Are stainless steel litter boxes really better than plastic?

Across high-trust r/CatAdvice and r/Catownerhacks threads, the consensus is strongly yes: owners repeatedly report that stainless steel doesn't absorb urine odor into scratches the way plastic does, is easier to clean, and lasts for years without rusting. The main trade-offs cited are higher upfront cost and that the lids on many 'enclosed' models are still plastic.