Finding the right cat litter can truly change your life. It can improve the smell of your home, reduce messes, and make scooping it easier. If you are familiar with lightweight cat litter, you may have heard it is a convenient option. It tends to be easier to lift, pour, and scoop, making it an incredibly appealing choice.
However, not all lightweight brands are crafted to the same standard. In this article, you will find detailed reviews on 10 of our favorite lightweight cat litter to help you find the best brand for your needs.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
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Best Overall | Tidy Cats Lightweight Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter |
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Best Value | Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter |
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Premium Choice | Arm & Hammer Litter Clump & Seal Lightweight Scented Clumping Litter |
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Okocat Super Soft Clumping Wood Unscented Cat Litter – Best for Kitten |
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Fresh Step Fresh Scented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter |
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The 10 Best Lightweight Cat Litters
1. Tidy Cats Lightweight Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Best Overall
Size: | 8.5 pounds, 17 pounds |
Litter Type: | Clay |
Scent: | Unscented |
Our pick for the best overall lightweight cat litter is the Tidy Cats Lightweight Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter. Tidy Cats Unscented is free from fragrances or dyes that may cause chemical-like scents, which is appealing to humans and cats with overly sensitive noses. It also comes in two size options.
This lightweight formula is easy to scoop and contains minimal dust, which creates less of a mess near the litter box. On the flip side, the lightness of the litter pebbles makes it easy to track around the house and crush underfoot.
- Unscented
- Multiple package sizes
- Easily scooped
- Contains minimal amounts of dust
- Tracks excessively
2. Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter – Best Value
Size: | 15 pounds |
Litter Type: | Clay |
Scent: | Scented |
The Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is one of the best lightweight cat litter for the money. It is a high-quality yet affordable litter ideal for homes with multiple cats. Fresh Step includes a Febreze scent, which some people may enjoy while others may find overpowering. If scented litter appeals to you, you may enjoy the fresh fragrance that this litter provides.
Since it’s a lightweight litter, it’s easy to lift, pour, and scoop. On the downside, many users have reported that this cat litter formula is extremely dusty. Your cat may carry litter dust residue on his paws throughout the house, which can create a cleaning hassle for you.
- Affordable
- Easy to lift and pour
- Includes a pleasant scent
- Extremely dusty
3. Arm & Hammer Litter Clump & Seal Lightweight Scented Clumping Cat Litter – Premium Choice
Size: | 18 pounds |
Litter Type: | Clay |
Scent: | Scented |
The Arm & Hammer Litter Clump & Seal Lightweight Scented Clumping Cat Litter is a scented, clumping clay litter that effectively masks the odor of your cat’s urine and feces. The baking soda helps it provide 7 days of odor containment, but at the same time, some people find the scent of this litter too strong. So, whether or not this litter is for you will depend on you and your cat’s sensitivities.
Arm & Hammer litter is made with moisture-induced pods that trap odors that clump tightly for ease of cleaning. It’s also dust-free, so you don’t have to worry about your cat tracking his litter through the house.
- Effectively masks feline urine odor
- Minimal amounts of dust
- Easy to lift and pour
- Overpowering scent
4. Okocat Super Soft Clumping Wood Unscented Cat Litter – Best for Kittens
Size: | 8.4 pounds, 11.2 pounds, 16.7 pounds, 22 pounds |
Litter Type: | Wood |
Scent: | Unscented |
House training a kitten to use his litter box can be tough, which is why the right litter is so important. Litter that is too sharp, dusty, or otherwise uncomfortable may discourage your kitten from properly using his litter box.
Okocat Super Soft Clumping Wood Unscented Cat Litter is the best lightweight litter option for kittens because of its soft material, which makes it perfect for a kitten’s sensitive paws. It comes in multiple package sizes and is unscented, so your kitten’s little nose won’t get overwhelmed.
On the downside, users report that Okocat’s Super Soft litter doesn’t clump very well. This can make cleaning the litter box a bit more of a challenge.
- Unscented
- Multiple package size options
- Excellent for kittens with sensitive paws
- Clumps poorly
5. Fresh Step Fresh Scented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter
Size: | 8 pounds |
Litter Type: | Crystal |
Scent: | Scented |
Fresh Step Fresh Scented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter is made of silica crystals that absorb liquids. This helps to prevent moisture from accumulating at the bottom of your cat’s litter tray, which can create puddles, leakage, and odors. The scented crystals also help to lock in foul odors, and their effects tend to be long-lasting.
Another benefit to the crystal material is that it tends to be much lighter than other common litter materials such as clay. This makes it easy to lift, pour, and scoop. If the lightness of your cat’s litter is a primary focus for you, then Fresh Step’s Crystal Cat litter may be an excellent option for you.
With all of the benefits that this litter provides, it is only natural that it is a bit more expensive than some of the other options on this list.
- Excellent odor control
- Long-lasting
- Easy to scoop
- Expensive
6. Tidy Cats Lightweight 24/7 Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Size: | 8.5 pounds, 17 pounds |
Litter Type: | Clay |
Scent: | Scented |
Tidy Cats Lightweight 24/7 Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is a scented cat litter that excels at odor cover-up. An ammonia blocker controls the odor of your cat’s urine, and the litter is scented, which is an appealing feature for some people. It comes in multiple package sizes for your convenience.
Tidy Cats is great at clumping, which makes it much easier for you to scoop the waste out of the litter box and return any unused litter to the tray. The lightweight nature of this litter also makes it easy to lift and pour.
However, this litter is known to be very dusty. Litter and dust will be tracked through your house if you use this litter, so you must prepare to do a little extra cleaning.
- Excellent odor cover-up
- Clumps well
- Easy to lift and pour
- Extremely dusty
7. Feline Pine Scoop Unscented Clumping Wood Cat Litter
Size: | 8 pounds, 14 pounds |
Litter Type: | Pine, wood |
Scent: | Unscented |
If you are looking for a more unique material for your lightweight cat litter, you can add wood to your list of considerations. Feline Pine Scoop Unscented Clumping Wood Cat Litter is made entirely from pine wood that has been ground down into a fine sawdust. This litter is affordable and contains no added fragrances, but you can smell a faint scent of pine.
Although the cat litter formula claims that it clumps well, many users have complained that it has not lived up to their expectations, probably due to the sawdust material. Also, since the litter is made of wood, some sharp pieces can irritate your cat’s sensitive paws.
- Affordable
- Unscented
- Does not include harsh chemicals, synthetic perfumes, or additives
- Poor clumping
- Pieces may be sharp
8. Frisco Micro Crystal Unscented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter
Size: | 7 pounds |
Litter Type: | Crystal |
Scent: | Unscented |
The Frisco Micro Crystal Unscented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter is made of silica crystals, which are unscented and lock in odors. The lack of scents can make this formula better for those with sensitive noses, but others complain that it fails to properly cover up the foul odors.
Since the crystal material is so lightweight, this litter is easy to lift, pour, and scoop. Frisco Micro Crystal is also highly absorbent, making it easier for you to remove waste from the litter box. On the downside, it is dusty and can be tracked around your home.
- Unscented
- Easy to scoop
- Doesn’t cover up odors very well
- Dusty
9. SmartCat Lightweight Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Size: | 10 pounds |
Litter Type: | Clay |
Scent: | Unscented |
SmartCat Lightweight Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is a clay cat litter formula. If you or your cat are overly sensitive or particular about scents, this litter may be perfect for you since it is unscented. Another benefit to SmartCat’s Lightweight cat litter is that it is affordable, so it can be a good long-term option for any household.
However, the litter is too easy to track around your house, and it is messier than some of the competition. It is also reported to be highly dusty, even though it is advertised as being mostly dust-free.
- Unscented
- Affordable
- Tracks excessively
- Dusty
10. Boxiecat Premium Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Size: | 16 pounds, 28 pounds, 40 pounds |
Litter Type: | Clay |
Scent: | Unscentedv |
Boxiecat Premium Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is very lightweight, making it easier to use. It also comes in several size options, including a 16-pound package, a 28-pound package, and a 40-pound package. It is unscented, which is great for picky cats with sensitive noses.
Unfortunately, many users complain that the Boxiecat Premium cat litter does not cover odors very well. It also tracks excessively. For many people, these two issues can cause quite a bit of trouble since the foul smell and the mess combined are a bit of an inconvenience.
- Multiple package size options
- Unscented
- Does not cover odors well
- Tracks excessively
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Right Lightweight Cat Litter
Finding the right cat litter for your pet is important, so making a decision about which lightweight litter you want to try can feel overwhelming. If you would like more advice on how to pick a lightweight cat litter that is going to fit in with your cat’s lifestyle, we have a few questions for you to ask yourself that you may find useful.
Will Your Cat Use This Litter?
This may be one of the most important questions to consider when purchasing a new cat litter. Some reasons that a cat may avoid a certain litter may include the scent as well as the sharpness or softness of the material. If you know that your cat is sensitive to certain smells or sensations, avoid scented brands when trying to choose your cat’s new litter.
Will This Litter Irritate Anyone in the House?
Your cat isn’t the only person to consider when choosing a new litter. If you’ve household members with allergies or other sensitivities, you need to keep those in mind when searching for new kitty litter.
Does This Litter Suit Your Budget?
Purchasing litter is one of the many continuous expenses that you will have when caring for a cat. While it may be tempting to purchase the most expensive, luxurious kitty litter that the market has to offer, you also have to consider how affordable the litter is for you. If you can purchase this litter regularly while still staying on top of your other necessary expenses, it may be an economical fit for you.
What Does Maintaining this Litter Require? Is it Usable for You?
Different types of cat litter will require various maintenance tasks. For instance, highly trackable or dusty litter may require more extensive cleaning than other types of litter. If you don’t have the time to clean so frequently, those types of litter should be out of consideration.
Likewise, you’ll want to consider how usable the litter is for you. Lightweight litter tends to be easier to carry, lift, and pour, but some materials can still be heavier than others. If heavy materials don’t work for you, you focus on litters that have lighter materials in them.
Combating tough cat litter smells is an ongoing battle for pet parents but luckily, there are products out there designed to help! Two products that significantly reduce odors are the Hepper Litter Additive and the Hepper Enzyme Spray. Find out which is better suit to your needs with our breakdown of each product below. 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!
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer Powder
Eliminates smells
Removes stains
Unscented
Light fresh scent
Works on multiple surfaces
Neutralizes odor within cat litter
How We Selected Our List of Lightweight 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
Lightweight kitty litter is a convenient option for many people. Our pick for the best overall brand is Tidy Cats Lightweight Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter, which provides quality and convenience in multiple-sized packages. For an affordable option, check out Fresh Step Lightweight Febreze Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter, which includes a pleasant scent. You can also try Arm & Hammer Litter Clump & Seal Lightweight Scented Clumping Cat Litter, which provides effective odor containment with minimal cleaning. We hope these reviews have helped you to find the lightweight cat litter that best suits your needs.
Featured Image Credit: Valentina Zavrazhina, Shutterstock