Several types of litter are available, including crystal and biodegradable formulas made from paper and pine. Clay litter is the most popular type since it absorbs odors and is affordable.
Below, you’ll find reviews to help you get started in your search for a clay litter that you and your cat like.
In this article
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2026
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Best Overall
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Frisco Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter |
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Best Value
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Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter |
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Premium Choice
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Boxiecat Extra Strength Unscented Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter |
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Dr. Elsey's Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter |
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Fresh Step Premium Scented Non-Clumping Cat Litter |
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The 10 Best Clay Cat Litters
1. Frisco Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Best Overall
| Weight: | 35 pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | Yes |
Frisco Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is our pick for the best overall clay cat litter. It features odor-prevention technology that helps limit smells by reducing ammonia. It clumps quickly, which helps control odors, and is free of dyes and perfumes.
It’s a low-dust and low-tracking formula, and it works well in multi-cat homes. It’s also available in scented options if you’re looking for extra odor control. It comes in 35-pound bags.
- Low dust
- Low tracking
- Appropriate for multi-cat households
- Only available in 35-pound bags
2. Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Best Value
| Weight: | 20 and 40 pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | Yes |
Frisco’s Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Litter is an excellent option that’s one of the best clay litters for the money. It’s designed to neutralize odors quickly and is suitable for multi-cat homes.
The liter is hypoallergenic and free of dyes and fragrances. It forms hard clumps for easy scooping and absorbs moisture, so the litter stays fresh for longer. It’s designed to produce as little dust as possible and is safe to use in mechanical litter boxes.
It’s available in 40-pound bags, and you can select scented or unscented litter. It’s only available in plastic packaging.
- Neutralizes odors
- Unscented
- Ideal for multi-cat homes
- Some pet parents may not like the packaging
3. Boxiecat Extra Strength Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Premium Choice
| Weight: | 16, 28, and 40 pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | No |
Boxiecat Extra Strength Unscented Clumping Clay Litter controls odors using probiotics, and it quickly forms flat clumps that stick together and are easy to clean up.
It’s close to 99.9% dust-free, so it may be worth considering if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies. It’s fragrance-free and close to odorless. Boxicat is designed to last; a 16-pound bag is usually enough litter to keep a cat happy for a month. It’s also available in 28- and 40-pound sizes.
- Probiotic odor control
- 99.9% dust-free
- Fragrance-free
- Can be expensive
4. Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter
| Weight: | 20 pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | No |
Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter is designed to meet the needs of kittens between the ages of 8 weeks and 1 year. It includes an herbal attractant to entice kittens to use the litter.
The product’s small granules are just the right size for kittens’ tiny paws. It’s worth considering if you’re interested in finding a brand to help with litter box training. It’s also formulated to limit tracking, so you can spend more time cuddling with your buddy instead of vacuuming.
- Low tracking
- Features an herbal attractant
- Ideal for mastering litter box skills
- Not designed to meet the needs of adult cats
5. Fresh Step Premium Scented Non-Clumping Cat Litter
| Weight: | 7, 14, 21, and 35-pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | No |
Fresh Step’s non-clumping litter is made of high-quality, super-absorbent clay that keeps odors at bay. It’s designed to control odors for up to 7 days and features a Febreze scent.
It produces limited amounts of dust, which helps minimize tracing. It’s a lightweight litter that weighs about 30% less than similar products. It doesn’t clump, so you’ll need to refresh the entire box regularly.
- Febreze scent
- Up to 7 days of odor control
- Lightweight
- Some batches of litter are dustier than others
6. Tidy Cats Instant Action Unscented Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter
| Weight: | 10, 20, and 40 pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | No |
Tidy Cats Instant Action Unscented Clay Cat Litter is a nice option if you’re looking for a non-clumping option. It features an odor control system that keeps the box fresh for up to a week.
It’s strong enough to meet the demands of multi-cat homes and is designed to take on ammonia odors effectively. It’s formulated to reduce tracking and produce minimal dust. Since it’s a non-clumping option, you’ll probably need to change the entire box frequently.
- Unscented
- Low tracking
- May require frequent changing
7. Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter
| Weight: | 10, 20, and 40 pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | No |
Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Litter is a non-clumping formula that’s designed to go the distance when it comes to odor control. It features a deodorizing system that delivers a fresh scent over time, so you get non-stop odor protection.
It’s suitable for multi-cat households, and it soaks up moisture, so cats can keep their paws dry when going to the bathroom. It’s also formulated to produce low amounts of dust. However, some customers mentioned that it’s difficult to clean when the litter sticks to the box.
- Long-lasting odor control
- Low dust
- Designed for multi-cat homes
- Used litter sticks to litter box
8. Arm & Hammer Litter Slide Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
| Weight: | 14, 19, 28, and 38 pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | No |
Arm & Hammer Litter Slide Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter delivers up to 7 days of odor control. It’s designed to form nice, hard clumps that don’t stick to the sides, so it’s easy to keep the litter box clean.
It features granules that are activated by moisture to trap odors. It’s a scented formula, so it provides more odor control, and it’s formulated to be strong enough to tackle the needs of multi-cat households.
It’s also designed to be virtually dust-free and to minimize tracking, which is important in homes with more than one pet.
- Up to 7 days of freshness
- Designed not to stick to litter box sides
- Formulated for multi-cat homes
- Expensive
9. Arm & Hammer Litter Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Cat Litter Non-Stop Odor Control with 10 Days of Odor Control
| Weight: | 14, 19, and 28 pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | No |
Arm & Hammer’s Litter Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Cat Litter provides up to 10 days of odor neutralization. It features non-stop odor control that’s delivered through a continuous action formula.
Its micro-granules are designed to absorb odors, and it also has baking soda to control strong smells. It forms clumps that are easy to scoop, and it’s also formulated not to stick to the sides. It’s around 99.9% dust-free.
- 10 days of odor control
- 9 percent dust-free
- Baking soda for odor control
- Not appropriate for cats who are sensitive to fragrances
10. Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
| Weight: | 14, 20, 35 pounds |
| Scented and unscented options available: | No |
Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter features TidyLock technology that works with activated charcoal to provide long-lasting odor control. It’s close to 99.9% dust-free, which makes filling the litter box easy.
It forms tight clumps to make scooping simple. It doesn’t contain dyes or fragrances, so it’s ideal for cats (and people) with sensitive noses. It comes in several sizes: 14, 20, and 35-pound pails.
- Activated charcoal for odor control
- 9 percent dust-free
- Dye and fragrance-free
- Plastic packaging rips during shipping
- Tracking is a problem
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Clay Cat Litter
There are several clay cat litter products to choose from, so it’s important to identify the qualities that are most important to you so you can efficiently narrow down your choices. The factors to keep in mind include the cost, size, convenience, and whether you’re interested in a scented or unscented product.
Cost
Non-clumping litter is sometimes (but not always) a bit less expensive than clumping litter per pound, but it requires more frequent changing since you can’t just scoop out the liquid waste.
If you regularly shop online, you can sign up for auto-ship programs that are cheaper than one-time purchases. Purchasing larger quantities is another way to save on clumping and non-clumping clay.
Size
Cat litter is heavy, so if you’re not comfortable lifting 40 pounds, a product that’s available in 16-to 20-pound packages may make life much easier.
Clumping or Non-Clumping
Clumping litter is convenient. It’s made of absorbent clay and is designed to soak up moisture. When cats pee on clumping clay litter, it forms hard clumps that can be scooped out, making it easy to keep litter boxes smelling fresh and clean since liquid and solid waste can be removed.
It’s less dusty than non-clumping clay litters, but there’s sometimes a little tracking involved — so be prepared to vacuum regularly to keep tiny bits and pieces of litter under control.
Non-clumping clay litters absorb moisture and odors but don’t clump. Solid waste requires daily scooping, but the only way to get rid of the urine absorbed by the litter is by throwing out all the used litter.
Non-clumping clay litter requires more frequent changing than clumping litter. Non-clumping formulas are better choices than clumping products regarding tracking, but they can be a bit dusty.
Unscented or Scented
Clumping and non-clumping litter are available in scented and unscented versions. Unscented litter has proprietary odor-control mechanisms that trap smells. Cats usually prefer unscented options, and they can also be good choices for cat owners with allergies.
If you’re interested in finding a scented formula, you have plenty of options!
Your Cat’s Preferences and Needs
Cats are particular about the texture and fragrances, so pay attention to what your cat prefers to determine which type is best for your home.
Other Tips
Keep in mind that cats’ litter boxes need daily scooping (no matter what type of litter you choose). Liquid and solid waste need to be removed daily from clumping litters, and solid waste should be scooped out every day if you choose to use non-clumping clay litter.
Both clumping and non-clumping materials need to be regularly thrown out and replaced. Litter boxes also need regular cleaning to prevent smells from accumulating. If you decide to try another type of litter, make sure to transition slowly so your cat has time to adjust to the new product!
Cleaning up after our pets is not the most enjoyable part of owning them. Despite keeping a clean litterbox, cat odors and stains may still exist around the house. Sometimes, even the best litter box setup needs extra help. If you're tired of dealing with bad smells from litter boxes, Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray can help with the worst pet stains and smells. Additionally, the Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer neutralizes odors upon contact. At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!Top Tip for Cleaning & Combating Tough Litter Box Smells
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Product
Details
Best Enzyme Cleaner
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
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Best Litter Additive
Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer
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How We Selected Our List of Clay Cat Litters
Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the cat litters. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat litters. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!
Conclusion
We hope these reviews have provided you with a nice place to get started in your search for the right litter for your cat. Frisco’s Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is our top pick and comes in multiple sizes.
Frisco’s Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is an excellent budget formula for multi-cat homes. Boxiecat’s Extra Strength Unscented Clumping Clay Litter forms tough clumps that make scooping easy and features probiotic odor control.
Featured Image Credit: Mila Naumova, Shutterstock
