10 Best Clumping Cat Litters of 2026—Reviewed

When it comes to cat parenthood, buying kitty litter is one of the first things you do — and then never stop doing for the entirety of their lives. Finding the right litter can be such a nuanced search as there are so many factors to consider. What texture does your cat prefer? Which material will limit the amount of dust that gets kicked up? What will cover up the smell the best? Which litter is the cleanest and won’t track throughout the home? Clumping or non-clumping?

One of the biggest benefits of using clumping litter is that it reduces the amount of mess and is generally considered one of the “cleaner” options when it comes to buying cat litter. This is because the litter absorbs moisture quickly and turns pee into hard clumps that you can easily and quickly scoop.

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Being able to scoop as clumps appear also helps stretch out the lifetime of your cat’s litter. However, finding clumping litters that stay firm and reduce mess can be easier said than done, which is why we’ve compiled a list of tried-and-true clumping litters as a great place for you to start your search. 

How to choose the clumping cat litter that is right for you:

• The material used for litter is a good place to start when finding the right one for your cat. Many different types of litter clump, including corn-based, clay, tofu, and many more. Finding a texture that your cat likes is a great way to find the best material for them. 

• Odor control is a huge component when it comes to choosing a litter, and sometimes that means deciding between scented and unscented litters. Scented litters use deodorizers to help cover up the smell, but sometimes the addition of a scent can be overwhelming for cats because their noses are much more sensitive than ours. “Unscented” litters aren’t truly scentless — there are just no added scents; so it can sometimes be a trade off when using unscented litter between your cat’s comfort and the scent that might still emanate from the litter box. 

• Dust is also a major factor when it comes to litter, as is how much of it is tracked when cats leave the litter box. If your cat has feline asthma, making sure to find litters that aren’t likely to track a lot of dust is very important. 

• Weight can also be something to consider when choosing a litter. Some litters are very heavy and may require more effort when you take them home from the store.

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Our top clumping cat litter picks

We’ve found the best clumping cat litters currently on the market to meet any and all of your cats’ needs. Whether you prefer clay, plant-based, or other more natural litter materials, there is something for every preference on this list. 

Best overall: World’s Best Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter

Best for multiple cats: Arm & Hammer Litter Slide Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

Best scented: Catit Go Natural Pea Husk Clumping Cat Litter

Best unscented: Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

Best odor control: Boxiecat Self-Cleaning Probiotic Scent Free Clumping Clay Litter

Best lightweight: Arm & Hammer Litter Platinum Hardball

Best clay: Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

Best grass: SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter

Best tofu: allforpaws Purr-Blend Super Odor Lock Unscented Clumping Tofu Cat Litter

Best plant-based: Arm & Hammer Litter Plant Power Unscented Lightweight Clumping Wheat Cat Litter

Best overall

World's Best Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter

$23

$19

This all-natural litter is our top choice for clumping litter because not only does it clump very well, but it’s also 99 percent dust-free and has amazing odor control. Made from corn, this litter is also safe to flush in most septic and sewer systems, making scooping that much easier. Plus, it comes in three different bag sizes depending on how much you need at one time: eight pounds, 15 pounds, and 28 pounds.

$19 at Amazon

Pros

• All natural corn-based litter free from harmful chemicals and artificial perfumes

• Flushable and safe for most septic and sewer systems

• 99 percent dust free

• Comes in three sizes: eight-pound bag, 15-pound bag, 28-pound bag

Cons

• Natural scent might not be preferred by all households

• Is more prone to tracking

Overall review

World’s Best is a quality brand when it comes to kitty litter, and this corn-based litter is just another offering that hits it out of the park. As cat parents trend more toward buying natural litters, we love that this corn-based litter is safe for pets and also doesn’t need artificial perfumes or deodorizers to help with odor control. Plus, it’s also flushable, which makes scooping especially easy if you keep the litter box in or near your bathroom. And though this is 99 percent dust-free, some reviews have mentioned that it does still tend to track a lot through their homes. 

Amazon review rating: 5/5

Best for multiple cats

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

$27

A clumping litter made from the brand known for making baking soda naturally comes with rock solid odor control, which is exactly what you need when you’re trying to contain the litter box smells from multiple cats. This clumping litter is also nonstick, so it should scoop out of your litter box easily rather than sink to the bottom and get stuck. It’s also 99.9 percent dust-free.

$27 at Chewy

Pros

• Nonstick, clumping, clay litter

• 99.9 percent dust-free

• Low-tracking

• Comes with a seven-day, odor-free guarantee

• Comes in four bag sizes: 14 pounds, 19 pounds, 28 pounds, 38 pounds

Cons

• Clay litter not preferred by all homes

• Packaging doesn’t always stand up to shipping

Overall review

This litter comes highly rated by users across product review sections and message boards asking for litter recs. We love that this litter is not only clumping, but it’s also nonstick, ensuring your scooping experience will be seamless. It comes with incredible odor control, and we also love that it’s 99.9 percent dust-free and low-tracking. Just be warned that due to the cardboard packaging, it sometimes won’t stand up as well to shipping. 

Chewy review rating: 5/5

Best scented

Catit Go Natural Pea Husk Clumping Cat Litter

$30

$23

If you prefer an added scent to your kitty litter, this natural litter is a great option. It comes in two different natural scents — vanilla and lavender — that aren’t too overpowering and shouldn’t overwhelm your cat’s sensitive nose. It’s also made out of pea husks, which is both effective at covering odors as well as soft on the paws. This clumping litter also breaks down naturally and can be safely flushed. 

$23 at Amazon

Pros

• Natural, clumping litter made from pea husks

• Flushable

• 99 percent dust-free

• Comes in two scents: vanilla and lavender

Cons

• Scents might not appeal to all 

• Only comes in one size box (12.3 pounds)

• Is more prone to tracking

Overall review

Scented litters sometimes tend to just smell like a sickly sweet artificial scent and soiled litter, almost defeating the purpose of odor control. However, we love that this pea husk litter uses both the natural scent of the peak husk material as well as the natural scents of either vanilla or lavender to really mask the scent of the litter box. Plus, its clumping formula is safe to flush and 99 percent dust-free, which really cuts down on the mess. However, some reviewers have said that it still doesn’t totally cut down on the tracking. 

Review rating: 4.5/5

Best unscented

Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

$19

$15

If you prefer an unscented litter, there’s nothing like the classic Fresh Step brand to come in clutch with a great clumping formula that will keep your litter box smelling fresh. Made with activated charcoal, this natural clay litter combines with carbon and Ammonia Block to control odors for up to 15 days.

$15 at Chewy

Pros

• Natural clay litter made with activated charcoal, carbon, and Ammonia Block

• Controls odors for up to 15 days

• Low-dust

• Comes in three different box sizes: 14 pounds, 25 pounds, or pack of four 10.5-pound bags

Cons

• Natural materials still might smell like detergent to some

• Is prone to tracking

Overall review

We love that this uses a unique and natural formula that utilizes activated charcoal to control the odor of your litter box. A 15-day odor control guarantee is especially long lasting, which is great for cat parents who might not have time to scoop every single day. However, some reviewers claim that there is a difference between the different sizes offered, and going bigger might lead to more consistency. 

Review rating: 4/5

Best odor control

Boxiecat Self-Cleaning Probiotic Scent Free Clumping Clay Litter

$34

This self-cleaning, clumping litter uses a unique formula that utilizes probiotics to tamp down on strong odors. This proprietary blend of probiotics continuously combats odors for up to 40 days. It’s also free from fragrances, fillers, and preservatives and works against tracking, keeping your home fresh and clean. Plus, its clumping formula is strong, 99.9 percent dust-free, and only adds to the long-lasting litter’s effectiveness.

$34 at Amazon

Pros

• Self-cleaning clay litter made with a proprietary blend of probiotics that continuously combat strong odors for up to 40 days

• Free from fragrances, fillers, and preservatives

• 99.9 percent dust-free

• Comes in three bag sizes: 16 pounds, 28 pounds, 40 pounds

Cons

• Packaging doesn’t always stand up to shipping

• Prone to tracking

Overall review

We love to see a new formula hit the kitty-litter market, and this one that utilizes probiotics to become self-cleaning is no exception. A 40-day odor control guarantee is one of the longest we’ve seen, and reviews have been overwhelmingly positive about how it really does stand the test of time. Although it claims to be low tracking, it does still seem like it will track through your home, according to reviews. 

Amazon review rating: 4.5/5

Best lightweight

Arm & Hammer Litter Platinum Hardball

$19

Not only is this litter lightweight, but its fast-forming formula is able to bind waste and odors into a “hardball” and provide no-mess scooping. Made from absorbent sorghum grains, it’s also low dust, is 60 percent lighter than Arm & Hammer’s other cat litter offerings, and the garden bloom scent offers up to 14 days of odor control.

$19 at Amazon

Pros

• 60 percent lighter than Arm & Hammer’s other cat litter offerings

• Fast-forming clumping formula binds waste and odors into hard balls for no-mess scooping

• Made from American-grown sorghum grains

• Low-tracking

• Garden bloom scent offers up to 14 days of odor control

Cons

• Scented litter might not appeal to all

• Clumps may stick to the bottom of the litter box

Overall review

If you’re looking for a lightweight litter that packs a punch, look no further. We love that not only is this litter super light, but that it also actually shrinks waste to make it even lighter! Reviewers also vouch for how low-dust and low-tracking this litter is, so it shouldn’t get all over your home. The only thing to look out for is that these hard balls may get stuck to the bottom and sides of the litter box if they sit for too long. 

Amazon review rating: 4.5/5

Best clay

Dr. Elsey's Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

$25

$23

Dr. Elsey’s has become quite the juggernaut in the clay-cat-litter scene, and for good reason. Its simplicity delivers on all the asks that a clumping litter should deliver: hard clumping for easy scooping, 99 percent dust-free, minimal tracking, and odor control without any added scents. 

$23 at Chewy

Pros

• Made with 100 percent bentonite clay, with a medium granule size for hard clumping

• 99 percent dust free

• Low-tracking

• Odor control via natural ingredients

Cons

• Only bag size options are pretty heavy: 20 pounds and 40 pounds

Overall review

This Dr. Elsey’s litter is one that I’ve always seen pop up on round-up lists and have tried with my own cats. If you’re looking for a clumping, clay litter, this one really delivers on the hype. It’s low-dust, low-tracking, and the odor control is one of the best in the clay litter game. The bags come in huge sizes, too, which is great if you have multiple cats. However, some might not like lugging this heavier bag every time they need to replenish. 

Chewy review rating: 4.5/5

Best grass

SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter

$30

Natural cat litters have really come a long way, and this grass-based litter is just another great alternative on the market. It has a sand-like texture that’s soft on your cat’s paws, and it’s super fast-clumping, as well. It’s 99 percent dust-free, and has natural odor control without using any added scents. 

$30 at Amazon

Pros

• Quick-clumping, grass-based litter

• 99 percent dust free

• Unscented, natural odor control

• Low-tracking

Cons

• If cats are used to clay or other cat litters, it might be hard for them to adjust to a lighter litter

Overall review

This is another great natural clumping litter option; this one is made from grass seed and has a nice and soft texture that should be nice on your cat’s paws and lead to less tracking throughout the home. We love how it uses its natural ingredients and fast-clumping formula to control odor, and that it’s also 99 percent dust-free. However, if your cat is more used to clay litter, they might have a hard time adjusting to the different texture, so it might be good to combine with clay at first to ease the transition if that’s what they’re more used to. 

Amazon review rating: 4/5

Best tofu

allforpaws Purr-Blend Super Odor Lock Unscented Clumping Tofu Cat Litter

$20

The unique texture of this tofu litter really steps up the clumping litter game. Not only does its mixed cassava and tofu formula help with quick absorption and clumps up to seven times its weight in moisture, its pellet form also helps significantly reduce tracking and dust. Plus, its natural ingredients allow for it to be safely flushable.

$20 at Chewy

Pros

• Mixed cassava and tofu formula for quick absorption, clumping, and odor control 

• Low-tracking 

• 99 percent dust-free

• Nonstick

• Flushable

Cons 

• Texture might not be preferred by all cats

Overall review

We think this might be one of the best natural litters on the list. Almost all the reviews online are raves, and we love how effective this tofu litter is at both clumping and odor control. Plus, the pellet texture really does reduce the amount of dust and tracking throughout the home, leading to a cleaner litter box experience in general. However, the pellet texture might be a tough adjustment for some cats who are a little more particular. 

Chewy review rating: 5/5

Best plant-based

Arm & Hammer Litter Plant Power Unscented Lightweight Clumping Wheat Cat Litter

$20

This plant-based litter is just another great offering from Arm & Hammer, with its formula that creates ultra compact clumps that control odor and make scooping that much cleaner. Made from renewable corn and wheat, this litter is also super lightweight and low dust.   

$20 at Chewy

Pros

• Made with renewable corn and wheat

• Unscented odor control

• Low dust

• 60 percent lighter than Arm & Hammer’s standard litter

Cons

• Might not be compatible with robotic litter boxes

Overall review

This clumping litter really does bring the plant power; we love how its natural ingredients work together to control odor and create super compact clumps. It makes the cleaning and scooping process that much easier, not to mention that its lightweight formula also creates a soft texture that leads to less dust and tracking as well as a softer experience on your cat’s paws. Some reviews, though, mention that it tends to be too lightweight to use in robotic litter pans. 

Chewy review rating: 4.5/5

FAQs

What’s the difference between clumping and non-clumping litter?

Clumping litter absorbs moisture quickly and turns pee into tight clumps that are easy to scoop, and it tends to be a cleaner option as it allows you to remove smelly clumps quickly. Non-clumping litter absorbs moisture more slowly and disperses throughout the litter and requires you to change out the entire cat box every few days, rather than just pick out the smelly bits over time.

What cat litter material should I buy?

There are so many options on the market nowadays, and it really comes down to both your and your cat’s preferences when it comes to texture, dust management, odor control, and tracking. For example, clay is often used in clumping litter and can help lessen the amount of dust kicked up, and natural materials such as corn or tofu can help with odor control without using additional scents. 

How do I make sure my cat’s litter is safe?

This is a more subjective question than it may seem, as all cats have their own unique health factors. Some cats are more sensitive to dust and/or have feline asthma, so using litters that kick up a lot of dust may be a less safe option for cats with pre-existing breathing problems. Another example is that sometimes when clumping litters are left unattended for too long it can create a fine dust that when ingested can cause health issues for your pets. All that is to say that litter safety has a lot to do with your own maintenance and cleaning procedures.