8 Best Cat Litters for Odor Control in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

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 8 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 30% Use code CAT30
Best Value		Cat's Pride Unscented Litter Control	Humane Society-approved 25% lighter than other clay litters Unscented, but powerful odor control	Check Price
Premium Choice		WORLD’S BEST Cat Litter	Flushable Clumps nicely Lavender oil scented	Check Price
Best for Kittens		Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Litter	Malodor counteractant Hypoallergenic and safe Environmentally friendly	Check Price
		Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Litter	7-day odor freshness Baking soda for odor control Soft moisture-activated particles	Check Price

The 8 Best Cat Litters for Odor Control

1. Kitty Poo Club Clay Litter – Best Overall

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Odor Control Factors

To control odor, different litters use various methods to minimize stench.

No matter what kind of litter you use, bad smells often linger. That's where an effective litter additive like Hepper's Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer can make a big difference.

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 designs of this cool company!

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: sandyman, Shutterstock