IRIS vs Modkat Top Entry Litter Box: on paper these two barely belong in the same sentence. One is a six-pack of clear plastic totes for your closet. The other is a $110 cat toilet with a swivel lid. But if you’ve landed here, you’re probably comparing them for a real reason: you’re weighing whether to buy IRIS’s purpose-built top-entry litter gear, a Modkat, or you’ve seen cat owners on forums repurposing a deep IRIS storage bin as a DIY litter box and want to know if that actually works. We’ll cover all three angles below, with real dimensions and specs pulled from the manufacturers and retailers, not guesses.
IRIS vs Modkat Top Entry Litter Box: Quick Comparison
⚡ Quick Verdict
If you need a litter box, get the Modkat. Its top-entry lid is built and tested for that job. The IRIS 54-quart bin is a storage tote first. Some owners do turn a deep clear tote like this into a homemade high-sided box, and we’ll show you exactly how that compares later in this guide. For everything else around the house, a six-pack of IRIS bins beats a single litter box every time, because they’re solving completely different problems.
At a Glance
Here’s the short version before you scroll through the full breakdown.
| IRIS 54 Qt Storage Bin | Modkat Top-Entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Home storage | Cat litter |
| Footprint | 22″ x 16.5″ x 13″ | 16″ x 16″ x 15″ |
| Typical price | ~$80-90 for a 6-pack | ~$100-110 for one |
| Max recommended weight | 35 lb of contents | Cats up to 12 lb |
| Best for | Closets, garages, seasonal gear | Small apartments, low litter tracking |
Analysis: IRIS USA 54 Quart Storage Bins
Good fit for renters and homeowners who need stackable, see-through storage for closets, garages, or playrooms and don’t want to guess what’s inside a box before they open it.
Each bin holds 53.65 quarts and measures 22 inches long, 16.5 inches wide, and just over 13 inches tall. That’s roughly the footprint of a large under-bed box, but taller. IRIS makes these in the USA and rates each one to hold up to 35 pounds of contents, which covers everything from off-season clothing to board games to a mixed box of tools.
The clear body is the whole point. You don’t have to pull a bin off a shelf and pop the lid just to check what’s in it. Buckle latches on both ends hold the lid down during stacking, and a molded pull handle on the base end lets you slide a bin out without wrestling it. They ship as a 6-pack, and the six units nest inside each other when empty, so they don’t eat storage space of their own before you’ve put anything in them.
Build Quality and Materials
The plastic is BPA-free, acid-free, and phthalate-free, so it’s rated safe for clothing, papers, and food-adjacent storage. Each bin weighs about 3 pounds empty, which is light enough to carry loaded with one hand on the pull handle. The base is reinforced to resist bowing when bins are stacked three or four high, though like any injection-molded polypropylene, a hard drop on a cold garage floor can crack a corner.
Everyday Use
There’s no assembly. You unbox six flat-packed bins, snap the lids on, and start filling. The latches take a firm push to lock and a firm pull to open, which is the tradeoff for a lid that won’t pop open when the bin gets bumped in a stack. Most owners use these for rotating seasonal items: winter coats in summer, holiday decorations year-round, or craft supplies that need to stay dust-free between projects.
Value
A 6-pack runs somewhere around $80 to $90 depending on the retailer and whether it’s on sale, which works out to under $15 per bin. That’s cheap enough to redo an entire closet system in one order. Because IRIS sells refill packs in the same size, you can add more bins later and they’ll still stack and latch with the originals.
✅ What Works
❌ Where It Falls Short
Analysis: Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box
Good fit for cat owners in small apartments who are tired of finding litter on the floor and don’t mind paying more for a box that looks like furniture instead of a plastic pan.
The Modkat measures 16 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 15 inches tall, with an entry opening at the top that runs roughly 8.5 to 9.5 inches across depending on where you measure it. Your cat climbs up and drops in rather than walking through a door on the side. On the way down, most of the litter stuck to their paws falls off before they land, and on the way out, the swivel lid, which is punched with small holes, catches the rest and drops it back inside.
It comes with a reusable Type A liner made from tarpaulin fabric rather than a disposable plastic tray, a hanging scoop, a litter mat, and an odor filter holder with two filters. Modkat rates the liner to last about three months before it needs replacing, though that number moves depending on how many cats share the box and how hard they scratch at the fabric.
Build Quality and Design
The base is molded as one seamless piece, so there’s no seam for liquid to find its way through even if a cat sprays against the wall. The whole unit weighs 6.5 pounds, and the lid alone is rated to hold up to 30 pounds, which is more than enough for a cat to stand on without flexing. The outer shell wipes clean with a damp cloth, and the rounded shape means there’s nowhere for the box to look out of place sitting next to a couch.
Everyday Use
Scooping means pressing a release button, swiveling the lid open, and reaching in. That’s faster than lifting a hooded top off a traditional covered box. Independent reviewers who tested it over several months rate odor control and appearance at the top of the scale, and consistently note that litter tracking drops to almost nothing once the box is in regular use. The tradeoff shows up on the cat’s side: not every cat wants to climb up and drop down into a box, and owners of cats over about 12 pounds, or cats with joint issues, report more hesitation or outright refusal.
Maintenance
The tarpaulin liner wipes down easily for daily cleaning, but several long-term owners report that urine can work its way into the seams and hems over months of use, and that spot is hard to fully sanitize without replacing the liner. Replacement liners run about $25 to $40 for a 3-pack and only fit the Modkat’s specific liner slots, so you can’t swap in a generic tray liner if you run out.
Value
A single unit runs about $100 to $110, and that price is the most common complaint in owner reviews. What you’re paying for is fewer floor sweeps and a box that doesn’t need to be hidden. If tracking and appearance matter more to you than upfront cost, most long-term owners say it’s held up for years without issues.
✅ What Works
❌ Where It Falls Short
Can You Use an IRIS Storage Bin as a Litter Box?
Short answer: yes, and plenty of cat owners already do it. On forums like Slickdeals, owners describe cutting an entry hole into the side of a deep clear storage tote and using it as a homemade high-sided litter box, specifically because the extra height keeps determined diggers and side-sprayers from clearing the walls. A 54-quart IRIS bin at just over 13 inches tall is roughly the same height as many commercial high-sided boxes, and the clear sides let you spot when it needs a refill without opening the lid.
It’s a real budget option, but go in with your eyes open. The bin isn’t designed for this. You’ll need to cut your own entry hole with a utility knife or rotary tool and sand the edge smooth so it doesn’t scratch paws. There’s no odor filter, no liner system, and no warranty coverage for a modified bin. If you’d rather skip the DIY step, IRIS sells purpose-built litter boxes in the same open-top, high-sided family, including models with a scatter shield and a hooded top-entry option, which get you the tall-wall benefit without cutting plastic yourself.
Quick take: a cut IRIS bin gets you height and visibility on a budget. A Modkat gets you tracking control, a scoop system, and a liner built for the job. Neither one is objectively “the litter box,” they solve different parts of the same problem.
Major Factors to Consider
Start with what you’re actually trying to fix. Are you clearing clutter out of a closet, or are you trying to stop finding litter granules on your bathroom floor? That one question answers most of the rest.
Purpose
The Modkat is engineered around one task: containing litter and cat waste. The IRIS bin is engineered around a different task: protecting and organizing whatever you put inside it. Neither substitutes for the other unless you’re willing to modify the bin yourself.
Daily Time Cost
The Modkat’s swivel lid cuts scooping down to a few seconds. The IRIS bins save you time on the other end: less time searching closets for the right box because you can see through every one of them.
Price and Value
Six IRIS bins cost less than one Modkat. That’s not a knock on the Modkat, it’s just a different category of spend: bulk utility versus one specialized purchase. Decide your budget by the problem, not the price tag alone.
Build Quality
The Modkat’s seamless base is built to hold liquid without leaking. The IRIS bins are built to hold weight without buckling on a shelf. Both are durable plastic, but they’re engineered against different kinds of daily stress.
Where It Lives
The Modkat is meant to sit out in the open, in a living room or bedroom corner, without looking like a litter box. IRIS bins are meant to be stacked out of sight in a closet or garage. Pick based on whether the product needs to be seen.
Your Cat’s Size and Age
Modkat recommends its standard box for cats up to 12 pounds. A larger cat, a senior cat, or a cat with joint pain may struggle to climb in and out, in which case a Modkat XL or a front-entry box is worth checking instead.
Feature Comparison
A side-by-side of the features that actually differ between the two.
| Feature | IRIS USA 54 Quart Storage Bins | Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box |
|---|---|---|
| Stackable Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Top Entry Access | ✗ | ✓ |
| Transparent Body | ✓ | ✗ |
| Seamless Leak-Proof Base | ✗ | ✓ |
| Reusable Liner Included | ✗ | ✓ |
| Odor Filter | ✗ | ✓ |
| BPA-Free Materials | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Pull Handle | ✓ | ✗ |
| Swivel Lid for Cleaning | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sold as a Multi-Pack | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scoop Included | ✗ | ✓ |
Specifications Comparison
Real dimensions and weight ratings for both products, straight from the manufacturer and major retail listings.
| Specification | IRIS USA 54 Quart Storage Bins | Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Price | ~$80-90 (6-pack) | ~$100-110 (single unit) |
| Primary Use | Storage | Cat litter |
| Item Weight | ~3.1 lb each | ~6.5 lb |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 22″ x 16.5″ x 13″ | 16″ x 16″ x 15″ |
| Entry / Opening | Full top lid | ~8.5″-9.5″ top hole |
| Capacity / Load Rating | 53.65 qt / 35 lb | Cats up to 12 lb; lid holds 30 lb |
| Material | Clear, BPA-free plastic | Rigid, seamless molded plastic |
| Stackable | Yes | No |
| Lid Type | Buckle latch | Swivel, push-button release |
| Origin | USA | Imported |
Prices and dimensions vary by retailer and by pack size. Check the listing before you buy if exact measurements matter for your closet or litter box corner.
🏆 Best for Litter Duty: Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box
Score Breakdown (as a litter box)
This only counts as a “win” if a litter box is what you came for. Against the IRIS bins, it isn’t really a contest, they’re not built for the same job. But among top-entry litter boxes specifically, the Modkat earns its price through tracking control and a base that doesn’t leak, with the honest caveat that not every cat, and not every wallet, will take to it.
Choose the IRIS Storage Bins If…
You’re Organizing a Whole Closet or Garage
Six matching, stackable bins solve a room-level problem in one order. One litter box doesn’t.
You Want to See Contents Without Opening the Lid
The clear body means you don’t have to unstack a tower of boxes to find the one with your holiday lights in it.
You’re on a Tight Budget for Bulk Storage
Under $15 a bin is hard to beat for anyone trying to redo a whole storage area at once.
You Want a DIY High-Sided Litter Box
If you’re comfortable cutting an entry hole yourself, the tall walls make a decent budget alternative to a commercial high-sided box.
Choose the Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box If…
Litter Tracking Is Your Actual Problem
If you’re sweeping granules off the floor every day, this is the product built to stop it.
Your Cat Is Under 12 Pounds and Not Elderly
Younger, lighter cats generally adapt to the climb-in, drop-down design faster than heavier or senior cats.
The Box Has to Sit in a Living Space
Small apartments where the litter box can’t be tucked in a spare room benefit most from a design that doesn’t look like a litter box.
You’d Rather Pay Once Than Buy Liners Every Few Weeks
The reusable liner costs more upfront but replaces the ongoing cost of disposable tray liners.
Buying Checklist
Run through this before you check out.
- Measure the space first. A Modkat needs about 16 x 16 inches of floor footprint; an IRIS bin needs 22 x 16.5 inches per unstacked unit.
- Weigh your cat if you’re buying a Modkat. Over 12 pounds, look at the Modkat XL or a front-entry box instead.
- Budget for liner replacements every 2 to 3 months if you go with the Modkat’s reusable system.
- Count how many bins you actually need before buying the IRIS 6-pack. Extra bins are cheap, but so is a smaller pack if you only need two or three.
- If you’re eyeing the DIY IRIS litter box route, have a utility knife or rotary tool ready and sand the cut edge before your cat ever steps in.
🎯 Final Recommendation
Buy the IRIS bins if you’re organizing a house. Buy the Modkat if you’re solving a litter problem for a cat under 12 pounds. Buy both if you happen to need a closet overhaul and a new litter box in the same month. They’re not competing for the same dollar, so there’s no wrong answer here, just a wrong category if you buy the one that doesn’t match your actual problem.
Summary
- The IRIS 54-quart bins are stackable, clear-sided storage totes built for closets and garages, not for pet waste.
- The Modkat is a top-entry litter box that uses gravity and a punched swivel lid to cut litter tracking to almost nothing.
- A 6-pack of IRIS bins costs less than one Modkat, but they’re solving different problems entirely.
- Some owners cut an entry hole into a deep clear tote like the IRIS bin as a budget DIY high-sided litter box, which is the real reason these two show up in the same search.
- Modkat recommends its standard box for cats up to 12 pounds; heavier or older cats may need the XL or a front-entry design instead.
- Watch for urine soaking into the Modkat liner’s seams over long-term use, and budget for a liner replacement every 2 to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IRIS storage bin actually better than the Modkat?
Not for litter, no. They’re not built for the same job, so “better” depends on what you’re buying it for. For general home storage, the IRIS bins win on price and versatility. For containing cat litter, the Modkat wins because it’s actually engineered for that purpose.
Can I use an IRIS storage bin as a cat litter box?
Yes, with a cut entry hole, and some owners already do this as a budget high-sided box. You lose the odor filter, liner, and scoop-friendly opening the Modkat includes, and you take on the DIY work and any sharp edges yourself.
What size cat is too big for the Modkat top-entry litter box?
Modkat recommends the standard box for cats up to about 12 pounds. Heavier cats, senior cats, or cats with joint pain often struggle with the climb-in, drop-down entry. The Modkat XL offers a larger footprint and can also be set up as front-entry or dual-entry if your cat needs an easier way in.
How much do Modkat replacement liners cost?
A 3-pack of replacement liners typically runs $25 to $40 depending on size and retailer. Each liner is rated to last around three months, though heavy multi-cat use shortens that window.
Does the Modkat liner trap urine smell over time?
Some long-term owners report that urine can soak into the seams and hems of the tarpaulin liner, and that spot is hard to fully sanitize by wiping alone. Daily scooping and a periodic deep wash slow this down, but it’s worth knowing about before you buy.
How many IRIS 54 quart bins do I actually need?
That depends on what you’re storing. A single bedroom closet overhaul usually needs 2 to 4 bins. A full garage reorganization often uses the whole 6-pack and then some, since IRIS sells matching refill packs in the same size.
What are the main differences between the two products?
The IRIS bins are stackable, clear, buckle-latched totes for general storage. The Modkat is a single-purpose, top-entry litter box with a seamless leak-proof base, a reusable liner, and a swivel lid. They share BPA-free plastic construction and not much else.
Is the Modkat worth the higher price compared to a basic litter box?
If litter tracking and appearance matter to you, most long-term owner reviews say yes, it holds up for years and earns its price back in time saved cleaning. If you just need something functional and budget is the priority, a basic open litter box will do the same core job for a fraction of the cost.
Written by Mishu
A passionate cat lover and indoor living enthusiast, Mishu is the founder and voice behind Indoor Living Cat – a go-to resource for cat owners who want to create the happiest, healthiest life for their feline companions indoors.
View Full Profile