Last updated Sep 23, 2025
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
Nobody likes the smell of a dirty litter box – especially the cats who have to use them. Scooping the litter box on a regular basis is one of your jobs as a cat owner, but you can make the work less unpleasant for yourself by choosing a high-quality cat litter.
Unfortunately, top-shelf cat litters don’t come cheap, so you may find yourself struggling to find an affordable product that still delivers on quality. If that’s where you find yourself, consider Ever Clean cat litter. This brand has been around for decades and continues to be known for excellent odor control at an affordable price point.
Ratings
- Variety of Products – 3/5
- Price Per Pound – 4/5
- Multi-Cat Formulas – 3/5
- Clumping Ability – 5/5
- Long-Lasting Odor Control – 4/5
- Natural/Alternative Options – 5/5
Overall Score: 4/5
How We Tested:
- We purchased 3 of the best cat litters Ever Clean cat litter has to offer
- We spent a few weeks testing the cat litters on several cats
- We did not receive these product in exchange for a favorable review, they were purchased with our own money
Brand Overview
The history of cat litter goes back many decades, but clumping cat litter has a slightly different history. In 1987, A&M was founded and became the first U.S. company to produce clumping cat litter.
Sold in 7-pound jugs under the Ever Clean name, this clumping litter was sold in specialty pet outlets and hand-delivered to veterinary offices. By 1989 it had been named “Best Product of the Year” by Pet Products News and its popularity has only continued to expand.
After the company changed hands a few times, Ever Clean was relaunched in 2000 with four new-and-improved formulas designed for improved odor control.
In the coming years, the brand released new innovations like the Cedar and Multiple Cat varieties as well as the EverFresh line of products and their first lightweight litter. Today, Ever Clean keeps things simple with 5 product choices designed for maximum clumping ability and long-lasting odor control.
What Kinds Of Litter Does The Brand Offer?
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
Though Ever Clean has been around since the 1980s, their product list isn’t quite as extensive as many brands on the market. When it comes to clay litters, however, they do offer a variety of choices including clumping, non-clumping, unscented, and multi-cat formulas. Because this brand does so well with these formulas, they have no need to expand into niche markets.
The Ever Clean brand currently offers five cat litter formulas. Three of these formulas are unscented, and two are lightly scented.
Within the unscented category, Ever Clean offers an extra-strength fragrance-free formula that delivers maximum clumping power as well as a lightweight formula and one infused with activated charcoal for long-lasting odor control. The two lightly scented formulas come in an extreme clumping variety, and one made for multi-cat households.
The three formulas we’re reviewing here include two unscented and one lightly scented formula.
Top 3 Cat Litters Reviewed
| Product Name | Materials | Clumping? | Life Stage | Additional Features | Type | Price | Overall Rating |
| Ever Clean Extra Strength Unscented Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter | Clay | Yes | All | Clumping, Unscented, Odor-Control | Clumping | $0.86 per lb | 4.25/5 |
| Ever Clean Everfresh with Activated Charcoal Unscented Premium Clumping Clay Litter | Clay | Yes | All | Clumping, Unscented, Odor-Control | Clumping | $0.72 per lb | 4.5/5 |
| Ever Clean Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter | Clay | Yes | All | Clumping, Scented, Odor-Control, Multi-Cat | Clumping | $0.8 per lb | 4.25/5 |
#1 Ever Clean Extra Strength Unscented Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Litter box odor is a concern for any cat owner, but if your cat has a sensitive nose, you may want to stick to an unscented cat litter.
This Ever Clean Extra Strength Unscented Premium Clumping clay litter is a great choice because it is designed for maximum odor control without the use of perfumes and artificial fragrances. It is highly absorbent, locking in odors on contact and forming tight, hard clumps that are easy to scoop to keep the litter box fresh and clean.
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
The lingering smell of pee, even if it's very faint, can cause a cat to return to the area and pee there again. Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
This extra-strength formula is fortified with an ammonia shield to destroy litter box odors and features advanced moisture lock technology for maximum absorption of liquid waste.
It offers up to 10 days of long-lasting freshness without the use of fragrance, and it offers antimicrobial benefits to prevent odor-causing bacteria from building up in the litter box. Plus, it uses plant extracts to eliminate tough odors in a safe, natural way.
In testing this unscented premium clay litter, we found that it had a slight smell to it. It was very light and pleasant, however, so we didn’t find it to be a problem.
We found that the litter held up its promise of being very low dust, though what little dust there was tended to be a bit sticky and the fine granules did track a bit. Overall, we were impressed by its hard-clumping ability and excellent odor control.
| Category | Rating |
| Price | 4/5 |
| Clumping Action | 5/5 |
| Odor Control | 4/5 |
| Dust/Mess | 4/5 |
| Scent | 4/5 |
| Easy to Scoop | 5/5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.25/5 |
Pros
- Extra-strength formula forms hard, tight clumps
- Very low-dust formula, no fragrance or perfume
- Offers up to 10 days of long-lasting odor protection
Cons
- Fairly heavy, especially in a 25-pound box
- Wet litter may soak through and stick to the bottom of the box
This litter comes in a 14-pound and 25-pound bag. This particular formula is made from clay, so it is fairly heavy. It does, however, come in manageable sizes.
#2 Ever Clean Everfresh with Activated Charcoal Unscented Premium Clumping Clay Litter
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
If you’re looking for an unscented cat litter that offers maximum odor control, consider this Ever Clean EverFresh with Activated Charcoal Unscented Premium Clumping clay litter. Though it is unscented, this litter is bonded with activated charcoal to eliminate odors at the source.
The combination of activated charcoal and maximum clumping power contributes to a full 10 days of long-lasting freshness, even in multi-cat households where odors are usually a problem.
This unscented cat litter forms some of the tightest clumps we’ve seen, and they do not break apart during scooping. Tight, hard clumps are the key to containing odors, and it also makes your job of cleaning the litter box that much easier. When you can just scoop away clumps, it saves more of the clean litter which saves you money over time.
One thing to be mindful of with this product is that it is fairly heavy. Not only is it a clay litter, but it comes in larger granules which is supposed to help reduce tracking. The formula is fairly low dust, but what dust it does produce can be a little sticky so you might find dirty footprints around the house as well as some tracked litter. Overall, however, we were very pleased when testing this litter.
| Category | Rating |
| Price | 4/5 |
| Clumping Action | 5/5 |
| Odor Control | 4/5 |
| Dust/Mess | 4/5 |
| Scent | 5/5 |
| Easy to Scoop | 5/5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.5/5 |
Pros
- Activated charcoal adds extra odor control
- Slightly larger granules means less mess and tracking
- Hard-clumping action is easy to scoop and clean
Cons
- Fairly heavy, especially in a 25-pound box
- Dust can be sticky, may be a bit messy
This litter comes in a 25-pound box. This particular formula is made from clay, so it is fairly heavy.
#3 Ever Clean Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
This Ever Clean Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter is a great option if you’re trying to reduce odor in a multiple cat household. By forming tight, hard clumps, this litter locks in odors and keeps them controlled until you scoop.
Plus, with a paw-activated fresh scent, the litter box smells fresh until you get around to scooping it (though some may find the scent to be too strong). This litter also offers antimicrobial protection against odor-causing bacteria and features a unique blend of pure, natural minerals and clays.
In testing this litter, we found that it lived up to its promises for forming tight, hard clumps. We love a good clumping litter for multi-cat households because it makes scooping the box easier.
One thing we noticed in several reviews, however, is that the clumps are so hard that you may end up losing a lot of litter when you scoop and you might need to top off the box once a day to keep it full enough in a multiple cat household. We also found the formula to be somewhat dusty, though tracking was low.
| Category | Rating |
| Price | 4/5 |
| Clumping Action | 5/5 |
| Odor Control | 4/5 |
| Dust/Mess | 4/5 |
| Scent | 3/5 |
| Easy to Scoop | 5/5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.25/5 |
Pros
- Forms tight, hard clumps that are easy to scoop
- Light scent is pleasant and not overwhelming
- Lock sin odor on contact and inhibits bacterial growth
Cons
- Contains some fragrance, though not very noticeable
- Fairly heavy, especially in a 25-pound box
- May need to top off the litter box daily with multiple cats
This litter comes in a 25-pound box. This particular formula is made from clay, so it is fairly heavy.
What Do Customers Think of Ever Clean Cat Litter?
Cat owners tend to be very picky when it comes to their cat’s litter, and most have a preferred brand. In reading reviews of Ever Clean cat litter, however, we found that many cat lovers switched to this brand when they were looking for a more affordable option, and they liked it so much they kept using it.
This being said, every customer’s experience is unique, and there are both good and bad reviews for the brand online. Keep reading to see a positive and negative customer review for each of the three cat litter formulas featured above:
Positive Customer Reviews
“We tried this years ago when our first cat had a sensitive stomach and not having the apt smell was a priority. This litter beat all of the others by far and we have not switched since. Across the board a good choice with any concerns you could have with choosing your brand.” – by Renee, reviewing Ever Clean Extra Strength Unscented Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter, Mar 12, 2026
“This kitty litter is worth every penny! I have tried many indoor scoopable litters- this one lasts and has the least odor I have ever experienced. I discovered it visiting my brother & sleeping next to the litter box- only to smell Nothing!” – by Leslie, reviewing Ever Clean Everfresh with Activated Charcoal Unscented Premium Clumping Litter, Mar 23, 2026
“Best clumping cat litter and we have 3 cats. Really controla odor as well. Try it!” – by Iva, reviewing Ever Clean Multi-Cat Clumping Cat Litter, May 20, 2026
Negative Customer Reviews
“About a year ago it stopped coming in boxes and went to the 4 pack of white bags. Major dust and tracking now. Also bought a pack of Fresh step and the white bags and litter inside are exactly the same for 2/3 the price. Going to be looking for a long term replacement.” – by Gregory, reviewing Ever Clean Extra Strength Unscented Premium Clumping Clay Cat Litter, Apr 28, 2026
“This was too dusty. Plumes of dust are visible when you pour it and it took the air filter 30 min to scrub the air. It did clump, so 2 stars for that.” – by Heather, reviewing Ever Clean Everfresh with Activated Charcoal Unscented Premium Clumping Clay Litter, Feb 3, 2026
How Much Does Ever Clean Cat Litter Cost?
Ever Clean cat litter is definitely not the cheapest cat litter on the market, or even the cheapest brand we’ve reviewed. However, it is highly affordable, with most formulas staying within the range of $0.60 to $0.80 per pound. While it may cost more than budget-friendly brands like Tidy Cats or Fresh Step, it is often considered a premium option due to its superior clumping and odor control.
If you’re looking for a natural alternative, options like World’s Best Cat Litter or ökocat might be worth considering. You can also save even more on Ever Clean by ordering online using an auto-ship discount.
Overall, Is Ever Clean Cat Litter A Good Choice?
Ever Clean cat litter is slightly more expensive than some brands we’ve reviewed, but it offers consistent and reliable performance. All five formulas offer hard-clumping action, which makes scooping easy and minimizes waste. Even the unscented formulas offer excellent odor control, and the quality of the litter seems to be consistent across all formulas.
One thing to be mindful of with this brand is that it is fairly heavy. Two of the three formulas reviewed are only sold on Chewy in 25-pound boxes which could be difficult for some people to manage. Ever Clean does offer a lightweight, unscented formula, however, so there are options if you find 25 pounds to be too heavy to lift.
Where Is Ever Clean Cat Litter Sold?
Ever Clean Cat Litter is sold online and in pet stores. You can find it for sale from online retailers like Chewy and Amazon as well as big box stores like Walmart and Target as well as local and national pet stores such as PetSmart and Petco.
The first two product pictures are shown in reverse order.
Thank you for pointing this out! I’m working with the team to get that corrected.
I’ve been using Ever Clean since 1994 and tho it’s changed recently, I still find it the best litter for a multi cat home. It’s dustier than it used to be which isn’t great, but compared to other litters out there this is #1 I tried to go with dr elseys but after one day it stunk!
I have used Ever Clean Litter in my Litter Robot for years. Recently, the packaging and the formula changed. The litter does not clump as well and falls apart and crumbles in the litter box, which then requires more frequent total litter changes because it doesn’t smell clean to my cat. I don’t know what they did but I have seen this problem discussed on internet discussion boards. Unfortunately, Clorox also makes other brands so it is difficult to find a suitable replacement.
I have just started using EverClean Litter; however, it is good and I would like to continue using it. The problem is that I had to use a screwdriver to open the top of the box. I am an older person and would like a better alternative for packaging.
Hi Martha,
You can try World’s best litter as those are of good quality and easier to open
What happened????????????!!!!!!!!!!!! I have used Ever Clean for years, recommended it to my friends and was glad to pay a bit more for it than the other brands. My new delivery (in 10 lb. packets, genius) is a disaster. It is gray, a bit gravely, and the cats hate it. They are going all over the house, not in their litter boxes. I just picked up some feces in the bathroom, next to the litter box. It does not clump well or reduce the odor as it used to. Is it the tariffs, increased cost, etc.????????? I am searching for another brand. There must be a better product than this.