If your cat is big or digs like it’s looking for buried treasure, the IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided box is the IRIS open top litter box to buy. It’s 30″ long, 20″ wide and has 14″ walls, which is more room and more wall than most open pans give you. Two cats, or one cat and a small apartment? The Large two-pack at 19″ x 15″ x 11.75″ is the better deal.
This review is part of our indoor cat litter box guide. We ranked six IRIS boxes here. The first three are open top. The last three are hooded top-entry boxes, and we kept them in because plenty of people searching for an open top box end up wanting one after a dog raids the pan or the smell gets old. We’ll say plainly which is which.
Open top means no lid and no hood. You get easy scooping, good airflow and a clear view of how your cat is doing. You also get more odor in the room, and that tradeoff decides the whole purchase. For the full picture, read our complete open litter box guide, or see the open litter box pros and cons before you commit.
Disclosure: links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It doesn’t change our scores. Last updated October 2026.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Which IRIS Box Fits Your Cat?
Start here if you just want the match. Each row points to the full review below. Still unsure how to size up? Our guide on how to choose an open litter box walks through it step by step.
| Your situation | Best IRIS pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Coon, Ragdoll or any cat that outgrew a standard pan | XX-Large High Sided (Black) | 30″ x 20″ floor space and 14″ walls |
| Two or more cats | Large High Sided 2-Pack (Black) | Separate stations at a lower cost per box |
| One average cat, neutral decor | Large High Sided (Gray) | Same 19″ x 15″ pan as the two-pack, in gray |
| A dog that treats the box like a snack bar | Large Top Entry (Beige/White) | Entry from above keeps dogs out |
| Odor matters more than airflow | Top Entry Hooded (Beige) | Enclosed, with a built-in scoop hook |
| Tracking is the main complaint | Top Entry Hooded (Gray/White) | Textured lid shakes litter off paws |
IRIS Open Top Litter Box Review: Our Ranked List
Numbers 1 to 3 are true open top boxes. Numbers 4 to 6 are covered top-entry boxes, included as alternatives.
| Image | Product | Score | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Black (open top) 🏆 Editor’s Pick |
9.2/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
 |
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Large, Black, 2 Pack (open top) 💰 Best Value |
8.8/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
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IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Large, Gray (open top) | 8.5/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
 |
IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy, Beige/White (covered) | 8.3/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
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IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy, Large, Beige (covered) | 8.1/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
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IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy, Large, Gray/White (covered) | 7.9/10 | View on Amazon Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns |
📋 How We Evaluated
We scored each box on five things: build quality, size for the cat, how easy it is to clean, how well it holds litter and spray, and value for the price. Amazon rating patterns helped us judge how boxes hold up after months of use. Cat size and mobility weighed heavily, because a box that’s too small or too tall to enter fails regardless of its other features.
Dimensions and materials come from the manufacturer listings. Open top boxes were judged against other open top boxes, and covered boxes against covered ones, so the scores aren’t a straight apples-to-apples ranking across both groups.
Detailed Reviews
IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Black🏆 Editor’s Pick
| Dimensions | 30″L x 20″W x 14″H |
| Material | Durable Plastic |
| Entry Type | Curved Open Front |
| Color | Black |
What We Found
At 30″ by 20″, this is the biggest box in the lineup, and it’s built for cats that don’t fit anywhere else. Maine Coons and other large breeds can turn around and stretch out without hanging over an edge. If your cat is on the big side, our roundup of the best open litter box for large cats covers more options. The 14″ walls are what stop a vigorous digger from flinging litter across the room. The curved front entrance measures 6.5″, so the step in is low.
The interior is smooth with few crevices, so wiping it down takes a minute. High sides also catch urine spray before it reaches the wall, which is why it also shows up in our guide to the best open litter box for high sprayers. Black plastic hides stains better than lighter colors do. The open top gives you airflow and an easy look at what your cat is doing, which is how many owners first notice a change in urine habits.
💬 My Take
If your cat is big, buy this one and stop reading. The walls fix the two biggest complaints about open pans, scatter and spray. Just measure your space first, because it’s huge.
Who It’s For
- Owners of large breeds, or any cat that looks cramped in a standard pan
- Multi-cat households that want one big shared station
- Older cats that need a low, curved entry
- Anyone tired of sweeping litter off the floor every day
- Homes with a laundry room or bathroom corner that can take a 30″ footprint
✅ Pros
- Room for very large cat breeds to turn and stretch.
- 14″ walls contain digging and urine spray.
- Smooth surface makes cleaning quick.
❌ Cons
- The 30″ x 20″ footprint is a lot for a small apartment.
- Open top holds odor in less than a hooded box.
- It’s awkward to lift and carry for a deep clean.
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Large, Black, 2 Pack💰 Best Value
| Dimensions | 19″L x 15″W x 11.75″H |
| Quantity | 2 Pack |
| Material | Plastic |
| Origin | Made in USA |
What We Found
You get two black Large boxes, each 19″ by 15″ with 11.75″ walls. That’s enough wall to keep most scatter in the pan, and tall enough that the box feels semi-private even without a lid. Daily scooping is easy because nothing is in the way. These are made in the USA.
The entry is easy for kittens and seniors, so it’s worth a look if you’re shopping for an open litter box for kittens or a senior cat. And two boxes matter more than people expect. The usual rule is one box per cat plus one extra, so a pair is a fair start for a two-cat home (more in our guide to the best open litter box for multiple cats), and separate stations can ease territorial friction. The black finish hides staining as the plastic ages.
💬 My Take
Best deal in the group if you have more than one cat. If you have one big cat, skip it for the XX-Large, because 19″ is tight for a large breed.
Who It’s For
- Households with two cats, or one cat that refuses to share with a visitor
- Budget-conscious buyers who want two boxes in one order
- Small to medium cats and kittens
- Apartments where a 19″ footprint fits and 30″ doesn’t
- Foster homes that need a clean spare on hand
- Shoppers who prefer American-made products
✅ Pros
- Two boxes for a multi-cat home at a lower cost per box.
- Compact enough for smaller living spaces.
- High walls cut litter tracking and spray.
❌ Cons
- Too small for very large breeds.
- Plastic can hold odor after long use.
- No lid, so odor control is limited.
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Scatter Shield, Large, Gray
| Dimensions | 19″L x 15″W x 11.75″H |
| Color | Gray |
| Material | Plastic with Global Materials |
| Style | Open Top |
What We Found
Same pan as the two-pack: 19″ by 15″, walls at 11.75″. The difference is color and quantity. You get one gray box, and the spec list says “Plastic with Global Materials,” so don’t assume the Made in USA label that the two-pack carries. Check the Amazon listing before you buy if origin matters to you.
The scatter shield keeps most litter in the pan, and the tall sides give a cat the sense of cover it wants. Access is quick for anxious or elderly pets. Gray blends into modern decor better than black does, though it will show stains sooner if you skip cleaning. Comparing brands? See how it stacks up in our Frisco open litter box review and our Van Ness open litter pan review.
💬 My Take
A solid pick for one average-size cat. You’re paying for the color, so if you don’t care about gray, the two-pack is the smarter buy. If price is your main filter, check the best budget open litter box list first.
Who It’s For
- Single-cat homes that want a neutral color
- People replacing one worn-out box rather than adding two
- Small to medium cats
- Owners who like to watch litter habits, which an open top makes easy
- Apartment dwellers with room for a 19″ x 15″ pan
- Cats that spray, since 11.75″ walls give them something to aim into
✅ Pros
- Neutral gray fits most home decor.
- Open top makes daily health checks easy.
- High sides cut scatter outside the box.
❌ Cons
- One box costs more per unit than the two-pack.
- Odor control is weaker than any enclosed model.
- Gray can show stains if you clean it rarely.
ℹ️ The next three aren’t open top
Boxes 4 to 6 are hooded, top-entry designs. They’re here because dogs, odor and tracking are the usual reasons people leave open top boxes behind. If odor is your main worry, our best open litter box for odor control page shows what works without a lid. If none of these apply to you, you can skip ahead to the open vs covered comparison.
IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy, Beige/White
| Dimensions | 20.75″L x 16.125″W x 14.625″H |
| Entry Type | Top Entry |
| Color | Beige/White |
| Feature | Included Scoop with Hook |
What We Found
This is the roomiest of the three covered boxes at 20.75″ long. Your cat jumps in through the top, steps across a textured lid, and loose litter drops off paws on the way out. A scoop with a side hook comes in the box. Dogs can’t reach the litter easily, which is the main reason to buy it.
The hood holds odor in and keeps the box out of sight, and shy cats tend to like the seclusion. Cleaning the plastic is simple. The lid’s grooves are the exception, and they need a brush now and then.
💬 My Take
The right call for dog owners. The tradeoff is that older or stiff cats may refuse to climb in, and a box a cat won’t use is worse than a messy one.
Who It’s For
- Homes with a dog that eats litter
- Owners fighting odor in a small space
- Shy cats that want privacy
- People who’d rather not look at a litter box
- Anyone who wants the scoop stored on the box itself
✅ Pros
- Top entry keeps dogs out of the litter.
- Enclosed design cuts room odor.
- Textured lid reduces tracking on hard floors.
❌ Cons
- Older cats may struggle to climb in.
- Interior is smaller than the open top boxes above.
- Lid grooves need regular scrubbing.
IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy, Large, Beige
| Dimensions | 20.5″L x 14.75″W x 14.38″H |
| Entry Diameter | 9.25 Inches |
| Color | Beige |
| Feature | Hooded Privacy Design |
What We Found
At 20.5″ by 14.75″, this beige hooded box is narrower than box 4, and the 9.25″ entry hole is the only way in. The enclosed shell holds smells in. Holes in the lid pull stray litter off paws, and an included scoop hangs on the side. Other pets stay out of the pan.
Seclusion calms nervous cats. The lid comes off for scooping and cleaning, so you aren’t reaching through a hole. It fits tight corners well because of the narrower width, but that same width limits turning room for bigger cats.
💬 My Take
Strong on odor and privacy. It works best for agile, medium-size cats. If yours has any trouble jumping, pick an open top box instead, such as one from our best open litter box for senior cats list.
Who It’s For
- Owners who rank odor containment first
- Homes with a nosy dog
- Shy cats that hide to use the box
- Medium-size cats with no mobility problems
- Apartment residents who want the box out of sight
✅ Pros
- Hooded design gives anxious cats privacy.
- Enclosed space holds odors in.
- Scoop hook keeps the tool close.
❌ Cons
- Top entry is hard on arthritic cats.
- 14.75″ width limits turning room.
- Plastic can retain smells over time.
IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy, Large, Gray/White
| Dimensions | 20.5″L x 14.75″W x 14.38″H |
| Color | Gray/White |
| Entry Type | Top Entry with Textured Lid |
| Feature | Odor Control Design |
What We Found
Same 20.5″ by 14.75″ footprint as box 5, in gray and white. The textured lid strips loose litter from paws, and the elevated entry keeps dogs away. The enclosed shell creates a private space and holds odors in.
It fits in a laundry room or a tight apartment bathroom without fuss. The scoring gap against box 5 comes down to style. If gray and white matches your room better, buy this one. If it doesn’t, the beige version is the same box.
💬 My Take
Great at stopping tracking, held back by the climb-in entry. Best for agile cats in homes with dogs.
Who It’s For
- Owners with bad litter tracking
- Homes where a dog needs to stay out of the box
- Odor-conscious buyers
- People with limited floor space
- Anyone who prefers a gray and white look
✅ Pros
- Textured lid cuts litter scatter on floors.
- Enclosed structure helps in small rooms.
- Dog-resistant entry protects the litter.
❌ Cons
- Not suited to cats with joint pain or obesity.
- Lid grooves are tedious to clean.
- Less interior volume than open top models.
Open Top vs Top Entry vs Hooded: Which Style Wins?
No style wins everywhere. Open top boxes are easier on cats and easier to scoop. Covered boxes are easier on your nose. Here’s how the three IRIS styles in this guide compare. Thinking about going fully hands-off? Read open vs automatic litter box next.
| Factor | Open top, high sided (boxes 1 to 3) | Top entry, hooded (boxes 4 to 6) |
|---|---|---|
| Odor | Escapes freely. Scoop daily. | Held in better by the hood |
| Litter scatter | Controlled by wall height (11.75″ to 14″) | Controlled by the textured lid |
| Access for seniors and kittens | Easy | Harder, since the cat must climb in |
| Dogs in the litter | Open to them | Mostly blocked |
| Scooping and cleaning | Fast, nothing to remove | Lid comes off, grooves need scrubbing |
| Health monitoring | Easy to see clumps and volume | Requires lifting the lid |
| Best for | Big cats, seniors, sprayers, owners who scoop daily | Dog homes, tight spaces, shy cats |
One more point. A lot of cats don’t like enclosed boxes, because the hood traps smell right where their noses are. If your cat has been skipping a covered box, take the lid off before you decide the box is the problem. Worried about smell in an open pan? We answer it directly in do open litter boxes smell.
IRIS Litter Box Size Guide
A common rule of thumb says the box should be about 1.5 times your cat’s length, measured from nose to the base of the tail. Measure your cat, multiply, and compare against the length column below.
| Model | Length x Width x Height | Style | Fits a cat up to roughly |
|---|---|---|---|
| XX-Large High Sided | 30″ x 20″ x 14″ | Open top | 20″ nose to tail base |
| Large High Sided (Black 2-Pack and Gray) | 19″ x 15″ x 11.75″ | Open top | 12.5″ nose to tail base |
| Large Top Entry (Beige/White) | 20.75″ x 16.125″ x 14.625″ | Hooded | 13.8″ nose to tail base |
| Large Top Entry (Beige, Gray/White) | 20.5″ x 14.75″ x 14.38″ | Hooded | 13.7″ nose to tail base |
The last column divides the outside length by 1.5. Interior room runs a bit smaller than the outside number, so treat it as a ceiling. Most average adult cats are fine in the 19″ box. Cats that look cramped, or that perch on the rim, belong in the 30″ box. For a deeper walkthrough of sizing, see how to choose an open litter box.
How to Cut Litter Scatter With an Open Top Box?
High walls do most of the work, but a few habits finish the job.
- Don’t overfill. Two to three inches of litter is plenty. Deeper litter gets kicked out faster.
- Put a mat outside the entrance. It catches whatever rides out on paws. Our pick of the best litter mat for open litter boxes is a good place to start.
- Place the box against a wall. It blocks one side of the scatter zone and gives your cat a back to dig toward.
- Try a heavier or larger-grain litter. Lightweight, fine litter travels the most.
- Scoop daily. A cat that finds a dirty box often perches on the rim and flings more. A sturdy litter scoop makes this a thirty-second job.
- Size up if the cat hangs over the edge. Many scatter problems are really size problems.
How to Clean a Plastic Litter Box?
A full wash keeps plastic from holding smells. Do it on a regular schedule, and sooner if the box starts to smell right after scooping. Some owners also use litter box liners to make dumping and washing easier.
- Dump all the litter.
- Scrape off stuck clumps with the scoop.
- Wash with warm water and a mild, unscented dish soap.
- Scrub corners and seams. On hooded boxes, brush the lid grooves too.
- Rinse well, then dry completely before adding fresh litter.
- Skip strong-smelling cleaners. Many cats avoid a box that smells like bleach or perfume.
Smooth interiors like the ones on boxes 1 to 3 make this quicker. Plastic does scratch over time, and scratches hold odor. When washing no longer removes the smell, replace the box.
What to Look For Before Buying
Size, access and containment decide most purchases. Run through this checklist before you click, and see our full open litter box buying guide for more detail.
- ☐ I measured my cat from nose to tail base and multiplied by 1.5.
- ☐ I checked the interior dimensions, not just the outside.
- ☐ My cat is a kitten, a senior, or has stiff joints, so I need a low entry.
- ☐ I’ve measured the spot where the box will go.
- ☐ I know whether a dog has access to the room.
- ☐ I know how much odor I can live with.
- ☐ I have one box per cat, plus one extra if I can manage it.
Check Size and Accessibility
Older cats need a lower entry. Large breeds need width to stretch and turn. Pick a height that allows full-speed digging without spill. Cats that feel cramped will use the box less, and that’s how accidents start.
Look at Containment and Cleanup
Walls stop urine from reaching nearby surfaces. Smooth interiors wipe down faster than textured ones. Open tops speed up scooping, while enclosed boxes trap odor but need more frequent washing. Look for designs with few crevices, because waste hides in them. If you want to compare scooping styles, our guide to the best open sifting litter box shows another way to cut cleanup time.
Judge Material and Durability
Thin plastic warps and soaks up smell. Look for a thick, rigid pan that won’t flex under a heavy cat. A dark finish hides stains from colored clumping litter. A box that lasts years costs less than three cheap ones.
Think About the Rest of the Household
A dog changes the answer, since top-entry boxes keep canines out. Multi-cat homes need extra boxes spread across quiet, low-traffic spots. Check the footprint against your bathroom or laundry room, and make sure your litter works with the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an open top litter box better than a covered one?
Depends on who’s complaining. Cats tend to accept open boxes more readily, and you can scoop and spot problems faster. Covered boxes hold odor and hide the mess from you. If you scoop daily and odor isn’t a big issue, open top wins. We break it down further in open litter box pros and cons.
Do high-sided litter boxes stop urine spray?
They help a lot with cats that spray backward or squat near the edge. The 14″ walls on the XX-Large and the 11.75″ walls on the Large boxes catch most of it. They won’t fix a cat that sprays for medical or stress reasons. If that’s happening, see a vet. For more picks, see the best open litter box for high sprayers.
Are IRIS litter boxes easy to clean?
The open top boxes are. Smooth interiors with few crevices rinse out with warm water and mild soap. The hooded top-entry boxes take a bit longer because of the lid grooves.
Which IRIS box is best for large cat breeds?
The XX-Large High Sided at 30″ by 20″. Maine Coons and Ragdolls have room to turn and stretch, and the walls handle heavy digging. See more options in our open litter box for large cats guide.
How big should a litter box be?
About 1.5 times your cat’s length from nose to tail base. Most average adults fit the 19″ Large. Bigger cats need the 30″ XX-Large.
How many litter boxes do I need?
One per cat, plus one extra. That’s the standard guidance. The IRIS two-pack makes that math easier on a budget, and our multiple cats litter box guide covers placement and setup.
How much litter should I put in an open top box?
Two to three inches. More than that gets kicked out, and less makes clumps stick to the bottom.
Do top-entry boxes help with litter tracking?
Yes. The textured lid works like a grate, and loose granules drop back into the box before your cat steps out.
Can senior cats use top-entry litter boxes?
Often not. Arthritis and reduced mobility make the jump hard. Open top models with a low curved entry, like the XX-Large, are the better choice. Our best open litter box for senior cats page lists more.
How do I stop my dog from eating cat litter?
Use a top-entry hooded box so the dog can’t reach the pan. A baby gate or a cat door on the room also works. If the habit is constant, mention it to your vet.
When should I replace a plastic litter box?
When it’s cracked, deeply scratched, or still smells after a full wash. Scratches hold odor, and no soap fully removes it.
🎯 Final Verdict
The IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided box is the best IRIS open top litter box we reviewed. It’s the only one with real room for a big cat, and 14″ walls solve most scatter and spray problems. The cost is floor space. Measure first.
For two or more cats, the Large two-pack is the better buy, and it’s made in the USA. If a dog or odor is the real issue, go to a hooded top-entry box, but only if your cat can climb in comfortably.
We scored on specs and listing data, and you know your cat best. If a box doesn’t work, the return window is there for a reason. To see how IRIS compares with other brands, head back to our complete open litter box guide, or explore the full indoor cat litter box guide.
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.
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