It’s no secret that our cats leave stink bombs that leave us feeling less than amused. Cleaning a litter box is a downright pain in the butt—and every cat owner knows it. So, to reduce the presence of stank, cat litter can help mask these odors effectively.
We took the liberty of testing 9 top-of-the-line cat litters to minimize litter box aromas. Here are our detailed reviews so you can easily spot the best cat litter for odor control for your home.
A Quick Glance at our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Kitty Poo Club Clay Litter
Odor-absorbing clay litter
Recyclable litter box never needs to be cleaned
Low dust and hypoallergenic
Click to Save 20% Use code CAT25
Best Value
Cat’s Pride Unscented Litter Control
Humane Society-approved
25% lighter than other clay litters
Unscented, but powerful odor control
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Premium Choice
WORLD’S BEST Cat Litter
Flushable
Clumps nicely
Lavender oil scented
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Best for Kittens
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Litter
Malodor counteractant
Hypoallergenic and safe
Environmentally friendly
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Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Litter
7-day odor freshness
Baking soda for odor control
Soft moisture-activated particles
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The 9 Best Cat Litters for Odor Control
1. Kitty Poo Club Clay Litter – Best Overall
Save 20% off first litter box order with code CAT20
Type of Litter: Extra-hard clumping
Material: Clay
Dust Levels: Low dust
Scent: Unscented
Kitty Poo Club is a convenient and eco-friendly way to make sure you never run out of high-quality cat litter. This company ships you a recyclable litter box filled with enough odor-absorbing clay litter to last your cat a whole month. All you have to do is open the box!
We like this clay litter because it’s very low dust, hypoallergenic, and effective at controlling odors. It targets smells, adhering immediately to the litter. It’s also super affordable, super easy to scoop, and super easy to recycle when you receive another shipment! What’s not to love? And did we mention that there’s a 100% satisfaction guarantee and you can currently save 25%?
All in all, we think this is the best cat litter for odor control on the market right now.
Pros
Recyclable litter box never needs to be cleaned
Odor-absorbing clay litter
Low dust and hypoallergenic
Affordable
Cons
Not scented
If you’re looking for top-notch savings, we think you’ll find the Cat’s Pride Unscented Total Odor Control litter to be the best cat litter for odor control for the money. This cat litter works even for sensitive kitties with a 99.9% dust-free formula—and the pourer probably won’t complain either.
Recyclable litter box never needs to be cleaned
Odor-absorbing clay litter
Low dust and hypoallergenic
Affordable
- Recyclable litter box never needs to be cleaned
- Odor-absorbing clay litter
- Low dust and hypoallergenic
- Affordable
Not scented
- Not scented
Type of Litter: Clumping
Material: Clay
Dust Levels: 99%
Scent: Unscented
Check Price on Chewy
This is a low-tracking formula that is 25% lighter than traditional clumping litters. It has a patented Max Power element that quickly adheres to the waste, clumping quickly and efficiently.
For being unscented, it takes care of odor with efficiency. The American Humane Society stands by this product, and you know how much they care about beloved pets! We did, however, notice it tracks more than some competitors.
Pros
25% lighter than other clay litters
Unscented, but powerful odor control
Humane Society-approved
Cons
Higher tracking than competitors
We love the light, airy scent and texture of the World’s Best Lavender-Scented Cat Litter. It’s scented with oil, so it’s not overpowering. The coolest thing about this product, however, is that it’s totally septic safe, making disposal a breeze.
25% lighter than other clay litters
Unscented, but powerful odor control
Humane Society-approved
- 25% lighter than other clay litters
- Unscented, but powerful odor control
- Humane Society-approved
Higher tracking than competitors
- Higher tracking than competitors
Type of Litter: Clumping
Material: Corn
Dust Levels: 99% dust-free
Scent: Scented
In light of it being flushable, we are impressed at how well this litter clumps together. It lasts twice as long as some competitors.
Lavender isn’t the only scent you can pick, either. So don’t be afraid to explore the original unscented, multi-cat unscented, and lotus blossom scented. All have optimal odor control, but scents aren’t for everyone. The company has you covered.
The only thing we found that might deter buyers is the higher price tag—but the benefits may be worth it.
Definitely one of the best odor control multi-cat litters.
Pros
Lavender oil scented
Flushable
Clumps nicely
Cons
Costly
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra is a perfect odor fighter that works wonders in the home. This is a really environmentally friendly litter that thinks about the earth.
Lavender oil scented
Flushable
Clumps nicely
- Lavender oil scented
- Flushable
- Clumps nicely
Costly
- Costly
Type of Litter: Clumping
Material: Clay
Dust Levels: 99% dust-free
Scent: Unscented
Dr. Elsey’s is made of premium medium-grain heavy clay that doesn’t track much at all. This product uses a malodor counteractant to cover the urine and feces smells that envelope the air of your home.
This litter is totally hypoallergenic, so it’s safe for all kitties, including sensitive kittens. This product is mechanical litter box friendly, too. So, you can use it no matter what type of litter box you have. This litter is a little heavy.
Pros
Environmentally friendly
Malodor counteractant
Hypoallergenic and safe
Cons
Heavier than some
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Litter is a phenomenal pick for multi-cat households. This product is powerful, stopping odors at the source. However, we want to say right off the bat that this product is not natural, so it might not be for every cat.
Environmentally friendly
Malodor counteractant
Hypoallergenic and safe
- Environmentally friendly
- Malodor counteractant
- Hypoallergenic and safe
Heavier than some
- Heavier than some
Type of Litter: Clumping
Material: Clay
Dust Levels: 100% dust-free
Scent: Scented
This product has moisture-activated granules that seal odors, creating fast-acting clumps. It has baking soda to eliminate most of the smell right off the top. You will deal with very little scent after your cat uses the bathroom.
This litter has a guaranteed seven-day odor freshness. These microparticles are super soft, so this works well for easily irritated felines, too. However, this product does contain chemicals.
Pros
7-day odor freshness
Soft moisture-activated particles
Baking soda for odor control
Cons
Contains chemicals
Tidy Cats 4-in-1 Strength Clumping litter is made of natural clay and mineral, with a powerful kick. This intense deodorizing formula has very extreme odor and moisture control, creating compact clumps for easy cleaning.
7-day odor freshness
Soft moisture-activated particles
Baking soda for odor control
- 7-day odor freshness
- Soft moisture-activated particles
- Baking soda for odor control
Contains chemicals
- Contains chemicals
Type of Litter: Clumping
Material: Clay
Dust Levels: 99.9% dust-free
Scent: Scented
What we loved most about this product, other than the right clump formation, is the lightness. It’s only a fraction of the weight of some competitors, making it stick directly to the waste where it’s easily scooped.
This litter neutralizes odors from waste, blocking ammonia for sometimes up to two full weeks—pretty impressive. Overall, we thought the masking and deodorizing properties were on point. We did think, however, that it’s a little dustier than advertised.
Pros
Very efficient deodorizer
Compact clumps
Lightweight
Cons
Dusty
OKOCAT Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter is a pretty interesting take on litter. This product is free of harmful additives and uses a natural approach to your kitty’s bathroom needs using porous wood fibers.
Very efficient deodorizer
Compact clumps
Lightweight
- Very efficient deodorizer
- Compact clumps
- Lightweight
Dusty
- Dusty
Type of Litter: Clumping
Material: Wood
Dust Levels: 99%
Scent: Unscented
We thought the natural approach here was definitely worth crediting. It’s perfect for sensitive cats, as it won’t trigger respiratory or skin-related allergies. Also, if you’re sensitive to cat litter, this might help you tremendously when changing the litter as well.
Everything is recyclable—from the packaging to the litter. It’s definitely an innovative choice you might find very useful. However, it is slightly more expensive and a little difficult to scoop.
Pros
Free of harsh additives
All-natural wood shreds
Recyclable
Cons
Difficult to scoop
A little expensive
If you’ve never heard of walnut cat litter, let us introduce you to the Naturally Fresh Cat Litter Walnut. It is 100% biodegradable, and this particular formula is made to combat tough odors. The natural walnut smell overpowers the odors associated with the litter box quite well.
Free of harsh additives
All-natural wood shreds
Recyclable
- Free of harsh additives
- All-natural wood shreds
- Recyclable
Difficult to scoop
A little expensive
- Difficult to scoop
- A little expensive
Type of Litter: Clumping
Material: Walnut shell
Dust Levels: 100% dust-free
Scent: Unscented
Naturally Fresh claims to absorb odors better than competitors by up to three times. We can vouch for the fact that this litter is fast-acting, absorbent, and scent-trapping.
This organic litter is comprised of only plant-based, non-GMO, solar-produced products. If you’re all about saving the environment one step at a time, this is definitely a cat litter you should try out.
However, we noticed that it’s dustier than advertised. So, note that there may be some clouds when pouring.
Pros
100% biodegradable
Highly absorbent
Organic non-GMO
Cons
A bit dusty
- So Phresh Odor Control Paper Pellet Cat Litter
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Type of Litter: Non-clumping
Material: Paper
Dust Levels: 99% dust-free
Scent: Scented
First of all, we love the fresh, but not overpowering scent of So Phresh Odor Control Paper Pellet Cat Litter. We really liked that it’s highly absorbent and environmentally friendly, made of 95% post-consumer paper.
100% biodegradable
Highly absorbent
Organic non-GMO
- 100% biodegradable
- Highly absorbent
- Organic non-GMO
A bit dusty
- A bit dusty
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Type of Litter: Non-clumping
Material: Paper
Dust Levels: 99% dust-free
Scent: Scented
The only thing we really don’t enjoy is that cleaning is a bit more difficult. Because it’s non-clumping, it can soil more litter than necessary, causing some extra waste.
This product has both baking soda and zeolite for optimal odor control. However, when it comes to scooping, it’s not so easy. The non-clumping aspect can saturate more paper pellets than necessary since they aren’t specific.
If you can learn to maneuver the scoop, so you get problem areas right away, it’s definitely worth your money.
Pros
95% consumer paper
Uses baking soda and zeolite for deodorizing
Environmentally friendly
Cons
Difficult to scoop
Dirties quickly
95% consumer paper
Uses baking soda and zeolite for deodorizing
Environmentally friendly
- 95% consumer paper
- Uses baking soda and zeolite for deodorizing
- Environmentally friendly
Difficult to scoop
Dirties quickly
- Difficult to scoop
- Dirties quickly
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Cat Litter for Odor Control
When it comes to odor control, should you buy clumping or non-clumping litter? Manufacturers make these litters aimed at odor control in both variations.
Clumping
Clumping litter uses elements like silica or bentonite to soak up liquids and waste, forming solids. This feature makes scooping easier in most cases since the FedEx and urine stay contained without contaminating the rest of the litter.
Even if you keep a clean and tidy litterbox, you probably still find yourself with cat odors and stains around the house – but with the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray, you can permanently remove even the very worst pet stains and smells! Click here to learn more and get yourself a bottle.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!
Non-Clumping
Non-clumping litter is typically lower tracking than clumping, and there are some very excellent types on the market.
However, cat owners have one complaint: fecal matter and urine can seemingly waste more litter since they aren’t contained to one spot. Also, with clay non-clumping litters, urine can pool up on top which might create a mess.
Types of Litter
Clay
Commonly found
Many odor control options
Covers nicely
Tofu
Environmentally friendly
Often flushable and septic safe
Ultra-soft
Wood
Cheaper than some other litters
Natural odor control
Biodegradable
Paper
Recycled
Eco-friendly
Absorbent
Walnut
Strong scent
Clumps quickly
Easy to clean
Odor Control Factors
To control odor, different litters use various methods to minimize stench.
Commonly found
Many odor control options
Covers nicely
- Commonly found
- Many odor control options
- Covers nicely
Environmentally friendly
Often flushable and septic safe
Ultra-soft
- Environmentally friendly
- Often flushable and septic safe
- Ultra-soft
Cheaper than some other litters
Natural odor control
Biodegradable
- Cheaper than some other litters
- Natural odor control
- Biodegradable
Recycled
Eco-friendly
Absorbent
- Recycled
- Eco-friendly
- Absorbent
Strong scent
Clumps quickly
Easy to clean
- Strong scent
- Clumps quickly
- Easy to clean
Here’s what you might see.
Baking soda
Zeolite
Natural material
Enzymes
Added fragrance
Activated charcoal
Baking soda
Zeolite
Natural material
Enzymes
Added fragrance
Activated charcoal
- Baking soda
- Zeolite
- Natural material
- Enzymes
- Added fragrance
- Activated charcoal
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found the next odor-reducing litter that works for your household. Our personal favorite was Kitty Poo Club’s Clay Litter because we love the convenience of the recyclable litter box, and the hypoallergenic clay litter does a great job of controlling odors. All in all this was the overall best cat litter for odor control we’ve reviewed.
But if you want to save, Cat’s Pride Unscented Total Odor Control is the way to go. It’s totally lightweight and takes care of odors as it should. If you want the biggest bang for your buck, you found it—though it might not be as efficient as some others we reviewed.
Ultimately, you are the judge on what makes your house smell fecal matter-free.
We truly hope that our guide helps you find the best kitty litter for getting rid of the stench of ammonia and other unpleasant smells.
- Related read: 10 Best Dust-Free Cat Litters – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: catinsyrup, Shutterstock
