Before you buy a $700 self-cleaning litter box, see these 4 cheaper fixes

The IRIS Top Entry box is a long-running favorite for owners fighting litter scatter. Cats jump in through a hole in the lid, and the textured lid catches litter from their paws as they climb out. Owners consistently report much less litter tracked across the floor, and the design also keeps curious dogs out. It is simple to scoop by lifting the lid. The catch is that it does not suit every cat. Kittens, seniors and cats with mobility issues may struggle with jumping in and out. For healthy adult cats, it is our top pick.

Many cats prefer an open box, and the problem is usually that standard pans are too shallow. This high-sided box from Nature's Miracle keeps tall walls on three sides with a lower front entry, so cats who dig hard or stand up while they go keep litter and urine inside. Owners like how easy it is to scoop and clean. It is open, so odors are less contained than with a hooded box, and very large cats may still want a bigger pan. For most cats, it is an easy, low-cost upgrade over a basic box.

The Booda Dome is a well-known hooded box with an unusual design: cats enter by climbing a set of molded steps. The steps help catch litter before it leaves the box, and the dome gives shy cats privacy while helping contain odor. Owners report less tracked litter and appreciate that the dome hides the box visually. It takes up more floor space than a basic pan, and some cats take time to get used to the steps. Like any hooded box, it needs regular scooping since the cover can trap smells inside for the cat.

The Breeze system works differently from a standard box. Cats use a top tray of non-clumping pellets, and urine passes through a grate into a drawer with an absorbent pad. You scoop solids and change the pad, and owners say the box stays drier and smells less. Pellets also track less than clay litter. The trade-offs are ongoing costs, since you need branded pads and pellets, and some cats dislike the texture of pellets. If odor is your biggest problem and your cat is flexible, it is worth a try.

The Litter-Robot is the self-cleaning box most owners have heard of, and the Litter-Robot 4 is the current model. After a cat leaves, it rotates to separate clumps into a drawer below, and an app shows usage and drawer levels. Owners in multi-cat homes and people who travel often say it saves a lot of daily work. The cost is the big drawback, and it needs clumping litter, regular deep cleaning and a period for cats to adjust. Try one of the simpler boxes above first if odor or scatter is your only problem.