Best Cat Litter

Updated October 23, 2026

We reviewed cat litters across litter type, odor control approach, and the manufacturers' dust and tracking claims. The picks span the most-purchased clay clumping litter, an easy-clean formula with a slide-out design, a fragrance-free option for sensitive households, a pellet-and-pad system for buyers who want zero tracked litter, and a plant-based natural formula.

Clumping ability is the most important performance factor for the majority of buyers. A hard-forming clump contains odor, prevents moisture from seeping to the box bottom, and scoops out cleanly without breaking apart or leaving residue. Clay litters use sodium bentonite to achieve this. Natural litters made from corn, wheat, or cassava also clump but rely on plant-based starch mechanisms that behave differently from bentonite. Pellet-and-pad systems handle liquid separately through a slatted tray and absorbent pad, eliminating the clumping step entirely.

Dust and tracking are the two things to check first across all litter types. Dust matters for cats and owners with respiratory sensitivities -- low-dust formulas use larger or coated granules that generate less airborne particulate when poured or disturbed. Tracking is the litter that cats carry out of the box on their paws. Medium-grain and coarser litters tend to track less than fine-grain formulas. Buyers with smaller cats or kittens and buyers who use covered boxes typically report less tracking regardless of litter type.