10 Best Clay Cat Litters in 2026 - Reviews & Top Picks

Cats are generally happiest when they have pleasant environments that meet their needs and wishes. They can be picky about what they eat and where they nap, and most have preferences about their restroom facilities, particularly regarding the type of litter they use.

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.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2026

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Frisco Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter	Low dust Low tracking Appropriate for multi-cat households	Check Price
Best Value		Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter	Neutralizes odors Unscented Ideal for multi-cat homes	Check Price
Premium Choice		Boxiecat Extra Strength Unscented Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter	Probiotic odor control 99.9% dust-free Fragrance-free	Check Price
		Dr. Elsey's Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter	Low tracking Features an herbal attractant Ideal for mastering litter box skills	Check Price
		Fresh Step Premium Scented Non-Clumping Cat Litter	Febreze scent Up to 7 days of odor control Lightweight	Check Price

The 10 Best Clay Cat Litters

1. Frisco Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Best Overall

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.

2. Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Best Value

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 unscented litter is free of dyes and fragrances and is hypoallergenic. 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.

3. Boxiecat Extra Strength Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Premium Choice

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.

Boxiecat describes this litter as 99.9% dust-free, which may make it worth considering if you or someone in your home has dust sensitivities. It’s fragrance-free and close to odorless. Boxiecat is designed for long-lasting use; a 16-pound bag may last about a month, depending on your cat and usage. It’s also available in 28- and 40-pound sizes.

4. Dr. Elsey's Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter

Dr. Elsey's Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter is formulated to help support litter box training in kittens, typically from around 8 weeks of age. 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.

5. Fresh Step Premium Scented Non-Clumping Cat Litter

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 relatively low dust, which may help reduce tracking and mess. It is a lighter-weight litter compared to some similar products. It doesn't clump, so you’ll need to refresh the entire box regularly.

6. Tidy Cats Instant Action Unscented Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter

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 helps maintain freshness for several days, depending on usage conditions.

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.

7. Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter

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 helps provide ongoing odor control and a fresh scent over time.

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.

8. Arm & Hammer Litter Slide Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

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 low-dust and to help reduce tracking, which is useful in homes with more than one pet.

9. Arm & Hammer Litter Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Cat Litter Non-Stop Odor Control with 10 Days of Odor Control

Arm & Hammer’s Litter Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Cat Litter can provide up to 10 days of odor control, depending on usage conditions. It features ongoing odor control supported by 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. Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter features TidyLock technology and activated charcoal designed to help control odors over time. It is a very low-dust formula, which may make filling the litter box easier.

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.

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) less expensive than clumping litter per pound, but it requires more frequent changing since you can’t scoop out 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.

Dust and tracking levels vary by product, but clumping litter can sometimes produce tracking, so vacuuming may be needed to manage scattered granules.

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. Tracking and dust levels vary by product type and formulation, but non-clumping litters may behave differently in terms of tracking and dust depending on the brand.

Unscented or Scented

Clumping and non-clumping litter are available in scented and unscented versions. Unscented litter controls odor primarily through absorption and waste removal rather than added fragrances. Cats usually prefer unscented options, and they can also be good choices for cat owners with allergies.

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!

Top Tip for Cleaning & Combating Tough Litter Box Smells

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.

Image	Product	Details
	Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray	Works on multiple surfaces Gentle yet effective Lifts stains & set-in odors	Check Price
	Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer	Neutralizes odor within cat litter Cat-safe Unscented	Check Price

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!

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 for best clay cat litters and is available 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 firm clumps that make scooping easier and includes probiotic-based odor control (in some formulations).

Featured Image Credit: Mila Naumova, Shutterstock