March 01, 2024
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Made from stainless steel instead of plastic, the iPrimio cat litter box is not your average litter pan. It promises improved durability and odor resistance over standard models, not to mention the topper that adds an extra 6” to its height.
The iPrimio stainless steel litter box is certainly a unique option. But does it deliver on its promises? Find out here. We tested it for over a year to bring you this in-depth review.
Ratings
- Ease of Cleaning – 4.5/5
- Odor Control – 4.5/5
- Appearance – 4/5
- Construction – 4/5
- Price – 3/5
Overall Score: 4/5
Why Trust Cats.com
As part of the Cats.com team, I’ve spent the last four years researching and testing products for cats. But I’ve been a cat owner for over a decade. With three cats of my own, I’ve clocked countless hours scooping, filling, and cleaning litter boxes.
Before writing this in-depth review, I did some background research on the iPrimio brand and spent time reading customer reviews. I’ve personally used this litter box for over a year and it’s been one of my top recommendations in several categories, including litter boxes for large cats and multi-cat households.
To review this litter box, I ordered the most recent model and spent several weeks testing it with my three cats Bagel, Biscuit, and Munchkin. During that time, I made observations about the litter box’s construction, durability, and ease of use while my cats offered their opinions on how it stacks up against the other litter boxes in the house.
iPrimio Stainless Steel Litter Box and Brand Overview
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
iPrimio is a Michigan-based brand and their products appear to be made in China. It is known primarily for its cat litter boxes and accessories, including a stainless steel cat litter box, a pet sling carrier, and an array of litter mats and litter scoops.
Pet owners can purchase iPrimio products like the stainless steel litter box from major online retailers like Chewy, Amazon, and Walmart.com. It doesn’t look like iPrimio products are sold in stores. The brand does not have a website of its own.
The iPrimio Facebook page offers a link that is currently being redirected to the website for Perch Brands. Perch is a commerce company that acquires and operates eCommerce businesses. It appears that Perch acquired iPrimio but I wasn’t able to find any specific information about the manufacturers.
The latest iPrimio stainless steel litter box with a plastic enclosure retails for around $110. You can also purchase the enclosure separately for $47.99 or the litter box only for $59.99.
iPrimio Litter Box Features
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
The iPrimio litter box is constructed from stainless steel, making it one of the more durable litter boxes on the market. It’s also fairly large, measuring 15.5” wide by 23.5” long by 6” tall. It only comes in that one size.
The iPrimio stainless steel litter box has been updated several times over the past few years. The original product was coated with Teflon and had non-slip rubber feet on the underside in each corner. The most recent model comes with a molded enclosure that adds 6” to the height of the litter box.
With the dome on top, the walls of the iPrimio stainless steel litter box measure 12” high. This feature improves the product’s ability to contain litter scatter and urine spray but, because the extra height is only added on three sides, the litter box is still easily accessible. That said, most cats will only be able to enter through the front of the box when the enclosure is in place.
To prevent dents and damage during shipping, the iPrimio litter box comes with plastic corner protectors. They’re easy to remove from the litter pan’s edge and there’s a sticker inside the box to remind you to do so. You won’t be able to place the enclosure on top without removing the corner protectors.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Unlike many covered litter boxes, the iPrimio’s enclosure doesn’t snap on or secure to the litter box in any way. This makes it easy to remove for cleaning purposes, but it’s something to keep in mind when moving the litter box. The litter box doesn’t have handles but there is a lip on the top that gives you something to hold onto.
The stainless steel materials from which this litter box is made have a slick, shiny finish to prevent litter from sticking. This material is designed to resist rust, stains, and odor. It isn’t completely resistant to scratches, but minor scratches won’t compromise the litter box’s performance.
What We Like:
- Made from durable stainless steel materials
- Adding the enclosure increases wall height to 12”
- Effective in controlling litter scatter and urine spray
- Materials resist stains, rust, sticking, and odor
- Fairly large, measures 15.5×23.5×6 inches
What We Dislike:
- Enclosure doesn’t attach securely to the litter box
- Doesn’t have handles
- Entry may be too high for some cats to step over comfortably
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
I’ve been using an iPrimio stainless steel litter box with my cats for over a year now. My original iPrimio litter box didn’t have the enclosure, however, so I was eager to try the newest model.
The latest iPrimio stainless steel litter box lives up to its promise of being sturdy. I didn’t think the litter box itself was too heavy but, once it was full of litter, I noticed the weight. Between the narrow rim of the litter box and the enclosure not snapping in place, I found it a little awkward to carry. This litter box could be significantly improved with the addition of handles.
Though not the best cat litter pan in terms of easy transport, I appreciated the generous size of the iPrimio stainless steel litter box in my multi-cat household. One of my cats, Munchkin, tends to spray urine, so I was also very glad for the additional wall height from the enclosure.
Having tested several iPrimio litter boxes for a significant length of time, I’m impressed with their performance. The slick metal does help prevent wet litter from sticking and I haven’t noticed any odor accumulation.
When I first received the litter box, I was a little concerned about accessibility—it’s pretty deep. While none of my cats have mobility issues, they’re all senior cats over ten years old. None of them had any issues stepping into or out of the litter box.
It’s hard to tell whether my cats prefer one litter box over another since I keep so many of them around. That said, I did find that when the iPrimio was placed next to a plastic litter box, the iPrimio tended to fill up faster.
I’ve tested the iPrimio litter box with a wide range of litter types including clay litter, pine pellets, and corn litter. It worked equally well with all litter types and, with its extra-large size, it can hold a lot of litter.
What Do Customers Think of the iPrimio Litter Box?
With over 9,000 ratings on Amazon, the iPrimio stainless steel litter box has a 4.6 out of 5-star average. As of January 2024, under 10 percent of reviewers gave the product less than 4 stars.
Positive Reviews
The iPrimio stainless steel cat litter pan stands out from the competition as one of the only metal litter boxes on the market. Many satisfied customers report that the litter box resists odor and that it’s easy to scoop.
“I’ve had a plastic litter box for the past year and no matter how many times you cleaned it, it always had a smell. Saw that this type was so much better for your cat and easier to clean with NO smell! Figured I’d spend the money and try it. Worth every penny!”
—Courtney D. on Amazon.com, January 26th, 2024
“Holds plenty of litter that doesn’t get scratched out of the box. The former plastic box had a hood and I had to use pool chlorine to get the stains out. The stainless steel litter box is easy to clean and comes with a side topper but doesn’t let the cats feel like they can’t see all around them at a vulnerable time.”
—Jill on Chewy.com, January 17th, 2024
Negative Reviews
Though customers are largely pleased with the iPrimio cat litter pan, there are complaints about the price. Some users have also expressed disappointment that the enclosure is made from plastic and that it doesn’t attach securely to the litter box. Cat owners who purchased the Teflon-coated version on Amazon tend to find that the coating scratches too easily.
“My biggest complaint is that the plastic lid sits on top of the stainless steel ledge and my cat likes to pee high – which means the pee leaks through the split between lid and box and onto the floor behind. If they could just make the inner side of the plastic lid go down past the seam it would eliminate my problem.”
—Sarah Reed on Amazon.com, December 27th, 2023
“I just got this and have not tried it with my cat yet. However, my initial impression is not good. The top is nowhere close to fitting on the bottom. The steel is very thin and flimsy. For this price I would have expected much better quality.”
—Joan on Chewy.com, January 14th, 2024
Similar High-Sided Litter Boxes
Looking for other products similar to iPrimio? Check out some of our other brand reviews.
- ModKat Top Entry Litter Box Review
- Good Pet Stuff Hidden Planter Litter Box
- Iris Top Entry Litter Box Review
Frequently Asked Questions
What material is best for a litter box?
It depends on your priorities. Plastic litter boxes are lightweight and tend to be fairly inexpensive. However, plastic traps odors over time, so the litter box may remain stinky even if you scoop them every day. Stainless steel is a more hygienic material that resists odors and is easy to clean. It’s also much more durable.
Is a metal litter box better?
Stainless steel doesn’t absorb odor like plastic—it’s also a more eco-friendly choice. Metal litter boxes tend to be pricey but, when properly cared for, they’re likely to last much longer than plastic litter boxes.
How do you clean a metal litter box?
A metal litter box like the iPrimio stainless steel litter box isn’t any different from other litter boxes when it comes to scooping out clumps and waste. That said, the material may be prone to scratches, so consider using a plastic rather than a metal scoop. Because the material resists odor, chemical cleaning products may not be necessary. A damp cloth is all you need for quick cleanup to remove dust and lingering residue.
