Big Litter Tray for Cats: Open Trays by Footprint and Wall Height

📅 Last updated: October 18, 2026

The best big litter tray for cats is the IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Cat Litter Box, which measures 30 by 20 by 14 inches and gives a large cat about 600 square inches of floor. If you want a lower wall and a metal surface, the EGMEHOAD XXXL Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box at 28 by 20 by 6 inches is the roomiest low-sided option in this guide. For a budget-friendly tray that is still bigger than the average pan, the So Phresh Open Cat Litter Box in X-Large at 22.4 by 16.9 by 5.4 inches is the simplest choice.

“Big litter tray” can mean a tray big enough for one oversized cat, for several cats, or simply bigger than the cramped pan that came with your first cat’s starter kit. This guide treats it as an open tray, no lid and no hood, and ranks the options by two numbers that matter most: floor area and wall height. The floor area tells you how much room the cat has to turn and dig. The wall height tells you how much litter and spray stay inside, and how hard it is to climb in. We compare six trays from the current product store, show the math, and mark anything the listing does not state as “not listed”. We did not personally use these products, and prices are given only as tiers.

OneBug High-Sided Stainless Steel XL Cat Litter Box for Cats | High-Sided Design Prevents Urine Leakage,Non-Stick,Easy to Clean,Includes Scoop,Gray

Included for 'Big Litter Tray for Cats: Open Trays by Footprint and Wall Height' because the listing specifies High-Sided Design Prevents Urine Leakage and Non-Stick, details this guide uses to compare options.

View on Amazon →

Garoopion Silicone Cat Litter Mat Large 40" X 28", Easy to Clean, Gray

Included for 'Big Litter Tray for Cats: Open Trays by Footprint and Wall Height' because the listing specifies Easy to Clean and Gray, details this guide uses to compare options.

View on Amazon →

Petmate Basic Open Plastic Cat Litter Pan, Gray, Small | Multidirectional and Easy to Clean, 14 In x 10.5 In x 3.5in, Recommended for Kittens and Small Cats, Made in USA

Included for 'Big Litter Tray for Cats: Open Trays by Footprint and Wall Height' because the listing specifies Gray and Small, details this guide uses to compare options.

View on Amazon →

Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box Scoop Free Cat Litter Tray with Microban, Made in USA

Included for 'Big Litter Tray for Cats: Open Trays by Footprint and Wall Height' because the listing specifies Made in USA, details this guide uses to compare options.

View on Amazon →

Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall: IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Cat Litter Box, 30 x 20 x 14 in, for large cats and shared boxes.
• Best Value for Size: So Phresh Scatter Shield High-Back Litter Box, X-Large, 24 x 18 x 10 in.
• Best Budget Open Tray: So Phresh Open Cat Litter Box, X-Large, 22.4 x 16.9 x 5.4 in.
• Best Metal Tray (long and low): EGMEHOAD XXXL Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box, 28 x 20 x 6 in.
• Best Deep Metal Tray: FUTAM Stainless Steel Litter Box, 23.6 x 15.7 x 6 in.
• Best Rimmed Plastic Tray: Arm and Hammer Rimmed Cat Litter Box with High Sides and Microban.

Comparison Table: Footprint and Wall Height

See also: Double Litter Box Furniture for Two Cats: Sizes, Splits and 6 Picks • Cat Tray for Litter Box: Pans, Disposable Trays and Catch Mats

Floor area is length times width; litter volume is floor area times the depth. The numbers use only the sizes in the listings and are rounded. A tray with 600 square inches of floor has about 60 percent more room than a standard 22 by 16 inch pan, which is 352 square inches.

1. IRIS USA XX-Large High Sided Cat Litter Box: Best Overall Big Tray

• Size: 30 x 20 x 14 inches
• Design: open top, scatter shield, high kickers
• Marketing: described as huge, with Maine Coons named
• Material: plastic; type not listed

Best for: large cats, two cats sharing, and cats that kick litter hard. Skip if: your cat is old, short-legged, or arthritic, because the walls are a step too high.

When most owners say they want a big litter tray, this is the type of product they have in mind. The 600 square inches of floor means a 20 pound cat can turn around without touching the walls. The 14 inch wall stops most spray and kicked litter, and the scatter shield curves inward to bounce material back in. A tray this deep holds up to three inches of litter easily, which many cats prefer for burying waste.

In practice, you trade space for comfort. At 30 by 20 inches it will not fit in many cabinets, so measure the spot first. Also plan a catch mat on the entry side, because even a high wall cannot stop every granule from clinging to paws.

Pros: largest floor in the group; tall walls; scatter shield; accommodates multiple cats. Cons: footprint; wall height for seniors; plastic wears over time.

2. EGMEHOAD XXXL Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box: Best Long, Low Metal Tray

• Size: 28 x 20 x 6 inches (a second EGMEHOAD XXL listing mentions 8 inch depth)
• Material: stainless steel
• Design: extra large, open top, high sides per listing language
• Scoop and extras: not listed in the short title

Best for: big cats with mobility concerns who still need a lot of room; cats that dislike climbing. Skip if: your cat sprays or digs hard and flings litter above 6 inches.

The trade-off here is clear: 560 square inches of floor, nearly as much as the IRIS, but with a wall less than half as tall. This works well for large older cats and for owners who find tall walls a nuisance when scooping. Metal also makes the tray easy to scrub with hot water. If you pick this tray and your cat digs hard, put a larger mat in front and consider a deeper litter bed to keep granules below the rim.

Pros: very long; easy entry; metal surface; good for scooping. Cons: low wall lets more scatter out; heavy; mid-to-premium tier.

3. So Phresh Scatter Shield High-Back Litter Box, X-Large: Best Value for Size

• Size: 24 x 18 x 10 inches
• Design: scatter shield, high back
• Color: charcoal
• Material: plastic; type not listed

Best for: large cats that need more than a standard pan but not a full XXL. Skip if: you have a giant breed over about 16 inches long.

This box occupies the middle ground. With 432 square inches of floor, it is about 23 percent larger than a standard 22 by 16 pan. The high back is useful for cats that back up to a wall while urinating, while the scatter shield handles kick. The price tier is lower than the XXL boxes, which makes it a practical choice for owners with one big cat and limited space.

Pros: sensible size; high back; budget-to-mid tier. Cons: not enough for giant breeds; plastic wear.

4. FUTAM Stainless Steel Litter Box: Best Deep Metal Tray

• Size: 23.6 x 15.7 x 6 inches
• Material: stainless steel
• Description: extra large metal litterbox in the listing
• Scoop and extras: not listed in the short title

Best for: medium-large cats whose owners want metal at a lower tier. Skip if: you need width; at 15.7 inches it is narrower than the other trays here.

The dimensions are only slightly bigger than a standard plastic pan, so think of this as a metal upgrade for a normal-sized cat rather than a true big tray. If you want the benefits of stainless, such as no odor in scratches and easy washing, and your cat is not huge, it is a sensible choice. For a big cat, step up to the EGMEHOAD or the IRIS.

Pros: metal at a mid tier; easy to clean; 6 inch depth. Cons: narrow; not for giant breeds.

5. So Phresh Open Cat Litter Box, X-Large: Best Budget Open Tray

• Size: 22.4 x 16.9 x 5.4 inches
• Color: charcoal
• Design: open top, low sides

Best for: cats that need slightly more than a standard pan, kittens that will grow, and shoppers who want a low-cost open tray. Skip if: your cat sprays or digs aggressively.

With 379 square inches of floor, it is only a modest upgrade on a standard pan. Its main attraction is cost and low walls, which suit older cats. Choose it when you want to test whether your cat prefers an open pan, or as a second box in a multi-cat home.

Pros: budget tier; low entry; light. Cons: modest size; no scatter protection.

6. Arm and Hammer Rimmed Cat Litter Box with High Sides: Best Rimmed Plastic Tray

• Design: rimmed with high sides
• Material: plastic with Microban treatment per listing
• Origin: made in the USA per listing
• Size: not listed in the short title

Best for: households that want a familiar-brand tray at a low tier. Skip if: you need exact dimensions up front.

The rim keeps kicked litter in the pan. Check the interior size on the full listing; if it falls under 22 inches in length, it is not a big tray in the sense this guide uses.

Pros: rim holds litter in; budget tier; antimicrobial surface treatment. Cons: size unclear in the short title; plastic.

Also Consider

• WoofiGo Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box, XL High Sided: an open stainless pan that includes one scoop.
• JINXUANTANG XL Cat Litter Box: a stainless pan with high sides aimed at urine leakage, in the lower price tier.
• Tevila XL Open Top Stainless Steel Litter Box: a light gray metal pan with high sides.

How We Chose

This guide is research-based. We did not personally use these products. We searched the current product store for extra large and XXL open litter trays, kept only those with stated dimensions where possible, and computed floor area and litter volume from those dimensions. We cross-checked the 1.5 times body length sizing guideline against veterinary behavior sources and manufacturer pages. Brands were limited to two picks each and prices are shown as tiers only. Where a listing does not state a size, we say so.

Buying Guide

Step 1: Convert the cat into a target size

Measure your cat from nose to base of tail. Multiply by 1.5 for the interior length. For an 18 inch cat that is 27 inches; for a 14 inch cat, 21 inches. Width should be about the cat’s body length. If your cat measures 16 inches, any tray under 24 inches long will feel tight.

Step 2: Choose wall height by behavior

A wall of 5 to 6 inches suits seniors and cats that sit to urinate. A wall of 10 to 14 inches suits diggers and cats that stand. If you are unsure, watch your cat: if urine hits the wall, go taller; if the cat hesitates at the edge, go lower.

Step 3: Pick the material

Plastic is light and cheaper. Stainless steel is heavier and easier to sanitize. Either can work, but replace scratched plastic.

Step 4: Plan litter and space

A big tray needs more litter; at three inches, the IRIS holds about 1,800 cubic inches. Make sure the space has room for a tray plus a mat that extends at least a cat length past the entry.

Step 5: Introduce it slowly

Place it next to the old pan for a week, using the same litter. Retire the old one once the cat uses the new tray daily.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a tray by the word XL rather than by the listed dimensions.
• Choosing tall walls for a senior cat or low walls for a cat that sprays.
• Forgetting that a bigger tray holds more litter and so costs more to fill.
• Putting a big tray where it blocks a door or a heat vent.
• Ignoring a sudden change in litter habits; check with your veterinarian.

Worked Examples: Which Tray for Which Household

Example 1: one 18 pound cat in a one-bedroom apartment

The cat measures about 19 inches from nose to tail base, so the target interior length is roughly 28 inches. Only the IRIS (30 inches) and EGMEHOAD (28 inches) meet that number. The apartment has little floor space, so the question is whether a 30 by 20 inch footprint fits beside the bathroom door. If it does, the IRIS is the better choice if the cat is young and flings litter; if the cat is older, the EGMEHOAD low wall is kinder to the joints. If neither fits, the So Phresh Scatter Shield at 24 inches is the compromise, and the cat may need a week to adapt.

Example 2: two medium cats sharing a bathroom

Two cats of 14 inches each need at least 21 inch trays, and the usual guidance is two boxes plus a spare. Two So Phresh Open X-Large trays at 22.4 inches meet the length at a budget tier, with a third box elsewhere in the home. The low walls suit both cats, and a mat in front catches tracking. This is a case where more boxes beat a single giant one.

Example 3: a senior cat with stiff hips

A 15 inch cat needs about 22 inches of interior length, and the entry should be 5 to 6 inches or lower. The So Phresh Open X-Large (5.4 inches) and the FUTAM (6 inches) fit the height; the EGMEHOAD at 6 inches gives the most room. Skip the 14 inch IRIS wall. Ask your veterinarian if the stiffness is new, since changes in litter habits can be a sign of discomfort.

Cost and Ownership Notes

A bigger tray means a bigger litter bill. At three inches deep the IRIS holds about 1,800 cubic inches, while the FUTAM holds about 1,100. If your litter weighs roughly 0.03 pounds per cubic inch, which is typical for a scoopable clay but varies widely by brand, the IRIS takes around 54 pounds to fill to that depth, though most owners fill to two inches or less and top up. Check the weight and recommended depth on your litter bag, then multiply. Lighter plant-based litters need far fewer pounds but may cost more per pound.

Wear is the other ownership cost. Plastic trays scratch and eventually hold smell, so budget to replace them every year or two. Stainless trays last years but can dent if dropped. Whichever you choose, wash the tray with mild unscented soap and let it dry fully; cats can be put off by a tray that smells of cleaner. A spare tray makes washing easier because you can swap one in while the other dries, and for a large tray the spare can be the cheap So Phresh pan.

Setup and Maintenance Steps for a Big Open Tray

An open tray is simple, but a few steps make the difference between a tray your cat uses happily for years and one that causes problems. Follow them in order, and note the reason for each.

1. Clear the space. Leave at least one cat length of open floor on the entry side. Reason: a cat that has to squeeze past a wall or a laundry basket will associate the tray with being cornered.
2. Put the tray on a stable, flat surface. A tray that rocks or slides on tile will startle a heavy cat. A silicone mat or a rubber-backed rug underneath fixes most sliding.
3. Add litter to a depth of two to three inches. Reason: cats like to dig and bury, and a shallow layer leaves them scratching the floor of the tray, which scratches plastic and makes noise on metal.
4. Scoop at least once a day. Reason: a large tray looks clean longer, but waste still builds up and most cats dislike an unscooped box.
5. Wash the whole tray every few weeks. Empty it, scrub with hot water and mild unscented soap, rinse, and dry before refilling. Reason: residue holds odor, and strong scents put cats off.
6. Inspect the surface. If plastic is scratched deeply or stained, replace it. If a stainless tray is dented or has sharp edges, replace or repair it before the cat is hurt.

Reducing Scatter From a Big Open Tray

A larger tray with lower walls trades containment for room. If litter is escaping, there are several fixes before you replace the tray. First, check the depth: more than three inches gives a digging cat more material to fling. Second, add a mat that extends past the entry by a cat length; textured or ridged mats grab granules from paws. Third, change to a litter with larger granules or a heavier formula, which fall away from the paws and are harder to kick. Fourth, in a tray with a low wall, place the tray with one long side against a wall so the cat can only exit from the open side, which concentrates scatter in one place where the mat can catch it.

If you have a spraying cat and a low-walled tray, the solution is usually a taller wall, not a bigger tray. A cat that sprays needs a back wall of at least ten inches, or a backing panel fitted to the wall behind the tray. Keep in mind that sudden spraying can be linked to stress or a medical problem, so discuss new behavior with your veterinarian.

Finally, remember that cats judge a tray by how it smells, feels, and sounds. A big tray that is too noisy on a hard floor, too cold in winter, or placed beside a loud appliance will be avoided no matter how roomy it is. Move the tray if the cat hesitates, and change one thing at a time so you can tell what worked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest litter tray for cats?

Among the trays in this guide, the IRIS USA XX-Large at 30 x 20 x 14 inches has the most floor area at 600 square inches. Some stainless trays reach 28 inches long.

How big should a cat litter tray be?

About 1.5 times the cat’s nose-to-tail-base length for the interior length, and roughly the cat’s body length for width.

Are open litter trays better than covered ones?

Open trays give airflow and a clear exit, which most cats prefer. Covered boxes contain mess but can trap odor for the cat.

Is a low or a high wall better?

Low walls suit seniors and cats with joint stiffness. High walls suit cats that spray and dig. A low front with a high back can combine both.

Can two cats share one big tray?

Many can, but the common guideline is one box per cat plus one spare. A big tray gives each cat more room but does not replace extra boxes.

Is stainless steel better than plastic for a big tray?

Steel resists scratches and odor and is easy to sanitize. It costs more and is heavier. Plastic is cheaper and lighter but wears faster.

My cat is avoiding the new tray. What should I do?

Try the old pan alongside, check the location and cleanliness, and see your veterinarian if the behavior continues, since litter avoidance can reflect a health issue.

Which One Should You Buy?

For the most room, buy the IRIS USA XX-Large. For a long, low metal tray, the EGMEHOAD XXXL. For the best value upgrade in size, the So Phresh Scatter Shield X-Large. For a budget open pan, the So Phresh Open X-Large. For a familiar-brand rimmed plastic tray, the Arm and Hammer, after checking its size. Choose by floor area first, wall height second, and material third.

Sources

• IRIS USA and So Phresh product listings
• EGMEHOAD, FUTAM and Arm and Hammer product listings
• American Association of Feline Practitioners environmental needs guidance
• Cornell Feline Health Center litter box information

Last updated: October 2026

Related Reviews & Guides

Cat Litter Boxes

Double Litter Box Furniture for Two Cats: Sizes, Splits and 6 Picks

Cat Litter Boxes

Automatic Kitty Litter Box: Open-Top vs Globe vs Rake Designs

Cat Litter Boxes

Auto Cleaning Litter Box: Best Picks by Running Cost and Upkeep

Cat Litter Boxes

Best Self Cleaning Litter Box for Multiple Cats in 2026

You May Also Like

Cat Tray for Litter Box: Pans, Disposable Trays and Catch MatsDouble Litter Box Furniture for Two Cats: Sizes, Splits and 6 PicksBest Self Cleaning Litter Box for Multiple Cats in 2026