The Best Cat Litters
We compared eight top-rated cat litters on odor control, clumping, dust levels, and owner satisfaction. Fresh Step Advanced Odor Shield emerged as the top pick for its superior odor control and tight clumping.
Updated
The bottom line
Fresh Step Advanced Odor Shield (B089PM6FRC) is our top pick for the best cat litter, thanks to its effective 15-day odor control, tight clumping, and low-dust formula. It scored 9.4/10 from 54104 owner ratings and costs $25.99 for 18.5 lb. The closest alternative is ARM & HAMMER Slide Platinum (B089LLHMQL), which offers strong odor control and hard clumps at $16.19 for 18 lb, but some users report a noticeable scent on cats. For a budget option, Fresh Step Odor Shield (B000VDR8LA) at $11.16 for 14 lb provides good odor control and clumping, though with some dust during scooping.
Fresh Step Advanced Odor Shield $25.99
Best overall cat litter for odor control and clumping
Fresh Step Advanced Odor Shield offers 15-day odor control with Febreze Gain scent, tight clumps for easy scooping, and a low-dust formula. It scored 9.4/10 from 54104 owner ratings and costs $25.99 for 18.5 lb. Tradeoff: Some users report dust issues when scooping.
Check price on Amazon
ARM & HAMMER Slide Platinum Clumping Cat Litter $16.19
Strong odor control and hard clumps at a lower price
ARM & HAMMER Slide Platinum forms rock-hard, scoopable clumps and offers 24/7 odor control. It scored 9.2/10 from 19624 owner ratings and costs $16.19 for 18 lb. Tradeoff: Some users report a noticeable scent on cats.
Check price on Amazon
Fresh Step Odor Shield $11.16
Affordable option with good odor control and clumping
Fresh Step Odor Shield offers effective odor control and tight clumping at $11.16 for 14 lb. It scored 9.2/10 from 45512 owner ratings. Tradeoff: Some users report noticeable dust during scooping.
Check price on AmazonThe field, ranked
- Fresh Step Advanced Odor Shield Best for odor control and clumping 10.0/10 $25.99 Amazon
- ARM & HAMMER Slide Platinum Clumping Cat Litter Strong odor control and hard clumps 9.0/10 $16.19 Amazon
- Fresh Step Odor Shield Good odor control and clumping at a lower price 8.0/10 $11.16 Amazon
- Dr. Elsey's Ultra UnScented Clumping Clay Cat Litter Effective clumping and low dust 7.0/10 $22.99 Amazon
- ARM & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Good odor control and low dust 7.0/10 $17.99 Amazon
- ARM & Hammer Cloud Control Platinum Cat Litter Low dust and good odor control 6.0/10 $17.99 Amazon
- Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Premium Cat Litter Affordable with good clumping 6.0/10 $10.77 Amazon
- Fresh Step Advanced Odor Shield Multi Cat Clumping Cat Litter Specialized for multi-cat households 5.0/10 $23.39 Amazon
Where the differences show up in daily use
Owners of Fresh Step Advanced Odor Shield report that the litter maintains a fresh scent for up to 15 days, even in multi-cat households. ARM & HAMMER Slide Platinum is praised for its rock-hard clumps that make cleanup easy, though some users notice a scent on their cats. Fresh Step Odor Shield is favored for its affordability and effective odor control, though it may produce dust when scooped.
What owners complain about after buying
Some users of Fresh Step Advanced Odor Shield mention dust issues when scooping, despite its low-dust formula. ARM & HAMMER Slide Platinum users report a noticeable scent on their cats, which may be a concern for some. Fresh Step Odor Shield users also note dust during scooping, though it is generally well-received for its price and performance.
The also-rans
Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Premium Cat Litter (B007S8YDBE) and ARM & Hammer Cloud Control Platinum Cat Litter (B09P3L3BJQ) did not earn picks due to lower scores in odor control and clumping compared to the top picks. Dr. Elsey's Ultra UnScented Clumping Clay Cat Litter (B0009X29WK) and ARM & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum (B09P32SSRL) also fell short in these areas. Fresh Step Advanced Odor Shield Multi Cat Clumping Cat Litter (B07ZK3FP27) is specialized for multi-cat households but did not outperform the top picks in overall performance.