8 Best Cheap Cat Litters in 2026 - Reviews & Top Picks

Owning any pet comes with specific care requirements, many of which revolve around waste. As cat parents, we must regularly deal with cat litter, so finding the right kind that is best for our cats and us is essential.

But another factor is cost, which goes up if you own more than one cat. However, finding the time to shop for quality inexpensive cat litter is daunting, so we did the research for you!

We have reviews for eight of the best of the cheapest kitty litters, ones that won’t break the bank but should still do the job well.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2026

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter	Clumps well 99% dust free Unscented	Check Price
Best Value		Frisco Multi-cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter	Affordable Forms hard clumps Low tracking	Check Price
Premium Choice		World’s Best Multi-cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter	Environmentally friendly Clumps and lightweight 99% dust free	Check Price
		Scoop Away Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter	Available in unscented or clean linen Clumps well Uses antimicrobial agents for odor control	Check Price
		Fresh Step Multi-cat Extra Strength Scented Clumping Cat Litter	Prevents the growth of bacteria Forms hard clumps Uses charcoal and plant extracts to prevent odor	Check Price

The 8 Best Cheap Cat Litters

1. Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter — Best Overall

Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is the best overall cheap cat litter. It clumps well, is 99% dust free, and keeps the tracking down to a minimum. This litter is definitely a cut above many of the cheaper cat litters! This version is unscented, but it is also available in a fragrance (though we don’t recommend scented litter).

However, this litter actually clumps so well, the clumps adhere to the litter box to the point that it can be troublesome to remove them.

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

The best cheap cat litter for the money is Frisco Multi-cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter. It’s available in unscented and lavender fields, tropical breeze, and fresh scents.

It forms hard clumps and doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients. It’s low tracking and has good odor control. But it tends to be fairly dusty, and the odor control can be hit or miss.

3. World’s Best Multi-cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter — Premium Choice

The World’s Best Multi-cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter is a bit pricey, but it is still quite affordable! It’s an excellent option if you’re more interested in using something environmentally friendly. It has decent odor control and clumps, making clean-up easy. It’s flushable in most sewer and septic systems. It’s also lightweight, so you won’t strain your back when working with it, and it’s 99% dust-free.

However, some cat owners aren’t fond of the scent, and since it’s lightweight, it tends to track.

4. Scoop Away Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

Scoop Away Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is available in unscented and clean breeze and uses antimicrobial agents to prevent odor for up to 7 days. It clumps well and is relatively low in dust.

But a few buyers have complained about quality control: Some boxes of the litter are low in dust, while others seem to be quite dusty. Also, it’s only available in one size.

5. Fresh Step Multi-cat Extra Strength Scented Clumping Cat Litter

Fresh Step Multi-cat Extra Strength Scented Clumping Cat Litter uses Febreze to help combat odor. This litter offers up to 10 days of odor control with the use of “ammonia block” technology, which prevents the growth of bacteria. It contains charcoal and plant extracts that also keep those odors at bay. It’s low dust and forms hard clumps that shouldn’t crumble while scooping.

The issue here, though, is that while it’s advertised as being low in dust, it still tends to be dustier than some other brands. It also tends to track.

6. Arm & Hammer Litter SLIDE Easy Clean-Up Clumping Cat Litter

Arm & Hammer Litter SLIDE Easy Clean-Up Clumping Cat Litter is designed to make hard clumps, but the litter should just slide right out, making cleaning easy. It contains baking soda and micro-granules for odor control for up to 10 days, and it’s 99.9% dust free and has low tracking.

Unfortunately, there are no options for unscented litter, and it’s a fine litter, which tends to track outside of the litter box.

7. Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

The Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter uses activated charcoal to help combat strong odors. It forms hard clumps and is 99.9% dust free. It also doesn’t contain dyes or fragrances.

There are issues with odor control, though, and it doesn’t always clump well. It also tends to track.

8. Arm & Hammer Litter Super Scoop Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

Arm & Hammer Litter Super Scoop Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is 99% dust free and contains baking soda crystals to eliminate bad odors. It clumps well, is free of dyes and fragrances, and is made to be low on tracking.

However, while it’s advertised as being 99% dust free, many cat owners find it quite dusty. It’s also not always effective at eliminating odor and is only available in one heavy size.

Buyer's Guide: Buying the Best Cheap Cat Litter

If you’re still on the fence about what litter you want to try or are just looking for more information, this buyer’s guide contains pointers about what factors you should consider when shopping for cat litter.

Unscented vs. Scented

This list contains unscented litter as often as possible for the sake of your cat’s sensitive nose. That said, the last thing that you want is an unscented litter that does not contain the odor well, which can be worse for everyone, including your cat. This is particularly essential if you use a covered litter box, as it will trap those odors, and cats that aren’t happy with the smell of their litter might start eliminating outside the box.

So, you may need to experiment a bit with scented and unscented litters until you find the right one.

Quality

Unfortunately, the adage, “You get what you pay for,” can be quite accurate in this situation. If you’re opting for cheap cat litter, you might need to deal with litter that isn’t “perfect.”

You’ll need to decide what is non-negotiable and what you can put up with. If a lack of dust and odor control are more important than the clumping, look through product descriptions and customer reviews until you find a litter that seems to have those features.

Tracking

It’s nearly impossible to find a litter that doesn’t track at least a small amount, or that won’t spill outside the litter box during your cat’s enthusiastic scratching. Unless it has large particles, most litter will stick to your cat’s paws, which will then be tracked throughout your home.

So, we recommend investing in a good cat litter mat, as it can be quite effective at trapping the excess litter from your cat’s paws.

Material

The most common kind of litter available is bentonite clay, which is likely what you’ll end up using because it tends to be cheaper than most other materials. It also clumps well and has effective odor control, depending on the litter brand.

Crystal cat litter is one of the more expensive options. It’s made with silica gel, works quite well at odor control, and effectively absorbs urine. It tends to be lighter in weight than clay if that’s an important quality for you.

If you aim to be environmentally friendly, know that you'll have to pay extra for biodegradable litter. Bear in mind that natural litters also aren’t always great at containing odors or clumping. You might need to experiment with a few different kinds until you find the right one for your needs.

How We Selected Our List of Cheap 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 love Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Cat Litter for being one of the best of the cheaper cat litters. It’s virtually dust free and is one of the best for clumping. Frisco’s Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter has low tracking and great odor control, and it’s the most affordable cat litter. Finally, the World’s Best Multi-Cat Unscented Cat Litter is an excellent litter among the natural cat litter options, and it’s flushable and lightweight. We hope that these reviews of less expensive cat litters have led you to the best product for you and your cat. After all, you don't always have to spend a significant amount of money to get something great!

See also:

• How Often Should I Change Cat Litter? Things to Consider

• Reasons Your Cat is Peeing on the Couch: Vet Approved Tips to Stop It

Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock