Frisco Open Litter Box Review: Does It Keep Litter Contained?

⚡ Quick Verdict

💬 My Take

Frisco is the pick if you want a $13 to $20 manual box for an ordinary cat. For a 10-pound-plus digger or a spraying male, the IRIS’s 11.75-inch walls give you 2 to 3 more inches of wall. See our full IRIS open top litter box review for how it holds up.

📋 How We Evaluated

I compared size, wall height, material, cleaning effort, and automation reliability from manufacturer and retailer listings. Scores weigh scatter control and cleanup first, then value, then fit for cat size.

[Add: which boxes you tested yourself, how many cats, and which litter.]

Top Entry Dimensions	16.33″ x 15.35″
Waste Capacity	10L (about 10 days, 1 cat)
Noise Level	32dB
Sensors	4 pairs infrared + 3 hall sensors
Cleaning Pause	Automatic when cat detected
Included Accessories	Liner bags, litter mat

What We Found

Four pairs of infrared sensors and three hall sensors are the reason this box leads the roundup. The cleaning cycle pauses when a cat is near, which matters most with a nervous cat that bolts at any noise. At 32dB the motor is quiet enough for a bedroom, and a 16.33″ x 15.35″ top entry gives most cats room to step in and turn.

The 10L bin is rated for about 10 days with one cat. Two cats mean roughly 5, so it’s a good fit for one or two cats rather than four. The open top also means a hard digger will fling litter past the rim, and liners are a recurring cost. If you’d rather compare options first, see our best litter box liners guide.

Who It’s For

One- or two-cat homes where noise matters and scooping is the chore you want gone. The roomy entry also helps larger or older cats. If floor space is tight, check the footprint first.

Type	Automatic, self-cleaning, open top
Dimensions	[Add from listing]
Waste Capacity	[Add from listing]
Sensors and Noise	[Add from listing]

What We Found

[EDITOR NOTE: The original text and specs for this slot (19″ x 15″ x 11.75″, Made in USA, manual) described the IRIS box, not an automatic self-cleaning one, and duplicated review #4. I couldn’t open the Amazon listing (B0HHF47G9R) to confirm what this product really is, so I removed the IRIS copy rather than guess. Add the true specs, pros and cons here, or drop this slot.]

What the title confirms: it’s an automatic, self-cleaning box with an open top. Before relying on any score, check bin size, sensor type, noise level, and whether liners are needed.

Dimensions	17.3″ x 13.4″ x 7.87″
Material	Stainless steel
Included Accessories	Scoop, 4 non-slip pads
Open Design	Yes
High Sides	Yes

What We Found

Steel doesn’t soak up urine, and litter slides off it more easily than off plastic. That’s the main reason to pick this over a Frisco. The 7.87-inch walls are close to the Frisco High Sided’s 8.5, and the kit includes a scoop and four non-slip pads so it won’t skate across a tile floor.

At 17.3 inches long, it suits small to medium cats, up to about 11.5 inches by the 1.5x rule. Spray can clear the walls on a determined cat, and bare steel can feel cold in winter, so some cats balk at it. For more ways to keep smells down, see the best open litter box for odor control.

Who It’s For

Single-cat homes with a calm small or medium cat, and owners who dislike plastic that holds smell. Buy it if you want a manual box that outlasts a Frisco.

Dimensions	19″ x 15″ x 11.75″
Material	Durable plastic
High Sides	11.75″
Open Design	Yes
Made In	USA

What We Found

This is the closest rival to a Frisco open box, and the main difference is height. The IRIS walls are 11.75 inches, against the Frisco High Sided Medium’s 8.5 and the Open Top with Rim’s 9.5. That extra 2 to 3 inches is what stops a kicker from clearing the wall. Both are plastic and both are made in the USA.

Plastic does hold odor eventually, so wash it with unscented soap and replace it when the surface scratches. There’s no liner or mat in the box. At 19 inches, it suits cats up to about 12.7 inches by the 1.5x rule, not a Maine Coon. If you have a big cat, start with our guide to the best open litter box for large cats.

Who It’s For

Average-sized cats that dig hard or spray. For more spray-proof picks, see the best open litter box for high sprayers. Skip it for seniors with stiff joints, because walls that tall are a climb.

Dimensions	16.93″ x 12.99″ x 5.12″
Material	Stainless steel
Edge Type	Rounded corners
Open Design	Yes
Maintenance	Easy wipe clean

What We Found

The “high sided” name oversells it. At 5.12 inches, the walls are shorter than any Frisco open box listed above except the 5-inch Senior & Kitten, so a digger will scatter litter over the edge. What you get is rounded corners, a smooth steel surface that wipes clean in seconds, and a low profile that’s easy for kittens and older cats to step into.

At 16.93 inches long, it suits cats up to about 11.3 inches by the 1.5x rule. Steel can feel cold underfoot, and an open top does nothing for spray.

Who It’s For

Kittens, seniors, and calm small cats whose owners want a metal tray. Older cats may also like the options in our best open litter box for senior cats guide. Add a mat under it for the litter that does escape.

Litter Capacity	6kg
Waste Capacity	10L
Noise Level	32dB
Setup Steps	3 (legs, power, litter)
Control Method	3 physical buttons
Open Design	Yes

What We Found

Setup is three steps: attach the legs, plug it in, add litter. Three physical buttons run it, so there’s no app and no Wi-Fi pairing. The listing gives a 6kg litter capacity, a 10L waste container and a 32dB noise figure, plus an entry of about 18″ x 15″.

The listing doesn’t give a days-between-emptying rating, so I won’t promise one. It also doesn’t mention safety sensors. Check that before you buy, especially with a skittish cat. Scatter from an open top is still on you.

Who It’s For

Budget buyers and renters who want an automatic open box without app setup. Confident, steady cats are the better match.

How to Cut Litter Scatter From Any Open Box

1. Fill litter to 2 to 3 inches, no deeper. Deep litter gets flung further.
2. Add a two-layer litter mat that extends past the front opening. We rank the top options in our guide to the best litter mat for open litter boxes.
3. Choose walls to match the cat: 8.5 inches or more for diggers, under 6 for kittens and seniors.
4. Set the box against a wall so only one side is exposed.
5. Try a lower-dust litter if the tray is clean but the floor is dusty.
6. Scoop daily. A full box makes cats dig more.

What to Look For Before Buying

Match the box to your cat’s length, jump height, and habits. Wall height and floor size matter more than brand. For a wider checklist that covers every open box style, see how to choose an open litter box.

Match Box Size to Your Cat

Measure from nose to the base of the tail and multiply by 1.5. That’s your minimum tray length. A 14-inch cat needs 21 inches, which rules out every 17 to 19-inch box here. In that case, look at a large Frisco Senior & Kitten tray at 24 inches, with its 5-inch low sides.

Pick a Material

Choose Wall Height

Tall walls (8.5 to 12 inches) stop scatter and some spray, but make entry harder for seniors and kittens. Low walls (about 5 inches) are easy to enter and messier. Pick the one that fits your cat’s age, not just the digging habit. Another high-sided plastic option is covered in our Van Ness open litter pan review.

Manual or Automatic

Automatic boxes cost more and add motors and sensors that can fail. They save daily scooping, and that’s worth it if you travel or hate the chore. Check sensor types and noise before you buy. Our open vs automatic litter box comparison goes deeper on the trade-offs.

Buyer’s Checklist

• Tray length is at least 1.5x your cat’s length.
• Wall height suits your cat’s age and habits.
• Material suits your cleaning routine and budget.
• Automatic boxes have more than one sensor type and list noise.
• You have room for a litter mat in front.
• You own one box per cat plus one spare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Frisco open litter box any good?

For the price, yes. The High Sided Medium has 8.5-inch walls and is made in the USA, and Chewy reviewers praise its scatter control. It’s smaller than the IRIS and shorter in the walls. Large cats and heavy sprayers will outgrow it.

What’s the difference between the Frisco High Sided and Open Top with Rim?

The High Sided box has 8.5-inch walls molded in. The Open Top with Rim is 5 inches deep, and a removable rim brings the total height to 9.5. The rim can come off, and Chewy says a liner can go on first.

Do open top litter boxes work well for multi-cat households?

Yes, with enough boxes. Buy one per cat plus one, in separate spots, and choose high walls if your cats dig. An automatic box with a 10L bin lasts about half as long with two cats. See our pick of the best open litter box for multiple cats for larger households.

How do stainless steel litter boxes compare to plastic for odor control?

Steel is non-porous, so it doesn’t absorb urine, and scratches don’t trap smell the way they do in plastic. Plastic is cheaper and warmer underfoot. Replace plastic when it’s scratched or cloudy. Wondering how much an uncovered box smells overall? Read do open litter boxes smell?

Can automatic self-cleaning boxes handle high-activity multi-cat homes?

They can, within limits. Look for several sensor types, such as the Mimfam’s 4 infrared pairs and 3 hall sensors, and a bin sized for your cat count. Expect to deal with scatter outside the box by hand.

What’s the ideal height for high-sided litter boxes?

Most diggers do well with 8 to 12 inches. Kittens and seniors do better under 6, and the Frisco Senior & Kitten tray is 5 inches. If your cat struggles to step in, go lower.

Are open-top litter boxes healthier than enclosed ones?

They let you spot changes in stool and urine early, and they air out better. Some shy cats want privacy, though. If your cat avoids the box, try a hood or a quieter spot. Our open litter box pros and cons page weighs both sides.

Where should I put an open litter box?

Use a quiet, low-traffic spot away from food and water, with a wall on one side. Leave room for a mat in front, and don’t tuck it in a cabinet that blocks airflow.

Can I use liners in an open litter box?

Often, yes. Chewy’s Q&A says the Frisco Open Top with Rim works with liners, fitted before the rim goes back on. Some cats dig through liners, so watch the first few days.

🎯 Final Verdict

The Mimfam Automatic Self Cleaning Litter Box is the top pick if you want an open box that scoops itself: 10L bin, 4 infrared sensor pairs, 32dB motor. Expect scatter from digging cats, and a bin that fills in about 5 days with two cats.

If you’d rather scoop yourself, the IRIS USA High Sided box (#4) has the tallest walls here at 11.75 inches. A Frisco open litter box gets you most of the way there for less money, as long as your cat is average-sized and you add a mat. Measure your cat first, since length is the spec buyers get wrong. Want to see every style side by side? Browse our open litter box guide, or start from the main indoor cat litter box guide.

📚 Related Guides

• Best Budget Open Litter Box
• IRIS Open Top Litter Box Review
• Van Ness Open Litter Pan Review
• Best Open Litter Box for Kittens
• Indoor Cat Litter Box: The Complete Guide