Skip the Rest: The 8 Cat Litters That Work the Best

The right cat litter can do a lot to keep your living space fresh and your ickiest of household chores to a minimum. But choosing the right cat litter can feel overwhelming, especially with shelves full of products that promise odor control, low tracking, and superior clumping. How do you know which ones deliver on their promises? Many litters fall short in real-life contexts, contributing to lingering odors, messy (and crunchy) floors, or dissatisfied kitties who refuse the litter box altogether. With so many sub-par options on the market, it’s easy for pet owners to enter a grueling cycle, moving from brand after brand in search of a litter that’s actually worth the purchase.

This article helps eliminate litter-related frustration by highlighting a handful of cat litter brands that consistently live up to their claims. These eight standouts offer top performance, cat-friendly textures, and proven odor control that make a noticeable difference in daily life. The brands on this list represent the best of the best; they’re able to battle the worst of smells, eliminate dust particles, and even cater to picky kitty preferences!

Why Is Cat Litter Necessary?

Cats need a litter box and, on top of that, clean litter. It’s a cat’s instinct to bury their urine and feces. You’ll be sad if you don’t provide your cat with a litter box or keep it clean. Expect poop somewhere.

Types of Cat Litter

Not all cat litter is the same. Even cat litter made of the same materials can act differently. For instance, there are clumping and non-clumping cat litter. Clumping cat litter is exactly what it sounds like. It’s litter that clumps together when it’s met with moisture like urine. You scoop it out in big chunks. Non-clumping doesn’t do this.

Clay Litter

One of the most common types of litter you can find in most pet and general stores is clay. It absorbs urine and is a great material for cats to dig and bury their feces. The issue with this type of cat litter is it can be dusty.

Pine Pellets

Another type of cat litter you can use is pine pellets. These small pellets are great at repelling scent. When your cat pees, the pine pellets break down and become sawdust.

Corn Litter

Pine pellets are just one type of litter. Another type is corn litter. It’s made with natural corn cobs and is often marketed as a low-dust alternative to clay litter.

Silica Gel Litter

Silica gel litter is becoming more popular. This type of litter uses small bead-like pieces of silica gel. It’s commonly used in robotic litter boxes.

The Best Cat Litter For Your Cat

Now that we’ve learned a little more about a few different types of cat litter, we can dive into the best ones on the market. Here are the eight best cat litters you shouldn’t avoid.

Boxiecat All Natural Scent-Free

One of the best cat litter brands on the market is Boxiecat All Natural Scent-Free. It’s affordable, clumps, and marketed as 99% dust-free.

Sustainably Yours Small-Grain Formula

For people who prefer grain, there is the Sustainably Yours Small-Grain Formula. It’s a bit pricier than the others on this list but is worth every penny.

SmartCat Clumping Grass Litter

SmartCat Clumping Grass Litter is an unscented clumping litter that sells for around $12 for a small bag. This of course depends on the store and the size of the bag. It’s made with grass and has a smooth, sand-like texture.

Arm & Hammer Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Litter

Arm & Hammer Litter is a popular cat litter brand. One of their best products is the Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Litter. It’s a favorite for many and is marketed as clean. According to the packaging, it doesn’t stick to the pan.

Special Kitty Odor Control

Special Kitty Odor Control Litter is a fresh-smelling litter. It’s cheap and one box can last up to a month, if not more, for just one cat. The packaging says the litter’s freshness lasts up to 72 days.

So Phresh Odor Control Paper Pellets

Paper pellets are a popular option for cat parents who don’t want to use clay. The So Phresh Odor Control Paper Pellets uses paper pellets and baking soda for odor control.

Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Litter

Unscented cat litter seems to be the best. Fragrance can irritate a cat. Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Litter isn’t just clean-smelling and fragrance-free, but also readily accessible. It’s sold in most stores.

Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented

Dr Elsey’s Ultra Cat Litter sells practically everywhere like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. It’s a gentle, unscented litter that uses clay.