Best of
The Best Cat Litter (2027)
The best kitty litter for 2027, ranked on clumping, odor control, dust, tracking, and cat acceptance, plus the best litter boxes and trays for two cats.
The short answer
The best kitty litter for most homes in 2027 is Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra: hard clumps, no fragrance, and reliable odor control. Multi-cat homes that want easier tray cleaning should try Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide, plant-based shoppers should choose World's Best Cat Litter, and crystal fans should compare PrettyLitter with budget Fresh Step Crystals. For two cats, pair any of them with a roomy tray such as the IRIS Top Entry or Nature's Miracle High-Sided Box, and plan on one tray per cat plus one extra.
Our top picks at a glance
- Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Clumping Clay LitterThe unscented hard-clumping clay that vets and multi-cat homes keep reordering.Best kitty litter overall
- Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Platinum Multi-Cat LitterA scented multi-cat clay built so clumps slide out without scraping.Best for multi-cat odor control
- Purina Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping LitterUnscented, dye-free clumping clay with charcoal for odor absorption.Best unscented value
- World's Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat Clumping FormulaA corn-based clumping litter that is light, low dust, and septic-safe where allowed.Best plant-based
- PrettyLitter Health Monitoring Crystal LitterSilica crystal litter that changes color, which can prompt a closer look and a vet visit.Best crystal litter
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Hard, intact clumps that make daily scooping fast are the most praised trait across litters
- Unscented formulas win praise from owners whose cats rejected scented litter
- Crystal and plant-based litters are praised for light bags and less litter tracked through the house
- Roomy, high-sided trays earn praise for finally containing vigorous diggers
Common complaints
- Dust clouds when pouring clay litter are the most common owner complaint
- Litter tracked onto floors, beds, and sofas frustrates owners of fine clay formulas
- Strong added fragrance drives complaints from both cats and scent-sensitive people
- Undersized trays and too few boxes in multi-cat homes are a recurring source of messes
The picks, ranked
| # | Product | Award | Type | Scent | Clumping | Weight / size | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Clumping Clay Litter | Best kitty litter overall | Clumping clay litter | Unscented | Hard clumping | About 40 lb bag | Clay |
| 2 | Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Platinum Multi-Cat Litter | Best for multi-cat odor control | Clumping clay litter | Scented, fresh scent | Hard clumping, non-stick | 18 lb box | Clay with odor neutralizers |
| 3 | Purina Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Litter | Best unscented value | Clumping clay litter | Unscented, fragrance and dye free | Clumping | 38 lb box | Clay with activated charcoal |
| 4 | World's Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat Clumping Formula | Best plant-based | Plant-based clumping litter | Unscented, natural corn scent | Fast clumping | About 28 lb bag | Whole-kernel corn |
| 5 | PrettyLitter Health Monitoring Crystal Litter | Best crystal litter | Crystal litter, silica gel | Unscented | Non-clumping, absorbent | About 6 lb bag | Silica gel crystals |
| 6 | Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Litter | Best wood litter | Plant-based wood clumping litter | Unscented, no added fragrance | Clumping | 12.6 lb bag | Wood fiber |
| 7 | Fresh Step Crystals Premium Cat Litter, 8 lb Pack of 2 | Best budget crystal | Crystal litter, silica gel | Light fresh scent | Non-clumping, absorbent | Two 8 lb bags (16 lb total) | Silica gel crystals |
| 8 | IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box | Best litter box for two cats | Top entry litter box | Not applicable, unscented | Works with most clumping litters | About 20.5 x 16 x 14.5 in | Plastic |
| 9 | Van Ness Pureness Giant High-Sided Cat Litter Pan | Best giant open pan | Open litter pan, high-sided | Not applicable, unscented | Works with most clumping litters | About 21.25 x 17.6 x 9 in | Plastic with high-polish finish |
| 10 | Nature's Miracle High-Sided Litter Box | Best budget box for two cats | High-sided open litter box | Not applicable, unscented | Works with most clumping litters | About 23 x 18.5 x 11 in | Plastic |
Best kitty litter overall
Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Clumping Clay Litter
The unscented hard-clumping clay that vets and multi-cat homes keep reordering.
Dr. Elsey's Ultra does the core job best: hard clumps, no added fragrance, low dust for a clay, and a texture cats accept without a transition fight. For most homes asking for the best kitty litter in 2027, this is the reliable default to start with.
Strengths
- Forms hard clumps that hold together during scooping
- Unscented formula avoids fragrance-driven litter box avoidance
- Widely praised for low dust for a clay litter
- Grain size appeals to most cats used to standard clay
Limitations
- Heavy bags are awkward to carry and pour
- Clay is mined and not biodegradable
- Can track on paws like most fine clay litters
| Type | Clumping clay litter |
|---|---|
| Scent | Unscented |
| Clumping | Hard clumping |
| Weight / size | About 40 lb bag |
| Material | Clay |
Best for: Most households, especially multi-cat homes that want strong clumps and no added fragrance.
Skip if: You want a lightweight or plant-based litter; this is a heavy traditional clay.
Best for multi-cat odor control
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide Platinum Multi-Cat Litter
A scented multi-cat clay built so clumps slide out without scraping.
Slide earns its name at cleaning time, because clumps release instead of cementing to the tray, and its multi-cat formula tackles the odor load of shared boxes. Homes with two or more cats and a tolerance for scented litter should start here.
Strengths
- Non-stick slide formula releases clumps from the tray easily
- Platinum formula rated for 14-day odor control with 10% more odor eliminators
- Rock-solid clumps simplify daily scooping
- Moisture-activated odor sealing is a genuine differentiator
Limitations
- Added fragrance is too strong for some cats and owners
- Heavy like most clay litters
- Fine particles can track outside the tray
| Type | Clumping clay litter |
|---|---|
| Scent | Scented, fresh scent |
| Clumping | Hard clumping, non-stick |
| Weight / size | 18 lb box |
| Material | Clay with odor neutralizers |
Best for: Multi-cat homes that struggle with stuck-on waste and want strong odor masking.
Skip if: Your cat avoids scented litter or you prefer fragrance-free formulas.
Best unscented value
Purina Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Clumping Litter
Unscented, dye-free clumping clay with charcoal for odor absorption.
Free & Clean pairs charcoal odor absorption with zero fragrance or dyes and sells almost everywhere. It is the sensible unscented kitty litter for sensitive cats when you want easy restocking more than ultimate clump hardness.
Strengths
- Free of fragrances and dyes for sensitive households
- Activated charcoal helps absorb odor without perfume
- Sold almost everywhere, so restocking is easy
- Familiar clay texture most cats accept immediately
Limitations
- Clumps can crumble if scooped too soon
- Dust reports vary between batches
- Heavy boxes are bulky to store
| Type | Clumping clay litter |
|---|---|
| Scent | Unscented, fragrance and dye free |
| Clumping | Clumping |
| Weight / size | 38 lb box |
| Material | Clay with activated charcoal |
Best for: Scent-sensitive cats and owners who want a widely available unscented clay.
Skip if: You want the hardest clumps available; premium clays clump firmer.
Best plant-based
World's Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat Clumping Formula
A corn-based clumping litter that is light, low dust, and septic-safe where allowed.
World's Best proves corn can clump properly: fast clumps, natural odor control, low dust, and bags that feel half the weight of clay. Multi-cat homes moving away from clay get the smoothest landing here.
Strengths
- Whole-kernel corn clumps quickly and controls odor naturally
- Much lighter to carry than clay at the same volume
- Low dust formula suits dust-sensitive homes
- Long-lasting bags go further per pound than clay
Limitations
- Premium price per bag, even if it lasts longer
- Natural corn scent divides owners
- Some cats try to nibble corn-based litter at first
| Type | Plant-based clumping litter |
|---|---|
| Scent | Unscented, natural corn scent |
| Clumping | Fast clumping |
| Weight / size | About 28 lb bag |
| Material | Whole-kernel corn |
Best for: Multi-cat homes that want a plant-based litter with real clumping performance.
Skip if: Your cat has a known corn sensitivity or you dislike a natural corn scent.
Best crystal litter
PrettyLitter Health Monitoring Crystal Litter
Silica crystal litter that changes color, which can prompt a closer look and a vet visit.
PrettyLitter changes color in response to urine, which gives attentive owners a prompt to look closer and talk to a vet about any concerns. Add low tracking, light bags, and no urine clumps to scoop, and it is the most distinctive crystal option here. It does not diagnose anything on its own.
Strengths
- Crystals change color in response to urine, giving owners a reason to call a vet about concerns
- Silica gel absorbs urine and dries waste, so there are no urine clumps to scoop
- Very low tracking compared with fine clay
- Lightweight bags are easy to carry and store
Limitations
- Premium subscription-style pricing per cat
- Some cats dislike the feel of crystals underfoot
- Color readings are general indicators only and do not diagnose disease
| Type | Crystal litter, silica gel |
|---|---|
| Scent | Unscented |
| Clumping | Non-clumping, absorbent |
| Weight / size | About 6 lb bag |
| Material | Silica gel crystals |
Best for: Owners who want low-tracking crystals and a visual cue to check in on their cat.
Skip if: You expect litter to tell you what is wrong; color changes are a prompt to see a vet, not an answer.
Best wood litter
Okocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Litter
Wood fiber litter that clumps, stays light, and stops odor naturally.
Okocat's wood fiber clumps, absorbs, and controls odor naturally while staying light and low in dust. Owners who want a plant-based litter with a natural wood texture and less tracking than clay will like the trade it makes.
Strengths
- Wood fiber absorbs liquid and forms scoopable clumps
- Naturally controls odor without added fragrance
- Low dust and low tracking for a plant-based litter
- Lightweight bags are easy to handle
Limitations
- Texture is a bigger change for cats switching from clay
- Premium price compared with clay
- Clumps are softer than hard clay clumps
| Type | Plant-based wood clumping litter |
|---|---|
| Scent | Unscented, no added fragrance |
| Clumping | Clumping |
| Weight / size | 12.6 lb bag |
| Material | Wood fiber |
Best for: Owners who want a plant-based, low-dust litter with a natural wood feel.
Skip if: Your cat prefers a fine sand-like texture over larger wood pellets and fibers.
Best budget crystal
Fresh Step Crystals Premium Cat Litter, 8 lb Pack of 2
Budget silica crystals that absorb urine for weeks with almost no scooping of clumps.
Fresh Step Crystals deliver the core crystal promise, absorb urine, dry waste, and stretch a bag for weeks, at a budget price and in almost every store. For a first try of crystal kitty litter, this is the low-risk entry point.
Strengths
- Silica crystals absorb urine on contact and dry solid waste
- One 8 lb bag lasts about 20 to 30 days for a single cat
- Low tracking compared with fine clay litters
- Widely available at grocery and pet stores
Limitations
- Needs regular stirring to spread absorption evenly
- Some cats avoid the crunchy crystal feel
- Odor control fades if the tray is not mixed and waste is not removed
| Type | Crystal litter, silica gel |
|---|---|
| Scent | Light fresh scent |
| Clumping | Non-clumping, absorbent |
| Weight / size | Two 8 lb bags (16 lb total) |
| Material | Silica gel crystals |
Best for: Single-cat homes that want crystal litter convenience without premium pricing.
Skip if: Your cat dislikes crystal texture or you prefer daily clump scooping.
Best litter box for two cats
IRIS USA Top Entry Cat Litter Box
A top-entry box with a grooved lid that cuts tracking and keeps dogs out.
The IRIS Top Entry keeps litter off the floor with its grooved lid, shuts dogs out, and gives two cats a roomy enclosed space. For tidy multi-cat homes whose cats will use a top entry, it solves the tracking problem at the source.
Strengths
- Top entry keeps litter inside and curious dogs out
- Grooved lid catches litter from paws on the way out
- Roomy interior suits most cats and shared multi-cat use
- Enclosed design contains odor and spraying better than open trays
Limitations
- Top entry is a learning curve and not for every cat
- Not ideal for kittens or mobility-limited cats
- Lid and corners need regular wiping to stay fresh
| Type | Top entry litter box |
|---|---|
| Scent | Not applicable, unscented |
| Clumping | Works with most clumping litters |
| Weight / size | About 20.5 x 16 x 14.5 in |
| Material | Plastic |
Best for: Two-cat homes and tidy owners who want less litter scattered across the floor.
Skip if: Your cat is elderly, arthritic, or unlikely to accept jumping in from the top.
Best giant open pan
Van Ness Pureness Giant High-Sided Cat Litter Pan
A giant open pan with high sides that contain litter scatter and spray.
The Van Ness Giant pan pairs the open format cats prefer with high sides that contain digging and spray, in a giant size that suits large cats and multi-cat homes. It is the budget tray pick that gets the fundamentals, size and wall height, right.
Strengths
- Open design is the format most cats accept without training
- Giant footprint gives large cats room to turn and dig
- High sides reduce litter scatter and urine spray over the edge
- High-polish finish resists stains and odor buildup, and it is made in the USA
Limitations
- Open top contains less odor than enclosed boxes
- Basic plastic design with no liner system, cover, or entry step
- Colors may vary, so you cannot choose the shade you receive
| Type | Open litter pan, high-sided |
|---|---|
| Scent | Not applicable, unscented |
| Clumping | Works with most clumping litters |
| Weight / size | About 21.25 x 17.6 x 9 in |
| Material | Plastic with high-polish finish |
Best for: Large cats and multi-cat homes that want a roomy open pan cats accept easily, at a budget price.
Skip if: You want a covered or top-entry box for maximum odor and scatter control.
Best budget box for two cats
Nature's Miracle High-Sided Litter Box
A roomy high-sided open box that contains kickers and sprayers at a budget price.
Tall walls, a roomy floor, and a lowered front entry: the Nature's Miracle box contains diggers and sprayers while staying easy for cats to use. Two-cat homes on a budget should buy this size first and add a second box before buying anything fancy.
Strengths
- High sides contain digging, kicking, and spraying
- Roomy footprint gives two cats space and suits larger cats
- Lower front entry balances containment with easy access
- Simple open design cats accept immediately
Limitations
- Open top will not contain odor like an enclosed box
- Large footprint needs floor space
- Basic plastic needs liners or regular scrubbing to stay fresh
| Type | High-sided open litter box |
|---|---|
| Scent | Not applicable, unscented |
| Clumping | Works with most clumping litters |
| Weight / size | About 23 x 18.5 x 11 in |
| Material | Plastic |
Best for: Two-cat homes, high sprayers, and vigorous diggers that need space and tall walls.
Skip if: Your cat has mobility issues and needs a very low entry point on every side.
How we chose
Cat acceptance first
A litter the cat avoids fails no matter how good its specs look, so familiar textures, unscented options, and gradual transitions are weighted above novelty.
Odor control without perfume dependence
Picks favor litters that absorb or seal odor through clay, charcoal, corn, wood, or silica, and flag heavily scented formulas so sensitive homes can skip them.
Dust and tracking are daily costs
Low-dust and low-tracking picks score higher because they affect air, floors, and cleaning time every single day, not just on bag-change day.
Tray size is part of the litter system
Even the best kitty litter fails in an undersized tray, so box picks are sized for two cats and the one-per-cat-plus-one rule is built into every recommendation.
Questions, answered
What is the best kitty litter for odor control?
For scented masking and easy tray release, Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Slide leads. For unscented control, Dr. Elsey's Ultra and charcoal-based Tidy Cats Free & Clean absorb odor without perfume. Scooping daily matters more than any formula.
How many litter trays do two cats need?
The standard rule is one per cat plus one extra, so three trays for two cats, in different spots if possible. Two roomy trays can work in small homes if they are scooped daily and neither cat guards a tray.
Is crystal litter better than clumping clay?
Neither is universally better. Crystals win on tracking, weight, and fewer scooping chores; clay wins on cat acceptance, clump removal, and price per month for most homes. Try a single tray of crystals before switching a whole household.
Can PrettyLitter tell me if my cat is sick?
No. PrettyLitter changes color in response to urine, and a change is a prompt to pay attention and see a vet about any concerns. Only a vet can assess your cat's health; do not use litter color as a diagnosis or a reason to delay care.