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Tidy Cats Breeze XL Litter Box Review

Imagine walking into your home and not smelling the litter box. That’s the promise behind the Tidy Cats Breeze XL Litter system. With high sides, an innovative pad-and-pellet system, and plenty of room for larger cats, this litter box is designed to keep your home fresher and your cleanup routine easier.

But does the Breeze XL actually deliver on its promise of a cleaner, less stressful litter box experience? We tested it with Snickers and BigBoy (our 17-pound cat) to find out if it’s truly worth the upgrade.

What Comes in the Breeze XL Starter Kit?

Think of the Tidy Cats Breeze XL litter box system like buying the “all-inclusive resort” version of a litter box. In the box, you get:

  • The extra-large litter box with high sides (no more sand dunes on your floor)
  • A grated base that separates solids from liquids
  • One 7-lb bag of Breeze cat litter pellets
  • Four disposable absorbent pads
  • A specially designed scoop that makes removing solids quick and simple

Instead of clay clumps and daily odor battles, this system uses pellets that let liquids drain through to the pad below, locking in smell before it has the chance to ambush your nose. It’s not magic, but it feels pretty close.

Breeze XL litter box filled with pellets, showing the spacious design and high sides

The Breeze XL set up with pellets — high sides and a spacious base help keep mess contained.

How Big Is the Breeze XL Litter Box?

If your cat has ever given you the side-eye for offering a box that feels “cramped,” the XL might earn back some trust. At roughly 21" x 16.5" x 10.5", it’s much larger than the standard Breeze system.

Perfect for:

  • Large breed cats like Maine Coons or Ragdolls
  • Multi-cat households (a.k.a. feline improv troupes)
  • Cats who like to sprawl while they dig

Compared to a standard box, the Breeze XL is like upgrading from an economy seat to business class — suddenly, everyone’s more comfortable.

Large 17-pound cat comfortably using the Breeze XL litter box, showing its roomy size

BigBoy, our 17-pound cat, still has room to move around in the Breeze XL.

How Does the Breeze XL System Work?

The design is deceptively simple:

  • Pellets on top: Non-clumping Breeze litter pellets let liquid pass through
  • Pad below: Absorbent pads trap urine and odors

Solids stay on top for easy scooping, liquids vanish into the pad, and you’re left with a system that doesn’t make you dread opening the laundry room door. It’s a genuine low-maintenance litter box — no scraping, no sludge, no clay dust. Pairing it with a Litter Genie XL makes disposal even easier.

Real-World Testing: What BigBoy Thought

Cats are natural skeptics. When we introduced BigBoy (our 17-pound cat) to the Breeze XL, we expected protests, possibly even bathroom strikes. Instead, after a careful transition (half old litter, half pellets), he adjusted within days. Snickers, our smaller tester, had no trouble making the switch either — proof that the XL works for cats of all sizes.

Transition Tip: If your cat hesitates, sprinkle a little of their old litter on top of the pellets during the first week. Think of it as the feline equivalent of comfort food.

The verdict? He digs (literally). He had plenty of room to move around, no tracking pellets across the house, and no overwhelming odor when we got home from work. Even his dramatic midnight excavations didn’t send litter flying over the edges.

For us, it was the first time in years we didn’t feel embarrassed when guests stopped by. For BigBoy, it was business as usual — just cleaner.

BigBoy, a 17-pound cat, digging inside the Breeze XL litter box, showing how the high sides contain pellets and mess.

BigBoy quickly adjusted to the Breeze XL, and even during his enthusiastic digging sessions, the high sides kept pellets and mess inside the box.

Pros and Cons of the Breeze XL Litter Box

Pros:

  • Excellent odor control (no more eau de ammonia)
  • Roomy enough for large cats
  • Pads make cleanup fast and painless
  • Low-tracking, dust-free pellets
  • High sides keep litter inside the box

Cons:

  • Requires brand-specific pellets and pads
  • Slightly higher monthly cost
  • Some cats may need a slow adjustment period

Setup, Cleaning, and Maintenance Tips

Here’s how we kept the Breeze XL litter system fresh without losing our sanity:

  • Scoop solids daily (takes 30 seconds)
  • Replace the pad weekly for one cat, every 3–4 days for two
  • Swap pellets monthly
Pro Tip: Rotate the Breeze XL drawer halfway through the week to use the clean side of the pad. This helps extend each pad’s life, saves money on refills, and still keeps odors under control.

Breeze XL vs Standard Breeze: Is Bigger Better?

Standard Breeze litter box and Breeze XL litter box side by side on a beige tile floor, filled with pellets and pads visible in the trays.

Side-by-side comparison of the Standard Breeze (left) and Breeze XL (right), showing the difference in size and capacity.

If you already use the standard Breeze system, you may be wondering if the XL is worth the upgrade. In our experience:

  • The XL feels sturdier, roomier, and better for big cats
  • Odor control is about the same, but less mess escapes thanks to higher sides
  • The XL uses the same pads as the standard system, so refills are interchangeable
  • Multi-cat households will appreciate the larger pellet capacity and bigger box size

In short: if you’ve got big cats or multiple cats, the XL is worth it. For a single small cat, the standard Breeze may still be fine. Both systems work well — it just depends on your cat’s size and your household setup.

Don’t Forget Refills: Pellets + Pads

The Tidy Cats Breeze XL litter box requires ongoing refills, and Purina sells them in bundles for convenience:

This pack includes:

  • A 7-lb bag of Breeze pellets (enough for a month per cat)
  • 10 pads (good for 2–3 weeks)

Breeze litter pellets and cat pads refill packs on a wood floor

The Breeze system uses pellets and liners — our cats were curious as soon as the refills came out.

You can also buy them separately:


Yes, it costs more than your average bag of clumping litter. But when you factor in time saved (no scraping, no dust, fewer full cleanouts), the convenience pays for itself — and your house smells like an actual home instead of a cat café gone rogue. Curious about other cleanup tools? Check out our guide to the best litter disposal systems.

Is the Tidy Cats Breeze XL Litter Box System Worth It?

For cat parents who want less mess, fewer odors, and a box that doesn’t feel like a daily battle, the Tidy Cats Breeze XL is a game-changer. It’s not the cheapest system, but it earns its keep in saved time and cleaner floors.

If your cat is big, picky, or you’re juggling multiple felines, the Breeze XL will feel like an upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

FAQs

What litter can I use in the Breeze XL?

Only Breeze-specific pellets are recommended. Traditional clumping litter can clog the grates and reduce effectiveness.

How often should I change the pads?

For one cat, change the pad every 7 days. In a multi-cat home, every 3–4 days is recommended.

How long do Breeze XL refills last?

One 7-lb bag of pellets typically lasts about a month per cat, while each pad lasts up to a week for a single cat (3–4 days for two cats). Buying bundles can make the system more convenient and cost-effective.

Can I use the Breeze XL for kittens or senior cats?

Yes — its open-top design makes it easy for both kittens and older cats to access.

Is this box self-cleaning?

No, but with no clumps and quick pad changes, it’s about as close as you can get without going automatic.