system is worth a look if you’d rather not deal with loose bags. Just measure your cat first if they run large; that’s where the complaints tend to cluster.

Whichever one you pick, the fundamentals stay the same: enough room for your cat to turn around, a lid that actually catches litter, and scooping it out daily. Skip any of those three and no box, expensive or cheap, keeps your floors clean.